Highlights
- Go beyond Bangkok to visit its surrounding farms and markets
- Hike along nature trails and seek out waterfalls in Doi Inthanon National Park
- Relax on the beaches of Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands
- Fly to Siem Reap to explore the iconic Angkor ruins
- Discover authentic rural life in the countryside around Battambang
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Eat Your Way Across Chinatown | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Temple Tour of Bangkok, Cruise Down the Chao Phraya River | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Local Farms & Markets Tour, Fly to Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai |
| Day 4 | Spend the Day at an Elephant Sanctuary, Evening Cooking Class | Chiang Mai |
| Day 5 | Trek Through Doi Inthanon National Park | Chiang Mai |
| Day 6 | Fly to Phuket, Afternoon Beach Time | Phuket |
| Day 7 | Luxury Cruise to the Phi Phi Islands | Phuket |
| Day 8 | Free Morning in Phuket, Traditional Thai Massage | Phuket |
| Day 9 | Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Visit Artisans Angkor & Wat Thmei | Siem Reap |
| Day 10 | Watch the Sunrise Over Angkor Wat, Explore Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm | Siem Reap |
| Day 11 | Visit Banteay Srei, Transfer to Battambang | Battambang |
| Day 12 | Explore Battambang's Countryside, Ride the Bamboo Train | Battambang |
| Day 13 | Return to Siem Reap, Discover the Floating Villages of Tonlé Sap | Siem Reap |
| Day 14 | Depart Siem Reap |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Eat Your Way Across Chinatown
Sa-wat dee and welcome to Thailand! You'll touch down in Bangkok, the bustling capital, where a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Settle in, then take a stroll around the area or head to one of the many spas for a Thai massage, which combines pressure and stretching techniques to eliminate tension, starting your trip on a relaxing note.
As evening falls, meet your guide for a street food tour of Chinatown, where you'll try Thai classics like satay kai, pad thai, and ba mee moo dang, an egg noodle dish with barbecue pork and crushed peanuts. Treat yourself to some delectable Chinese or Thai desserts, such as mango sticky rice or Thai pancakes, and wash everything down with a Chinese herbal tea before hopping on a tuk-tuk back to your hotel.
Day 2: Temple Tour of Bangkok, Cruise Down the Chao Phraya River
Today you'll follow your guide on a tour of Bangkok's many colorful temples, starting with Wat Trimit. Also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, this Chinatown landmark houses a gold statue of a seated Buddha, measuring nearly 16 feet (5 m) in height. Continue to Wat Pho, the oldest Buddhist temple complex in the city, to admire its 150-foot (46 m) Reclining Buddha statue and explore the serene temple grounds before heading to the Grand Palace, the former residence of the kings of Thailand.
Today, the royal family and the Thai government use this opulent palace for ceremonial purposes. Walk around the large palace complex to see its dazzling gold spires and intricate architecture that exudes a sense of grandeur and opulence. Visit the coronation hall, funeral hall, and Emerald Buddha Temple within the palace's confines. After all that walking, sit down to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. When you're done eating, explore the rural areas of the city by long-tail boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River before disembarking and ending the tour at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.
Day 3: Local Farms & Markets Tour, Fly to Chiang Mai
Leave the city behind today as you join your guide to explore Thailand's salt road along the coast. Head out early for Samut Songkhram Salt Farms to watch local farmers tending to their fields, creating shimmering crystal pyramids of salt to dry in the sun. Then, hop on a train through the Mae Klong Railway Market. Disembark to explore this unique market and watch as the vendors return their awnings and merchandise to the track. Visit a local coconut sugar farm next to learn how to make sugar from coconuts.
Continue to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where vendors sell their wares from long-tail boats. Jump in a boat yourself and glide through the canals to get up close and personal with the merchants selling street food, fresh fruits, and handcrafted souvenirs. After exploring the canals and strolling along the banks, head back to your hotel in Bangkok and pack your bags as you fly north to Chiang Mai tonight. After a short flight, meet your driver outside Chiang Mai International Airport to transfer to your hotel.
