Cambodia Vegan Tour
14 Day Vegan Tour in Cambodia
Join us on a unique vegan adventure as we journey through Cambodia, an incredible nation in the heart of Southeast Asia. We can’t wait to introduce you to our Khmer krousar (family) as we travel together through this breathtaking country. Welcome to ‘The Kingdom of Wonder” where the inspirational and heartwarming stories of our humble Khmer hosts will bring you closer to understanding their homeland from the times of the ancient Khmer civilization of Angkor to today.
What's included?
Vegan Meals
39 Vegan meals
(14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 12 dinners)
Accommodation
13 Nights Accommodations
(a combination of heritage hotels, charming bed & breakfasts, and traditional Khmer home)
Tour Transport
- Private Air-Conditioned Mini-Bus
- Remorks (Cambodian tuk-tuk)
- Local Cars
Our Special Package
- Daily Local Cultural Lessons
- Daily Khmer Language Lessons
- Vegan Cooking Class (full Khmer meal cooking class)
- Vegan Cooking Class (Khmer snacks class)
- Live Traditional Music and Folk Dances
- Fruit Tasting Sessions
- Local Veggie and Fruit Market Exploration
- Vegan Meals as guests of Local Families
- Guests of Local Grassroots Educational Programs and Projects
- Guests of Local Village and Communities
- Heritage Walk and Historical Cultural Lesson in ancient Angkor Wat
- Visit Local Temples & Temple Architecture Lessons
- Introduction to Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals as Practiced in Khmer Culture
- Full-Day Program with Arts & Performing Arts School
- Heritage Walk in old Phnom Penh
- Guests of local Theravada Buddhist Temple
- Visit Local Organic Farm with Community Members
- Volunteer Program at Wildlife Conservation & Protection Project
- Countryside Walks and Hikes
- Introduction to Theravada Buddhism
- Introduction to Anapana Meditation
Extras
- All Local Guide Fees
- All Site Entry Fees
- Donations to Community, Women & Children Charitable Organizations & Programs
- Complimentary Refill Water bottle and Unlimited Drinking Water
- Complimentary Juices, Hard Drinks and Beers on “Dinner & Drinks” nights
- Vegan Welcome Package and Tote Bag
- Community Carbon Offsets to Offset 100% Group’s Carbon Emissions from Domestic Flight
- Airport Pick Up*
- Airport Drop Off
- …and all other activities, entertainment, and entry fees as per the itinerary.
*Airport Pick up is provided for free if you arrive a day or two days prior to the tour and staying at our group’s hotel If you will be arriving at a much earlier date, please kindly arrange your own transport. Thank you.
What’s NOT included?
International airfare, personal travel insurance, visa fee to Cambodia (if applicable), gratuities/tips, laundry, and other items of a personal nature
Tour Dates & Pricing
Cambodia – Vegan Tour 2024
$3,595 (USD)
- MAXIMUM 16 PEOPLE
- 1 PERSON (ALL OUR TRIPS ARE GUARANTEED DEPARTURES NO MINIMUMS REQUIRED)
- Starts on December 3, 2024 (Tuesday)
- Begins at 3:00 pm
- Finishes on December 16, 2024 (Monday)
- Ends at 4:00 pm
- Starts from PHNOM PENH
- Finishes in PHNOM PENH
Cambodia – Vegan Tour 2025
$3,595 (USD)
- MAXIMUM 16 PEOPLE
- 1 PERSON (ALL OUR TRIPS ARE GUARANTEED DEPARTURES NO MINIMUMS REQUIRED)
- Starts on December 1, 2025 (Monday)
- Begins at 3:00 pm
- Finishes on December 14, 2025 (Sunday)
- Ends at 4:00 pm
- Starts from PHNOM PENH
- Finishes in PHNOM PENH
All Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages Adventures runs on a twin share basis. If you are a single traveler, we will pair you up with another single traveler of the same gender. If you would like to have your own room throughout the trip, upon making a booking, please select “yes” for Single Supplement and the cost shown below will be added to your total adventure cost.
