Cambodia in Style (18 days)

Experience the very best of Cambodia on this stylish adventure which includes a selection of our favourite character hotels. After some time to absorb the charms of the capital Phnom Penh, retreat to a luxuriously converted colonial villa in the French-discovered seaside resort of Kep. The next leg of the trip is an indulgent 4-night Pandaw river cruise up the Mekong to the provincial port of Kratie, stopping off en route to see local villages and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The penultimate stage of the tour takes you to buzzing town of Siem Reap, gateway to the masjestic temples of Angkor. Finish in true style with a flight to the south coast to stay at a barefoot hideaway resort on an idyllic island in the Koh Rong Archipelago.

Guide Price

From £6,295 per person.

Day by Day Itinerary

Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Phnom Penh, via Bangkok

Flight: TG911 London Heathrow - Bangkok 12.30 - 06.05 (overnight)

Day 2: Arrive Phnom Penh and transfer to your hotel

Flight: TG580 Bangkok - Phnom Penh 07.55 - 09.05

Private transfer: On arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be welcomed to Cambodia by your local guide and transferred to the Raffles Hotel in a chauffeur driven car for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal (State Room)

Rooftops, Phnom Penh

Rooftops, Phnom Penh

Day 3: Explore Phnom Penh

Half day ‘Living History’ of Phnom Penh tour: After breakfast this morning, start your look at the living fabric of Phnom Penh at the very beginning, Wat Phnom. The city's first pagoda was erected here in 1373 at the behest of the city's founder, Madame Daun Penh. You will then seek out some of the iconic buildings of the city, the national library (Le Bibliotheque), the classic Raffles Hotel Le Royal and the deserted Railway Station before heading north along Monivong Boulevard to the French Embassy, the site of the final evacuation of foreigners still in the city when the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975. Returning south, head to the former European Quarter for a look at the gorgeous French colonial-era buildings that have been restored near the Post Office such as Van's Restaurant and to see the locations used in the film City of Ghosts. Continue along Norodom Boulevard for a visit to Lycee Sisowath, first established in 1873 before sweeping onto The White Building, built in the New Khmer Architecture style of the 50s and 60s, to find out more about the current living conditions of the city's residents. Finish your look at the city's living history with a view over the capital from one of its highest points and a bird's eye look at the renovated art deco-styled Central Market.

Cambodia Living Arts Performance at the National Museum: This evening, you will be taken to a show at the National Museum of Phnom Penh, featuring a wide range of traditional performing arts. With more than Apsara dances, we offer you the chance to discover the diversity of Cambodian culture and traditional arts through original and enjoyable pieces, set in the splendid gardens of the National Museum. In addition to giving a unique opportunity to experience Cambodian culture and arts, CLA (Cambodian Living Art) aims at creating regular, well-paid work for emerging performers in the arts sector.

Evening special dinner at Malis Restaurant: After this evening's performance, you will be taken for a special dinner at Malis, serving haute cuisine Khmer style! This trendy restaurant has taken traditional Khmer recipes and given them a modern twist. Relax in the stylish surrounds and enjoy first class local fare.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal (State Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

National Museum, Phnom Penh

National Museum, Phnom Penh

Day 4: Travel to Kep, via Bokor Hill Station

Road journey from Phnom Penh to Kampot: This morning, depart the capital for the journey to the riverside town of Kampot with optional sightseeing en route. The first stop can be made at Tonle Bati, to visit a series of temples including Prasat Neag Khmao, dating from the 10th Century. Continue to Phnom Chisor for spectacular view over the surrounding plains from the 11th century brahmanic temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Takeo and take a speedboat to Phnom Da Hill to explore caves with shrines carved into the walls, a pre-Angkorian tower and an Indian-style sandstone temple like no other in Cambodia. A direct journey will take around 3-4 hours, or longer depending on your sightseeing preferences.

