Cambodia Itinerary: All Highlights in Two Weeks

Cambodia is often overlooked in favor of neighbors Indonesia or Thailand, but it offers a wealth of historical and cultural value for any traveler who loves a real adventure.

You might know that Cambodia is home to the biggest religious complex on Earth, the ancient Khmer temple of Angkor Wat, but Cambodia also has a stunning royal palace, the atrocious killing fields of the Khmer Rouge, and charming floating villages.

If you're looking to visit this Southeast Asian country, I've put together the perfect Cambodia itinerary to see it all in two weeks.

What to Expect in Cambodia

I find Cambodia to be the perfect mix between Thailand and Laos. It's more laid-back and less developed than Thailand, but significantly easier to travel than Laos.

Here are a few things to expect:

• Siem Reap and Phnom Penh display a substantial American influence. (I found Dr. Pepper, and that's a rarity!)

• Cambodia heavily relies on the US Dollar, so you'll often see prices in Cambodian Riel and US Dollars, especially in tourist destinations.

• Avoid the rainy season (heaviest in August and September). March and April are extremely hot!

• Dress modestly, covering your knees and shoulders, when visiting the temples of Angkor, Buddhist temples, and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center.

• Cambodia has easy access to in-person and online tours and a well-organized tourist infrastructure.

Getting to Cambodia

Cambodia offers visa exemption for many Asian nations and a very easy visa-on-arrival and e-visa process for almost all other visitors. If you're coming from outside Southeast Asia, you'll likely fly into the international airport at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.

Obviously, where you start your journey will affect your Cambodia itinerary. This itinerary will easily adjust to fit your entry point. Go with the city that's easier and more cost-efficient for you!

If you're coming from another country in Southeast Asia, you might decide to take the land route. Buses are available from major cities to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Popular border crossings include:

• Moc Bai to Bavet-Vietnam

• Ting Bien to Phnom Den-Vietnam

• Nong Nok Khiene to Tropeang Kreal-Southern Laos – Warning: The Laotian border is rated the worst in SEA. Expect to pay a US$2 stamping fee on both sides. Have the slip you received upon entry to Laos handy.

• Aranyaprathet to Poipet-Thailand

You could also choose the seven-hour ferry from Bangkok to the island paradise of Koh Rong. However you enter, head straight to Siem Reap for the start of your itinerary.

The Best Two-Week Itinerary for Cambodia

I'll structure this guide for first-time visitors to Cambodia, assuming you want to see all the famous sites with a few extra gems thrown in.

For the sake of organization, I'll start with Siem Reap, but you could easily start with Phnom Penh as well.

Day 1-3: Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the modern city at the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire and your jumping-off point for the famous temples of Angkor. It's adorable, but admittedly very touristy!

There are cute art and lighting installations for Instagrammers and plenty of fancy hotels and restaurants. It's situated along the Siem Reap River and features charming walking trails along the water.

Day 1: Get Your Bearings

On your first day in Siem Reap, I highly recommend visiting the Angkor National Museum. Not only is it a beautiful structure, but it's incredibly well laid out with a great audio guide and multi-media presentations.

The museum details the history and religion of the ancient Khmer and will help you better understand your visit to Angkor Wat!

After that, head for Pub Street for a nice meal and some drinks. Get to bed early, you've got a big day tomorrow!

Day 2: Explore Angkor Archaeological Park

Angkor Archaeological Park is huge! The UNESCO World Heritage site is not just a temple, it's an entire ancient city covering over 400 square kilometers and is dotted with majestic temples of every shape and size.

Watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat is a bucket list item for many travelers in SEA. Start your day early (most guided tours will include transit for sunrise) and end in the late afternoon. Tours are available through every hotel. You can also hire a private tuk-tuk driver to escort you around the loop.

The small loop can be done in one morning and includes all the popular temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (and its Bayon Temple, Elephant Terrace, Baphoun Temple), and Ta Prohm (The Tomb Raider temple). The Small Circuit is enough for most travelers. I've been obsessed with Angkor my entire life (well… since I was a small child) and it was enough for me.

Travel tip: Angkor Enterprise is the only official place to buy tickets online and get your ID badge. You will be asked for it multiple times during your visit.

For all the ins and outs of visiting the ancient temples of Angkor, check out my guide on visiting Angkor Wat!

