Hello everyone! We are the Delevaux family. Last January, my wife, our 12-year-old daughter Simone, and I spent 3 weeks in Cambodia with the help of Autour Asia, Cambodia Travel Agency. During this itinerary Cambodia 21 days, we traveled through many cities in Cambodia and learned more about various aspects of this country. We are really excited to share our experience of our 21 days in Cambodia. I hope our story will help you better understand Cambodia and make it easier for you to plan your own trip if you are considering traveling there.
3 Weeks in Cambodia by Mr. Delevaux's Family
I. Overview of Our Travel Itinerary Cambodia 3 Weeks
The destinations of our family trip for 21 days in Cambodia were Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, and Kampot. We chose only these four cities, taking into account our daughter's endurance; a more packed travel schedule would have been too exhausting for her.
For transportation between destinations, we decided to take the Giant Ibis bus. For us, this way of traveling was not as comfortable as flying, but it was the most appropriate option since flights are not available between some of the locations in our travel itinerary Cambodia 3 weeks. At first, we were a little worried that Simone might not adapt to the bus journeys. But in the end, she was completely at ease and excited to watch the scenery on both sides of the road during our travels.
Regarding
weather in Cambodia, we did some research and decided to spend
21 days in Cambodia in January because it is one of the best seasons to visit this country. Based on our experience during
3 weeks in Cambodia, the weather in January is perfect for a family adventure with young children. It is warm but not stifling, with temperatures around 25-28°C during the day and pleasant evenings at 20-23°C. Most days are sunny, with only a few short light showers. In Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the air is dry and very comfortable for sightseeing, while on the coast, in places like Kampot, the climate is slightly cooler with light breezes.
If you are planning to visit Cambodia in January like us, bring light clothing, sunscreen, and don’t forget hats and drinking water for your children.
II. Our 21-Day Cambodia Itinerary – What to Do During 3 Weeks in Cambodia?
1. Days 1-9: Siem Reap and Angkor Wat
We spent nine days in Siem Reap exploring the incredible Angkor complex, and we can definitely say that this was one of the highlights of our family trip for 21 days in Cambodia. From our very first day at Angkor Wat, we were amazed by the grandeur and beauty of this iconic temple. Walking through these thousand-year-old ruins, admiring the intricate carvings, and climbing the worn-out stairs was an unforgettable experience, especially for our daughter, who felt like she was discovering a truly lost world.
Since we had 3 weeks in Cambodia, we purchased the 7-day pass, which allowed us to explore the temples at our own pace without feeling rushed. Every day, we discovered a new impressive monument, like the mysterious Bayon with its carved faces or Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots intertwined with ancient ruins, creating an almost unreal atmosphere. We also enjoyed visiting lesser-known temples, where there were fewer crowds, allowing us to truly feel the spiritual ambiance of the place.
However, not everything was perfect. The heat and humidity were sometimes overwhelming, especially for Simone. Even though we started early in the morning, some visits left us completely exhausted. And despite willingly choosing to spend 21 days in Cambodia during the high tourist season when the weather was pleasant, we must admit that the crowds at Angkor Wat and Bayon were a bit overwhelming. It was nearly impossible to take a photo without dozens of tourists in the background. Additionally, some areas of the site were overrun with persistent vendors, which slightly diminished the magic of the place.
Thankfully, we planned rest days in Siem Reap, and this turned out to be a great decision. We treated ourselves to a massage at Lemongrass Garden Spa, which also offers children’s massages. Simone was thrilled to have the same experience as us, and it was quite funny to see her so excited about it. We all opted for a full-body massage, and after that, we slept much better. Besides massages, our daughter loved the lively night market, while we enjoyed tasting Khmer cuisine in local restaurants.
2. Days 9-12: Battambang and the Bat Caves
We hesitated for a long time before visiting Battambang, but we are glad we included it in our travel itinerary Cambodia 3 weeks. One of the highlights was the spectacular flight of millions of bats at sunset, a fascinating spectacle that no photo can truly capture. Arriving early as advised, we enjoyed the atmosphere and supported the local vendors by enjoying a fresh coconut.