$775 for 14 days: Cambodia Vegan Adventure
Cambodia is a charming and exciting country that will leave you yearning for more. With modern tourism only ‘discovering’ Cambodia at the dawn of the millennium, there are still many undiscovered corners and untold stories in this enchanting nation, which over the centuries has witnessed epic triumphs, as well as survived equally impactful and devastating tragedies. Join Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages on a unique vegan story as we introduce you to our Khmer krousar (family) who will share with us their breathtaking country. Traveling together from the bustling city of Phnom Penh, through the paddy-fields and palm trees of the countryside, to off-the-beaten track towns and the ancient capital of Angkor, you’ll make new friends along the way, while creating lifelong memories and discovering some of the more hidden corners shared through the inspirational and humbling stories of our Khmer hosts who will bring you closer to understanding their homeland.
The roots of Cambodian culture lie within the pre-Angkorian kingdom of Funan located in what is now known as southern Cambodia and southern Vietnam, which between the 1st and 8th centuries were one of Southeast Asia’s earliest civilizations. Following this period, the Khmer empire emerged and a series of powerful and revered Khmer kings ruled the region, developing their Buddhist and Hindu influences whilst expanding their foothold in Southeast Asia. During this time, they built a series of complex and vast temples at the heart of their kingdom – the most famous, epic and grand of course being the ancient city of Angkor. The mysterious fall of the Khmer empire after over 6 centuries of powerful rule in the region, was followed by 4 centuries of decline before it was colonized by the French, occupied by the Japanese, and then thrown into many years of post war turmoil and instability.
The multi layered history of Cambodia tells the story of a country that has experienced huge challenges, including the horrific rule of the Khmer Rouge regime, who oversaw a systematic genocide that lead to the tragic death of around 2 million Khmer citizens. The resilience and strong will of the Cambodian people have allowed them to develop and flourish as a nation since these dark and tragic days. The modern Cambodia of today is a fast-developing country where the young and determined population wish to put the past behind them, whilst grasping each and every opportunity that they are presented with to move forward.
With the opening scenes taking place in Phnom Penh, your “Cambodia Vegan Adventure” story with Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages will be unique in so many ways. A blend of personal tales, cultural experiences, historical understandings and fantastic food will be waiting for you in the bustling capital city. Then as we finally say goodbye to the somewhat chaotic yet captivating city of Phnom Penh and leave the mighty Mekong River behind us, winding our way through the seemingly never-ending rice paddies and palm fringed villages, our odyssey will continue through this enchanting country as the story unfolds.
Heading north to Battambang, we’ll be guests of a non-profit arts school that in addition to the educational and vocational opportunities, works tirelessly to preserve and develop Cambodian arts and culture. We’ll learn firsthand as guests of the founders of the school about their unique approach to preserving Cambodia’s arts and traditional culture, before making our way to the ancient capital region of Angkor. In Siem Reap we’ll join one of the headlining programs of the non-profit arts school where the incredible performers, artists and musicians will present their uniquely Cambodian story.
While in Siem Reap we will of course be exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor and surrounding villages, but we will also help you to understand and learn about the communities and families that call Siem Reap home; seeing them at work, listening to their stories and sharing vegan adaptations of delicious Khmer cuisine with them. Supporting multiple charitable organizations and grassroots programs along the way.
Join Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages on a personal journey into the heart of Khmer cultural and culinary traditions as guests of local vegans, families, chefs, teachers, artists, conservationists, students and activists who each share an inspirational ability to survive a tragic past, whilst looking to the future with positivity, hope and heartwarming smiles for a better today, and hopeful tomorrow.
Itinerary
Get day to day insight of the tour.
