Should you’re planning a visit to Cambodia with youngsters (or with out), the probabilities are Angkor Wat is excessive on the wishlist on your itinerary – however whereas many travellers follow Siem Reap and Phnom Penh solely, maybe with a little bit of seaside thrown in, there’s lots extra to find in Cambodia.
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For our journey, I labored with Cussed Mule Journey, who specialize in tailored adventurous household holidays – we’ve executed impartial journey in South East Asia earlier than, however with restricted time and plenty to slot in, I wished handy over accountability for native journey and bookings AND get their insider data to plan the right journey.
However whether or not you favor to ebook the whole lot independently or not, right here’s our two-week itinerary in Cambodia for youths to present you an concept of what’s doable and what to see.
Cambodia household itinerary: Days 1-4 – Siem Reap
You could possibly simply spend longer than a few days in Siem Reap, however in case you’ve bought restricted time, this offers a day to recover from the worst of the jetlag, a few days to discover the primary temples and a few spare time to find Siem Reap itself.
With tons of of temples, Angkor Wat is simply probably the most well-known and there are smaller temples, ones hidden in jungle and extra to discover.
Seeing the solar rise over Angkor Wat is on a number of wishlists however in case you’re visiting Cambodia with youngsters, particularly youthful youngsters, getting up earlier than daybreak is unlikely to be a great begin to a day exploring for many households – seeing the solar set is a better choice.
You may get three-day passes (in addition to one-day and seven-day variations), which don’t should be used on consecutive days in case you’re staying longer, so don’t attempt to match the whole lot in without delay.
Siem Reap itself has eating places, markets and many actions, resembling cookery lessons, to think about too.
It’s also possible to use this as your base to find the floating villages of Tonle Sap, together with Kompong Phluk and Mechrey. Organize a small boat to discover the world heritage web site.
Don’t miss
The ‘South Gate’ of Angkor Thom with its big carved stone faces, in addition to Bayon, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and Angkor Wat plus Ta Prohm with its overgrown tree roots.
Beng Mealea Temple is one other monumental complicated that’s nonetheless very overgrown, for wannabe Indiana Joneses (all of us, proper?)
Siem Reap with youngsters: Keep at
There’s a wide range of lodging in Siem Reap, for all budgets and whether or not you’re seeking to be within the coronary heart of all of it or barely exterior the primary centre.
The lodging we stayed in is unfortunately now not out there however had been additionally really useful the SuryaVara Resort and the Frangipani Villa.
For my high causes to go to Cambodia with youngsters, take a look at this submit
Cambodia household itinerary: Day 5-6 – Battambang
Journey from Siem Reap to Battambang, Cambodia’s second largest metropolis – you’ll be able to cease at floating villages alongside the way in which in case you haven’t but visited Tonle Sap.
In addition to the colonial French structure, there are extra temples within the space together with hilltop Phnom Banan plus performances on the Phare Ponleu Selpak Huge Prime college of performing arts and the possibility to see bats streaming out of their hillside cave at nightfall.
Don’t miss
The ‘bamboo prepare’ – a wood platform on wheels powered by a bike engine, which drives its manner round a small railway.
There’s additionally now a purpose-built choice for vacationers, though that’s nonetheless enjoyable for youths on a Cambodia household vacation, however in the intervening time you’ll be able to nonetheless journey on the unique bamboo prepare on the real previous part of observe.
Battambang with youngsters: Keep at
With its small variety of individually adorned rooms, Maisons Wat Kor manages to make family-friendly really feel uniquely Cambodian, though the higher rooms have steep stairs in case you’re travelling with toddlers. Additionally set exterior the town itself, there’s a stunning saltwater pool.
Or for an additional various, take a look at the Battambang Resort.
Cambodia household itinerary: Day 7-9 – Sihanoukhville/Otres Seashore
Hit the seashores of the south coast to sit back out in Cambodia with youngsters – you’ll be able to fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukhville, which takes round an hour, in any other case it’s a full day’s travelling by highway.
There’s a wide range of choices, together with bus and personal switch, lots of which go by way of Phnom Penh and are cheaper than the airplane, though a few of which have distinctly combined security information so it’s price checking.
Sihanoukhville itself additionally has a combined status – take a look at this submit from Our Globetrotters – so look exterior to Otres Seashore for chilled-out seaside resorts to relax and calm down a bit between exploring.
