Highlights
- Visit the sacred temples and holy landmarks of the northern city of Chiang Mai
- Play and bathe with the gentle elephants of Eco Elephant Care
- Walk the ancient paths and temples of Ayutthaya Historical Park
- See the archaeological wonders of the incredible Angkor Wat
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Chiang Mai (Thailand), Guided Temple Tour | Chiang Mai |
| Day 2 | Eco Elephant Care Farm, Hill Tribe Visit | Chiang Mai |
| Day 3 | Fly to Bangkok, Bangkok City Tour | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Visit the Ancient City of Ayutthaya | Bangkok |
| Day 5 | Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Guided Walk Around the City | Siem Reap |
| Day 6 | Explore the Realm of Angkor Wat | Siem Reap |
| Day 7 | Depart Siem Reap |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Chiang Mai (Thailand), Guided Temple Tour
Welcome to Thailand! Your flight arrives in mountainous Chiang Mai, northern Thailand's largest city and the country's fourth-largest, with a distinct culture and history that thrives alongside a modern, urban vibe. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by a driver and transported to your hotel. After you've had time to rest and regroup, step out on a guided tour of the city's most historic temples. All were constructed during the Lanna period, and each reflects the splendor and nobility of this important era.
Meet your guide at your hotel and begin your tour with a visit to Wat Phra Singh temple, built during the reign of Phra Chao Kham Fu and home to the impressive Phra Buddha Sihing statue. From here, continue to Wat Chedi Luang, located in the city center. Constructed by King Saen Muang Ma in the 1400s, it was originally almost 300 feet (90 m) tall but is now just 131 feet (40 m) after an earthquake in the 1500s damaged the structure.
Your last stop is Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple within the city walls, featuring sights such as the "elephant chedi" and temple library. Before returning to your hotel for the evening, spend some time at the bustling Worarot Market, locally known as Kad Luang. Here, you'll find fresh fruits, local delicacies, flowers, fun souvenirs to take home, and delicious snacks if you're hungry after the long flight.
Day 2: Eco Elephant Care Farm, Hill Tribe Visit
Visit the elephants of the Eco Elephant Care today, learning about the care and keeping of these gentle giants and how this program is working to protect them. A local family started the project in Meung Kud village who have spent their whole lives taking care of elephants. They believe these gentle giants should not be used as entertainment and offer education on the importance of protecting what are highly intelligent, sentient beings.
Meet with your driver after breakfast and drive to the camp, where you'll start with a harvesting excursion, collecting sugar cane, grass, and banana leaves for the elephants alongside the camp's staff. Get introduced to the elephants, feed and play with them, and learn all about their habits from their expert caretakers. You'll even have the opportunity to take a bath with the playful pachyderms before enjoying a traditional Thai lunch.
Day 3: Fly to Bangkok, Bangkok City Tour
Your next destination is the city of Bangkok. After hotel checkout, you'll take a private transfer to the airport for the quick, 1.5-hour flight. On arrival, you'll be met and transported to your hotel, where, after you get settled, you'll meet with your guides for a city tour. See Bangkok's most iconic sites, including the Grand Palace, a large complex in the city center, and the official residence of the Kings of Siam since the 1700s. Here, you'll visit the famed Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where you'll see the meditating Buddha statue created from a solid piece of green jade.
From here, you'll walk to the nearby Wat Pho temple, believed to have been founded in the 16th century and once the royal temple of King Rama I. Your guides will offer information about the history and legends of the temple, and you can see the sacred, 150-foot (46 m) Reclining Buddha in the main hall.
End the day at Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn. It was built during the Ayutthaya period and is named after Aruna, the Indian god of the dawn, hence the nickname. Sitting on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, the structure sits high above the shore, with a statuesque tower of nearly 270 feet (82 m) and steep stairs that offer panoramic views of the river and surrounding countryside.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Visit the Ancient City of Ayutthaya
Travel back in time today to the ancient capital city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO-designated archaeological site that was once one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in East Asia, serving as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and a prosperous international trading port. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, which consists of over 300 historical sites that include palaces, temples, monasteries, and statues.
Day 5: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Guided Walk Around the City
Say your farewells to Thailand—you're off to Cambodia and the city of Siem Reap today! After hotel checkout, your private transfer will take you to the airport, where you'll catch a short flight to Siem Reap. Your driver will meet you upon arrival and take you to your hotel for check-in.
Once you've had a chance to settle in, meet up with your guide in the hotel lobby for a guided walking tour. Start with a quick walk along the road in front of the King's Residence and see the Main Shrine, where local people usually worship. The shrine includes the statues of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek, and Preah Ang Chorm. You may see the statues surrounded by flower offerings, as jasmine and lotus flowers are considered an important part of worship for the Cambodian people.
Afterward, stop by the Artisans D'Angkor, a vocational collective created in the 1990s to help young Cambodians find work and learn traditional craft skills that include stone and wood carving, lacquering, and silk processing. Meet some of the students and see their creations, with the option to purchase some unusual gifts to take home. End the day at the lively Psar Chars, or Old Market, one of the city's lively street markets, where anything and everything is for sale!
Day 6: Explore the Realm of Angkor Wat
Today you'll visit one of the most well-known and important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. This temple complex, considered the largest religious structure in the world, encompasses more than 200 acres (81 ha), with scores of large and small temples, canals, hydraulic structures, and communication routes—a showcase of the architecture and engineering of its time. For several centuries Angkor was the epicenter of the Khmer Kingdom, and it's still inhabited by villagers, some of whom have ancestry that dates back to the complex's origins.
Your guides will take you past the distinctive five towers, which symbolize Meru's five peaks, while the surrounding walls and moat represent the mountains at the edge of the world and the ocean beyond. Continue to the South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, and the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, a 12th-century Bayon temple known for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. See the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Your day ends at Ta Prohm, one of the area's most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Spend some time here in quiet contemplation, then receive a blessing ceremony from a Buddhist monk to bring prosperity, happiness, and safe travels. Your tuk-tuk will then take you back to your hotel, offering a quick evening spin around the city before dropping you off.
Day 7: Depart Siem Reap
Your whirlwind visit to Thailand and Cambodia comes to a close today. At the appropriate time, your driver will collect you from your hotel and transport you to Siem Reap's airport for your flight home. Safe travels!
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