Top Siem Reap Culture

A do-it-yourself tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor can be a false economy, particularly after hailing a taxi or tuk-tuk to get out to the temples. Instead of covering a bunch of temples in a single day, self-guided travelers regularly get stuck in crowds and manage just two or three sites in the complex. Get the most out of your time at Angkor with a private tour that combines the best-known sites, like the Angkor Wat, with several other highlights that many visitors don’t get to see.

The Tonle Sap is home to the floating village Kampong Phluk and is one of the most famous Siem Reap day trips. This small-group tour provides an intimate view into the locals’ lives, where you’ll get opportunities to meet and converse with villagers and learn about the sustainable village. Learn how the village changes during dry and wet seasons, with locals traveling to work and school by boat when water levels rise.

The best time to see Angkor Wat for the first time is undoubtedly at sunrise. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site at its most magical during a private sunrise tour that ensures you make it to the temple in time. Your guide provides insider knowledge about the culture and history of the area, and transports you between attractions in air-conditioned comfort.

Visit the unmissable temples of the greater Angkor area on this fun-filled 2-day tour, meaning you won’t have to worry about missing out on anything important or cramming too much into a day. See the iconic Angkor Wat as well as other fine temples during the atmospheric sunrise and sunset hours. As this is a private tour, go at your own pace and enjoy personalized service.

After seeing the mighty Angkor Wat, take a day trip from Siem Reap to explore some of the region’s other magnificent temples. Visit the Hindu temple Pre Rup temple; admire the grand Banteay Srei temple, the ‘Citadel of Women’; and learn more about the ancient Khmer empire as you tour the Ta Som and East Mebon temples.

Cruise Tonle Sap Lake to Kompong Phluk on a half-day tour from Siem Reap, and explore the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. See communities that thrive at the edge of the water, pass floating schools and markets, and visit a local home to get a glimpse of daily life and culture. This half-day Kompong Phluk tour includes all activities, as well as pickup and drop-off at Siem Reap hotels, and both morning and afternoon departures are available.

Visit the sacred peak of Kulen Mountain and explore the natural landscapes of the surrounding Phnom Kulen National Park on this full-day tour from Siem Reap. Take in the views from the mountaintop, admire the 16th-century reclining Buddha statue, and hike to Kulen Waterfall.

Be mesmerized by the captivating choreography and hypnotic color of a Phare performance in Siem Reap. Feast your senses on a spectacle that blends riveting theater with folk music and distinctly Cambodian stories. Commend the determination of the young circus artists, many of who are from challenging social and economic backgrounds, as they hypnotize the audience with their energy and emotion. Gain insight into the charity Phare Ponleu Selpak and discover the work the organization does to help vulnerable children and adults in Cambodian society.

Gain hands on experience in the art of Cambodian cuisine during a 3-hour cooking lesson with a local chef. In the morning or afternoon, travel round-trip by tuk-tuk from your hotel to a rural village outside Siem Reap. You’ll take part in an interactive workshop with a small group of food lovers and enjoy your 3-course meal afterward.

Whole communities thrive at the edges of Tonlé Sap, South-East Asia's largest freshwater lake. Expect to learn how Khmer people have begun to live in houses built on stilts and hear how the locals live and interact within this unique ecosystem during this half-day tour. Your professional guide is the key to understanding Kompong Phluk and reveals highlights of the floating villages that are difficult to access on your own.

Set sail for a scenic 4-hour cruise around Tonle Sap Lake from Siem Reap, including hotel transfers and lunch. Hop aboard a traditional longtail boat and drift through the floating village of Chong Khneas, stopping to admire the lotus fields and peek into a crocodile and fish farm along the way. Finally, arrive at the Tara floating restaurant, where you can tuck into a delicious meal, sip complimentary cocktails and relax in a hammock as you soak up the views.

Experience the magic of Tonle Sap Lake at twilight on this romantic 4-hour dinner cruise from Siem Reap, including hotel pick-up. First, enjoy a small boat cruise around the floating village, lotus fields and crocodile farms of Chong Khneas. Then, board the Taras floating restaurant for a delicious buffet dinner and enjoy unlimited cocktails as you watch the sunset over the lake.

Explore the natural wonders and ancient treasures of the Phnom Kulen National Park on this full-day tour from Siem Reap. Discover ancient Khmer ruins, receive a blessing at the sacred River of a Thousand Lingas, visit the famous Reclining Buddha, and take a swim beneath the Kulen Waterfall.

Enjoy a hassle-free arrival in or departure from Siem Reap with this private transfer service. Meet your driver at Siem Reap airport or your accommodation, and relax on the journey to your hotel or back to the airport. These private vehicles can accommodate up to 12 passengers and include water and a cold towel.

Delve into city life beyond the temples on this gentle guided walking and sightseeing tour of Siem Reap. Explore the city’s ancient streets and old buildings—including a hidden 10th-century temple and the old royal residence—before visiting a monastery to learn about the monk lifestyle and the importance of religion and ritual in Cambodian culture. Your guide will also take you to a local market to try some delicious snacks and desserts.

The UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat is the star attraction of Cambodia and the magnificent temple complex is even more atmospheric at sunrise. This full-day small-group tour from Siem Reap makes an early start to avoid the crowds and visits highlights including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Bayon temple (entrance fees at your expense). Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Founded in the 11th century, Battambang makes an ideal day trip from Siem Reap—but organizing transportation to explore the sites independently takes up valuable sightseeing time. On this tour, visit Battambang with round-trip transportation from your Siem Reap hotel included, and see the sites with ease by tuk tuk. Along the way, your guide shares insight into must-see sites like the infamous Killing Caves and Wat Banan temple.

There’s no better route into any culture than cuisine. Discover Khmer food with a local in their home on this intimate, small-group cooking class. After pickup by tuk-tuk, shop for ingredients at the local market, then prepare and enjoy a 4-course meal including delights such as hot and sour “tom yam” soup and fish in banana leaf. Choose between three different class times, all capped at just six travelers.

You could spend days exploring the vast temple complex of Angkor, but this private tour lets you take in the highlights in one day. Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, marvel at the grand gates of Angkor Thom, and visit the jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Also included is Bayon temple and Bantey Srei.

The world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia draws crowds from around the world. Opt for a personalized experience of the landmark on a small-group tour from Siem Reap—a hassle-free way to explore the archeological site. In an intimate group limited to 10, you’ll stay cool in an air-conditioned minibus and avoid looking for hard-to-find meeting points with hotel pickup and drop-off.

See the Reclining Buddha statue and waterfalls at Phnom Kulen, and visit the River of a Thousand Lingas on this full-day tour from Siem Reap. Your guide shows you river boulders with intricate carvings made during the Khmer Empire, and natural pools at Phnom Kulen Waterfalls where you can swim. On the way there, view life in rural Cambodia and escape the crowds of Siem Reap.

Visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat before the crowds. With this small-group tour, you’ll be able to enjoy the serenity of the temple complex just as the sun is rising. Appreciate the changing colors and shadows and snap some incredible photographs. Then, your guide will be able to relay some of the fascinating history of the site as you wander amongst the preserved temples.

Get more out of your time in Siem Reap and go beyond Angkor Wat on this full-day tour of other local highlights. Marvel at amazing waterfalls, admire an enormous reclining buddha statue, visit a mysterious jungle temple, take a boat ride to a floating village and much more. Your English-speaking tour guide takes you to the best spots and ensures you can fully appreciate what you are seeing.