Cambodia: 6-day itinerary

If you've ever played or watched Tomb Raider, you know Cambodia is a treasure trove of scenic, ancient temple ruins, with landscapes that transport you to another time. From the 6th to 17th centuries, the Khmer kings established a powerful Hindu-Buddhist dynasty, whose cultural legacy still echoes through the country's stunning monuments. With the decline of the dynasty & rise of other rulers who established distant capitals, these monuments were gradually overtaken by nature, with many falling into severe disrepair by the time they were rediscovered. The efforts of French archaeologists in the early 20th century have helped restore & preserve these sites, ensuring that Cambodia’s ancient wonders retain their mystic aura.

But Cambodia is so much more than just its historic treasures. This small yet vibrant country is filled with such beautiful sights that are often overlooked. Here’s my one-week itinerary for discovering this fascinating country, often referred to as the "cousin of India", in all its diverse beauty.

©VA

Ancient forest ruins of Beng Mealea temple in Cambodia

©Varsha Arun, 2022

Why not Vietnam?

Lots of people ask me why choose to go to Cambodia and not Vietnam? I ask them, 'Why not?!'

Ideally, if you have the budget and time, it makes sense to see both on a combined trip as they are neighbors and have similar roots. In the circumstance that you need to choose between them, most people opt for Vietnam, preferring its divine waterscapes and valleys. On the other hand, Cambodia’s stunning temples and enchanting forests offer a whole different kind of beauty. While Vietnam is known for its luxury and seascapes, Cambodia stands out for its rich history and incredible archaeology. There’s no real competition—it all comes down to what you’re in the mood for. I feel Cambodia is an underrated destination and can benefit from more strategic tourism marketing. If you haven’t seen Cambodia, you’ve missed out on witnessing the glory of one of the most remarkable civilizations in history.

Day 1

Arrive at Phnom Penh (capital of Cambodia) - It's best to arrive in the morning, as it takes about two hours to clear the airport, plus another 30 minutes to reach Phnom Penh proper (although this may depend on your hotel location & traffic). This timing allows you to align your arrival with the standard 12pm check-in time perfectly.
Freshen up & head to Wat Phnom - 1 hour visiting duration.
Make your way to the Central Market – You can either walk from Wat Phnom or hop on a Tuk-Tuk for a quicker journey. Enjoy its unique Art-Deco architecture & street shopping.
Walk to Wat Ounalam - 30 mins visiting duration.
Walk along Sisowath Quay towards the Night Market - An evening stroll along the riverside is lovely, and the night market has a lively shopping & street food scene, perfect for the first night in town.

Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh during night with brightly lit structures

Sisowath Quay at night ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Wat Phnom tower in Cambodia during a bright day

Wat Phnom tower ©kikujungboy

Art deco style of Central market in Phnom Penh during a bright day

Central market ©JM Travel Photography

Street view of Wat Ounalam in Phnom Penh during daytime

Wat Ounalam ©VCTBR

Day 2

Screen, Tuol Sleng Museum ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum by 9am - This is Cambodia's most significant site apart from the Angkor temples. As the location of a relatively recent genocide, this is a sensitive place & requires thorough research before visiting. It may be emotionally triggering for some, but it is a place that everyone should experience at least once, as its history has been largely underreported and covered up. Despite being a museum, this is not a picnic spot or a place to take kids. It takes about 2-3 hrs to explore the museum in depth. Learn more here: https://tuolsleng.gov.kh/en/.

Memorial of Choeung Ek mass grave in Phnom Penh

Choeung Ek Memorial ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Take a Tuk-Tuk to Choeung Ek Killing Fields - This is best clubbed with the Tuol Sleng Museum as they are both located in the Southern part of Phnom Penh, with the killing fields being an extension of the museum. The journey from Tuol Sleng to the Killing Fields takes approximately 25 minutes one-way, and a visit typically lasts about 1 hr. While some of the sights may be disturbing, the site is a park/memorial with many families present, so the atmosphere remains respectful and somber.
If you're like me, you may be quite emotionally moved by now and cried for a bit too. So this is the best time to take a break & unwind with a lunch stop.

Head back to the city center after lunch, to the Royal Palace – The palace may not be open to visitors, so check with locals before arriving. It would take about 1.5 hrs for a tour of the palace & its beautiful grounds.
Cross the street to see the National Museum of Cambodia - The red architecture of the museum itself is stunning, particularly during late afternoon, but the relics inside have their own charm too. Visitors spend about 1 hr here.
Hop on over to Chaktomuk Conference Hall - The distinctive Art-Deco facade of the hall is a point of intrigue. It takes 10 mins for a visit.
Spend the rest of the evening strolling along the vibrant Sisowath Quay - See the point where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers converge. Each November, the Bon Om Tuk Water Festival features an exciting boat race at this location.

