Cultural Treasures of Thailand & Cambodia - 7 Days

Highlights

• Discover Bangkok's historic temples, golden Buddhas, and Grand Palace
• Experience local life at the city's boisterous floating and railway markets
• Explore ancient Angkorian ruins and temples near Siem Reap
• Visit the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen and the floating villages of Tonlé Sap

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise

Welcome to vibrant Bangkok, the capital of Thailand! Golden temples, tasty street food, fascinating markets, and a royal palace await. But first, your guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Once refreshed, the rest of the day is yours to discover Bangkok's allure at your leisure. Hop on a tuk-tuk, meander through the 200-year-old Chinatown, or join in some tai chi at Lumpini Park. 

You'll end the day on a three-hour luxury dinner cruise down the Chao Phraya River, the city's arterial waterway. Sit back and relax as you pass some of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks, spectacularly lit at night. Admire the temples Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Grand Palace while enjoying a delicious buffet dinner accompanied by a traditional Thai dance performance. After the cruise, your guide will escort you back to the hotel.

Day 2: Bangkok Temples & Grand Palace Tour, Evening Street Food Tour

Join your guide bright and early for a full-day tour as you head off to experience the monks' morning chanting ritual at Wat Pho—one of Bangkok's oldest temples that houses the famous 148-foot (45 m) reclining Buddha and the first school of traditional Thai massage. Then, step into Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) to marvel at its 900-year-old, solid-gold image. Afterward, admire the porcelain-decorated spires of Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) sparkling in the morning sun. 

In the afternoon, you'll visit the Grand Palace, the highlight of today's tour. As the official residence of the kings of Siam (later Thailand) from 1782 until 1925, its blend of Thai and European architecture is a must-see. Learn more about Thailand's culture, literature, and traditional art at the adjoining Buddhist temple, Wat Phra Kaew—home of the sacred Emerald Buddha, carved from one piece of jade.

After a well-earned rest at your hotel, head out on a food tour with your guide this evening. You might sample some authentic Thai dishes, such as pad thai kung (stir-fried noodles with shrimp), som tam (papaya salad), and gai/moo bing (grilled chicken/pork skewers), before stopping at a rooftop bar, where you'll delight in the beautiful evening views of the Chao Phraya River. Afterward, your guide will drop you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Day Trip to the Railway Market & Floating Market

If you relish the color and atmosphere of local markets and love to indulge in fresh produce and fruits, then today's excursion is unmissable. After breakfast, you'll set off with your guide on a 1.5-hour drive to Mae Klong Railway Market, where vendors deftly retract their stalls from the railway tracks with remarkable speed as each train passes through—an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion.

Afterward, you'll head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where sellers wearing ngob (traditional Thai hats) navigate their small boats laden with colorful fruits, snacks, and souvenirs. Stroll along the narrow canal banks and capture candid snapshots of authentic Thai life. Take your time to explore the market and discover its rich local culture before returning to your hotel at the end of the day.

Day 4: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Tour Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat

This morning, take a transfer to Bangkok airport for your short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia's second-largest city. On arrival, you'll be welcomed by your guide and escorted to your hotel. After check-in, you're off to explore Cambodia's historic temples on a full-day guided tour. Begin with the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom, following your guide through the fortified walls via one of the bridges leading to the very heart of this impressive city—the Bayon Temple. With its 54 Gothic towers, the 12th-century temple was built by Jayavarman VII, whose image is believed to be depicted in its 216 giant smiling faces. 

Following a break for lunch, you'll tour the most iconic temple of all: Angkor Wat. Famed for its five majestic towers, this 12th-century architectural masterpiece is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn stories from Hindu mythology as you stroll past the intricately carved bas-relief—the longest in the world. Meander through the galleries, pavilions, libraries, and courtyards, soaking in the history. Afterward, enjoy a beautiful sunset view from Bakheng Hill or Pre Rup Temple.

In the evening, join your guide for a tour of Siem Reap's famous night market in the brightly lit and bustling Pub Street district. Sample a wide array of exotic street food, buy souvenirs, stop at a bar for refreshments, or visit a fish spa where fish nibble away at your tired feet.

Day 5: Experience an Angkor Wat Sunrise, Explore the Angkor Temples

Rise early with the birds today and head with your guide to witness the sun rise behind Angkor Wat. Watch the sky and temple mirrored in the reflection pool while you sit and listen to the caroling of birdsong over the ancient land of Angkor. Then return to the hotel for breakfast.

For lovers of fairy-tale palaces set in a forest, your post-breakfast full-day tour takes you to the 10th-century Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women). You'll be charmed by the beauty of this intricately carved, pink-hued sandstone temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Then, pass through villages and rice paddies on your way to the quieter Banteay Samre, a temple whose interior moat (now empty) is an unusual feature. Savor the lack of crowds with a photo here.

After lunch, let your imagination loose as you explore Ta Prohm—a location from the movie "Tomb Raider," which is slowly being swallowed by the roots of enormous strangler fig trees. Next, explore the maze of chambers at the temple Banteay Kdei, followed by the 10th-century Prasat Kravan, with its hidden brick sculptures dedicated to Vishnu. This evening, take a leisurely walk along the Siem Reap River and the adjacent Royal Independence Gardens. Stop for a snack, and people watch as the locals come out in numbers.

Day 6: Visit Phnom Kulen & Beng Mealea Temple

This morning, you'll take a one-hour drive up to Phnom Kulen (Kulen Mountain) for a full-day guided tour. A national park with beautiful waterfalls and temples, this sacred site is also the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, where Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. Walk in the cool shade of the riverbank in the "Valley of the Lingas" to view the 1,000 lingams (symbols for the Hindu god Shiva) carved into the riverbed and believed to bless the waters running over them.

On your way back to Siem Reap, you'll stop at Beng Mealea (Lotus Pond)—one of the most mysterious temples of Angkor. Surrounded by an enormous moat and largely swallowed by the jungle, French explorers rediscovered this "Lotus Pond" in the late 19th century. Follow the wooden walkway, and imagine yourself a hero in an action-adventure film. Afterward, browse the authentic, locally-made goods in Siem Reap's Made in Cambodia Market. Handcrafted by local village artisans and designers, the market is the perfect place to pick up a piece of creative craftsmanship to take home. 

Day 7: Half-Day Tonlé Sap Lake Tour, Depart Siem Reap

This morning, you'll journey through Cambodia's rural landscapes to reach the shores of the richly biodiverse Tonlé Sap —the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Board a boat and drift past entire floating villages, whose inhabitants are sustained by fishing and agriculture dependent on the lake's seasonally changing water levels. Witness this rare lifestyle and marvel at the resourcefulness of the lake's people. 

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