Self-Launched Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap via the Tonlé River
6 days · Cambodia
Bravo Indochina Tours charges £650
No-markup version: ~£250 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
DIY your own journey from Phnom Penh up the Tonlé River to the ancient temples of Siem Reap — covering the Royal Palace and Killing Fields, an unforgettable slow boat cruise past floating villages, and the full Angkor complex at sunrise — all at a fraction of a group tour price, with total freedom over your pace and budget.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh
Arrive in Cambodia's riverside capital and check into a budget guesthouse near the Sisowath Quay waterfront. Settle in, grab a bowl of num banh chok (Khmer noodle soup) from a streetside stall, and take an easy evening stroll along the Tonlé Sap riverfront as the city lights come up.
🚌Airport tuk-tuk into town, £3-5
🛏Budget guesthouse near Sisowath Quay, £10-15
- →Evening walk along the Sisowath Quay riverfront
- →Dinner of local Khmer street food
Phnom Penh City Tour
Phnom Penh
Spend a full day exploring Phnom Penh's history and landmarks at your own pace. Start with a sobering visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheung Ek Killing Fields (accessible by tuk-tuk, ~30 mins each), then shift to the ornate Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Finish with Independence Monument, Wat Phnom, and Central Market for souvenir shopping.
🚌Tuk-tuk hire for the day or per-leg rides, £8-12
🛏Budget guesthouse near Sisowath Quay, £10-15
- →Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (self-guided, entry ~$5)
- →Visit Cheung Ek Killing Fields (entry ~$6)
- →Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- →See Independence Monument and Wat Phnom
- →Browse Central Market
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by River
Tonlé River / Siem Reap
Take the famous slow boat from Phnom Penh up the Tonlé Sap river to Siem Reap — a scenic 5-6 hour journey through stilted fishing villages and floating communities. Book direct at the harbour (or via your guesthouse) the day before. Bring snacks and water; lunch is usually a stop at a floating village or your own packed picnic. Watch for the Koh Chen silver-making island en route if doing a private trip, otherwise simply soak in the river life.
🚌Public fast/slow boat Phnom Penh→Siem Reap, £15-20 (shared boat, includes transfers)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Siem Reap, £10-15
- →Slow boat cruise up the Tonlé Sap river
- →Watch floating villages and river life pass by
- →Optional stop to browse handmade Khmer silverware
Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
Siem Reap
Rise early for a tuk-tuk to the greatest temple of all. Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat before exploring its vast interior galleries and bas-reliefs. Then tackle the walled city of Angkor Thom: the South Gate, the enigmatic smiling faces of Bayon, the Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of the Elephants, and finally the jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm (the 'Tomb Raider' temple). Your tuk-tuk driver will wait between sites. Grab lunch at one of the simple restaurants near the complex.
🚌Tuk-tuk driver hired for the full day, £15-18
🛏Budget guesthouse in Siem Reap, £10-15
- →Sunrise at Angkor Wat and interior exploration
- →Visit South Gate and Bayon temple at Angkor Thom
- →See Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of the Elephants
- →Explore the Ta Prohm temple ruins
Temples Outside Angkor Thom
Siem Reap
Today explore the outer circuit temples with your tuk-tuk driver, starting with the pyramid of Pre Rup, then the jewel-like pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei (a beautiful 30km out — well worth the journey), plus the jungle-giant of Preah Khan and the island temple of Neak Pean. These see far fewer crowds than the main Angkor sites, letting you enjoy the ruins in relative peace.
🚌Tuk-tuk driver hired for the full outer circuit day, £18-22
🛏Budget guesthouse in Siem Reap, £10-15
- →Climb Pre Rup temple at sunset-time light
- →Visit the pink carvings of Banteay Srei
- →Explore Preah Khan temple complex
- →See Neak Pean island temple
Departure from Siem Reap
Siem Reap
Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Siem Reap — maybe a wander around the lively Old Market or a last coffee at a riverside cafe. Then take a tuk-tuk to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight. If you have extra time, consider squeezing in one more of the nearby temples or the Cambodian Landmine Museum before you head off.
🚌Tuk-tuk to airport, £5
🛏—
- →Relaxed morning at Siem Reap Old Market
- →Transfer to the airport
Self-launched vs. Bravo Indochina Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Bravo Indochina Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£250 | £650 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £400 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Bravo Indochina Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£250
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Cambodia: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap via the Tonlé River cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £250 per person for 6 days in Cambodia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Bravo Indochina Tours?+
Yes — Bravo Indochina Tours charges around £650 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £250 — a saving of roughly £400 (62%) per person.
How long is the Cambodia trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Cambodia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, history, backpacker trip through Cambodia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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