DAY 1 PHNOM PENH – The journey begins…
Susaday! Welcome to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia where our journey begins. Home to nearly 17 million people, Cambodia boasts a recorded history going back well over 2000 years. A history that is marked by times of epic triumphs, thriving civilizations, one of the greatest empires Southeast Asia ever saw, and culturally productive periods of peace, as well as times of great turmoil and tragedy – all of which have contributed to what we know as Cambodia today. Over the next three days, you will be introduced to this historical and now thriving South East Asian capital by our hosts, including local vegan families and vegan restaurant and bed & breakfast owners from 4 different countries including Cambodia, who as long-time residents of the capital will share their stories and the history of Phnom Penh with you. Founded in the early 15th century, Phnom Penh was abandoned numerous times for centuries before it became the final capital of Cambodia in 1866. Phnom Penh is the most populated area of the country and though more modern buildings are beginning to fill the skyline at an alarming pace, the once “Pearl of Asia” as it was known under the French, still maintains much of its charm and historical buildings.
Highlights of the Day:
- Check into our boutique guesthouse, complete with an art gallery and 100% vegan restaurant!
- Detailed Orientation Meeting where you will get to know your fellow travelers and adventure leaders better as we discuss the adventure ahead and have our Introduction to Khmer Culture, Etiquette & Language, and Cambodia’s History.
- Experience our first Khmer tuk-tuk ride from our vegan guest house to the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers.
- Relaxing riverside walk along the Tonle Sap River where locals end their day eating and drinking with friends, exercising, and chilling out.
- Hop aboard a riverboat where we’ll get to see the Phnom Penh skyline from an alternative viewpoint whilst cruising on the river. Whilst onboard, we’ll enjoy a vegan feast with multiple varieties of mock meats and plenty of local vegetables, washed down with a selection of ice-cold drinks.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Dinner & Drinks
DAY 2 PHNOM PENH
While in Phnom Penh, we will also be introduced by locals who have a direct connection, as many families do, to the challenging recent dark history of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge regime. Visiting the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum with them, they’ll try to help us understand those troubling times whilst also learning about how the healing and recovery process has enabled the nation to move forward. From narratives of the past, stories of survival and perseverance, through the tragic fields to the streets of Phnom Penh, during our few days in the capital you’ll hear inspiring stories from locals who persevered while they share with us their livelihoods, their culture, and their time-honored traditions.
Highlights of the Day:
- Prepare for the day over our first Khmer vegan breakfast, accompanied by fresh juices and Cambodian coffee.
- Visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum with our friends, who will try to help you understand not only about the troubling times that Cambodia has faced, but also as importantly, about how the healing and recovery process has enabled the nation to move forward.
- Meet a local family who will welcome us to their vegan restaurant in the heart of Phnom Penh where we will enjoy a selection of traditional Khmer dishes which have been veganized.
- Explore Phsar Toul Tompoung with our friends, discover and taste the accidentally vegan Cambodian dishes and snacks along the way, and wander the local neighborhood streets with a long-time resident of the capital who will share inspiring stories of present-day locals, their livelihoods, and their culture.
- Just a short walk from our hotel we will be hosted for dinner by our Khmer friend at her vegetarian restaurant. Be ready to get introduced to more selections of delicious local cuisines.
- Before this traditional Cambodian dinner, complete with veganized Khmer culinary classics, we will be taught Khmer eating etiquette, teaching us about what each dish is, how to eat it properly, and as importantly – how to eat as a family together politely.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner & Drinks
DAY 3 PHNOM PENH
During our stay in Phnom Penh, in addition to learning about its rich cultural history and the communities that call it their home, you’ll also be introduced to the wide array of delicious local Khmer food and fusion cuisines the capital is famous for – all 100% veganized especially for us. From exploring a local bustling market, home to farm-fresh veggies, tropical fruits, and spices, to off-the-beaten-track lanes that still ring of a bygone era offering accidentally vegan street food, to relaxing riverside walks along the majestic Tonle Sap River where locals gather to chat over tasty snacks and refreshing drinks. From a delicious introduction to Khmer cuisine as guests of a local family where we’ll enjoy veganized versions of traditional classics such as lok lak and amok to a ‘vegan meet-up’ with our hosts and their vegan friends – the culinary history of Phnom Penh will come to life both in its flavors and the stories of the people behind making it.
