Cambodia can also be explored by the Mekong: from the Kratie dolphins to the Phnom Penh riverfront, then across the Tonle Sap toward Siem Reap and Angkor. 5 stops, with itineraries and practical tips for your trip.
Photo by Sylwia Bartyzel on Unsplash+
The river enters Cambodia just below the Khone Falls, which cut navigation from Laos. It flows down to Phnom Penh, where the Tonle Sap joins it, then crosses into Vietnam in two branches, the Mekong and the Bassac.
The first town after the Lao border, where the Sekong meets the Mekong. More of a stopover than a destination.
Our guide to Stung Treng →Next : Minibus · 2 to 3 hours
A riverside town known for the Irrawaddy dolphins, which you watch from a small boat at Kampi, a little to the north.
Our guide to Kratie →Next : Minibus · 4 to 5 hours
A provincial town on the right bank, on the road between Kratie and Phnom Penh, facing Koh Paen island.
Next : Bus or van · 1.5 to 2.5 hrs
The capital, at the Chaktomuk junction: the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap here and gives rise to the Bassac. Boats leave for Chau Doc.
Our guide to Phnom Penh →Next : Bus or boat depending on the season · 5.5 to 7 hours or By river to Chau Doc, Vietnam
The great lake, linked to the Mekong by the Tonle Sap River, and its stilt villages. Siem Reap, north of the lake, is the gateway to Angkor.
Five Cambodia must-sees away from the Mekong, each from the nearest stop. Letters refer to the stops map.
Photo by Marcin Konsek on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kampot lines the Praek Tuek Chhu, below the Bokor massif and its 1920s colonial hill station; its pepper has protected geographical status. Kep, 25 km away, is known for its crab market.
From Phnom Penh · bus, 2.5 to 5 hrs, or train, 3 hrs 40
Photo by Christophe95 on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
About 12 km west, Phnom Sampeau hill and its caves, a Khmer Rouge killing site; at sunset, millions of bats stream out for half an hour. A tourist bamboo train still runs.
From Phnom Penh · bus, 5 to 6 hrs, or train, 6 hrs 20
Photo by Kiensvay on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
The hills of Sen Monorom. 11 km away, the Elephant Valley Project keeps elephants with no rides and no shows, on weekdays and by booking; the three-tier Bou Sra waterfall is 43 km out. Peak season November to February.
From Kratie · minivan, 3.5 to 4 hrs
Photo by Chamnanmuon on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
An almost perfectly round crater lake, 800 m across and about 50 m deep, 5 km from Banlung in Ratanakiri. It is sacred to the Tampuan people.
From Stung Treng · minivan, 2 to 3 hrs to Banlung
Photo by PsamatheM on Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Capital of the Khmer empire in the 10th century, a World Heritage site since 2023: over 180 sanctuaries and the 36 m Prasat Thom pyramid. No public transport; entry $15. Only the main site and roads are demined: stay on the paths.
From Siem Reap · car, about 2.5 hrsNovember to February: the dry season, the most pleasant. March to May: the real heat. June to October: the monsoon, a high river and a Tonle Sap spilling over the rice fields.
| J (current month) | F (current month) | M (current month) | A (current month) | M (current month) | J (current month) | J (current month) | A (current month) | S (current month) | O (current month) | N (current month) | D (current month) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our takeall of Cambodia | Ideal | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Ideal |
| The Mekongat Phnom Penh | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Rising | High | High | High | High | Falling |
| Festivalsmain ones | Khmer New Year | Pchum Ben | Water Festival |
| Month | Our take | River | Festivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan (current month) | Ideal | Low | |
| Feb (current month) | Good | Low | |
| Mar (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Apr (current month) | Fair | Low | Khmer New Year |
| May (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Jun (current month) | Fair | Low | |
| Jul (current month) | Fair | Rising | |
| Aug (current month) | Fair | High | |
| Sep (current month) | Fair | High | |
| Oct (current month) | Fair | High | Pchum Ben |
| Nov (current month) | Good | High | Water Festival |
| Dec (current month) | Ideal | Falling |
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year. Mekong level: Mekong River Commission, median of 2020-2025.
When to go to the Mekong, month by month →1 to 2 days · Cambodia and Vietnam
21 days · from Luang Prabang to Phnom Penh
US travelers need a visa: the $30 e-Visa on evisa.gov.kh, or a visa on arrival, around $40 at land and river borders, for 30 days. The e-Visa isn't accepted at Kaam Samnor, the checkpoint for the boat from Chau Doc. By air, fill in the free e-Arrival card within 7 days before arrival.
French government (France Diplomatie), updated September 21, 2026; e-Visa, KPMG (January 2025)
Visas for Cambodia →Two currencies circulate: US dollars for round amounts, riel for change. ATMs in towns dispense dollars.
Buses and minivans between the river towns; boats to Chau Doc and, depending on the water level, to Siem Reap across the Tonle Sap.
Boat to Chau Doc: daily at 12:30 p.m. (Hang Chau, 2026). Boat to Siem Reap: $49, about 7 hours, from June or July to February or March when the water allows (Move to Cambodia, March 2026).
A 30 km strip along the Thai border is formally advised against, and land crossings with Thailand are closed. Take care at night in Phnom Penh, where bag snatching is common; helmets are compulsory on motorbikes. Beware of online job offers that lead to scam compounds.
French government (France Diplomatie), updated September 21, 2026
Safety on the Mekong →$50 a day traveling simply, $100 in comfort, excluding flights. US dollars are used everywhere, with riel for small change.
Nomadic Matt, October 2026
Budget for Cambodia →