Angkor Wat and the Idyllic Coast

During your time in Siem Reap we can arrange privately guided specialist tours to show you the best of city, Angkor Wat and the Khmer temples in the region.

Today you will get your first taste of the Angkor temples. Explore the sprawling labyrinth of Banteay Kdei with its Hall of the Dancing Girls.

Enjoy sunset drinks at Angkor Thom whilst sailing on the complex's vast moat.

Travel by road to Srah Srang and then continue to Ta Prohm, pausing to collect your entry passes at the Archaeological Park Entrance. Take your time to walk through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance where you will rejoin our driver. From the Northwest of Ta Prohm, walk 15 minutes through the forest to the seldom visited temple of Ta Nei. There is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple all to yourself. Pause for a light breakfast around this peaceful area before exploring further. End the morning at Ta Keo temple, known as the 'mountain with bronze peaks', and admire its five-tiered pyramid structure.

Travel by road to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. You have the choice of either walking along the path along the city wall to the Death Gate or continuing around by road. En route to the Terrace of the Leper King, you'll stop briefly to see an imposing statue found in Bayon which is now displayed at Vihear Prampeilveng. Begin again at the atmospheric Preah Palilay and walk through the shaded parkland behind the terraces, past Phimeanakas with its beautiful lakes, and the imposing Baphuon to finally reach Jayavarman’s state temple of Bayon at the centre of the city. Explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. Your guide will point out the most interesting of the detailed bas reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era.

Approximately 50km (31 miles) north of Siem Reap lies the sacred Phnom Kulen, the ‘Mountain of Lychees', the birthplace of the Angkorian Empire under the reign of King Jayavarman II. The area is now a small national park, rising 488m (1,600 feet) above the surrounding plains. The plateau boasts fine carvings of a thousand Shiva’s Lingas under the riverbed, temple ruins and Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha.

Explore Phnom Kulen, ‘Mountain of the Lychees’, with a full day adventure tour. This trip is considered a greater difficulty level, requiring good fitness for a 17km hike.

You'll start the 17km hike from Kulen’s 1000 lingas, walking along jungle trails through unique landscapes: rocky outcrops, dry and tropical forests, across streams and through rural fields. Learn about the daily activities of these rural communities, their living conditions, the natural environment and ancient and recent history of the low-lying mountain plateau. This trek takes in pre-Angkorian animist statues that are slowly being reclaimed by the forest. A 20-minute motodop tour will complete your loop.

Visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world, and watch the sun rise behind this ornate temple. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

Head to Sambor Prei Kuk and visit the ruins of the 6th-century temples - some of Cambodia's oldest. Three groups of temples here are from the pre-Angkorian period and are collectively known as Ishanapura.

Learn how, as the Funan delta state declined due to changes in trading patterns with Rome and China, a new power grew inland called Chenla. This was to be the civilization controlling much of South East Asia.

Discover this charming city with a wealth of history and unique architecture. We will arrange specialist guides and unique excursions so you see the best of Phnom Penh.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and venture into the capital’s surrounding countryside with a relaxing half-day rural cycle tour of the Islands of the Mekong. Cycling around 25km on flat and small dirt roads, as well as a quick ferry crossing, enjoy the quiet back roads to reach the Mekong Islands, passing through local Cham Muslim communities. On the islands, pedal through orchards and market gardens learning more of local life before returning to Phnom Penh.

Today you will visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The museum, formerly also known as S-21 was originally a high school that the Khmer Rouge converted to an interrogation centre and prison in 1975 during the genocide. More than 17,000 people were tortured there before being murdered at the killing fields outside of the city. Pol Pot’s brutal attempt to create a society without class resulted in nearly 2 million people dying from execution, starvation, or disease. Your visit may be difficult and at times harrowing, but confronting this dark chapter of the country's past is essential to understanding modern Cambodia and its people.

The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek, known as 'The Killing Fields', 17km (11 miles) from Phnom Penh, may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. A large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. It will give an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered as some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. They were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni. The neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The floor consists of 5,329 solid silver tiles to which the building owes its name. Next head to the National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of Khmer art. You can then opt to explore the shops and boutiques in Street 240 area or visit the small hill within the city, Wat Phnom and learn how the city got its name.

Kep is a quaint seaside town and former French colonial retreat, known in the 50s as Kep-sur-Mer. In the 70s much of the city had fallen into disrepair under the influence of Khmer Rouge forces and evidence of this period can still be seen scattered around the area. People visit Kep for its laidback atmosphere and food - it is the centre of the Cambodian crab fishing industry. You can also enjoy trips to offshore islands and explore the lush Kep National Park.

This sleepy seaside former French colonial retreat continues to inspire with its rustic charm of abandoned crumbling villas set in the lush hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Famous for its fresh seafood, in particular the delectable crabs cooked with Kampot pepper, today you will get a glimpse of the former glory of Kep-sur-mer, visiting the former residence of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, the unlikely looking yet delightful rickety crab shacks on the seafront, and travel along coastal roads visiting a hillside temple and the iconic statue of the sea overlooking Kep Beach.

The landscape between Kep and Kampot is studded with limestone mountains, hiding caves and Buddhist shrines. Visit the cave complex of Phnom Chhnork, located just outside Kampot, known for its impressive formations of stalagmites and stalagtites and well preserved 7th-century brick temple shrine to Shiva in the main chamber.

The beautiful Cambodian countryside leads you to the next stop, the so-called 'secret lake', created through hard labour under the Khmer Rouge as an irrigation dam. It now serves as a scenic location for a picnic or a swim. This tour can be taken by tuk-tuk, but due to the road conditions it is recommended you take the adventurous option of a motorbike.

This is a beautiful untouched part of the country, and there are ample opportunities for hiking, kayaking, heading out with wildlife rangers and of course just kicking back and relaxing.

Neighbouring Thailand may have received all the press when it comes to idyllic beaches, but the south of Cambodia has its own beautiful coastline well worth exploring. You’ll find pristine rainforest, white sandy beaches and sleepy fishing villages that combine to make a wonderfully relaxing destination.

Spend your days snorkelling and diving in warm waters teeming with vibrant underwater life, including seahorses, parrotfish and turtles. Kayak the surrounding archipelago and discover secluded beaches and unspoiled coves. Experienced guides can also take guests into the rainforest to meet the species that live in this unique ecosystem too.