Cambodia Culture & Cuisine | Inspiring Travel

Itinerary Highlights

Enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Phnom Penh's top restaurants serving authentic Khmer cuisine
Discover the wonders and temples of legendary Angkor Wat
Savour a home-cooked lunch with a local family and watch a traditional Apsara dance performance in Siem Reap
Ride the scenic Bamboo Train in Battambang

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Breakfast
English Speaking Guide
International Flights

8 nights from £3,840 per person

Nicola

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

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Authentic Khmer cuisine is rapidly gaining popularity and praise from the world’s top chefs such as Gordon Ramsey and Rick Stein, and you can experience it first-hand with this eight-night tour.

This culinary journey includes meals in some of Cambodia's most authentic restaurants, a cooking class with a local family and explorations into local markets, combined with cultural experiences while staying in luxurious accommodation along the way.

Start your journey in Phnom Penh, visiting local restaurants and travelling by cyclo to the local markets. After your departure from Phnom Penh, you’ll visit the fascinating mountain temples of Phnom Oudong on your journey to Battambang, your next destination on your tour.

Whilst at Battambang, take a scenic ride on the Bamboo Train. Afterwards, you’ll get the chance to see the traditional products of Cambodia being produced, such as rice paper, rice wine, banana snacks, bamboo sticky rice and fish paste. Before travelling to your next destination, you’ll be exploring the Killing Caves, rich in tragic Cambodian history.

Your final destination is Siem Reap, where you’ll see the floating homes on Tonle Sap Lake and explore the temples at Angkor Wat. Dine on authentic cuisine at both the traditional Apsara, plus a lunch at a farming family’s home.

Before your flight back to the UK, you’ll enjoy a sunset cruise in a gondola paddle boat at Prasat Shroung temple.

Call us for a tailor-made quote on your preferred destinations, hotels and dates.

Itinerary

Day 1 Phnom Penh Arrival

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon depart on a Khmer Architecture walking and car tour that will take you on a fascinating discovery of Cambodian architecture from both the colonial times and the late 1950s and 1960s. This evening, indulge in a Welcome Dinner at Malis Restaurant, one of Phnom Penh’s top addresses for authentic Khmer cuisine.

Staying at

West Wing Lobby at La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

Junior Double Suite at La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

Twin Suite Apartment at La Rose Suites, Phnom Penh

Day 2 Phnom Penh

Spend the morning exploring the local market and learn about Khmer cuisine. Travel by cyclo from the hotel to the market. The walking tour will last two hours before continuing to a local restaurant which uses many of the ingredients. This tour is ideal for foodies. In the afternoon visit the National Museum, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda before settling down for the night in your luxury room in La Rose Suites.

Staying at

Day 3 Phnom Penh - Battambang

After breakfast depart Phnom Penh, travelling over scenic backroads to Cambodia’s former capital, Oudong. Visit the mountain temples at Phnom Oudong, where you’ll see stupas containing the ashes of Buddha and ancient Khmer Kings. Stop at a pottery-making village in Kampong Chhnang and visit the stone carving in Pursat before continuing to Battambang where you will be taken directly to your hotel for check in. Your evening is at leisure. Accommodation: Maisons Wat Kor.

Day 4 Battambang

Today you’ll be taken to the Bamboo Train Station where you’ll journey through beautiful landscapes and rice paddies to the next station. Continue through the winding countryside, stopping off to discover the production of traditional products including rice paper, rice wine, bamboo and more. Afterwards, enjoy fresh fruits and coconut at a local family home before spending the afternoon journeying through Phnom Sampov, visiting the Killing Caves and learning about the tragic history of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge. Dinner at Jaan Bai Restaurant.

Day 5 Battambang - Siem Reap

This morning sail along the Stung Sangker River until you reach Prek Toal bird sanctuary. Continue along Tonlé Sap Lake. You will see many villages where people live on stilted or entirely floating houses. The boat trip takes six-seven hours depending on water levels and is a slow, but beautiful journey to take. (Note: This boat trip is only possible from July to December). Arrive in Siem Reap and the rest of the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner at Abacus Restaurant.

Staying at

Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas

Lobby at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, Siem Reap

Lounge Area at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, Siem Reap

Baitong Restaurant at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, Siem Reap

Day 6 Siem Reap

Start your morning temple exploration at the most illustrious of the Small Circuit Temples, Ta Prohm. Continue onto the ancient city of Angkor Thom and on to Bayon Temple in the centre of the city. After return to your hotel where the rest of your day is at leisure. This evening enjoy dinner at the Apsara Terrace of the Raffles Hotel - located in the lush gardens, an Apsara show is an essential experience while in Cambodia. (Mon/Wed/Fri throughout the year)

Staying at

Day 7 Siem Reap

After an early breakfast, you’ll spend the day at a local village nearby Siem Reap. You’ll be welcomed by the farming families before enjoying a day of activities from planting crops to watering vegetables. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a home-hosted lunch at the home of a local family. Dine on a delicious, authentic Khmer meal as you get to know the family, and then you can continue on to the Golden Silk Pheach. Later, explore the Angkor area and the temple of Bantear Srei before transferring back to Siem Reap.

Staying at

Day 8 Siem Reap

This morning visit the legendary Angkor Wat, construction is thought to have taken around 30 years of intensive labor. Take a break at the hotel until the late afternoon. Enjoy a cruise in a gondola paddle boat at the moat of Angkor Thom compound while watching a sunset at Prasat Chroung temple. Cocktails, champagne, canapés and a soft drink will be available. Enjoy dinner at the renowned Cuisine Wat Damnak. (Special requirements and reservation time is required in advance)

Staying at