Phnom Penh City Tour: Explore Silver Pagoda, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields and Royal Palace
4.9
87 Ratings
Phnom Penh
Embark on a small-group tour of Phnom Penh and delve into its rich history. Explore the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Genocide Museum, Killing Fields, and enjoy stunning river views.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Royal Palace - Today, you will join a group tour and your guide start to pick up from a few different hotels, so the pickup time is variable between 7:30am to 8:30am, so guests are advised to wait in the hotel lobby and ready to go as soon as your guide arrives, after pick up everyone on the tour, your guide will take you to the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by the French after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong. Located on the western banks of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, the palace complex features stunning Khmer architecture, divided into 4 main compounds.

  • Silver Pagoda - The grounds of the Palace are also home to the Silver Pagoda, which received its name because its floor is made of 5,329 silver tiles. Learn about the Khmer kings, resident at all times, with the exception of the period when the Khmer Rouge took control in 1975. See gold and jeweled Buddha statues in the Silver Pagoda, and the Angkor Wat style Bell Tower.

  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Then, learn about the turbulent years of the Khmer Rouge at the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum. Located in a former high school that was used as the notorious Security Prison 21, the Genocide Museum traces the story of the Killing Fields and the torture and executions that took place from 1975-79. See exhibits that tell the stories of some of the estimated 20,000 prisoners that were killed.

  • Choeung Ek Genocidal Center - The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Return to the city center and get stunning views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River Side before tour ends.

This tour concludes with return transfer to your hotel or any requested drop off point within the city center.

What's Included
  • Shared tuk tuk for 1-2 passengers or air-conditioned vehicle for 3+
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off included
  • Small group tour with a maximum of 10 people
  • Complimentary cold bottled water during the tour
  • Knowledgeable English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • All Entrance fee/Admission fees (Genocide Museum is 5USD/pax, Royal Palace & Silver pagoda is 10USD/pax and Killing fields is 3USD/pax)
  • Audio guide
  • Foods and drinks
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Embark on a day tour with a small group and explore the eminent historical sites of the city. Immerse yourself in Phnom Penh’s magnificent palaces and pagodas, paying a visit to the Cambodian Royal Palace, marveling at the 5,329 silver tiles of the Silver Pagoda, and exploring the renowned Tuol Sleng Museum. Admire the architecture from the Khmer era, get informed about the infamous Killing Fields, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Tonle Sap and Mekong from the River Side before we return to your accommodation.

  • Not recommended for children to visit S-21 & Killing Fields
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Location
Royal Palace
Sothearos, between Street 240 & 184
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(87 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Colin_m
May 30, 2024
Throughly recommend this tour - Siphat is an excellent guide and very well informed on the history of Phnom Penh. He will share the truth of the Genocide from his own family and the general population. A great tour if you have limited time in the city!
Review provided by Viator
Wbw602
May 17, 2024
Fantastic Phnohm Penh tour - The tour was 5 hours door to door. My wife and I were picked up promptly at the expected time by our tour guide, Siphat, and a driver . Our tour only included two other tourists, so it was extremely intimate. The whole tour was conducted in a mini van with excellent AC, and we were offered water at every stop. The royal palace had adjusted hours due to the king's birthday week, but our guide very smoothly worked around them. The ride out to the killing fields was about an hour, but the ride back was only half an hour. Siphat is an amazing tour guide, he really went above and beyond to inform and educate us, including sharing his personal story and family connections to the Cambodian genocide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie
May 16, 2024
Fantastic tour highlighting such tragic history - Fantastic tour. Started with the Royal Palace tour, was amazing to be able to go into the grounds. Such beautiful buildings and endless gold and diamonds. The Killing Fields and Genocide museum was very confrontational, so much sad and tragic history. Our tour guide was exceptional and personally impacted by the killings by loosing parents and siblings as well as many other family members. He bravely shared these stories with us. Overall a great day, highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brian_o
May 14, 2024
This tour is a must when visiting Cambodia - The visit to the palace was very interesting and enjoyable. We then travelled by Tuk Tuk to the Killing Fields which is very sad, but definitely worth a visit in order to understand what the brave Cambodian people had to endure by their own people during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visit to the Genocide museum is also a harrowing experince. Our guide Siphat was excellent. He was of an age group where some of his immediate family had been persecuted during the KR regime. He also had a wealth of knowledge about the history of the country.
Review provided by Viator
Cruiser768333
May 1, 2024
Wow Sunrise Tour Siem Riep - Our guide was excellent. He knew his history and shared it with us. He was cool and calm. We had a private tour. He was well spoken. I will recommend him for your next tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Footprints684750
Apr 30, 2024
Great experience with tour guide - Excellent detail not only historical but personal experience was shared by guide. Was patient and took his time to explain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C9759qgsylviaf
Apr 18, 2024
Very informative and our guide explained everything very clearly. Harrowing and very sad but we needed to understand. - This was a wonderful and moving trip. Our guide Siphat had personal experience which made it all the more real and interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ryan
Mar 26, 2024
Siphat was outstanding! - Siphat was outstanding as a tour guide. He showed me so much of the city and it was incredibly informative and enjoyable. He shared with me his story which was very moving, as we walked through many of the sights. Siphat did an outstanding and I cannot recommend him enough. He was friendly, courteous, knowledgeable, accommodating, and punctual. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Excursion56104111900
Mar 18, 2024
Amazing day out! - Very good tour, the Killing fields part was very moving and emotional. My guide Siphat was very informative and spoke good English, he was a pleasure to have as a guide, also the driver was very courteous and made sure I always had a fresh bottle of cold water. Would definitely recommend and will contact them next time I come to Cambodia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P6941tnkeithb
Mar 17, 2024
Top tour of PP - Awesome tour. Really great way to get a feel for history and culture of Cambodia and enjoy the sights and sounds of Phnom Penh. My guide, Siphat, was fantastic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 12 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today