Highlights and mystical temples: Thailand and Cambodia

This Thailand and Cambodia itinerary offers a very versatile and comprehensive travel experience. The most important attractions for both countries have been incorporated into this itinerary and you'll even have the opportunity to end your trip in a hammock on a tropical beach on Ko Chang.

After a very fast-paced and exciting start to your holiday in Bangkok, you'll spend the night in the Kwai natural reserve by a quiet jungle river. Allow yourself to become fascinated by the mystical temples in Ayutthaya before travelling north by night train. After arrival you'll hop on an elephant's back in the cultural city of Chiang Mai and you'll trek through an area inhabited by mountain tribes. Later on you'll travel by train through the green surroundings towards the Cambodian border; here you'll visit one of the wonders of the world, Angkor Wat. Learn more about Cambodia's tumultuous past in Phnom Penh and then continue on to Cambodia's second most important city before returning to Bangkok. During this last leg of your trip you can add on a travel module and spend a few days relaxing on the island of Ko Chang.

Duration	17 days/ 16 nights Departs Saturdays from Bangkok	Accommodation	Basic accommodation in small towns and standard hotels in larger cities. Comfort level 2 and 3 (see accommodation)
Price	£1042 per person - based on 2 people	Included	Accommodation with breakfast, transportation and excursions with English speaking guides as described in the daily itinerary
Transportation	Minibus, train, (hydrofoil)boat, flight, private car	Excluded	Other meals, drinks, excursions and entrance fees

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

On arrival at Bangkok airport, a transfer will take you from the airport to your hotel. You'll stay in a hotel with pool in the centre of Bangkok, only 10 minutes by foot (or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk) from one of the most popular streets in the city, Khao San Road. After checking into the hotel and dropping your baggage off in your spacious air conditioned room, you'll have time for a refreshing shower and perhaps even a short nap. Afterwards, try one of the delicious Thai fruit juices, have a quick look around town and try to get your energy level back up after your long flight.

Day 2: Bangkok - No activities planned

Spend the day discovering the 'City of Angels' temples, pagodas and life on the streets of Bangkok.... the morning is yours to spend as you wish. One place we definitely suggest you visit is the Royal Palace; a large palace and the home of the worshipped Thai King Bhumipol. Either visit the palace by (water)taxi or on foot. The Buddhist temple Arun by the river and the small streets in dizzying, vivacious China town should also be on your itinerary for today. Take in the sights and sounds while eating a bowl of Chinese noodles and before you know it, you're western way of life will seem like a mere memory. Naturally Bangkok is an excellent place to shop (silk, jewellery); however you can also wait to purchase your must-haves until you visit the Chiang Mai night bazaar with its enormous variety of products.

Day 3: Bangkok - The River Kwai

You'll be picked up early in the morning by an English-speaking guide in an air conditioned mini-van who will take you towards the river Kwai. When you reach the famous floating market the mini-van will make a rest-stop for an hour for you to visit the market. Afterwards you'll visit the infamous 'Bridge over the river Kwai', where your train ride will begin over left over 'death railway' tracks. For the best view during the train ride, try to get a seat on the right-side of the train.

The train will take you over a spectacular overpass made of the original building materials (wood). Once you reach the train station, lunch will be waiting for you (included in price of this itinerary) and after lunch you'll board a long-tail boat. The boat will take you over the river Kwai and into the jungle. After about 40 minutes the boat will dock at a group of floating bamboo bungalows on the river. You'll have your own room with swimming pier and a hammock. The river water is safe to swim in; however be careful when swimming due to the currents. There isn't any electricity in the bungalow; however the entire complex is lit up by flickering oil lanterns in the evening. An elaborate dinner at long tables filled with all bungalow guests is included during your stay.

Day 4: The River Kwai - Kanchanaburi

After spending the night in the middle of nature, you'll board another boat in the morning. Your boat will take you back and then you'll ride for another hour until you reach the Erawan waterfalls (entrance fee approx £7.50 payable on location). The waterfall has 7 different levels with a combined altitude of 1500 metres. Depending on how quickly you walk, you'll reach the top level of the waterfall in about an hour and a half. The walk will be more than worth it when you see the fairytale surroundings. You'll see glistening water with light-blue basins underneath and a limestone backdrop in which cave-like erosion has eaten away at the rock. You'll have about three hours to spend at the waterfalls.

Afterwards your guide will drop you off in Kanchanaburi at your hotel (with swimming pool). If you feel up to it, you'll have some spare time to visit the JEATH War Museum and the honorary cemetery.

Day 5: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya

This morning we'll arrange a transfer by mini-van, without a guide, to Ayutthaya. You'll be picked up at your hotel and you'll arrive at your destination about three hours later. A friendly driver will drop you off at your hotel by the Pa-Sak River, or he will take you to the centre of town where you can explore a little before taking a taxi or tuk-tuk to your accommodation. The afternoon is free of planned activities so that you can have a look around town.