Day 3: Phnom Kulen National Park & Tonlé Sap Lake Floating Villages

If you had enough Angkor temples on day two, then head to the beautiful Phnom Kulen National Park. The national park is popular with locals for river adventures, Kulen waterfalls, and street food.

Most hotels in the city center offer organized tours to the falls, or this one includes Beng Mealea Temple, the park, and Kampong Phluk Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake.

Cap off your evening with a dinner show featuring traditional dance at Apsasa Theatre.

Where to Stay in Siem Reap

Luxury Option: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort – Elegant 5-star resort nestled in lush gardens, offering beautifully designed rooms featuring French and Khmer aesthetics, from US$224/night

Mid-range Option: Central Corner d'Angkor – Studio apartments with a stunning pool area in the city center, from US$31/night

Budget Option: Hima Boutique – Conveniently located hotel in Siem Reap, near Pub Street, featuring comfortable rooms with modern amenities and complimentary Wi-Fi, from US$23/night

Looking for more hotel options? Find my full guide on all accommodation options in Siem Reap.

Getting Around Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a very walkable city, and you'll want to experience that vibe. Ride-share app Grab operates for longer trips and tuk-tuks are available on every street corner. I found in Cambodia that I didn't have to haggle too much to get the cheapest rates.

Drivers have a set price for the major sites. For the Angkor Wat complex, I organized a driver for the same price as a group tour from the hostel (US$20 for two people), and I got my own vehicle for the whole day.

Day 4-5: Battambang

Battambang is becoming more popular in recent years. If you've heard of it, it's likely because of its famous bamboo train, but Battamband has so much to offer!

Day 4: Arrival and Orientation

The bus from Siem Reap to Battambang takes three hours and costs about US$11.

Once you arrive in the city, book a spot on the Bat Cave and Bamboo Train afternoon tour.

The tour includes:

• Watching millions of bats fly from their cave at dusk

• The Killing Cave where the Khmer Rouge tortured and murdered locals in their crusade of terror

• A ride on the famous bamboo train

Day 5: Battambang City Tour

Start your day with the morning tuk-tuk tour to explore the gorgeous colonial architecture and history of Battambang with a local guide. You'll also learn to make rice noodles, visit a rice paper factory, and visit one of Cambodia's many Khmer Rouge killing fields.

Spend the afternoon resting by your pool or visiting some of the stunning Buddhist temples in the city.

In the evening, catch a show at the highly-rated Cambodian Circus, a modern cultural experience backed by a wonderful social cause!

If you want to save some time, take the night bus from Battambang to Phnom Penh!

Where to Stay in Battambang

Luxury Option: Cambana La Rivière – 4-star hotel with room service and a gorgeous pool area, from US$120/night

Mid-range Option: Classy Hotel – Hotel with swimming pool, fitness area, and in-house restaurant…and it's classy!, from US$44/night

Budget Option: Lotus Blanc Homestay – Clean homestay boasting A/C, a restaurant/bar, and much more!, from US$8/night

Getting Around Battambang

Battambang is a fun city to wander on foot, but most of the sites mentioned above are 20-25 mins outside the city by tuk-tuk.

Book one of the online tours suggested, organize a tour with your hotel, or hire a driver yourself.

Day 6-8: Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of this incredible country, and it's a lively city with a fantastic vibe (in my personal opinion). While it deserves more, you can hit the famous sites and one of the local villages in a few days.

Day 6: Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and Tuol Sleng Museum

While Siem Reap screams ancient Cambodian history, Phnom Penh details the appalling history of the Khmer Rouge. From 1975-1979, Pol Pot enforced his own version of Communism on Cambodia. It was a reign characterized by intense paranoia and violent response to any and all perceived dissidence.

The regime's policy was to eliminate the entire family line of anyone who opposed their governance so that no one could take future revenge. Estimates vary, but approximately 25-30% of the Cambodian population was systematically murdered, between 1.5 and 2 million victims.

To visit The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, you can arrange a tuk-tuk for US$15-20 for the day. While it's a very tough day, you can't visit Cambodia and understand its people without touring Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (aka “The Killing Fields”) and the Tuol Sleng (S21) Prison.

The Killing Fields are located just outside the capital city. It's a small complex with a heartwrenching audioguide. You'll see the killing tree where infants were disposed of, a memorial tower filled with the skeletal remains of victims, and the mass burial pits.

Tuol Sleng is located in an old high school that the Khmer used as a prison camp. Beware! It's far more graphic than The Killing Fields. When the Vietnamese army liberated Phnom Penh, they stumbled across the prison, finding dead and dying victims still chained to their beds.

