Highlights
- See Bangkok's many temples and embark on a street food tour of the city
- Visit World War II monuments on the River Khwae
- Take a relaxed hike through Erawan National Park to its scenic waterfall
- Fly to Siem Reap, your base, to explore the Angkor temple complexes
- Cruise along Tonlé Sap Lake to visit the floating villages
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Evening Street Food Tour | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Bangkok Temple Tour, Cruise the Chao Phraya River | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Kanchanaburi: World War II History & Outdoor Adventure | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Gateway to the Ruins of Angkor | Siem Reap |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Tour of Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm & Angkor Wat | Siem Reap |
| Day 6 | Visit the Floating Villages of Tonlé Sap Lake | Siem Reap |
| Day 7 | Depart Siem Reap |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Evening Street Food Tour
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Meet your driver outside Bangkok International Airport to transfer to your hotel in the bustling capital of Bangkok. Settle in and relax before this evening's street food tour or head out to explore the city on your own. 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 night falls, meet your guide and head to Chinatown to try a variety of finger foods, such as kai-satay (chicken skewers with a sweet and sour peanut dip). Sample the popular pad thai (usually made with shrimp here), or savor a plate of ba-mee-mhoo-daeng (egg noodles with barbecue pork and crushed peanuts). Save room for some Chinese or Thai desserts, such as mango sticky rice or Thai pancakes. Wash everything down with an herbal tea before hopping on a tuk-tuk to enjoy a quick spin around the city's colorful nightlife before heading back to your hotel.
Day 2: Bangkok Temple Tour, Cruise the Chao Phraya River
Today you get to explore more of the city with an experienced guide. Meet them in the hotel lobby and head to Wat Trimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha. This Chinatown temple houses a towering gold statue of a seated Buddha, measuring nearly 16 feet (5 m) in height. Continue on to Wat Pho, the oldest Buddhist temple complex in the city, to see its famous 15-foot (46 m) long Reclining Buddha statue. Spend some time exploring the serene temple grounds here 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 vast palace complex to see its dazzling gold spires and intricate architecture, and don't miss 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. Spend the afternoon on a relaxing cruise by long-tail boat along the Chao Phraya River, discovering the rural outskirts of the city, then disembark and end the tour at Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn.
Day 3: Day Trip to Kanchanaburi: World War II History & Outdoor Adventure
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Trade the bustling city for the countryside today with a day trip that takes you two hours west to the small town of Kanchanaburi. This region is known for its many World War II monuments, and you'll start on the River Khwae at Bridge 277, which prisoners of war built as part of the infamous "Death Railway." The government renovated the bridge in 1946, and it stands as a somber reminder of that dark period in history. If you visit during late November to early December, you can take part in memorial week activities, such as watching folk performances, remembrance ceremonies, and fireworks shows.
After walking across the bridge and learning about its history, take a train to Krasae Cave, which used to house the prisoners of war. Enter to see the shrine dedicated to those who suffered during the railway's construction and reflect on the resilience of the human spirit. Continue on to Erawan National Park to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll take a scenic hike to Erawan Waterfall and enjoy swimming under the cascading water of this turquoise natural wonder. After a relaxing afternoon, head back to Bangkok for a free evening.
Day 4: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Gateway to the Ruins of Angkor
Say goodbye to Thailand and hop on a short flight to Siem Reap, a city in northwestern Cambodia. Your driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel, where you can rest after your flight and then spend the remainder of the day exploring at your own pace. Start with a visit 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. Here, you can see how local artisans create their masterpieces and buy beautiful handmade products, such as silk, textiles, jewelry, and wood carvings.
If you visit during the dry season from November to April, you could also opt to enjoy a panoramic view of the iconic temple complex, Angkor Wat, from a hot-air balloon. In the evening, head to dinner at Kanell Restaurant to try artfully prepared Cambodian dishes and enjoy an Apsara dance show, a classical Khmer performance rooted in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. After dinner, you could continue to Pub Street, a lively hub of entertainment, dining, and nightlife, for a drink and a little dancing or make a beeline for the many night markets along the street for some shopping.
Day 5: Full-Day Tour of Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm & Angkor Wat
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out on what's sure to be a highlight of your week—a full-day guided tour of the Angkor ruins. Start at Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire, established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Enter through the 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. Follow your guide to Ta Prohm next, a temple built in 1186 CE.
This temple is unusual for the kapok trees that have intertwined with the structure over centuries, creating a blend of natural and human-made elements. Continue on to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat. It's the largest religious structure in the world, covering an area of 500 acres (200 ha), and despite its 12th-century origins, it remains perfectly preserved. Enter the massive temple grounds, admiring the intricate stone carvings, serene reflection pools, and towering spires, and take your time as you follow your guide to its hidden corners and highlight structures.
Day 6: Visit the Floating Villages of Tonlé Sap Lake
The penultimate day of your trip takes you on a guided excursion 11 miles (18 km) south of Siem Reap toward Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. Hop on a private boat and cruise across the lake to its famous floating villages and permanent communities, including schools, markets, and restaurants, all built on the water. Learn how the communities sustain themselves throughout the seasons, visit one of the many floating restaurants, or take a boat ride through flooded forests of mangrove trees.
After returning to Siem Reap, you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to enjoy Siem Reap at your leisure. Head back to the markets for some tasty street food and souvenir shopping, and grab a nap back at the hotel before dipping a toe into the city's famous nightlife on Pub Street.
Day 7: Depart Siem Reap
If you have a later flight, you can spend your final hours in Siem Reap exploring the city on your own. Visit one of the many markets, such as Pshar Chas (Old Market), to pick up some last-minute souvenirs, such as clothing, paintings, or carvings. Keep an eye on the clock, as a driver will be waiting at your hotel to take you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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