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Highlights and mystical temples

Route: Bangkok - River Kwai - Kanchanburi - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai - Hill tribe trek - Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng - Killing Fields - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Bangkok

This holiday to Cambodia takes you to the most important attractions in each country and you'll even have the opportunity to end your trip in a hammock on a tropical beach on Ko Chang Island, Thailand.

After a fast-paced and exciting start in Bangkok, you'll spend the night in the Kwai natural reserve by a quiet jungle river. Explore the mystical temples in Ayutthaya before travelling north by night train. You'll then hop on an elephant's back in the cultural city of Chiang Mai and trek through an area inhabited by mountain tribes. Next, you'll continue your holiday to Cambodia as you travel by train towards the Cambodian border where you'll visit one of the wonders of the world, Angkor Wat. You'll also 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 holiday to Cambodia you can choose to add an extension to your trip and spend a few days relaxing on the island of Ko Chang.

Tempted? You can build your own personal Indochina and Cambodia holiday using our selection of unique bite-sized Cambodia trips. Alternatively, if you're looking for a little inspiration, you can choose from our wider range of suggested Cambodia holidays or give one of our friendly travel specialists a call on 01273 322 042.

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	£998 per person - based on 2 people	Includes	Accommodation with breakfast, transportation and excursions with English speaking guides as described in the daily itinerary
Transport	Minibus, train, (hydrofoil)boat, flight, private car	Excludes	Other meals, drinks, excursions and entrance fees

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

Upon your arrival in Bangkok, a transfer will take you from the airport to your hotel for the start of your holiday to Cambodia. You'll stay in a hotel with a pool in the centre of Bangkok, only ten minutes by foot (or five 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, you can try a delicious Thai fruit juice, have a quick look around town and try to get your energy level back up after your long flight.

Day 2: Bangkok - Tuk-Tuk and Longtail boat tour

This morning you'll be met by your guide in the lobby of your hotel, and together you'll embark on an exciting drive through Bangkok by tuk-tuk. You'll travel to Thewet river pier where you will first visit the local 'fresh market and then board a classic longtail boat!

Your boat journey will give you a great insight into how much the city life still revolves around the river and its network of 'klongs' (canals). In some ways it is a trip through the past where you'll see wooden houses on stilts, local folks doing their laundry in the klongs, monitor lizards suddenly swimming by, and lots of other fascinating sights. Back at the pier again your guide will return you to your hotel by tuktuk! You should be back before noon, and the rest of your day is free to explore the city.

Day 3: Bangkok - The River Kwai

On day three of your holiday to Cambodia, you'll be picked up early in the morning by an English-speaking guide who will take you towards the river Kwai. First stop will be the Samut Sakhon 'train market' where you'll get to try your haggling skills. Afterwards, you'll visit the famous 'Bridge over the river Kwai', where your train ride will begin along 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. Once you reach the train station, lunch will be waiting for you (included in the price of this holiday to Cambodia) and you'll then 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 a pier and a hammock. The river water is safe to swim in but be careful due to the currents. There isn't any electricity in the bungalow but the entire complex is lit up by oil lanterns in the evening. An elaborate dinner is included in your stay - a real highlight of this holiday to Cambodia.

Holiday to Cambodia - River Kwai floating markets

Day 4: The River Kwai - Kanchanaburi

After spending the night in the middle of the river, you'll board another boat in the morning which will take you back towards the next destination on your holiday to Cambodia, 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 turquoise blue water and a limestone backdrop where erosion has eaten away at the rock. You'll have about three hours to spend at the waterfalls on your holiday to Cambodia.

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

On day five of your holiday to Cambodia, we'll arrange a transfer by minibus (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.

In 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 but they are beautifully illuminated. You'll get to see the remnants of the Khmer dynasty in a fairytale setting and you'll be able to pick and choose which temples you would like to visit tomorrow.

Holiday to Cambodia - Ayutthaya at sunset

Holiday to Cambodia - Ayutthaya World Heritage Site

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-east 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.

You can spend day six of your holiday to Cambodia visiting several of the mystical Khmer temple complexes. Wat Phra Si Samphet, Wat Mahatat and Wat Mongkol Bophit are the most famous. Wat Chai Wattanaram is one of the most beautiful of all the temples. 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. As you stroll through the ancient statues and pagodas, be sure to wear a cap and bring plenty of water. 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 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 and the next stop on your holiday to Cambodia. You'll stay in a hotel with a swimming pool near one of the city gates. It'll be quite easy to find things to do here. You might like to visit 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 key destination for pilgrim's and its nice and cool within the walls of the complex.

In the evening, you you stroll over to the evening bazaar. It's quite a busy place and you'll see very lively negotiating going on.

Day 8: Mountain trek - Overnight in mountain village

Day eight of your holiday to Cambodia 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 travel by truck to an elephant training camp. This is where elephants are trained to become dependable, professional forest builders. After about an hour of 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 as 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 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 - another real highlight of your holiday to Cambodia.

Day 9: Elephants and jungle rafting adventure

After breakfast on day nine of your holiday to Cambodia, you'll be picked up by elephants and go on a jungle trek for about an hour and a half on the back of this magnificent creature. From the top of the elephant's back, you'll have a breathtaking view across the jungle.

Once the trek has finished, you'll continue 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.

Holiday to Cambodia - Elephants and rafting

Holiday to Cambodia - Hotel swimming pool

Day 10: Chiang Mai - Free time

This is your last full day in Chiang Mai before you move on to the next stop of your holiday to Cambodia. You're free to spend today as you please. You can choose to relax by the hotel swimming pool, do some last-minute shopping at the market or 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 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 day eleven of your holiday to Cambodia is 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, contemporary 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, head over to the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha's temple and the Royal Palace. 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.

Holiday to Cambodia - Temple of literature

Holiday to Cambodia - Killing fields memorial

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

On day twelve of your holiday to Cambodia, you'll have the chance to visit some of the 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 and anyone who did not cooperate was executed.

The Tuol Sleng is an exceptionally moving museum where you are confronted with these harrowing events through a series of photographs. 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 17,000 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

This morning you'll travel by hydrofoil over the Tonle Sap Lake and river 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 plan 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. In some areas the lake is kilometres wide, in other areas only dozens of metres. At times you'll enjoy a view of the wide open water and other times you'll see villages on poles, floating islands, boats, rafts, cormorants, children playing on the banks and pigs in floating cages will pass you by. On arrival in Siem Reap 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.

Day 14: Angkor with guide

Today you'll visit Angkor with your guide, another highlight of your holiday to Cambodia. Wander endlessly through the statues, temples and historic reliefs. Be sure to stay on the defined and marked paths as there are still mines in some of the unchartered areas.

The temples were built in various time periods and 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

On day fifteen of your holiday to Cambodia, you'll visit Angkor independently. Angkor is the name of the ancient capital of the Khmer-empire that was established during the eighth 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. You'll spend another night in Siem Reap.

Holiday to Cambodia - Overgrown Angkor tree

Day 16: Siem Reap - Bangkok

This morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel by minibus and accompanied by 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 to Bangkok. If you still have Cambodian Riel left, you can change it into Thai Baht at the border.

You'll spend the last night of your holiday to Cambodia 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 within easy reach of your hotel as the river taxi stand is right outside! Breakfast is also included.

Day 17: Bangkok - End of holiday to Cambodia

Sadly your holiday to Cambodia must come to an end this morning after breakfast. However, if you have more time to spare during your Indochina trip, why not choose from one of our bite-sized Thailand tours?

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