14 Days in Cambodia
Trip Overview
This 14-day journey threads Cambodia's sharpest contrasts into one flowing story: dawn breaking over Angkor Wat's lotus towers, dusk cocktails on Koh Rong's powder-soft beaches. Phnom Penh delivers sobering history beside a kinetic arts scene; Battambang hands you colonial streets and village rhythms. Three final days surrender to island great destination. The rhythm pairs temple climbs with beach idleness, city buzz with countryside calm. You'll eat amok curry from family kitchens, hear monks chant at first light, feel humid air thick with incense and frangipani, and watch Cambodia's tragedy and resilience play out side by side.
Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$80-120 per day
Best Seasons
November through March, when Cambodia weather brings cool, dry days good for temple exploration and beach time
Ideal For
First-time visitors, History enthusiasts, Beach lovers, Food explorers, Photography buffs
Day-by-Day Itinerary
A complete plan for every day of your trip
1
Phnom Penh Arrival & Riverside Introduction
Touch down in Cambodia's capital and slip into the rhythm with sunset drinks above the Tonle Sap River
Morning
Arrival and hotel check-in
Land at Phnom Penh International Airport and catch a 45-minute taxi to the riverside. The ride gives your first taste of Cambodia, motorbikes slicing past golden-spired pagodas, street vendors grilling pork skewers that trail sweet smoke into thick air.
Lunch
Romdeng Restaurant
Afternoon
Wat Phnom exploration
Climb the hilltop temple stairs where monkeys chatter in banyan branches and incense drifts past carved naga balustrades. The 14th-century stupa flashes gold against the sky. Fortune tellers beneath tamarind trees offer blessings for the road ahead.
Evening
Sunset at Foreign Correspondents Club
Order a Cambodia beer on the balcony while fishing boats drift past ochre-washed colonial buildings
Where to Stay Tonight
Riverside/Daun Penh (Patio Hotel & Urban Resort)
Central location for walking to night markets and restaurants, rooftop pool for beating the heat
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Exchange money at Canadia Bank ATM for better rates than airport exchanges
Day 1 Budget: $85
2
Dark History & Bright Future
Confront Cambodia's tragic past at S21 and the Killing Fields, then discover its creative revival
Morning
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
Walk the former high school turned prison where barbed wire still stretches across balconies and faded bloodstains mark torture chambers. The audio guide delivers survivors' whispered testimonies while victims' photographs stare from the walls, a chilling entry into Cambodia's recent trauma.
Arrive at 8 AM when doors open to avoid crowds and heat
Lunch
Friends the Restaurant
Afternoon
Choeung Ek Killing Fields
The memorial stupa filled with 5,000 skulls shines white against green grass. Wander past mass graves where butterflies dance between bone fragments, listening to stories through the audio guide while crickets create an eerie soundtrack above this sacred ground.
Evening
Street 240 art galleries and boutiques
Browse contemporary Khmer art at Meta House, then dinner at Eleven One Kitchen for authentic amok curry
Where to Stay Tonight
Riverside/Daun Penh (Same as previous night)
Keeping base in central Phnom Penh before heading north
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day ($15) to wait between sites and provide context
Day 2 Budget: $75
3
Royal Palace to Battambang
Morning palace splendor followed by scenic journey to Cambodia's most charming provincial city
Morning
Enter through the yellow gate where guards in crisp white uniforms stand beneath fluttering Cambodian flags. Inside, the Silver Pagoda's floor glitters with 5,000 silver tiles while a life-sized Buddha made of solid gold weighs 90 kilograms. Ramayana murals painted on gallery walls tell ancient stories in brilliant blues and greens.
Shoulders and knees must be covered. Sarongs available at entrance
Lunch
Malis Restaurant
Afternoon
Bus to Battambang
Board the 5-hour Capitol Tour bus heading northwest through Cambodia's rice heartland. Concrete melts into palm trees, water buffalo soak in emerald paddies, and stilted wooden houses line Highway 5. The road slices through dusty market towns where sugar cane juice vendors wave at passing traffic.
Book morning bus (1 PM departure) to arrive before dark
Evening
Battambang riverside
Walk along the Sangker River to night market stalls grilling whole fish stuffed with lemongrass
Where to Stay Tonight
Battambang town center (Bambu Hotel)
Colonial building with pool, walking distance to night market and riverside restaurants
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Sit on the right side of the bus for better views and less sun exposure
Day 3 Budget: $70
4
Battambang's Bamboo Train & Colonial Streets
Ride the famous bamboo train at sunrise, then explore Cambodia's best-preserved French colonial architecture
Morning
Bamboo Train (Norry) ride
At dawn, climb aboard the bamboo platform driven by a small engine, wind whipping past as you rocket through banana plantations at 40 km/h. Rails click-clack beneath while farmers wave from their fields. When another norry approaches, simply lift yours off the tracks, the lighter load gives way in this charming tradition.
Go at 6 AM for cooler temperatures and fewer tourists
Lunch
Jaan Bai
Afternoon
Colonial walking tour
Stroll past ochre-washed villas with green shutters, their balconies dripping bougainvillea. The Governor's Residence now holds art galleries, the former bank pours strong Cambodian arabica. Pause at the old Central Market where vendors hawk fresh turmeric to motorcycle parts under the Art Deco roof.
Evening
Phare Ponleu Selpak circus
Watch talented young performers blend traditional Khmer stories with acrobatics and music
Where to Stay Tonight
Battambang town center (Same as previous night)
Second night allows deeper exploration of Battambang's charm
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Rent a bicycle ($2/day) for easy exploration of the old French quarter
Day 4 Budget: $65
5
Countryside Villages & Wine Country
Cycle through countryside villages and Cambodia's only winery, tasting tropical fruit wines against mountain backdrops
Morning
Village cycling tour
Pedal past rice paddies where women in conical hats bend over emerald shoots. Stop at a family home making rice paper, thin sheets drying on bamboo racks flutter like white flags in the breeze. Children race alongside shouting 'Hello!' while palm sugar sweetness drifts from a nearby candy workshop.
Bring plenty of water and sunscreen for open countryside cycling
Lunch
Family lunch in Wat Kor village
Afternoon
Chan Thai Choeung Ek winery
Cambodia's sole winery sits beneath Phnom Sampeau mountain, where rows of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon somehow thrive in tropical heat. Taste surprisingly good wines made from local grapes and tropical fruits, the mango wine carries Southeast Asian sunshine while the musk melon version tastes like liquid summer.
Call ahead for English-speaking guide
Evening
Sunset at Phnom Sampeau
Climb the 700 steps (or take motorbike) to watch millions of bats stream from caves at dusk
Where to Stay Tonight
Battambang town center (Same as previous night)
Final night in Battambang before early departure to Siem Reap
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Ask your guide to stop at the local fish market, morning is when it's most active
Day 5 Budget: $60
6
Road to Siem Reap & Pub Street
Morning journey to Cambodia's tourism capital, afternoon temple preview, evening Pub Street exploration
Morning
Bus to Siem Reap
The 3-hour journey east passes through Sisophon town and endless rice fields dotted with sugar palms. Watch farmers driving ox-carts loaded with sugar cane while children splash in irrigation canals. The landscape turns tourist-oriented as Siem Reap nears, suddenly every second building is a guesthouse or tour agency.
Mekong Express offers the most comfortable buses with AC and snacks
Lunch
Cuisine Wat Damnak
Afternoon
Angkor National Museum preview
Let 1,000 years of Khmer civilization hit you through hands-on exhibits. The Gallery of a Thousand Buddhas blazes gold in low light, while the ancient Khmer map proves how Angkor once stretched from Vietnam to Myanmar. The air conditioning delivers pure relief before tomorrow's temple marathon.
