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Advice Of Couple For 2 Weeks In Cambodia By Mrs. And Mr. Gauthier

Monday, February 10, 2025 Experiences of customers Ngan Ha

2 weeks in Cambodia with Mr. and Mrs. Gauthier

Hello, my name is Vivianne Gauthier. In August last year, my husband and I went together for a couple trip for 2 weeks in Cambodia with the support and guidance of the Autour Asia team, Cambodia Travel Agency. After 3 years of traveling together to many attractive destinations around the world, my husband and I had a particular curiosity for Cambodia and decided to spend 14 days in Cambodia and discover this country. In the article below, we share our itinerary and experience of a 2-week couple's trip to Cambodia in the hope of inspiring like-minded couples.

Couple trip for 14 days in Cambodia by Mr. and Mrs. Gauthier

I. General overview of our itinerary of 14 days in Cambodia
II. What to do in Cambodia for 14 days?

I. General overview of our itinerary of 14 days in Cambodia

Our couple trip for 2 weeks in Cambodia started and ended in Ho Chi Minh City, before reaching Phnom Penh by bus. In 14 days in Cambodia, we explored Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Kampot and Kep, discovering the diversity of the country.

Rather than flying to travel between destinations on our itinerary, we opted for the bus and train, an economical alternative that allowed us to admire the landscapes and local life. Although the journeys were longer (6 to 8 hours compared to 1 to 2 hours by plane), this immersion offered us a more authentic and soothing experience of Cambodia.

II. What to do in Cambodia for 14 days?

1. Day 1: Phnom Penh

Our adventure of 2 weeks in Cambodia begins in Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital city with a rich history and a vibrant atmosphere. It is home to many bars, restaurants and markets, but above all, its historical monuments have left a deep impression on us.

We began our couple trip for 2 weeks in Cambodia with a visit to the Royal Palace of Cambodia, one of the capital's most important architectural landmarks. Situated on the banks of the Tonle Sap River, the palace impresses with its sparkling pagoda roofs and meticulously maintained gardens. We spent time admiring the Silver Pagoda, which houses a precious emerald Buddha statue and a floor paved with over 5,000 silver tiles. The solemn space and exquisite beauty of this complex help us to better feel the splendor of the Cambodian royal family.

Visit the Royal Palace in the itinerary of 14 Days in Cambodia

Leaving the splendid surroundings of the Royal Palace, we entered a quieter chapter of Cambodian history with a visit to Tuol Sleng (S-21 Prison). This former high school was once a detention and torture center during the Khmer Rouge era, and is now a haunting museum. Each room bears witness to tragic stories and the audio guide helps us better understand what happened during these dark times. We continued on to Choeung Ek, one of the largest battlefields, where thousands of victims perished. It was a difficult but necessary experience to understand the resilience of the Khmer people, who still retain kindness and optimism despite a tragic past.

Choeung Ek, battlefield in 2 weeks in Cambodia

Our first day in Phnom Penh of our 14 days in Cambodia was spent around the 3 places above. As we had planned to return to the capital later, we were not too stressed about missing out on other fun activities. After visiting the above 3 places, we also felt the need to rest because the historical experiences were quite heavy for us.

2. Day 2-5: Sihanoukville and the Islands

During our 14 days in Cambodia, on day 2 we stopped in Sihanoukville, the gateway to the beautiful islands in the south of the country. Sihanoukville is a bustling port city, but honestly, it didn’t leave a lasting impression on us. However, right next door, Otres Beach offered us a completely different side of the Cambodian coast. We spent a night there and were amazed by one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. With its golden sand, bohemian atmosphere and beachfront bars, Otres is a pleasant alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Otres Beach in Sihanoukville among 14 days in Cambodia

Rather than staying on the mainland, we decided to spend a few days exploring the Cambodian islands, a must-see during 2 weeks in Cambodia. Instead of going to Koh Rong, known for its festive atmosphere and lively evenings, we headed to Koh Ta Kiev, a much less frequented island.

Located about ten kilometers from Sihanoukville, Koh Ta Kiev is a paradise island. Here, there are no luxury hotels or modern infrastructure: just a few rustic bungalows, deserted beaches and a lush jungle. A word of advice if you plan to go there: take everything you need with you (sunscreen, mosquito repellent, medication and cash), because once on the island, it is almost impossible to find anything.

Koh Ta kyiv is a paradise island among 14 days in Cambodia

What to do during 2 weeks in Cambodia? One of the most magical moments of our stay in Koh Ta Kiev was the night swim with the bioluminescent plankton. We had heard about this fascinating natural phenomenon and were eager to see it with our own eyes. The experience was incredible: with every movement in the water, bursts of blue-green light shimmered around us, creating an almost unreal atmosphere, worthy of a fantasy film. After 4 days on the Cambodian beaches, we took the boat back to the mainland, then took a two-hour bus from Sihanoukville to Kampot.

See more:

- Sihanoukville Travel Guide

- 2 Days In Sihanoukville

- What to Do in Sihanoukville

3. Day 6-7: Kampot

After leaving the island, we took the boat back to the mainland before boarding a bus for a two-hour ride to Kampot.