Highlights of the Day:
- A leisurely walking tour from our guesthouse to the Phnom Penh riverside area visiting Preahyouvong Pagoda, which has been engulfed by rapid development but still stands proudly at the heart of the community.
- Our local guide and friend will introduce us to the area around Independence Monument and Sihanouk Statue, before passing through Wat Botum Park en route to the Royal Palace, home of the Silver Pagoda.
- Lunch will be a veritable vegan feast as guests of one of the leading local vegetarian restaurants in Phnom Penh.
- An introduction to the seasonal, tropical fruits of Cambodia (including a tasting session) before heading back out for the evening, taking in the sunset in the bustling Royal Palace Park.
- Enjoy the best vegan Indian food in Phnom Penh! Who doesn’t love a taste of vegan India on their travels? But it’s about much more than just that, because, Indian cultural influences in the region date back to ancient times when Hinduism arrived in Southeast Asia brought by early Indian traders, merchants, and monks, among others. Some of Southeast Asia’s largest kingdoms (the Khmer empires included) were local Hindu Kingdoms whose system of government, language, scripts (Khmer script is a direct descendent of the South Indian Pallava script of the Pallava Dynasty of South India), and other cultural aspects had heavy Indian influences.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner & Drinks
DAY 4 BATTAMBANG
Saying goodbye to bustling Phnom Penh, we head northwest on a picturesque train journey into the rice bowl of Cambodia. After a long but scenic day on the train, what better way to unwind than with some tasty vegan food, ice-cold drinks, and an inviting swimming pool awaiting you? That’s exactly what is on offer upon arrival at our lovely boutique hotel in Battambang, which we know you’re going to love. This will be our home for the next four nights – where you can also enjoy peaceful nearby riverside strolls in the early morning and evenings. Much of old Battambang sits and grew out along the western banks of the Sangker River and is home to some roughly 800 colonial-era decadent (but decaying in many cases) buildings dating from the 19th to 20th centuries when the backwater trading town transformed itself into a busy marketplace and administrative center.
Highlights of the Day:
- Enjoy our Cambodian train trip as we wave goodbye to Phnom Penh, and make our way to Battambang taking in scenic views of rice fields, palm trees, villages, and pagodas!
- Be welcomed by our hosts with local street food snacks and ice-cold drinks before heading to your rooms or even straight to the inviting pool!
- After a long day of travel, we’ve arranged a movie night complete with popcorn and vegan burgers. Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll is a thought-provoking yet thoroughly entertaining film that will further introduce Khmer culture and life through music during the pre-Khmer Rouge era..
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner & Drinks.
DAY 5 BATTAMBANG
After a leisurely start to the day, we’ll enjoy a cooking demo during which we will help to prepare our own lunch under the guidance of the chef and her team. Following lunch, we will head to the Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University of Battambang for our Buddhism lesson and understanding. This bespoke lesson has been created especially for us by the university teachers and our local friends, it promises to be a memorable occasion for everyone involved! Upon leaving the Buddhist University, our local friends will guide us on a heritage walk through the historical lanes, boulevards, backstreets, and back alleys of old Battambang. Our walking tour today ends with a local vegan meal at one of the two local vegetarian restaurants in Battambang, the perfect end to an enjoyable and educational day.
Highlights of the Day:
- Enjoy our first poolside vegan breakfast, designed especially for us at our charming boutique hotel in Battambang.
- Learn about veganized Khmer cuisine with a hands-on cooking demo and lesson, during which we will be creating our own delicious lunch
- Be the first-ever tour group to learn about Buddhism in this special lesson as guests of the Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University of Battambang.
- Our time at the Buddhist University will include guided meditation, reflection, and an in-depth tour of the pagoda.
