Active Adventure in Thailand & Cambodia: Culture, History & Outdoor Excursions - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Bangkok Long-Tail Boat Canal Tour 

Welcome to Thailand! Your flight lands in the capital city of Bangkok, where, upon arrival, you'll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. Known for its street food, shopping, and friendly residents, Bangkok is considered the epicenter of Thailand's culture and commerce, blending an abundance of history within a cosmopolitan city. Once you've had a chance to rest and regroup, take an immediate deep dive into Thailand's culture with a guided long-tail boat tour.

Meet your guides and make a short walk from Chinatown to the pier, where you'll board a traditional long-tail boat. Originating in the Sing Buri province in the 1930s, you'll find these colorful watercraft cruising up and down the river, a popular mode of transport for tourists and locals alike.

You'll travel across the Chao Phraya River to Thonburi, where you'll see the canal system. Historically, canals have been the expressways of choice for the Thai people, and you'll quickly see why Bangkok is nicknamed the "Venice of the East." See local homes built on stilts, temples, and markets geared toward life along the water. Your guide will share information about the history and legends of the various sites, and you'll have the chance to stop a few times to get a closer look. Tonight, relax at your hotel or have dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour, Guided Foodie Fun in Chinatown

After breakfast, meet your guides at your hotel and head out for a guided tour of Bangkok's most iconic sites. Start at the Grand Palace, a large complex in the city center and the official residence of the Kings of Siam since the 1700s. Here, you'll visit the famed Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where you'll see the meditating Buddha statue created from a solid piece of green jade.

Walk to the nearby Wat Pho temple, believed to have been founded in the 16th century and once the royal temple of King Rama I. Learn about the history and legends of the temple, and see the sacred, 150-foot (46 m) Reclining Buddha in the main hall. End at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn. It was built during the Ayutthaya period and is named after Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn. Sitting on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, the structure looms high above the shore, with a statuesque tower of nearly 270 feet (82 m) and steep stairs that offer panoramic views of the river and countryside. 

Later today, enjoy a gastronomic adventure in Bangkok's foodie favorite, Chinatown. Your guide will escort you through this bustling district, introducing you to Thai food culture and showing you how different foods are made. Chat with the street vendors selling their wares and try dishes like som tam (papaya salad), oyster omelets, rice noodle soups, or spicy raw prawns with lime. You can even try some fried scorpions or bamboo worms if you dare! Finish with a delicious Thai tea or coffee and desserts such as rice balls with coconut milk or khanom khrok (coconut-rice pancakes). 

Day 3: Tandem Skydive Over the Beaches of Rayong

Enjoy birds-eye views and high-flying fun with a tandem skydive over the beaches of Rayong! You'll meet with your instructors and board your plane, which will take you up to 13,000 feet (3,962 m), offering soaring views across the city and countryside. You'll receive a safety and equipment briefing, and once the plane reaches the proper altitude, you'll exit the aircraft strapped to your instructor.

Experience a thrilling freefall experience; then your instructor will deploy the main parachute at 5,000 feet (1,524 m), taking you to a smooth touchdown in the grassy landing area. Do keep in mind that travelers with health conditions that could cause problems for them should not participate, and anyone over the age of 60 is required to provide a medical release. 

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai, Taste of Chiang Mai Evening Foodie Tour

You're off to the mountains of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand's largest city with a distinct culture and history that thrives alongside a modern, urban vibe. A private driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Bangkok airport for the quick, 1.5-hour flight. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transported to your hotel. After you've gotten checked in and settled, it's time to head out for a memorable evening of exploring Chiang Mai's street foods and night markets. 

Depart from your hotel via tuk-tuk and start at Warorot Market, or Kad Luang as the locals call it, which is more than 100 years old and one of Chiang Mai's oldest markets. Inside, you'll enjoy a tasting of seasonal fruits and freshly made sai oua, a sausage that is a specialty of northern Thailand. Then, continue to the night market at Chang Puak Gate, a busy spot that offers a great range of authentic Thai cuisine. Try stewed pork leg from the vendor with the cowboy hat (once visited by Anthony Bourdain) and bua loi, a coconut broth with tiny rice flour balls in it. Finish with an evening tuk-tuk ride through the Old City.

