Itinerary
Cambodia honeymoon: Angkor & islands
A romantic journey through temples, jungle, and sea
Journey back in time to the ancient Khmer Empire, then explore modern-day Cambodia through art, food, and village visits.
Sitting on the doorstep of Angkor, Siem Reap is often framed as a gateway town; an assumed logistical stop on any Cambodia itinerary. Most visitors give it two nights and move on. Those who slow into it discover what the others miss: alms prepared for monks at a monastery, a private cruise along Tonle Sap Lake, artisan workshops that keep Khmer craft traditions alive, hikes that carve through Cambodian jungle, and temples that lie beyond the main ticket. And then, after all has been seen and savored, what grips travelers most profoundly can’t be photographed: the generous warmth of the Khmer people — one that defies the pain of a genocide still held in collective memory. We know this warmth because we feel it ourselves every time we visit. Extraordinary Journeys Siem Reap travel promises Angkor awe, but it’s an affection for the Khmer people you’ll carry home in your heart.
Siem Reap trip itineraries
Use these itineraries as a starting point, or as inspiration to create your own journey.
Key travel information for Siem Reap
The best time to travel to Siem Reap
Cambodia travel is hot year-round, lacking a true cool season like northern Thailand or Vietnam.
The dry season, from November to April, offers the most pleasant conditions for outdoor touring. Of these months, November to February boast the mildest temperatures, a feature that makes them the busiest time to visit Siem Reap. December and January are the "coolest," but still see temperatures hovering around 90°F. March and April can be brutally hot.
The wet season spans May to October. Although you’ll experience afternoon rains, they’re short-lived and turn the landscape around Angkor lush and green. Explore in the morning and head back to your hotel for an afternoon siesta or lunch set to the pitter-patter of tropical raindrops. The heaviest downpours typically fall in August & September, making it a time we don’t recommend.
Given Angkor’s fame, the best time to visit Siem Reap should consider weather, but also crowds. When things heat up in March and April, visitors clear out. If you can take the heat, it’s a great option for a more personal experience. Otherwise, the wet season months of May through October offer more breathing room than the dry season.
Travelers with flexible dates should avoid Khmer New Year. For three days, typically in mid-April depending on the solar calendar, celebrations include water fights in the street. The resulting congestion, crowds, and unwelcome splashing aren't worth the disruption if you're not planning to join in.
Best
Jan
Feb
Nov
Dec
January - February
November - December
Good
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Oct
March - July
October - October
Our experts' favorite things to do in Siem Reap
An Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm tour guided by an esteemed archaeologist.
Join a leading contemporary artist in his workshop to create your own keepsake block print.
Cruise Tonlé Sap at sunset in a private boat. Sipping a perspiring beer, drift past colorful, wood-boarded houses perched on stilts.
Tour Angkor by bicycle/e-bike. Red dirt roads go where cars can’t, on a temple adventure that feels very Indiana Jones.
Explore a lesser-visited enclave of Angkor in an open-air Jeep for an off-road adventure.
Visit a quintessential Khmer village for a candid portrait of rural life. Families show you the trades that sustain them: rice wine distillation, mat weaving, broom making.
A curator-led private art tour. Name your interest (contemporary, folk, photography), then enter private galleries, workshops, and ateliers through the side door.
Cycle to a local market outside of town, shop for ingredients, and prepare a simple meal to be shared with monks at a nearby monastery.
Engage with the social enterprises training and generating employment for Cambodian youth.
For a challenge, hike Phnom Kulen, “Mountain of Lychees.” Cool off like a local afterward, dipping into a nearby waterfall pool.
Meet the HeroRATs trained to detect unexploded landmines.
Siem Reap travel FAQs
Other areas to explore
A visit to Siem Reap puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of Southeast Asia.
Phnom Penh
Despite its sobering history, Cambodia’s capital of Phnom Penh is a buzzy, urban city that’s making a name for itself as a cultural epicenter.
Cardamom Mountains
The remote Cardamom Mountains beckon intrepid travelers looking to immerse themselves in the wilds of Cambodia.
Koh Rong Archipelago
Boasting blue waters and sugary, white-sand beaches, the Koh Rong islands are an idyllic place to unwind, especially at the end of Southeast Asia travel.
Hoi An
If travel to Vietnam makes you wistful for lantern-lit alleyways, vibrant markets, and beautiful architecture, Hoi An can’t be missed.
Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?
We go deep
We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.
We keep it honest
Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.
We’ve got it covered
Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.
We know it’s personal
There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.
We go deep
We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.
We keep it honest
Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.
We’ve got it covered
Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.
We know it’s personal
There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.