Ultimate 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary – How to spend 10 days exploring the beautiful country of Cambodia

Are you currently planning your Cambodia trip and not sure how to best spend 10 days in this stunning country? Well, you have come to the right place! In this 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary, we will take you to some of the best spots in all of Cambodia!

While most well-known for Angkor Wat, Cambodia has way more to offer than just one temple. Which is why, it would truly be a shame to pass on some of the stunning sights and awesome authentic experiences you can take part in while travelling this beautiful country! Now, let’s get travel planning!

What to see and do in Cambodia in 10 days – Complete Cambodia Itinerary

Since we all have slightly different travel styles and interests, let’s quickly address who this itinerary is ideally for?

This 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors to Cambodia, who wish to not only visit Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, but also get an authentic glimpse into what life in Cambodia looks like.

You will of course be exploring the stunning Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap – there is no such thing as travelling to Cambodia and skipping Angkor Wat. But, you also get to experience the more rural side of Cambodia in Battambang, city-life in Phnom Penh and finish your trip in Kampot, which is a true little oasis in and of itself as you will see in this post!

We absolutely loved our time in Cambodia and we are sure that you will too, given some of the highlights and absolute gems packed into this itinerary😉!

Are 10 days in Cambodia enough?

Personally, we think that 10 days are a perfect amount of time for travelling Cambodia. When compared to e.g. Thailand or Vietnam, travel distances are shorter in Cambodia and as such, you can see quite a decent amount of this country in the given time span.

As a consequence, you definitely won’t feel like you only scratched the surface of this country after having travelled Cambodia for 10 days!

Is this itinerary suitable for rainy season as well?

Yes, this Cambodia 10 day itinerary is also suitable for rainy season. In fact, this is the exact route that we took during rainy season! While you should be prepared for generally more overcast skies and likely a daily rain shower (usually for about an hour in the afternoon), travelling Cambodia during rainy season can be done.

The big perk of travelling Cambodia during low season is the fact that there will be way less crowds. This is quite a blessing, especially when it comes to visiting Angkor Wat and the Angkor Archaeological Park!

Know this before travelling to Cambodia

Now, before we get into the itinerary itself, we quickly want to touch on a few details that might be important for you to know when planning your trip to Cambodia.

Note: If you feel like you already know all these things, you can of course always use the ‘Table of contents’ bar (Go To-Button on the left) to skip to the section of your interest😉.

Getting to Cambodia

This 10-day Cambodia Itinerary starts in Siem Reap and ends in Phnom Penh. However, if Phnom Penh suits you better as a starting point (e.g. you are travelling from Vietnam), you can simply switch the itinerary around to better suit your needs!

Either way, you will have to travel to or from Siem Reap as well as Phnom Penh at one point or another for this itinerary. Find a list of the most common points of entry for tourists travelling around Cambodia down below.

Personally, we entered Cambodia via land, travelling from Bangkok to Siem Reap by bus. After finishing up our Cambodia trip, we left travelling from Phnom Penh to Ho-Chi-Minh-City by bus as well.

Is it best to start your Cambodia trip in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?

Personally, we might have a slight preference for starting in Siem Reap, especially if it is your first time in Southeast Asia. Siem Reap will give you a bit more of a soft launch into travelling Cambodia when compared to the bigger and busier Phnom Penh😉.

But at the end of the day, there is no “best way” to go about this, it more-so depends on where you are travelling from. If you are flying to Cambodia, then either option is as good as the other.

When travelling via land it depends on which country you are journeying from. As such, if your journey to Cambodia leads you via Vietnam, it might be more sensible to start in Phnom Penh. When travelling to Cambodia from Thailand or Laos via land, Siem Reap is the better starting point.

