14-Days In Cambodia: A Travel Itinerary For First-Time Visitors
My recent two-week travel itinerary in Cambodia, and what I did in each location.
Cambodia is one of those places that just sticks with you. It’s got some of the most incredible ancient temples, untouched islands, and wild jungle adventures—all without the crowds you’ll find in other parts of Southeast Asia.
I planned this two-week (14-day) trip based on a mix of recommendations, places I’d seen online, and, honestly, a couple of spots I threw in just to fill out the itinerary. Hopefully, my recent Cambodia travel itinerary will help you plan your own adventure to this incredible country.
Days 1-3: Phnom Penh
Why I Chose Phnom Penh?
I figured starting in the capital made the most sense, especially since most international flights land here. Phnom Penh is chaotic in the best way possible—fast-moving motorbikes, street food everywhere, and an energy that pulls you in. It also has some of the most important historical sites in the country, which I wanted to see before diving into the more nature-heavy parts of the trip.
What I Did
- Visited the Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – It’s heavy, but if you come to Cambodia, you have to see this. It puts so much into perspective about the country’s history.
- Rode a boat along the Mekong River at sunset – The city looks completely different from the water, and it was a good way to slow down after a busy day.
- Tried all the street food – Phnom Penh has every type of food, from grilled meats to fried tarantulas (which, yes, I tried, and no, I wouldn’t eat again).
- Explored the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda – The architecture here is insane, and it’s cool to see how different it is from the temples I’d be visiting later.
Days 4-6: Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
Why I Chose Siem Reap & Angkor Wat?
You can’t go to Cambodia and not see Angkor Wat. As as first-time visitor to Cambodia, I had to find out if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler: it did. But, Siem Reap itself is also a fun place to hang out, and I wanted to balance temple-hopping with some relaxed exploring.
What I Did
- Watched the sunrise at Angkor Wat – Waking up at 4 AM was painful, but seeing the sun come up behind the temple made it worth it.
- Explored Ta Prohm (the Tomb Raider temple) – Giant tree roots growing over ancient stone walls? Yeah, it’s as cool in real life as it looks in photos.
- Biked through the Angkor complex – Instead of taking a tuk-tuk, I rented a bike, which made everything feel more adventurous.
- Hung out on Pub Street – Siem Reap’s nightlife is wild. One night here, and you’ll understand why backpackers never leave.
Days 7-9: Battambang
Why I Chose Battambang?
I wanted to break up the trip with something less touristy, and Battambang kept popping up as a hidden gem. It’s got a mix of history, countryside scenery, and unique things you won’t find anywhere else.
What I Did
- Rode the Bamboo Train – This was one of the weirdest and most fun experiences of the trip. It’s literally a wooden platform on wheels that zooms through the countryside.
- Explored The Killing and Bat Caves of Phnom Sampeau – At sunset, the millions of bats that call these caves home come pouring out in one of the most insane natural sights I’ve ever seen. One of the caves was also the site of a massacre committed by the Khmer Rouge.
- Wandered through colonial streets – The city itself has this old-school French vibe, with colorful buildings and small cafés everywhere.
- Visited local rice fields – I got to see how rice is grown and even tried my hand at planting some (which is way harder than it looks).
Days 10-12: Koh Rong Samloem
Why I Chose Koh Rong Samloem?
I wanted to throw in some island time, and instead of going to the more developed Koh Rong, I picked Koh Rong Samloem, the quieter, more untouched option. I wasn’t looking for beach parties—I just wanted to be somewhere where I could completely disconnect. Koh Rong offers a peaceful retreat with quite a lot to explore.
What I Did
- Did absolutely nothing for a day – Just lying in a hammock by the water felt like a luxury after nonstop travel.
- Went snorkeling – The water here is insanely clear, and I saw so many colorful fish.
- Hiked to the lighthouse – It was a sweaty climb, but the view at the top over the island was unreal.
- Swam with glowing plankton – This might have been the most magical moment of the whole trip. Jumping into the water at night and seeing everything light up was straight out of a dream.
Days 13-14: Kampot & Kep
Why I Chose Kampot & Kep?
I needed to end the trip somewhere chill but still full of cool stuff to do. Kampot and Kep—only 15.5 miles apart—are two small towns near each other, seemed like the perfect final stop. Kampot is known for its pepper farms, and Kep is famous for its crab, so it was a solid mix of food, and always incredible nature with beautiful views.
What I Did
- Took a boat ride on the river – The way the sunset reflected off the water was next-level beautiful.
- Explored Bokor National Park – The abandoned French colonial buildings hidden in the jungle made this feel like an adventure movie.
- Ate fresh crab in Kep – They pull the crabs straight from the ocean and cook them with Kampot pepper. Best meal of the trip.
- Scootered around the countryside – The best way to see the area was just renting a motorbike and riding through small villages and open fields.
Will I Visit Again?
Cambodia completely surprised me in the best ways. The temples were beyond impressive, the landscapes offered so many different views, and everything felt more raw and untouched compared to other spots in Southeast Asia.
So, will I go back to Cambodia? The answer is obviously Yes! Next time, I’ll share travel tips for those who are returning after conquering the usual first-time itinerary—because Cambodia has a whole lot more to offer once you’ve seen the classic must-sees.
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