Combodia Independent Tour: from Inland to Coast
TKH12: 10 Days Siem Reap - Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh
Day 1 Arrival in Siem Reap
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you can go to the downtown area 4 miles away in 20 minutes. Take a taxi with $7 - 9 or a tuk tuk with $5 - 7 to Central Boutique Angkor Hotel and have a little rest.
If possible, you are suggested to visit Angkor National Museum and book the ticket and the interpretation device on its official site with a total of $13 for one capita. All sorts of artworks during Angkor Period are collected in the exhibition hall.
Please remember to get to the ticket office for the Angkor sites early by tuk tuk within 15 minutes, as the office is open at 16:40 selling the next day's tickets. There are three kinds of tickets as follows: 1-day ticket at $37, 3-day ticket at $62 and 7-day ticket at $72. Generally, the 3-day ticket is recommended. You will have your photo shot on spot over the ticket. Remember to hold the ticket carefully. A ticket evader will be fined $80.
Tips: Dollar is current in Cambodia, so you can take dollars at hand. But the change is basically the local currency. As for the tour equipment, don't forget a pair of gloves to climb towers and temples, and mosquito repellent is also a must.
In addition, tuk tuk is the most common and useful vehicle in Cambodia, so it is convenient for visitors to charter a tuk tuk to the destinations. If possible, you can make a bargain with the driver.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
If possible, you are suggested to visit Angkor National Museum and book the ticket and the interpretation device on its official site with a total of $13 for one capita. All sorts of artworks during Angkor Period are collected in the exhibition hall.
Please remember to get to the ticket office for the Angkor sites early by tuk tuk within 15 minutes, as the office is open at 16:40 selling the next day's tickets. There are three kinds of tickets as follows: 1-day ticket at $37, 3-day ticket at $62 and 7-day ticket at $72. Generally, the 3-day ticket is recommended. You will have your photo shot on spot over the ticket. Remember to hold the ticket carefully. A ticket evader will be fined $80.
Tips: Dollar is current in Cambodia, so you can take dollars at hand. But the change is basically the local currency. As for the tour equipment, don't forget a pair of gloves to climb towers and temples, and mosquito repellent is also a must.
In addition, tuk tuk is the most common and useful vehicle in Cambodia, so it is convenient for visitors to charter a tuk tuk to the destinations. If possible, you can make a bargain with the driver.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Day 2 Siem Reap
Bayon Temple
Today you can start from the small circle of the Angkor. First take a tuk tuk to Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of Khmer Kingdom and then follow the route like this: South Gate, Bayon Temple, Baphuo Temple, Terrace of the Elephant, Phimeanakas Temple, Royal Palace, Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Sour Prat Temple, Victory Gate. Then head to temples including Thommanom, Chau Say Thevoda, Ta Kao, Prasat Krava and Angkor Wat.
Bayon Temple located at the center of Angkor Thom, composed of 49 towers, is also called Khmer Smile as the smile of Wallman Gaya VII is carved on each side of the towers. There are also impressive bas-reliefs.
Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century, is the largest temple in the world famous for its magnificent buildings and exquisite bas-reliefs. The beauty and state of preservation make it amazing. There you will be stuck into the atmosphere of history and culture during the Khmer Empire period.
Then get going to Phnom Bakheng Mountain at 16:00, watching the beautiful sunset with forests shadow casting on the lake. It will take 15-20 minutes to walk to the top. Please remember to set out early for the limitation of 300 people on the top of the Phnom Bakheng. Most importantly, skirts and shorts are not allowed.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Bayon Temple located at the center of Angkor Thom, composed of 49 towers, is also called Khmer Smile as the smile of Wallman Gaya VII is carved on each side of the towers. There are also impressive bas-reliefs.
Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century, is the largest temple in the world famous for its magnificent buildings and exquisite bas-reliefs. The beauty and state of preservation make it amazing. There you will be stuck into the atmosphere of history and culture during the Khmer Empire period.