Tip - If time permits, catch a shadow puppet show or Apsara dance show at night. Check availability in advance through your hotel or online.

To know more on Phnom Penh, head to my page 'Wat' about Phnom Penh?

Royal Palace ©David Leiter

Red building of national museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh

National Museum of Cambodia ©meunierd

Chaktomuk hall ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Day 3

Check out and leave for Sambor Prei Kuk in private taxi - This needs to be arranged beforehand as it involves inter-city travel.
Sambor Prei Kuk, an archaeological site in Kampong Thom province, is located about 3.5 hours north of Phnom Penh on the way to Siem Reap. Spread over 1,000 acres, the 150 temples predating the Angkor complex give an insight into early temple-building that culminated into the stunning Khmer architecture that is Angkor Wat. The ruinous temples are hidden gems that attract few tourists, and are a rewarding destination for those seeking a quiet, crowd-free stroll through a mysterious forest.
The visit of the entire site easily takes 3 hrs and I found it best to start from the South group, followed by the Central group and finally end at the North Group where your taxi can pick you up.
For more information, visit my page Sambor Prei Kuk: A Pre-Angkorean City.

Ancient ruined Khmer temples of Sambor Prei Kuk

Sambor Prei Kuk, South group ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Ancient ruined Khmer temple taken over by parasitic tree in Sambor Prei Kuk

Temple in North group swallowed by parasitic tree ©Varsha Arun, 2022

Leave for Siem Reap by 4pm - I would suggest engaging the taxi to take you from Phnom Penh all the way to Siem Reap, with the Sambor Prei Kuk visit being an inclusion, as finding transportation from Sambor Prei is extremely difficult. This also gives you the flexibility to travel at your own pace. The entire trip costs a little over 100 USD. If you prefer to skip Sambor Prei, you can take the taxi directly to Siem Reap.

Tip - Restaurants are limited near Sambor Prei, and the few available are modest, serving primarily local dishes. Vegetarian options are rare, and even the meat may be questionable. It's best to pack food from your hotel before setting off.

Before continuing to days 4, 5 & 6......

A cloudy sunrise at Angkor Wat ©Varsha Arun, 2022

These three days will be spent exploring the city of Siem Reap, which is the gateway to the majestic Angkor ruins as well as the floating settlements of Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. While a full exploration of Angkor typically requires at least a week, the key temples can be visited in just a couple of days.
Entry passes (1-day, 3-day, or 7-day) are required for the Angkor Archaeological Park and must be purchased in person at the Angkor Ticket Office, located 4km north of Siem Reap on the way to the Angkor complex or online through the Angkor Enterprise portal. A biometric verification will be done, and your pass will include this information for security. No other tickets are valid & the passes should be kept handy at all times when you're visiting the temples. Learn more here: https://angkorenterprise.gov.kh/plan/38/entrance-tickets-regulations.
The breathtaking sunrise view of Angkor Wat is truly unmatched. Typically occurring around 5:30 a.m., it attracts large crowds who gather in the early morning darkness, eagerly whispering and awaiting the perfect photo.
Since reaching Angkor Wat by sunrise requires an early start—often leaving Siem Reap as early as 4.30am—it becomes tough to purchase entry passes on the same day as the sunrise visit. Passes should either be bought online in advance or, if purchasing in person, done the day before. Alternatively, you can plan the sunrise visit for the day after tickets are bought.

If you arrive in Siem Reap before 5pm on Day 3, head straight to the ticket office to purchase your passes before checking in to your hotel. These will be valid starting the following day, allowing you to visit Angkor Wat for the sunrise on Day 4. Keep in mind that the ticket office closes at 5:30pm.
However, if this is not possible, the passes can be bought early morning on Day 4, as the ticket office opens as early as 4.30am. If its done quick, you may be able to make it in time for the sunrise view.
Depending on when the pass is obtained, the itineraries for Day 4 and Day 5 are inter-changeable..

Things to know before visiting Angkor Temples....

Tourist taking photo of Banteay Srei temple in Cambodia

©Varsha Arun, 2022

Angkor passes grant access to all temples within the Angkor complex, as well as few distant ones. Click here for the list:

https://angkorenterprise.gov.kh/temple.

