Cambodia Family Vacation with Beach Escape 12 days

Morning 

Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, your family is warmly greeted by your guide, then a driver will take you to your hotel in Siem Reap.

After finishing your check-in procedures, you have the remainder of the day at leisure. Feel free to relax, or go out to enjoy the beautiful sunset in Angkor Wat Temple, which is considered the masterpiece of Khmer architecture

Overnight in Siem Reap

Morning 

This morning you will discover some of the main Angkor sites by local remok (tuk tuk):

Travel to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII with the ancient South Gate made from stone and carved with elephants and four giant faces.

Continue your journey to Bayon Temple, this 12th-century masterpiece is renowned for its 39 towers with enigmatic faces looking out toward the far-flung provinces of the Great Khmer Empire

Stroll through the grounds of the former Royal Palace to discover some small hidden temples that are rarely visited.

After that, you will visit Ta Prohm temple, where the blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’ movie was filmed. This is a unique temple that is mainly overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground

NOTE: Alternatively, depending on the season and the crowds, you may visit Preah Khan temple. Built by the same king in a similar style, this larger temple complex is also largely left in ruins and its labyrinthian layout

Return to Siem Reap for lunch

Afternoon

You will be picked up from your hotel by private vehicle for an exciting venture to discover the surrounding countryside and seldom visited sites

Firstly, you visit a local market where you can catch a glance at the local tradesmen’s life. Seize the opportunity to learn some basic Khmer words and greetings

Go on the expedition to Phnom Bok Mountain, 25km from Siem Reap. Arriving at the foot of the mountain, you will have an adventure to ascend the 635 steps to the top, with up to 30-minute climb! At the top of the mountain, you will have a short rest and admire the scenery from a high position

Have an introductory Khmer language lesson with a native Khmer teacher/ guide. Then you will discover the ruined Buddhist temple at the top of the mountain

Back down, you will have a chance to savor a fresh coconut and practice some more basic words and phrases.

Leaving the mountain, you will be taken back through the picturesque countryside along little villages, rice fields, and gain more knowledge about the rice harvests. On the way, you will make your final stop at an evening street market and fairground where locals go to relax and have fun.

Overnight in Siem Reap

NOTE: This tour includes a steep climb involving over 600 steps. Travelers will need to have a good level of general fitness

Morning 

Today your family will have an awesome adventure to local life in a typical Cambodian village, meet hospitable local people, and learn more about their traditional customs and culture.

You are picked up from your hotel by the local guide and driven to Ta Brak Village, 25 minutes out of town.

A western-packed breakfast from the hotel will be taken. Upon arrival, you will meet and sit down with a local family and share this breakfast with them, as well as have a chance to learn about local village life.

From here, take a 30-minute ox cart ride through the village to a local market. Have a short walk through this vibrant center and be introduced to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, fruits, and other local produce.

Continue 1 km by foot through the picturesque countryside village, stopping to meet the local community along the way to observe the seasonal activity happening at that time, such as rice planting, weaving thatch roofs, planting or harvesting vegetable crops, making fish traps, etc.

NOTE: Each tour will be different and the activities will depend on the time of the year and the needs of the local village.

End the morning at a local pagoda, where a special water blessing by Buddhist monks awaits. From here, your family makes a stop at the 9th Century Bakong Temple, part of the Roluos group and a site of an ancient center of Khmer civilization known as Hariharalaya, before continuing on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia

Travel out to Kampong Phluck, a less touristic stilted village, allowing you to witness the authentic life of locals who live amongst the flooded mangrove forest. At Kampong Phluck, board a local boat for a ride on the lake. On the way, you can admire houses on stilts that are submerged with the lake extends, pass by floating houses and impressive flooded forests and get a good feel for life on the water.

In one of the floating houses, a delicious lunch will be prepared for your family while admiring the attractive view loomed by the lake’s serenity

NOTE: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However, an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead

Afternoon

In the afternoon, you can join our optional journey - Phare Ponleu Selpak in Siem Reap:

Attend a performance of ‘Phare, the Cambodian Circus’. Starting at 20:00, professional artists of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) will perform an inspiring show suitable for people of all ages

The hour-long show mixes traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, and contortion performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap

Full day at leisure with a choice of optional activities:

Morning

After breakfast, we travel to Battambang, the second-largest city and the biggest rice producer in Cambodia.

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Then have lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon

Visit Ek Phnom temple in the 11th century and the colonial-style houses along the Sangke River. On the way back, you can visit the traditional Cambodian houses and the artisan factory of rice flaky cake.

Try out for a ride on the Bamboo Train, a fun experience and also a great opportunity to glimpse the stunning sunset view in the countryside.

Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at your hotel in Battambang.

