5-Day Private Cambodia Classic: Angkor Wat & Phnom Penh

Tour Overview

Duration	5 Days / 4 Nights
Country	Cambodia — Temples & Culture
Cities	Siem Reap → Phnom Penh
Tour Type	Private Tour — Cambodia’s Most Popular 5-Day Route
Best Season	November–March (cool and dry, ideal for temple exploring)
Price	From US$649 per person (4-star hotels, private guide)

Data source: indochinatour.com — Cambodia’s best-selling classic itinerary

Siem Reap Airport Pickup — Your private guide welcomes you with a traditional Cambodian krama (checkered scarf) and escorts you to your hotel
Afternoon: Angkor Thom — Enter the “Great City,” the last capital of the Khmer Empire (12th century). Pass through the South Gate flanked by 54 stone gods and demons pulling a mythical serpent
Bayon Temple — The crown jewel of Angkor Thom, famous for its 54 towers adorned with 216 giant smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. From every angle, the serene faces gaze down at you — one of the most mesmerizing sights in the world
Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King — Walk the 350-meter Elephant Terrace where King Jayavarman VII watched his victorious army return. The intricate bas-reliefs depict elephants, garudas, and lions in stunning detail

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat at Sunrise — Rise before dawn for the iconic experience: watching the sun rise behind Angkor Wat’s five lotus-shaped towers, their silhouettes reflected perfectly in the lily-covered reflecting pool. This is the single most photographed sunrise in Southeast Asia
Full Exploration of Angkor Wat — Spend the morning exploring this architectural masterpiece built in the 12th century. Walk through the 190-meter-wide moat, climb the steep stairs to the upper terrace, and marvel at the 1,200 square meters of intricate bas-reliefs depicting Hindu epics — the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, the Battle of Kurukshetra, and scenes of heaven and hell
Afternoon: Ta Prohm — The “Tomb Raider Temple” where massive silk-cotton and strangler fig trees have merged with the 12th-century stonework over centuries. Giant roots cascade over walls and through roofs in an eerie, beautiful embrace of nature and architecture. This is Angkor as it was first discovered by 19th-century explorers
Banteay Kdei — A peaceful 12th-century Buddhist monastery with a serene, contemplative atmosphere. Fewer crowds mean you can truly feel the spiritual energy of this ancient place
Phnom Bakheng Sunset (Optional) — Climb the hilltop temple for panoramic sunset views over Angkor Wat and the surrounding jungle

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Banteay Srei — The “Citadel of Women,” a 10th-century temple constructed of pink sandstone and renowned for having the most exquisite and intricate carvings in all of Angkor. The delicate bas-reliefs, depicting Hindu mythology with jeweler-like precision, are so fine that legend says they must have been carved by women (hence the name). This temple is 35km from Siem Reap — a scenic drive through rural countryside
Tonle Sap Lake — Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Board a boat to visit Kompong Phluk, one of the lake’s most authentic floating villages
Floating Village Life — Witness a remarkable way of life: houses built on towering 8-10m stilts, floating schools, churches, and market boats. Glide through the flooded mangrove forest where trees emerge from crystal-clear water. Meet local fishermen and learn how entire communities adapt to the lake’s dramatic seasonal changes (the lake expands from 2,700 km² to 16,000 km² during monsoon)
Sunset on Tonle Sap — Watch the sun sink into the vast lake, painting the water in gold and crimson — a truly magical end to your Siem Reap experience

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Morning Flight to Phnom Penh — 45-minute flight from Siem Reap to Cambodia’s capital
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda — The official residence of the King of Cambodia, a stunning complex of golden spires, manicured gardens, and traditional Khmer architecture. The Silver Pagoda houses a life-sized solid gold Buddha adorned with 9,584 diamonds, and its floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles — each weighing 1kg
National Museum of Cambodia — Housed in a beautiful terracotta-roofed traditional Khmer building, this museum contains the world’s finest collection of Khmer art, spanning from the 4th to 14th centuries. The serene courtyard is a peaceful oasis in the heart of bustling Phnom Penh
Wat Phnom — The hilltop pagoda that gave Phnom Penh its name. According to legend, a woman named Penh found four Buddha statues in a floating koki tree on the Mekong River and built this hill (phnom) to house them in 1372
Phnom Penh Riverside — Evening stroll along Sisowath Quay, where the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers meet. The promenade comes alive at sunset with locals exercising, couples strolling, and riverside restaurants serving cold Angkor beer

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) — A former high school turned prison during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). This haunting site documents one of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Walking through the stark rooms, seeing the photographs of victims, provides a profound understanding of Cambodia’s resilience
Central Market (Psar Thmei) — Built in 1937 in stunning Art Deco style, this domed market is a landmark in its own right. Shop for local crafts, silver jewelry, krama scarves, and Kampot pepper — one of the world’s finest peppercorns
Farewell — Private transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport. Leave with memories of Cambodia’s ancient wonders, floating communities, and the indomitable spirit of the Khmer people