Kep

1. Kep Beach

The short stretch of imported white sand that makes up Kep beach is a popular spot during public holidays and weekends, filling up with Cambodians wading in the shallow waters or picnicking on crab and other snacks in the dappled shade. The beach is well maintained and is the ideal spot to hire a deck chair or an inflatable ring from one of the many women who line the shore.

2. Rabbit Island

For a slice of rustic island life, jump on one of the former fishing boats that takes visitors to the nearby island within about 30 minutes and spend the day – or night – on Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island. Boasting a small beach lined with basic bungalows and food shacks, this spot is a popular day-trip for locals.

3. Crab Market

No trip to Kep is complete without a visit to the crab market. Standing at the centre of the town’s action, the market is a hive of activity, especially in the early morning. As well as being the base for the fishermen and women who catch the town’s famous crab, it is where the country’s freshest seafood is flogged.

4. Crab shacks

Another must for the agenda is eating the town’s famous dish of crab and Kampot pepper. Next to the market sits a row of shacks selling the eponymous dish, which usually consists of stir-fried crab with stacks of peppercorns.

5. Phnom Chhnork Caves

The area between Kep and Kampot is studded with limestone mountains, with many home to a network of caves and Buddhist shrines. In Phnom Chhnork sits a series of pre-Angkorian carvings, a 7th-century shrine to Shiva and stalagmites and stalactites.

6. Secret Lake

The not-so-secret lake is commonly coupled up with a trip to the caves. Created under the Khmer Rouge as an irrigation dam, the lake is nestled between rising hills and paddies, making it the ideal swimming spot away from crowded Kep beach.

7. Pepper Farm

While it is neighbouring Kampot that is home to world-famous Kampot pepper, hopping across the border from Kep is easy, with the countryside sitting between the two towns home to a flurry of farms. La Plantation sits on the edge of the Secret Lake, with tours of the farm carried out daily, taking in the variety of peppers and other vegetables produced there.

8. Salt plains

It’s not just pepper this region is famous for, it’s also salt. On the road from Kep to Kampot sit a series of salt fields close to the sea. Water swamps the fields, which are then blocked so the water can evaporate, leaving salt crystals. This is collected, cleaned and iodine added before it is packaged and sold.

9. The Sailing Club

Sundowners at Knai Bang Chatt’s Sailing Club is another essential for any trip to Kep. Overlooking the ocean, the former fisherman’s hut – that has been transformed into an upmarket chic hangout and water sports centre – is the spot to watch the sun set with a classy cocktail in one hand.

10. Old villas

In the 1950s and 1960s, stylish Kep was a destination reserved for high-flyers and was dotted with beautiful minimalist villas. Its demise came with the Khmer Rouge, with the town left to fall into decay. While many of these villas have passed the point of return, their spooky shells remain and can be explored today, so keep your eyes open when passing through the town.

Day 1: Siem reap Arrival

Welcome to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Recognized a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met our friendly guide. Just look for the sign with our Asia Tour Advisor logo and your name. Dive to hotel and Spend the rest of time at your leisure to relax to recover from jetlag or explore Siem Reap’s Old Market on your own

Day 2: Siemreap – Angkor tour – Tonle Sap Lake

Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake up before dawn and transfer by a “tuk-tuk” to the magnificent Angkor Wat – the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture. Dawn is the special and spiritual moment when it is much cooler and less crowded than the day time. After that return to hotel for late breakfast and a short break.
Following the breakfast, drive out of town to visit silk farm where you will see how silk products are made. Then, going on a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap which is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia. The lake flows into Tonle River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will visit a “floating village” which moves from place to place according to the water level by boats that have been converted to look like houses. Enjoy the sunset over the lake before going back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of time on your own afterward.

Day 3: Angkor Thom – Ta Prohm – Banteay Srei

After breakfast at hotel, set out on the tour to visit the Angkor Thom, first with its imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. The next your visit will be the Bayon Temple, the heart of Angkor Thom, followed by the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. From there we proceed to jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. After lunch of your own expense, you will be driven to Banteay Srei which is also one of the most beautiful temples; built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V’s guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture. If time permits we continue visiting Preah Khan temple before returning to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Drive to Kampong Thom

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then transfer to Kampong Thom (147km, 2 hour drive), home to Cambodia’s most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments. Here we will visit the ancient temple complex, Sambor Prei Kuk, situated just north of Kampong Thom. The main temples are divided into three complexes, all dedicated to Shiva. Enjoy the serene atmosphere as you wander through these 7th century brick monuments, artfully scattered about the jungle.

