Thailand & Cambodia Grand Tour: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Siem Reap & Phnom Penh - 14 Days

Highlights

• Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and visit Bangkok's many temples
• Learn how to cook with a local Lanna family in Chiang Mai
• Take a speed boat to the Phi Phi Islands from Krabi
• Explore the world's largest temple complex at Angkor 
• Embark on a market and breakfast tour across Phnom Penh

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

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

Welcome to the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand's capital! Meet your driver outside Bangkok International Airport for a private transfer to your hotel, then choose whether to relax and recover from jet lag or head out to explore the city on your own for a few hours. Walk around the city, admiring the many temples you'll get a deeper look at tomorrow, or visit a local spa to get a Thai massage and wind down after your flight. Return to your hotel in plenty of time to get ready for the night's activity—a luxury dinner cruise.

Board a boat and cruise down the Chao Phraya River, the city's arterial waterway, to see the city from the water. Admire some of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks, which look even more spectacular at night, such as the temples of Wat Arun and Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. As you watch the incredible scenery pass by, enjoy a delectable buffet dinner accompanied by a traditional Thai dance performance. After this memorable first day in Thailand, your guide will pick you up at the pier and escort you back to the hotel.

Day 2: Tour the Temples & Grand Palace of Bangkok

After seeing some of the city's landmarks by water last night, you can get up close and personal with them today. Wake up bright and early to experience the monk's morning chanting ritual outside Wat Pho, giving you a spiritual introduction to one of the oldest temples in the city. After the ritual, explore the temple grounds before going inside to see the famous 150-foot-long (46 m) reclining Buddha. Then, head to Chinatown to visit Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and marvel at the 900-year-old, solid gold Buddha statue inside.

Continue to the landmark Wat Arun, better known as the Temple of the Dawn, aptly named as its shell and porcelain-decorated spires glitter in the morning sun. After lunch, you'll move on to the Grand Palace, the highlight of today's tour. Once the official residence of the country's kings from 1782 to 1925, it's now used for ceremonial purposes. Walk through the massive grounds and enter the adjoining Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple), the most important Buddhist temple in the country, and learn more about Thailand's traditional art and architecture here from your guide.

After resting your feet at your hotel, your guide will take you to some of the city's favorite local haunts to try authentic Thai dishes, such as the well-known noodle dish, pad thai, or wattana panich, a beef noodle soup. The last stop is a rooftop bar along the Chao Phraya River. Have a drink at the top and admire the glittering city lights spilling over the river. At the end of this action-packed day, a driver will drop you off at your hotel.

Day 3: Visit the Mae Klong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Today takes you an hour out of the city to the Mae Klong Railway Market, a raucous experience that has to be seen to be believed. Vendors set up their stalls on an active railway track, and each time a train approaches, they swiftly retract their awnings and merchandise to make way for the passing locomotive. After witnessing this spectacle of innovation and coordination from the local vendors, stroll through the bustling aisles of the market to savor delicious street food or shop for souvenirs.

Another unusual marketplace awaits at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you'll see a plethora of vendors peddling on small wooden boats adorned with colorful fruits, snacks, and souvenirs. Walk along the narrow canal banks and capture candid snapshots of authentic Thai life or hop in a boat yourself to explore the wares up close. Many merchants cook and sell food from their boats, too, such as tom yum noodles, a spicy seafood soup with noodles and shrimp. Take your time exploring the market and discovering its distinctive local culture before returning to your hotel in Bangkok.

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai, Half-Day Temple Hopping Tour

Trade the busy city for the serene, mountainous terrain of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. After a short flight, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Then it's time to meet your guide for a temple-hopping tour. Start inside the old walled city center at Wat Chedi Luang, a Buddhist temple built in the 14th century. Admire the towering ancient stupa that once soared higher than any structure in the whole Lanna Kingdom, then continue to Wat Phra Singh, an architectural masterpiece featuring classic Lanna architecture that houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image.

Drive up Doi Suthep mountain next to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, but on the way, stop by the heavily forested Wat Umong, nestled at the mountain's foot. When you arrive at the top, climb the 306 steps of the Golden Naga Staircase or pay to take a cable car to reach the temple's golden pagodas and gorgeous views over Chiang Mai. Explore the serene courtyard, featuring various shrines and statues that invite visitors to reflect and pay their respects. After walking through this golden paradise, transfer back to your hotel. 