How to get around Cambodia

Once in Cambodia, there are actually not that many different ways to get around. For this particular itinerary, you will be using the following modes of transportation for the most part:

• 🚌 Bus Travel. When travelling between cities and localities, bus travel is by far the most prominent mode of transportation in Cambodia. Alternatively, you can also book private transfers if your budget allows you to do so.
• 🛺 By tuk-tuk. When it comes to more local transportation i.e. within a city, taking a tuk-tuk is the easiest way to get around. In Cambodia it is also common to hire a tuk-tuk driver for e.g. a day to take you around sightseeing.
• 🛵 By scooter/motorbike. You can also rent a motorbike to do the sightseeing on your own terms. Truthfully, we would only recommend doing so if you have some experience riding one. Roads can be chaotic and there are quite a lot of dirt roads in rural areas.

Note: Our tip would be to always plan enough time for travelling between cities and localities in Cambodia.

Why? Well, the distances are actually not that huge, especially when compared to travelling around e.g. Vietnam or Thailand. However, roads and infrastructure is not always great and as such you don’t really have motorways. This results in way longer travel times.

For instance, the distance between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is 318 km, a distance you travel in 3-4 hours in Europe, however the drive takes at least 5-6 hours by bus! (Which is still nothing when compared to the 900km that lie between e.g. Ho-Chi-Minh City and Hoi An🙈.)

Cambodia Travel Essentials

Cambodia Visa. To enter Cambodia you will quite likely need a Cambodia Visa. We already touched on this topic before, but in case you haven't read up on your options yet: More information on the Cambodia Visa (e-Visa & Visa on arrival) can be found here (coming soon).

Angkor Pass. To enter Angkor Wat & the Angkor Archaeological Park you need an Angkor Pass. We would recommend getting a 3-Day Angkor Pass for this itinerary. More information on the Angkor Pass and where to apply for it can be found here.

Scarf or Sarong. For visiting Buddhist temples and sites such as the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, knees and shoulders should be covered.

Mosquito Spray. Generally a good idea when travelling to a tropical country. Especially necessary when exploring caves, forest areas and at dusk in Cambodia😆.

WhatsApp. A messaging app that you might be using in your everyday life already. Communication with tuk-tuk drivers or tour providers in Cambodia is quite often done via WhatsApp!

12Go Asia. The go-to website for booking all your transportation to and around Cambodia (and Southeast Asia in general😉). Check out 12Go Asia*!

Grab. The easiest and most convenient way to book (taxi) rides (often tuk-tuk's) in Cambodia. Do note that Grab only works in Cambodia's bigger cities. Check out Grab!

Complete 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary

Down below we give you a quick overview over this 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary, before diving deeper into each location. We also provide all the information you might need for travelling between these different locations in Cambodia! Let’s go!

Day 1 – 4: Arrival + Explore Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

If we had to decide on only one city to recommend visiting in all of Cambodia, it would certainly be Siem Reap. Of course this doesn’t mean that the others are not worth it. On the contrary, each and every location in this itinerary has their own highlights and is unique in their own way. It is simply hard to beat Angkor😉.

After arriving in Siem Reap, you will have 4 full days for discovering all the wonderful sights and activities “Cambodia’s cultural capital” has to offer. Personally, we find this to be the perfect amount of time for Siem Reap. You can make the most of your 3-Day Angkor Pass and have enough time for other activities as well. You even have some time for a bit of relaxing at one of the awesome hotels in Siem Reap!

🌟 Siem Reap Highlights

🧑‍🍳 Khmer Cooking Class at a local's home*. Get an insight into Khmer cuisine by following a local around for a few hours. After a trip to the local market you get to choose from a selection of Khmer dishes to cook and eat afterwards! Price: 29$/~28€.

🌄 Sunrise at Angkor Wat. A true highlight of your time in Siem Reap will be that early morning where you stand before Angkor Wat and wait for the sun to slowly rise behind these marvellous temple ruins.

🐀 APOPO Landmine Rats. Spend 1 hour at the APOPO Visitor Center to learn more about these little heroes that have been trained to detect landmines and thus made the world a safer place over the last 25 years! Price: 10$.

