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Authentic Cambodia
Authentic Cambodia
Immerse yourself in rural Cambodia on this two-week adventure through ancient temples, charming villages, and breathtaking countryside. Traveling from Siem Reap to Battambang and Banteay Chhmar, you'll explore Cambodia through trekking, cycling, and kayaking excursions while connecting with local communities and culture. Discover the hidden temples of Angkor by remork, paddle to the floating villages of Tonlé Sap, hike to the sacred Phnom Kulen Waterfall, and experience the thrill of Battambang's exhilarating Bamboo Train.
Overview
Day 1: Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 2: Explore the Temples of Angkor by Remork - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 3: Cycle to Angkor's Hidden Temples - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 4: Kayaking Excursion to Tonlé Sap - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 5: Trekking & Waterfalls at Phnom Kulen - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 6: Countryside Cycling Excursion - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 7: Boat Journey to Battambang - O/n in Battambang
Day 8: Countryside Cycling Tour - O/n in Battambang
Day 9: Local Businesses & Temples in Battambang - O/n in Battambang
Day 10: Explore Banteay Chhmar & Ta Prohm Temples - O/n in Battambang
Day 11: Discover the Banteay Chhmar Way of Life - O/n in Battambang
Day 12: Transfer to Siem Reap via Banteay Toap - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 13: Countryside Cooking Class, Cambodian Circus Show - O/n in Siem Reap
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap - Goodbye Cambodia
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Welcome to Cambodia! Upon your arrival at Siem Reap Airport, an English-speaking guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You can relax or explore the charming town, the gateway to Angkor's temples. Join locals for a stroll along the riverside promenade, enjoy happy hour at FCC Angkor (the former Foreign Correspondents’ Club), and visit the bohemian cafés and lively bars of Pub Street.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Meals
Day 2: Explore the Temples of Angkor by Remork
Spend your first day exploring the incredible temples of Angkor by remork. Start early at 12th-century Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, featuring exquisite carvings of over 3,000 apsaras. Then, visit Angkor Thom, the Khmer Empire's last capital, beginning with Bayon Temple, known for its 54 towers adorned with smiling faces.
Explore the Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of the Elephants, and exit Angkor Thom through Victory Gate for a traditional Khmer lunch by the Royal Bathing Pool of Sra Srang. Next, visit the iconic, root-covered Ta Prohm, famous from the "Tomb Raider" movie. Return to your hotel to relax or stay to watch the sunset over Angkor before enjoying your evening at leisure in Siem Reap.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 3: Cycle to Angkor's Hidden Temples
Today, explore Angkor's "Grand Circle" temples by bicycle, avoiding the crowds and discovering country backroads and villages. Start with the 10th-century Kravan Hindu temple, known for its bas-reliefs of Vishnu and Lakshmi. Next, visit Banteay Kdei with its garudas and Hall of the Dancers. Continue to the secluded Ta Nei temple, entwined with banyan tree roots.
Cross the Siem Reap River to reach Preah Khan, a vast, lesser-visited complex with courtyards and corridors dedicated to 515 Hindu divinities. Enjoy a Khmer noodle lunch in a nearby village, then either continue exploring the temples or return to Siem Reap for an evening at leisure.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 4: Kayaking Excursion to Tonlé Sap
Spend today on the water, starting with a boat ride to the "floating villages" of Tonlé Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. Upon arrival, switch to a kayak to navigate between the floating houses, fish pens, and animal cages of Mechrey. This offers an intimate look into the daily lives of the Cham Vietnamese-Cambodian inhabitants, who rely on fishing and aquaculture.
As you paddle through the flooded swamp forest, spot various waterbirds and possibly endangered species like freshwater terrapins, smooth-coated otters, Siamese crocodiles, Greater Adjutants, Painted Storks, and fish eagles. After lunch at a floating restaurant, return to Siem Reap for an afternoon at leisure.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 5: Trekking & Waterfalls at Phnom Kulen
This morning, drive 48 km northeast of Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen, Cambodia's most sacred peak where Jayavarman II declared himself a god-king, founding the Khmer Empire. Enjoy a gentle trek to the summit, visiting a pagoda, bat cave, and Srah Damrei (Elephant Pond) with its life-size stone elephant and other animal statues. Take in the views over the plains below as you eat a packed lunch.
Hike back down, stopping at Phnom Kulen Waterfall for a refreshing swim. Return to Siem Reap for the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 6: Countryside Cycling Excursion
This morning, explore the scenic countryside around Siem Reap by bicycle. Ride along off-the-beaten-path lanes, passing pagodas, rice fields, and engaging with local farmers and artisans to gain insights into Khmer rural life. Enjoy a traditional lunch of fresh-made noodles before returning to Siem Reap in the afternoon.
