Highlights
- Explore the jaw-dropping temples, pagodas, and palaces in Bangkok
- Sample pad thai, coconut crepes, and Thai chicken skewers with a local guide
- Experience a traditional Cambodian dance at the Angkor Village Aspara Theater
- Ride a tuk-tuk to the incredible temple ruins of Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Enjoy a bowl of Cambodia's famous rice noodle soup where it first originated
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok, Free Time | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Explore the Temples & Palaces of Bangkok, Nighttime Food Tour | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Bangkok Market Food Tour at Or Tor Kor | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Fly to Siem Reap, Dinner with an Apsara Dance Performance | Siem Reap |
| Day 5 | Tuk-Tuk Tour through Angkor Wat from Sunrise to Sunset | Siem Reap |
| Day 6 | Psa Leu Market Tour, Learn How to Make Khmer Rice Noodle Soup | Siem Reap |
| Day 7 | Depart Siem Reap |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Free Time
Welcome to Bangkok, the bustling capital city of Thailand! Your guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After settling in, you'll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace. Of course, there's so much to do in one of Asia's most popular megalopolises, but there are a few recommended stops to check out while you recover from jet lag. For instance, you can walk by the Royal Palace while taking in some of the city's countless pagodas. Or, visit one of Bangkok's many extravagant—and air-conditioned—malls while you adapt to the heat.
If you have the energy, you can also seek out a Muay Thai boxing match or a classical Thai music concert. Or, simply walk the streets taking in the sights and smells while watching locals going about their business. When you get hungry, there are many options, whether you order a bowl of hot, spicy noodles from a street vendor or dine in a plush restaurant. When the sun goes down, look for traditional open-air markets offer plenty of dishes you can try (though we'll get to some of those later on the trip).
Day 2: Explore the Temples & Palaces of Bangkok, Nighttime Food Tour
Begin your day with a half-day tour of Bangkok's cultural treasures, which starts at Wat Pho, home to the massive 150-foot Reclining Buddha. After, you'll visit the massive Grand Palace, a vast complex spanning 233 acres. Admire over 100 buildings here, including the Royal Residence Throne Halls and the revered Wat Phra Kaew, housing the Emerald Buddha. From here, you'll hop on a local ferry ride from the nearby pier to Wat Arun, a majestic royal temple boasting a striking 270-foot (82 m) Khmer-style tower adorned with intricate floral mosaics from broken Chinese porcelain.
After soaking in the day's cultural marvels, return to your hotel for a well-deserved break. As night falls, your guide will introduce you to Bangkok's world-renowned cuisine with a special tour only a local would know. Experience the culture of late-night dining as you savor Hainanese chicken rice in Pratunam and sample renowned pad thai noodles in Pratuphi, two buzzing neighborhoods in the city. Follow your guide through a maze of neon-lit streets and bustling food stalls, indulging in the city's culinary delights.
Day 3: Bangkok Market Food Tour at Or Tor Kor
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Bring your appetite because today you'll jump right into it by visiting Or Tor Kor Market with your guide, which is ranked one of the best fresh markets in the world. Starting as an agricultural collective, the destination has grown into an upscale outdoor food market where locals from all walks of life shop. Your guide will lead you through the numerous aisles of beautiful tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, meats, and seafood, where you can learn about many of the ingredients that go into well-known Thai dishes.
And, there's more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth from Thai sweets like kanom krok (grilled coconut pancakes), sticky rice sweets, and kanom bueng (coconut crepes). But don't spoil your meal just yet. At this market, you can also find steamed fish curry custard, vegetable stir fry, deep-fried fish, grilled prawns, and many fresh herbs, spices, sauces, and chili pastes to go with whatever you choose. Grab a quick bite on the go or sit at the small food court, selling everything from braised duck noodles and fried oyster pancakes to pad thai and various noodle soups.