🪷 Lotus Silk Farm*. In this workshop you don't only get to see how lotus silk is made. You also get to make three DIY's for yourself and experience a boat ride over lotus covered waters! Price: 35$/~34€.

🛕 Angkor Archaeological Park. While Angkor Wat is by far the most famous temple of Angkor, the whole park is actually home to a great number of temples and ruins. Some of our favourites are Bayon, Baphuon, Ta Phrom, Neak Pean and Preah Khan! Price: Depends on the Angkor Pass, read more here.

Where to stay in Siem Reap

We stayed at The Urban Hotel*. This hotel is located only a short distance away from the city centre and as such from Siem Reap’s Pub Street, Old Market and Night Market. Which is great in the evenings and in general when it comes to finding restaurants nearby!

Why stay here?

• First of all, the staff is super friendly and helpful. We were told they run a program where they help the local community by training new staff. If you like you can talk to the young staff and help them practise their English. You don’t have to though if you don’t want to😉.
• There is complimentary tea each afternoon. After a long morning of exploring we always went there for a cup of ginger tea and a few snacks!
• The rooms were nice and clean.
• And, the hotel has a pool which we used quite a bit as well.
• Prices vary roughly from 33-40€/34-42$ per night depending on the season and availability.

Sounds good?

Day 5 – 6: Get a feel for the Cambodian countryside in Battambang

On your fifth day in Cambodia, it is time to leave Siem Reap behind and head to your next destination: Battambang. Truthfully, we nearly skipped Battambang which would have been a big mistake because Battambang ended up being the place where we experienced two of our absolute Cambodia highlights😆!

Know that you don’t really visit Battambang for the city itself, but more so for the experiences you can have around it. Battambang is a great place to get a glimpse of what rural everyday life in Cambodia looks like. And, not to forget, outside of Battambang you will find a bat cave you absolutely shouldn’t miss!

But, first things first:

How to get to Battambang from Siem Reap

Battambang is located about a 3-hour drive away from Siem Reap.

• The best way to get to Battambang from Siem Reap is by bus. This drive should cost ~10€/11$ per person and is actually a pretty relaxed drive through the Cambodian countryside.
• If you have the budget to do so, you can also book a private transfer. Here you will pay ~62€/65$ for a 4 person vehicle.

🌟 Battambang Highlights

Bamboo Train. The latter is an improvised rail vehicle, formerly used by locals for transportation on the largely abandoned railway network. Today it is moreover a tourist attraction. Price: 5$.

Phnom Sampov. A stunning limestone mountain that stands tall among the otherwise flat landscape of Battambang Province. Phnom Sampov is home to a few sights: a Killing Cave (sadly), a stunning temple at the top (+ an often overlooked cave underneath), carved Buddha statues and the bat cave!

Bat Cave. Even though it is located at Phnom Sampov, it deserves its own mention. Each night, hundred thousands of bats (sometimes up to a million), leave their cave in a 30 minutes to 1 hour long continuous train! Truly a spectacle to behold!

Soksabike Local Livelihood Tour*. A local guide will take you around the countryside of Battambang on bicycle. You will be visiting local people and learn more about their crafts, get to try some really tasty snacks and learn so much about life in the Cambodian countryside. This tour was a true highlight for us*! Price: 30$/~29€.

Where to stay in Battambang

The city centre of Battambang is actually not that big. As a consequence your options are limited as well. We would recommend staying in the general area around the Battambang Central Market. Personally, we stayed at ‘THE PLACE Hostel & Rooftop Bar Battambang*’ and really liked it!

Why stay here?

• Great location.
• You can book tours or hire a tuk-tuk driver around Battambang directly with them.
• They have an awesome rooftop bar, where you can also grab a bite to eat if you are too tired to venture out again at night.
• Prices vary depending on the season. Roughly you can expect to pay ~7€/8$ per night for a dorm bed or ~29€/30$ for a double room. They do not have many double rooms so it’s best to book in advance!

