Romantic Getaways in Cambodia

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met in the arrivals area by your local guide holding a name-board. After a warm welcome and brief introduction, take a private airport transfer to your hotel for assistance with check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Take to the skies above Angkor Wat for a 14-minute helicopter ride above this 12th century religious monument. From the air you will get an appreciation for just how large Angkor Wat actually is. You will also fly over the Western Baray, the largest manmade reservoir in the country.Back on land, start with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. The bas reliefs are quite impressive and tell stories of daily life and the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Move on to Phimeanakas, shaped a bit like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear. The ponds were once used for religious rituals but today serve as swimming pools for Khmer kids. Walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex.Next, enjoy a romantic lunch for two in front of Prasat Bei Temple with some time to relax. Then explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This visually spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising 65 metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. It’s the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country’s flag. End your afternoon from a top a temple watching the sun set over the jungle.

Travel by tuk-tuk to a jetty on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia. From there, travel by longtail boat to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on stilts. Glide through mangrove trees that survive for months in flooded soil and host a range of tropical bird and mammal species. Who knew such a remote place sat so close to an international destination?After a brief return to the hotel to freshen up, enjoy a signature couple’s massage at a renowned Siem Reap spa. Emerge pampered and relaxed ready for an intimate dinner for two.

Immerse yourself in the traditional practices of rural Khmer farmers. The proceeds from your day trip go to the villagers you’ll visit and to a community fund that improves the general living standards of the village. The tour is a proven model of responsible tourism and a great way to experience authentic Khmer traditions first-hand!Optional activities include walking in a nearby forest and helping to prepare a traditional meal. You may also learn how to produce handicrafts or get involved with fishing, farming or animal husbandry.As things may get muddy, it is probably best to leave your formal wear at your hotel!After soaking up village life, transfer back to Siem Reap and enjoy the rest of the day however you please – you’ve earned it!

Today you’ll receive a monk’s blessing at one of Siem Reap’s best-known pagodas. The 30-minute ceremony includes prayers, flowers, offerings and the gift of a symbolic red thread that is meant to bring good luck and prosperity to your marriage. The experience is a perfect window into Cambodia’s rich Buddhist heritage. Next, hop a short flight to coastal Sihanoukville for three days of utter bliss.

Spend the next few days however you like in one of Asia’s emerging beach destinations. The sand is white, the water is crystal blue and the champagne is chilled. Take a boat out to the small islands off the coast for a spot of snorkelling or a secluded picnic lunch.

Say goodbye to the beach as you travel four hours by road to Phnom Penh, and your onward flight.