Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance

one week

    A couple walks down the beach in beautiful Koh Rong, Cambodia

    One Week in Cambodia | 7 Day Itinerary

    by Nick & Raychel March 7, 2019

    We’ve lived in Cambodia for a year and are so lucky to have had so many friends and family visit us during our time here. With that said, we’ve been personal tour guides more than a few times now.

    The biggest thing we should mention right off the bat here is that this itinerary does not include Siem Reap. This is for two reasons:

    1. Many people fly into Phnom Penh
    2. We believe Siem Reap is a whole different trip, and you will likely need more than one week to see it.

    That said, we have added 5 days onto the end of this article to represent your time in SR. If you’re planning on going, find our Siem Reap guide here.

    So here it is, our suggested one week travel itinerary starting in Phnom Penh.


    Day 1: Phnom Penh

    You’ve just arrived in the capital city and there is so much that you could do.

    Here are a few suggestions:

    (Daytime)

    • Visit the Royal Palace
    • Take a walk along the riverside
    • Visit Wat Phnom
    • Get some goodies at the local markets – Central Market, Russian Market (see our guide to the markets here)

    (Nighttime)

    • Visit the night market
    • Grab a beer near the riverside / independence monument
    • Take a walk to Wat Botum and watch the locals dance after sunset
    • Go see a traditional dancing show at the museum


    Day 2: Koh Rong

    How to get there: You can take a bus or private taxi to Sihanoukville. A private taxi is $55 for the entire car, so if you have a group of 4 people you will pay only $13.75 each for a much more comfortable ride. If you are looking for a taxi, join the Facebook group Taxi Share Cambodia.

    For the sake of this itinerary, we took an overnight taxi on Day 1 so we could arrive in Sihanoukville by the morning.

    We then took the first ferry sailing to Koh Rong and spent the entire day at the beach.


    Day 3: Koh Rong

    Wake up in your beachy bungalow and prepare for the day.

    Here are a list of things you can do in Koh Rong:

    • Explore the different beaches. Do not stay at one beach! There are so many beautiful beaches to see such as: Long Beach, Palm Beach, Lonely Beach, White Beach, Lazy Beach…. the list goes on…

      Note: You can hire water taxis to get between beaches for $5
      Tip: Walk the trail from Koh Toch to Long Beach –  the trek is amazing


    • Snorkeling or diving
    • Ziplining at High Point Adventure Park
    • Go on a boat trip to Koh Rong Samloem
    • Get a tattoo at one of the great tattoo shops
    • Have a cocktail and relax on the beach in a swing or hammock

    We went snorkeling with the luminescent plankton at night – although we don’t necessarily recommend it. Although it was sort of cool, the waters in Koh Rong are sadly very polluted the further out you get into the ocean, and swimming with rubbish in the dark isn’t all that appealing.


    Don’t leave home without travel insurance. Trust us, we never do. You can get a quote with World Nomads right here.


    Day 4: Kampot

    How to get there: Catch a ferry back to Sihanoukville. From there, take a bus or hire a private taxi for $45 if you have enough people to fill the car.

    Kampot is not only our favourite place in Cambodia, but one of our favourite places in the entire world. This sleepy french-colonial town is the ultimate place to relax. At the same time, there are so many things to see. The laid-back lifestyle in this river town is unbeatable. We don’t suggest missing out on this place!

    Since you’ll be arriving in the afternoon, you will have half a day to explore the old town, get some delicious food and hit the night market once it gets dark.

    If you get there early enough, you can do one or two of the things we suggest to do on Day 5.

    We checked in to our bungalow and hung out by the river.


    Day 5: Kampot

    Our favourite thing about Kampot is that there’s so much to do, but it’s so relaxed that you won’t necessarily feel pressured to do all of it.

    Here are some of the things you can do in Kampot:

    • Visit the pepper plantations and/or salt fields
    • Take a tour up Bokor Mountain to see the buddha statue, abandoned casino, and remarkable views
    • Rent a kayak and go for a ride along the river
    • Take the day trip to Rabbit Island
    • Hop in a taxi or tuk tuk and go to Kep to see the beaches
    • Try the highly regarded Kampot river crab with fresh pepper
    • Up for some adventure? Visit Arcadia and go down the steep water slide

    Taxi back to PP: We wanted two more days back in Phnom Penh so we left this evening around 8pm. You could skip the next day and stay an extra day in Kampot, but there is still more to see back around PP. A private taxi is $45.00 from Kampot to PP.