Day 7 – 8: Explore Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia

After spending 2 days immersing yourself in the Cambodian countryside, it is time to change things up a bit😉. Your next stop is Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital and by far the biggest city in the country!

We wouldn’t say that Phnom Penh is among our favourite cities. However, if you are travelling Cambodia, we do think that a stop-over in the capital is a must. Visit the stunning Royal Palace, learn more about ancient Cambodia in the National Museum as well as the more recent darker history at the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields. End your days in Phnom Penh on the night market or at a rooftop bar, overlooking the skyline of Phnom Penh!

How to get to Phnom Penh from Battambang

Phnom Penh is located about a 5-hour drive away from Battambang.

• The best way to get to Phnom Penh from Battambang is by Van or Minibus. This drive should cost ~10€/11$ per person.
• Buses running on this route are for the most part Sleeper Buses. Apart from the fact that we don’t really see the necessity to take a Sleeper Bus for a 5-hour drive, they also somehow tend to arrive in Phnom Penh at 4 a.m.🫠! You do you, but personally we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
• If you have the budget to do so, you can also book a private transfer. Here you will pay ~91€/95$ for a 4 person vehicle.

🌟 Phnom Penh Highlights

🦇 The Flying Fox Tree. Truthfully, our personal Phnom Penh highlight😆. In a side street off the Wat Phnom Temple you will find the "Flying Fox Sanctuary Tree". The latter is a tree filled with flying foxes. Truly an awesome sight!

📿 Wat Phnom. This Buddhist temple is famous for its stupa that stands tall on a small man-made hill in the middle of the city. Wat Phnom is quite an important historical site as it is deeply entwined with the legend of the founding of Phnom Penh. Tourists have to pay a 1$ fee to enter.

👑 The Royal Palace. Among the most popular attractions in all of Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace is also home to the Silver Pagoda! Entrance fee: 10$. 

🏫 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Feels definitely wrong to put this with the highlights of Phnom Penh. However, we think it is one of those sights that might not be enjoyable to visit, but is a necessary stop to truly understand Cambodia's past.

Note: When visiting any Buddhist temple or the Royal Palace, you need to wear appropriate clothing, i.e. knees and shoulders should be covered (no matter the gender)!

Where to stay in Phnom Penh

The BKK1 area of Phnom Penh is a quieter area of the city and ideal if you don’t necessarily need to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle. But you are also not that far away from it should you seek it😉. It is an area where a lot of expats live and considered to be one of the safer areas of Phnom Penh.

We stayed at the ‘Patio Hotel & Urban Resort*’. Our stay here was actually a very last minute decision (i.e. we booked it 10 minutes before arriving) after having gone through somewhat of a scam situation with another hotel. In the end we are really happy that we ended up at the Patio Hotel though, because this hotel definitely made our stay in Phnom Penh!

Why stay here?

• Great location! Pretty much next to the Independence Monument and Wat Langka Temple. Most attractions are only a short tuk-tuk ride away.
• An awesome view from the hotel rooftop bar and restaurant! The latter is also where you will be eating your breakfast, which is usually included in your stay!
• The Patio Hotel has a pool, which is on the roof as well!
• Really friendly staff!
• Roughly you can expect to pay ~53€/55$ per night for a twin room, slightly more for a double room.

Day 9 – 10: Relax in Kampot and visit Cambodia’s famous salt and pepper farms

For the final few days of your Cambodia trip, you will be escaping the busy city once more and venture to the Cambodian countryside once again. However, Kampot is quite different from Battambang! While most well-known for its location on the Tuek Chhu River, Kampot is also close to the sea and therefore a lot of the popular activities of the area are tied to water.

