Ultimate Culture, History & Nature in Thailand & Cambodia - 21 Days

Highlights

• Cycle through Bangkok's urban parks and visit Thailand's famous floating markets
• Travel to rural hill-tribe villages, cooking and mingling with locals 
• Spend the day with rescued elephants in Thailand and Cambodia
• Go off-the-beaten-path as you explore dazzling ruins at Angkor and Ayutthaya

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok (Thailand), Evening Food Walk

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand! You'll arrive in the capital of Bangkok, a city that's come a long way from its humble origins as a fishing village on the Cha Phra River in the 15th century. Here, you'll discover an intriguing mix of age-old traditions and modern design. It's a place where shimmering new office towers and hotels sit alongside holy Buddhist shrines, and entire communities still live in stilted wooden houses on narrow klongs (canals).

A driver will be waiting for you at the airport, and from there, you'll transfer to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, and in the evening, you'll head out on a fun dining experience and walking tour. Thailand's cuisine is justifiably famous, and the capital of Bangkok delivers some of the finest street food in the world. Thus, you'll follow a guide to a series of eateries, markets, and bars to sample traditional delicacies and imbibe local drinks before returning to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Colors Of Bangkok Cycling Tour

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll discover a different side to Bangkok when you meet a local guide and set off on a half-day cycling tour. Go off the tourist trail as you pedal around traditional communities and visit lesser-known Buddhist temples, like Wat Bang Krasop, which is over 700 years old. You'll also stop at a Muay Thai boxing gym to see fighters training for the country's national sport.

The day culminates with a ride around Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan, a beautiful park and botanical garden that's a nice respite from the hustle of Bangkok. Afterward, you'll stop at a local restaurant for an authentic Thai meal before returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Full-Day Bangkok Highlights Tour

Spend the entire day hitting the highlights of Bangkok. Leave after breakfast with your local guide, stopping first at Wat Pho. This temple site is one of the oldest in Thailand (possibly dating as far back as the 13th century) and is known for its Reclining Buddha. This statue measures a whopping 49 feet (15 m) high and 150 feet (46 m) long.

After stopping at Pak Khlong Talat, the city's largest flower market, you'll continue on to the Grand Palace. This glittering complex of buildings lies in the heart of the city and was Thailand's royal residence up until 1925. Take your time to explore the ornate palaces, temples, and pavilions. Don't miss Wat Phra Kaew ("Temple of the Emerald Buddha"), where you'll find an impressive Buddha made from a single piece of jade.

Day 4: Floating Market, Transfer to Kanchanaburi

Leave in the morning on a half-day tour of one of the region's cultural highlights: its famous floating markets. A driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel for the transfer west out of Bangkok, about 1.5 hours to Ratchaburi province. As the city gives way to the country, you'll pass remote coconut plantations, stopping at one for a tour to see how they process coconut sugar.

Afterward, you'll continue to Damnoen Saduak, a paradise for food lovers and the most popular floating market in the country. Plying its maze of canals are vendors in traditional wooden boats selling fresh produce, snacks, and other delicacies. Here, you'll board a long-tail boat and travel around the market with your guide. Learn the art of haggling as you browse fresh fruits and handicrafts. 

Later, continue driving northwest to Kanchanaburi, stopping at the famous "Bridge Over the River Khwae," immortalized in both novel and cinema form. Once here, you can embark on a long-tail boat and cruise down the river, disembarking at the pier in Kanchanaburi. After checking into your hotel, spend the remainder of the day discovering the fascinating and tragic Thai history of the World War II era. Highlights include visits to the Death Railway Museum, as well as the War Cemetery.

Day 5: Visit Hellfire Pass, Transfer to Ayutthaya

Leave after breakfast on a visit to Hellfire Pass. This memorial honors over 100,000 laborers who died while constructing some of the most difficult stretches of the Thai-Burma Railway between 1942 and 1943, earning its nickname the ''Death Railway.'' Then, you'll travel a short distance to Nam Tok Station and ride along the railway's historic tracks, passing through Tham Krasae Station (one of the most beautiful, panoramic scenes along the Khwae Noi River).

Afterward, say goodbye to Kanchanaburi as you head north of Bangkok on a 2.5-hour drive to Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital city and a UNESCO-listed archaeological site. It was one of East Asia's largest and wealthiest cities in the 17th century, thriving as a prosperous international trading port until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues.

