Private Phnom Penh Day Tour: Royal Palace & Killing Fields

One day holds Cambodia's royal grandeur and its darkest modern history side by side.

A private 7-hour Phnom Penh city tour with an English-speaking guide covers the Royal Palace complex, sacred temples, genocide memorials and independence monuments in a single day. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off, moving at your own pace through royal architecture, the Throne Hall where coronations took place, the Silver Pagoda with its gold Buddha, and the historical sites that mark Cambodia's 20th-century trauma and resilience.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Royal Palace2h
2. Choeung Ek Genocidal Center2h
3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum1h
4. Independence Monument1h · entry included

Phnom Penh Royal and Historic Tour

• Visit Royal Palace complex
• Explore Throne Hall and Napoleon III Pavilion
• See Silver Pagoda treasures
• Visit Wat Phnom Temple sanctuary
• Tour Killing Fields of Choeng Ek
• Explore Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
• Visit Independence Monument

The experience

The Royal Palace opens the day: you walk through tropical gardens studded with gleaming spires, enter the Throne Hall where royal receptions and coronations happen, and see the Napoleon III Pavilion. An iron structure gifted by the French emperor in the 19th century. The Silver Pagoda follows, named for the 5,000 silver tiles covering its floor, each weighing 1 kilogram. Inside sits a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9,584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. This is where Cambodia's most treasured religious objects are kept.

From there, the tour moves to Wat Phnom Temple, founded in 1372 when a widow named Daun Penh retrieved five Buddha statues from a river log and built a sanctuary to house them on an elevated plot of her land. The temple became a sacred site where people still come to make blessings and pray. The Independence Monument, built in 1958 and inaugurated in 1962, stands as a testament to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. Its serene atmosphere draws visitors seeking reflection.

The second half of the day addresses Cambodia's recent history. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum was a high school the Khmer Rouge converted into a center for interrogation and torture. 17,000 people passed through its gates and only seven survived. Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, a former Chinese cemetery, became an extermination camp where prisoners from Tuol Sleng met their fate. The remains of 8,985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa. Both sites are presented as places for quiet reflection on the events that shaped the nation.

Your guide is a local English speaker who travels with you throughout the day in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with complimentary cold drinking water. The pace is entirely yours to set.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking local guide.
• complimentary cold drinking water.
• traveler insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (2 to 5 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 19

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Private Tour Guide-Cambodia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private vehicle and English-language guide for a full-day exploration of royal palaces, temples, and modern history sites without switching between multiple tours.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 5 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What is inside the Silver Pagoda at the Royal Palace?

The Silver Pagoda houses Cambodia's most cherished religious treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9,584 diamonds and a floor covered in 5,000 silver tiles, each weighing 1 kilogram.

Can I visit Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek on the same day?

Yes. Both genocide memorials are included in the tour itinerary. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Center are visited in sequence, with Choeung Ek following the route prisoners took from Tuol Sleng.

How does the tour handle the transition between royal sites and historical memorials?

The day balances Cambodia's regal heritage in the morning (the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom Temple and Independence Monument) with the country's 20th-century history in the afternoon at the two genocide sites, creating a comprehensive picture of the nation's past and present.

Is the guide a local person who speaks English?

Yes, your guide is a local English speaker who provides commentary throughout the day and travels with you in the private vehicle.

What happens if I want to spend more time at one site than another?

The tour is fully private, so pacing is entirely personalized. You and your guide can adjust how long you spend at each stop based on your interests.