All the highlights of Cambodia
This itinerary has been put together for a two-week trip. If you have more time to discover this beautiful, versatile country, there are a number of options at the bottom of the route to shorten your trip. The order of the destination depends on your travel plans. For example, I was traveling from Vietnam to Laos, but if you are traveling alone in Cambodia or traveling from Thailand, it may be more convenient to adjust the order. The travel times below are only an indication. The roads in Cambodia are not in good condition and traffic can be very busy at times. Therefore, always plan extra travel time!
Day 1 Arrival
Your journey begins in Cambodia's vibrant capital:Phnom Penh. Take a taxi from the airport straight to your nice hotel to recover from the long journey! It is recommended to visit a nice market in the evening to experience some culture.
Day 2-3 Phnom Penh
After your first overnight stay, it's timePhnom Penh to discover. Visit the Royal Palace and some beautiful temples in the city. On your last day in Phnom Penh you will learn more about its very intense and recent history by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.
Day 4-7 Koh Rong
Time to relax and enjoy yourselfKoh Rong. Take a bus to Sihanoukville as early as possible. From there, a speedboat will take you to Koh Rong in 45 minutes! Enjoy the beautiful beaches for a few days and swim with luminous plankton in the evening.
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Travel time: 6 hours by bus + 45 minutes by speedboat
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Day 8-9 Battambang
Get ready for a long journey toBattambang.From Sihanoukville you can take a bus (day or night) to Battambang. This bus journey normally takes 9 hours, but our night bus took over 15 hours. Discover the local culture of the countryside in Cambodia. Enjoy a bamboo train ride and historic sites such as the Killing Caves of Phnom Sampeau.
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Travel time: 10 hours from Sihanoukville by bus
Day 10-14: Siem Reap
You travel by bus to your last destination:Siem Reap.Don't worry, because this was my favorite destination in Cambodia together with Koh Rong! A popular tourist destination because of the Angkor temples. In addition to visiting the Angkor temples, Siem Reap is also an excellent base for discovering rural villages, shopping and wonderful parties. From Siem Reap you can more easily travel back to Phnom Penh or continue your journey to Thailand or Laos.
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Travel time: 5 hours by bus
Other options for a beautiful itinerary
Longer than 14 nights: Visit Kampot, a charming town on the southern coast of Cambodia. Kampot is a quiet town on the river, a wonderful destination for backpackers with cozy hostels. Rent a moped and discover the area, go paddle boarding on the river or visit the fishing village of Kep. āAnother option is to visit Koh Rong Samloem, an island next to Koh Rong with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful beaches!
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Shorter than 24 nights: Do you have less time in Cambodia? Then spend fewer nights on Koh Rong or skip the destination Battambang.