Those photos are displayed, along with the harrowing stories of genocide victims. It's a hard place to tour, but necessary. Pack some tissues.

Day 7: The Royal Palace and Museums

Take it easy on day seven and visit some of the better years of Cambodian history. The Royal Palace is a huge complex with gorgeous architecture, including the famed Silver Pagoda. You can easily spend a couple of hours here.

Then, take a traditional Cambodian cooking class. This experience is educational, and you get to chow down on savory fish amok!

Finish off your day at Phnom Penh's excellent night market or the Russian Market for some souvenir shopping.

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh

Luxury Option: Raffles Hotel del Royal – Luxury hotel with old-warm charm and excellent location, from US$275/night

Mid-range Option: Plantation Urban Resort & Spa – A green oasis in the city center, from US$84/night

Budget Option: Nangkol Village – Budget guesthouse with pool and on-site restaurant, from US$18/night

Here are a few more fabulous options!

Getting Around Phnom Penh

Aside from strolling and tuk-tuks, Grab, WeGo, and PassApp all operate in Phnom Penh, so choose your favorite!

Day 8-10: Koh Rong

Koh Rong is Cambodia's island paradise, and a popular place for locals and visitors to soak up that beach life!

Day 8: Travel Day to Koh Rong

Book a morning bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. The journey takes about five hours. The only train line in Cambodia runs this route too. It takes longer, but it's more scenic.

When you deboard there will be tuk-tuks waiting to take you to Serendipity Beach Pier to get tickets. I don't recommend staying in Sihanoukville… unless you're intrigued by slightly off-kilter gambling spots.

Take a peak at Otres Beach if you want, then catch one of the many boat trips to the island.

Funny story: When leaving Cambodia, my Vietnam visa wasn't approved yet, so I was stranded for one night in Krong Bavet (another one of Cambodia's casino towns) and it felt like an alternate universe. The entire town was a menagerie of ornate casinos in a dusty, rural destination where everyone walked around in matching sets of faux Dior pajamas. It was quite the experience!

Day 9: Beach Day

Day nine is all about beautiful beaches! Pick one or hop them all. Here are the best options:

Koh Toch – This is the main beach and town. It's a party location with tons of great bars and restaurants and a convenient location.

Coconut Beach – Located around the peninsula to the north, Coconut Beach is a true paradise with towering palms, crystal clear waters, and cute budget bungalows.

Lonely Beach -Located on the northern side, Lonely Beach is more difficult to reach (hence the name), but it's absolutely stunning with shallow clear waters, white sands, and few people. The rustic hotel offers transport from Sihanoukville by boat.

Day 10: Snorkeling Day

Along with a full series of diving courses, Koh Rong Watersports also offers a well-priced snorkeling excursion that visits Long Beach on the beautiful West Coast and the best snorkeling spots.

If snorkeling sounds like too much effort, take the ferry to nearby Koh Rong Samloem and spend your day on Lazy Beach, voted by National Geographic as one of the “top 21 beaches in the world”.

Where to Stay on Koh Rong

Near Lonely Beach: Lonely Beach – Simple jungle bungalows with shared bathrooms on the beach, from US$16/night

Near Coconut Beach: Bunnan Bungalows and Restaurant – Cozy villas with beachfront views, from US$25/night

Near Koh Toch: Apsara Guesthouse – Large rooms with balconies and private baths overlooking the water, from US$50/night

Check here for more great options!

Getting Around Koh Rong

If you have an international driving permit, the best way to get around the interior jungles of Koh Rong is like the locals on a motorbike!

Otherwise, you're restricted to motorbike taxis, taxi boats, or guided excursions. Also, the island has no ATMs, so bring cash.

Day 11-12: Kampot

Kampot is a riverside village laced with adorable coffee shops, pepper plantations, and that chill backpacker vibe. If you spent your time partying in Koh Toch, then Kampot is a great place to recharge!

The region is famous for its unique-tasting black pepper, and there are several farms between here and Kep.

Day 11: Travel to Kampot

Take the morning ferry back to Sihanoukville and then catch the bus, train, or taxi to Kampot. The journey could take you 4-6 hours. You can easily book the trip through your hotel on the island.

If you arrive on the earliest bus, you may have time to tour one of the pepper farms this afternoon. If not, spend the evening on the river. At Old Colonial Bridge, join one of the boat tours for sunset, drinks, and a float through a pretty impressive natural environment.