Buy the 3-day Angkor pass here to skip tomorrow's queue
Evening
Pub Street first taste
Kick off with $1 beers at Angkor What? bar, then slide into Miss Wong for cocktails that know their business
Where to Stay Tonight
Old Market/Pub Street area (Golden Temple Residence)
Everything sits within walking distance, the pool saves your life on temple days, and breakfast comes included and excellent
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Buy your temple pass at 5 PM for tomorrow - it's valid from purchase time
Day 6 Budget: $95
7
Angkor Wat Sunrise Circuit
Watch dawn crack over Angkor Wat's famous silhouette, then dive into the temple's detailed bas-reliefs
Morning
Angkor Wat sunrise
In darkness, you join hundreds of camera-wielding pilgrims at the reflection pool. The sky slides from purple to pink to gold as Angkor Wat's lotus-shaped towers pull free from silhouette. Morning air carries incense and waking birds while first light exposes 600 meters of intricate bas-reliefs showing the churning of the ocean of milk.
Leave at 4:30 AM to secure front row spot by the left pond
Lunch
Local stalls near Angkor Wat
Afternoon
Angkor Thom complex
Walk through the South Gate where 54 stone faces of Avalokiteshvara smile in stone. Bayon's 216 faces build a mountain of calm, each 4 meters tall with closed eyes and secret smiles. The bas-reliefs capture daily life - market scenes, fishing boats, even a woman giving birth - carved 800 years ago yet feeling immediate now.
Evening
Phare Cambodian Circus
Modern circus spins Khmer stories through acrobatics, ideal after ancient temple overload
Where to Stay Tonight
Old Market/Pub Street area (Same as previous night)
Central base for temple exploration
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Book a tuk-tuk for the day ($15) - walking between temples in this heat will crush you
Day 7 Budget: $90
8
Tree Temples & Pink Sandstone
Explore Ta Prohm's tree-root embrace and Banteay Srei's intricate pink carvings
Morning
Ta Prohm at dawn
Arrive before tour buses to claim the temple alone with strangler figs and silk-cotton trees. Their thick roots wrap stones like ancient serpents, delivering the Tomb Raider fantasy. Morning light slips through jungle canopy, lighting lichen-covered stones and creating photo magic without crowds.
Enter at 7 AM sharp when gates open
Lunch
Srah Srang restaurant
Afternoon
The 37-km drive rolls past traditional villages where wooden houses on stilts line red dirt roads. Banteay Srei's pink sandstone burns in afternoon light, every surface carved with impossible details - dancing asparas, multi-armed deities, and geometric patterns that defy this scale. The temple's small size sharpens the artistry.
Combine with Cambodia Landmine Museum en route
Evening
Night market and foot massage
$3 foot massage at Seeing Hands before dinner at Marum (Tree Alliance restaurant)
Where to Stay Tonight
Old Market/Pub Street area (Same as previous night)
Continuing Siem Reap base
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Bring a sarong - Banteay Srei's carvings are best viewed sitting at eye level
Day 8 Budget: $85
9
Tonle Sap Floating Life
See Cambodia's floating villages where houses rise and fall with the monsoon seasons
Morning
Kompong Phluk floating village
Drive through countryside where lotus fields run to the horizon, pink blooms floating like water lilies. Board a small boat that threads between stilted houses 6-9 meters high - the height shows how wildly Tonle Sap climbs during wet season. Local children paddle alongside in plastic tubs, their laughter bouncing across water.
Go with local guide from village to support community directly
Lunch
Local family home in floating village
Afternoon
Artisans Angkor workshop
Watch master craftsmen shape sandstone and silk weavers build intricate patterns on traditional looms. The workshop carries scents of fresh wood shavings and natural dyes. Young apprentices learn old techniques while creating souvenirs that send money straight to rural communities - from lacquer boxes to silver jewelry showing Angkor motifs.