- Heritage walk through the historical lanes, boulevards, backstreets, and back alleys of old Battambang. With its unique history reflected in its architecture dating from the 19th to early 20th century, Battambang is estimated to be home to over 800 structures dating from the French colonial era all the way to the Sangkum Reastr Niyum period, which came shortly after the country’s independence in the mid-1950s.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 6 BATTAMBANG
Today we will be guests of the inspirational Phare Ponleu Selpak, meaning ‘Brightness of the arts’ in Khmer. This excellent not-for-profit organization supports local children, youth, and the surrounding communities with arts, education, social, and invaluable outreach programs. While here, we will spend the day at their incredible campus meeting the team and one of the founders and learning about their remarkable vision that has been developed over the years to create this multi-functional and inspirational art and education space. We’ll also visit ‘Phare, The Cambodian Circus’ (which is 100% human-run, no animals in this circus!) when in Siem Reap, and whilst at the Phare Ponleu Selpak campus, we will learn about the performers’ training and the steps that go into mastering their art and the connection it has to their culture. We will even have the chance to see them perform as their guests in the ‘big top’, which is part of the campus. Whilst guests of Phare Ponleu Selpak, the teachers and students will also introduce us to their circus and art workshops that will be both fun and educational.
Highlights of the Day:
- Enjoy a full day as guests of the inspirational teachers, students, and team at Phare Ponleu Selpak where we’ll learn about the work they do to help and uplift communities and youth through their unique educational and cultural development and preservation programs.
- Lunch and dinner will be specially prepared and nutritionally balanced vegan meals, that have been kindly created by the chef and nutritionist based at Phare Ponleu Selpak.
- Whilst at Phare Ponleu Selpak we’ll take part in a series of workshops, including local music and instruments, and live performance and circus skills. Anyone fancy running away with the circus?
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 7 BATTAMBANG
During our time in the “rice bowl” of Cambodia – as Battambang is known, we’ll join a couple of long-time local residents and spend a full day exploring the countryside where they’ll share with us their way of life in rural Cambodia, including their culture, community, religion, traditions, and stories of growing up in the nation’s heartland. Traveling by bikes (for those who don’t ride bikes, no worries – we have alternative transport), by foot, and by tuk-tuk, they’ll share with us their remarkable Khmer spirit accompanied by of course – plenty of tasty Khmer vegan food along the way. During our time, we’ll also learn about the local harvest, the preparation of rice paper and dried bananas, and join a local family at their home for a traditional Khmer lunch made vegan, especially for us. And for our final meal in Battambang, we will be guests of a local vegetarian restaurant that has been serving veggie and vegan food in the town for more than 25 years – that’s right over 25 years now! As guests of the multi-generational vegetarian family who run this “vegetarian institution”, the 3 sisters have prepared a very special vegan Cambodian feast for us, that we are sure you’ll enjoy.
Highlights of the Day:
- Travel by bike, foot, and tuk-tuk through rural Cambodia to witness, experience, and begin to understand rural Khmer life with our trio of local long-time residents of Battambang.
- Tasty traditional home-cooked family dinner with a local family who have veganized their favorite family recipes just for us.
- Learn from local families about their craft of preparing rice paper and dried bananas, which we will enjoy, as their guests in their homes for a tasty vegan Khmer lunch.
- Enjoy a family-style meal as guests of the family who run the longest-standing vegetarian restaurant in Battambang. Three generations of this vegetarian family have been serving veggie and vegan food to the locals for more than 25 years, for us they will prepare special vegan versions of some of their favorite and best-selling dishes.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 8 CAMBODIA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
As we say goodbye to our friends in Battambang we will head off over the horizon, with the remarkable team at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary waiting to welcome us with a delicious vegan buffet lunch. We will then spend a couple of nights immersed within the Cambodian jungle, learning about and assisting with the essential work that they do to protect the surrounding land and all of the native species, flora and fauna, that call it home, including monkeys, buffalos, and of course, the Asian elephant. At the end of day 8, after an exhausting yet thoroughly rewarding day, we will settle down for another movie night, this time the entirely apt, “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story”. This documentary follows a team of volunteers (led by Lek Challert from Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park) as they set off on a rescue mission in Thailand. Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is part of a partnership with Save Elephant Foundation making this documentary a must-watch during our stay.