Day 4: Spend the Day at an Elephant Sanctuary, Evening Cooking Class
Wake up early for a 1.5-hour transfer south into the rolling hills and jungles surrounding Chiang Mai. Your destination is a local elephant sanctuary, where you'll meet your guide, change into traditional mahout clothing, and attend an introductory lesson to learn about the elephants, many of whom were saved from exploitative conditions. Spend the rest of this memorable day feeding, grooming, and interacting with these gentle giants in their natural environment. Walk with them to the river and join in their therapeutic mud bath, then wash off before lunch and enjoy a traditional meal.
Back in Chiang Mai this evening, you'll join a Thai cooking class to learn how to cook local dishes. Follow your guide around a fresh market, learning how to select the right ingredients. Then head to the cooking school to make a three-course meal of northern Thai favorites, such as khao soi gai (egg noodles in a curry broth)or nam prik noom kab moo (pork cracklings with green chili dip). Watch as the chef shares their special techniques to help make your dishes authentic, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Day 5: Trek Through Doi Inthanon National Park
Venture into the mountains today to explore Doi Inthanon National Park, which sits on the highest peak in Thailand at 8,415 feet (2,565 m) above sea level—so wear something warm! Set off on a two-hour trek through the park, passing paddy fields, vibrant flora, and towering rhododendron trees. Two royal pagodas, standing as a tribute to Thailand's king and queen, greet you when you reach the top. Admire the panoramic views, then head back down to a Karen hill tribe village to observe their centuries-old way of life and browse their colorful market full of handwoven fabrics and intricate crafts.
Continue your trek, stopping at the 262-foot (80 m) Wachirathan Waterfall to marvel as the water cascades gracefully down a series of rocky cliffs. Walk along the Ban Mae Klang Luang nature trail, which takes you down a forested route away from the main tourist track, eventually reaching Pa Dok Siew Waterfall. Jump in the crystal-clear waters and cool off with a swim. End this action-packed day at the Karen village of Mae Klang Luang to try their most important crop—coffee. Try a cup on-site, and if you like it, you can purchase a bag to take home.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Fly to Phuket, Afternoon Beach Time
Day 7: Luxury Cruise to the Phi Phi Islands
Jump in a luxury speed boat to explore the turquoise waters surrounding the Phi Phi Islands. Start your journey at Ko Phi Phi Ley, home to the famous Maya Bay, where the movie "The Beach" was filmed. Admire the sheer cliffs, golden sand, and sparkling water from the boat, then continue around the island to Pileh Cove, where you can jump in and swim in the warm sea. Visit Viking Cave next to see the ancient paintings lining its walls, which resemble Viking ships.
Continue the tour at Monkey Beach on Ko Phi Phi Don, aptly named for the playful and curious monkeys roaming the shores and surrounding jungles. Swim or snorkel around the island before having lunch at a local restaurant. Once your food settles, cruise to Bamboo Island for a final swim and snorkel to discover the island's vibrant marine ecosystem before heading back to the pier in Phuket. In the evening, stroll down Bangla Road, the epicenter of the island's nightlife, for dinner and a drink.
Day 8: Free Morning in Phuket, Traditional Thai Massage
With a free morning ahead of you, choose between serene relaxation on the beach or an exhilarating adventure. Revisit one of the beaches from your first day in Phuket or make for the bustling Patong Beach, where you can lay on the sand, float in the water, or participate in water sports like jet skiing. Adventure seekers can visit Hanuman World Phuket to soar through the jungle on its ziplines and walk across the sky bridges for aerial views of the forest canopy and the vibrant flora below.
In the afternoon, wind down with a traditional Thai massage at Oasis Spa. Your masseuse will perform slow movements across your entire body—pressing, kneading, and stretching. This helps energize, rejuvenate, and increase blood and oxygen circulation. After this relaxing two-hour service, head to one of the many night markets, such as Chillva Market, for dinner. Try satay, meat skewers served with peanut sauce, or fried insects if you're still feeling adventurous.
Day 9: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Visit Artisans Angkor & Wat Thmei
Have your final breakfast in Thailand at the hotel, then enjoy some free time before your flight. Revisit a local market for some last-minute souvenirs or one last taste of some Thai street food. When it's time, meet your driver and transfer to Phuket International Airport to fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's Angkor ruins. Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel to check in.