Guided tour of Bokor Hill Station: Drive a short distance from central Kampot and ascend the snaking road that winds its way up through the dense jungle of Bokor National Park. This is a scenic road with an ugly past, as many hundreds of indentured labourers perished during its construction after the First World War. Emerge on a plateau and see the remains of the Black Palace, one of King Sihanouk's former residences up here. The views are incredible, as the jungle tumbles away to the coastline below. Continue to the formerly abandoned hill station of Bokor, a cool retreat from the heat of the Cambodian plains for the French colonials. Explore some of the decaying buildings here, including the old Catholic church which sits eerily on the hillside and the shell of the Bokor Palace Hotel, once the most salubrious address in town. After exploring the historic remnants of Bokor drive to the Popokvil Falls, a lovely waterfall set amid the jungle.

Road journey from Bokor to Kep: After your tour of Bokor, travel towards the old French seaside resort of Kep, with some more optional sightseeing en route (time-permitting).

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Knai Bang Chatt (Sea View Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Abandoned church, Bokor

Abandoned church, Bokor

Days 5-6: Days at leisure in Kep

Days at leisure in Kep: These days are at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore independently. Optional day trips include visits to Rabbit Island, a Kampot Pepper farm or hiking in the Kep National Park - please ask for more details.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Knai Bang Chatt (Sea View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Beach, Kep

Beach, Kep

Day 7: Drive to Phnom Penh and embark on a Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Road journey to Phnom Penh: This morning, leave behind the beaches of Kep and head north towards the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The road passes through some beautiful rural areas and there may be some good photo opportunities.

Pandaw Mekong Cruise Embarkation: Upon arrival back in Phnom Penh this afternoon, embark your Pandaw ship and settle in to your cabin before sunset drinks and dinner.

The Pandaw fleet are a collection of boutique river cruise boats that have been hand finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen so that, whilst luxury and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and friendly atmosphere that predominate. The main and upper deck twin cabins are very spacious at 168 square feet and in keeping with the spirit of colonial travel do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. The dining room is designed to open up along the sides and only at night are the windows closed and the air-conditioning turned on. On offer is a combination of local cuisine and exotic foods, cooked from local supplies as far as possible. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is served at the tables. Passengers who do not like hot or spicy foods are offered European alternatives and vegetarians are well catered for. Cruising on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience and, whilst the cabins are very comfortable and roomy, most passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade or on observation decks, watching great vistas unfold about them.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Pandaw Ship (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Market, Kep

Market, Kep

Day 8: Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Pandaw Mekong River Cruise: Early this morning, the ship sets sail from Phnom Penh and cruises upstream. After breakfast, there is a morning excursion to a silversmith village of Prek Kdam. Silversmiths can be seen at work in front of their bamboo houses crafting small boxes, bowls and other ornamental items using traditional techniques. Continue by road to the village of Kampong Trolach, located near the ancient Khmer capital at Lovek. From here you will be transported on a traditional oxcart back to your Pandaw ship.

After enjoying lunch on board, this afternoon's stop will be at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely walk. You will then cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. The scenery is very lovely here, and in the distance, forested hills rise. On the river upstream from Phnom Penh there is little shipping, just real Cambodian life.

Please note that the cruise itinerary is subject to alteration dependent on sailing conditions.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Pandaw Ship (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Fishermen, Mekong

Fishermen, Mekong

Day 9: Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Pandaw Mekong River Cruise: This morning, continue cruising north up the Mekong River towards Kratie. After breakfast, there will be an excursion to the village of Angkor Ban, a rural Khmer village with a chequered history. Some of Cambodia's finest examples of traditional houses can be seen here as they were used by the Khmer Rouge as storage faciliites during the civil war, whilst many others were destroyed. These sturdy wooden stilted structures are extremely spacious, and many are painted the lucky blue colour. There is also a two-level pagoda in the village, surrounded by colourfully painted stupas which are looked after by the resident monks.

