18 to 35s One Week in Cambodia

Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh. Your Cambodian adventure begins with a dip into Vietnam and a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. There are no activities planned for the first day, so feel free to get out among the chaos of the city. A good place to start is the Ben Thanh Market, where you can snack on chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sticks of sugar cane) or try one of the many varieties of che (a dessert of coconut milk, fresh fruit and jellies). If you have time, it’s highly recommended you visit the Reunification Palace or the War Remnants Museum. Tonight, why not get your new friends together and enjoy a group dinner to kick off your journey.

Today, travel to Phnom Penh on a public bus – this is a long journey that includes two border crossings and a stop where you can grab some lunch. Have your favourite books or road trip games ready – this is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your guide will assist with the formalities at both sides of the border. When you arrive, why not treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage to ease the tension. Look no further than Seeing Hands – a great organisation supporting visually impaired masseurs.

Today, you’ll have an authentic local breakfast near one of the markets. Then, the group will head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 memorial) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek – both sobering but important and informative experiences in Cambodia. After, you may like to explore some of the sights at your own pace, like the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which both offer brighter aspects of Cambodia’s past. You might also head for the National Museum or Wat Phnom – a Buddhist temple built in 1372. The main centre of the city sits on the western bank of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. In the evening, maybe head out with your group for a sunset river cruise and have a drink as you sail along the water and see the city from a different perspective. Then, you might like to hit up a rooftop bar with some amazing views of the city.

Today, leave Phnom Penh on a private bus to Sihanoukville. Then, you’ll take a speedboat to the paradise of Koh Rong Sanloem. You’ll have a couple of days on the island to really bliss out and adjust to island time – this afternoon is for swimming, relaxing on the warm, sandy shores of the beach and walking along the coast in the balmy evening in search of somewhere for dinner (your leader will have some great recommendations).

Today is another free day to chill at the beach. Soak in the sun, order a cold drink to cool down and go swimming in the serene waters of Koh Rong Sanloem. If you’re looking for something active, maybe ask your trip leader for your hiking options, as there is plenty of gorgeous jungle waiting to be discovered inland.

This morning, you’ll leave the island behind and head to your homestay in Isanborei – a rural community that maintains a traditional lifestyle. This community lies within Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site with more than 100 ancient temples. Your homestay is part of a community-based tourism project involving seven Khmer villages that collaborate to conserve the historic area and provide residents with job opportunities. When you arrive, take a tour of the village with your local guide, who will introduce you to the local people, your homestay and your hosts. Tonight, catch the sun setting over the rice fields before unwinding as you enjoy a traditional homemade Khmer dinner with your host family.

Enjoy breakfast prepared by your local host this morning. If you didn’t get a chance yesterday, you can visit the nearby Sambor Prei Kuk Temple – some of the oldest ruins in the country (dating back to the sixth century). Maybe opt to cycle over the rural roads through the village, passing locals working in the rice fields, or perhaps try some sombai Cambodian liqueur. After a day of exploring, say goodbye to your homestay hosts and travel on towards Siem Reap – home to the bucket list site, Angkor Wat. When you arrive, maybe spend some time looking around the central markets and pick up some delicious local food for dinner tonight.

Today, you’ll visit the mighty Angkor complex at sunrise – this is the largest religious structure in the world, and it’s pretty special to see the sun rise over the temples. Get your phone or camera ready because these 162 hectares (400 acres) are full of picturesque settings. You’ll take a guided tour of the complex on a tuk-tuk with a local social enterprise that focuses on providing employment opportunities for women in the community – and see the larger-than-life Angkor Wat, the grand Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some buildings are over 1000 years old, dating from the Khmer Empire – these architectural marvels were known to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. If you like, try to catch the majesty of the temples at sunset, too – you can even head back to your accommodation for a nap and then re-enter the site in the late afternoon.