Real Cambodia

Trip Type: 18 to 35s
Vietnam | 10 Days | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 969.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

On this ten-day trip through Cambodia, you’ll start in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City then hightail it to Phnom Penh, where you’ll set sail on the Meko...

Real Cambodia

On this ten-day trip through Cambodia, you’ll start in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City then hightail it to Phnom Penh, where you’ll set sail on the Mekong River over sunset and toast to your adventure. Then, soak up the sun, sand and swim in island paradise Koh Rong and meet the locals during a rural homestay in Sambor Prei Kuk. Discover ancient wonders in Siem Reap’s Angkor complex at sunrise and spend a full day wandering this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site. When you’ve had your fill of tasty food, temples and rice fields, end it all in Thailand’s Bangkok and raise a glass to a trip well-travelled!

Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh. Your Cambodian adventure starts with a dip into Vietnam and a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. There's nothing planned for the first day, so feel free to get amongst the chaos of the city. A good place to start is the Ben Thanh Market, where you can snack on chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sticks of sugar cane). If you have time, a visit to Reunification Palace or the War Remnants Museum are recommended. Tonight, why not get your new friends together and enjoy a group dinner to kick off your journey.

Today, travel to Phnom Penh on a public bus – this is a long journey that includes two border crossings and a stop where you can grab some lunch. Have your favourite books or road trip games ready – this is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your guide will assist with the formalities at both sides of the border. When you arrive, why not treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage to ease the tension. Look no further than Seeing Hands – a great organisation supporting visually impaired masseurs.

Today, you’ll have an authentic local breakfast near one of the markets. Then, the group will head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – both sobering but important and informative experiences in Cambodia. After, you may like to explore some of the sights in your own time, like the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which both offer brighter aspects of Cambodia's past. You might also head for the National Museum or Wat Phnom – a Buddhist temple built in 1372. The main centre of the city sits on the Western bank of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. In the evening, you’ll head out with your group for a sunset river cruise and enjoy an included drink as you sail along the water and see the city from a different perspective. Then, you might like to hit up a rooftop bar with some amazing views of the city – there are lots of options to choose from, so just ask your leader. 

Today, leave Phnom Penh on a private bus to Sihanoukville. Then, you’ll take a speed boat to the paradise of Koh Rong. You’ll have a couple of days on the island to really bliss out and adjust to island time – this afternoon is for swimming, relaxing on the warm sandy shores of the beach and walking along the coast in the balmy evening in search of somewhere for dinner (your leader will have some great recommendations).

Today is another free day to chill at the beach. Soak in the sun, order a few cocktails or cold beers to cool down and go swimming in the serene waters of Koh Rong. If you’re looking for something active, maybe ask your leader for your hiking options, as there’s plenty of gorgeous jungle and hidden waterfalls waiting to be discovered inland. Tonight, why not party it up at Nest Beach Club – a lively spot known for its nightlife.

This morning, you’ll leave the island behind and head to your homestay in Isanborei – a rural community that maintains a traditional lifestyle. This community lies within Sambor Preikuk, a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 100 ancient temples. This is also home to a Cambodian community-based tourism project involving seven Khmer villages that collaborate to conserve the historic area and provide residents with job opportunities. When you arrive, take a tour of the village with your local guide, who will introduce you to the local people, your homestay and your hosts. Tonight, catch the sun setting over the rice fields before unwinding as you enjoy a traditional homemade Khmer dinner with your host family.

Enjoy breakfast prepared by your local host this morning. If you didn’t get a chance yesterday, you can visit the nearby Sambor Preikuk Temple – some of the oldest ruins in the country (dating back to the 6th century). Maybe opt to cycle over the rural roads through the village, passing locals working in the rice fields, or perhaps try a sample of Sombai Cambodian Liqueur. After a day of exploring, say goodbye to your homestay hosts and travel on towards Siem Reap – home to the bucket list site, Angkor Wat. When you arrive, maybe spend some time looking around the central markets and pick up some delicious local food for dinner tonight. 

Early this morning, you’ll visit the mighty Angkor complex at sunrise – this is the largest religious structure in the world, and it’s pretty special to see the dawn rise over the temples. Get the camera ready because these 400 acres are full of picturesque settings. You’ll take a guided tour of the complex on a tuk-tuk with a local social enterprise that focuses on providing employment opportunities for women in the community – and see the larger-than-life Angkor Wat, the grand Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some buildings are over a thousand years old from the Khmer Empire – these beauties were known to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. If you like, try to catch the majesty of the temples at sunset, too – you can even head back to your accommodation after your guided tour for a nap and then re-enter the site in the late afternoon.

Goodbye Cambodia, hello Thailand. Drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a private minivan today. After a long travel day, arrive in Bangkok. The khlongs (canals) are a great way to escape from all the chaos – maybe take a boat to the popular Chinatown for a delicious street food dinner. A traditional Thai massage may also be a good option to relax into the evening. There’s some great nightlife and rooftop bars to explore here, so be sure to stake out a place with your travel buddies and watch day turn to night, celebrating your final evening. 

There are no activities planned for today and your trip comes to an end. Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or the Jim Thompson Museum. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
2 Breakfast(s), , 1 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private minibus , Public bus , TukTuk , Speed Boat

Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Multi-share Bungalow (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Orientation Walk
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
  • Phnom Penh - Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Local Breakfast
  • Phnom Penh - Sunset River Cruise
  • Sambor Prei Kuk - Khmer Dinner
  • Sambor Prei Kuk - Homestay
  • Sambor Prei Kuk - Local Community Guide
  • Sambor Prei Kuk - Village Walk
  • Siem Reap - Orientation Walk
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour by TukTuk
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Sunrise
  • Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass
  • Spend a night in at your rural homestay in Sambor Preikuk, right in the heart of everyday life in Cambodia – walk through the village, see locals working the rice fields and learn about the community-led efforts to preserve this area's cultural heritage.
  • See the sunrise over the incredible Angkor complex and take a guided tuk-tuk tour of all the best sites (including Angkor Wat and jungle-covered Ta Prohm) with a company focused on employing local women in the community. 
  • Enjoy tonnes of free time swimming and soaking up the sun on the sands of Koh Rong Island – the perfect spot for long beach days, jungle hikes, waterfalls expeditions and a drink (or two).
  • Tuck into some local food sure to delight the tastebuds – including a homecooked Khmer dinner and breakfast at your homestay, local market delights and street eats sure to please.
  • Learn more about Cambodia's confronting but important history with included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.
  • This trip includes some long travel days. Although this can be tiresome, it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Lots of time allocated for optional activities means freedom and flexibility, but also a level of independence. Only a few meals are included, but your leader will have plenty of suggestions for great eats at any budget. This is a great way to mingle with locals and discover unexpected delights!  You'll be spending a night with a local family on this trip. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals!). Read more about the experience here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/cambodia-homestay-experience Temperatures and humidity can be high in Cambodia, especially when walking around sights like the Angkor complex, where there may be little shade. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Some travellers find an umbrella handy to keep the sun off (this will also come in handy if it rains!).  You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover your arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.  This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic South East Asia or Epic Vietnam to Cambodia.

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Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
TKYR
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trip Finishes:
Bangkok, Thailand
Countries Visited:
Cambodia
Thailand
Vietnam
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Destination Details
Vietnam | 10 Days | 1 - 16 People

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