4 Day's 3 Night's Kampot Trips

             4 Day's At Kampot

Kampot is a favorite retreat away from the chaos of Phnom Penh for both locals and expats. Located just 2-3 hours from Cambodia’s capital, the sleepy riverside town of Kampot is the perfect answer to a rejuvenating few days away from city life. Whether you are interested in lounging by the river, pampering yourself at a spa, soaking in the beautiful countryside scenery on a farm tour, or want to get active in nature, Kampot has something for you.  There is a seemingly endless list of activities to enjoy both on and off the beaten path.
The growing foodie scene in Kampot is one of its hidden charms. There are a number of delicious restaurants to choose from for both Cambodian and international fare.

Many businesses in Kampot are socially minded and have a mission attached. You can support these organizations simply by using their excellent services. When supporting any charity organization, it is important to know where the money is going. We have only included businesses modeling sustainable and responsible practices.  

We have put together an ultimate 4 day itinerary for Kampot including what to do, see and eat to maximize your time in this beautiful, laid back riverside town. Read on for your 4 day Kampot travel guide.

Note: All prices listed are in US Dollars, which is the most widely used currency in Cambodia. Cambodian Riel is the local currency, which is mainly used for giving change. 4000 Riel=1 USD (approximately).

            Kampot Pepper

While Kampot province is rich in arable land and has a diverse range of natural resources, from durian to rubber, it is famous for one thing: pepper. The climate, soil and terroir of the region combine to form a very unique flavour that delivers some of the most distinct, lingering flavours and aromas.

Dating back to the French colonial era, this lush province has been producing this very special pepper. During the Khmer Rouge takeover, and after the Battle of Kampot, much of the pepper plantations were destroyed and farmers were forced to grow rice. But when peace returned to Cambodia in the early 1990s, farmers started to restore the pepper plantations.

Kampot pepper has now become a specialized product has the seal of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), a law from the European Union that recognises exceptional quality from a region, much like wine appellations Champagne or Côtes du Rhône in France. It is the first pepper in the world to be awarded the PGI certification.

If you purchase authentic Kampot Pepper, you know it was grown 100% organically, prohibiting the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides, and it is produced using either Kamchay and Lampong (Belantoeung) of the piper nigram sub species.

Kampot city was an important sea port after losing the Mekong Delta and before the establishment of Sihanoukville. It is where most explorers will base themselves when trekking the Dâmrei and Bokor Mountains.
Day 1 in Phnom Penh to Kampot, Cambodia

Phnom Penh National Museum
Phnom Penh National Museum

If you arrive in Phnom Penh in the morning and have not eaten breakfast on the flight, you can eat at the Costa Coffee, a coffee chain just outside of Arrivals at the airport. For hungry travelers looking for a familiar taste, ask your driver to stop at Mike’s Burger House, a local and expat favorite, about 10 minutes from the airport on the road toward Kampot. For Cambodian comfort food, The Park Cafe is another option, located directly across the street from the airport.

You can take a taxi or private car directly to Kampot from the Phnom Penh International Airport, which takes 2-3 hours. Book at least a week in advance to avoid disappointment. For more options on transport, see our Travel to Kampot section below.

Arriving in Kampot
Once you reach Kampot you can go straight to check in at your accommodation and then head to your first local hearty meal.

Lunch

After checking in to your hotel it’s time for lunch. You can grab a bite and relax at your accommodation or eat in town. If you choose the latter option, we recommend eating at Ellie’s Cafe, a laid back, cosy restaurant serving healthful and delicious food. This is a favorite spot among expats and travelers, and the friendly staff are always willing to offer advice on what’s happening in town.

Afternoon
After lunch, depending on your energy level, you can explore Kampot town or you may want to dedicate the afternoon to relaxation and spa time.

Exploring Kampot’s City Center
You can explore Kampot’s town on foot or cover more ground by bicycle. We definitely recommend a bicycle so you can get a feel for the area. Stop in at just about any guest house along the riverside to rent a bicycle ($1-$2/hour). Be sure to rent a helmet as well.

Kampot is one of the few places in Cambodia that retains many charming, and some crumbling, French colonial buildings. As you wander around you may notice some buildings with only very tiny openings and no windows, swarming with small birds. These have been turned into nesting homes for swallows in order to collect their nests, which are sold for Chinese medicinal bird’s nest soup.

You will have fun just meandering about at your leisure without a set route, but we have included some stops below that you may want to check out. Kampot town is small and fairly easy to navigate. Cambodians are extremely friendly, and if you do feel lost, ask just anyone around to point you back towards the river.

1. The Fish Market on the riverside (Built in the 1930s)

2. The Old Market

3. The Durian roundabout

4. Old Royal Cinema

5. The Salt Miners roundabout

6. The Lotus Pond

7. National Bank of Cambodia (French colonial period)
Miners Roundabout

If you are more interested in relaxing, we have some excellent spa recommendations.

A Blissful Afternoon at Banteay Srey Women’s Spa
Banteay Srey Women’s Spa Kampot

Banteay Srey is a reason to go to Kampot in and of itself, and is a must do at some point during your time in Kampot. This women’s only spa located right on the river, across the New Bridge and only minutes from town, is pure serenity and relaxation.

Banteay Srey’s spa treatments all utilize local ingredients, such as kaffir lime, coffee, coconut oil, and even a Kampot pepper body scrub (be warned, it feels as spicy as you would imagine!). There are a range of massage options, but the aromatherapy is a favorite. A steaming bowl of jasmine tea placed on the floor below your face ignites your senses while the skilled masseur works into any areas of tension, sending you into blissful, dreamy relaxation.

There are also manicures and pedicures, dry brushing and even haircuts. If I had to choose I’d say the facial is my favorite treatment. The seemingly endless ingredients used smell so delicious, you’ll want to eat everything they’re putting on your face. Don’t do it though! The fabulous kitchen has you covered.,

More info:
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