Best Thailand & Cambodia Tour 11 Nights / 12 Days
It is ideally worth a journey and a well-designed Thailand and Cambodia itinerary that takes you to discover the iconic Bangkok and its main attractions including impressive architecture of Grand Palace, oldest Buddhist temples, river cannels, dead railway and Bridge on the River Kwai as well as the famous floating market. Fly out to Chiang Mai for cultural attractions, elephant sanctuary plus Chiang Rai’s White temple, hill tribe villages and the golden triangle. In Cambodia, witness the marvelous Angkor Wat along with incredible complex, Tonle Sap’s mangroves admired by tall stilt houses with daily life of people living on the water then resume visit the striking Phnom Penh Capital enhanced by notable Royal Palace, national museum, historical sites of killing field/museum, interact locals from cyclo ride and get on board for sunset cruise followed by delicate dinner.
Destinations
Bangkok → Kanchanaburi → Ratchaburi → Chiang Mai (+Chiang Rai) → Siem Reap → Phnom Penh
Program Detail
Day 1: Bangkok – Arrival
International flight is NOT included in the tour price.
Our friendly team (guide and driver) will welcome you at the arrival gate upon your arrival at Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang Airport then transfers to a reserved hotel for check in and simply enjoy yourselves free time at hotel or explore central city by your own.
Overnight in Bangkok
*Meal Plan: None
Day 2: Best Bangkok City Tour
Breakfast is served at hotel. Today we begin at 8.00am for the amazing day to explore significant tourist attraction in central Bangkok City, visit Wat Traimit which houses the largest Golden Buddha statue in the world and catch the highlights of bustling China and Indian towns animated by interesting daily activities or you can stop by for a short visit when we drive pass to observe the Temple of the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. Continue for a guided strolling at The Grand Palace which is popularly known as “The City Landmark” admired by the most impressive Emerald Buddha and other building complex that features unique architectural designs and cultural arts. Enjoy delicious Thai lunch at a selected local restaurant.
Afternoon, enjoy a long-tail boat excursion across Chao Phraya River to pay attention at the remarkable Wat Arun which means Temple of Dawn which dates back to Ayutthaya Kingdom and take beautiful photos of Bangkok Skylines. Resume our exciting journey on boat through small canals of Thonburi to see Bangkok’s real local lives, wooden houses on the water, temples and other interesting things along the canals before we make our way back to the hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Floating Market, Death Railway & The Bridge on the River Kwai
Breakfast is served at hotel. Today we leave a bit early for our remote adventure at 7.00am to Ratchaburi which popularly emerges the must-see Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where we will process to take a rowing boat to see the bustling activities along rivers and canals, colorful fruits, flowers, vegetables, snacks and other various items on local boats in this famous floating market in Thailand. Lunch is provided at a selected local restaurant.
Continue our journey to Kanchanaburi whose the well-known Death Railway is located and it dates back to World War II, we spend our worth visit to War Cemetery and JEATH war museum that displays the remnants left from the war including photography, artifacts, documents, equipment and so on. After unlocking the horrific war history, we enjoy the walking on the black iron bridge over the remarkable River Kwai where you can take a good breathtaking and take nice photos before we make our way back to Bangkok.
Overnight in Bangkok
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Bangkok - Flight to Chiang Mai & Chiang Mai Tour
Breakfast is served at hotel. Our team transfers you to airport for morning flight to Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.
Upon your arrival, our experienced team (with welcome signage) will greet you at the arrival gate then transfers to a booked hotel for check in.
After check in, we start our wonderful Chiang Mai tour, drive up on Doi Suthep Mountain to visit the famous golden temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep standing 3500 feet above the sea level and it religiously houses Buddha relics then enjoy breathtaking the panoramic view over Chiang Mai City from the summit of Doi Suthep. Resume our journey to Black Hmong Village locates at the hillside, observe daily life of Hmong villagers admired by their interesting routine activities.
Overnight in Chiang Mai
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 5: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai Tour & Golden Triangle
Breakfast is served at hotel. We set off early at 7.00am in the morning from Chiang Mai and drive to explore Chiang Rai’s significant attractions included the well-known Wat Rong Khun (popularly known as White Temple) admired by its stunning Thai art styles and unique temple architecture where many tourists always take fabulous photos of its reflection. Continue our adventure to interact diverse Akha hill tribal village and Long Neck Karen where we witness their daily life of living in exotic clothes/handicrafts while observing their interesting activities and the surrounding before having lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch break, we’re heading to Golden Triangle point where the parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Ruak River and Mekong River meet at the confluence, the region was largely famed for opium production and cultivation in the world. The best part of the trip is not to miss out Opium House Museum which gives you best interesting history about Opium plantation, production and cultivation, and there are numerous exhibits of opium artifacts as well as houses of opium collection which can tell you that the Golden Triangle is one of most impressive opium cultivation in the world. If time permits, we will visit the oldest city of Chiang Saen which is popularly called The Peaceful River Town that houses many ruined ancient temples. Finally, we drive with 4 ½ hours back to our hotel in Chiang Mai in the late evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6: Elephant Care, Orchid Farm & Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast is served at hotel. We leave hotel at 8.00am for wonderful morning of elephant care at Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary where we will spend a few hours to walk the lovely elephants, bathing and brushing them. Learn from the local tour guide to get understanding the way of elephants live, play and roam as well as knowing how they are being well taken care mostly through their natural habitat, observing their relationships and behaviors. Enjoy happy time of feeding elephants and take memorable photos with them. Next, we journey to visit Orchid farm and try your best to spot some special butterfly species before returning hotel for refreshment and check out.