Day 5: Kampong Thom – Phnom Penh

Say good bye to Kampong Thom and continue on the tour to Kampong Cham, where we will stop to visit the Wat Nokor Pagoda. This 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine is home to a large reclining Buddha as well as many carved Buddha images. In the afternoon we continue on to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel then enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Day 6: Phnom Penh – City tour

Phnom Penh was founded in the 14th century and for a long time has been a vital trading hub at the confluence of three rivers: the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac. We start the day learning about the Khmer Rouge and Cambodia’s recent history on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Choeung Ek “Killing Fields.” Our cultural tour continues as we visit the National Museum— an introduction deeper into ancient Khmer art and civilization—and the Royal Palace, home to the royal family and the opulent silver pagoda.

Day 7: Phnom Penh – Takeo – Kep

The journey southwards begins as we depart Phnom Penh and make our first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple, dating back from the 11th century. A 500-step path leads to the top of the hill from where we can enjoy spectacular view of the surrounding areas. Take a drive to the quiet town of Takeo before a quick jaunt via boat to Angkor Borei town, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnam border. There is a small museum that displays several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and few artifacts dating as far back as the 4th century. We continue our boat trip to visit a pre-Angkorian style temple of Phnom Da and a nearby temple of Asram Maharosei. The steep path over some big rocks makes Asram Maharosei different from other temples in Cambodia kingdom.

Day 8: Kep – Rabbit Island

Breakfast at hotel and then take a local boat ride to Rabbit Island which is a small beachy island about 20-40 minutes from Kep. With the relatively clear, warm waters, you may snorkel around the rocks. There’s no coral but lots of colorful fish. Late afternoon, transfer back to Kep.

Day 9: Kep – Kampot – Sihanouk Ville

This morning, travel through delightful scenery of rice paddies, sugar palm trees, traditional wooden houses, and karst limestone outcrops to Kampot. On the way visit the cave of Phnom Chhnork. Inside the cave you will discover the remains of a 7th century brick temple. After this you will visit the caves of Phnom Sla’an, if you are feeling adventurous you can scramble through this cave until you magically appear into the sunlight on the top of the hill, being rewarded with perhaps some of the most beautiful views in Cambodia, with the traditional countryside stretching off into the Gulf of Thailand and its many islands. During the 1960’s Kampot was world famous for its aromatic pepper. A visit at pepper plantation will help you understand why, and you can observe the work of local community living there. Later this day continue driving to Sihanouk Ville and check in to your beach resort.

Day 10: Sihanouk Ville – Free at Leisure

Relax on a beach or take some water sports activities like kayaking, windsurfing or kitesurfing.

Day 11: Sihanouk Ville – Free at Leisure

Enjoy another free and relaxing day.

Day 12: Sihanouk Ville – Phnom Penh – Departure

After breakfast, you will be free until your transfer to the Phnom Penh international airport for your departure flight home.

Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered.
All hotels are rated according to local standards.
All itineraries are flexible and can easily be altered to suit your needs and interests.

Kep is a peaceful coastal town that adorns the southern shoreline of Cambodia with its splendid landscapes. The city remains devoid of the hustle and bustle of a typical metropolitan, but it can allure tourists with its touch of history and attractive surroundings. Located within proximity to sea waters, Kep beholds weather comprising traits such as humidity and heavy rainfall. The city experiences two seasons throughout its expanse: the dry season and the wet season. The temperate climate of the dry season makes it the best time of the year to visit Kep’s beautiful countryside.

Dry Season (October to Early May)

The dry season in Kep experiences warm and pleasing weather and forms the aptest season to explore Kep’s beautiful tourist spots. The temperatures usually hover between 25°C and 33°C. November, December, January, and February provide tourists with a welcoming climate. The dry season offers apt weather for tourists to discover some of the hidden gems within Kep’s natural paradise. The bright sunlight that remains prevalent throughout the city’s landscapes makes it a must to visit the glorious beaches in the vicinity. With deficient rainfall precipitation, Kep’s serene surroundings become a tourist delight at this time.

Wet season (Early May to September)

The wet season in Kep witnesses a humid atmosphere with temperature ranging between 26°C and 34°C. The city receives a truckload of rainfall during June and September thanks to its tropical proximity. This torrential downpour turns Kep into a lush green haven and tourists entering the city are greeted by incredible landscapes all around. Forming the offseason, the wet season provides visitors with inexpensive travel and accommodation throughout the city’s expanse. This season is the perfect time to explore Kep’s delightful nature reserves and spot magnificent wildlife.

Throughout this article, we wish you to have an idea of how to travel to Kep for your best experience. In case you are looking for your own travel agent, who can offer a wonderful and hassle-free trip to Kep, please feel free to let us know. We always commit our best to make it your once-in-a-lifetime journey.