Example Itinerary

Romance, Relaxation and Renewal in Cambodia

Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Luxury Cruises, Heritage, Celebrations
Destinations
Cambodia

Embrace the Angkor culture, history and landscapes on this getaway, and celebrate a special time in your life by exploring Cambodia's highlights and treasures that will leave you utterly enchanted and rejuvenated. Siem Reap is home to the country’s most impressive ancient temples and ruins, a magical backdrop for canapes on a gondola, an intimate dinner on sacred grounds, and renewing marital vows. Escape to the bucolic countryside and ride through rice fields at sunset. Cruise down the Mekong and watch the story of quotidian Khmer lives on the river unfold. Finally, arrive at the sea and while time away on idyllic white sands and warm tropical waters. This journey to the heart of Cambodia is sure to evoke every emotion from awe, to compassion and absolute relaxation.
 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Ancient Temple Banquet: A once-in-a-lifetime event, this extremely exclusive dinner takes place on the grounds of an ancient Khmer temple. Be treated to an elaborate multi-course candle-lit dinner set under the stars, replete with traditional dancers and musicians.
  • Mekong Cruise: A cruise down the Mekong reveals its charms: endangered large waterbirds, remote villages build atop the water, and skilled craftsmen in silver and silk.
  • Private Island Living: It doesn't get much more romantic than a beachfront or overwater villa on a private island. Embrace the barefoot luxury lifestyle and enjoy the warm waters while sipping champagne.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Siem Reap »

Arrive in Siem Reap and meet your private guide and driver who will whisk you to your hotel. Freshen up and be ready for an evening aboard a gondola at Angkor Thom, slowly traveling from the south gate to the west gate. Be serenaded by traditional Angkor music and enjoy wine and snacks as you take in the sunset over the ancient temples. Return to your hotel for dinner or choose to dine at one of the city’s fine restaurants and try signature Cambodian dishes. If you wish, step out into the warm night and stroll the Angkor Night Market, a fun and lively space to pick up unique tchotchkes and sample delicious street fare.

Hotel Options

Day 2

Map

Siem Reap »

Rise early this morning to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most famous landmarks, and a significant religious center. Take in the grandeur of the 12th century temple as daybreaks. Then take to the skies in a private helicopter for a bird’s eye view of Angkor Wat and the entirety of the complex as well as other temples and ruins. Make a landing at a remote temple for a picnic lunch and close up look at the mystical bas-reliefs. Escape to the countryside and visit a local village. You can choose to donate a water well to a family ahead of your visit, and today, meet the fortunate family and the newly built well at their village. Hop on ATVs and ride through the dusty roads and rice paddies as the sun sets over the bucolic landscape.  

Siem Reap
Siem Reap

Day 3

Map

Siem Reap »

Couples looking for an enchanting experience will want to renew their sacred vows Khmer-style. Adorned in Khmer wedding dress and surrounded ancient Angkorian music, exchange vows and receive auspicious blessings from a monk in the middle of a private intimate ancient temple. Spend the rest of the day in blissful leisure or choose to visit a Khmer dance school where the students will perform a traditional dance or visit more ancient ruins. In the evening, be ready for a lavish multi-course dinner under the stars. Hosted on the grounds of a sacred Khmer temple and replete with traditional Cambodian dance and music, this magical experience will be unforgettable.

Day 4

Map

Mekong River Cruise »

Check out this morning and depart for Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Today you will embark on a river expedition that will take you down the Mekong to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Board the Aqua Mekong, a luxury cruise ship designed with spacious cabins allowing for plentiful natural light, fitted with modern amenities including an outdoor pool, spa, and library, and staffed with an experienced and accommodating crew.

Day 5

Map

Mekong River Cruise »

Enjoy excursions or time relaxing on the boat as it makes its way downstream. Today’s excursions may include a trip to Prek Toal Bird Reserve, home to endangered large waterbirds such as the blackheaded Ibis, milky stork, and billed pelicans. Then, visit a floating village, accessible only by water. The villagers adapted to the fluctuations in water level by constructing buoyant bases to their houses and shops, creating a village that actually floats for several months out of the year.

Siem Reap
Siem Reap

Day 6

Map

Mekong River Cruise »

Today’s excursions may take you around more remote villages around the lake where you can witness villagers going about their daily lives to schools, churches, pagodas, karaoke bars, and police station - all of which are afloat on the river.

Day 7

Map

Mekong River Cruise »

You may choose to join for a visit to Koh Chen, a silversmith village known for its quality craftsmanship whose bowls were regularly chosen by Cambodia’s king as gifts for visiting dignitaries. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the Mekong’s ‘silk islands’ and watch skilled weavers at work. If you wish, hop on a bike and explore the island further.

Day 8

Map

Southern Islands »

Arrive into port at Phnom Penh this morning and disembark. Meet your private guide for a half day tour around the city, visiting the stunning Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Those wanting a deeper look at Cambodia’s history may opt to visit the somber Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide and the Killing Fields to learn about the Khmer Rouge movement and how its brutal actions shaped the modern country. After lunch, drive south to the seaside Sihanoukville where a speedboat will take you to a private island resort, the last destination of your journey.

Hotel Options
Southern Islands
Southern Islands

Day 9

Map

Southern Islands »

While the day away lounging on your stretch of white sand fringed with palm trees and dazzling turquoise waters. Take a dip in the warm waters and snorkel out to discover the colorful reefs teeming with marine life, or go further out to Koh Rong Archipelago for a diving expedition to discover the home of barracuda, sea turtles, giant clams and dugongs. Enjoy the waters further with wake boards, kayaks, inflatable tubes towed behind a speedboat, water skis and stand-up paddle boards, all available at the resort’s beach club.

Day 10

Map

Southern Islands »

Spend the last day in total relaxation by the pool, sea or at the spa. For a truly indulgent treat, sail on a traditional long-tail boat to a private beach and soak in the tropical sun in complete serenity. Active guests may choose amongst a wealth of excursions and experiences such as a cooking lesson, tour through a local farm by buffalo cart, hike through the rainforest for wildlife spotting and tropical bird watching, and visiting nearby Khmer fishing villages. Cap off your final night with a romantic dinner on the beach under the stars, toasting to your journey through Cambodia.

Day 11

Map

Departure »

Enjoy breakfast before taking the speedboat back to Sihanoukville and transferring to the airport. Fly to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap for your connection home.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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