Free shuttle from town center every hour
Evening
Cocktails and dinner
Start at Asana bar in a traditional wooden house, then dinner at Chanrey Tree overlooking the river
Where to Stay Tonight
Old Market/Pub Street area (Same as previous night)
Final temple day tomorrow before beach transition
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Bring small bills for tips - the village economy runs on cash and generosity
Day 9 Budget: $80
10
Final Temples & Flight to Coast
Sunrise at Pre Rup and final temple exploration before flying south to Cambodia's beaches
Morning
Pre Rup sunrise
This brick temple flames golden in sunrise light, giving 360-degree views across jungle canopy. Early morning air carries frangipani while the sun brushes Angkor's towers pink and orange. Smaller crowds than Angkor Wat make this a calm finale to temple exploration.
Bring flashlight for pre-dawn climb
Lunch
Café Indochine
Afternoon
Flight to Sihanoukville
The 45-minute flight to Cambodia's coast delivers aerial views of endless rice paddies surrendering to the Gulf of Thailand. Sihanoukville's airport is tiny - just one runway and a thatched roof terminal where humid air slams you after plane AC.
Book with Cambodia Angkor Air for reliability
Evening
Otres Beach sunset
Check into beachfront guesthouse, then watch the sun drop into the Gulf while sipping fresh coconut water
Where to Stay Tonight
Otres Beach (Wish You Were Here Otres)
Beachfront bungalows, quiet spot away from party beaches, simple boat access to islands
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Sit on the left side of the plane for Gulf of Thailand views on landing
Day 10 Budget: $120
11
Koh Rong Paradise Found
Speedboat to Cambodia's most beautiful island with turquoise waters and bioluminescent plankton
Morning
Speedboat to Koh Rong
The 45-minute ride skips across turquoise waters where flying fish dart alongside. Koh Rong rises like a jungle-covered great destination - white sand beaches edged with coconut palms, water so clear you spot starfish on the ocean floor. The boat docks at Koh Touch village where reggae drifts from beach bars.
Buva Sea offers the most reliable schedule
Lunch
Moonlight Resort restaurant
Afternoon
Long Beach trek
Hike 45 minutes through jungle trails where butterflies flit between giant ferns and waves grow louder. Long Beach runs 7 kilometers of powder-white sand with zero people. Water shifts from turquoise to deep sapphire, warm as a bath and crystal clear for snorkeling.
Bring water - no facilities on Long Beach
Evening
Bioluminescent plankton swim
Take boat tour at 9 PM to swim in water that lights up like stars with every movement
Where to Stay Tonight
Koh Touch beach (Dream Catch Inn)
Beachfront location, good restaurant, reliable WiFi for island standards
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Pack light - Koh Rong is barefoot luxury, anything beyond flip-flops is overkill
Day 11 Budget: $75
12
Koh Rong Samloem Serenity
Escape to the quieter sister island for hammocks, clear waters, and absolute tranquility
Morning
Boat to Koh Rong Samloem
The 20-minute hop between islands shows the contrast - where Koh Rong buzzes with backpacker energy, Samloem delivers pure peace. The boat slides into Saracen Bay's perfect crescent of white sand, backed by jungle and just a handful of eco-resorts. The water here is impossibly clear, showing coral gardens just offshore.
Express boat leaves at 10 AM daily
Lunch
The One Resort
Afternoon
Lazy Beach relaxation
Take the jungle path (30 minutes) or kayak (20 minutes) to Lazy Beach - a perfect half-moon bay with just one beach bar. Hammocks swing between coconut palms while only waves and rustling palm fronds break the silence. The snorkeling here reveals parrotfish, sea stars, and if you're lucky, sea turtles.
Bring sunscreen - no shade on Lazy Beach
Evening
Sunset cocktails
Happy hour at Mad Monkey with 2-for-1 drinks as the sun stains the sky pink over the Gulf
Where to Stay Tonight
Saracen Bay (Sol Beach Resort)
Overwater bungalows, excellent restaurant, perfect beach location
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Book accommodation ahead - Samloem has limited rooms and fills quickly
Day 12 Budget: $80
13
Island Hopping & Final Flavors
Last full day of island life with snorkeling, beach exploration, and Cambodian cuisine
Morning
Snorkeling boat tour
Hit three snorkeling spots where coral gardens bloom beneath crystal waters. Schools of yellow-striped angelfish drift past while you float above brain coral and sea anemones. The boat captain knows secret spots where you're likely alone except for tropical fish. Between swims, fresh pineapple and coconut water emerge from the cooler.
