Phnom Penh to Angkor via Sambor Prei Kuk

Enter via Phnom Penh and exit via Siem Reap, traveling overland through the ancient Chenla capital to connect modern history with Angkorian civilization.

This route replaces the common Phnom Penh-Siem Reap flight with an overland journey, staying one night in Kampong Thom to visit Sambor Prei Kuk in the early morning before heading to Siem Reap via the ancient Kampong Kdei Bridge. It takes one day longer than flying, but allows you to see the pre-Angkorian brick temple ruins. It is ideal for travelers interested in Khmer history who are comfortable with long-distance chartered drives.

Forest paths at the ruins can be muddy during the wet season; the dry season offers a more comfortable visit.

Day by day

Day 1 · Royal Palace & Riverside Sunset

Phnom Penh（Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda、National Museum of Cambodia、Mekong & Tonle Sap Sunset Cruise）

After arriving in the morning, take a car into the city. Walk or take a tuk-tuk around the city; most attractions are concentrated in the riverside area.

The Royal Palace requires shoulders and knees to be covered and is often closed at noon.

Stay: Riverside

Day 2 · Khmer Rouge History Day Trip

Phnom Penh（Choeung Ek Genocidal Center、Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum、Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)、Wat Phnom）

Charter a tuk-tuk. The round trip to Choeung Ek takes about 1 hour in the morning, followed by city sightseeing in the afternoon.

Stay: Riverside

Day 3 · National Highway 6 to Kampong Thom

Kampong Thom & Sambor Prei Kuk（Santuk Silk Farm、Phnom Santuk、Stung Sen Riverside）

Take a chartered car north along National Highway 6 to Kampong Thom (about 3.5 hours), stopping at a silk farm and Phnom Santuk along the way.

Stay: Kampong Thom Town

Day 4 · Ancient Brick Capital to Siem Reap

Kampong Thom & Sambor Prei Kuk（Sambor Prei Kuk (North Group / Prasat Sambor)、Prasat Tao (Lion Temple, Central Group)、Prasat Yeay Poeun (South Group)、Spean Praptos (Kampong Kdei Bridge)）

Drive to the ruins in the early morning (about 40 minutes), then continue along National Highway 6 to Siem Reap in the afternoon (about 3 hours).

The ruins require a fair amount of walking in the forest; allow 2 to 3 hours for the visit.

Stay: Kandal Village

Day 5 · Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom

Siem Reap（Angkor Wat、Bayon Temple / Angkor Thom、Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Leper King、Ta Prohm）

Charter a tuk-tuk for a full-day tour. Depart early for the sunrise, and return to the city in the afternoon to escape the heat.

Stay: Kandal Village

Day 6 · Banteay Srei & Grand Circuit East

Siem Reap（Banteay Srei、Preah Khan、Pre Rup）

Charter a car to Banteay Srei in the morning (about 1 hour), and visit the eastern temples of the Grand Circuit on the way back.

Stay: Kandal Village

Day 7 · Tonle Sap Lake & Departure

Siem Reap（Tonle Sap Lake、Artisans Angkor）

Charter a car to the lakeside (about 1 hour) to take a boat tour of the floating villages, then return to head to the airport in the afternoon.

Water levels in the floating villages are low during the dry season; confirm boat schedules before departing.

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