23 March 2027 – 12 days for £2,995 per person
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Uncover the extraordinary history of Cambodia on this 12-day exploration of its most significant archaeological sites, including two full days at Angkor Wat. As you step back in time, discover the fascinating story of Cambodia’s ancient civilisations as you trace the rise and fall of the Funan (1st to 6th century), Chenla (6th to 9th century) and Khmer (9th to 15th century) empires.
Beginning in Phnom Penh, this journey traces Cambodia’s rich cultural and architectural evolution, from the National Museum and Royal Palace to the ancient Funan capital of Angkor Borei and the early temples of Phnom Da, then north to former royal centres such as Oudong and Nokor Bachey and the UNESCO-listed pre-Angkor city of Sambor Prei Kuk. The route continues to the vast jungle complex of Preah Khan Kompong Svay and culminates in an immersive exploration of Angkor, with two full days at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and the Bayon, complemented by visits to Koh Ker’s pyramid temple, Beng Mealea’s evocative ruins and the finely carved red sandstone temples of Banteay Srei. As you visit sites from different eras, you’ll learn how the each style, artistic technique and religion shaped ancient Khmer culture.
Accompanying you throughout is Iman Nagy, a landscape archaeologist who has previously worked on archaeological sites in and around Angkor Wat and who has led many tours to North Africa and South East Asia. She will provide expert insights into each site you visit, weaving the tale of Cambodian ancient history. She will also deliver a series of engaging talks in the evenings on topics such as:
- Cambodia Contexutalised - a focussed exploration of Cambodian history and its position within broader Asian religious and political traditions
- Ancient Cambodian Religion - how Cambodia's unique blend of Indian cosmology with deeply rooted local spirit cults created a distinctly Khmer sacred landscape
- Khmer Ontologies and Sacred Landscapes - What made Angkor?
With expert guidance and authentic experiences, this itinerary offers a rare opportunity to connect with Cambodia’s rich heritage in depth and detail. This tour is perfect for those interested in Southeast Asia and Cambodia's ancient history, those interested in art, architecture, religion and the cultural exchange of artistic ideas, and any curiously-minded traveller.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh
Welcome to Cambodia! On arrival at Phnom Penh airport, transfer to your centrally located hotel where you will have the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Cambodia’s vibrant capital is located at the confluence of the country’s two major rivers: the Mekong and Tonle Sap. It is a city of contrasts and one with a storied history, from ancient Khmer-era temples to French architecture from the country’s time as a colony and the sites of the Khmer Rouge's violent repression. Since then, the city’s economic revitalisation has seen it become a welcoming city to international visitors, providing an excellent base from which to explore some of the country’s lesser-known and lesser-visited (but historically important) archaeological sites.
In the early evening, gather in the hotel to meet your fellow guests, tour leader and tour expert, Iman Nagy, for a welcome briefing about the tour, followed by dinner together at a local restaurant.
Day 2: City tour, National Museum, Royal Palace and evening Mekong river cruise
After breakfast, you will head out into the city to explore some of its highlights. You’ll begin your day with a visit to the National Museum of Cambodia. The museum houses key artefacts from Cambodia’s rich history and is dedicated to the preservation of the country’s art, especially around the two main religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. Among some of the most interesting objects here are the sculptures of Vishnu which were found at the temple of Phnom Da (which you will visit tomorrow).
Next door to the museum is the Royal Palace of Cambodia, a sprawling complex of ornate buildings and temples with beautiful towering spires, which has been the official residence of the monarchs of Cambodia since the 1860s. You will be taken on a private tour of the site, including the Silver Pagoda and murals of the expansive courtyard.
Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace. You may choose to visit the sites of the Khmer Rouge. While an important part of Cambodia’s recent history which should not be overlooked, some may not wish to visit these saddening sites.
In the evening, meet back up with your fellow travellers for an evening cruise on the Mekong river, reflecting on the day and the beginning of your adventure.
Day 3: Angkor Borei and Phnom Da
Once you have breakfasted, you will travel around 100 kilometres south of Phnom Penh by coach to the fascinating sites of Angkor Borei and Phnom Da for a full day of exploration.
