Are you planning 8 days in Cambodia but don’t know where to start and need more advice? Lucky for you, this complete guide by our travel experts is a guide for all you need from the perfect itinerary to extra tips and local experiences. Let’s go!
Is 8 Days in Cambodia Enough?
Absolutely! Eight days could be an ideal duration to explore Cambodia’s key highlights, allowing you to immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Phnom Penh, marvel at the ancient temples of Siem Reap, and discover a little bit hidden gems of Battambang.
The 8-day duration ensures you’ll experience the highlights of Cambodia in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with a little bit in Battambang without feeling rushed. However, if expand to explore in depth and add more Sihanoukville in your journey, 8 days could be too rush for the experience in each destination.
>> What about one week for both Laos and Cambodia? Read more: How to do Laos and Cambodia in one week? Perfect Itinerary and Complete Guide
Suggested Itinerary for 8 Days in Cambodia
As above, this suggested itinerary that we recommend below will cover Phnom Penh for about two nights then Battambang for about 1 night, and the last 3 nights will be in Siem Reap for exploring:
Day 1: Arrival in Phnom Penh
Your Cambodian adventure begins in Phnom Penh, where the vibrant chaos and humid air welcome you. The sensory overload of motorbikes, colorful tuk-tuks, and lively streets introduces you to a city rich in history. After settling into your riverside hotel, enjoy the sights and sounds of street vendors and families as the sun sets, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey.
Day 2: Phnom Penh City Tour by Tuk-Tuk
Not a normal city tour, we highly recommend you explore Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk, a fun way to glimpse the city’s layered history. Visit the Royal Palace, then confront the somber realities of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields, where Cambodia’s past comes alive. As the day ends, feel the city’s resilient spirit during your ride back, highlighting its vibrant culture amidst historical challenges.
Friendly reminder: You should book the tuk-tuk before going through a travel agent or your hotel. If take a tuk-tuk on your own, you should ask the price before hopping on to avoid the overcharge.
Day 3: From Phnom Penh to Battambang
The road trip from Phnom Penh to Battambang is an adventure that reveals the heart of rural Cambodia. Stopping at Kompong Chhnang is like stepping into a living museum of traditional crafts. Pottery villages showcase artisans continuing centuries-old techniques, their hands moving with a rhythm passed down through generations.
The local fish market erupts with an unfiltered authenticity – a cacophony of sounds, vibrant colors, and raw human energy that provides a genuine glimpse into daily rural life. This journey is not about reaching a destination, but about experiencing the living, breathing landscape of Cambodia.
Day 4: Battambang Exploration
Battambang offers experiences that blur the line between adventure and cultural immersion. This day, you can choose to experience the legendary Bamboo Train to ride through rural landscapes where a simple wooden platform becomes your connection to local life.
In the late afternoon, you can go to explore Bat Cave in Battambang with its stunning views and poignant historical significance. A reccomend that you should go there at the sunset moment, the bat cave exodus becomes a natural spectacle – thousands of bats streaming out in a synchronized dance against the setting sun, a mesmerizing display that captures the wild, unpredictable beauty of Cambodia.
Day 5: Battambang to Siem Reap and Tonle Sap
Head to Siem Reap and embark on a boat tour of Tonle Sap Lake’s floating villages. Traveling to Siem Reap introduces you to Tonle Sap Lake, an ecosystem that defies imagination. The boat tour of floating villages reveals a way of life completely adapted to water – entire communities existing on stilted houses, with schools, markets, and social interactions entirely dependent on the lake’s rhythms. This journey reveals the incredible resilience and adaptability of the people here.
Day 6: Angkor Archaeological Park
Today is a full day for you to explore Angkor Wat. Each temple tells a different story – Angkor Thom with its mysterious stone faces watching silently, Bayon Temple’s architectural complexity that seems to change with every angle, and Ta Prohm, where massive tree roots embrace ancient stones, creating a landscape that feels simultaneously mystical and real. Walking through these temples is like traveling through time, each step revealing layers of human creativity, spiritual devotion, and historical complexity.
