Trek to Angkor Wat 2026 Itinerary

In this bucketlist challenge, over 9 days you'll trek through valleys and dense forests, climb the sacred Kulen Mountain, and reach a jaw-dropping finish line!

Day 1

The team will gather at the airport and together set off on our flight to Siem Reap, excited for a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Day 2

We arrive in Siem Reap, meet our local guides and transfer to our hotel. The rest of this day is yours to either relax from the journey or explore the vibrant French-colonial city. In the evening, we'll gather together for a briefing about our challenge ahead to make sure we're all ready to begin.

Day 3: Siem Reap to Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham

After breakfast we take a short transfer out of town, and the trek begins! Heading across dazzling green rice-paddies and farmland, we pass through several small villages and experience the local way of life. Cambodia is one of the friendliest countries in South-East Asia and we will get plenty of smiles and waves as we pass! We're never far from a temple or pagoda and we make time to stop at a couple for a closer look. At the end of the day we catch our short transfer to set up camp at Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham.

Trekking distance - approx. 20km; 5-6 hours

Day 4: Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham to Svay Leu

Leaving our campsite, we head towards Kulen Mountain. We pass a quaint, small village and head out across the paddy fields where we are treated to the most fabulous views of Phnom Kulen in the distance. Off road, following cow cart tracks, we wind our way towards Beoung Mealea and the fascinating ruins of this little visited temple. We have the opportunity to explore before taking a short transfer to our evening's campsite at Svay Leu Pagoda. There is often a lively local market near the pagoda to explore, which gives a real insight into the local way of life in this remote area.

Trekking distance - approx. 16km; 6-7 hours

Farming in Cambodia

Day 5: Svay Leu to Kulen Mountain

After breakfast, we trek to the top of Kulen Mountain (487m), Cambodia's sacred mountain. Deeply revered, the local people make pilgrimages to the pagodas and ruins on the mountain top. The mountain forms a high plateau from where there are fabulous views across the forests and fields below. Here, we will take a moment to reflect and pause, especially for all the members of the team who are walking in memory of a loved one.

We then head west across the mountain, taking undulating tracks through the forests and villages. We stop for lunch in Anlong Thom, a small village of stilted thatched houses, experiencing a traditional way of life where time seems to stand still. Our trek continues to the 'Big Buddha', and we camp overnight near the falls. We will bathe in the 'River of 1000 Lingas' and admire the elaborate carvings in the riverbed itself.

Trekking distance - approx. 19km; 7-8 hrs

Day 6: Kulen Mountain to Tbang

We set off after breakfast on an old, dusty trail. We may meet a few local people who use the path for hunting, cutting lianas and to work on the farms higher in the hills. Our trek continues south-east on a small jungle trail down the mountain. Back on the flat plains we continue our trek on sandy, sometimes muddy tracks. There is little shade as we pass a few villages, local schools and an abundance of pagodas. We will be hot and tired by the time we reach our evening's campsite. It won't be easy, but our final goal is nearly within reach.

Trekking distance - approx. 21km; 7-8 hrs

Day 7: Tbang to Angkor Wat

We enjoy a final breakfast in camp before setting off on the final 6km of our trek to Angkor Wat. The first section of our trek is on a tarmac road before we return to cow cart tracks leading towards the Angkor complex. We reach the finish line at Phnom Bok, then load up into the local mode of transport and journey in style to Angkor Wat in a colourful procession of tuk tuks.

The UNESCO site of Angkor Wat is breath taking, conaining the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire. It is an incredible site to explore, and it is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for the unparalleled view over the whole temple.

Following our visit to Angkor Wat and after a well-deserved lunch we then continue to visit Ta Prohm temple, famous from the Tomb Raider films. Ta Prohm is unique as it is left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle, trees and vines with many parts crumbling to the ground. Following our visit to the temples we will head back to ou hotel, and celebrate our achievement with a celebration dinner at a local restaurant.

Trekking distance – approx. 6km; 2-3 hrs

Angkor Wat

Day 8

There will be time to explore Siem Reap, the second largest city of Cambodia, before we head to the airport ready for our flight back.

Day 9

We'll arrive back in London, exhausted and achy but incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and with new friends for life.

(Please note, this is a complex itinerary and subject to change)