Angkor Borei is one of Cambodia’s most significant archaeological sites. Once the capital of the ancient Funan kingdom and an early Khmer centre, it served as a prototype for later city planning that shaped cities such as Sambor Prei Kuk and Angkor, both of which you will visit on this tour.
You will then visit the Angkor Borei Museum, a compact museum with a treasure trove of artefacts from the Funan and Chenla eras of Southeast Asia.
Later, you will visit the mountain of Phnom Da, just 3 kilometres away from Angkor Borei. Two temples are perched atop the mountain - Phnom Da temple and Asram Maha Rosei, both of which you will visit. Asram Maha Rosei was constructed using hard basalt stone, unusual for Khmer architecture and used in only one other temple throughout Cambodia.
Afterwards, drive back to Phnom Penh and enjoy dinner together as a group.
Day 4: Drive to Stueng Saen via Oudong and Nokor Backey temple
Today you leave the capital and head northwards towards Stueng Saen where you will spend the next two nights. The joy of travelling is in the journey, so en route you’ll stop at a couple of intriguing sites to break up the journey and to add more pieces to the puzzle of Cambodian ancient history.
Your first stop will be the city of Oudong, only 40 minutes from Phnom Penh. This city was the former royal capital of Cambodia after the Angkor period, from 1618 until 1866 when the royals moved to Phnom Penh. There are 500 steps up to the top of the hill complex where you are rewarded with amazing views over the surrounding area.
Leaving Oudong, you head eastwards to the temple of Nokor Bachey, also known as Wat Nokor. Archaeologists have so far been unable to ascertain the exact age of this temple, but it is likely that it was first constructed in the 11th century with additional buildings added until at least the 16th century.
Enjoy an included lunch in the nearby town of Krong Kampong Cham before heading onwards for your final leg of the journey to Krong Stueng Saen, a journey of around 2 hours. Check in to your hotel and enjoy some downtime before an included dinner.
Day 5: Sambor Prei Kuk
After breakfast, make the 50-minute journey to Sambor Prei Kuk by coach. Meaning “the temple in the richness of the forest”, this sprawling ancient city is considered to be Cambodia’s most impressive set of pre-Angkor architecture. Indeed, this site has been identified as the capital of the Chenla empire which flourished in the 6th and 7th centuries, known as Ishanapura.
Split between three main complexes, there are over 100 temples dedicated to Shiva or incarnations of Shiva, of which 10 are uniquely octagonal in shape. Throughout the complexes, masterpieces of art, from carved lintels, colonnades and pediments to inscriptions in Sanskrit and the ancient Khmer language, come to the fore. The architectural and artistic style evidenced here laid the groundwork for the more famous style of Angkor Wat and the Angkor-era temples. These are some of the many reasons why, in 2017, it became Cambodia’s third UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As its name suggests, the surrounding trees have encroached on some of the temple buildings which creates an air of being in a lost world. Explore intricate artwork, peaceful walking trails and the atmospheric ruins surrounded by nature and away from the crowds.
In the afternoon, take a short visit to a nearby local village to observe traditional rural life and learn more about local customs. Afterwards, return to Stueng Saen and enjoy dinner together, retelling the stories of the wonders you’ve seen today.
Day 6: Preah Khan Kompong Svay, onwards to Siem Reap
Today you will journey to Siem Reap via the Preah Khan Kompong Svay temple complex, nestled deep within the jungles of Preah Vihear province. The journey will take just over 2 hours from Stueng Saen.
Most of the structures here were built throughout the 12th century and it is thought that this complex served as an administrative hub during the Angkor era as well as a centre for iron production, alongside its clear function as a religious centre. The complex is situated on the eastward Royal Road which links Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei and Preah Khan Kompong Svay, further signifying its importance.
While larger than Angkor Wat, this complex offers a different perspective on Cambodia’s archaeological history - that of looters and pillagers. The site has been assaulted with drills, leaving many of the magnificent towers as piles of rubble. This is a story all too familiar in Cambodia, which continued well into the 1990s, though local groups and the national government continue to fight against this sort of activity.
