Cambodia Overland
From the chaotic, yet charming, riverside capital Phnom Penh, travel overland through picturesque landscapes to the mysterious, dramatic, jungle-clad temples of Angkor
Discover Cambodia, overland and up-river
Presenting our Cambodia Overland Tour – a 10-day road and river adventure through this fascinating, yet little-known country. In keeping with all our Southeast Asia tours, this exciting journey will combine the best-known sites – including of course the fabulous ruined cities and temples of Angkor – with some of the lesser-known, more off-the-beaten-track ones.
From the chaotic, yet charming, riverside capital Phnom Penh, travel we’ll overland through picturesque landscapes to the mysterious, evocative, jungle-clad temples of Angkor, before crossing the scenic Tonle Sap Lake and travelling upriver by boat to Battambang. We’ll explore the traditional village life and cottages industries in the tranquil surrounding countryside by tuk-tuk, before completing our overland loop to Phnom Penh.
Our 3-day Angkor temple itinerary is carefully designed to provide a comprehensive, yet leisurely-paced tour of the fabulous site, avoiding any need to rush around in the tropical heat or any risk of ‘temple fatigue’. Timing also aims to avoid crowds at the more popular temples as well as providing plenty of free time to check out the town’s markets, handicrafts and cafes or just relax in a spa or by the pool. (If you’re only going to visit this amazing site once in your life you may as well do it properly!)
A fascinating, varied and unforgettable 10-day Cambodia tour.
Note for those with less time to spare a shorter, 1-week version of our Cambodia Overland tour, Highlights of Cambodia, is also available, beginning in Phnom Penh and finishing in Siem Reap. Conversely, for those with more time, and to get the most out of your airfare, a slightly longer option, Saigon to Angkor, starts in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and travels through the lush Mekong Delta before taking you by boat up the Mekong River itself to Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh.
Please note; since airfares are fluctuating wildly at present, as well as varying considerably from period to period, our ‘with flight’ prices, below, are approximate only.
Itinerary
Here's an idea of what you can expect to do and see day-to-day.
Day 1 - Phnom Penh - Introductory walking tour
Arrival and check in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel. Time to relax before an introductory city walking tour, taking in the old French Quarter and lively waterfront area, as well as giving you a first-hand feel for the bustling street life and finishing perhaps, with sundowners at the celebrated FCC, (Foreign Correspondents Club).
Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Walk, Tuk Tuk, Meals: D,
Day 2 - Phnom Penh - The City's sights
Tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city. The infamous Killing Fields and highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum help explain the country’s recent tragic history, while the picturesque Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda will provide plenty of photo opportunities. The Russian Market offers some retail therapy and a chance for a local-style lunch.
Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus, Meals: B, L,
Day 3 - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - up country
Travel through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia, our base for the next few days as we explore nearby Angkor. Stops include the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), a rarely visited 11th-century temple and lunch by a scenic lake. An atmospheric sunset visit to Prei Rup Temple completes our day.
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, L, D,
Day 4 - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat and Angkor Tom
An unforgettable tour of this fabulous site with its vast jungle-clad temples and mysterious stone carvings. Dawn at Angkor Wat, followed by a morning visit to the temple itself. Return to Siem Reap to escape the midday heat before an afternoon walking tour of Angkor Tom including, the Leper King and Elephant Terraces, Phimeanakas, Baphuon and last but not least, (we’ll wait until the crowds have gone), Bayon Temple and its famous faces.
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 5 - Angkor - the jungle temples
Morning forest hike to visit the spectacular Phnom Bakheng Temple and the huge jungle-clad ruin of Preah Khan. Enormous roots and screeching parakeets make this atmospheric temple one of everyone’s favourites. After a midday break, we continue with a short forest hike to Ta Keo via the remote and rarely visited Ta Nei Temple. Ta Prom – the famous ‘Tomb Raider’ Temple – keeps to the jungle theme and concludes our day’s visit.
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B,
Day 6 - Beng Melea - a remote temple
Morning trip to one of the more remote yet most impressive Angkor sites – the truly spectacular Beng Melea – a huge, crumbling, creeper-covered temple, lying to the west of Siem Reap. Return to our hotel by way of an optional visit to the unusual Apopo, giant rat de-mining centre with an afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool or perhaps visit the excellent National Museum?
Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk, Meals: B, D,
Day 7 - Siem Reap to Battambang - a spectacular river journey
Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the flooded forest and Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary and on down the Sangkar River with its unique, floating, fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Stop-offs on the way include the Prek Toal community water hyacinth weaving project.
If water levels are too low during the dry season, a part of today's trip may be by road.
Overnight: Battambang Transport: Boat, Tuk Tuk, Meals: B, L, D,
Day 8 - Battambang - Village life and cottage industries
Morning guided tour by tuk-tuk of the surrounding villages to discover some of the traditional cottage industries and local handicrafts. An afternoon at leisure allows time to further explore the friendly provincial town, chill out by the pool or head back into the countryside to visit the area’s famous bat caves of Phnom Sampeu.
Overnight: Battambang Transport: Bike, Walk, Tuk Tuk, Meals: B,
Day 10 - Phnom Penh - morning at leisure and end of tour
Morning at leisure, relax by the pool, do some last minute shopping, or check-out a spa treatment. End of tour and departure at your convenience.
Airport transfers are included if you purchase the 'with flights' package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged.
Extra nights in Phnom Penh before or after your tour can be booked on request.
Overnight: Departure Meals: B,
Details
The nitty-gritty, the things you need to know, the answers to your burning questions.
-
Highlights
-
Map
Departures
-
Hotels
-
Visa Info & Notes
Just a few of the many highlights
Wonderful landscapes, traditional villages, evocative jungle-clad ruined temples, bustling Phnom Penh and of course, plenty of friendly locals and sumptuous cuisine.