    Day 6: Phnom Penh / Takeo Province

    Start the day off in Phnom Penh. Get some breakfast then prepare for your half-day trip to Phnom Chisor.

    How to get to Phnom Chisor: You could rent a motorbike and drive there yourself, but the dirt road close to Phnom Chisor is long and bumpy. If you do this, make sure your motorbike is in great shape. Only take this route if you are experienced on a motorbike. Regardless, we recommend just renting a tuk tuk. That way, you can snack and hang out along the way, and you won’t miss any of the views of local Cambodian living.

    Phnom Chisor is a 133m tall hill in Takeo Province. On top of the hill, you will find an ancient temple built in the 11th century, part of the Angkor Wat family.

    Read our full blog on Phnom Chisor here.

    After you’re done taking in the beauty and history of Phnom Chisor, head back to Phnom Penh for an ice cold beer near the riverside.


    Day 7: Phnom Penh

    It’s your last day in Phnom Penh and this is when we recommend visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields.

    Visiting the Killing Fields/Tuol Sleng is very heavy and very emotional. You will learn so much about the horrifying events that took place during the Khmer Rouge. This is such an important part of your visit to Cambodia.

    We specifically put this on the last day of the itinerary as we took a few days to recover from visiting these very somber places. We were so emotionally affected that, personally, we wouldn’t be able to jump up in the morning and go ziplining two days after experiencing this.

    That said, some people may disagree with us. Some people may say that you should visit the Killing Fields/Tuol Sleng on your first day so that you have a full grasp on what happened in Cambodia before travelling to the different provinces.

    Whatever you decide will be the right choice for you.


    We absolutely love Cambodia and we are so excited for you to visit the Kingdom of Wonder. As always, if you have any questions – please feel free to contact us.

    0 PinterestEmail

Categories

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019
Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

Not Luxe

Recent Posts

  • guide to naramata bc
    CanadaTravel

    The Ultimate Guide To Naramata, British Columbia

    June 29, 2023
  • the interior of a budget van build
    Australia - Working Holiday

    How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • road trip
    TravelVan Life

    How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021

GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

IS CAMBODIA SAFE? LIVING IN PHNOM PENH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShIg00dj8Q

KAMPOT & KEP | PEPPER PLANTATIONS, KAYAKING, BOAT TOURS & TAPAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3DgTbP4SKQ

LONGBOARDING IN THE PHILIPPINES | LAPU LAPU & OSLOB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6ABZE4mSE

CAMBODIA | PROS & CONS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLMhjVTJUxE&t=14s

Subscribe and Follow

Keep in touch

Instagram Pinterest Youtube

Recent Posts

  • Van Life Myths : Debunked

    November 3, 2021
  • Travel The World For Free With Trusted House Sitting

    February 14, 2021
  • Things Worth Buying as Minimalist Nomads

    April 28, 2020
  • Markets to Visit in Phnom Penh: A Guide

    March 19, 2019
  • How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Tips You Need to Read BEFORE Moving to Phnom Penh

    March 18, 2019
  • 8 Things to Know Before MOVING to Cambodia

    March 10, 2019
  • Currency in Cambodia: Explained

    March 5, 2019
  • Saving Money: Teaching & Living in Phnom Penh

    February 19, 2019
  • Where to Stay in Phnom Penh : A Visitor’s Guide

    February 12, 2019
  • Day Trip to Phnom Chisor: How to Get to Phnom Chisor from Phnom Penh

    February 5, 2019
  • WHY You Should Teach English in Cambodia

    January 29, 2019
  • The Ultimate Guide To Naramata, British Columbia

    June 29, 2023
  • How to Save Money On A Budget Camper Van Build

    February 17, 2022
  • How to Prepare for a USA Road Trip (For Canadians)

    November 15, 2021
  • Things to do in Chilliwack BC

    November 15, 2021

CATEGORIES

ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

Read More

Trending

  • living in BC vs. living in Ontario Toronto vs. Vancouver
    Travel

    Living in Ontario vs. Living in British Columbia (BC)

    January 23, 2021
  • living in Vancouver Canada
    Move Abroad

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • Raychel swims in a luxurious pool
    CambodiaCambodia - Phnom Penh

    15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    March 29, 2019

Instagram

  • Full-time travel: rapid-fire answering the most common questions about having no fixed address (PART 2) 

* Language Barriers: English is our first language, but we learn key phrases before visiting a new country, use language apps, and rely (pretty heavily lol) on Google Translate for help.