The rest of the day is at your leisure. Relax by your hotel pool, visit the bustling Psar Chaa (Old Market), or indulge in a spa treatment at a local spa like Lemongrass Garden. Later, explore the vibrant nightlife of Pub Street.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 7: Boat Journey to Battambang
This morning, head to Siem Reap's wharf to board a private wooden boat for a scenic journey across Tonlé Sap Lake and up the Sangker River. Pass floating villages and riverside communities within the Tonlé Sap Biosphere Reserve, home to extensive mangrove forests and diverse wildlife. This route is navigable from July through December; during other months, travel is by road.
Arrive late afternoon at Phum Bak Prea's wharf and transfer to Battambang, a charming town known for its early 20th-century French colonial architecture. Settle into your hotel and relax, preparing for another exciting day tomorrow.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 8: Countryside Cycling Tour
Spend another day cycling with a relaxed 20-mile (33 km) route through the Battambang countryside, exploring traditional artisanal industries. Accompanied by a local student from Soksabike, you'll gain personal insights into rural Cambodia while providing economic support to local communities.
Meet families and try your hand at rice paper making, rice wine-making, and creating Battambang’s famous bamboo rice cakes. Enjoy a Cambodian lunch at a family home, then visit a local Buddhist temple to learn about Cambodian religious practices. Return to Battambang and conclude your day by exploring the city’s French colonial architecture.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 9: Local Businesses & Temples in Battambang
Start the day with a walking tour of Battambang’s old, narrow streets, exploring well-preserved historic buildings and visiting the central Psar Nat Market. Then, take a short drive to the countryside for a thrilling ride on the Bamboo Train—a bamboo platform on railway axles powered by a motorcycle engine. The 5-mile (8 km) trip offers an exhilarating experience.
The afternoon is at leisure until evening when you’ll witness an unforgettable sunset over Phnom Sampeau. This limestone outcrop, topped with small temples, offers stunning views over the rice fields and is home to the “Killing Caves” from the Khmer Rouge era. Stay until dusk to see thousands of bats exiting the caves. End the day with a delicious dinner at Jaan Bai, a training restaurant run by the Cambodian Children’s Trust.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 10: Explore Banteay Chhmar & Ta Prohm Temples
Say goodbye to Battambang as you head towards Banteay Chhmar, a charming town in northwest Cambodia. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the local community center before settling into your homestay accommodation. Freshen up and join a local guide to explore the magnificent temples of Banteay Chhmar, starting with the main Banteay Chhmar Temple, renowned for its intricate bas-reliefs and towering Avalokiteshvara deities.
Next, visit Ta Prohm Temple, featuring a stunning representation of Avalokiteshvara. In the evening, indulge in a special dinner under the stars, picnic-style on straw mats, while local villagers serenade you with traditional mahori music illuminated by wooden torches.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 11: Discover the Banteay Chhmar Way of Life
After breakfast, explore the local market to witness the vibrant array of produce. Then, embark on an ox-cart tour to experience the traditional "Banteay Chhmar way of life," including visits to the Silk Center, rice fields, and a local farm. Hitch a ride on a kuyon (tractor) to reach the picturesque Banteay Chhmar Baray lake, where you'll enjoy lunch on a wooden platform over the water and have free time for relaxation in a lakeside hammock.
On the return journey, visit a cassava farm and rice fields before joining your homestay family for dinner. Experience a rice flattening show and tasting, featuring the unique dish dalambok, traditionally prepared for special family gatherings and Khmer ceremonies like Sampeas Preah Khe.
3.5
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 12: Transfer to Siem Reap via Banteay Toap
This morning, depart Banteay Chhmar by kuyon for a scenic journey through rice fields to Banteay Toap, an ancient military-temple complex. Explore the ruins, including three stone towers adorned with carved wooden panels, and visit a nearby pagoda with stunning murals. Afterwards, meet your driver for the three-hour return journey to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps exploring local markets for souvenirs.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 13: Countryside Cooking Class, Cambodian Circus Show
Learn the secrets of Khmer cuisine with a hands-on cooking class in a village outside Siem Reap. Join a group session led by a chef, visit a local family to see ingredients being grown, then return to a purpose-built venue surrounded by coconut and bamboo trees. Prepare a three-course meal at individual workstations and savor your creations.
In the evening, enjoy a final night in Cambodia with dinner and a modern Khmer theatre performance by professional artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak. Experience an hour-long show combining theatre, dance, music, acrobatics, and circus acts.
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/ Lunch/
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap - Goodbye Cambodia
As you bid farewell to the "Kingdom of Wonder," take a moment to reflect on the incredible experiences and memories you've gathered during your time in Cambodia. From the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor to the vibrant markets, lush countryside, and warm hospitality of its people, Cambodia has left an indelible mark on your journey.
