Hello, my name is Jean Lacroix. My wife and I spent 15 days in Cambodia last May to discover a country we had talked about visiting for a long time. From the moment we arrived, we enjoyed the local atmosphere, the warm smiles of the people, and the relaxed pace of the trip. This Cambodia 15 days itinerary follows our journey from beginning to end, including the places that left the strongest impression on us. After a Cambodia 2 week itinerary, we returned to France with wonderful memories, hundreds of photos, and a deeper understanding of the country. This story simply shares our 15 days in Cambodia, our personal impressions, the places we visited, and a few practical tips based on our own experience.
When I started planning my Cambodia 15 days itinerary, I was not entirely sure what to expect. I was looking for a destination that felt different from the usual tourist routes in Southeast Asia. Cambodia immediately caught my attention with its ancient temples, untouched landscapes, and well preserved culture. Spending 15 days in Cambodia seemed like the perfect amount of time to explore Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and the coastal town of Kep without feeling rushed.
Many travelers wonder whether a Cambodia 2 week itinerary is enough to discover the country. Based on my experience, it offers a comfortable balance between cultural visits, relaxing moments, and local encounters. This Cambodia 15 days itinerary reflects my personal choices, my favorite experiences, and even a few small disappointments. I simply share the journey exactly as I experienced it, including unexpected moments, memorable discoveries, and spontaneous experiences.
For the first four days of my Cambodia 15 days itinerary, I stayed in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor. As soon as I arrived, a French speaking guide welcomed me at the airport and transferred me to the hotel. I immediately liked the city with its lively streets around Pub Street, its small cafés along the river, and Psar Chas Market where visitors can find almost everything. The first day remained free, which gave me enough time to walk around at my own pace after the long journey.
On the second day, I explored Angkor Thom by tuk tuk. I was impressed by its eight meter high walls and the monumental gates decorated with giant stone faces. Bayon Temple, located in the heart of the ancient city, was one of the highlights, together with the Terrace of the Elephants. The only downside was the number of visitors late in the morning, which can become quite busy depending on the season. Preah Pithu, a lesser known temple complex, offered a peaceful break away from the crowds.
The third day became my favorite part of my 15 days in Cambodia. Waking up early to visit Ta Prohm was absolutely worthwhile. The giant tree roots surrounding the ancient ruins looked even more beautiful in the soft morning light. During the afternoon, Banteay Srei also stood out thanks to its remarkably detailed carvings, although the drive there was a little longer than expected. Dinner in Kouk Thnout Village became one of the most authentic moments of the trip. Crossing the river by boat and preparing the meal together with local residents created a memorable experience far from the usual tourist routes.
The fourth day focused on Angkor Wat, the country's most iconic landmark. Its impressive scale and the incredible detail of its bas reliefs left a lasting impression. Visiting the Apopo Visitor Center, where trained rats detect landmines, provided a different perspective on Cambodia's recent history. It was a meaningful experience that added depth to the journey. The evening ended with a performance at Phare Circus, combining dance, music, theater, and acrobatics presented by talented young Cambodian artists.
For anyone planning a Cambodia 15 days itinerary, Siem Reap provides an excellent starting point. The schedule across these four days feels well balanced, neither too busy nor too relaxed, making it an ideal beginning for 15 days in Cambodia.
After Siem Reap, our Cambodia 15 days itinerary continues to Battambang, around three hours away by road. The drive through the Cambodian countryside, with its rice fields and small villages, felt peaceful and relaxing after several busy days exploring temples.
Battambang impressed me with its well preserved French colonial architecture, which still remains overlooked by many visitors. On the afternoon of the fifth day, I tried the famous Bamboo Train, a simple wooden platform running along old railway tracks through the rice fields. The ride was fun, creative, and a perfect example of local ingenuity. Dinner was served at a social restaurant that supports disadvantaged children. The food was delicious and the experience was especially meaningful.
On the sixth day, a cycling tour through the surrounding countryside offered the chance to meet local families producing rice paper and traditional rice wine. The afternoon at Phnom Sampeau became one of the highlights of the trip. The hilltop temples provided beautiful views, while the memorial caves from the Khmer Rouge period offered a deeper understanding of Cambodia's history. Watching thousands of bats leave the caves at sunset created an unforgettable ending to the day for anyone planning 15 days in Cambodia.
The seventh day of my Cambodia 15 days itinerary begins with the journey to Phnom Penh, including a welcome stop at the pottery village of Odong Rossey. Watching local families produce the region's famous red pottery beneath traditional stilt houses provided an authentic look at Cambodian craftsmanship, far from typical tourist attractions. The journey lasted around six hours, which could feel tiring in the tropical heat.
Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, the capital immediately stood out with its lively atmosphere, very different from the peaceful pace of Battambang. The eighth day became the most emotional part of my Cambodia 2-week itinerary. Visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum followed by the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek offered a powerful introduction to the tragic history of the Khmer Rouge. The experience was emotionally challenging but essential for understanding modern Cambodia. Meeting one of the survivors added a deeply personal perspective to the visit.
Lunch at a social restaurant that trains former street children provided a welcome change of pace. The afternoon continued with the National Museum and the Royal Palace, including the Silver Pagoda, creating a calmer atmosphere after the morning's emotional visits. In my opinion, these two days in Phnom Penh are an essential part of a well balanced Cambodia 15 days itinerary, despite their emotional intensity.
The next stage of my Cambodia 15 days itinerary takes me to the country's wild southwest. After a five hour drive from Phnom Penh, a forty minute boat trip along the river through dense jungle leads to the floating camp at Botum Sakor. Arriving at this private safari tent, comfortable without feeling overly luxurious, immediately impressed me because of its peaceful and remote setting.
The first exploratory walk through the surrounding rainforest during the afternoon set the tone for the next few days. Nature becomes the main focus here instead of the usual tourist attractions.
The tenth day began with a guided trek led by park rangers in search of macaques, gibbons, and hornbills. The hike was fairly demanding and suited travellers with a reasonable level of fitness. Returning by kayak along the river became my favourite experience of this three day stay. That evening, the complete absence of light pollution revealed one of the clearest night skies I had ever seen.
The eleventh day, my last in this little visited reserve, offered several options including an early morning boat trip, a Khmer cooking class, or simply time to relax. For travellers planning 15 days in Cambodia, this nature escape provides a refreshing contrast to the temples, even though the facilities remain intentionally simple to preserve the spirit of the destination.
The next part of my Cambodia 15 days itinerary took me to the Cardamom Mountains after returning by boat to Trapeang Rung, followed by another boat trip along the Tatai River. This journey, combining river travel with a road transfer, requires a little patience. The scenery along the way makes every moment worthwhile. The dense rainforest is one of the least explored areas in Southeast Asia, creating a peaceful atmosphere far from the usual tourist routes.
The floating bungalow on the Tatai River was easily one of the most memorable places I stayed during 15 days in Cambodia. Swimming, kayaking, fishing all started right from the terrace. The evening excursion to watch fireflies glowing through the forest became one of my favourite memories of the trip.
Day 13 was entirely dedicated to the Tatai River. A five to six hour cruise passed through mountains, untouched jungle, clear water. Depending on the season, the excursion included Tatai Waterfall or a visit to the mangrove forest of Koh Kong Khnong, where I met local families living in a traditional fishing village on stilts. Spending time with local people added a genuine sense of authenticity that felt very different from Cambodia's more visited destinations.
For a Cambodia 2-week itinerary, this stop in the Cardamom Mountains offers the perfect balance between soft adventure, relaxation, nature. The only downside is that boat transfers depend heavily on weather conditions, something worth considering when planning a Cambodia 15 days itinerary.
The final stage of my Cambodia 15 days itinerary marked a gradual return to city life. After one last peaceful morning in the Cardamom Mountains, the journey back to Phnom Penh combined a boat transfer with a private car ride lasting around five hours. Although this transfer was necessary, it interrupted the relaxed pace of the previous days, something to keep in mind when organising a Cambodia 2-week itinerary.
Back in the capital, the final evening offered plenty of free time. I enjoyed walking along the riverside, browsing local shops for souvenirs, simply taking in the atmosphere without following a busy schedule. After days filled with cultural discoveries, natural landscapes, this quieter moment felt perfectly timed.
Day 15, the final day of 15 days in Cambodia, remained intentionally relaxed. A slow breakfast, a final walk through the city, some quiet time before heading to the airport completed the journey. Ending the trip at an easy pace felt like the right way to close this Cambodian adventure after experiencing so many different places along the way.
At the end of 15 days in Cambodia, I left with the feeling of having discovered a country full of contrasts. Angkor's temples, the moving history of Phnom Penh, the peaceful wilderness of Botum Sakor, the rivers of the Cardamom Mountains all offered completely different experiences without ever becoming repetitive. What I appreciated most about this Cambodia 15 days itinerary was the balance between culture, nature, relaxation. For travellers wondering how much time to spend in the country, a Cambodia 2-week itinerary provides enough time to explore comfortably without feeling rushed. Looking back, this journey offered unforgettable landscapes, meaningful encounters, memories that will stay with me long after returning home.
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