Hello everyone! My name is Kailey Sabrina. Last November, my husband and I took a couple trip for 10 days in Cambodia with the guidance and support of Autour Asia, Cambodia Travel Agency. As a couple passionate about traveling and exploring, we consider Cambodia as a potential destination. Through these 10 days in Cambodia, we had interesting experiences, which also awakened in me my love for Cambodia and the desire to come back to explore this country more. Let's explore our Cambodia itinerary 10 days!
Cambodia itinerary 10 days by couple Sabrina
I. General overview of our Cambodia itinerary 10 days
During this couple trip for 10 days in Cambodia, we will visit Siem Reap, Kampot, Kep and Phnom Penh. It seems that these destinations are a little short compared to the 10 days in Cambodia, but we want to have enough time to explore each destination without having to rush.
We flew directly from the US and chose to fly to Siem Reap to start our trip. Luckily, the start of the trip was quite favorable. The Siem Reap airport is quite new and modern compared to what we expected.
Regarding the
weather in Cambodia, we chose to go to
Cambodia in November, one of the most beautiful and favorable months to discover the country. The temperatures of the
weather in Cambodia in November are around 25-30°C, mild enough to explore without getting too hot. Clear skies and much lower humidity than the rainy season make sightseeing more comfortable. The evenings are cool, perfect for relaxing. However, according to our experience in
Cambodia in 10 days, it is worth noting that November is also the beginning of the peak tourist season, so some places can be busier, which sometimes also affects the travel experience, especially in famous tourist destinations such as the Angkor Wat complex. Additionally, there can be occasional showers, which surprised us even though we had been warned in advance.
If your dates are flexible, the dry season from November to April is the safest window for a Cambodia itinerary 10 days: dry, sunny weather that suits the temples, the countryside and the coast alike.
II. Our Cambodia travel itinerary 10 days
1. Day 1-3: Siem Reap
On our first day in Siem Reap, we started by visiting the Angkor National Museum, where we learned about the fascinating history of the Khmer civilization and admired Angkorian artifacts. The audio guide, available for $5, did not seem necessary because the explanatory panels were clear and sufficient. After this cultural immersion, we opted for a moment of relaxation at the Sokkhak Spa, where we enjoyed a traditional Khmer massage that allowed us to unwind after a busy morning. In the evening, we had dinner at the Sambo restaurant, a fusion of Khmer and Thai cuisine. Although the meal was delicious, the slightly noisy atmosphere slightly detracted from the experience, but it did not spoil our evening.
What to do during 10 days in Cambodia? On the second day, we wanted to experience the sunrise at Angkor Wat. We woke up at 4:30am to be at the temple entrance by 5am, with a tuk-tuk booked in advance to avoid wasting any time. The sunrise was magical, but we quickly realized that Angkor Wat was a small part of the vast Angkor complex. We then explored other temples, including the Bayon, with its sculpted faces, the Baphuon and the Pre Rup, all of which impressed us. In the evening, we attended the Phare Circus, an acrobatic show by local artists. It was entertaining, but the slightly noisy atmosphere diminished the immersion in the show.
On the third day, we continued our Cambodia itinerary 10 days by visiting the Cambodian Landmine Museum. Although the entrance fee was an additional $5 (not included in the Angkor complex ticket), it was a moving visit that gave us a better understanding of the devastating impact that mining had on the Cambodian population. In the afternoon, we explored several temples, including Ta Prohm, famous for its giant trees blending in with the ruins, and Banteay Kdei, a quieter and less crowded temple. We also visited Banteay Srei, a little further out but well worth a visit for its intricately detailed carvings. At the end of the day, we decided to head to Pub Street to experience the lively atmosphere of the town. Although it is popular with tourists, we were a little disappointed by the over-commercialization of the area, detracting from the authenticity we were looking for. Still, it was a great way to end our day in Siem Reap before continuing on our Cambodia travel itinerary 10 days.
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Two things we would add to Siem Reap with spare hours: climb Phnom Bakheng in the late afternoon of your arrival day for a sunset view over Angkor Wat, and keep a morning for Tonle Sap, with a boat trip through the floating village of Chong Kneas to see how life is organised on the lake.
2. Day 4-5: Battambang
We spent two days in Battambang during our 10 days in Cambodia through Cambodia, and it was a memorable experience. We chose to take the bus from Siem Reap, which took about three hours, a fairly easy and economical journey.
Battambang immediately won us over with its authentic atmosphere, welcoming people, and many interesting activities. We started our exploration with the bamboo train, a traditional means of transportation that locals used to use in the past. The 20-minute ride cost $5, and while some travelers find this experience “overrated” and a “rip-off,” we really enjoyed it. It’s important to visit the old railway, not the new one, to have this unique experience.
Next, we took a traditional Khmer cooking class at Coconut Lyly, a local family who guided us through the market to buy ingredients and then taught us how to prepare Cambodian dishes. This 3-hour course was a real treat, and we highly recommend it, but remember to book in advance so that the family can wait for you.