As you transfer to the airport for your departing flight, carry with you the sights, sounds, and flavors of this enchanting land. Whether it's the serene beauty of a sunrise at Angkor Wat or the bustling energy of a local market, Cambodia's charm will linger in your heart long after you've said chum reap lear (goodbye).
As you embark on your onward journey, may your travels be safe and your memories of Cambodia be cherished forever. Until we meet again, safe travels!
What's Included
Accommodation
Tour
Transfer
Guide
Breakfast/
How did people say about us!
Our Traveler's Beloved Programs
Traveler Reviews
Jay M
Date of Experience: Mar 2023
We highly recommend Custom Asia Travel for your trip to Southeast Asia! They provided a great combination of visiting historical and religious sites, temples, and also cultural connections in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia that we could have never made on our own. Our local guides were informative, and shared personal experiences that made our journey meaningful. We asked for an active trip, and Custom Asia Travel tailored our request with biking, kayaking and hiking. We enjoyed local cuisine in Laos, and were amazed by the history and significance of the temples in Cambodia, experienced via a beautiful bike tour.
Date of Experience: Mar 2023
We did a day trip in a Jeep in Ninh Binh with Thu, which included Trang An, Hang Mua, Bich Dong and Tam Coc. Thu was an amazing tour guide and was extremely helpful throughout the whole day, organising everything from start to finish and giving us insightful information about the things we saw, as well as life in Vietnam and it’s history more generally! The lunch was also great and the day turned out to be one of the best days of our trip! Couldn’t recommend Thu enough 😊
Nadine
Date of Experience: Mar 2023
We had an amazing time! Me and my friends visited the Halong/Lan Ha Bay and the Dry Halong Bay. Everything was perfectly organized & all the pick-ups were punctual. The guide and driver were very nice. The cruise ship and the eco lodge, in which we stayed, were great. The staff was very friendly and everything was clean. We can definitely recommend booking a trip with Custom Asia Travel! The organisation and contact with the company was great before, during and after the trip.
Whitney B
Date of Experience: Dec 2022
I cannot say enough positives about Custom Asia Travel! We visited Vietnam in December/January 2023 and had an amazing trip with our 3 teens. The itinerary exceeded our expectations! We travelled to Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Nha Trang. We had no issues with any of our transportation around the country - our drivers and guides were always there on time (early, actually), friendly and helpful. The accommodations were excellent and our guides were fantastic (Tanh, Tanh, and Viet - they were awesome!). Every place we stayed put our rooms right next to each other, often adjoining, and the kids’ room always had two twin beds and a cot, while my husband and I had a king bed. This was perfect as our teenagers did not want to share beds, lol! The activities were super fun and appealed to all of us. So many highlights - the kids loved the rice farm tour (riding the water Buffalo elicited the biggest smile we’ve ever seen from our 16 year old!), seeing the caves in Ninh Binh, the cooking class in Hoi An, and Ha Long Bay. I really appreciated that some of our itinerary was focused on less crowded activities - a couple of the temples we saw were practically empty, allowing us to enjoy and experience these beautiful sites on our own. We did a couple of bike rides which were also highlights, such a great way to explore and see the area! Minh was available and responsive while planning the trip and while we were there. I agree with others reviews about whether she ever sleeps! She was able to coordinate our luggage getting dropped off as it did not arrive with us, and contacted one of the hotels about a ring that had been left, and arranged for us to pick it up. She was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and so helpful. We truly had a relaxing and stress free trip because of the excellent customer service from Minh and our guides. With only having 12 days to visit we were so grateful to be able to enjoy the travel and know that Minh and her team were there if and when needed. I highly recommend using this company, you will not regret it! Now I am dreaming of how quickly we can make it back!! Thank you thank you to Minh and the team, our trip was unforgettable!
Date of Experience: Feb 2022
We are over 60 yers old and for eficiency we decided to organise our trips in Vietnam with a local agency. Custom Asia Travel is the wright agency. We decided to visit Hanoi, Tam Coc, Ha Long, Da Nang, Hoi An, My son Sanctuary and Ho Chi Minh City with help of this agency. The organisation and planing of the tours, the selection of the places to visit, hotels, restaurants,cars ( clean and comfortable), drivers and guides was perfect. The drivers and guides where friendly and polite. The guides ( Cường Xi,in Hanoi and Tam Coc, Tran Thanh Binh in Ho Chi Minh as also the guide in Da Nang area) where perfect. They gave us many interesting information about the visited places, organized perfect the details of the trips. The boat arrangement done by Custom Asia Travel in Ha Long Bay - Peony 1 was perfect. The prices for the offered services are fair. We kindly recommend this agency for tailor made trips.
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