15-Day Cambodia Countryside and Beaches

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With a private driver to escort you for the day, you'll visit the temple of Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of Angkor that marked the centre of the complex until the late 15th century. After lunch, you'll visit the iconic, Angkor Wat perhaps the most famous temple in the world, dedicated to Vishnu. To finish this great day you might like to visit the Angkor Night Market. With an optional hot air balloon flight during sunset.

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In the morning visit the South Gate of the Rolous group, a series of temples that marked the beginning of Khmer Classical architecture. Then visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful and famous temples in the area, known for being featured in Lara Croft. In the afternoon, visit Banteay Srei, 'the citadel of women' and Banteay Samre named after the ancient people of Indochina and built in a similar style as Banteay Srei.

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After breakfast, we drive to the countryside to visit Koh Ker, a 10th-century temple complex, the former capital of the Khmer Empire that is now remote and heavily forested. Then visit the "red temple", Prasat Krahom with its beautiful sandstone carvings. Beng Mealea, 'Lotus Pond', is in a fairly ruinous state, though it is one of the major monuments of the classical period.

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Embark on a boat ride on the Tonle Sap great lake to a local floating village where you'll meet the locals and learn about life on the lake. After lunch, visit the Artisans Angkor, a silk weaving initiative that helps disadvantaged peoples to learn new skills. You'll finish the day at the Sisters temple "Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm", which is frequented by locals but is not really a tourist site.

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In the morning depart to Battambang by road (173km/around 3 hours’ drive). Stop and visit Banteay Chmar, an immense temple complex constructed by Jayavarman VII. When you arrive, you'll have a little free time to relax before you go on a tour of the city which once had strong connections with Thailand.

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Halfway through your 2 week Cambodia itinerary, you'll visit Psar Prahok where you'll learn about the –rather smelly– process of creating fish paste. Once we leave we will drive through some small villages to reach Wat Kor village centred around the temple of the same name. Continue to visit of Phnom Sampov (Phnom means "Mountain" in Khmer. "Sampov" means ship), a limestone outcrop littered with small temples and shrines.

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Leave in the early morning to drive to Phnom Penh. We'll stop at a small countryside village famous for its clay pottery, Kampong Chhnang and Udong which has a very nice and hilly setting. This old capital of the Khmer Kingdom, from 1618 to 1866, remains, despite recent destruction, one of the most treasured sites for Cambodians. You'll arrive in Phnom Penh in time for an optional sunset cruise.

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In the morning we take a cyclo to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum of Arts -all iconic examples of more modern Khmer architecture and within close proximity to each other. In the afternoon, you'll visit Wat Phnom, a 14th-century temple that sits on a hill, Tuol Sleng Museum where you will learn about the harrowing recent past for Cambodians and the Russian Market.

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Kep is a coastal province in southern Cambodia, known for its seafood and tropical islands. The relaxed provincial capital of Kep, or Krong Kaeb, has wide streets with crumbling villas that recall its former glory as a French colonial resort town. Kep Beach has calm waters and a promenade with large statues, while vendors line the waterfront at the nearby crab market.

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Today is free at leisure for your own activities. Tropical Beaches, sand and sun will entice you to spend the whole day relaxing. Rabbit Island (in Khmer, "Koh Tonsay") is a small island about 5km from the coast of Kep. You have the option of snorkelling or scuba diving around Rabbit Island; this is a great place to relax.

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The transfer from Kep to Sihanoukville is a short one. Sihanoukville is a beach town that is now a fully-developed resort destination. Sihanoukville's white-sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters combine with a laid back, beachy atmosphere to provide a great little tropical getaway. The town is filled with restaurants and bars that attract backpackers and package-deal holidayers alike.

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Past the southern end of Ochheuteal Beach, beyond the Phnom Som Nak Sdach (Hill of the King’s Palace) headland, lies stunning Otres Beach. Otres has clean water and is more relaxed that the bustling town of Sihanoukville, with not much to do, the mid-day heat and clear waters will have you relaxing in a hammock with a book in no time!

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Koh Rong is an island known for its sandy coves and coral reefs. Inland, the dense jungle terrain is dotted with coconut palms and waterfalls that warrant exploration. In the south are jewel-orchids, a small zoo home to butterflies, snakes, and birds and lively Police Beach, a party spot popular with backpackers. However, the rest of the island is home to hidden deserted beaches with waters filled with tropical fish!