At the beginning of the evening we'll arrange a sunset tuk-tuk tour which will last for about two hours (without guide). The tuk-tuk will stop at temple entrances, but won't enter them. It will be dark by the time you reach the temples; however the temples will be illuminated. You'll get to see the remnants of the Khmer dynasty in a fairytale-like setting and you'll be able to pick and choose which temples you would like to visit tomorrow.

Day 6: Ayutthaya - Overnight train to Chiang Mai

Ayutthaya is a World Heritage Site. In the 12th century it was one of the most prominent kingdoms in south-eastern Asia with its palaces, temples, elephants that ate from golden bowls and shiny Chinese sailing ships (junks) that sailed the rivers. Eventually the city lost its power, which lead to the neglect of the temples. Spend today visiting several of the mystical Khmer temple complexes. Wat Phra Si Samphet, Wat Mahatat and Wat Mongkol Bophit are the most famous temples. We found Wat Chai Wattanaram to be the most beautiful of all the temples we visited in the city. It's located a bit out of the centre so you may want to rent a bicycle or take a river taxi to get there. Stroll through the ancient statues and the pagodas. Be sure to wear a cap and bring along plenty of water though. At the end of the day, pick up your baggage at the hotel and head towards the train station. We will make reservations for you on the night train to Chiang Mai. You'll spend the night comfortably (the train rocks gently and doesn't ride too quickly) and there is a restaurant carriage.

Day 7: Arrival in Chiang Mai

This morning you'll arrive on the night train in the city of Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the north. You'll stay in a hotel with swimming pool near one of the city gates. It'll be quite easy to find ways to spend your day. We suggest visiting Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple 15 minutes from the city. It is located at the top of a 1600 metre holy mountain. The view from the mountain includes the city of Chiang Mai and surrounding mountains. This ancient temple is a pilgrim's destination and within the walls of the complex it's nice and cool.

In the evening you may want to stroll over to the evening bazaar. It's quite a busy and popular place and you'll see very lively negotiating going on. There are also massage parlours, restaurants and karaoke bars in this area..... there's something for everyone.

Day 8: Mountain trek - Overnight in mountain village

Today marks the start of a two-day trek through the mountains. All meals are included during the trek and you'll have an English-speaking guide to accompany you.

You'll be picked up at your hotel and you'll travel by truck to an elephant training camp. This is where the grey giants are trained to become dependable, professional forest builders. After about an hour of looking around and seeing how the elephants are trained, you'll start off on a hike to the Akha village. It won't be very difficult to do; you'll be walking over a mostly flat forest trail. The Akha live according to ancient traditions and for a small tip you can take pictures of their traditional dress. After lunch you'll travel by pick-up truck over the hills and through the forests to the remote village of a mountain tribe. This visit promises to be quite an extraordinary experience as you'll also be the village's guest for the night. You'll sleep in a primitive mountain hut and you'll be able to take a look inside the houses of these mountain folk.

Day 9: Elephants and jungle rafting adventure ending in Chiang Mai

After breakfast you'll be picked up by elephants. You'll go on a jungle trek for about an hour and a half on the back of this magnificent creature. From on top of the elephant's back you'll have a breathtaking view of the jungle.

Once the trek has ended, you'll continue on towards a camp by the river where bamboo rafts are made and you'll travel by raft down the river. Lunch on the banks of the river is included and on the way back you'll visit an orchid farm. On arrival in Chiang Mai you'll be dropped off at your hotel. Since you'll spend the night here once again, you can leave a portion of your luggage here before you start on your trek.

Cambodia itinerary - elephants and rafting

Day 10: Chiang Mai - Free time

This is your last full day in Chiang Mai and you're free to spend it as you please. You can choose to relax by the hotel swimming pool or do some last-minute shopping at the market. Rent a bicycle and go for a ride through the area. If you like, you can visit an umbrella village, the elephant orphanage or one of the arts and crafts workshops in the area. Approximately 15km outside of the city lies another must-see - the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a pilgrim's temple complex near the top of Suthep Mountain. The complex is located at an altitude of 1600m. Due to its high-altitude location the climate is always cool here and if there are clear skies, you'll get a brilliant view over Chiang Mai and the surrounding mountains.

Day 11: Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Phnom Penh

This morning, you'll leave your hotel in Chiang Mai and head to the airport for a short flight to Bangkok. When you arrive, you'll connect immediately on to another quick flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

One of our representatives will be waiting to pick you up at Phnom Penh airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free of planned activities and free to spend as you wish. Phnom Penh is a very interesting city filled with many historic colonial buildings and a great atmosphere. It is surprisingly modern, with paved roads, modern stores, a beautiful boulevard and many ATMs. You can spend the day exploring the city at your own pace. You could visit the Cambodia National Museum, built in 1917 with a large collection of Khmer artefacts. Afterwards you can head over to the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha's temple, and the Royal Palace. The Silver Pagoda is famous for its silver floors. In the afternoon you could also climb the mountain that is home to the Wat Phnom, the temple which the city was named after. You'll spend the night in a comfortable, cosy hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 12: Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields monument

Today, you'll have a chance to visit more remote parts of Phnom Penh with your guide, such as the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields. In 1975 ,the Red Khmer invaded the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Pol Pot became premier of Cambodia and made a very cruel and bloody attempt to turn Cambodia into a communist agricultural state. Currency, education, religion and private property were abolished. From this point on marriages were arranged and children were separated from their parents. Anyone who did not cooperate was executed. Intellectuals and college-graduates were also executed; even wearing glasses or speaking a second language was enough to make someone a suspect.