Day 5: Spend a Full Day with Elephants at a Jungle Sanctuary

Today's intrepid excursion takes you out of the city and into the jungle, where you get to spend a full day at an elephant sanctuary. Rescued from exploitative industries such as tourism and logging, these gentle giants live out their days in the sanctuary's peaceful and spacious setting. Meet your guide and change into traditional mahout (elephant keeper) clothing, then attend an introductory lesson to learn about the elephants' history, behavior, and the sanctuary's efforts to protect them.

You'll have the rest of the day to feed the elephants and interact with them in their natural environment. After enjoying traditional Thai food and fresh fruit for lunch, learn how to make herbal medicine balls for the elephants and walk alongside them to a nearby river, where you can bathe, brush, and join them in a therapeutic mud spa. Afterward, change into clean clothes, say goodbye to your new friends, and head back to Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Cooking Class with a Local Lanna Family, Fly to Krabi

Learn about northern Thailand's rich history and unique culture today by visiting the Lanna people, also known as Tai Yuan, who originally came from China and Vietnam to escape the Mongols. They settled in northern Thailand and formed the Lanna kingdom with the Indigenous population. Many Lanna people now identify as Thai, but they still have their own distinct traditions and culture. Spend a day learning about their way of life by meeting a local Lanna family and visiting their teakwood house to prepare a meal together. 

Take a stroll through their garden, full of various fruits, spices, and herbs, and learn about their staple dishes. Afterward, prepare a delicious home-cooked meal influenced by Lao, Burmese, Yunnanese, northeastern Thai, and central Thai cuisines. Cook and try the staple food, sticky rice, paired with chicken, pork, or beef. Add condiments such as lemongrass, chili paste, or galangal—a root similar to ginger—to enhance the dish. After the tour, return to the hotel to pack your bags and head to the airport for your two-hour flight to Krabi on the country's west coast. 

Day 7: Cruise to Ko Phi Phi Ley & Ko Phi Phi Don

Get ready for a day on the water as you head to Nopparatthara Pier and hop on a speed boat bound for the Phi Phi Islands, an island group between Phuket and the Straits of Melaka. Cruise to Ko Phi Phi Ley to visit Maya Bay, a beautiful cove that you may recognize from the movie, "The Beach," and continue to the other side of the island to swim in the pristine waters of Pi Leh Bay. Continue to Viking Cave to see the ancient paintings lining its interior and the edible bird's nests locals harvest for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Your cruise takes you to Ko Phi Phi Don next, where you'll visit Monkey Beach, named after the resident monkey population, which you can typically see frolicking along the shoreline or in the nearby jungle. Have lunch at a local restaurant on the island, then stop by Bamboo Island to swim in the crystal clear water, snorkel to see the marine life of the Andaman Sea up close, or lie on the white-sand beach. You'll turn back for Krabi later in the afternoon and transfer back to your hotel to relax before dinner.

Day 8: Enjoy a Free Day in Krabi

Enjoy a free day to explore Krabi at your own pace. If you want to stay on land, visit Wat Tham Suea, also known as the Tiger Cave Temple. Ensure you wear comfortable shoes, as you'll brave a climb of over 1,200 stairs to get to the summit. You'll be rewarded for your efforts with breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside and coastline below. When you're ready, step into the temple itself, admiring the intricate golden Buddha statues scattered across the terrace. Make your way back down to stop by one of the many markets and refuel with local staples, like khua kling—Thai ground pork with curry paste, red chilis, and shrimp paste.

If you're itching to get back out on the water again, opt for another speedboat tour to discover some more islands and coastline located just west of Krabi. Make for the Railay Peninsula and Phra Nang Beach, where you'll find powdery sand and clear, shallow water that's perfect for swimming. Don't miss a trip to the nearby Princess Cave, a fertility shrine known for its unusual anatomical designs. Spend the rest of the day relaxing on the sand or floating in the water before heading back to Krabi to discover its bustling nightlife. Ao Nang is the prime spot for your pick of bars, clubs, and beachside pubs to dance the night away.

Day 9: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Half-Day Tonlé Sap Tour

Day 10: Explore Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat, Visit Pub Street

Today is devoted to discovering one of the world's most important archaeological sites alongside a knowledgeable guide. You'll start at Angkor Thom, which means "Great City" in Khmer. Walk around the ruins of what was once the most impressive royal city of the Khmer Empire, enclosed by 26-foot (8 m) high walls. Pause for a photo op at the iconic South Gate, and take your time as you explore Bayon Temple, which is composed of 54 Gothic towers covered in sculpted faces.

