Kep Full Day Tour
These four locations make up the “classic” Kep circuit. You can easily visit all of them in a single day, as they are located relatively close to one another.
1. The Giant Crab Statue (Krung Kep Blue Swimmer Crab)
- What to do: It is primarily a photo opportunity. Most people stop here for a few minutes to take pictures with the coastline in the background.
- Pro Tip: Visit during high tide for the best photos, as the statue appears to be “floating” on the water. It is also a beautiful spot at sunset.
2. The Crab Market (Phsar Kdam)
Located just down the road from the statue, this is the most authentic and lively spot in town.
- Watch the Harvest: You can see local women wading into the ocean to pull up wooden crab traps.
- Eat: This is the place to try Fried Crab with Green Kampot Pepper. You can buy fresh seafood from the market stalls and pay a small fee to have it cooked for you on the spot, or sit in one of the wooden restaurants (like Kimly or Holy Crab) that overhang the water.
- Beyond Crab: You will also find fresh squid, prawns, and rays being grilled over charcoal.
3. Pepper Farms (Sothy’s or La Plantation)
Kep and neighboring Kampot are famous for producing what many chefs call the best pepper in the world.
- Free Tours: Most farms (like Sothy’s Pepper Farm or La Plantation) offer free guided tours where you walk through the vines and learn how black, red, white, and green peppers all come from the same plant.
- The Tasting: You’ll get to taste the different varieties. Don’t miss the “Salted Green Pepper”—it’s a unique local specialty.
- Note: The roads to the farms can be very dusty or muddy depending on the season, so bring a scarf/mask if you are on a scooter.
4. The Salt Fields
Located on the outskirts of town (on the road toward Kampot/Vietnam), these fields are where sea salt is harvested manually.
- What to see: During the dry season (December–April), you can see the fields flooded with seawater, which evaporates to leave behind sparkling white salt crystals. You’ll see workers carrying heavy baskets of salt to the storage warehouses.
- The View: At sunset, the shallow water in the fields acts like a massive mirror, creating some of the most stunning landscape views in Cambodia.
- Note: If you visit during the rainy season, the fields will just look like muddy ponds, as no salt can be produced when it rains.
WHY YOU NEED A TOUR GUIDE?
Consider hiring your language speaking tour guide who can provide insights into the history, culture and significance of the various temple structures. They possess a deep understanding of the area, its stories, and significance, and use this knowledge to enrich the visitors’ appreciation of the place.
*NOTE: Languages Speaking Tour Guide is available on request
Suggested Itinerary
🌅 Morning: Visit the Salt Fields early to see the workers before the heat peaks.
🌿 Mid-Morning: Head to a Pepper Farm while it’s still relatively cool.
🦀 Lunch: Go to the Crab Market for a fresh seafood feast.
📸 Afternoon: Stop at the Giant Crab Statue for photos on your way back to your hotel or to the beach.