What to do during 21 days in Cambodia? In the evening, we attended the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus, an impressive show combining theater, dance and acrobatics, thus supporting a great educational initiative. Despite the heat and some noisy spectators, the experience was well worth it.
The next day, we tried the bamboo train, a short but fun ride through the countryside. The speed and the bumps made the experience unique, even if the final stop was too focused on selling souvenirs. Overall, Battambang gave us unforgettable moments, far beyond our expectations!
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3. Days 12-14: Phnom Penh
We spent two days in Phnom Penh, and our impressions were mixed. After the calm of Battambang, the capital felt noisy, crowded, and difficult to navigate as a family due to chaotic traffic and the lack of sidewalks. Additionally, the cost of living was surprisingly high.
We took the Mekong Express bus from Battambang, the only daytime service between the two cities. Booking in advance is essential, as it fills up quickly!
A must-see in our family trip for 3 weeks in Cambodia was the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a deeply moving site documenting the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. The audio guide is essential to fully understand its history.
After this emotional visit, we felt the need for peace and quiet and decided to shorten our stay in Phnom Penh to head to Kampot, where we hoped to find a more relaxed atmosphere.
4. Days 14-19: Kampot
We spent five days in Kampot during our travel itinerary Cambodia 3 weeks, and this peaceful little town offered us a beautiful interlude between nature and gastronomy.
What to do during 21 days in Cambodia? One of the highlights of our stay was visiting a Kampot pepper plantation. We knew that this pepper was famous throughout the world, but we had no idea how meticulous its cultivation was. The visit allowed us to better understand the process from drying to sorting the grains, and we even had a tasting. Each of us found our favorite: black pepper for its intense aroma, red pepper for its spicy sweetness… and of course, we brought back a few bags as souvenirs! On the other hand, the road to get there was particularly dusty and bumpy, which made the tuk-tuk ride a bit trying, especially for our daughter.
We also explored the Phnom Chhngok cave temple, an unforgettable experience. After a long tuk-tuk ride on very bumpy roads – the jolts really put our nerves to the test – we arrived at an almost deserted site. Young people from the village offered us a guided tour for a few dollars. At first, we were a little hesitant, but a local explained to us that the children went to school in the evening so that they could help their families during the day. Finally, we accepted. Our young guide knew the cave like the back of his hand and took us through a small secret passage that we would never have found on our own. A real moment of adventure in our itinerary Cambodia 21 days!
Despite these great discoveries, there were a few aspects that we liked a little less. Kampot being a very quiet town, the evenings were sometimes too quiet for our taste, especially after the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. In addition, some tuk-tuk rides were quite long and tiring for our Simone, who had trouble coping with the heat and dust.
5. Days 20-21: Back to Phnom Penh
After three weeks exploring Cambodia, we ended our itinerary Cambodia 21 days with two days in Phnom Penh before heading back. We took a Giant Ibis bus from Kampot.
In Phnom Penh, we decided to spend some time at the famous
Russian Market to buy some souvenirs. The place is lively, full of stalls selling fabrics, local crafts and spices. It was a great opportunity to bring back gifts, but we found it really hot inside and some of the vendors were a bit pushy. Despite this, we got some good deals and left with some lovely souvenirs.
We also took some time to enjoy the city one last time, walking along the Mekong and enjoying a last Cambodian meal in a local restaurant. After these two days, we took our flight from the international airport, a little bit sad to leave Cambodia and end 3 weeks in Cambodia, but delighted with this great family adventure.
Above are our family's experiences during 3 weeks in Cambodia. Even though there are still some regrets and could be improved, we are still extremely satisfied and enjoyed our travel itinerary Cambodia 3 weeks. We explored this country from many different angles, both lively and peaceful, and spent 21 days in Cambodia in a memorable way.
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