You'll discover these, as well as an ancient trading center, as you stroll the grounds. In the afternoon you're off to the Ancient Palace and Bueng Phra Ram Park before a guided tour of the Portuguese Archeological Museum. Here, you'll learn about the Portuguese's role in Ayutthaya's weaponry, skills, and trading history. After a full day of sightseeing, you'll transfer to your hotel in time for dinner and drinks.

Day 6: Transfer to Lopburi & Sukhothai

Hop in a tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) this morning and zip around some more famous sites in Ayutthaya. Among other highlights, you'll visit temples like Wat Phanan Choeng and its 57-foot (17 m) tall seated Buddha statue. There's also Wat Lokaya Sutha, home of a giant reclining Buddha, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which once served as a royal temple.

From Ayutthaya, you'll travel to the nearby city of Lopburi to visit the iconic Wat Phra Prang Sam Yot (Three Peaks Pagoda). This 13th-century temple features the three largest Buddhist pagodas built by the Khmer people in the Brahmin art style. It's also known for the large community of monkeys roaming the site, perpetually hunting for food.

Afterward, continue to Phitsanulok province and Sukhothai, another famous archaeological site. The 28-square-mile (45 sq km) area comprising Sukhothai features rebuilt ruins from the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam from the 13th to 15th centuries. It was at the end of this period that the Ayutthaya Kingdom conquered Sukhothai. During Sukhothai's peak, however, it was a political and cultural powerhouse. Here, Buddhism flourished, and impressive monasteries were constructed out of brick with intricate carvings. Stay overnight near the archaeological site.

Day 7: Scenic Transfer to Chiang Rai

After breakfast, you'll head out with a guide for a morning tour of the ruins at the Sukhothai archaeological park. Later, meet a driver for the ride to Chiang Rai, the northernmost city in Thailand. It's a scenic journey that passes alongside the highlights of Sukhothai province, including its river valleys, mountains, and national parks. Once in Chiang Rai, you'll check into your hotel and will have the evening free. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Hill Tribe Villages

You're in for a treat, as this morning, you'll leave Chiang Rai on a full-day tour to visit some colorful hill tribe villages. Specifically, you'll travel to the Mae Chan district near the border with Myanmar and visit an Akha hill tribe community on Mae Salong Hill. This remote Akha settlement comprises dozens of households living in structures made from mud, bamboo, rice straw, and rice husk. The humble Akha, who originated in Tibet, are mainly rice farmers but are known for their intricate embroidery.

During a tour, you'll stroll around the village with your guide and meet locals. If there's time, you'll join a local family for a home-cooked lunch of Akha specialties while you learn about their traditional way of life. The cultural immersion continues with a visit to a Yao village. Like the Akha, the Yao are ethnic minorities who originally migrated to Thailand from southern China. They're known for their colorful embroidery and ornate silverwork, which you'll see during the visit. At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to Chiang Mai, Stop at Black House & Blue Temple

Leave Chiang Rai early for a three-hour drive south to Chiang Mai. On the way, you'll stop at some fascinating landmarks and attractions. First up is the Baan Dam (Black House) Museum. This open-air complex is the brainchild of Achan Thawan Duchanee, a renowned Thai artist known for his provocative style. It consists of around 40 buildings, mostly black, designed in various traditional architectural styles with an eclectic mix of modern influences. These structures are spread over a large property and are made of wood, bricks, concrete, and glass.

Next, you'll visit Rong Suea Ten, better known as the Blue Temple, whose name translates to the "Temple of the Dancing Tiger." Long ago, tigers in the area used a nearby waterway as a trail, and the villagers would see them frolicking in the water, hence the name. Its modern design and striking blue color alone make it worth the visit, The massive porcelain Buddha that dominates the interior is also spectacular.

Later, you'll arrive you'll arrive in Chiang Mai. Northern Thailand's largest city is considered the nation's cultural capital, famous for its cooler climate, mountainous landscape, and distinct historical legacy. From 1296 to 1558, it was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom. Much of this history still exists in the form of the ancient walls, moats, and Buddhist temples found throughout the Old City (historic center). Your driver will drop you off at your central hotel, where you can relax or head out to explore under your own steam. 

Day 10: City Tour & Rickshaw Ride, Dinner With Locals

This morning, you're off on a half-day city tour and rickshaw ride to visit the highlights in and around Chiang Mai. It begins in the morning when you meet your guide/driver and visit a vibrant food and flower market where locals shop. Continue to Wat Suan Dok, a royal temple and repository for the ashes of former Lanna kings and the Royal Family.

