7-Day Cambodia Itinerary for Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

This 7-day Siem Reap and Phnom Penh itinerary combines Cambodia’s capital and Angkor in one week. The route starts with two days in Phnom Penh, continues north to Siem Reap, and finishes with four days exploring Angkor and the surrounding temples.

It is a good choice for first-time visitors who want to experience Phnom Penh’s history and local life alongside Siem Reap’s Angkor temples, without trying to fit too many destinations into seven days.

This route is based on my experience guiding travelers in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and is designed around a practical balance of city sightseeing, Khmer history and temple exploration.

Want a different 7-day route? Compare this itinerary with the 7-Day Siem Reap & Battambang Itinerary or see all three routes in the 7-Day Cambodia Itinerary Guide.

Best for: First-time visitors who want Phnom Penh’s history and local culture combined with several days around Angkor.

Route: Phnom Penh → Siem Reap

Time split: 2 days Phnom Penh + 4 days Siem Reap

Main highlights: Royal Palace, Silk Island, SOSORO Museum, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Beng Mealea, Roluos Group, Phnom Kulen and Banteay Srei.

Travel style: Private guided itinerary with private transportation.

At a Glance 7 Day Siem Reap Phnom Penh

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh

Pickup is from Techo International Airport, roughly a 30-minute drive into the city. Your guide meets you at arrivals with a signboard, and the drive in is a chance to walk through the plan for the days ahead. If there’s time and energy left after the flight, the first evening is usually spent at a supermarket like AEON or watching the sunset along the Mekong riverfront. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh Local Life

The second day is built around how people actually live in the capital, not just what tourists see. It starts at Koh Dach (Silk Island), where traditional silk weaving is still done by hand in village workshops. From there, the SOSORO Museum covers Cambodia’s economic history  a stop most itineraries skip but one that adds real context to everything else on the trip. The day closes at the Russian Market for handicrafts and local goods, with lunch at a nearby restaurant serving Khmer food. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Transfer to Siem Reap

The drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is done by private vehicle, with a stop along the way at the Spider Market, known for its roadside snacks and local atmosphere. Check into your Siem Reap hotel in the afternoon with time to rest before temple days begin. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Angkor Wat Sunrise, Bayon & Ta Prohm

The core Angkor day. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is followed by a walk through the temple’s first-floor bas-reliefs, which depict Hindu mythology and a royal military procession. The day continues to Angkor Thom including Bayon, known for its carved stone faces, and the Terrace of the Elephants before finishing at Ta Prohm, the temple where tree roots have grown directly into the stonework. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Beng Mealea & the Roluos Group

Starting at 8:00 AM, this day is built for travelers who want temples without the crowds. Beng Mealea is a jungle-swallowed ruin with almost none of Angkor’s foot traffic, followed by the Roluos Group Preah Ko and Bakong among the oldest temples of the Angkor period. After lunch, the Artisans Angkor workshop covers traditional Khmer stone carving, woodwork, and silk painting, and the evening ends with a performance by the Phare Cambodian Circus, which tells Cambodian stories through live acrobatics and music. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Phnom Kulen & Banteay Srei

The morning heads to Phnom Kulen National Park, considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, including the River of a Thousand Lingas and a reclining Buddha carved into the mountain. A traditional monk water blessing is available here for travelers interested in the ritual. After lunch near the waterfall, the afternoon moves to Banteay Srei, known for the finest pink sandstone carving in the Angkor region. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Departure

Pickup from your Siem Reap hotel for the transfer to the airport, with optional countryside stops along the way.

Why Choose Phnom Penh & Siem Reap for 7 Days?

This route works because the two destinations provide different sides of Cambodia.

Phnom Penh introduces the country’s capital, modern history, museums, local neighborhoods and Mekong riverside. Siem Reap then shifts the focus toward Angkor, Khmer architecture and temple history.

With two days in Phnom Penh and four days in Siem Reap, the itinerary gives more time to Angkor while still allowing enough time to understand the capital.

Choose this route if you want Cambodia’s two major cultural destinations in one week.

If you prefer rural Cambodia and a slower pace instead of the capital, consider the 7-Day Siem Reap & Battambang Itinerary . Not sure a week and a half fits your plans? See the full range of options in our Cambodia Itinerary Guide, covering from 3 to 21 days.

How Much Does a 7-Day Siem Reap & Phnom Penh Itinerary Cost?

A private 7-day Siem Reap and Phnom Penh tour can cost around US$300–400 per person, that I usually quote for my clients . A private tour can include:

• Private English-speaking guide
• Private air-conditioned transportation
• Temple and attraction entrance fees

For more details, see our 7-Day Cambodia Tours page. Want to know what this route costs? Check out our 7-Day Cambodia Tours.

Book with a Private Guide

Rain Proun is a government-licensed private guide based in Siem Reap, fluent in English and French, who handles all transport and timing directly. Beyond historical context, Rain also brings photography expertise knowing the angles and lighting for crowd-free shots at each site.  Meet Rain, Private Angkor Guide

Final Thoughts

Starting in Phnom Penh and finishing in Siem Reap creates a natural progression through Cambodia: capital city and modern history first, followed by Angkor and the ancient Khmer Empire.

For travelers with one week, this is one of the strongest routes for experiencing Cambodia’s two major cultural destinations without rushing through too many cities

FAQ: 7-Day Siem Reap & Phnom Penh Itinerary