Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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.
- Tour the markets in Phnom Penh with a passionate local chef and then head to his home for a cooking class, where you’ll learn about Khmer cuisine.
- 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.
- Feast on local delicacies and street food favourites, like fish amok, fresh seafood, num banh chok, beef lok lak and black pepper ice cream.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2730
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Vehicle,Bus,Bicycle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: TKZP
Starts: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Finishes: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (1), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (7 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1360 (CAD 170 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Before you leave Phnom Penh this morning, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, in a former high school that served as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) for the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. See the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which represent the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. After, you’ll drive south by private vehicle, towards Kampot – one of Cambodia's most attractive old towns. Famous for its pepper, Kampot supplied most French restaurants for many years during colonial rule. Today, the region is also renowned for its durian (a spiky, pungent fruit that you’ll either love or hate). Tonight, maybe ask your leader about the sunset river cruises here and watch the gorgeous nightly display of colour, looking out for the resident fireflies.
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
- Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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, head to Phnom Chhngok – a Hindu cave temple built in the 7th century, dedicated to Shiva. Then it’s 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. You’ll taste some pepper ice cream here before heading 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, walk along the coastline and explore the old oceanfront buildings. Kep was once Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town, but the Khmer Rouge destroyed many of Kep's mansions and villas. The ghostly remains now stand as a silent reminder.
Included Activities:
- Kampot - Phnom Chhnork
- Kampot - Food tour and lunch
- Kampot - Pepper plantation & salt field visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
If you’re a morning person, you might like to rise early and see the fishing boats arrive at the port with their daily catch. Then, maybe find a good spot for breakfast and enjoy a leisurely morning. After, you’ll return to Phnom Penh. When you arrive, meet with a passionate chef for a guided tour of the markets, learning about the building blocks of Khmer cuisine. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class and master Khmer staples such as Chicken Curry, Fish Amok (Cambodia's signature dish, a mildly spicy fish curry, typically made with freshwater fish like catfish, and cooked with a rich coconut milk-based sauce) or bok svay (pounded green mango salad, usually served with dried fish or prawns). Feast on your creations over dinner.
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Khmer Cooking Class and Market Tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel by private bus to Battambang (pronounced battambong)– Cambodia's second-largest city. 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 your free 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.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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. When you arrive, head out for a street food tour with your local leader, tasting grilled fish or spicy fried chicken. Enjoy the atmosphere along the riverbank as the sun goes down, then head to a cocktail class and tasting. As you taste local liqueurs and snacks made with Cambodian herbs, mango and ginger, you’ll also learn how to make three popular cocktails. Later, maybe ask your leader for the spots to keep the party going.
Included Activities:
- Battambang - Rural food by bike tour
- Siem Reap - Street food tour
- Siem Reap - Cocktail class
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass
- Siem Reap - Village breakfast
- Siem Reap - Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Similar Experiences
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Rachna - Traveled, March 2024
The real food tour of Cambodia was a great overall tour, very well managed and a good way to explore Cambodia. The focus on food could be improved and while we did eat some interesting food and there were some great experiences like the rice wine tasting & cocktail class, the bike ride food trip and noodle making breakfast. I did not feel that I have experienced Cambodian food well enough...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Cliff & Lyndall - Traveled, March 2024
This was a great over view of Vietnam & Cambodia
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/23/2024
Jenice - Traveled, February 2024
My next trip will definitely be booked with Intrepid Everything was done to perfection from booking to trip to Leader and would most definitely recommend to any family friends colleagues
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Darren - Traveled, February 2024
The Intrepid ‘Cambodia Real Food Adventure’ is brilliant! Cambodian food is different to other Asian food and it was a joy to discover a new cuisine. There is so much to see and do in Cambodia. The history and culture are fascinating. Angkor Wat is mind blowing. Our tour leader was an absolute delight, very organised, knowledgeable and most importantly she was so much fun to be with. I highly recommend this tour. When you’re booking with Intrepid ask if you can go on one of the tours led by Samnang Mao (also known as Raus).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Richard - Traveled, February 2024
This was an excellent trip - a great variety of activities, places, accommodation and food, and beautifully led. Another great Intrepid experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Sharon - Traveled, April 2024
Extremely informative. Excellent guide. We all can learn so much from Cambodians.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Jenice - Traveled, February 2024
My next trip will definitely be booked with Intrepid Everything was done to perfection from booking to trip to Leader and would most definitely recommend to any family friends colleagues
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Michael - Traveled, February 2024
The Cambodian Foodie Tour was amazing! With our local guide Ms Samnang Mao aka Raus, we were able to learn so much about the Cambodian culture, try all kinds of delicious food, and take a deep dive into the history of the country and Angkor Wat. I highly recommend this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/22/2024
Lauren - Traveled, December 2024
Amazing tour of Cambodia with a wonderful guide, Mom, driver, Set, and the best group I could have imagined. This is the perfect amount of time to experience a taste of what Cambodia has to offer. Loved every minute
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/06/2024
Nicole - Traveled, December 2023
This trip far exceeded my expectations. We went to incredible places and learnt about both the recent and ancient history of Cambodia. Mom was the best tour leader, and Mr Seth was the best driver. 10 out of 5 stars!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/06/2024
David - Traveled, December 2023
This was our first organised trip for thirty years and are glad we chose Intrepid
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
Noel - Traveled, November 2023
Great and informative tour around Cambodia with lots of interesting food experiences. Lots of activities but also good amount of time relaxing by the beach and poolside.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Yvonne - Traveled, November 2023
Cambodia real food adventure was a fun and interesting tour, made especially enjoyable thanks to our fabulous tour guide Both, highly recommend this tour for something different, lots of new and interesting foods
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Geoff - Traveled, November 2023
We are not foodies, but the Real Food Adventure was the only Cambodia tour that fitted our dates . Our guide Chanchesda was very enthusiastic about her country and ensured we had a great time while giving us alot of information- and gently keeping us on time. Don't be put off by the food adventure title, it visits some really great parts of Cambodia. Thank you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/18/2023
Margaret - Traveled, October 2023
This was an interesting trip getting to know the food of Cambodia. From Street food to cooking lessons. At the same time learning about Cambodia and its people. I highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2023
Alex - Traveled, October 2023
Fabulous experience - a honeymoon to remember!! Fila our guide was amazing! Highly recommended!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/20/2023
Andrew - Traveled, June 2023
Overall an excellent tour which gives insight into local food, culture and history. This tour isn't just for 'foodies' as a lot of local industry & sight seeing is included. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Michelle - Traveled, May 2023
Cambodian Intrepid Real Food Tour was amazing. Saw soo much, Ate beautiful food & fruits, Learned soo much about Cambodian history, & Angkor Wat temples were the highlight for me Highly recommend others to visit this beautiful country ????
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/19/2023
Tristan - Traveled, May 2023
This trip is a great insight into Cambodia, and you get to experience both the food as well as lots of small things that only a local would know. The trip is full on and if like me you like to keep busy this is brilliant for you. Vannak was an amazing leader and very knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/31/2023
Richard - Traveled, March 2023
Great trip, which provided tremendous insights into Cambodia's history, culture and food. We couldn't have asked for a better tour leader - Long was extremely knowledgeable, generous and accommodating, and also conjured up some memorable side trips and experiences.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/30/2023
Share a personalized trip brochure!
Why book with us?
Best Rate Guarantee
Mytours.Travel makes sure you always have the best available rate
Best Selection
The best operators from around the world
Trusted Payments
Secure payments with Stripe
Expert Advice
Our expert agents will assist you in booking the perfect experience