*Bank Accounts: Our primary bank account is in Canada, and we open accounts in other countries if we stay for more than 6 months. We use WISE for fund transfers.

*Safety Overseas: Yes, we feel safe by using common sense, learning local laws, and staying informed about local news.

*Budgeting and Saving: We work on the road, choose affordable accommodations, and keep travel costs low.

*Routine: We’re still figuring this out, ngl. 

*Belongings: Sold everything in 2017, traveled with just a backpack, upgraded to a van, downsized AGAINA and now have a $100/month storage locker (!!!) 

*Handling Change: Honestly? Online therapy and staying connected to friends help, but we’ve learned to embrace the constant change of our nomadic lifestyle.

Any questions about living on the road? 
Drop ‘em here.

➟ follow @nickandraychel // slow travel & alternative living

Tags: #travelcouple #travelinspo #vanlifecouple #travelcouple  #granolagirl #lifeontheroad #cheaptravel #vandwellers #travelinyour30s #lowcosttravel #explorecanada #yvrcreators #canadiantravelbloggers #traveltips  #outdoorscreator #girlslovetravel #travelforless #digitalnomad
  • It’s official – we’ve quit our jobs once more as our journey takes us abroad again. Over the past 5 years, we’ve been travelling & working temp gigs along the way. 

With just 5 weeks until we touch down in New Zealand, we’ve checked off step 2 on our to-do list. Selling our trusty van, quitting our jobs, securing visas, booking flights, snagging travel insurance, updating resumes, job hunting, finding accommodation, packing our bags, and saying our goodbyes.

This marks our third move to a foreign land without ever setting foot there before. There’s no turning back now, but we’re ready for the adventure. 

So here’s to another wild ride.

➟ follow @nickandraychel // slow travel & alternative living

__

Tags: #traveldiaries #traveltips #travelforless #travelinspiration #tinyliving #budgettravel #lifeafterthirty #ohcanada #canadiancreators #granolagirl #travelbloggers #workingholidayvisa #whv #newzealand #movingabroad
  • I think I’ve found my people on this side of the pond. 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // slow travel & alternative living

__ 

Tags: #traveleurope #scandanavianstyle #travelcouple #travelinspo #travelinyour30s #yvrcreators #canadiantravelbloggers #eesti #travelgram #twoduvets #girlslovetravel
  • Suddenly you’re in a tiny floating cabin in Europe and everything makes sense? 

📍 @paekaldapuhkekeskus 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // alternative living & slow travel 

Tags: #notluxe #visitestonia #traveltips #travelcouple #tinyhome #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #floathome #tinycabins #exploreeurope #canadiancreator
  • One of the biggest misconceptions about affordable travel is that it has to be uncomfyBUT there are ways to *actually* enjoy economy - so let’s chat about it. 

Here are our main tips for enjoying saving money on travel:
Follow @porterairlines and sign up to their email list (link in bio) to get first access to their biggest sale of the year so far.
Off season travel. Trust us. It doesn’t hurt the bank account and guess what - travelling in the off-season means shorter lines, more affordable accommodation and less crowds.
Add some spontaneity into your life & be flexible (if possible). 
Porter Airlines has had our backs as savvy travellers for YEARS and we absolutely love them for elevating economy air travel. 

If you haven’t had the chance to experience Porter’s Actually Enjoy Economy experience - Now is your chance.
 Free, fast WiFi (included for all on the new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft)
 No middle seats
 Free beer, wine and cocktails served in glassware
 Free Premium snacks
+ more (!!)

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

@porterairlines #FlyPorter #ActuallyEnjoyEconomy #porterpartner #notluxe #traveltips #travelgirls #travelgirlsgo #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #ad
  • Travelling in comfortable silence >>>

On long travel days, we love being together but we definitely don’t want to talk lmao. There is something amazing about being *with* your person, but not needing to say anything at all.

Anyone else?

Tags: #notluxe #vanlifecouple #travelcouple #gapyear #travelgirls #travelgirlsgo #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #traveleurope #lovelanguage
Follow Me!

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Living in Vancouver, Canada | The Pros & Cons

    May 23, 2020
  • 2

    Living in the Okanagan Valley, Canada (What It’s Like)

    May 29, 2020
  • 3

    Living in Kelowna vs. Living in Vancouver

    February 25, 2021
  • 4

    Top 5 Neighbourhoods to Live in Vancouver, BC

    January 12, 2021
  • 5

    What To Pack For Cambodia

    July 22, 2019
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2019 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top