7 Days in Cambodia: The Perfect Mix of Temples, Food, and Local Life
Want to make the most of your Cambodia trip? I’ll show you exactly how to spend one week in Cambodia to see everything that matters. Most people only visit Angkor Wat and leave – but there’s so much more! Let me share how to spend one week in Cambodia the right way, mixing famous spots with local secrets.
Key Takeaways:
- See sunrise at Angkor Wat without the crowds
- Meet real Cambodian families
- Try authentic local food (not tourist versions)
- Visit floating villages on Asia’s biggest lake
- Watch thousands of bats fly at sunset
- Learn about Cambodia’s past and present
1. Day One: Welcome to Siem Reap
Your first day sets up everything else. Land at Siem Reap airport where someone holds a sign with your name. They’ll take you to your hotel in an air-conditioned car.
What makes today special:
- Old Market visit (best time: 4-6 PM)
- Traditional shadow puppet show
- Fish amok cooking demo
- Night market shopping
Ancient temple ruins Cambodia tip: Save your energy today. Tomorrow starts your temple adventures!
2. Day Two: The Hidden Temples
The Angkor Wat temple complex is huge, but most tourists see the same three temples. We’re doing it differently.
Today’s temple route:
- Pre Rup (8 AM – best light for photos)
- Banteay Srei (The prettiest temple carvings)
- Neak Pean (A temple on an artificial island!)
- Preah Khan (Where nature meets history)
3. Day Three: The Big One – Angkor Wat
This is why you came to Cambodia! But how to spend one week in Cambodia smart means seeing Angkor Wat the right way.
Sunrise secrets:
- Enter from the quiet east gate
- Watch the sun rise behind the towers
- Walk the world’s longest wall carvings
- Visit the Tomb Raider temple location (Ta Prohm)
4. Day Four: Life on the Water
Time for something totally different! Visit Tonle Sap Lake, where whole villages float on water.
Lake life highlights:
- Houses on 20-foot stilts
- Floating schools
- Fish farms under houses
- Crocodile farms (yes, really!)
5. Day Five: Real Battambang Life
Want to know how to spend one week in Cambodia like a local? Battambang shows you real Cambodian life. The architectural styles of Khmer temples mix with everyday scenes here.
Morning activities:
- Watch families make rice paper
- See kids ride to school
- Try fresh coconuts
- Visit local markets
Afternoon adventures:
- Ek Phnom temple tour
- Meet local artists
- Climb Sampow Mountain
- Watch the bat cave sunset
Fun fact: The bats fly out for 30 minutes straight. They look like a black river in the sky!
6. Day Six: Pottery and City Life
The road to Phnom Penh shows you more of Cambodia. The intricate stone carvings Khmer artists made years ago inspire today’s craftspeople.
Kampong Chhnang stops:
- Clay pot making demos
- Local food markets
- Rice field views
- Traditional craft shops
7. Day Seven: Cambodia’s Capital
Your last day mixes old and new Cambodia. The Hindu and Buddhist temple influences show up everywhere in Phnom Penh.
Morning sites:
- S21 Museum (8-11 AM)
- Killing Fields
- Royal Palace
- Silver Pagoda
Afternoon fun:
- Central Market shopping
- Cyclo city tour
- Street food tasting
- Mekong sunset views
What’s Coming in 2025
- New night market opening in Siem Reap (March 2025)
- Direct flights from Dubai starting May 2025
- Angkor Wat’s new sunrise viewing platform opens July 2025
- Conservation efforts Angkor temples bringing new temple areas to visit
Money Tips for 2025
- Bring US dollars – they work everywhere
- Budget $50-100 per day
- ATMs give both dollars and Cambodian riel
- Credit cards work in big cities
The Best Time to Visit
The jungle temple Siem Reap looks different in each season:
- November-February: Cool and dry (best time!)
- March-May: Hot but clear skies
- June-October: Green and quiet (fewer tourists)
Ready to plan your perfect week in Cambodia? Talk to our local experts who know all the best spots. We’ll help you see the real Cambodia, not just tourist spots. How to spend one week in Cambodia becomes easy when you have friends here to help!
Remember: Every temple, every meal, and every person you meet adds to your Cambodia story. Come see why this country makes people smile long after they leave.
Plan your perfect Cambodia week now
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