- Phnom Penh with it's French Quarter and lively waterfront - chaotic but great fun and one of Asia's friendliest capitals
- Travel by boat up the Sangkar River - floating villages, bird-life, unique scenery - "like being on a Nat Geo programme"!
- Take a tuk-tuk tour to visit cottage industries and traditional livelihoods in Battambang's villages
- Explore Angkor - it's well known and lesser known sites, certainly one of Southeast Asia's most evocative and exotic destinations
- Discover the timeless and picturesque Cambodian countryside - emerald rice paddies, traditional stilt houses, ox carts and village life
- Experience dawn at Angkor Wat - watch the sunrise over the iconic silhouette of the world's largest religious building
Air Departures (UK) *From
- 26 June 23 1,850 GBP
- 31 July 23 1,850 GBP
- 28 August 23 1,850 GBP
- 2 October 23 1,850 GBP
- 30 October 23 1,875 GBP
- 27 November 23 1,950 GBP
- 23 December 24 1,950 GBP
- 19 January 24 1,950 GBP
- 16 February 24 1,950 GBP
Land Departures
- 27 June 23 1,100 GBP
- 1 August 23 1,100 GBP
- 29 August 23 1,100 GBP
- 3 October 23 1,100 GBP
- 31 October 23 1,150 GBP
- 28 November 23 1,150 GBP
- 24 December 24 1,150 GBP
- 20 January 24 1,150 GBP
- 17 February 24 1,150 GBP
Guaranteed Places Left Special Price Solo Traveller Closed
*Air departures are from the UK. Land departures start from Phnom Penh
*Land departure dates correspond to the FIRST day of the itinerary.
We choose our hotels based on a combination of location, comfort and convenience. Here is a *selection of the types of hotel/rooms you can expect to stay at on this tour...
Hotel 252 Phnom Penh view
- Small, boutique-style and low-key
- Quiet but central location near cafes and restaurants
- Garden setting with pool and cafe
Villa Langka Phnom Penh view
- Lush garden setting with pool
- Very convenient central but quiet location
- Helpful, friendly and efficient staff
City River Hotel Siem Reap view
- City River is out first choice in Cambodia's Siem Reap.
- Rooftop pool; spa, riverside location, super friendly staff
- Only a 5 minute walk from the bustling Old Market district
Delux Villa Battambang view
- Small and friendly, low-key resort in Battambang
- Swimming pool and lush, garden setting
- Quiet but convenient central location
*This list should be considered a guide only, hotels/rooms may change (without notice) depending on availability.
Visa Info & Notes
Current Covid regulations:As of January 2022 Cambodia was experiencing extremely low rates of Covid cases domestically, (albeit with relatively limited testing), ad boasts exceptional vaccination rates.
The country is open for fully vaccinated international travellers on presentation of a negative PCR test, (undertaken within 72 hours of arrival), at either Phnom Penh or Siem Reap international airports. A lateral flow test will be carried out upon arrival. *Details valid as of Jan 2022.)
Visas: For the majority of nationalities though, a visa on arrival is issued at international airports and all land borders. Visa fees and conditions are subject to change but are usually $30 payable in cash in USD> A passport-sized photo is required. Tourist visas are issued for 30 days from the date of entry into Cambodia.
E-visas (thus cutting down on queuing time at the airport) are now available for many nationalities at this link and cost $36 with a stated processing time of 3 working days. These are accepted at international airports and certain land crossings only.
When entering Cambodia make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport and keep your departure card.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cambodia. You may be refused entry if your passport is damaged, in poor condition or does not have at least 2 blank pages remaining.
Tipping: we recommend a kitty system for the smaller, daily tips such as hotel/restaurant staff and local drivers. Amounts inevitably vary with group size but would generally be in the region of $2-3 per person per day. With regards to guides accompanying you for longer periods we’d recommend a separate tip of approximately $5 per person, per day though of course, this is always discretionary and performance-related. (Local currency or USD are fine.)
Meals: breakfasts are either buffets or a la carte in smaller hotels with lunch and dinners based on local food. Lunches on the road are typically simpler dishes such as variations on noodles or fried rice while your tour-leader will generally order more elaborate-style dinners consisting of a selection of local fare. The excellent cuisine shows both Thai and Vietnamese influences though with plenty of unique dishes too.
Dishes are only mildly spicy and both vegetarians and vegans are very easily catered for. For any other likes and dislikes please remind your tour-leader at the start of the tour. A number of meals are not included, which allows you to ‘do your own thing’ or take a break if you’re feeling ‘riced out’.
Accommodation: all choices fall into the comfortable 3* range, with an emphasis where possible on the smaller, ‘boutique-style’, and are en-suite and air-conditioned with pools. We have posted a selection of sample accommodation on the lefthand hotel tab but please note that as we try and avoid the larger hotels, availability, in high season particularly, means we use several options in each destination.
Activities: note that no activities are compulsory and that any offered can be tailored for various fitness levels or alternatives suggested.
Further info: detailed descriptions and photos can be found on the corresponding page of our travel blog.
You deserve a holiday ?
Extensions
Holidays should never end, stay a little longer. These extensions go well with this tour...
Bangkok | ‘Behind the Scenes’
Thailand / 4 Days
Kep, Kampot and Takeo
Cambodia / 4 Days
Images of Phnom Penh | Street Photography Tour
Cambodia / 2 Days
Koh Chang
Thailand / 4 Days
Koh Mak
Thailand / 4 Days
Phu Quoc
Vietnam / 4 DaysReviews
Here is what out guest have to say about their experience on this tour...