What to do in Cambodia in 10 days? On the second day in Battambang, we explored Battambang by tuk-tuk. The first stop was Banan Cave, where we had to climb about 400 steps to reach the Buddhist temples and enjoy the magnificent view of the entire countryside. Even if the climb is quite tiring under the sun, the effort is well worth it for the purity of the place. We then visited the Phnom Sampov Genocide Caves, a highly historical site that witnessed atrocities under the Khmer Rouge regime. Finally, we saw thousands of bats flying out of the bat cave at dusk. These three places enriched our experience in Battambang, combining history, nature and emotions.
Back in town, tired but satisfied, we had the chance to enjoy some relaxing moments at the Lemongrass Garden Spa & Massage. This traditional Khmer massage was one of the best we received in Cambodia. We were very pleased with the comfort provided after our experience in Siem Reap and so we tried again in Battambang. As expected, the massage skills of the Cambodian artisans did not disappoint us.
3. Day 6-7: Kampot
On the sixth day of our couple trip for 10 days in Cambodia, we took a bus from Battambang to Kampot, a 7-hour journey with a connection in Phnom Penh. Luckily, we had booked a 1.5 hour delay so as not to miss our transfer. We arrived late in Kampot and decided to postpone discovering the province until the next day.
What to see in Cambodia in 10 days? The next morning, we visited La Plantation, a pepper farm 40 minutes from Kampot. Surrounded by beautiful palm trees, mountain views and the tranquility of the countryside, La Plantation introduced us to the world-renowned Kampot pepper. The guided tour was fascinating and we learned a lot about pepper growing in the area.
After a delicious lunch there, we headed to Kep Beach to relax. The beach was nice, although the price of umbrellas and chairs seemed a bit high. In the evening, we dined at the Holy Crab Restaurant in Kep, where we enjoyed the local specialities of crab amok and pepper crab. The crab amok was exceptional, but the pepper crab was a bit spicier than expected. We had planned to visit the crab market, but it closed too early, which was a bit of an inconvenience. Despite this, the evening in Kep was enjoyable and we had some memorable taste experiences.
Alternative for days 6-9: islands instead of the coast
Our route went from Battambang to Kampot and Kep. If you would rather finish with a beach stay than with a pepper farm and crab dinners, a variant for days 6-9 swaps the Kampot coast for Kirirom and the islands off Sihanoukville, before ending in Phnom Penh as we did.
- Day 6: Battambang - Kampong Luong - Kampong Chhnang. Leave Battambang by road, stop for a boat ride through the floating village of Kampong Luong on the Tonle Sap, then continue to Kampong Chhnang, a town known for its pottery, where a workshop shows the old techniques.
- Day 7: Te Teuk Pus - Chambok - Kirirom. The drive crosses rice paddies and sugarcane fields to the Chambok ecotourism community, with a stop at the Te Teuk Pus natural hot spring, known for its sulphur smell. After lunch, a short walk leads to the Chambok waterfall, then you climb into Kirirom National Park, a forested mountain area that was a French resort in colonial times, with the Thmor Loy viewpoint over the forest.
- Day 8: Kirirom - Sihanoukville - Koh Rong Sanloem. A morning in the Kirirom forest, then down to Sihanoukville for seafood and a sunset over the sea before the boat to Koh Rong Sanloem.
- Day 9: Koh Rong Sanloem, then Phnom Penh. One or two days of clear water and white sand, with snorkelling, diving or a hammock outside a bungalow over the water, then a quick boat back to Sihanoukville and the road to Phnom Penh for the last two days.
This island version suits couples who want sea and sand at the end of the 10 days rather than the quieter Kampot and Kep: you give up the pepper plantation and the crab market, but gain a floating village, a hot spring, a mountain forest and a couple of lazy beach days.
4. Day 8-10: Phnom Penh
The drive from Kampot to Phnom Penh takes about 2.5 hours, and the city pleasantly surprised us. We recommend stopping there for a day or two to discover its fascinating history. After arriving, we had lunch at David’s Restaurant Homemade Noodles, a small restaurant where we enjoyed delicious Khmer cuisine, with a little show by David.
In the afternoon, we visited the Royal Palace, a magnificent complex with the Silver Pagoda. A guide for $10 enriched our visit, and we learned a lot about the history of Cambodia. Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees for the entrance. Several tuk-tuks gave us bad information about the opening of the Palace, so it’s best to check on site.
The next day, we visited the
Choeung Ek Genocide Center, or "killing fields", a poignant place where millions of Cambodians were killed. After a moving visit, we continued to the
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school turned torture center. The visit was overwhelming but essential to understand the history of Cambodia. Before leaving Phnom Penh and finishing our Cambodia itinerary 10 days, we made a last stop at the
Russian Market for some souvenirs.
In 10 days in Cambodia, we had a fascinating glimpse of Cambodia, between nature, culture and history. From the peaceful atmosphere of Kampot and Kep to the wonders of Angkor, through the poignant history of Phnom Penh, each step in this Cambodia itinerary 10 days offered us unique and unforgettable experiences. This couple trip to Cambodia in 10 days allowed us to appreciate the richness of the Khmer heritage, but also to better understand its past. Although some journeys were tiring and some tourist sites were very crowded, we will keep an unforgettable memory of this country with a thousand faces. Cambodia is undoubtedly worth discovering, and we hope to return one day!
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