Cambodia Real Food Adventure - 8 Days
Who is this trip for
Age range
15 - 99Start / End
- Phnom Penh
- Siem Reap
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 12Meals included
12Highlights
- Tuck into a homemade traditional breakfast of Khmer noodles in a small village in Siem Reap. Once fuelled, you’ll spend the day roaming the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor complex.
- Hop on a tuk-tuk and tour around Phnom Penh's favourite local restaurants and sample some of the tastiest local specialty on a evening food tour.
- Cycle through Battambang meeting locals as you stop to see the production of fish paste, rice paper and rice wine, finishing with a delicious sticky rice tasting.
- Learn about the sombre but important history of the Cambodian people at the S21 Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.
- Learn from the best about the use of pepper in a cooking class on a pepper farm in Kampot and enjoy a black pepper ice cream as your desert.
Talk to a travel expert
Our experts are ready to perfect your trip with personalised advice on itineraries, transfers, and local tips.
Email UsCall Us: 0208 004 8886
Free Brochure
Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.
Summary
Cambodia has a unique and ancient food culture all of its own, and unlike Thai and Vietnamese food, it's probably difficult to find a bowl of it in your local neighbourhood. Using pepper rather than chilli to add spice, Cambodian cuisine is laden with fresh herbs, spices, rice, freshwater fish and condiments. While there are influences from French and Thai styles, Cambodian food has a distinct style and flavour that's best experienced while seated at a local beer hall or family home. While travelling from Phnom Penh through to Siem Reap, discover the sights, sounds and flavours of Kampot, Battambang and Angkor Wat.
Itinerary
Day 1
Phnom Penh
Sua s'dei! Welcome to Cambodia. Your adventure begins in Phnom Penh – the meeting point of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, where the locals come to snack on the street hawkers’ food and enjoy impromptu waterside entertainment. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, then you’ll kick off your food adventure with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. The Cambodian cooking pot combines an eclectic mix of local and international influences and has a flavour all of its own. Later, maybe go for a drink or stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay.
Day 2
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country’s past struggles and successes. Today you’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, maybe visit the Royal Palace. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public, but you can visit the Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex – the most sacred temple in the country. In the evening, hop on a tuk-tuk and enjoy a foodie tour of some of the tastiest local food for dinner in Phnom Penh - the beef skewer and the fried pork ribs are our favourite!
Day 3
Kampot
Today, take a private transfer to Kampot – one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns. Famous for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants with this vital spice for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is more renowned for its plantations of durian – a spiky, pungent fruit that you’ll either love or hate (try it and see for yourself). When you arrive, head to Kep Beach for lunch – the nearby Kep markets serve fresh crab cooked to perfection – and eat on the pier overlooking the ocean. After lunch, check into your hotel and in the afternoon, follow your leader on an orientation walk in the city. Stroll along the riverside and admire the French architecture, learning about its history from your leader. Then, maybe have a cup of coffee in the riverside restaurants and admire the view of Bokor Mountain Range. A traditional massage is also highly recommended here, from social enterprise Seeing Hands – the best way to support a local charity, is in loose cotton pyjamas, put in the capable hands of one of the blind masseurs or masseuses. In a country with no social security, the training and support provided by the centres allow blind Cambodians to support themselves.
Day 4
Kampot
This morning you’ll have breakfast at Epic Café – a social enterprise that provides employment for local people living with disabilities. After, visit the salt fields that stretch across much of Kampot’s coastline. After learning a bit about the salt production here, onto the Kampot Pepper Project. Grown in Cambodia for centuries, Kampot pepper is considered the world’s finest. Today, pepper is also seen as an important symbol of Cambodian regeneration. Learn from the best here about the use of pepper in a cooking class at the plantation and try some some pepper ice cream as your desert. The afternoon is all yours in this idyllic town.
Day 5
Battambang
Travel by private bus to Battambang (pronounced battambong)– Cambodia's second-largest city. On the way, stop at Kampong Chhnang and visit local pottery workshops to see how the masters are working at their craft, and enjoy a lunch in the village. Then continue onto Battambang. Battambang is a riverside town of French influence, famous for its many statues of animals and divinities that decorate the streets and buildings. It also lacks the traffic of Phnom Penh and the visitor numbers of Siem Reap, so it’s a great place to get a real slice of Cambodia. Your leader can recommend activities for the rest of afternoon. Perhaps join a local Battambang foodie for a home-cooked meal, tasting local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken with homemade rice noodles.
Day 6
Siem Reap
Take a bicycle ride into the countryside. The ride is easy and takes mostly shady roads through local villages. Along the way, stop to experience rice paper making, fruit drying and preparation, production of the famous prahok (fish paste) and rice wine making at local homes. Finish up at the best Kralan (sticky rice in bamboo) stall in the district. After, you’ll head to Siem Reap via private vehicle. this small but expanding town is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Angkor complex. This is the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia (maybe even in Southeast Asia!). You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so maybe take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere when you arrive. A visit to the old market is a must, even if you're not looking for souvenirs – wandering through the stalls and surrounding shops, you’ll find silks, cotton, sarongs, silver and statues among a flurry of colour. There's also a long tradition of shadow puppetry in the region, so if you're lucky, you might even catch a show at one of the local restaurants tonight.
Day 7
Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Head to the village of Preah Dak for a traditional breakfast of homemade num banh chok (a popular Khmer noodle dish). This village is famous for its lifestyle, language, spirituality, culture and of course, its food! You’ll see how the local families make the noodles just as their ancestors made them, then you’ll try some seasonal fruits. After, it's time to explore more of the Angkor complex, built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in South East Asia. See the Bayon temple and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Tonight, head out for a final dinner at a plant-based restaurant celebrating contemporary flavours. Using fresh produce from their own gardens, you’ll tuck into dishes like grilled eggplant, creamy pumpkin soup, vegetable curry and homemade lime pie.
Day 8
Siem Reap
Your adventure comes to an end this morning. There are no activities planned for today and you’re free to leave at any time. If you’re keen to continue your exploration of the Angkor complex, please speak with your leader about extending the length of your access pass.
What's Included
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
Meals
Breakfasts: 6, Lunches: 3, Dinners: 3
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Nov 25
from £1,040Dec 25
from £1,040Jan 26
from £890Feb 26
from £935Mar 26
from £965Apr 26
from £935May 26
from £935Jun 26
from £935Jul 26
from £935Sep 26
from £935Oct 26
from £935Nov 26
from £965Dec 26
from £935Jan 27
from £980Feb 27
from £980Mar 27
from £1,040Apr 27
from £980May 27
from £980Jun 27
from £980Jul 27
from £980Sep 27
from £980Oct 27
from £980Nov 27
from £1,015Dec 27
from £980
- Thu 8 Jan 2026 > Thu 15 Jan 20266+ spaces of 12 leftBest offer£890Book for£250 today, pay the rest later
Customer reviews & ratings
It’s a great tour if you have short time and if you are interested in cooking and food. All must sees are included.
Cornelia Dec, 2018 VerifiedFor people wanting to know about Cambodian food and travel Cambodia this is the way to go
Bea Nov, 2018 Verified
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
Still have questions?
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
Why book with us
Help Change The World
We collaborate with local businesses and communities.
Best Price Guaranteed
We won't be beaten on price. If you find this adventure at a lower price please get in touch!
You're In Good Hands
We work with trusted tour operators around the world.
You're spoilt for choice
We have the best choice of adventures on the market.