Highlights of the Day:
- Our final Cambodian ‘road trip’ sees us head deep into the countryside.
- Spend time with the inspirational team from Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, during which we will learn as much as we can about their project to protect the Cambodian countryside from deforestation, development, and illegal hunting.
- We just know you’re going to love our vegan buffet-style meals at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary which offers a subtle blend of Khmer and Thai cuisines which is due to the proximity to the Thai border and also that some of the kitchen teams are from Thailand!
- The chance to watch “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story” whilst staying as guests at one of the projects that are supported by the Save Elephant Foundation.
- Our friend and the knowledgeable host will be watching the documentary with us and will be on hand to answer all of your questions!
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 9 CAMBODIA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Staying in jungle huts with elephants as neighbors is a unique experience, and our stay at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary will go some way to support their mission in Cambodia. During our stay, expect to learn more about this excellent initiative from our friend and (vegan) host who manages Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, having previously volunteered and worked at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. With this being our ‘full day’ on site, expect an action-packed, informative and exhausting itinerary that will keep us busy helping out at the sanctuary from dawn to dusk!
Highlights of the Day:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will continue with the Khmer / Thai fusion from the talented team at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Jungle walks where we will learn about the fauna and flora that call this protected sanctuary home.
- Spend time observing the trio of resident elephants, in their own environment and understand their stories.
- Get ‘hands-on’ and lend our support to a variety of essential tasks that need to be undertaken at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary including preparing the elephants (and other resident rescued wildlife) meals.
- Our final dinner will be another ‘hands-on’ experience as we work alongside the kitchen team to prepare and create a vegan feast for everyone!
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 10 SIEM REAP
After lunch, we’ll make the short journey to our final destination of Siem Reap – home to the country’s most famous landmark – the incredible and enormously epic temple complex of Angkor Wat! The incredible Angkor complex used to be the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire between the 9th and the 15th centuries. The magnificent Angkor Wat, within the old Angkor capital, is truly awe-inspiring – to say the least. Dating back to the 12th century, it is also known as “The Temple Mountain”, and was originally a Hindu temple devoted to Vishnu, but later converted to a Buddhist Temple as the country’s main religion changed. Angkor stretches over four hundred square kilometers and is home to hundreds of ancient buildings and structures. As you explore these magnificent monuments that tell the tales of times past, we’ll introduce you to what these structures all mean, both then, and now, understanding their stories and their greater reflection of the communities they were built amongst.
En route to Siem Reap we will visit some of the projects that the VegVoyages Foundation, in partnership with a local foundation, has been able to support, initiate, and implement. From the installation of water wells to ensure villagers have clean water, to building classrooms with attached libraries so children can learn English, these projects are essential and we are honored to be involved in such a worthy initiative.
Upon arrival in Siem Reap we’ll settle into our home for the last four days of our Cambodia vegan adventure – an absolutely stunning boutique luxury resort located in the leafy old-French quarter in the heart of Siem Reap, which has a huge heart of its’ own. The resort’s charitable foundation does some excellent work in the local community, which we will be supporting prior to our arrival, and during our stay. We will learn more about the important projects that they deliver and learn about the challenges facing the communities living in Cambodia’s countryside who after rebuilding from the region’s tragic history, now face the ever-growing challenges of climate change on local agrarian life and shifting economic times.
On our first night in Siem Reap we will enjoy a riverside walk along the bank of the recently regenerated Siem Reap river which is the heartbeat of Siem Reap. We will visit the parks, home to the Royal Residence, and the adjancent Preah Ang Check Shrine, before passing through the grounds of Wat Preah Prom Rath en route to dinner.
Highlights of the Day:
- Spend time in a village where we will visit some of the projects that we support. Whilst there, enjoy a vegan lunch with our hosts who live in the village.
