Cambodia Holidays for UK Travellers: Angkor Wat, Siem Reap and the Mekong

1. Siem Reap: The Gateway to Angkor

Siem Reap is the base for exploring the Angkor temples. It has a wide range of hotels, restaurants and markets, and it works well as a place to rest between early-morning temple visits.

TTH's Vietnam and Cambodia itineraries include three nights in Siem Reap, which allows time for a full day at Angkor and a further excursion to Tonle Sap.

Arriving the day before the temple tour also helps. You can settle in, rest after your flight from Ho Chi Minh City and start the next morning ready for a long day of sightseeing.

2. Angkor: A Day Among the Temples

The Angkor tour in TTH's Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday follows a classic route, including:

• Angkor Thom, entered through the South Gate, where statues of gods and demons line the approach
• Bayon, famous for the hundreds of smiling faces carved into its towers
• Phimeanakas, a pyramid-shaped temple with views over the complex
• Ta Prohm, where large trees grow out of the ruins and the jungle gives the site a magical feel
• Angkor Wat, described as the world's largest religious monument
• Pre Rup, a temple known for its sunset views

Angkor Wat appears on Cambodia's flag, which says a great deal about its importance. The day is long, so the pace of the itinerary matters, and lunch back in Siem Reap gives you a break from the midday heat.

Some of these temples remain places of worship for local people, so it helps to follow your guide's advice, dress modestly and keep noise to a minimum. The entrance fees for the visits listed in the itinerary are included in the holiday price.

3. Tonle Sap and Kompong Khleang

On day 14 of the same itinerary, you travel about 45 kilometres from Siem Reap to Tonle Sap Lake and take a boat to Kompong Khleang, a village built on high stilts.

The experience changes with the seasons. During the monsoon from May, the streets fill with water and are navigated by boat. In the dry season from March to April, the water recedes and the stilted houses stand high above the ground. The itinerary suggests October to January as the best time to visit.

It is a good example of how a Cambodia holiday goes beyond temples and shows daily life around the lake. Visiting with a guide also helps you understand how the community lives and works, and a respectful approach to photography is always appreciated.

4. Phnom Penh and the Mekong

For travellers who prefer a river journey, TTH offers a 10-day Mekong Cruise that starts in Siem Reap, cruises the Mekong on the Victoria Mekong Cruise and ends in Ho Chi Minh City.

The itinerary includes riverside villages such as Angkor Ban and Koh Chen, cultural visits including the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, tuk-tuk rides, silk weaving and floating markets. It is a good choice if you want to see the Mekong from the water rather than the road.

5. Combining Cambodia with Vietnam

Cambodia combines naturally with Vietnam, and TTH's longer itineraries follow the same pattern: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, then a flight to Siem Reap to finish at Angkor.

Two holidays follow this route:

• The Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday, a 14-night itinerary with mostly four-star hotels
• The Luxurious Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday, a 14-night itinerary featuring mostly five-star hotels

Each holiday includes the Angkor temple tour and the Tonle Sap excursion. For more on the Vietnam half of the journey, read our Vietnam holidays guide and our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam. If you would prefer to pair Vietnam with a beach, see our Vietnam and Phuket holiday guide.

6. What Is Included

According to the Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia page, the package includes:

• Return flights from London (other airports may attract supplements)
• Accommodation based on a shared double room with breakfast unless stated
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• A local English-speaking guide
• Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated
• Entrance fees for the visits listed

Drinks, tips, travel insurance and optional excursions are not included. A low deposit starts from £199 per person, and bookings are open for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

7. When to Go and What It Costs

Prices vary by month. At the time of writing, economy prices for 2027 on the Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday start from £2,230 per person for a January departure. The luxury version starts from £2,549 for May or June, and the Mekong Cruise from £2,499 for May. All are based on two people sharing.

Cambodia's weather follows a clear pattern, with a dry and cooler period generally running from roughly November to March, a hotter period before the rains and a green, wetter season in the middle of the year. The right month depends on whether you prefer comfortable temperatures or greener landscapes and fewer visitors.

8. Practical Tips for UK Travellers

• Check entry rules. Requirements can change, so read the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Cambodia before you travel.
• Check health advice. The TravelHealthPro website lists vaccinations and precautions.
• Dress for the temples. Temples usually expect shoulders and knees to be covered.
• Carry small notes. US dollars are often used alongside the Cambodian riel.
• Start early. Early starts at Angkor help you avoid the midday heat.

9. Which Cambodia Holiday Is Right for You?

For first-time visitors to Southeast Asia

The Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday covers both countries in a single journey.

For comfort-focused travellers

The Luxurious Highlights holiday upgrades most of the hotels.

For a river journey

The Mekong Cruise follows the river from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City.

For a shorter Vietnam trip first

The Vietnam Small Trip offers a shorter introduction, and you can browse more Asia holidays.

Plan Your Cambodia Holiday with TTH Holidays

From the smiling faces of Bayon to sunset at Pre Rup and a boat ride through Kompong Khleang, Cambodia offers experiences that stay with you long after you return home.

The best holiday depends on whether you want temples, river travel, Vietnam as well or a more tailor-made trip. TTH Holidays holds ATOL and IATA certifications, and you can read more about why travellers choose TTH Holidays.