The Tuol Sleng Museum is quite an impressive museum. It confronts visitors quite directly with Cambodia's brutal past by means of photography. For instance, you'll see pictures of an old elementary school that was used as a prison for torturing political enemies during the rule of the Red Khmer. For many, this was their last stop before they were taken to the mass graves of the Killing Fields, located just outside of Phnom Penh in an orchard. Over 17000 people were killed. At the end of the afternoon you'll visit the Apsara Foundation which teaches Cambodian children in low-income families how to dance and entertain. You'll spend the night in the same hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 13: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

On this morning you'll travel by hydrofoil over the Tonle Sap Lake and the river with the same name and on to Siem Reap. A car will take you to the boat pier. The trip should take about 5 hours, which is much shorter than the trip would take by road, however it's best to count on the trip to Siem Reap taking most of the day. During the trip you can sit on the roof of the boat and enjoy the view of life on the mighty lake and its banks. Keep in mind that the sun reflecting on the water increases the risk of sunburn, even when skies are cloudy. It's also possible to sit inside in the air conditioned cabin. You'll cross Cambodia's largest lake which eventually pours into a river. In some areas the lake is kilometres wide, in other areas only dozens of metres. This is why at times you'll enjoy a view of the wide open water and other times you'll see houses and the people that live on the water. Villages on poles, floating islands, boats, rafts, cormorants, playing children on the banks of the lake and river and pigs in floating cages will pass you by. On arrival in Siem Reap you'll be greeted by a mass of pushy hotel representatives. Luckily your own guide will be waiting for you, carrying a sign with your name on it, and he will take you to your hotel. The hotel is located in the centre of town, with very spacious air conditioned rooms and friendly staff.

Overgrown temple

Day 14: Angkor with guide

Today you'll visit Angkor with your guide. Wander endlessly through the statues, temples and historic reliefs. Be sure to stay on the defined and marked paths, there are still mines in some of the unchartered areas. The temples were built in various time periods; each ruler built his own temple. This has caused each temple to have its own character. The most famous temple, Angkor Wat, features Hindu influences. However, the Angkor Thom temple features Buddhist influences. After a day of cultural exploration, you'll spend another night in your hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Angkor - Independent Visit

Today you'll visit Angkor independently. Angkor is the name of the ancient capital of the Khmer-empire that was established during the 8th century after Christ. The empire was enormous and included territory all the way down to Southern Vietnam and China. Later on the Thai ruled this territory during the Siamese empire and introduced many Buddhist influences. "Siem Reap" literally means "victory by Siam". It was very generous of the Khmer to allow the city to keep its name. The temples were once surrounded by a lively city full of wooden houses. Unfortunately the houses did not last the test of time, however the temples alone more than warrant a visit to this area. For centuries this city was covered by jungle until a French expedition discovered the ruins early in the 1900's. Several of the temples have since been restored. Several others still show how the jungle swallowed the temples from sight. The Ta Prohm temple has not yet been completely restored. It's quite interesting to see how towering trees have taken the temple prisoner. The tops of the trees shoot up into the sky, far beyond the temple roof and the roots of the trees have wrapped themselves around the walls of the temple..... truly an impressive sight. You'll spend another night in Siem Reap.

Banks of Tonle Sap

Day 16: Siem Reap - Bangkok

This morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel by a minivan and accompanied by some other travellers to the border with Thailand. After the customs formalities, you'll make the short walk across the border. On the other side, a driver will be waiting for you and he'll transfer you on to Bangkok. If you have still Cambodian Riel left, you can change it into Thai Baht at the border.

You'll spend your last night in the charming and very comfortable boutique hotel located on the riverside of Chao-Phraya, where you first began your trip. The hotel is only a 10 minute walk from Khao San Road and has luxury, convenience and a rooftop swimming pool for afternoon dips. All of Bangkok's main sites are all within easy reach of your hotel as the river taxi stand is right outside! Breakfast is also included.

Day 17: Bangkok - End of itinerary

Your two week Thailand and Cambodia itinerary ends after breakfast this morning, and you'll be free to choose from one of our Thailand travel modules or board an international flight for home. If you would like to end your trip with a pleasant stay in a charming tropical beach bungalow, add the Ko Chang waterfall island module to your itinerary or head even further south for some Island Hopping to Ko Samui.

Why not head for the beaches in Thailand?

Request a quote for this Cambodia itinerary
or
Return to the summary of Cambodia itineraries

Sitemap