Things to Do in Cambodia in October
October weather, activities, events & insider tips
October Weather in Cambodia
Is October Right for You?
Advantages
- Rainy season is winding down - October sits right at that sweet spot where you're getting fewer all-day downpours and more brief afternoon showers that actually cool things off. The countryside is still lush and green from the monsoon, making places like the Cardamom Mountains and countryside around Battambang absolutely stunning for photography.
- Angkor Wat crowds are noticeably thinner than peak season (November-February). You'll actually get those iconic sunrise shots without elbowing through tour groups, and temple exploration feels more contemplative. Hotels in Siem Reap typically run 30-40% cheaper than high season rates, and you can often negotiate walk-in deals.
- Water levels at Tonle Sap Lake are at their highest, which is when you see the floating villages at their most active and authentic. The lake swells to five times its dry season size, and this is genuinely the best time to understand why this ecosystem is so crucial to Cambodian life. The fishing is peak, markets are bustling, and the whole experience feels less staged than in tourist-heavy months.
- Pchum Ben festival usually falls in late September or early October - if you time it right, you'll witness Cambodia's most important religious celebration when locals return to ancestral villages to honor deceased relatives. Pagodas are packed, there's incredible food, and it's one of the few times you'll see the country's spiritual life on full display. Even if you miss the exact dates, the atmosphere lingers into October.
Considerations
- Rain is still a real factor - you're looking at roughly 10 days with rain, and while most showers are afternoon affairs lasting 20-40 minutes, you'll occasionally get a full morning washout that disrupts temple plans. Roads to remote areas like Preah Vihear or Koh Kong can be muddy and occasionally impassable after heavy rain, which limits spontaneous exploring.
- Humidity sits around 70% consistently, and combined with 31°C (88°F) temperatures, it's the kind of sticky heat that drains you faster than you expect. Temple climbing at Angkor becomes genuinely exhausting by mid-morning, and you'll go through more water and find yourself taking more breaks than you'd planned. First-timers often underestimate how the humidity affects energy levels.
- Some islands and beach areas are transitioning or still in low season mode - while Sihanoukville and nearby islands are accessible, some beach businesses might have reduced hours or be closed for annual maintenance before the November high season rush. Ferry schedules to islands like Koh Rong can be less frequent than peak months, requiring more advance planning.
Best Activities in October
Angkor Archaeological Park Temple Tours
October is actually ideal for the temples because you're beating the November-February crowds but the worst heat has broken slightly. The moat systems around Angkor Wat are full and reflecting beautifully, and the jungle temples like Ta Prohm have that lush, overgrown atmosphere that made them famous. Start your temple days at 5am for sunrise, take a long midday break at your hotel from 11am-3pm when it's hottest, then return for late afternoon golden hour. The light in October tends to be softer with occasional cloud cover, which is actually better for photography than harsh dry season sun.
Tonle Sap Floating Villages Exploration
This is genuinely THE month for Tonle Sap because the lake is at maximum extent - it's swollen from 2,500 square km (965 square miles) to over 12,000 square km (4,633 square miles). The floating villages like Kompong Phluk and Kampong Khleang are fully floating rather than sitting on mudflats, and you'll see the entire ecosystem functioning at peak activity with fishing, markets, schools, and daily life happening on water. Morning tours from 7-11am avoid the afternoon heat and catch the most active fishing times.
Phnom Penh Historical and Cultural Sites
The capital is actually more comfortable in October than peak season because occasional rain breaks the heat, and the city's museums and indoor sites provide perfect rainy day alternatives. The Royal Palace, National Museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are essential but emotionally heavy - space them out rather than cramming all history into one day. The riverfront promenade is lovely in late afternoon when temperatures drop to 27°C (81°F), and October evenings have this pleasant energy as locals come out after rain.
Battambang Countryside Cycling and Village Tours
Battambang in October is spectacularly green with rice paddies at various harvest stages creating this patchwork landscape that's perfect for cycling or motorbike tours. The countryside is flat, distances between villages are manageable (15-25 km / 9-16 miles for typical loops), and morning temperatures around 26°C (79°F) make early starts pleasant. You'll see traditional rice paper making, fish paste production, and bamboo train rides. The area gets fewer tourists than Siem Reap, so interactions feel more genuine.
Kampot and Kep Coastal Region Food and Nature
Southern Cambodia in October is transitioning out of rainy season, and while you might get occasional showers, the pepper plantations around Kampot are lush and the crab markets in Kep are active. This region is more about slow travel - touring pepper farms, kayaking the Kampot River when water levels are good, eating fresh crab at Kep crab market, and visiting Bokor National Park when clouds lift (the mountain gets socked in with fog some October days, but when it clears, the views are dramatic). The vibe is relaxed and the French colonial architecture gives both towns character.
Cardamom Mountains Jungle Trekking and Wildlife
October is actually one of the better months for the Cardamoms because the jungle is incredibly lush, waterfalls are flowing strong, and wildlife is active. The downside is some trails can be muddy and river crossings higher, so this is for travelers comfortable with moderate adventure and changing conditions. Multi-day treks into Chi Phat or around Koh Kong offer genuine jungle immersion with chances of seeing gibbons, hornbills, and if you're very lucky, Asian elephants. The rainforest in October has this thick, primordial atmosphere that dry season just doesn't match.
October Events & Festivals
Pchum Ben Festival (Ancestors' Day)
This is Cambodia's most important religious festival, typically falling in late September or early October depending on the lunar calendar - in 2026 it should land around late September into early October. For 15 days, Cambodians visit pagodas to make offerings to deceased relatives going back seven generations. The final three days are the main celebration when the entire country essentially shuts down as people return to ancestral villages. Pagodas are packed with locals bringing elaborate food offerings, monks chant through the night, and there's this incredible communal energy. As a visitor, you're welcome to observe respectfully - dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, remove shoes at pagoda entrances, and stay quiet during ceremonies. The food offerings afterward are sometimes shared with visitors, and it's fascinating to see Cambodian spiritual life so openly displayed.
Water Festival Preparations
While the actual Bon Om Touk water festival happens in November, October is when you'll start seeing dragon boat teams practicing on rivers in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang. The boats are long, colorful, and hold 40-60 rowers, and watching practice sessions in late afternoon along the riverfront gives you a preview of Cambodia's biggest annual celebration. The festival marks the reversal of the Tonle Sap River flow, which is a unique natural phenomenon, and the practice sessions have a festive atmosphere with drummers and enthusiastic crowds gathering to watch.