Samloem Dive Center offers small group tours
Lunch
Onboard BBQ
Afternoon
M'Pai Bay village
The local fishing village at the island's northern tip shows you what island life looks like when nobody's watching. Kids splash in tidal pools while weathered fishermen stitch nets on the sand. Three beach bars serve fresh coconut under reggae rhythms, and if you time it right, you'll watch the sun drop while eating grilled barracuda that was swimming that morning.
Negotiate pick-up time for sunset return
Evening
Beach BBQ farewell
Fresh lobster BBQ on the beach at your resort, toes in sand, stars overhead
Where to Stay Tonight
Saracen Bay (Same as previous night)
Final island night before return to mainland
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Bring cash - no ATMs on Samloem and many places don't take cards
Day 13 Budget: $70
14
Return to Phnom Penh
Morning boat to mainland, afternoon flight to capital for final evening of Cambodia food and memories
Morning
Speedboat to Sihanoukville
The 45-minute ride back to reality slides past fishing boats heading out for the day. The mainland starts as a pencil line of buildings, then suddenly you're back in traffic and concrete after days of barefoot freedom. Sihanoukville's port hits you with diesel and fish instead of frangipani and salt.
First boat leaves at 8 AM - book day before
Lunch
Sandan restaurant
Afternoon
Flight to Phnom Penh
The 40-minute flight gives you Cambodia from above - rice paddies stitched together like patchwork and the Mekong's wide brown ribbon. You land in Phnom Penh with sand still between your toes, carrying island memories back to the capital for one last night of urban Cambodia.
Book afternoon flight to allow for boat delays
Evening
Final dinner at Topaz
French-Khmer fine dining with wine pairings - the perfect celebration dinner for two weeks through the Kingdom of Wonder
Where to Stay Tonight
Airport area (Okay Boutique Hotel)
Close to airport for morning departure, rooftop bar for final Cambodia sunset
See all Cambodia accommodation options →Book airport hotel - Phnom Penh traffic is unpredictable for early flights
Day 14 Budget: $120
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you go
Getting Around
Use tuk-tuks in cities ($2-5 per ride), buses between destinations ($6-15), domestic flights for beach access ($85-95), and boats for islands ($10-25). Cambodia's roads have improved dramatically but allow extra time - 300km can take 5-6 hours. Grab app works in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for reliable rides.
Book Ahead
Book flights between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, island accommodation during peak season, and 3-day Angkor pass. Consider booking cooking classes and circus tickets ahead. But most activities can be arranged locally.
Packing Essentials
Light, breathable clothing for humid weather, strong sunscreen, insect repellent with DEET, sarong for temples, flip-flops for beaches and temples, reusable water bottle, and waterproof bag for boat transfers. Bring US dollars in small denominations - Cambodia operates on USD.
Total Budget
$1,400-1,800 for 14 days including accommodation, transport, food, and activities
Customize Your Trip
Adapt this itinerary to your travel style
Budget Version
Stay in hostels ($5-10/night), eat street food ($1-3/meals), take local buses instead of flights, and choose dorm boats to islands. Skip fine dining for local markets and negotiate tuk-tuk tours directly. Total drops to $800-1,000.
Luxury Upgrade
Upgrade to Raffles in Phnom Penh, Amansara in Siem Reap, and Song Saa private island. Take private transfers, helicopter to temples, private boat charters to islands, and dine at finest restaurants. Budget increases to $3,000-4,000.
Family-Friendly
Replace S21/Killing Fields with Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue, choose family rooms in resorts with pools, book private transfers for comfort, select Koh Rong Samloem over Koh Rong for safety, and include cooking classes suitable for kids. Add extra beach days for relaxation between temples.
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