Best Recommended 3-day Guided Tour in Cambodia

Ideally combines both major cities of Cambodia: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, we enjoy a fully guided 3-day trip followed the vibrant Phnom Penh Capital to reveal its attractive and historical places including the significant Royal Palace admired by the notable Silver Pagoda and its tragic sites at the killing field and Tuol Sleng Museum etc. Continue the journey in Siem Reap, we’ll have a full day to explore Angkor Complex in the small circuit followed by the magical Angkor Wat temple, and with sunset at Phnom Bakheng hill before spending the last day at Kampong Phluk village at Tonle Sap Lake where the boat excursion takes you to observe daily life of people living on the water, embark on rowing boat to see the lush mangroves as well as observe the important great lake of Cambodia.

Tour code: #3-day Cambo
City/region: Phnom Penh → Siem Reap (or Vice Versa)
Tour type: private, classic, historical, sightseeing, boat excursion
Duration: 3 days
Hassle: free, flexible
Available: daily (best period: November to February)
Advance booking: required
Tour required: valid Angkor ticket (not included)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Full Day Phnom Penh City Tour with Sunset Cocktail Boat

Our experienced tour guide and driver will be greeting you at 8.00am then go to Independent Monument where we stop to capture some beautiful photos before continue to witness the tragic site of Choeung Ek – the killing field that proceeded more than 20 thousands of civilians and the site is connecting with Tuol Sleng Museum – was the former school that was transformed to Tortured Prison S21. Stroll around Russian market for shopping.

Enjoy Khmer set lunch at Bopha Titanic Phnom Penh restaurant by The Riverside.

Afternoon, visit The Royal Palace – a complex of buildings which are served as the royal residence for the King of Cambodia, admired by impressive Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles and other Royal Stupas, shrines, monuments etc. Continue for a guided tour at Wat Phnom with interesting legendary of founding place of Phnom Penh Capital.

*Note: Central market is available for visit if you want. So please speak about this with our tour guide about this.

Central market is a dome shape mixing of French art decoration and was built in 1937, the dome of Central Market or Phar Thmei consists four long wings that gather hundreds of stalls displaying and selling many kinds of goods, local vegetables, meats, groceries, seafood, flowers, jewellery, clothes, brand/fake watches and many more.

Around 4.40pm, our team takes you to Phnom Penh’s Riverside, get on board with a welcome cocktail while the boat is slowly cruising along Mekong & Tonle Bassac, unwind yourself with colorful Phnom Penh nightlights. Disembark and return to the hotel or tell our team to drop you off at Phnom Penh Night Market for your own exploration.

Day 2: Full Day Angkor Temples

Today we’re leaving for the tour at 8.30am to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia. Continue to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

Enjoy tasty Khmer set lunch at The Palmboo restaurant near temples.

Afternoon, we resume our discovery day for guided tour around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant.

Finally, we stop at the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represent compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity, and take as many photos as you want before heading back to your hotel.

Note: Visiting beautiful sunset (free of charge) is available at Phnom Bakheng, please speak to our tour guide to manage this for you. This is a hiking up (Approx. 25 minutes/way) to the hill and it’s always touristy or skip it if you feel tired.

Day 3: Tonle Sap Lake, City Tour & Traditional Apsara Show

We set off at 8.30am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades before resuming our journey to Kompong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in their student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we embark on a canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about Tonle Sap ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve.

Return to Siem Reap city to enjoy tasty Khmer set lunch at Khmer wooden house restaurant.

Afternoon, we go for guided orientation at the finest Artisan Angkor wood/stone carving center which displays various defined handicrafts and silk products, continue to stroll around old market to see interesting daily trade as well as bargaining for local handmade products, paintings, lacquers, carvings, clothes, traditional crafts and so on, and resume going to Royal Residence Garden where we enjoy the walking for breathtaking and take nice photos as well as observing the sacred shrine of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm where you will probably also see hundreds of bats flying around.

Evening, our team transfers you to enjoy buffet dinner followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at Amazon Angkor restaurant and drop off at hotel or at pub street after dinner.

Tour Prices are quoted in US dollar per person

1 Pax: $389.00
2 Pax: $265.00/pax
3 Pax: $235.00/pax
4 Pax: $212.00/pax
5 Pax: $199.00/pax
6 Pax: $189.00/pax

Tour Included
› Experienced local English-speaking guide
› Pick up & drop off at your hotels
› Traveling in air conditioning car/minivan
› Lunch/dinner are mentioned
› Private boat excursion, port fees and canoe
› All entrance fees in Phnom Penh
› Sunset cocktail boat cruise (share-boat)
› Tour activities and sightseeing per program
› Mineral bottled water & fresh wet tissues
Tour NOT Included
› Accommodation
› Travel insurance
› 1-Day Angkor ticket ($37/pax)
› Meals, drinks and services are not mentioned
› Gratitude/tipping to guide and driver
Additional Information
How much is Angkor ticket, how does one get it and how is it used?

The Angkor ticket can be purchased at the toll booth en route to Angkor Archaeological Park. There is always queue, payment is made in cash and they will take photo for you. Once you get the pass, make sure you keep it with you safely (or use name tag) because you have to show your pass to authority guards at the entrance of each temple. Buying Angkor ticket online is also available and convenient, you should prepare a photo ready to upload when you’re processing your ticket on the official website: https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/

A). 1-day pass is USD 37
B). 3-day pass is USD 62 (Valid within 10 days)
C). 7-day pass is USD 72 (Valid within 30 days)

Temple hours: The Angkor Wat complex opens at 5:00am and closes at 6:00pm. Banteay Srei closes at 5:00pm and Kbal Spean closes at 3:00pm, so plan your itinerary carefully.

Our local experienced English speaking guide

Our local tour guide is the most important part of the entire trip. He/she is the one who makes your day well worth a visit and will do his/her best to ensure you leaving Cambodia with a great experience and unforgettable. More importantly, we patiently commit and carefully reserve one of our top tour guides that has more than 10 years experienced in taking care of clients to see beautiful Cambodia as well as sharing lovely Cambodia’s culture and history, and he/she has friendly attitude, informative, knowledgeable, and advisable.

Transportation

Due to the distance, air conditioning vehicles are the best option, cool and comfortable while Tuk Tuk is only available on Day 2 but you can request Tuk Tuk by adding your comment when you submit the booking and price will decrease a little.

*Payment: The booking is not required a deposit in advance. You will be paying in full amount (US dollar cash) on the touring day when our team picks you up at your hotel’s lobby. However, we require you to respectfully take responsibility to inform us at least 48 hours prior to the tour departure if you wish to cancel the booking.

*Dressing Code

Cambodia geographically stays in the tropical monsoon, its weather varies and annually brings wet and dry seasons, generally hot in during day time and a bit cooler at night, and in the early morning. You should wear whatever most comfortable but remember to dress appropriately to respect the locals and other religious sites; pagodas, temples and holy places. Clothes must cover your shoulders and knees when you wish to visit the top part at Angkor Wat and when visit Buddhist pagodas.

Strong footwear is strongly recommended for walking at Beng Mealea temple, should bring along insect repellent and make sure your camera is fully charged a day before.