Then get going to Phnom Bakheng Mountain at 16:00, watching the beautiful sunset with forests shadow casting on the lake. It will take 15-20 minutes to walk to the top. Please remember to set out early for the limitation of 300 people on the top of the Phnom Bakheng. Most importantly, skirts and shorts are not allowed.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Day 3 Siem Reap
Floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake
Today you can explore the big circle of the Angkor sites. Get up early and leave for Angkor Wat to see the sunrise with the largest chance in the dry season from November to the next February. The sunrise begins at around 06:00.
Take a tuk tuk to Preah Khan Temple to the northeast of Angkor Thom. It was built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. There are complicated arched corridors and exquisite sculptures. Next, go to Neak Pean Temple, Tasom Temple and East Mebon Temple.
Finally, move on to the Pre Rup which was said to be the temple where ancient royals turned to gods in cremation. Continue to Srah Srang, which was once the royal bathing pool, and the nearby Banteay Kdei Temple and Ta Prohm Temple.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Take a tuk tuk to Preah Khan Temple to the northeast of Angkor Thom. It was built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. There are complicated arched corridors and exquisite sculptures. Next, go to Neak Pean Temple, Tasom Temple and East Mebon Temple.
Finally, move on to the Pre Rup which was said to be the temple where ancient royals turned to gods in cremation. Continue to Srah Srang, which was once the royal bathing pool, and the nearby Banteay Kdei Temple and Ta Prohm Temple.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Day 4 Siem Reap
Today you can take a tuk tuk to Kompong Phhluk Village in 1 hour. The ticket of the village is $20. Admire fishing boats and the amazing floating village built on 8-10 meters high stilts on the Tonle Sap Lake at close distance.
Afterward, have a boat tour through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk with an extra of $5 for one boat, which can hold 2 people. Finally, go to the open water field to see the sunset.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Afterward, have a boat tour through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk with an extra of $5 for one boat, which can hold 2 people. Finally, go to the open water field to see the sunset.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Day 5 Siem Reap
Have breakfast in the hotel and go on the backpacking tour to some remote temple sites around Siem Reap. Chartered car is recommended today at a cost of $65 - 70 for the scattered spots with far distance between each other in the outermost circle of the Angkor area. Please make sure whether the road toll is included in the fare before the car is leaving. Begin the visit with Banteay Samtre Temple, Banteay Srei Temple, Beng Mealea Temple, and Roluos Temple Group, which is composed of temples like Lo Lei, Preah Ko and Bakong.
Banteay Srei, 23 miles from the downtown with an honor as a pearl on the crown of Angkor art, is made of local laterite. It's gorgeous in color. To avoid the crowd and torridity, you can get there during 9:00 - 10:00.
Beng Mealea, hidden completely in the wildness, is one of the most mysterious temples in Angkor. It seems like Angkor Wat sleeping in the jungle before it was found, which will astound you.
Tip: The ticket of Beng Mealea is excluded in your 3-day ticket, so you need to pay an extra of $5.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Banteay Srei, 23 miles from the downtown with an honor as a pearl on the crown of Angkor art, is made of local laterite. It's gorgeous in color. To avoid the crowd and torridity, you can get there during 9:00 - 10:00.
Beng Mealea, hidden completely in the wildness, is one of the most mysterious temples in Angkor. It seems like Angkor Wat sleeping in the jungle before it was found, which will astound you.
Tip: The ticket of Beng Mealea is excluded in your 3-day ticket, so you need to pay an extra of $5.
Accommodation Suggestion: Central Boutique Angkor Hotel (3 stars)
Day 6 Siem Reap - Sihanoukville
Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Your independent travel ends today. Take an airplane to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, find a tuk tuk to the downtown, 11 miles from the airport in 20 minutes. Most hotels have the pickup service. Check in the hotel and have baggage settled.