Then, drive 30 minutes to Doi Suthep Mountain, enjoying spectacular views of mountains and forests, to reach Wat Phra That, a 14th-century Buddhist monastery and one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples. Return to your hotel via a fun rickshaw ride through the city.

Dinner this evening is a very special experience, as you'll transfer to a nearby village where you'll be welcomed into the home of a typical Lanna family for a home-cooked meal. After meeting your friendly hosts, you'll stroll around their organic garden to pick some fresh herbs. Then, head to the second floor of their teak-wood home and gather around a cooking station. There, amid panoramic views of the village, you'll get a hands-on lesson in preparing classic northern Thai dishes. At the end of the experience, you'll sit down and enjoy your creations with your hosts.

Day 11: Tuk-Tuk Tour & Elephant Adventure

Leave after breakfast on a transfer about an hour outside Chiang Mai to the Mae Wang Valley. There, you'll hop in a traditional tuk-tuk and head off on a private guided adventure. Pass through small farming villages and along twisty roads to reach your first stop—the remote temple of Wat Doi Sapanyoo, where towering Buddha statues and 360-degree views await. Then, head to Mae Sapok, known for its rice terraces, water buffalo, and elephants that gather by the local stream.

Next, arrive at a private elephant home where you'll have a tasty lunch and learn about the history of the Thai elephant. You'll help the elephant handlers bathe and feed the animals before leaving the premises and continuing to a riverside dock to board a bamboo raft and enjoy a lazy ride through the forest. Climb back into the tuk-tuk, traveling down beautiful curving roads, where you'll want to keep your camera close at hand! You'll arrive back at the starting point and transfer back to Chiang Mai in time for dinner and drinks.

Day 12: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Optional Activities

It's another big travel day, as this morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Chiang Mai and board a connecting flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia! Like Thailand, this nation is a veritable open-air museum home to some of the most awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the world. Located in the country's northwest, Siem Reap is a resort town that's the gateway to the most famous site of all: the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor. Upon arrival at the airport, your driver and private guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel, where you can enjoy dinner in town.

Day 13: Angkor Off The Beaten Path Tour

Wake early today for a bucket-list sunrise trip to Angkor. Covering 154 square miles (400 sq km), this massive archaeological site comprises what was once the capital of the Khmer Kingdom. It thrived from the ninth to the 15th centuries, and its ruins remain incredibly well-preserved to this day. Witness their majesty from Angkor's West Gate as the morning light illuminates this world-famous monument in dazzling shades of gold.

After pausing for breakfast at a nearby restaurant, you'll visit Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist temple dating to the 12th century and surrounded by four concentric walls. Continue to Ta Prohm, a temple built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Its ruins, entwined with the forest's trees and vines, were featured in the "Tomb Raider" movies.

Next up is Angkor Thom (literally "Great City"). During the 12th and 13th centuries, this royal city was a formidable defensive area, protected by 26-foot (8 m) walls and a wide moat. Looming over it is Bayon Temple, with King Jayavarman VII's smiling face emblazoned on its 216 stone sculptures. Other highlights include the Terrace of the Elephants, Phimeanakas (a three-tiered pyramid), and the Terrace of the Leper King. At the end of the afternoon, travel to the South Gate, where you'll take a private boat across a lake to Prasat Chrung Temple and watch the sunset over Angkor.

Day 14: Countryside Cycling & Buddhism Tour

Go beyond the showstopping ruins at Angkor and experience an authentic slice of rural Cambodia to see how locals live today. After breakfast, hop on a bicycle and pedal out of Siem Reap on a tour of the bucolic countryside. This scenic route will take you alongside verdant rice paddies and over dirt roads as you pass through forests and local villages.

The first stop on this half-day excursion will be a country market, where your guide will lead you around the stalls and recommend tasty local snacks. These include treats like fried bananas, coconut sticky rice balls, and classic noodle soups washed down with refreshing sugar cane juice. 

Continue to a sacred rural Buddhist pagoda and spend time admiring the colorful decor, gilded shrine, and the adjacent cemetery. During the visit, you'll receive a blessing from resident monks in a private ceremony to impart good health and happiness. Then, hop back on the bike and follow a winding path back to Siem Reap, during which you'll pass ox carts, rice paddies, wooden homes, and other scenic landmarks. 