Day 4: Fly to Siem Reap, Dinner with an Apsara Dance Performance
This morning, you'll check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, the second largest city in Cambodia, Siem Reap has a lot to offer curious travelers, and it's also the closest city to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. After transferring to your hotel, you'll have some free time to explore the city before meeting up with your guide before dinner. Check out the city's restaurant scene where you can try local delicacies, grab a beer on the famous Pub Street, or shop in one of the many local handicraft shops.
Later, you'll meet your guide for a three-hour dinner and dance experience. The evening starts at the Angkor Village Aspara Theater with an Aspara dance performance, a traditional Cambodian dance dating back to the 7th century that features elegant synchronicity. In Hindu mythology, Apsaras were beautiful female creatures who descended from heaven to entertain gods and kings with dancing. This traditional dance constitutes a link between the different religions prominent in Cambodia, including Animism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. You'll watch the dance while enjoying authentic Cambodian cuisine.Day 5: Tuk-Tuk Tour through Angkor Wat from Sunrise to Sunset
Rise and shine! Your tuk-tuk drive will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the West Gate of Angkor Wat at sunrise, a truly spectacular site. Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. It later transformed into a Buddhist site, symbolizing the cosmos and Mount Meru, the sacred five-peaked mountain, which you'll see silhouetted as you arrive. Though it's 900 years old, Angkor Wat remains one of the most well-preserved architectural marvels of the Khmer Empire and the largest religious structure in the world.
After sunrise, you'll channel your inner Lara Croft and explore the many temples of Angkor Wat like Tomb Raider (in fact, this is where it was filmed). You'll start at Ta Prohm, built as a center of learning by King Jayavarman VII to commemorate his mother. In its time, the temple hosted thousands of residents and visitors. But, since being abandoned, the overgrown fig trees have crept into the areas between the loosened stones, creating an unusual ‘forgotten city’ feeling that makes for an awesome photo-op (though it probably won't do it justice).
Next, your tuk-tuk ride will lead you to Angkor Thom, the royal city of the Khmer Empire. You'll walk through the South Gate entrance and be greeted by the gargantuan stone-carved faces on each side. Continue through the site, where you'll stop at the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and other temple ruins of this section of Angkor Wat. Finally, end your tour by seeking solace at Wat Tang Tock, where a monk bestows upon you a traditional blessing. As the day winds down, your guide might propose waiting to catch sundown before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: Psa Leu Market Tour, Learn How to Make Khmer Rice Noodle Soup
Today's five-hour tour starts early in the morning at Psa Leu Market, the largest local market in Siem Reap. There's nothing you can't find here, from clothes and watches to handbags and jewelry—and, of course, food. This lively place is the heart of culture for Cambodians living in Siem Reap. When you arrive, have a breakfast of fried banana with sugar cane juice or rice porridge to prepare your stomach for the day ahead.
Next, your guide will drive you to Preah Dak Village, passing through local rice paddies. This village is famous for its rice noodle production, and the practices for making them have stayed in their families for generations. They're also famous for palm sugar. After learning how the noodles are made, you can visit stalls selling fresh fruits from their home farm, as well as palm sugar, fish skewers, and stuffed frogs grilled over charcoal. This is also a good opportunity to pick up souvenirs like weaving boxes, trays, and baskets made from palm leaves that grow in the village at the local market.
Next, the moment of reckoning comes at Kdeung Café. Kdeung is the name of the pestle used to pound the dough to make the rice noodles in the mortar, which you'll see on display here. You'll try what you've been waiting for all day: Khmer rice noodle soup or nom ban chok. Your mouth will water at the site of these fresh rice noodles cooked in fish gravy, and crisp raw vegetables, including cucumbers, banana blossom, and water lily stems, garnished with plenty of fresh herbs. When you're nice and full, you'll be returned to your hotel to prepare for your departure home.
Day 7: Depart Siem Reap
It's time to say goodbye to Cambodia! At the appointed time, you'll meet your guide in the lobby for your transfer to the airport where you'll depart for home or your next destination. Safe travels!
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