Our first country of South East Asia on our year-long itinerary and Cambodia didn’t disappoint! I’m really happy with how long we spent here, and the things we managed to see in this time – especially as we adjusted to being in a new culture.
I’d really recommend around 10 days to 2 weeks in this country, and it’s very budget-friendly! For a total of 10 days we were in Cambodia (slightly less time in Kampot), we spent an average of £38.60 a day:
– £115 on restaurant meals
– £103 on activities
– £74 on transportation
– £53 on accommodation
– £41 on miscellaneous – ATM fees, supermarket snacks and the one-off coke zeros
Days 1 to 4: Siem Reap
What a beautiful city! We really struggle with busy cities, and that’s usually the starting point of a country so to arrive in Siem Reap was a dream. It’s incredibly calm but still has plenty to do and see.
Most people will know of Siem Reap because of Angkor Wat, which is as beautiful as you would expect. We visited for sunrise and, you should be prepared for it to be busy, but it was well worth it. It cost $52 which was a big chunk of our activity budget on this trip, but it is not to be missed.
We also did a floating village tour (£19), taking you to Tonle Sap – the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. This was such a unique experience to see how people live in such a different way, and I highly recommend checking this out.
Outside of the tours, Siem Reap has a bustling market that seems to be open at every moment of the day, as well as great night markets and certain busy streets – including pub street. This street, in particular, is fun to see as it’s lit up with music playing and lots going on but I don’t think you’ll get FOMO if you miss it out! 👀
Whilst here, we stayed at Lub D which had its pros and cons. It was in an ideal location, with a great range of tours to book, a good swimming pool and amazing rooms. While it was our first experience with chain hostels in Asia, the social atmosphere was heavily focused on alcohol. If you prefer a more relaxed social experience, this might not be the best choice for you.
Days 4 to 6: Koh Rong
Arriving at 7am after a night journey from Siem Reap, there was no better way to start a sleepy morning in a new place.
Just a pre-warning, that this is a very party-focused island. If you are not comfortable in that kind of environment, I would skip this island and potentially explore Koh Rong Sanloem. We didn’t realise just how alcohol-based this island was until we thought we were joining a chilled snorkel and sunset boat trip, and it ended with people doing belly slides over tables drunk on free beer.🫠 If you do decide to go for a boat trip, make sure to check in advance if it’s going to turn into a party once the sun goes down!
You can also make the most of the incredible beaches which will never fail to impress you. Our hostel (Mad Monkey) had kayaks and paddle boards you could rent by the hour, from $5 to $10 per hour. This was ideal for us as people who are not very good at sitting still for a long while. 😂
Days 6 to 8: Kampot
Kampot and its peppercorn farms were a stop that really took us by surprise. Firstly, if you are staying here – you have to stay at Karma Traders! It was the best hostel, the staff were so friendly, the dorm rooms were cosy with pod-style beds and an amazing range of tours available to keep you occupied alongside daily social events.
We booked our peppercorn farm tour through the hostel, costing $12.50 each and it was well worth it. You’ll also stop at a salt farm, La Plantation – on the weekends you may see the local children they educate here to support their future – as well as Secret Lake and a cave temple.
Another option if you want to extend your time here is to visit Bokor National Park. We didn’t do this but it was a close second option if we had more time. Tours typically cost about £20, and take you to explore colonial buildings, waterfalls, rainforests and the former king’s residence. It’s definitely worth considering if you have extra time to extend by a day here. ⌛
Days 8 to 10: Phnom Penh
Finishing up our Cambodia trip in Phnom Penh, the main excursion for this stop was to visit the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum. After seeing the nature of the country, it was eye-opening to learn about their dark history and the traumatic experiences of recent generations of Cambodians. This is a must-do activity whilst in the city, and incredibly unique (in the most heartbreaking way). ♥️ For the tour and entrance tickets, it cost about £22.
Outside of this, you can explore the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and take a gentle stroll (or slip back into your running trainers) alongside the river. In the evenings, the night market is also worth checking out for some shopping and delicious food! 😋
We would recommend staying at Onederz here, as it’s in an ideal location right by the river that flows through the city, just prepare yourself to potentially be on the third floor with no lift and narrow stairs. 🥵
The round up:
If Cambodia isn’t on your South East Asia itinerary, it most certainly should be! It has a complex history, stunning landscapes and unique culture that isn’t to be missed.
If I did this trip again, I’d add in Battambang between Siem Reap and Koh Rong for a couple of days to ride the bamboo train, explore the bat and killing caves, and to do a bike tour around the city. AKA a wholesome, sober town visit. 🥰
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