*Note: We don’t promote any elephant rides and there is actually NO elephant ride on this day.
Our team transfers you to airport for flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon your arrival, our experienced team (with welcome signage) will greet you at the arrival gate then transfers to a booked hotel for check in and simply have yourselves free time.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
You may opt to visit Siem Reap’s most unique, authentic, top-rated entertainment! – Phare Cambodian Circus that won the Guinness World Record and it is the only unique Phare Circus performance (no animals) which is unlike any other circus in the world: theater, story, dance, high-energy music and circus arts, and impressively inspires Cambodia culture and arts etc.
Day 7: Full Day Guided Angkor Discovery
Breakfast is served at hotel. We’re journeying out of hotel at 8.00am to the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represents compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.
Enjoy tasty Khmer set lunch at a selected local restaurant near temples.
Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.
Note: Visiting beautiful sunset (free of charge) is available at Phnom Bakheng, please speak to our tour guide to manage this for you. This is a hiking up (Approx. 25 minutes/way) to the hill and it’s always touristy or skip it if you feel tired.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Kampong Phluk Village, City Tour & Apsara Performance
Breakfast is served at hotel. We set off hotel at 8.30am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades before resuming our journey to Kompong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kompong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in their student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we embark on a canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about Tonle Sap ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve.
Afternoon, we go for guided orientation at the finest Artisan Angkor wood/stone carving center which displays various defined handicrafts and silk products, continue to stroll around old market to see interesting daily trade as well as bargaining for local handmade products, paintings, lacquers, carvings, clothes, traditional crafts and so on, and resume going to Royal Residence Garden where we enjoy the walking for breathtaking and take nice photos as well as observing the sacred shrine of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm.
Evening, transfer to have yummy buffet dinner followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at a selected local restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner Show
Day 9: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Private Car/Minivan
Breakfast is served at hotel. Check out and we leave hotel at 8.30am and drive with 6 hours toward Phnom Penh Capital. On the way, we stop to sample a few bites of Bamboo sticky rice with learning how it is made, have a short visit at the 12th century ancient bridge at Kampong Kdei – the bridge was built in 12th century during Angkor time, and a chance to dare tasting the deep fried insects at Skun village before we’re reaching a booked hotel in Phnom Penh in the evening.
Note: Domestic flight is available upon request.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 10: Phnom Penh – Tuol Sleng, Killing Field, National Museum & Sunset Cruise
Breakfast is served at hotel. Today our guide and driver meet you at hotel’s lobby at 8.00am then drive to witness the tragic site of Cheug Ek – the killing field that proceeded more than 20 thousands of civilians and the site is connecting with Tuol Sleng Museum – was the former school that was transformed to Tortured Prison S21. Stroll around Russian market for shopping.
Afternoon, we go for a guided tour at the National Museum, the world’s most important collection of Cambodian antique sculptures and carvings. Next, continue to visit Wat Phnom with interesting legendary of founding place of Phnom Penh Capital. Return hotel refreshment and short break.
Evening, we head to Phnom Penh’s Riverside then get on board with a welcome cocktail while the boat is slowly cruising along Mekong & Tonle Bassac, watch the nice sunset fading at horizon before Western set dinner (or buffet) is started to serve, unwind yourself with colorful Phnom Penh nightlights. Disembark and return hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner Cruise
Day 11: Royal Palace & Market Tour By Rickshaw (Cyclo)
Breakfast is served at hotel. We leave hotel at 8.30am to take a challenge of cyclo ride (rickshaw) along riverfront for fantastic morning highlight of Phnom Penh Capital toward Independent Monument where we stop to capture some beautiful photos before resuming the ride to stroll around central market to see bustling local trades. Finished the cyclo ride at Royal Palace, we walk to visit The Royal Palace – a complex of buildings which are served as the royal residence for the King of Cambodia, admired by impressive Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles and other Royal Stupas, shrines, monuments etc.
Enjoy Khmer family set lunch at Bopha Titanic restaurant by Phnom Penh Riverside.
Return hotel and have your own free time in the afternoon.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
You may like to spend your afternoon to explore The Silk Island (Koh Dach).
The Silk Island is actually famed for its fine silk productions, sits by the River Bank of Upstream Mekong in Kandal Province and the Island houses numerous silk communities where visitors can learn more about silk process, feeding worms, a reliable place purchasing silk items, scarves, Sarong, handicrafts as well as a great home for you to reveal silk weaving history in Cambodia. Besides silk weaving activities, you have chances to see authenticity of Cambodia including lifestyle, gardening activities, feeding animals and other interesting insights.
Day 12: Phnom Penh - Departure
International flight is NOT included in the tour price.
Breakfast is served at hotel. Enjoy the rest of free time in Cambodia then our team will pick you up from hotel’s lobby and transfers to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight to the next destination.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
Thank You
Goodbye Beautiful Southeast Asia
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