Siem Reap 5-Day Luxury Extension

Journey back in time to the ancient Khmer empire, then explore modern-day Cambodia through art, food, and village visits 

Hemmed by thick-knit jungle and iridescent rice paddies, charming Siem Reap is the gateway to one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world: Angkor. Home to the palatial temple complex of Angkor Wat and hundreds of smaller temples, this former capital of the Khmer Empire is revered as one of the most important archeological sites. But Angkor is more than ruins. It is a feeling. A place where the slow creep of the forest grips temples within snaking roots, reclaiming them for the wild; where friezes are decorated with elaborate histories, both known and untold; and where chiseled faces smile back at you, their secrets locked in stone.  

Hundreds of thousands of visitors pass through Angkor each year—it’s no hidden gem— but we’ve curated Siem Reap Past & Present: 5-Day Extension to offer the best possible experience. One that offers depth beyond the headliners. To be sure, you will visit the most iconic temples (but rather than a standard licensed guide, we upgrade the experience with an archeologist and Angkor insider), then venture well beyond the busy temple circuits. Far from the day-tripper crowds, you’ll feel the enduring influence of the Khmer Empire and the mysticism only afforded by solitude.  

More than just a jumping-off point for Angkor, the town of Siem Reap will charm you in the most unexpected ways, from its winding pedestrian alleyways and trendy cafés to artisan studios and the warmth of Cambodian hospitality. Spend the first half of the itinerary journeying back in time, then catapult to the present, exploring modern-day Cambodia through art and food. You’ll be invited into the traditional homes and hearts of locals who love sharing their traditions and way of life with visitors. And when it’s time to recharge, there’s no finer place than Zannier Phum Baitang’s sumptuous villas and storybook setting. With so much to see and do, you'll be delighted that you chose to linger longer in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap Past & Present: 5-Day Extension: 5 days/4 nights

Siem Reap Past & Present: 5-Day Extension Trip Highlights

Touch down at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport where you will be VIP fast-tracked for a visa. A private driver will transfer you to Zannier Phum Baitang. The rest of your day is at leisure. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t leave this dreamy, luxe property. Need some post-flight recovery? The Spa Temple beckons. Busy bodies might nip into central Siem Reap to wander its charming streets or to peruse the Old Market.  
Alongside an expert, discover one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world: Angkor Archaeological Park. Depart in the morning to journey back to the ninth-century Khmer Empire, visiting the complex’s most iconic temples with an insider who will bring history to life. We upgrade your experience by using a senior archeologist who has specialized stone restoration training and has guided presidents and A-list celebrities. Witness in sublime wonder how the ruins of the Khmer Empire endure even as nature tries to reclaim the land. End this unforgettable day with a sunset at Pre Rup temple or the "Royal Bath" of Srah Srang before returning to Zannier Phum Baitang. 
Dedicate a full second day to Angkor's less-visited treasures and the Cambodian countryside. Take a seat in an open-air Jeep to rumble along forest tracks and pastoral roads. First, call on Kna Por, a quintessential Khmer village. Meet different families who will open their doors to show you specific trades including rice wine distillation, mat weaving, and traditional broom making. Next, you’ll seek out our favorite secret temple. With crumbling structures that tangle with overgrown trees, these elusive ruins aren’t included on the Angkor tourist ticket, so most visitors are entirely unaware they exist. It’s an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a temple without others milling around—a stark contrast to your buzzy Angkor Wat experience. This evening, we’ve reserved you a table at a very special dining experience: Cuisine Wat Damnak. Housed in a traditional Cambodian wooden house in the heart of Siem Reap's Wat Damnak village, Cuisine Wat Damnak brings together authentic regional flavors and French culinary flair. You’ll savor dishes that are true to their Cambodian roots yet remain wholly unique. 
Having spent some time in Siem Reap, by now, you’ll have felt the town’s creative energy. Art of all spades thrives here—traditional lacquer to stone carving to textiles—with many diverse items stocking galleries, shops, and markets. Today, you’ll explore Siem Reap’s creative corners on an insider art tour. Share your interests with Robina, the curator of McDermott Gallery curator—whether they lean contemporary, fine art, or photography—who will lead you into galleries, workshops, and ateliers. As tastemakers and cultural critics, connecting with artists is one of our favorite ways to experience a destination. After spending days imagining the ancient lives of the Khmer Empire, this afternoon you will step into the shoes of residents living in Kampong Khleang, a floating village on Tonlé Sap Lake. In this captivating community of overwater stilted houses, locals navigate their lakeshore community by boat. Join the daily commute by stepping aboard a wooden boat and sailing along waterways lined with elevated, color block-painted houses, getting a taste for this unique way of life. Unwind with a sundowner before heading back to Siem Reap.  
After a leisurely morning, a driver will fetch you from Zannier Phum Baitang for a private airport transfer. Begin your international journey home, or depart on the next leg of your Southeast Asia travel adventure.  
Zannier Phum Baitang: In between forays to historic temples and pondering storybook vistas of floating villages, retreat to a luxury oasis at the Zannier Phum Baitang. Your home away from home during your Siem Reap sojourn, stay in charming villas styled after traditional stilted Khmer farmhouses in the midst of bucolic tropical gardens and rice paddies. Past and present collide in a contemporary paradise rooted in Khmer culture, where spa treatments and meals draw from ancient Khmer traditions alongside modern trims and trappings like private pools overlooking manicured rice fields. 

Price

Starting at $2,500 per person sharing in 2025

Siem Reap Past & Present: 5-Day Extension on a Map

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