Head to Angkor Wat next; built in the 12th century and famed for its beauty and splendor, this complex is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Its five towers are so iconic that they're actually emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. Immerse yourself in the ruins as you stroll through its galleries, libraries, pavilions, and courtyards. Your guide will time your tour perfectly to end with a memorable sunset viewed from Bakheng Hill. 

After all that walking, return to Siem Reap to visit Pub Street, a vibrant avenue of restaurants, bars, and clubs where you can sit down, enjoy a delicious meal, and have a cold drink. Once you're refueled, explore one of the city's many night markets with your guide. If you're feeling up for it, continue the night at one of the many bars or nightclubs or head back to the hotel to relax.

Day 11: Watch the Sunrise Over Angkor Wat, More Angkor Temples

Wake up before dawn to experience the spectacle of a sunrise over Angkor Wat's spires. Watch as the light transforms this iconic landmark, then head back to the hotel for breakfast to refuel and before your visit to Banteay Srei, also known as the "Citadel of Women." This 10th-century Cambodian temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, stands out for its stunning red sandstone carvings. Next up is Banteay Samre, a temple that showcases the characteristic Khmer architectural elements, including intricate bas-reliefs, elegant colonnades, and finely carved lintels.

In the afternoon, continue your tour at the jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm, which is embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers and showcases a dramatic symbiosis of art and nature. End the tour at Prasat Kravan, a small, private temple built in the 10th century and dedicated to Vishnu. After a transfer back to Siem Reap, enjoy a relaxed afternoon after a busy couple of days. As evening falls, opt for a peaceful walk along the flowing Siem Reap River and the adjacent Royal Independence Gardens.

Day 12: Fly to Phnom Penh, Visit Tuol Sleng Museum & the Choeung Ek Memorial 

Your journey continues today with a one-hour flight to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. After settling into your hotel, head to the notorious Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a somber look into the bloody history of the Khmer Rouge. Once a secondary school, the building was transformed into a security prison from 1975 to 1979. As you walk through this former school-turned-prison, you can see the cramped cells where prisoners were held and tortured. The walls are lined with photographs of those who were imprisoned here, many of whom never made it out alive.

Afterward, continue to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Memorial. As you walk through the fields, you'll see mass burial plots containing thousands of human remains and learn about the horrors that occurred during the war. The museum provides a detailed account of how innocent people were tortured and killed in unimaginable ways, while the memorial site serves as a reminder of this suffering and the resilience of the human spirit. Visiting these sites may be emotionally challenging, but it's an essential part of understanding Cambodia's history.

Day 13: Morning Market & Breakfast Tour, Visit the Royal Palace & National Museum

Get the penultimate day of your trip off to a delicious start with a morning market and breakfast tour by tuk-tuk. Visit a local hangout to start with coffee served alongside a bowl of savory noodle soup. Stroll through a bustling open-air wet market to try what's in-season and walk away with a handmade souvenir, then meet Brother Salin and his family-run shop that serves up a classic Khmer breakfast. Grab a plastic chair and sit streetside for some freshly grilled pork and rice served with homemade pickles and a rich bowl of soup.

Next, you'll walk off all that delicious food with a tour of the gleaming Royal Palace, a showcase of Cambodia's rich cultural heritage and impressive architecture. Inside, the Silver Pagoda is a dazzling sight to behold, with every inch of its floor covered in shimmering silver tiles that reflect light in all directions. Make your way to the National Museum of Cambodia next to explore the country's history and culture through its impressive collection of Khmer artifacts. The museum houses over 14,000 items, including sculptures, ceramics, and textiles, spanning from prehistoric times to the present day.

Finally, visit Wat Phnom, the most important Buddhist temple in the city. Built in 1373, the temple's intricate architecture, colorful murals, and Buddha statues attract visitors from all over the world. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the temple gardens or sit under the spreading shade trees while taking in views of the surrounding area. 

Day 14: Depart Phnom Penh

If you have some time before your flight, you can explore more of Phnom Penh on your own. Visit Psar Tuol Tom Pong, the Russian Market, for some last-minute souvenirs, such as clothing, jewelry, or handicrafts. If you have no more room in your suitcase, just enjoy a walk along the picturesque Sisowath Quay to admire the Tonlé Sap and Mekong Rivers. When it's time, meet your driver at your hotel so they can transfer you to the airport. Have a safe flight home!

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.