- Check in to our home in Siem Reap an absolutely stunning boutique luxury resort located in the leafy old-French quarter in the heart of town, whose charitable foundation does some excellent work in the local community.
- Experience everything that Siem Reap riverside has to offer during a guided walk from our luxury hotel to our dinner location. Spend this time learning about the recent changes and how the local population have benefited from these changes.
- For our first meal in Siem Reap we will enjoy a vegan feast at a very vegan-friendly local restaurant that donates 50% of its profits to its staff team and an educational NGO. Not only will the meal be delicious but it’s always good to know that we are supporting organizations and projects that go above and beyond to make a difference.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 11 SIEM REAP
In Siem Reap, we’ll experience Khmer hospitality at its best, as long-time residents treat us like family welcoming us into their homes, livelihoods, and places of work and worship, sharing their stories of living in the shadows of the larger-than-life Angkor Wat. Whilst in Siem Reap, one of your hosts Paul, with his family and friends, will share with you their favorite haunts and why in Paul’s case, after traveling to many countries as a vegan travel writer and blogger for years, he decided to call Siem Reap his home. Falling in love with Cambodia, and adopting it as his home, when not writing Paul spends his time advocating for veganism by managing the Vegan Cambodia Facebook page and working with hotels and restaurants throughout the country to help them become more vegan-friendly.
We’ll also learn more about the foundation that we have partnered with, which is dedicated to helping Cambodians overcome poverty by supporting them with healthcare, education, and direct assistance.
Just when you think the food can’t get any better, we’ll join one of the finest chefs in Siem Reap, who is a friend of Paul’s, who has converted a traditional Khmer wooden house into a veggie paradise creating local dishes using locally sourced ingredients. He has a special vegan fusion feast he is preparing for us and will share his story as a Khmer chef who has chosen to cook vegetarian and vegan food in a country where this is certainly not the norm. His passion for whole foods that are both creative and beautiful whilst at the same time, super nutritious is refreshing and inspiring.
And of course, since we are in Siem Reap after spending time with the teachers, staff, and students at Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang, we can’t wait for you to experience Phare, The Cambodian Circus, in their big top on the edge of town. On this very special evening, we’ll enjoy a pre-show Cambodian street food reception with pre-show entertainment, followed by an inspiring circus performance that continues the story of the people and history of Cambodia, their past, their present, and their future.
Highlights of the Day:
- Visit the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum where exhibitions of objects found during an archaeological excavation in the park are displayed, this will begin our introduction to the Angkor Archaeological Park.
- Begin to explore the ancient capital of Angkor and the magnificent temple complex that is home to the iconic Angkor Wat via local tuk-tuk. You’ll be introduced to what these stunning structures all mean, both then, and now, understanding their stories and their greater reflection of the communities they were built amongst.
- Continue to enjoy our home in Siem Reap an absolutely stunning boutique resort located in the leafy old-French quarter in the heart of town, whose charitable foundation does some excellent work in the local community.
- Learn about a local foundation dedicated to helping Cambodians overcome poverty at their sustainable community farm, projects, and schools in the village of Banteay Srey.
- Sit down with a super talented chef at his veggie garden paradise in a finely converted traditional Khmer home for a special vegan fusion feast he is preparing for us.
- Experience Phare, The Cambodian Circus, in their big top on the edge of town with a special evening where we’ll enjoy a pre-show Cambodian street food reception with pre-show entertainment, followed by an inspiring circus performance that continues the story of the people and history of Cambodia.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 12 SIEM REAP
After yet another delightful vegan breakfast, we will be joined for coffee by our hosts who will tell us their stories and how they ended up working at the luxury boutique hotel that we call home from its inception nearly 20 years ago until the current day, including the excellent work that their foundation does.
We will then join our tuk-tuk drivers and continue our exploration of the Angkor Archaeological Park, spending the morning learning more about the complex before heading back to our hotel for lunch.
