About this tour
When Delphine from our Global Hobo crew took the private taxi from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, she stopped at a handful of quirky roadside spots most travellers skip. The route cuts through rural Cambodia — you'll swing by Skun's spider market (locals eat them, tourists gawk), poke around the crumbling 6th-century temples at Sambor Prei Kuk, cross the colonial Kampong Dkei bridge, and drop into Kampong Kleang's fishing village on Tonle Sap Lake. The driver speaks English and handles the petrol and tolls. It's eight to twelve hours depending on how long you linger at stops — beats a straight shot up the highway.
Highlights
- Skun spider market: unhinged street food, crunchy tarantulas sold roadside
- Sambor Prei Kuk temple ruins, 6th-century brick structures half-swallowed by jungle
- Kampong Dkei bridge crossing, colonial-era engineering over water
- Tonle Sap Lake fishing community: stilt houses, nets, working waterscape
- English-speaking driver handles logistics while you watch countryside roll
- Water and fuel included; no stress about petrol stations or tolls
- Flexible pacing — stop as long as you want at each spot
What to expect
You get picked up in Phnom Penh and head north in a private taxi with your driver. The first stop is Skun — a small dusty town where vendors sell roasted and live tarantulas. It's genuinely bizarre if you've never seen it; skip the eating part if you're squeamish, but the market itself is worth a walk-through. From there you swing toward Sambor Prei Kuk, where weathered brick temples dating back to the 6th century sit in scrubby woodland. The structures are modest compared to Angkor but feel more remote and less trampled.
You'll cross the historic Kampong Dkei bridge (short stop for photos) and then dip into Kampong Kleang, a fishing village built on the Tonle Sap Lake. Houses sit on stilts, nets hang everywhere, and locals are used to visitors but not swamped by them. The driver steers the pace — it's leisurely. Bring cash if you want to hire a boat on the lake (not included); the whole journey feels like a slow road trip through working rural Cambodia rather than a rushed transfer.
What travellers say
- Sideswipes tourist track: Skun market and fishing villages are genuine, working places
- Private vehicle means flexible stops, no group shuffle or set schedule
- All transport costs upfront: fuel, tolls, insurance bundled, driver included
- English-speaking driver handles navigation and local logistics smoothly
- Family-friendly with infant seats available at small extra charge
- Temple entrance fees and boat rides add up, not built into price
- Eight-to-twelve-hour journey is long for travellers wanting a quick transfer
- Road surfaces rough in places; not a smooth, fast highway cruise
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This beats driving straight through on the highway — you'll actually see Cambodia beyond the main tourist corridor. The stops are real working places, not theme-park versions. Your driver speaks English and won't rush you. Fuel and tolls are covered, so no hidden costs on the road. Good for families (infant seats available for an extra $20), and the pace suits all fitness levels since you're mostly sitting and short-walking at stops.
Sambor Prei Kuk's temple entrance fee isn't included — budget extra if you want to enter. The Kampong Kleang boat ride (Tonle Sap Lake) is also separate and costs money per person. The journey is long — eight to twelve hours — so arrive rested. Weather can be hot and dusty on the road. Bring sunscreen and a hat. The route includes some rough patches and livestock crossings, so it's not a smooth highway ride. Not ideal if you need air-con comfort or have tight timing.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.