It’s also possible to keep on a few of the islands off the coast, though in case you’re travelling in wet season (as we had been), it’s price taking into account that it may not be probably the most enjoyable journey.
Otres Seashore, Cambodia with youngsters: Keep at
At Otres Seashore 2, exterior Sihanoukhville itself, the Ren Resort is true on the seaside with its personal pool, cool spacious rooms and a restaurant on the sand.
Or in case you’d fairly keep on an island, there’s the Saracen Bay Resort on Koh Rong Samloen – and in case you’re pushing the boat proper out and fancy some critical luxurious, there’s at all times Music Saa Personal Island.
Cambodia household itinerary: Days 10-11 – Cardamom Hills
Head into the countryside to find the Cardamom Mountains and Koh Kong Province, the place you’ll be able to discover jungle trails, spot birds and wildlife, kayak on the river and see mangrove forest.
It’s off the crushed observe, so that you’ll want a driver and probably a ship switch, however excellent for a style of the nation’s unspoiled mountains – and you can also make it as energetic or as chilled-out as you fancy.
Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia with youngsters: Keep at
Select someplace distinctive with one of many 12 floating tents at Canvas & Orchids Retreat (previously 4 Rivers Floating Lodge) – this was one of many highlights of our Cambodia household vacation.
It will get booked up upfront, so we had been fortunate to select up a cancellation for our dates; one more reason reserving with native consultants can repay, as we wouldn’t have recognized with out their present relationship.
Should you’re not as fortunate, or choose to sleep on dry land, attempt the riverfront Rainbow Lodge.
Cambodia household itinerary: Days 12-13 – Kep
Kep Nationwide Park is additional alongside the south coast in the direction of Vietnam, with the previous colonial city of Kep on the seafront itself.
Uncover the crab market and small seaside, or head into the nationwide park to identify butterflies. There are pepper plantations close by and temples.
Should you’re travelling exterior wet season or with older youngsters (or wish to probability your luck), you’ll be able to take a ship journey to Rabbit Island and see the night bioluminescence within the bay round it.
There are additionally actions, together with cookery lessons, to attempt within the space. Or take a while to sit back out as the vacation is sort of at an finish…
Kep, Cambodia with youngsters: Keep at
Vanna Hill Resort sits between the ocean and the nationwide park. It’s less complicated than the others on this itinerary however with a stunning out of doors pool and children’ swimming pools wanting all the way down to the coast.
Cambodia household itinerary: Day 14 – Phnom Penh
Head again to the capital to discover briefly earlier than a flight out the following day – your flight time will dictate how a lot time you’ll have exploring.
See the Royal Palace, dwelling to Cambodia’s royal household, in addition to the market and busy capital, or take a sundown cruise alongside the Mekong.
A day may not appear sufficient for the town – it actually is determined by the age of your loved ones whenever you’re visiting Cambodia with youngsters as as to whether you wish to add on one other day.
In case you are travelling with older youngsters (or have a babysitting choice), it’s possible you’ll wish to enable extra time with a view to go to the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum and Killing Fields, one thing I’d suggest to study extra in regards to the nation’s tragic latest historical past.
Nonetheless, it’s undoubtedly not acceptable with youthful youngsters and never one thing I may organize to do solo, for sensible causes.
Phnom Penh with youngsters: Keep at
As at Siem Reap, you received’t be wanting selection right here relating to good locations to stick with youngsters in Phnom Penh – trendy Anise Villa additionally has a pool which made it a winner for us.
Visiting Cambodia with youngsters: Don’t neglect…
Whenever you’re planning a Cambodia household vacation, enable a full day both facet for flights in case you’re coming from the UK or the USA, together with time to switch.
We flew from London Heathrow to Siem Reap by way of Bangkok with Thai Airways, coming back from Phnom Penh by way of Bangkok however there are a number of different airways which fly by way of the Center East and different stops in South East Asia.
It’s also possible to take a look at extra suggestions in my vlogs on planning a visit to Cambodia with youngsters in addition to my classes realized after a Cambodia household vacation.
*first revealed 2017, final up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: TWO-WEEK ITINERARY FOR CAMBODIA WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit comprises some affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make can be unaffected however I’ll get a small fee. All are locations I’ve stayed at or genuinely suggest. My journey was organized with Cussed Mule Journey as a press journey.
Photographs copyright MummyTravels
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