Lunch will be special, very special. Created by a chef who was the first chef to host Paul and his wife for a vegan cooking class, and to create a ‘vegan tasting menu’ for them back in 2014. Since then, his passion, creativity, and skills in the kitchen have continued to develop and our lunch promises to be a memorable one! If that wasn’t enough, we will be invited to ‘get involved and assist him and his team in the preparation and creation of our vegan lunch.
This is the only day during our tour where you have a free schedule to do as you wish, from mid-afternoon onwards. Whether that be chill by the pool, head out for a massage, or do some shopping in one of the local markets, don’t worry we’ve got you covered with tips and advice as to your best options! We will also point you in the right direction for even more delicious vegan food at one of the many vegan-friendly eateries in Temple Town.
Highlights of the Day:
- Learn about the history of the hotel that we call home, and more about the excellent foundation that they have created.
- Further adventures exploring the temples of Angkor via tuk-tuk with our excellent local guide.
- What promises to be a memorable vegan lunch with one of our favorite chefs that we will be involved in the creation of.
- Enjoy some ‘downtime’ and make the most of our luxury boutique resort home, and relax next to the stunning swimming pool.
- This is the only evening where we have left the evening free for you to explore, but don’t worry we’ve got plenty of suggestions as to what you can do and where you can eat!
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 13 SIEM REAP
During our time in Cambodia, we have started to understand the culture, the country, the religion, and the way of life in this breathtaking country. We wanted you to experience Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples in a unique and enlightening way. Yes, you will marvel at the sheer scale and impressiveness of this vast temple complex, and today you will experience the much-photographed “sunrise at Angkor”, but we will also guide you through the jungle temple complex with our local friends and guides where you will catch a glimpse of real-life for the local Khmer villages who live with the temples in their back garden. We will even take you to our favorite spots for more “accidentally vegan” street food and hidden corners where we can share freshly picked coconuts whilst soaking up the jungle vibes before ending our final day in Cambodia watching the sunset from a spot where the locals go, not where the busloads of tourists go.
On our final full day in the Kingdom of Wonder (that will include both sunrise and sunset at the temples) we will enjoy a vegan lunch at an excellent NGO training school (you’re going to love this) and a gala dinner in a small restaurant, that is a favorite with ex-pats and tourists alike. Our lovely Khmer host has worked hard over the years to cater for her vegan food-loving guests making it the perfect place to support on our last night. There will be plenty of local drinks and local beers to accompany our final dinner where we will raise a glass (or two) and wish us all ‘chol muoy’ (cheers)!
Highlights of the Day:
- Continue to explore the temples of Angkor on our final full day in Cambodia and get to witness both sunrise and sunset in unique and memorable locations.
- Enjoy a delicious vegan lunch at an inspirational NGO hospitality school that is run by a wonderful vegan couple. The vegan tasting menu that we will enjoy was originally created for Paul, his wife, and their friends for Christmas dinner last year!
- Join one of your hosts Paul, and his (vegan) family, for a farewell gala dinner in a vegan-friendly locally owned restaurant in Siem Reap. Enjoy home-cooked and family-style veganised versions of classic Khmer cuisine, the perfect way to remember Cambodia.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
DAY 14 SIEM REAP to PHNOM PENH – The Journey Home Begins…
One last special taste of Cambodia breakfast, followed by a morning of poolside stories with our friends, and then sadly – the journey home begins. The final chapter of your Cambodia Vegan Adventure will be a transfer back to Phnom Penh for your international flight complete with a vegan pack picnic lunch for the journey. This will be with our team of local drivers who will ensure your trip back to the city, or to the airport depending on your flight time, is one last taste of Khmer hospitality and one last glimpse of the Cambodian countryside. Thank you very, very, very much again for traveling with us and choosing a Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages adventure!
Highlights of the Day:
- Special Taste of Cambodia vegan fusion breakfast.
- Special vegan picnic lunch packed.
- Airport transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh or International Airport.
Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast & Packed Lunch