Morning

This morning you will have a half-day tour - Local livelihoods cycling:

• A tuk-tuk will pick you up from a hotel and drop you at the Battambang bike office before 08:00; try out a bike fitted - ensure all the bikes work properly with a quick introduction about a guide and safety briefing.
• Going around by bicycle is a great way of connecting with the local community. There is an excellent opportunity to discover and experience many of the traditional cottage industries of the region, in order to have a real taste of authentic Cambodian village life
• Interact with rural families in the countryside, and observe their daily work including making banana chips, manufacturing rice paper, distilling rice wine and tasting tropical/seasonal fruits. Our enthusiastic guide will be on hand every step of the way to enhance your experience by explaining what you see in more depth.

Return back to the Battambang Bike office around 12:00 p.m, and be transferred back to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel and take a short break.

Our cycling route will include many stops as followings:

• Stop1: Rice Noodle
• Stop 2: Bamboo Sticky Rice
• Stop 3: Wat Samrong Knong (Buddhist pagoda)
• Stop 4: Fish Paste Market (formation)
• Stop 5: Rice Wine (local whisky)
• Stop 6: Dried Banana (banana chips)
• Stop 7: Rice Paper (spring roll)
• Stop 8: Crocodile Farm

Afternoon

You will have an exciting discovery of Bat Cave. About 15 km away from town to the west of Battambang, you will bump into a big hill on the left side with a golden pagoda on top, which is the Phnom Sampov (Bat cave)

The trip begins with a scenic ride through the Cambodian countryside along tranquil byways. Admire the views of people at work on their farms and in their fields. Breathe in the fresh air scented with the sweet sweet smell of rice.

Then, we will take back on the main asphalt, and after an hour and a half ride, we will arrive at the mountain. There will be an option of taking a motorbike up to the caves at the top instead of walking.

Discover three caves with their own characteristics and tragic tales, and witness the wonderful panoramic view from the summit while breathing cooling breezes.

The highlight of this tour awaits the visitor at the foot of the mountain when the colony of bats streams out of the caves.

Back to the hotel and stay overnight in Battambang.

Morning 

Leave Battambang for Phnom Penh. Starting your travel to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province.

In a village near Kampong Chhnang, your family will stop to see the different aspects of pottery-making and experience the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, and you can admire the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar.

Upon arrival at Oudong, savor a traditional Khmer lunch.

Afternoon

Climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy magnificent views over the plains below. Listen to the guide explain the history of the area and its buildings as well as the religious culture of the Cambodian people.

Continue to Phnom Penh. After about an hour, arrive at your hotel in the Cambodian capital. Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.

NOTE: Battambang - Oudong (287km): 4hrs, Oudong - Phnom Penh: 3 hrs

Morning 

This morning you will join the cycling tour to the Mekong Islands /Koh Dach (08:00 - 12:30):

Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the countryside around Phnom Penh, discovering the diversity of the rural landscapes, and passing small villages, schools, and silk-weaving houses.

Travel by ferry to river islands and pedal on small roads with no traffic stopping to meet friendly locals and taste local delicacies, which will bring travelers closer to the real Cambodia

Return to Phnom Penh and lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Your family will pay a visit to the Royal Palace, which dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors.

Catch a glimpse of Wat Prakeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), where you will view a display of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Continue your journey to the National Museum, built in the traditional Khmer style. This is the place you can see the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries.

Evening

You can spend your evening with the optional choice to watch a traditional performance from the Cambodia Living Arts (B Seat $25 per adult, $15 per child):

Get inspired by Cambodian arts with a traditional performance by Cambodian Living Arts consisting of 3 unique performances: Children of Bassac (Classical and Folk Dance), Mak Therng, and Passage of Life (Music and Theatre)

All the shows last one hour and are held in the atmospheric gardens of the National Museum

NOTE: Oct - Mar shows daily, except Apr - Aug on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Morning

Your family will take a private transfer with a driver only (no guide) to Sihanouk Ville. It takes about 4-5 hours. Upon arrival at Sihanoukville, transfer directly to the boat pier for boarding board about 1 hour to Koh Rong.

Upon arrival, welcome by resort staff, and they will escort you to the resort. Overnight at your accommodation at Koh Rong.

Morning

After breakfast, you have free time to relax on your own, or enjoy other beach activities. It’s a chance to have numerous memorable moments together with your nearest and dearest!

NOTE: You can check more information for any extra excursions at your resort, or contact our sales consultants

Overnight at your resort at Koh Rong

Morning

After breakfast, your family will take a speed boat back to the mainland of Sihanoukville, where our driver is waiting.

Transfer directly to Phnom Penh airport for about 5 hours to catch your departure flight. Have a delightful travel experience with indelible memories and hope to see you again!