It’s important to carry your pass with you always, as being caught without one can result in a fine.
The pass allows unlimited entries during its validity. It will be checked each time you enter, allowing entry & exit as often as you like.
Multi-day passes do not need to be used on consecutive days, as long as they are within their validity period. For example, a 3-day pass is valid for 10 days from the first use. If you use it on Day 1, you can choose the next visits to be on Day 2 & Day 3, or on Day 5 & Day 9 even, as long as it's within the 10-day window.
Each temple has its own opening and closing times, with most closing by 5:30pm. While I’ve suggested visit plans in my Angkor Archeological Park page, make sure to check the timings to allow for flexible planning of your visit.
- Angkor Wat & Sra Ssrang - 5am to 5.30 pm
- Phnom Bakheng & Pre Rup - 5am to 7pm
- Other temples - 7.30am to 5.30pm
The temples are sacred sites. Dress appropriately with knees and shoulders covered.
The temple zones are strictly non-smoking and non-littering zones.
Apart from a food court near the west entry of Angkor Wat, there are small roadside eateries offering simple, local food similar to Sambor Prei. If you're vegetarian, it's recommended to pack your own food.
Tuk-tuks or taxis are the most convenient way to get around Siem Reap and the Angkor complex. While cycling is an option, it can be tiring when combined with walking through the large temple complexes. Summers are particularly challenging for cycling.
Guided Angkor tours are plentiful in Siem Reap, but they often offer only basic information; aka an unnecessary expense. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the temples, tourist handbooks are easily a better and more effective alternative. My personal recommendation is Ancient Angkor by Michael Freeman and Claude Jacques, a book easily available in most souvenir shops.

Day 4

Starting with the Angkor Wat temple at dawn, the day will be spent all around the Angkor archeological complex. For a detailed itinerary, check out my Angkor Archeological Park page.

Tip - If you have energy left at the end of the day, relax at Pub Street in central Siem Reap or check out the small souvenir shops nearby. Alternatively, enjoy a uniquely Cambodian experience by attending a Phare Circus performance.

Day 5

Visit few distant sights like Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Cambodia Landmine Museum, Kbal Spean or Beng Mealea, etc. For a detailed itinerary, check out my Angkor Archeological Park page.
The entry to the distant temples is covered in the Angkor passes.
Tickets should be separately purchased for the Landmine Museum as it is independent of the Angkor archeological site.
Learn more about the museum here: https://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org.
Since the day will involve visiting distant temples, renting a taxi is recommended.

Tip - If you missed it in Phnom Penh, check with your hotel on the possibility of attending a shadow puppet show or Apsara dance show at night.

Central display of landmines in Cambodia landmine museum

Day 6

Start your day with a cheery morning tour to one of the floating villages on Lake Tonle Sap. The scenic route through the countryside rice fields and fresh morning breeze create the perfect mood for visiting the charming little settlements.
The rest of the day can be spent exploring the remaining temples at the Angkor Thom compound. For detailed itinerary, check out my Angkor Archeological Park page.

Tip - Upon returning to Siem Reap, spend your final evening shopping for authentic Cambodian souvenirs at the Made in Cambodia market or Artisans Angkor.

Boat in water in Meychrey floating village of Cambodia

If you have a 7th day,

An extra day can be added to the trip if you're interested in exploring the city of Siem Reap itself. While it may not have a wealth of sights, its charm lies in its laid-back but lively street culture of shopping, dining and post-sunset revelry. The main sights to cover are Wat Preah Prom Rath, Wat Bo, Angkor National Museum, Royal Independence Gardens, and Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm shrines.
Alternatively, take a day trip to either Kulen Falls or Prasat Preah Vihar, a stunning 12th-century temple perched atop a cliff near the Thailand border. Preah Vihar bewitches with a romantic and serene atmosphere that you won't want to leave.

Essential tips for travel in Cambodia....

Short duration tourist SIMs can be bought at the airport on arrival or in any local shop for about 2-3 USD.
While Riel (KHR) is the national currency, USD is widely accepted and commonly used for all transactions. While you can pay in either USD or KHR, change is typically returned in KHR.
Tuk-Tuks are the optimal way to get around Phnom Penh & Siem Reap. You can install Pass or Grab App for easy commutes. They work just like Uber & make it a breeze to get around.
Some quick Khmer lingo to communicate with the driver -
- Turn right - bot dtoy s'dum
- Turn left - bot dtoy ch'wayng
- Go straight - dtov dtrong
- Please stop - som chob
Restaurants of most cuisines are aplenty in Phnom Penh & Siem Reap. However, good dining options can be harder to come by outside the city limits and you would have to rely on snack shops for quick bites.
Cambodia offers some unique and exotic meat-based dishes, especially in its street food scene. Don't be surprised to find scorpion on sticks, fried bugs, alligator meat, marinated eels, etc....
Be respectful of the local culture and people. It goes a long way when you need help. Wear appropriate clothes to religious sites, i.e, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Even after conducting thorough research, I still needed assistance with organizing small tours, transportation, and accommodation. That’s where Mr. Peter from Khmer Detours came in. He was my go-to contact on the ground and quickly arranged everything at a very reasonable price. Resourceful, transparent, and highly reliable, Peter goes above and beyond to ensure a smooth experience. I can’t recommend him enough to anyone visiting Cambodia—he’ll do everything he can to make your trip unforgettable.