After dropping your bags, your guide will take you to the Artisans Angkor, a social project preserving traditional Khmer crafts that gives educational and job opportunities to young people from rural areas across the country. Watch as local artisans create masterpieces and support their craft by purchasing beautiful handmade products, such as silk, textiles, jewelry, and wood carvings. Continue on to Wat Thmei, a temple known for its sobering Killing Fields memorial honoring the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Pay your respects and gain insight into the tragic history of the region before returning to your hotel.
Day 10: Watch the Sunrise Over Angkor Wat, Explore Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm
Set an early alarm so you don't miss the sun rising over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. Once the sun's rays illuminate the temple's spires, return to the hotel for breakfast. After refueling, continue your tour of the Angkor ruins at Angkor Thom, established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Enter through the iconic South Gate, flanked by towering stone statues, as you cross over the moat into the city's fortified walls. Explore the many temples and structures within, such as the enigmatic stone faces lining the Bayon Temple or the bas-reliefs sculpted into the Terrace of Elephants.
Don't miss the Terrace of the Leper King, named after King Darmaraja. Head back to Angkor Wat to get a deeper look at the massive temple complex. Admire the intricate stone carvings, look into the serene reflection pools, and stand in the expansive courtyards to wonder at the grandeur of the Khmer Empire. Follow your guide to Ta Prohm next, a temple built in 1186 CE. This building is unique as kapok trees have intertwined with the structure over centuries, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that blends natural and human-made elements.
Day 11: Visit Banteay Srei, Transfer to Battambang
Venture 21 miles (35 km) out of the city to Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dating back to the 10th century. Located amid dense forests, this architectural gem stands as a testament to ancient Khmer artistry, celebrated for its intricately carved red sandstone facades adorning the three central towers. Each stone, etched with divine mythological scenes, paints a vivid portrait of a bygone era.
After exploring this small temple, you'll say your goodbyes to Siem Reap and join your driver for the three-hour transfer west to Battambang. This charming town is nestled in the country's northwest and renowned for its colonial architecture, traditional Khmer houses, and serene countryside.
Day 12: Explore Battambang's Countryside, Ride the Bamboo Train
Explore the countryside of Battambang this morning as your guide takes you for a drive along the picturesque Sangker River to Wat Sla Ket, a tranquil Buddhist temple. Admire the intricate architecture, featuring stunning pagodas, shrines, and statues that showcase the rich Khmer craftsmanship. Continue on to a market, where you can watch locals make prahok, a Cambodian fish paste.
In the afternoon, tackle the 358 steps to Wat Banan, an ancient hilltop temple. After a steep climb flanked by lush jungle and vistas of the surrounding countryside, you'll be rewarded with the sight of five imposing temple towers that are said to be the inspiration for Angkor Wat's iconic spires. Head back down the hill to ride the Battambang bamboo train, a rudimentary form of transport consisting of a bamboo platform fitted with wheels that glides along a rickety track. This rustic and peaceful mode of transport will take you back to Battambang, passing lush rice paddies and quaint villages along the way.
Day 13: Return to Siem Reap, Discover the Floating Villages of Tonlé Sap
Leave Battambang behind today as you transfer back to Siem Reap and settle in at your hotel. Later on, your guide will take you 11 miles (18 km) south toward Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Connected to the Mekong River, Tonlé Sap is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and home to a unique patchwork of floating villages.
Hop on a private boat and cruise across the lake to explore some of these permanent communities, including schools, markets, and restaurants, all built on the water. Learn how the locals sustain themselves throughout the seasons, visit one of the many floating restaurants, or venture into flooded forests of mangrove trees.
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap
Your Southeast Asia adventure draws to a close today, but you may have time to grab a delicious local breakfast of street food or visit one of the many markets, like Pshar Chas (Old Market), to pick up some last-minute souvenirs, such as clothing, paintings, or carvings. Once you've bought everything, you can pack and head back to your hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport. Safe travels!
More Great Thailand Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in Thailand and Cambodia, or discover the best time to visit Thailand.
Map
