Map of Cambodian Traveller including Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

Discover the charming yet confounding kingdom of Cambodia on this authentic adventure.

Touchdown in Vietnam amid the chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City, travel through Cambodia and arrive in Thailand's vivacious capital, Bangkok. Visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, learn the secrets behind Khmer cuisine in Battambang and reflect on Cambodia's tragic history at the sobering sites of Phnom Penh. Journey through three of South East Asia’s most contrasting countries on an adventure that draws you away from the crowds and into the heart and soul of this captivating region, and its equally enchanting people.


Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Bangkok, Thailand
Destinations
Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
TKSE
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • This short but sweet adventure is packed full of experiences that will give you great insight into Cambodia and the contrasts between three of the region's most fascinating countries.

  • Watch the sun rising over Angkor Wat as it did over 800 years ago with your leader. Wander through the amazing ancient temples on a guided tour and with a three-day Angkor pass to cover your whole time in Siem Reap, you can explore this incredible temple complex as much and as often as you like.

  • Discover the countryside around Battambang with on a bike ride around rural farms to meet with local producers, through our partner that is a social enterprise that support the local communities and provide training opportunities.

  • Experience life on water on a boat tour visiting the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake and understand the deep bond between the late and the local communities.

  • Join in a confronting yet important tour in Phnom Penh to The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and reflect on its devastating impact on the modern Cambodia.

Is this trip right for you?

  • If you’d like to spend more time in South East Asia, have a look at the combos that include this trip’s itinerary: Best of Vietnam & Cambodia (TVSKC), South East Asia Loop (TTSVC), and Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure (TVSLC).If you’d like to spend more time in South East Asia, have a look at the combos that include this trip’s itinerary: Best of Vietnam & Cambodia (TVSKC), South East Asia Loop (TTSVC), and Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure (TVSLC).el days by both private and public transport (up to 10 hours on the road), including the days that we cross from Vietnam to Cambodia and Cambodia to Thailand. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.

  • Some travellers enjoy Siem Reap so much that they decide they want to stay extra days rather than continue with the group to Bangkok. You are welcome to sign off the trip to enjoy more of Cambodia, however we’re unable to reimburse any unused services or provide alternate onward travel arrangements.

  • At times our accommodation may not have continuous hot water. Most travellers don’t find this a problem and are often keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!

  • We stay in hotel accommodation throughout this trip. If you would prefer a similar trip with a homestay experience, you might like to consider booking our Cambodia Express (TKSD) trip.

  • Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments and you will visit many temples on this trip, which requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

Itinerary

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1. If you have free time before the meeting, get out and discover the city's blend of old and new, East and West. Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum are great sites to learn more about Vietnam's history. If you arrive a day or two early, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta make for excellent and insightful day trips from the city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum - VND40000
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Travel by public bus across the border, through rural Vietnam and Cambodia and onto Phnom Penh (approximately 10 hours including two border crossings and lunch). Cambodia's capital city is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. If you're looking for a tasty beverage on arrival, head to the Foreign Correspondents' Club for a mojito on the rooftop or if you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
On the bus journey across the border, you will exit Vietnam at Moc Bai and enter Cambodia at Ba Vet. Your leader will assist you with border crossing procedures. You will also have the comfort of being on the same bus throughout the journey with less hassle at the border crossing by changing vehicles. If you’d prefer not to travel by bus today, you are welcome to book a flight instead (at your own expense).
Today, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. You’ll also head out to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls marks the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. Afterwards, you may wish to learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history from an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its excellent Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to walking and generally include the Central Market, US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, Independence Monument and Royal Palace.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
Optional Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda - USD10
  • Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom - USD2
  • Phnom Penh - National Museum - USD10
  • Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour - USD4
  • Phnom Penh - Khmer massage - USD8
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The stories and history shared at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) are confronting and many travellers will find them upsetting. This is an important part of Cambodia’s recent history that we feel is important for travellers to know. If you would prefer not to join these activities your leader can recommend some optional alternatives. Some further information on visiting these sites can be found here: intrepidtravel.com/adventures/importance-visiting-cambodia-killing-fields
Travel by private minibus to Battambang (approximately 6 hours). Break up an otherwise long trip with a visit to the pottery visit in Kampong Chhnang,and learn about the craft of pottery making at local workshops. Then continue to Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, a pretty riverside town of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Why not take part in an optional cooking class to learn the secrets of local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry & fried spicy chicken.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kampong Chhnang - Pottery village visit
Optional Activities
  • Battambang - Cooking Class - USD12
  • Battambang - Phnom Sampov bat caves - USD15
  • Battambang - Bamboo railway - USD10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Spend a bit of time riding around the countryside by bike, travelling out to the rural villages around Battambang. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at what rural life means in Cambodia. Visit local families who have been producing agricultural products the traditional way passed down through generations, like rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice and stop by a Khmer house and relax and enjoy some coconut water while chatting about their life. In the afternoon continue by private minibus to Siem Reap (approximately 3 hours). Our partner for this activity is a local social enterprise that Arrive in Siem Reap in the evening and relax as you prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Battambang - Rural Food and Cycle Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The distance covered by bicycle is approximately 24 kms. If you prefer not to cycle, please let your leader know and they will arrange remork (tuk tuk) transportation (cost included).
We work with a wonderful local social enterprise in the cycling activity who provides training opportunities for the local youth to upskill them and support the local communities.
A very rewarding morning to get to Angkor Wat in the early hours to watch the sun rising over it as it did in the ancient times (weather permitting). Then Temple-hop with your local guide and make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. The temples, dating back as far as the ninth century, were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photo opportunities at any time of day. Watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 square kilometres, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so there will be plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Temperatures and humidity can be high in Cambodia, especially walking around sights like the Angkor complex where there may be little shade. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Some travellers find an umbrella handy to keep the sun off.
Continue your explorations of the Angkor complex this morning. In the afternoon, Embark on a private local boat discover the floating villages and local daily lives at Chhong Kneas, a trading port of agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Chong Kneas - Tonle Sap floating village visit
Optional Activities
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Silver Tour - USD129
  • Siem Reap - Landmine Museum - USD5
  • Siem Reap - Phare Circus Ticket - USD18
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Gold Tour - USD99
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
It's a long drive by private minibus from Siem Reap to Bangkok (approximately 10 hours including border crossings and lunch). Arrive in Thailand's bustling capital and take in this exciting world of tuk tuks, khlong boats, and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Perhaps head out to sample some local specialties as a final farewell with your fellow travellers.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you prefer not to travel by bus for the day, you are welcome to book a flight between the two cities instead. This flight will be at your own expense, however Intrepid can assist with Airport transfers where required.

Due to strict immigration laws your Cambodian trip leader will escort you to the Cambodian side of the border where you will say farewell before going through immigration unaccompanied. Once exiting immigration you will be met by one of our Thai trip leaders who will escort you to Bangkok. All of our trip leaders have been briefed to ensure this is a simple and smooth process.
Your trip comes to an end this morning, with no further activities planned. However, if you have more time, Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the fascinating Jim Thompson museum.
Optional Activities
  • Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure - THB1960
  • Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
  • Bangkok - Bangkok Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB2900
  • Bangkok - Bangkok Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB2500
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

8 breakfasts

Transport

Private minibus, Public bus, remork (tuk tuk), Bicycle

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Included activities

  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
  • Kampong Chhnang - Pottery village visit
  • Battambang - Rural Food and Cycle Tour
  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Sunrise at Angkor Wat
  • Chong Kneas - Tonle Sap floating village visit

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cambodian Traveller trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews