10-Day Cambodia Itinerary: Siem Reap, Battambang & Phnom Penh

This 10-day Cambodia itinerary combines five days in Siem Reap and Angkor, two days in Battambang, and two days in Phnom Penh, with the final day reserved for departure.

I built this route from my own experience guiding clients through Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. I use this combination when travelers want more than Angkor Wat but don’t want to spend their 10 days moving between too many destinations.

The route starts with Cambodia’s ancient temples, slows down in Battambang for countryside and local experiences, then finishes in Phnom Penh with the capital’s history, architecture and modern city life.

Want beaches instead of Battambang? See 10-Day Siem Reap, Phnom Penh & Koh Rong Itinerary, or compare all four routes in the full 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary Guide.

• Best for: Travelers who want deep Angkor temple experiences plus rural Battambang and Phnom Penh’s history and local life.
• Route: Siem Reap → Battambang → Phnom Penh
• Time split: 5 days Siem Reap · 2 days Battambang · 2 days Phnom Penh · 1 departure day

Main highlights

Angkor Wat sunrise, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Phnom Kulen, Banteay Srei, Roluos Group, Tonlé Sap, Beng Mealea, Battambang’s countryside, Bamboo Train, Bat Cave, Royal Palace, National Museum and Phnom Penh’s local markets.

Why I recommend this route

I find this works well from my client experience as each destination has a different purpose: · Siem Reap: the ancient Khmer civilisation and the Angkor temples · Battambang: the countryside, local life and colonial history · Phnom Penh: Cambodian history, architecture and modern city life

Briefly: Days 1–5 in Siem Reap and Angkor, Days 6–7 in Battambang’s countryside and local life, Days 8–9 in Phnom Penh and leave on Day 10. Days 1–5: Siem Reap & Angkor

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap

Your trip begins with airport pickup and transfer to your hotel.

I normally meet my clients at arrivals with a signboard and use the drive into Siem Reap to explain the itinerary, temple schedule and what to expect over the next few days.

The first day is intentionally light. After a flight, there is no need to immediately start a full temple tour. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise, Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm

This is the main Angkor day.I usually start early for Angkor Wat sunrise, followed by time inside the temple to explore its galleries, bas-reliefs and upper levels.

The route then continues into Angkor Thom, including the Bayon, Baphuon and Terrace of the Elephants. The afternoon is dedicated to Ta Prohm, famous for the trees growing through its ruins.

This order is deliberate. In my experience guiding clients, seeing Angkor Wat first gives travelers the visual introduction they expect, while Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm show how different the Angkor complex can feel from one temple to another. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Phnom Kulen & Banteay Srei

Day 3 moves away from the main Angkor circuit.The morning heads to Phnom Kulen National Park, including the River of a Thousand Lingas, the reclining Buddha and Kulen Waterfall.

After lunch, the route continues to Banteay Srei, one of the most detailed temples in the Angkor region, particularly known for its pink sandstone carvings. This combination works well because Phnom Kulen gives travelers a different landscape and historical context, while Banteay Srei brings them back to the temple architecture of the Angkor period. An Apsara dance performance with dinner can be included in the evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Roluos Group & Tonlé Sap Floating Village

In the morning, explore a floating village on Tonlé Sap, where you will have the opportunity to observe the daily lives of communities who depend on the lake for their livelihood. The afternoon continues to the Roluos Group including Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei.

These temples are some of the oldest surviving monuments of the Angkor period. One that I often recommend for evening time is the Phare Cambodian Circus, especially for clients who want to experience Cambodian storytelling through live performance. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Beng Mealea & the Grand Circuit

This is one of the more varied temple days. The morning starts with Beng Mealea, a large jungle temple outside the main Angkor archaeological area. The route then returns toward the Angkor region for Preah Khan, Neak Pean, East Mebon and Pre Rup. The day can finish around Phnom Bakheng, depending on timing and conditions.

I use this combination with clients because it avoids making all five Siem Reap days feel like the same type of temple tour. Beng Mealea gives the day a more remote feeling, while the Grand Circuit introduces another side of the Angkor complex. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Days 6–7: Battambang

Day 6: Siem Reap to Battambang

The private drive from Siem Reap to Battambang is around three hours, depending on traffic and stops. I don’t only transfer as transportation, I use the journey to introduce clients to the countryside of Cambodia.