Day 5: Elephants, Trekking, Rafting & Hill Tribes in Mae Win

This morning, your guides will collect you from your hotel and transport you to the Mae Win area, a drive of approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival at the trailhead, you'll begin your jungle trek, walking for about two hours until you reach a beautiful, refreshing waterfall. Take a dip and relax here for a bit, then walk to a nearby village, where you'll be introduced to a local tribe. Learn more about their daily lives and culture, see their homes, and walk around the village, then head to a local restaurant for lunch.

Afterward, you'll have the opportunity to do a meet and greet with friendly elephants, feeding and bathing them alongside their mahouts (keepers) and listening to their stories and tales about these gentle giants and their habits. End the day with a bamboo rafting excursion down the Mae Win River, taking in the lush jungle greenery and keeping an eye out for wildlife. Meet your drivers at the end of the ride, and make the drive back to Chiang Mai for the evening. 

Day 6: Fly to Ko Samui, Self-Guided Island Tour

Your next destination is Ko Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, known for its white-sand beaches, coconut groves, and dense rainforests. You'll take a private transfer to the airport in the morning for your flight, and your driver will be waiting at Ko Samui Airport to take you to your hotel. After you've gotten settled, hop in a tuk-tuk or on a scooter and check out some of the sights that make this island so popular. 

Start at the Big Buddha Temple, easily the most famous place to visit here. A large statue of Buddha dominates the hilltop of a small rocky island off Ko Samui's northeastern corner. It's an easy walk up to the wat (temple), which includes grounds with several outbuildings, areas for contemplation, and souvenir shops. 

Continue to the viewpoint of Laad Ko, where you'll find spectacular panoramas of Chaweng Beach, the island's longest beach at nearly 4.5 miles (7 km). You can also visit Lamai Beach and see the strange and interesting Grandfather and Grandmother rock formations—famous for their resemblance to male and female genitalia. End the day with some shopping in town, or stop by a local restaurant for dinner. Be sure to try the traditional Ko Samui dessert, kalamare (caramel toffee made with sticky rice and coconut milk). 

Day 7: Jungle Excursion via ATV

Today's adventure takes you on an exciting off-road ATV tour of the forests and jungles around Ko Samui. You'll meet up with your professional guides, and after safety and equipment briefings, you'll head out, traversing sandy and muddy roads that take you deep into the jungle. Ride along remote mountain trails and pass by shady coconut palms, sparkling rivers, and crashing waterfalls. Summit a tall hill where you'll see incredible views that stretch across the sea, then ride back down to where your drivers will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel. 

Day 8: Ko Samui Zip Line Adventure

See the island from a different view as you soar across the treetops on a zipline ride! Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and transport you to the meeting point. Get acquainted with the staff and watch them demonstrate the proper zipline positions and provide a safety briefing, then head to the zipline station for your wild ride. You'll fly from tree to tree and platform to platform, with jungle scenery both above and below. Don't be surprised if you see insects, lizards, or even monkeys in the surrounding trees.

Day 9: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Explore the City

Say your farewells to Thailand—you're off to Cambodia and the city of Siem Reap today! After hotel checkout, your private transfer will take you to the airport, where you'll catch a short flight to Siem Reap. Your driver will meet you upon arrival and take you to your hotel for check-in.

You can rest and relax for the rest of the day or start your exploration of the city with a self-guided walking tour. Start with a stroll along the road in front of the King's Residence and see the Main Shrine, where local people usually worship. The shrine includes the statues of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek, and Preah Ang Chorm. You may see the statues surrounded by flower offerings, as jasmine and lotus flowers are considered an important part of worship for the Cambodian people. Finish your walk at Psar Chars, or the Old Market, one of the city's lively street markets where anything and everything is for sale.

