Cambodia Honeymoon: Angkor & Islands

Begin your honeymoon in the country’s ancient cultural heart: Siem Reap. Look for your VIP escort through customs and immigration after touching down at the airport, then greet your awaiting guide and driver. Check into Jaya House River Park and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Nap, enjoy a restorative Khmer couple’s massage, or wander Siem Reap’s charming alleyways together. This evening, take a seat at Cuisine Wat Damnak and enjoy your first taste of authentic Cambodian flavors.

Explore the magical temples of Angkor guided by Mr. Seng Kompheak, a renowned archaeologist and former Angkor National Museum curator. Begin at the museum, gaining essential context on the Angkorian Empire before heading into the temples. In the afternoon, walk through the haunting Ta Prohm (the “jungle temple” famously featured in Tomb Raider), where Mr. Kompheak shares insider insights from his conservation work. Conclude at Angkor Wat at dusk, as Mr. Kompheak reveals the symbolism, history, and spiritual significance of Cambodia’s most iconic monument.

Reserve a second day to tour Angkor Archaeological Park, this time, calling on secretive temples that most day-trippers skip—but are equally worth a visit. This exhilarating day has you rumbling along sandy tracks past a stilted village in an open-air safari jeep to arrive at rarely-visited sites like the “dragon’s teeth” ruins of Prasat Cha and Wat Tol Kpuos. It’s an action-packed day that merges history and culture with rugged, off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Make your own traditional block print in a private workshop with Morn Chear, one of the country’s most exciting contemporary artists. After losing his arms in a tragic accident, Mr. Chear transformed his personal adversity into a wellspring of creativity. His paintings—joyful depictions of daily life—speak to the resilience of the human spirit. End the day with a romantic cruise across Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Sip a local beer, drift past floating houses, and watch the sunset paint the lake in gold.

Depart charming Siem Reap for the Cambodian coast. All transfers and a short flight seamlessly are facilitated by Extraordinary Journeys so all you have to do is repack your bags. A 40-minute boat ride from Sihanoukville brings you to Song Saa Private Island, a tranquil, sand-skirted hideaway in the Koh Rong Archipelago.  

Spend two full days blissed out with your toes in the sand. Snorkel Song Saa’s protected reefs to scan for seahorses, lounge at the dreamy pool, go scuba diving or kayaking, and search for bioluminescence after dark. There are also opportunities for guided meditation, a monk-led blessing ceremony, yoga, and a walking safari. We recommend an al fresco treatment at the “spa without walls”—secretive sanctuaries in nature that dot the island.

Trade the beach for the biodiverse Cardamom Mountains, where you will make a thrilling zipline arrival when checking in to Shinta Mani Wild. Buried in the wilderness and overlooking a whitewater river, make this tented camp your rainforest home for three nights. Kayak along mangrove-lined channels, explore secretive backwaters on an expedition pontoon boat, and “stumble upon” wilderness picnics, set up in the most surprising jungle settings. Guided hiking, mountain biking, and bathing in secretive swimming holes handily fill a multi-day stay. You can even join conservation rangers on an anti-poaching survey via motorbike.  

From the Cardamom Mountains, take a private vehicle transfer to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. You’ll check in at Raffles Hotel Le Royal—an iconic heritage hotel. Settle in, sip a cocktail together in the esteemed Elephant Bar, and enjoy the ambience of this storied destination.

On your last full day in Cambodia, tour Phnom Penh on foot and via tuk-tuk. You’ll first set off on a guided culinary journey, visiting food stalls, markets, and hidden gems to sample Khmer snacks. Next, learn about French colonialism in Cambodia, admiring Belle Epoque and Art Deco influences on an architectural exploration of the city. The day ends at Tuol Sleng Prison, a former high school-turned-detention center during Cambodia’s bloody genocide. While somber and distressing, it’s an essential part of understanding the country’s modern past.  

Soak in a few final city views before a private vehicle transports you to the airport for your international flight home, full of memories of your extraordinary Cambodia honeymoon.