Maybe you'll even see pink dolphins! A good-sized group of these beautiful animals inhabit the Coastal Kambot waters.

Day 12: Kampot Tours

Start your day with a bicycle ride around town. Many of the guesthouses in town rent bikes for US$1-$3 per day. Explore the French Colonial buildings in town, Toek Vil Pagoda, and (if you're feeling up for it) Farmlink Pepper Farm.

You can bike to Farmlink, but if you want to visit the more famous farms like La Plantation or Sothy's, you'll need to hire a tuk-tuk. Aside from the transit, the tours are absolutely free, informative, and fun!

Alternative: If you're allergic to exercise, or toured the farms yesterday, take a day trip to Bokor National Park instead. It's very close to Kampot and features sweeping mountain views and hiking trails through abandoned French Colonial settlements.

Where to Stay in Kampot

Luxury Option: Castlebay Resort & Spa – Modern 5-star resort on the river, from US$280/night

Mid-range Option: Emerald Residence – Airconditioned rooms with balconies and pool views, from US$41/night

Budget Option: Park Inn Boutique & Hostel – Modern spot with ideal location and sky bar, from US$9/night

Day 13: Kep

Kep is home to the world-famous Kep crab and the premier place to chow down on crab meat sprinkled with Kampot pepper.

You have a choice here. You can either spend one night in Kep or visit it via a day trip from Kampot. If you opt to stay the night, skip the 45-minute bus and take the Crab Shuttle instead. It's a scenic cruise on a converted old fishing boat that offers far more ambiance.

Day 13: Kep

Get to know this once-thriving resort town and its abandoned structures on your own, or dive deeper with a guided tour.

In the evening, hit up the crab market. Choose the dish that looks best to you, and spend your evening gorging on pepper crab by the water.

Where to Stay in Kep

Luxury Option: Veranda Natural Resort – Hilltop resort with stylish bungalows, from US$99/night

Mid-Range Option: Casa Kep Garden Cafe & Guest House – Traditional guesthouse with a lovely garden, from US$33/night

Budget Option: Captain Chim's Guest House – Airconditioned rooms with a good location, from US$8/night

Leaving Cambodia

Depending on your exit route, take a bus back to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap and prepare to depart on day 14.

If your flight leaves from Phnom Penh, it will be a short day, but it will take about 10 hours to get back to Siem Reap, and the bus leaves at 7.30 am.

Extending Your Cambodia Itinerary

If you can extend to three weeks in this beautiful country, then I recommend adding days to Siem Reap and the islands near Sihanoukville and tacking on Moldukiri Province.

• Stay two nights each on the paradise islands of Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Ta Kiev. Koh ta Kiev is a bare-bones traveler's paradise. No electricity, no Wi-Fi, and certainly no looming beach resorts!

• The northeastern side of Cambodia is off the beaten track. The Moldukiri Province offers elephant encounters and a chance to see Irrawaddy Dolphins in the town of Krati.

Cambodia Itinerary – Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is Cambodia best known for?

Cambodia is known for its historical sites, both the glorious ancient temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom and the more recent deplorable sites of the Pol Pot regime. It's a fascinating country that's worth ten days to two weeks.

⭐ What should you not miss seeing in Cambodia?

Your Cambodia itinerary should include the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap; The Killing Fields, The Royal Palace, and Tuol Sleng (S21) Prison in Phnom Penh; and the paradise islands of Sihanoukville Province.

💲 Is Cambodia cheap or expensive to visit?

Cambodia is considered inexpensive for most international travelers. While Phnom Penh is higher and major sites like Angkor Archeological Park have big price tags, hostels in most of Cambodia are as low as US$5 and budget double rooms are around US$15. Good food is easily attained for US$20 a day or less.

Cambodia Itinerary – Final Words

Using this Cambodia itinerary, you'll visit Pnohm Penh, a lively capital city straddling the mighty Mekong River, traditional floating villages, and the largest religious complex in the world (Angkor Wat). Cambodia is a dream for any kind of traveler.

Backpackers benefit from easy public transit and budget-friendly accommodations while luxury travelers will find plenty of options for fully guided tours and luxury hotels. It's a place I can consistently return to, and I'm pretty sure you're going to love it too!

For more Southeast Asian gems, check out my two-week Laos itinerary. It's a great destination to tack on to the end of your Cambodia trip.