Thailand & Angkor Temples (13 Days)

Day 1: Bangkok 

Saturday. Welcome to Bangkok, the ever-alluring capital of Thailand. Arrival transfer to our hotel where our Welcome Meeting takes place this evening. Then we’ll enjoy a tasty Thai meal at the famous ‘Cabbages and Condoms’ restaurant.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour 

Today we explore Bangkok. First stop is the colourful 24hr Flower Market before we visit the spiritual and religious heart of the city – the striking Grand Palace. Topped by golden stupas, the complex has been the site of royal coronations and is home to the legendary Emerald Buddha. From the Grand Palace we take an exhilarating ride on a tuk tuk to Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha before boarding longtail boats to explore the city’s canals.

Our boats drop us off within walking distance of Khao San Road, popular with backpackers and hippies. Late afternoon offers free time for you to enjoy the many bars, restaurants, street performers, market stalls and tailors – that will measure you up for a new suit, that line this vibrant road.

Overnight in Bangkok .

Day 3: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi

It’s an early start today as we drive 2.5hrs west of the capital to the small town of Kanchanaburi. Here we pay our respects to the thousands of Allied POWs who perished in the area under the hand of the Imperial Japanese Army. After pausing at the Allied War Cemetery we continue to the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, immortalised by the film of the same name. You have a chance to take pictures before you board a train for a 2 hour journey that crosses the bridge before following the tracks dug by the POWs and locals some 75 years earlier.

Disembarking at Nam Tok we have a short drive to ‘Hellfire Pass’ where the POWs dug through a mountain often using only their bare hands. A fascinating museum at the entrance details the region’s history.

After our day’s sightseeing a leisurely longtail boat ride leads us to our fabulous floating jungle raft hotel. With the ambience of a hundred softly glowing lanterns and the sounds of the tropical forest and cool water flowing by we enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening on the deck.

Overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Day 4: Kachanaburi – Erawan NP – Ayuthaya – Chiang Mai 

This morning we travel to picturesque Erawan National Park, where we can explore the rivers, waterfalls and trails on foot. The park is home to a stunning tiered waterfall and there’s time to take a quick dip in the crystalline waters before driving on to Ayuthaya – the former capital of Thailand. This is one of Thailand’s most religiously significant places and we’ll see the magnificent stupas at Wat Phri Sanphet and iconic Wat Mahatat. We drive to a local hotel to freshen up and have dinner before heading to the station this evening to board our sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Sleeper Train.

Day 5: Chiang Mai – Mae Rim 

This morning we arrive into the picturesque city of Chiang Mai, nestled in the foothills of northern Thailand. First up we visit the imposing Doi Suthep Temple that stands like a sentinel over the city. We take time to relax and enjoy the view before driving into the countryside to the Hmong hill tribe lodge where we will stay this evening. Here, you can take numerous walks into the surrounding countryside to visit the some of the nearby hill tribe villages. In the evening we enjoy a sumptuous BBQ before being entertained by dancers from the local community.

Overnight in Mae Rim.

Day 6:  MaeRim –Chiang Rai –Chaing Mai

.Our journey today takes us to Chiang Rai, travelling through stunning karst and jungle scenery before we arrive at the Kok River for an hour long longtail boat cruise along the waterway. Following a break for lunch we visit the Golden Triangle and learn of the Opium Trade that made this region so wealthy. We then visit a hill tribe community site where you have the chance to learn more about how five of the most prominent tribes in the area live, including their traditional costumes and homes. Our last stop of the day is the iconic White Temple of Wat Rong Khun which depicts scenes from movies including the Matrix, Star Wars and Superman. After exploring the temple we return to Chiang Mai arriving late in the evening.

Overnight in Chaing Mai.

Day 7: Chiang Mai Cooking School 

This morning you can join your tour guide in giving out Alms to the local monks before returning to your hotel for breakfast. We then take a traditional trishaw for a ride around the old city of Chiang Mai, visiting some of the key temples within the city walls. Then we head to a local cooking school to try our hand at preparing tasty local cuisine in a traditional Thai setting. This informative cooking class teaches us how to prepare three of Thailand’s most popular dishes that we’ll later get to enjoy for lunch.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore at leisure. In the evening we visit the Chiang Mai night market, a haven of souvenirs and works by local artisans.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 8: Chiang Mai –Bangkok 

Today is free for you to enjoy some of the many optional activities in the city, from zip lining through the jungle canopy to riding a bike through the countryside. There is a street of cottage industries which is great to pick up those last minute silk, silver or jewellery souvenirs. In the late afternoon we transfer to the airport in time to catch our flight to Bangkok. After checking into our hotel the rest of the night is free for you to enjoy this bustling city.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 9: Bangkok – Siem Reap 

Bangkok – Siem Reap. Today offers free time for you to independently explore before early this evening heading to the airport for our included flight to Siem reap, Cambodia. Arriving to the Kingdom of the Khmer empire at at approx 9.30pm, you can either grab a good nights rest or head out for a late night bite to eat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Angkor Wat 

Today we immerse ourselves in one of the most astounding archaeological sites in the world. The magnificent Angkor complex of temples is scattered over an area of 200 square kilometers.

We start our exploration this morning with a visit to Ta Prohm when the birds and parrots out number the tourists. We then continue towards Angkor Wat. We return to our hotel for a well-earned siesta.

This afternoon we return to the temples by private vehicle and visit to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. We enter at the best preserved South Gate and take an in depth look at the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphoun. But we save the best till last, the Bayon is perhaps Angkor’s most moving of all temples. As the sun gently falls it casts its rays on the giant stone faces and as the light changes so do their expressions, a magical experience!

In the evening, there’s a lovely dinner and cultural dance performance you can attend or alternatively opt do your own thing. Siem reap offers some hidden Cambodian culinary gems as well as international restaurants and everything in between. There is also ‘Pub Street’ for the party goer and to the fine dining options at the Foreign Correspondents Club, Raffles or Amansara. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Kbal Spean & Banteay Srei 

This morning we drive to Phnom Kulen to visit Kbal Spean, commonly known as the River of a Thousand Lingas. This site was only ‘rediscovered’ in 1969 and is a tranquil place with an attractive waterfall.

Later we head to visit the elegant temple of Banteay Srei built by a Brahman in the 10th Century. It is said they must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives us the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women.

In the late afternoon we return to Siem Reap where the rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Kompong Phluk

Today we take a short drive to Kompong Phluk, a floating/stilted community on the immense Tonle Sap. Here we board a private boat and explore the floating community of Kompong Kleang. The community is made up of ethnic Khmer, Viet and Cham, who tend to spend their entire lives on this bountiful lake. Note: Between Feb – July the water levels at Kompong Phluk village maybe too low to go boating, if so, we will visit Chong Kneas floating village where it will still be possible to go boating.

In the afternoon we enjoy some free time to relax by the pool, or to explore the town. We recommend a visit to the Artisan’s D’Angkor workshops, where talented artisans from some of the poorest villages in the country are taught the ancient Khmer skills and are then encouraged to return to their communities to generate further work and opportunities there.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Siem Reap –Bangkok

This morning we say goodbye to our guide and transfer to the airport for our included flight to Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport (DMK) arriving at approximately 12:55. If flying onward from Don Muang airport, we suggest you book flights no earlier than 3pm. If flying internationally from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main airport (BKK) we’ll offer a complimentary transfer to this airport. Flights from BKK should be booked after 5pm. You may have a little time up your sleeve at the airport, though we’ve allowed for delays and possible traffic.