Sihanoukville, built in 1950s and named after Norodom Sihanouk, is the largest seaport in Cambodia and is also a new and modern city with less tourists and lower price compared with Koh Samui of Thailand in spite of their similar sea beach, vegetation and seafood.
Accommodation Suggestion: Sunset Lounge (3 stars) or Sok Sabay Resort (3 stars)
Sihanoukville, built in 1950s and named after Norodom Sihanouk, is the largest seaport in Cambodia and is also a new and modern city with less tourists and lower price compared with Koh Samui of Thailand in spite of their similar sea beach, vegetation and seafood.
Accommodation Suggestion: Sunset Lounge (3 stars) or Sok Sabay Resort (3 stars)
Day 7 Sihanoukville
Book an island tour for one day in the hotel, which generally includes Koh Tas and Koh Rong Samloem. Begin your sea vacation at the appointed time.
Koh Tas, 13 miles long and 3 miles wide to the border of Thailand, is one of the largest islands in Cambodia. You can lie on the white beaches, enjoy crystal blue water or go snorkeling with proper equipment to see various species of fish and coral reefs.
Koh Rong Samloem is in the shape of a dumbbell with mountains in the north and south and beaches in the east and west. There is a naturally heart-shaped harbor in the east, which is also the shellfish culture area.
At dusk, you are suggested to see picturesque sunset on Victory Beach in Sihanoukville.
Koh Tas, 13 miles long and 3 miles wide to the border of Thailand, is one of the largest islands in Cambodia. You can lie on the white beaches, enjoy crystal blue water or go snorkeling with proper equipment to see various species of fish and coral reefs.
Koh Rong Samloem is in the shape of a dumbbell with mountains in the north and south and beaches in the east and west. There is a naturally heart-shaped harbor in the east, which is also the shellfish culture area.
At dusk, you are suggested to see picturesque sunset on Victory Beach in Sihanoukville.
Day 8 Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh
National Museum, Phnom Penh
At the last of your Sihanoukville tour, you can go on enjoying your sea vacation in the morning. Have lunch, and then take Giant Ibis bus at 13:00 to Phnom Penh with 5 - 6 hours. Normally it will take 4 hours to get there, but there will be a traffic jam in Phnom Penh market.
Upon arrival, find a tuk tuk to go to the hotel and have a rest.
Tips: The bus ticket can be booked on the official site of Giant Ibis. There are three departure times at 7:30, 9:30 and 13:30 separately.
Accommodation Suggestion: Cardamom Hotel & Apartment (3 stars)
Upon arrival, find a tuk tuk to go to the hotel and have a rest.
Tips: The bus ticket can be booked on the official site of Giant Ibis. There are three departure times at 7:30, 9:30 and 13:30 separately.
Accommodation Suggestion: Cardamom Hotel & Apartment (3 stars)
Day 9 Phnom Penh
Your independent tour of Phnom Penh begins today. After breakfast, go to the Royal Palace with the admission fee of $6.5. It's the residence of the king of Cambodia, built during 1866 - 1870 in combination of traditional Khmer architecture, Buddhism in yellow and Brahmanism in white. The frescoes along the corridor carved by 40 artists represent the Indian mythology.
After that, you can walk to the National Museum with the ticket of $3, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek with $2 to learn the stories and myths of the ancient Cambodia.
Tips: Royal Palace is open in 8:00 - 10:00 and 14:00 - 16:00 and the National Museum in 8:00 - 11:30 and 14:00 - 17:00.
After that, you can walk to the National Museum with the ticket of $3, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek with $2 to learn the stories and myths of the ancient Cambodia.
Tips: Royal Palace is open in 8:00 - 10:00 and 14:00 - 16:00 and the National Museum in 8:00 - 11:30 and 14:00 - 17:00.
Day 10 Leaving Phnom Penh
This Cambodia independent tour comes to an end. Get your baggage packed and take a tuk tuk or a taxi to the airport. Bon voyage!
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