Phnom Penh Suggested Activities
Casual Sunset Cruise (Evening)
Enjoy a sunset evening cruising along the Mekong River in a small
rice barge. Enroute pass the Royal Palace and a Vietnamese village.
Highlights: A gentle cruise during sunset to enjoy the calm
atmosphere on the Mekong River
Tour Overview: Transfer from your hotel to the pier by Tuk Tuk.
Board a small rice barge and cruise along the Mekong River while
enjoying views of Phnom Penh during sunset. On the South of the
Tonle Sap River, we cruise past the Royal Palace to a Vietnamese
floating village before returning to the pier.
Arts & Culture of Phnom Penh (Half Day)
Discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Cambodia, exploring the treasures of the Royal Palace Complex, and the exquisite Khmer relics housed in the National Museum.
Highlights:
- Explore the highlights and must-see landmarks of the capital by walking
- Visit a non-profit school and observe the art performances by the local talent
Tour Overview: Begin your tour of this charming capital with a visit to the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden.
Visit the Silver Pagoda, so named because of the 5,000 silver tiles
lining its floor. Other treasures include a gold Buddha encrusted
with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th century emerald and
baccarat crystal Buddha.
Afterwards, visit the Champey Academy of Arts (CAA), a local
non-profit school focused on training in the traditional Cambodian
arts. The school supports students from impoverished and vulnerable
conditions and is totally free. Its mission is to promote self-
empowerment and preserve traditional Cambodian arts and culture.
Continue to the nearby National Museum. Built in 1917, it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and exhibiting Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces.
Evening Foodie Safari
Hop on a remork and head off the tourist trail on a foodie safari with a local food expert to uncover delectable local favourites and savory Khmer delicacies.
Begin the evening with a ride on a remork, the Cambodian version of a “tuk tuk.” Head off the usual tourist trail, and ride to Phnom Penh’s Old Market (Phsar Chas) along Street No. 13. A local food-loving guide will help you uncover delectable local favourites such as a yellow bean cake or the Khmer rice cake. Taste seasonal fruits grown in and around Phnom Penh, such as dragon fruit, mango, and tiny (but sweet) pineapples. The brave can try the famously smelly durian fruit, widely loved across Asia. Learn about the spices used in local recipes and hear about traditional remedies.
Next, go to a local picnic spot and wander around the food stalls, where you can often find fried tarantulas, fried crickets, green mango with chili and salt, ducks eggs and much more.
From there, head to a rooftop bar for cocktails, stopping along the way to take photos at the Independence Monument, brightly illuminated by red, blue and white floodlights at night. Continue on to a local restaurant for dinner and sample Khmer delicacies. Cap the evening off with a visit to a dessert stall where fruit shakes, fruits with sweet condensed milk, and baked puddings are on offer. Return by remork to your hotel.
Cycle to Silk Island (Full Day)
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the outskirts of Phnom Penh to Silk Island, visiting Khmer villages nestled along the banks of the Mekong and see artisans practicing traditional silk weaving.
Highlights:
- Cycling approximately 40 kilometers around the outskirts of Phnom Penh, seeing authentic Cambodian life.
- Exploring Koh Dach, known as “Silk Island” where locals weave silk handicrafts.
- Visiting people on the island who generate their income from farming, and have lunch in the shade of the huts along the river.
Tour Overview:
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the outskirts of Phnom Penh by
crossing the Cambodia-Japanese Bridge and then continuing
northwards to a small island which presents authentic Cambodian
life in its simplest and most beautiful forms.
Koh Dach or “Silk Island” is located on the banks of Mekong River
where you can explore the local lifestyle of Khmer villages including
a pagoda, a school, and traditional silk weaving handicrafts.
Besides silk weaving, people on the island also generate their income from fruit and vegetable plantations such as beans, corn, bananas, mangos and sesame. Enjoy a local lunch shaded by huts along the river.
On the way back into town, visit another neighbor island called Koh Ouknhatey where you can observe the silk making process.