Kayak the beautiful Green Cathedral loop, visit the salt fields surrounding Kampot, the mangrove forest down the coast, the crab market in Keb or simply relax in your accommodation alongside the river in Kampot! Also, do not miss a visit to one of Cambodia’s famous Pepper Farms or the awesome views from Bokor Hill! As you can see, lots of options to choose from in Kampot😉!

How to get to Kampot from Phnom Penh

Kampot is located approximately a 3-hour drive away from Phnom Penh.

• The easiest way to get to Kampot from Phnom Penh is by bus or mini-bus. This drive will cost you ~8-9€/9-10$ per person.
• For a private transfer in a 4-person vehicle expect to pay ~60€/63$.

🌟 Kampot Highlights

Kayak the Green Cathedral Loop. A lovely little river loop off the main river in Kampot, ideal for kayaking. This scenic loop will lead you past stunning greenery, a great way to relax!

Bokor Hill National Park. Bokor Hill, which is part of the Cardamom mountains, is popular for the stunning views to be had when touring this national park. There are a number of sights from abandoned buildings to waterfalls or interesting rock formations to name a few.

Kampot Salt Fields. Salt production has a long history in this region and is done by flooding the fields with sea water and then collecting the salt after the water has evaporated. Note: The salt fields are best visited between January and April, which is when the salt collection takes place.

BoTree Pepper Farm. Kampot is not only known for its salt but also for pepper, which is actually quite famous & exported all over the world! The biggest pepper plantations allow visitors and organise small tours of the plantation to showcase the process of cultivating pepper. Personally, we visited the BoTree Farm and can definitely recommend to stop by!

Trapeang Sangkae Mangrove Forest. Trapeang Sangkae is a protected mangrove forest and home to a number of projects intended to maintain this vital coastal ecosystem. You can walk on wooden paths through the mangrove forest, spot crabs among the trees and take a boat ride on the river to another nearby walkway and viewpoint among the mangrove forest!

Relax by the river in Kampot. Probably our favourite activity in Kampot was to simply relax by the river at our accommodation, take in the scenery and reflect on everything we had seen in Cambodia so far. Truly a great was to end such a marvellous trip to Cambodia. 

Where to stay in Kampot

When deciding on where to stay in Kampot, you actually have two choices. Either you stay in the city centre of Kampot or you stay a bit outside in one of the many stunning accommodations alongside the river.

The former has the advantage that you are, well, in the city centre where there are all the shops, bars and restaurants. When choosing the second option, you have the perks of staying on the banks of this stunning river surrounded by green and utmost tranquillity!

We did both. And if, like us, you are not that much into nightlife, we would recommend staying by the river. It is simply too stunning a place to pass on when in Kampot! We stayed at the ‘Kampot Riverfront Boutique‘*.

Why stay here?

• Stunning location alongside the river.
• The accommodation is run by a lovely family and therefore the atmosphere is great!
• They also run a small restaurant where you can eat your meals if you do not fancy going into town. We ended up eating at the accommodation every night of our stay😆.
• Free kayaks and paddle boards available! You can also rent a scooter for a small fee per day.
• Roughly you can expect to pay ~60€/63$ per night for a ‘sea view’ (which is actually a river view) room.

Final thoughts on this Cambodia Itinerary

And just like that, we arrived at the end of this 10 day Cambodia itinerary! After your time in Kampot comes to an end, which could be in the afternoon of day 10 or in the morning of day 11 depending on your travel arrangements, head back to Phnom Penh for your onward travels!

As you might have grasped from this itinerary, you can see quite a bit of Cambodia in mere 10 days. And we hope it gave you some good inspiration for how you can best spend your time in Cambodia and what activities to check out when planning your trip!

If you still have more time in Cambodia left, consider heading to Koh Rong, Cambodia’s island paradise for a few days. Or, maybe, you prefer adding a stop-over in Bangkok, Thailand? Or a city trip to Ho-Chi-Minh-City in Vietnam? Just some food for thought😉.

As always, we wish you safe and happy travels!🍀