A Unique Journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Cruise the River, Explore the Countryside

Hightlight

  • 🚐 Phnom Penh to Siem Reap cruise and land tour

  •  Swap the crowded public bus for a seamless, cruise journey in a safe and reliable riverboat cruise . We provide full porter service for all luggage and suitcases, ensuring a stress-free transition between Cambodia’s two major cities.

  • 🚢 A Journey by Land & Water Why choose one when you can have both? This unique “Hybrid” tour combines a scenic countryside road trip with a relaxing river cruise along the historic Mekong or Tonlé Sap rivers.

  • 🥈 Artisan Discovery: The Silversmiths of Koh Chen Go behind the scenes at a traditional silversmiths factory. Watch master craftsmen at work as they create intricate Khmer silverware using techniques passed down through generations—a perfect opportunity for authentic souvenirs.

  • 🇰🇭 800 Years of History: Kompong Kdei Bridge Walk across one of the world’s oldest surviving arched bridges. Built during the height of the Angkorian Empire, this 800-year-old stone marvel remains a testament to ancient Khmer engineering.

  • 🍽️ Riverfront Dining & Drinks Break up your travel day with a delicious buffet lunch or premium set menu served on board our riverboat. Enjoy your meal with panoramic views of the riverbanks and the cooling water breeze.

  • 📸 Authentic Riverside Immersion Get a true glimpse of “Real Cambodia.” Your expert local guide will lead you through riverside villages and stilted communities, offering insights into the daily lives of the fishing and farming families.

Itinerary

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Cruise & Land Discovery

The Most Scenic Way to Travel Between Cities

Forget the long, bumpy bus rides and crowded airports. Our exclusive “River & Road” tour turns your travel day into a luxury guided experience. Journey along the historic Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers on our double-hulled cruisers before finishing the trip in a comfortable private vehicle—seeing the real Cambodia every step of the way.

  • Best of Both Worlds: 5 hours of scenic river cruising + 4 hours of countryside discovery.

  • All-Inclusive Luxury: Fresh BBQ lunch, unlimited cold drinks, and hotel-to-hotel service.

  • Unique Stops: Visit the famous Koh Chen silversmith village and the ancient Kompong Kdei Bridge.

  • Safety First: Avoid dangerous open-lake crossings with our specialized river-and-road route.

At a Glance

  • Time: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (approx. 9 hours).

  • Price: $139 Per Person (All-inclusive).

  • Includes: Hotel pickup (Phnom Penh), hotel drop-off (Siem Reap), river cruise, private A/C land transfer, BBQ Lunch (Vegetarian available) & Unlimited Drinks.

  • Luggage: Full luggage service included—we handle the heavy lifting!


The Itinerary

7:30 AM |  Pickup We collect you directly from your Phnom Penh hotel and transfer you to our private pier.(pick up and hotel drop off in Phnom Penh to our boat is via local tuk tuks for ease and timely travel)

8:00 AM | Set Sail on the Mekong & Tonlé Sap on one of our 3 safe river cruisers. Enjoy a welcome drink and settle in as we cruise north. Our unique boat design allows us to get closer to the banks to see water buffalo, floating homes, and rare river birds. a village stop is normally happening subject to river conditions.

10.30 AM | Onboard BBQ Lunch Relax on deck with a freshly prepared BBQ lunch (vegetarian options available) and unlimited cold beers, soft drinks, and water as the river scenery unfolds.

12.30 PM | Koh Chen Silversmith Village Disembark at Koh Chen island, world-famous for its master silversmiths. Watch artisans create royal-style jewelry and ceremonial pieces—perfect for high-quality souvenirs at wholesale prices.

1:00 PM | Scenic Land Transfer We transition to a private, air-conditioned Lexus or minivan. The journey continues through the pristine countryside, with a special stop at the 12th-century Kompong Kdei Bridge, an ancient stone masterpiece of the Khmer Empire.

4:30 PM | Arrival in Siem Reap We deliver you directly to your hotel door, refreshed and ready for Angkor Wat.

Includes & Excludes

    Door-to-Door Service: Stress-free pick-up from your hotel in Phnom Penh and drop-off at your hotel in Siem Reap (or vice versa)
    Premium Road Transport: Travel in a late model, air-conditioned SUV or luxury minivan, depending on your group size
    Scenic River Cruise: A 4.5-hour journey aboard our comfortable river cruiser (Mekong Tara Prince or similar) to experience the "Four Faces" river junction and rural life
    All-Inclusive Dining: A freshly prepared BBQ or Vegetarian Lunch served on board the boat, accompanied by seasonal tropical fruits
    Unlimited Drinks: Enjoy free-flow bottled water, soft drinks, and cold beers throughout the cruise portion of your trip.
    Expert Local Guide: A professional, English-speaking guide to host you on the boat and during all land-based sightseeing.
    Artisan & History Stops: Guided visits to the Koh Chen silversmiths factory and the 800-year-old Kompong Kdei Bridge
    Full Luggage Porterage: Our staff handles all heavy lifting—suitcases and large bags are safely stored and transferred for you.
    Souvenirs: Any silver jewelry or local crafts purchased at the workshops or roadside stops.
    Personal Gratuities: Tips for your driver and boat crew are entirely at your discretion but are greatly appreciated for excellent service.

Important Info

Why Choose a Cruise and Road Transfer Over a Flight?

If you are looking for the best way to travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, our combined river cruise and land tour offers an experience that a plane or bus simply can’t match. By avoiding the open waters of the Tonlé Sap Lake, which can be treacherous during storm season or impassable in the dry season, we ensure a safe, year-round transfer that focuses on the beauty of the Tonlé Sap River.

This all-inclusive transfer is perfect for travelers who want to maximize their time in Cambodia. Instead of a wasted travel day, you’ll explore the “Royal Road” of the Khmer Empire, visit the Koh Chen silversmiths, and dine on a historic riverboat. With 20 years of experience, Tara Boat provides the only licensed and fully insured service on this route, turning a standard city-to-city transfer into the highlight of your Cambodian holiday.

🚢 Book the Ultimate Journey Today

Phnom Penh ↔ Siem Reap | The River & Land Discovery

 

Package Relates

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The Ultimate Private Journey: Siem Reap ↔ Battambang. Enjoy the luxury of a flexible pace and your own private boat as you navigate Cambodia’s most untouched countryside. We handle all the logistics—including air-conditioned hotel transfers and checkpoint fees—so you can focus on the incredible wildlife and authentic floating communities. A safe, comfortable, and deeply insightful 8-hour adventure.

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This is an exciting and different way to travel, we Cruise/land tour, we go both ways Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Phnom Penh Daily. Travel from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap has always been difficult due to the ever-changing water levels on the Tonle Sap Lake, even in the wet season when the water levels are high enough you have other issues, low lying bridges,making the riverboats unable to pass, storms on the lake that can make the crossing treacherous. fishing nets and water hyacinth are also issues, the sheer boredom of crossing the lake as there is nothing to see apart from vast swathes of water, not anymore.

$139 Per Person

Forget the long, bumpy bus rides and crowded airports. Turn your travel day into a luxury guided experience with our exclusive “River & Road” tour. This 9-hour journey combines 5 hours of scenic cruising on the Mekong and Tonlé Sap with a comfortable private land transfer. From the silversmiths of Koh Chen to the 12th-century Kompong Kdei Bridge, you’ll see the “Real Cambodia” while we handle the luggage and the logistics.

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