Kampot in our eyes in the itinerary of 2 weeks in Cambodia

Kampot is particularly famous for two things: its pepper, considered one of the best in the world, and its durian, a fruit with a smell so strong that it is banned from most public transport and hotels. We have to admit that its scent is memorable! But once you get over the smell barrier, its taste is quite pleasant – at least according to my husband, who has become a real fan.

What to do during 2 weeks in Cambodia? One of our favorite experiences here was visiting a pepper plantation. We were able to learn more about the cultivation and production of this iconic condiment and taste different varieties with surprising aromas. This visit allowed us to immerse ourselves in a magnificent landscape, between green rice fields and palm trees.

Kampot charmed us with its relaxed atmosphere and authenticity. It is an ideal destination to slow down after several days of traveling, enjoy the natural setting and savor delicious local cuisine. If we had to find a drawback, it would perhaps be the absence of beaches compared to Sihanoukville, but the tranquility of the city more than compensates for this detail.

Pepper plantation in Kampot among 14 days in Cambodia

4. Day 8: Kep

During our itinerary of 2 weeks in Cambodia, we stopped in Kep, a small seaside town with a colonial soul. Kep is the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the sea air and, above all, taste its famous Kampot pepper crab.

We spent one day in Kep, which seemed enough to discover the essentials. The atmosphere is peaceful, far from the hustle and bustle of the other destinations on our couple trip for 14 days in Cambodia. Walking along the waterfront, we discovered the crab market, where fishermen sell their catch of the day directly to the cooks of the nearby restaurants. The smell of grilled shellfish mixed with the scent of freshly ground pepper was irresistible. We enjoyed this iconic dish in a seaside restaurant, facing the waves – a pure pleasure for seafood lovers!

Crab Market in Kep in the Itinerary of 14 Days in Cambodia

However, beyond the crab and the beach, it must be admitted that Kep is not full of activities. If you are looking for a lively destination with many sites to visit, you may be a little disappointed. But if you want a few days of rest away from the hustle and bustle, Kep is an ideal stopover to include in an itinerary of 2 weeks in Cambodia.

5. Day 9-10: Back to Phnom Penh

Back in the capital for two days, to discover a more dynamic side of the city during 14 days in Cambodia, we explored several markets: the Russian market for souvenirs, the central market for its diversity and the night market for its festive atmosphere. My favorite was the Phsar Kandal market, ideal for discovering local specialties. My husband was a little less excited by these shopping visits, but he ended up enjoying the experience, especially for the culinary aspect.

Russian market in Phnom Penh in our couple trip

What to do during 2 weeks in Cambodia? We also took the time to enjoy the rhythm of city life: walking on the banks of the Mekong, relaxing in French-style cafes and tasting typical dishes such as Num Banh Chok vermicelli, Nam Vang noodle soup and fragrant street grills.

Finally, we loved our Khmer cooking class, where we learned to prepare fish amok and green papaya salad. The experience was both fun and educational, and we left with recipes to recreate at home to extend the journey through gastronomy.

6. Day 11-14: Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a must-see destination on our itinerary of 14 days in Cambodia, famous for its Angkor temple complex, an architectural marvel and cultural icon of the country. We spent four days here admiring the beauty of the ancient temples and experiencing the peaceful pace of the city.

Our adventure begins with a visit to Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We went there at dawn to watch the sunrise reflect on the pool in front of the temple – a beautiful experience but also very busy with tourists. Afterwards, we explored the interior of the temple, enjoying the calm before the crowds arrived.

In the afternoon, we continued our discovery with Bayon, famous for its 216 mysterious faces carved in stone, then Ta Prohm, a temple invaded by enormous tree roots, made famous by the movie Tomb Raider. The mystical atmosphere and wild beauty of Ta Prohm particularly struck us.

After a day of intense visits, we chose to relax in town. In the morning, we enjoyed a traditional Khmer massage session at Sonya Spa, a simple establishment located in the old market. This unique treatment, without oil, allowed us to relax and recover after these busy days.

What to do during 2 weeks in Cambodia? In the afternoon, we explored some local cafes and restaurants to taste Khmer specialties. Although the dishes were correct, we did not find any establishment that left a memorable impression on us in Siem Reap. In the evening, we attended a show by Phare, the Cambodian Circus, an impressive show combining circus arts, music and mime, offering an original and captivating look at the culture and history of the country.

Cooking class in Phnom Penh with us during 2 weeks in Cambodia

On the third day, we took the road to visit Banteay Srei, a temple located away from the center but well worth the detour. This temple is distinguished by its red sandstone and its delicate sculptures, which are said to have been made by women.

We then continued our discovery with Ta Som, one of the most peaceful temples in the Angkor complex. Its portal, entirely entwined by the roots of a fig tree, offers a fascinating spectacle. Luckily, we arrived at a time when there were few visitors, which allowed us to fully enjoy this serene and captivating atmosphere.

On our last day in Siem Reap, we strolled through the local markets and bought some handicrafts as souvenirs. We also visited the Angkor National Museum, a great introduction to Khmer history and culture before ending our 2-week couple trip to Cambodia.