Itinerary Siem Reap & Phnom Penh & Kampot

December is one of the best times to visit Cambodia: it’s the cool, dry season, perfect for exploring temples, cities, and jungles. Expect comfortable weather across the country and lower humidity—a great time for cultural, historical, and adventure activities.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1,200
🏨 Accommodations	$280
🧳 Gear	$100
🗺️ On-site	$820
Total	$2,400

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🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇰🇭 Siem Reap - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Angkor Wat ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • The world’s largest religious monument; sunrise visit is iconic. Buy a 1 or 3-day Angkor Pass. Get a local guide for context.
• [ ] 🏛️ Angkor Thom & Bayon Temple ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Giant stone faces, intricate bas-reliefs. Easily reached from Angkor Wat by tuk-tuk.
• [ ] 🌳 Ta Prohm ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Jungle-clad “Tomb Raider” temple, photogenic roots.
• [ ] 🎨 Angkor National Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Engaging museum for Khmer history and art, helpful before exploring temples.
• [ ] 🏙️ Pub Street & Old Market area ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Lively cafes, shops, night markets. Fun evening stroll.
• [ ] 🌳 Tonlé Sap Lake Floating Villages ⭐⭐ (~3h - half-day tour)
  • See unique stilt houses and floating communities; guided boat trip recommended.
• [ ] 🏛️ Banteay Srei ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Known for detailed pink sandstone carvings; 45min from Siem Reap by tuk-tuk.
• [ ] 🌳 Phnom Kulen National Park ⭐ (~4h)
  • Sacred mountain, waterfalls, jungle hikes. Possible as a day tour.
• [ ] 🏙️ Wat Preah Prom Rath Pagoda ⭐ (~1h)
  • Central riverside Buddhist temple, lush gardens, quiet reflection spot.
• [ ] 🎨 Artisans Angkor ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Social enterprise showing Khmer craft workshops; tours and shop.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Miss Wong Cocktail Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Chic, lantern-lit bar with colonial vibes; try the ginger mojito.
• [ ] 🍸 The Laundry Bar & live music ⭐ (~2h)
  • Relaxed spot for local bands and travelers’ gatherings.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Phsar Chas (Old Market) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Street food classics: amok, lok lak, grilled skewers — $2-4/meal.
• [ ] 🍜 Genevieve’s Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Great Khmer cuisine, community-driven — $6-10.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Kampong Phluk Floating Forest (~3h)
  • Tranquil boat trip among flooded trees and villages.

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🇰🇭 Phnom Penh - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • Glittering Khmer architecture, iconic cultural landmark. Modest dress required.
• [ ] 🏛️ Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Sobering, essential Khmer Rouge history. Not suitable for sensitive visitors.
• [ ] 🏛️ Choeung Ek Killing Fields Memorial ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Learn about Cambodia’s tragic past; emotional but important.
• [ ] 🏙️ Riverside & Sisowath Quay ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Vibrant boulevard for walking, people-watching, and local snacks.
• [ ] 🎨 National Museum of Cambodia ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Prized collection of ancient Khmer artifacts.
• [ ] 🌳 Wat Phnom ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • City’s iconic hilltop temple, beautiful park and stupa views.
• [ ] 🛍️ Central Market (Phsar Thmey) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Art Deco market for souvenirs, silks, and snacks.
• [ ] 🌳 Independence Monument & park ⭐ (~1h)
  • Photogenic roundabout and green space.
• [ ] 🏙️ Street 240 boutiques ⭐ (~1h)
  • Small shops for local designers and fair-trade gifts.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Eclipse Sky Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • 23rd floor drinks with panoramic city views, smart casual dress.
• [ ] 🍸 FCC Phnom Penh ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Historic bar for sunset river views and travel tales.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Romdeng ⭐⭐⭐
  • Social enterprise restaurant serving Khmer classics — $8-12.
• [ ] 🍜 Russian Market food stalls ⭐
  • Snacks, BBQ, and noodle soups — $2-4.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Cambodia Living Arts show (~2h)
  • Traditional dance/music performance in the evening.