Day 10: Discover the Realm of Angkor Wat

Today you'll visit one of the most well-known and important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. Considered the largest religious structure in the world, this temple complex encompasses more than 200 acres (81 ha), with scores of large and small temples, canals, hydraulic structures, and communication routes—a showcase of the architecture and engineering of its time. For several centuries Angkor was the epicenter of the Khmer Empire, and it's still inhabited by villagers, some of whom have ancestry that dates back to the complex's origins. 

Your guides will take you past the distinctive five towers, which symbolize Meru's five peaks, while the surrounding walls and moat represent the mountains at the edge of the world and the ocean beyond. Continue to the South Gate, with its huge statues, and the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, a 12th-century Bayon temple known for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. See the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Your tour ends at Ta Prohm, one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been mostly untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mysterious atmosphere. Spend some time here in quiet contemplation, then receive a blessing ceremony from a Buddhist monk to bring prosperity, happiness, and safe travels. Your tuk-tuk will then take you back to your hotel, offering a quick evening spin around the city before dropping you off. 

Day 11: Visit Cambodia's Floating Villages, Transfer to Phnom Penh

Take a quick trip out of the city this morning to tour the floating villages of Cambodia's Tonlé Sap, the country's own "Great Lake" and one of the largest in Asia. You'll start in the morning, departing from the hotel with your guides and driving to the lake, where you'll board a traditional wooden boat and cruise through the watery roadways of the floating villages. The lake is home to more than three million people, with many living directly on the water. Travel around the lake, see fishermen at work, and notice the other floating homes and villages in the distance. 

Afterward, you'll stop by the Artisans D'Angkor, a vocational collective created in the 1990s to help young Cambodians find work and learn traditional craft skills that include stone and wood carving, lacquering, and silk processing. Meet some of the students and see their creations, with the option to purchase some unusual gifts to take home.

This afternoon, it's time to hit the road for the scenic five-hour transfer south to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Along the way, you'll stop to see views from Naga Bridge, take a break at a stone carving workshop in the Santuk district, and visit the popular spider market of Skuon, where, if you're especially adventurous, you can snack on fried and spiced spiders! 

Day 12: Phnom Penh Cyclo City Tour, Sunset Cruise

Get to know the Cambodian capital like a local as you cruise around its key landmarks and neighborhoods by cyclo. First introduced in the 1930s, these three-wheeled transports are considered an integral part of the city and remain one of the best ways to get around. Start with a visit to the Independence Monument, built to commemorate Cambodia's independence from France. Continue to the Royal Palace, built in 1866 on the site of the Old Town and the Silver Pagoda. Located on the palace grounds, this glittering marvel is named for its incredible floor, made up of 5,000 silver tiles. 

Then it's on to the National Museum (or Musee des Beaux-Arts). A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917, and it contains an impressive collection of Khmer art pieces. End the day at Phnom Penh's Psar Toul Tom Pong, otherwise known as the Russian Market, a great place to hunt for last-minute gifts and souvenirs.

Before you head back to your hotel for the evening, make the most of the gorgeous Cambodian sunset with an evening cruise on the Mekong River. You'll board at the pier and set out on a traditional wooden boat, enjoying views of the city lights as the sun goes down over the water. See the fishermen bringing in their boats for the day and locals heading home from work, and have a refreshing beverage as you travel along the river.

Day 13: Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

After breakfast at your hotel, meet with your guides and make the drive to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung. Grim as it may be, this memorial is an important piece of Cambodia's historical and cultural puzzle. You'll walk the grounds and see the Buddhist memorial that commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. Your guides will share information about these horrific events, and you'll have time to contemplate what was once an evil time in this gentle land. 

Day 14: Depart Phnom Penh

Your two-week journey through Thailand and Cambodia comes to a close today. At the appropriate time, your driver will collect you from your hotel and transport you to Phnom Penh's airport for your flight home. Safe travels! 

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