After arriving in Battambang, the route can include Sala Khet, which provides an introduction to the city’s colonial history, followed by a local market and countryside experiences.

A village visit can include demonstrations of spring-roll making and rice-wine production, depending on the interests of the travelers.

The day finishes at Phnom Sampov, where millions of bats leave the caves around sunset.

This is one of the experiences I particularly like adding to the itinerary because it is completely different from the temples of Siem Reap. Overnight in Battambang.

Day 7: Battambang Countryside & Bamboo Train

The morning includes the Bamboo Train, followed by traditional wooden houses and countryside areas around the city. The exact stops can be adjusted depending on my clients’ interests and the season.

Battambang is not about trying to see dozens of attractions. From my experience guiding clients here, the value is in slowing down and seeing how people live outside Cambodia’s major tourist centers. After the sightseeing, the route continues toward Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Days 8–9: Phnom Penh

Day 8: Battambang to Phnom Penh & Local Life

The journey continues from Battambang to Phnom Penh by private vehicle. After arrival, the day focuses on Koh Dach (Silk Island) and local life. Koh Dach offers visitors a look into traditional silk weaving and village life, away from the centre of Phnom Penh.

The route can then continue to the SOSORO Museum, which explains Cambodia’s economic and monetary history, followed by a local market such as the Russian Market.

Day 9: Phnom Penh History & Architecture

The final full sightseeing day focuses on Phnom Penh’s history and architecture. The route includes Central Market, the National Museum of Cambodia, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom. The day can also include the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

Tuol Sleng is a much heavier experience than the other sites, but I consider it important for travelers who want to understand Cambodia’s recent history rather than seeing only the country’s ancient heritage.

The combination of Khmer history, colonial architecture and recent history gives clients a much broader understanding of Cambodia before leaving.

Day 10: Departure from Phnom Penh

The final morning is free for breakfast, rest or a short walk around the city before your transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport.

Why This 10-Day Route Works

I recommend this route to clients who want to experience three different sides of Cambodia without making the trip too complicated. Siem Reap provides the ancient temples and Angkor civilization.

Battambang changes the pace with countryside, local production, colonial architecture and the Bamboo Train. Phnom Penh finishes the trip with Cambodia’s capital, museums, architecture and recent history. The route also moves logically through the country:

Siem Reap → Battambang → Phnom Penh

That means you are not repeatedly backtracking between destinations. Most importantly, the itinerary does not treat every day as a checklist. I can adjust the pace, stops and timing depending on what my clients are interested in.

How Much Does a 10-Day Siem Reap, Battambang & Phnom Penh Trip Cost?

A private 10-day trip on this route can be around $300–$500 per person, depending on the number of travelers, activities and exact itinerary.

• Private tour guide
• Private transportation
• Temple and attraction entrance fees

Because the three regions have different transportation and entrance costs, I recommend confirming the exact price based on your group size and requested itinerary.

Want to know the tour options? See 10-Day Cambodia Tours.

Book This Route with a Private Cambodian Guide

I’m Rain Proun, a government-licensed private guide based in Siem Reap and experienced in guiding clients throughout Cambodia.I have personally guided this type of Siem Reap → Battambang → Phnom Penh itinerary with clients.

My role is not simply to take you from one attraction to another. I manage the route, transportation, timing and sightseeing while explaining the history and local culture along the way.

Because this is a private tour, the itinerary can also be adjusted around your interests, walking pace, arrival time and preferred experiences. Meet Rain, Private Angkor Guide

Final Thoughts

Five days of Angkor and Siem Reap, two days of Battambang countryside, and two days of Phnom Penh history make this one of the most balanced 10-day Cambodia routes I use with my clients. It is especially suitable for travelers who want to go beyond the famous temples and experience Cambodia’s ancient heritage, rural life and modern capital in one trip and because this route is based on my own experience leading clients, I can adjust the pace and details to what works best on the trip instead of following a predetermined itinerary.

FAQ: 10-Day Siem Reap, Battambang & Phnom Penh Itinerary