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🇰🇭 Kampot - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Kampot Old Town ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Stroll colonial-era riverside streets, indie cafes and markets.
• [ ] 🌳 Bokor National Park ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Misty mountain hikes, old French hill station ruins, dramatic views.
• [ ] 🌳 Kampot Pepper Plantations ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Pepper farm tour/tasting at world-famous plantations.
• [ ] 🏙️ Kep Crab Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h, via easy transfer to Kep)
  • Bustling seafood market right by the sea.
• [ ] 🏙️ Salt Fields ⭐ (~1h)
  • See traditional sea salt production methods, best in dry season.
• [ ] 🛥️ River sunset cruise ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Relaxing boat ride with golden hour views, spot fireflies.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Rikitikitavi Riverside Bar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iconic sunset views over the river and mountains.
• [ ] 🍸 Ecran Noodle Bar ⭐ (~2h)
  • Laid-back noodle spot with board games and drinks.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Aroma House ⭐⭐
  • Top-value local curries, rice — $3-6.
• [ ] 🍜 Kep Crab Market shacks ⭐⭐⭐
  • Taste world-famous Kampot pepper crab — $8-12.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Secret Lake (~1h)
  • Scenic lakeside for cycling/picnic close to Kampot.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇰🇭 Siem Reap

• [ ] 🎬 Tomb Raider (2001) — ⭐ 5.8 — Iconic scenes filmed at Ta Prohm — Prime Video
• [ ] 🎬 The Last Reel (2014) — ⭐ 7.0 — Khmer family drama amid temple ruins — Festival circuit

🇰🇭 Phnom Penh

• [ ] 🎬 The Killing Fields (1984) — ⭐ 7.8 — Powerful retelling of Khmer Rouge era — Apple TV
• [ ] 📺 Don't Think I've Forgotten (2014) — ⭐ 7.6 — Music documentary on Cambodia’s lost rock’n’roll — Kanopy

🇰🇭 Kampot

• [ ] 🎬 First They Killed My Father (2017) — ⭐ 7.2 — Angelina Jolie’s acclaimed drama on the Khmer Rouge — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Ruin (2013) — ⭐ 6.3 — Atmospheric thriller set in rural Cambodia — Festival circuit

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🍜 Local specialties

🇰🇭 Siem Reap

• [ ] Fish Amok (steamed fish curry in banana leaf)
• [ ] Khmer Lok Lak (stir-fried beef with lime-pepper dip)
• [ ] Kralan (sticky rice in bamboo)

🇰🇭 Phnom Penh

• [ ] Nom Banh Chok (Khmer noodle soup)
• [ ] Grilled frog skewers
• [ ] Prahok Ktis (fermented fish dip)

🇰🇭 Kampot

• [ ] Kampot pepper crab
• [ ] Kuy Teav (pork and rice noodle soup)
• [ ] Salted durian

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇰🇭 Siem Reap

1. 🌤️ Angkor Wat
2. 🌤️ Ta Prohm
3. 🌙 Miss Wong Cocktail Bar
4. 🛍️ Old Market (Phsar Chas)
5. 🏨 Onederz Siem Reap Hostel
6. 🍽️ Genevieve’s Restaurant

🇰🇭 Phnom Penh

1. 🌤️ Royal Palace
2. 🌤️ Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
3. 🌙 Eclipse Sky Bar
4. 🛍️ Central Market
5. 🏨 Mad Monkey Hostel Phnom Penh
6. 🍽️ Romdeng

🇰🇭 Kampot

1. 🌤️ Bokor National Park
2. 🌤️ Kampot Pepper Plantations
3. 🌙 Rikitikitavi Riverside Bar
4. 🛍️ Kampot Old Market
5. 🏨 The Magic Sponge Hostel
6. 🍽️ Aroma House

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Siem Reap (usually connecting via Bangkok or Singapore)
• [ ] 🚌/🚅 Siem Reap → Phnom Penh (5.5h by comfortable bus, train possible)
• [ ] 🚌 Phnom Penh → Kampot (3-4h; direct minivan or train)
• [ ] ✈️ Phnom Penh → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Siem Reap	3	Onederz Hostel (dorm/priv.)	$120
Phnom Penh	2	Mad Monkey Hostel	$80
Kampot	2	The Magic Sponge Hostel	$80
Total	7		$280