After exploring this vast site, you will continue on to Siem Reap, a journey time of just over 3 hours, before checking in to your hotel for the next six nights and heading out for dinner as a group.
Day 7: Morning of leisure and afternoon city tour
After a few days of long journeys and time spent exploring Cambodia’s fascinating archaeological sites, this morning is free to enjoy as you wish. In the afternoon, there will be a short walking city tour and visit to the Angkor National Museum to help you find your way around the city, but there are no further excursions planned for today.
Day 8: Kompong Khleang floating village and the Roluos group
Today you will head 1 hour south of Siem Reap to Kompong Khleang, a floating village on the shores of Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. You will board a local community boat and head out into the waters of Tonle Sap to visit a few of the floating villages, learning about their way of life. Please note that, being the dry season, water levels are lower on Tonle Sap in March but do provide a clear view of the stilted, floating structures.
On the way back to Siem Reap, stop off at the temples of the Roluos group. The largest temple here is Bakong temple, which was built in the 9th century and was the first temple to be built largely from sandstone in the classic pyramidal style of the Angkor empire.
Day 9: Angkor Wat complex - Angkor Wat, Ta Som, Angkor Thom, Bayon and Aspara dinner
Over the next two days it is finally time to explore the crown jewel of Cambodia, Angkor Wat. Angkor, the ancient city within which Angkor Wat and its sister temples reside, stretches for over 400 square kilometres so you’ll need these two full days to fully appreciate the artistry, scale and complexity of this site. Almost every surface you see here is carved with intricate artwork, representing the full spectrum of the Khmer empire from 9th century to 16th century works. No less impressive is the number of hydraulic structures evident throughout the site still working today and the incredible sculptures of naga, Buddhas and Hindhu gods which call this place home.
You will start your day visiting Angkor Wat, built in the early 12th century as a temple mountain symbolising Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Its walls feature intricate carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars of King Suryavarman II. Over 2,000 Apsaras (heavenly dancers) adorn the temple, which took around 30 years to construct. Today, Angkor Wat is a national symbol of Cambodia and represents the heart and soul of the Khmer people.
Afterwards, visit Ta Som temple and Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City', a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Then you will move to Bayon temple, with its over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers. A short walk northwards from here are the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, both famous for their intricate haut-reliefs.
Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on local Khmer favourites.
Day 10: Angkor Wat complex - Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Phnom Bakheng at sunset
After breakfast, you will continue your exploration of the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park, starting with Ta Prohm which is renowned for the huge trees embedded in the stone foundations of the temple.
From here you will head to Banteay Srei, around 40 minutes away. The buildings here are made of a beautiful red sandstone which is relatively soft and makes for the perfect material to carve. The carvings which decorate the site are second to none, leading some to call it the crown jewel of Angkorian art.
You will continue onwards 30 minutes to Banteay Samre, which is very similar in design and layout to Angkor Wat, though without the crowds. Built around the same time as Angkor, originally Banteay Samre was made of the same red sandstone as Banteay Srei, although due to extensive renovation work the site has lost its red lustre.
Finally, you will head to Phnom Bakheng, a hillside temple offering specacular views of Angkor Wat and the perfect place to witness the sunset from.
Day 11: Koh Ker and Prasat Beng Mealea
On this final full day exploring Cambodia’s archaeological sites, you will visit two very different sites. First, you will travel 3 hours to the ancient city of Koh Ker, 110 kilometres northeast of Siem Reap, away from the crowds of Angkor Wat. Hidden away in the forests, Koh Ker is famed for the seven-tiered pyramid-style temple of Prasat Krahom, which resembles something akin to Chichen Itza and the buildings of the Maya.
You will then travel an hour south to Prasat Beng Mealea. Largely in ruins, it was one of the key stops along the eastern Royal Road connecting Preah Khan Kompong Svay and Angkor, both of which you have seen. This complex is nicknamed “Jungle Temple” due to the extent of trees which have encroached upon the ruins. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on your journey back to Siem Reap.
Return to Siem Reap for a farewell dinner with your fellow guests and tour expert as you reflect on all the incredible art, architecture and artefacts which have told the storied history of Cambodia and its ancient civilisations.
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast this morning, there will be a group transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onwards journey.