Return to your Pandaw ship for a leisurely lunch then continue sailing upstream past the provincial capital of Kampong Cham. Depending on water levels there may be an afternoon excursion to the cave temple of Wat Preah Angkoak, sollowed by a monk's water blessing and chanting ceremony back on board. Arrive in the French colonial town of Kratie by early evening.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Pandaw Ship (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Cambodian monks

Cambodian monks

Day 10: Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Pandaw Mekong River Cruise: After breakfast this morning, travel to the nearby town of Chhlong to explore the local market, and see the crumbling Franch colonial architecture. Continue north by local bus, arriving into a protected National Park area to view the famous Irrawaddy Dolphins who inhabit this stretch of river. Travel by motorised boat to access the deep pools where the dolphins are found before switching to local paddle boat to avoid disturbing these gentle creatures. Viewing is commonplace, although it is easier to see the dolphins in the shallower waters of the dry season, than in the swollen river of the wet season. In the afternoon on your return downstream you will stop at a curious shrine known as the Monkey Temple, and then press on to moor overnight near Kampong Cham.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Pandaw Ship (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Irrawaddy dolphin, Kratie

Irrawaddy dolphin, Kratie

Day 11: Travel by road to Siem Reap

Pandaw Mekong Cruise Disembarkation: After an early breakfast, you will disembark the Pandaw, and join a shared transfer by road to Siem Reap. This journey by coach will take around 4 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Angkor (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Siem Reap by night

Siem Reap by night

Day 12: Guided tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & The Bayon

Guided tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Bayon: Probably the best time to visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous of the Angkor temples, is early in the morning, when the light is good and it is relatively quiet. Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive 'temple-mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall and the walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2,000 distinctively rendered apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and represent some of the finest examples of apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the badly damaged Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the centre of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate, as well as much of Jayavarman VII's architecture is crowned with four giant faces. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Angkor (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Bayon face

Bayon face

Day 13: Guided tour of Kbal Spean & Banteay Srei

Full day tour of Kbal Spean & Banteay Srei: This morning, journey north to the Kbal Spean. The original ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. The river flows down to the Tonlé Sap lake, and in ancient times its holy waters breathed life into the rice fields of the empire via the most complex irrigation system the world had ever seen. The Khmers venerated its limestone bed with a riot of carvings, including the delicate deities Vishnu and Shiva with their consorts. Lingams are phallic representations sacred to Hindus as fertility symbols and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are carved into the bedrock here. The carvings were only rediscovered in 1969 when French researcher Jean Boulbet was shown the river by a local hermit. A trip to Kbal Spean is one of the easiest ways to experience a short jungle trek in the Angkor area, as it is a steady but scenic climb to reach the river carvings. The path winds its way through knotted vines and big boulder formations and occasionally offers big views over the surrounding jungle. And there is a small waterfall below the carved riverbed, perfect for cooling off after the hot climb.

Continue to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture. Finish your tour at the ‘Jungle Temple’ - Ta Prohm. This fairly large temple is hugely atmospheric due to the fact that it has been left untouched rather than being restored. The jungle has reclaimed the temple, with huge tree trunks and vines snaking around the centuries-old stone work. Here you can get a feeling of how the first European explorers would have found the ruins.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Angkor (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Kbal Spean

Kbal Spean

Day 14: Fly to Sihanoukville and travel by speedboat to Koh Rong Island

Private transfer: This morning, you will be met and transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flight to Sihanoukville.

Flight: K6131 Siem Reap - Sihanoukville 14.10 - 15.20

Road & boat journey to Koh Rong: Upon arrival in Sihanoukville, you will be transferred to the pier for the shared speedboat journey to Koh Rong.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Royal Sands Resort (Oceanview Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Koh Rong

Koh Rong

Days 15-16: Days at leisure on Koh Rong Island

At leisure: Days at leisure to relax on Koh Rong Island.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Royal Sands (Oceanview Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Koh Rong

Koh Rong

Day 17: Travel to Phnom Penh airport for a flight to London Heathrow

Speedboat journey: After a leisurely morning, join a shared speedboat for the 1 hour journey to Sihanoukville.

Road journey from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh: This afternoon, you will be met at the boat jetty for the drive to Phnom Penh, a journey of approximately 4 hours.

Flight: TG585 Phnom Penh - Bangkok 20.25 - 21.30

Meals: Breakfast

Bayon face

Grand Palace & Mekong, Phnom Penh

Day 18: Arrive back in London Heathrow

Flight: TG910 Bangkok - London Heathrow 00.25 - 07.15