Don’t forget to admire the Angkor Wat at sunrise. This is a moment that transcends typical travel experiences. As first light breaks over the world’s largest religious monument, you’ll understand why travelers speak of this place with a sense of spiritual reverence.
Day 7: Siem Reap’s Cultural Farewell
This day becomes a beautiful synthesis of everything you’ve experienced in Cambodia. You can visit Banteay Srei’s intricate stone carvings reveal artistic mastery that seems almost impossible, each detail telling a story of cultural refinement. Then, combine with the Khmer cooking class becomes more than just a culinary lesson – it’s an intimate cultural exchange, where recipes become stories and ingredients reveal historical connections.
At this day don’t forget to try the ox cart ride through rural landscapes offers a gentle, rhythmic farewell, allowing you to absorb the landscape’s subtle beauty and feel connected to the agricultural heart of Cambodia.
Day 8: Siem Reap Departure
On your last morning, reflect on your week in Cambodia. From Phnom Penh’s bustling streets to the serene temples of Angkor and the vibrant life on Tonle Sap, the memories of warm people and rich culture will linger. As you prepare to depart, you leave with a transformed understanding of travel and connection.
This itinerary is just a suggestion from our Travel Consultant, and we’re excited to share that Indochina Voyages offers a similar 8-day Cambodia tour starting at just $688 for a private experience! Our Cambodia Discovery 8 Days is fully customizable, ensuring it fits your preferences perfectly. Let us know what you’d like, and we’ll work together to create the ideal adventure just for you!
Extra Travel Tips before going
For the best experience in Cambodia, we also prepare for you some extra tips for you before going:
Visa
You can obtain a Cambodian visa online (e-visa) or on arrival at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports. Be prepared with one passport-sized photo and $30 in cash for the visa stamping fee.
Clothes and Dresscode
- Some areas of Angkor Wat are working temples, so ensure you have covered shoulders and a wrap to comply with dress codes.
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics are ideal given Cambodia’s tropical climate as its weather warm all year around
- Good walking shoes are essential for exploring temples and rural areas. Sandals are also suitable for casual outings.
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses will protect you from the sun, especially during temple visits.
- Some areas of Angkor Wat are working temples, so ensure you have covered shoulders and a wrap to comply with dress codes.
Money and Currency
- The local currency is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. It’s handy to have small denominations for daily expenses.
- ATMs are prevalent in cities but may not dispense Riel, so ensure you have sufficient U.S. dollars for your stay.
SIM and Internet
- Purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for affordable data and calls. Options are available at the airport and local shops.
- Wi-Fi is commonly available in hotels and cafés, but having mobile data ensures you stay connected while exploring more remote areas.
About Experiences
- Start your temple visits early, especially at Ta Prohm, to avoid crowds. If you’re into history, familiarize yourself with the story of the “Churning of the Milk of the Ocean,” which is depicted in the temple carvings.
- Try Khmer dishes, which are affordable (around $12 per meal). Don’t miss dining at Romdeng or Marum restaurants, which support street children through vocational training.
- Consider attending Phare Circus in Siem Reap for a vibrant evening. If you enjoy cultural performances, book a dinner show with Apsara dance in advance.
Additional Tips
- Bring insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes, especially around Angkor Wat.
- Consider renting a bicycle to explore the Angkor temple complex at your own pace. If you prefer motorbike taxis in Phnom Penh, they can be a fun way to get around.
- While exploring, be cautious with valuables, especially when near monkeys, as they may snatch food or belongings.
- The best souvenir? A bag of Kampot pepper and memories that will last a lifetime.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared for your adventure in Cambodia. Remember to travel with an open mind, respect local customs, and embrace the unexpected. The warmth of Cambodian people, the rich history, and the incredible landscapes will leave an indelible mark on your travel memories.
If you have more time, you should consider this Cambodia Highlight tour in 11 days, which covers all the destinations mentioned with extra days in Sihanoukville for a beach break. Are you ready for your Cambodia exploration?
>> Maybe read more to beyond the Cambodia: Vietnam and Cambodia 2 Weeks: Perfect Itinerary & Complete Travel Guide
Thuy Do – From Indochina Voyages Team