Day 15: Scenic Transfer to Kratie (Cambodia) & Ferry to Ko Trong Island

It's another early start as you meet your driver for the ride south to the famous Mekong River and the waterfront town of Kratie. It's a long drive (six hours) but scenic as you pass small country villages and local markets. There'll be several scenic stops at some of these markets to pick up snacks and souvenirs, as well as several historic wats (pagodas) to visit.

Eventually, you'll arrive at the mighty Mekong, one of the most famous landmarks in Indochina. Enjoy lunch and a short tour in Kampong Cham, a peaceful river port with a colorful mix of faded Chinese, French, and Khmer-style buildings. Continue on to the riverfront town of Kratie. From here, you'll take a small ferry across the Mekong to Ko Trong Island. Nestled in the countryside amid pomelo trees is the tranquil villa where you'll spend the next couple of nights. You'll have time to settle in and relax before embarking on an evening horse-cart ride around the village to see a golden sunset over the Mekong.

Day 16: Mekong Dolphin Tour & Market Visits

Meet your guide this morning for a full-day tour around Kratie and Ko Trong. First, you'll drive about 40 minutes upriver and take a boat out onto the water. Your destination is a special spot where you can witness rare Irrawaddy dolphins frolicking in the water. These freshwater porpoises are distinct due to their rounded forehead, lack of a beak, and behaviors like spitting water to herd fish.

Continue cruising the area by boat, spotting rare birds as locals cast their fishing nets from the shore. There will be time to stop at riverfront markets, where your guide will help you pick some souvenirs. Then, disembark the boat and return to Katie, where you can stroll its French-style promenade and admire the colonial architecture. Pause for lunch and refreshments, then board the boat back to Ko Trong, where you can cap the day with a sunset bicycle ride. 

Day 17: Transfer to Mondulkiri

Leave Kratie this morning on a 4-5-hour drive east to Sen Monorom, the small capital of Mondulkiri province. This tropical Eden is known for its green highland scenery, waterfalls, wild elephants, and rich birdlife. It's also home to the Phnong (or Bunong) people, the largest Indigenous highland ethnic group in Cambodia. As you arrive in the province, there will be stops at various viewpoints to snap photos of the landscapes below and historic hilltop pagodas. Once in the capital, check in to your hotel and enjoy an evening of relaxation at a refreshingly cool elevation of around 2,600 feet (792 m).

Day 18: Visit the Elephant Valley Project

After breakfast, transfer a short distance to the Elephant Valley Project (EVP). This vital conservation project is dedicated to caring for elephants that have been injured or can no longer be supported by their mahouts (caretakers). During this full-day visit, you'll don traditional mahout garments and spend time with two families of rescued elephants. It's a great opportunity to learn about their behavior in their natural environment—plus, you'll get to feed and bathe them. Return to Sen Monorom in the late afternoon and enjoy a free evening.

Day 19: Coffee & Waterfall Tour, Transfer to Phnom Penh

Another long drive is on the itinerary today—but not before enjoying a morning of relaxation, stunning scenery, and agriculture in Mondulkiri. First, you'll visit a local coffee plantation. The fertile red soil in this region is ideal for growing crops, and coffee is one of many tropical plants cultivated here. During a tour, meet local coffee farmers, predominantly members of local Indigenous tribes. 

After sampling a cup or two of fresh-brewed Cambodian coffee, continue driving to Bou Sra Waterfall—the largest cascade in Cambodia. Set in a canyon surrounded by lush montane rainforest, the site includes a visitor center, walkways to the upper cascade, plus a zipline with seven lines and a sky bridge. Later, you'll get back in the car and continue on a 5.5-hour drive southwest to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's dynamic capital. 

Day 20: Phnom Penh Royal History & Killing Fields Tour

Venture out this morning and see the best of the "Pearl of Asia" on a city tour. Highlights include a stop at the vast and bustling Psar Thmei (Central Market), a landmark Art Deco structure where vendors sell everything from food and clothes to souvenirs. You'll finish your tour at the small hill of Wat Phnom to visit the gardens and hilltop pagoda, a popular spot for Cambodians to pray for good luck.

You'll also visit the Royal Palace, which was commissioned by King Norodom in 1866. Next, explore the grounds and its Silver Pagoda, so named because its floor is adorned with 5,000 silver tiles. Inside are Buddha statues encrusted with gold and emeralds. Continue to the National Museum, which features a millennium's worth of Khmer history dating back to pre-Angkorian times.

Spend the rest of the day on a sobering tour focusing on Cambodia's harrowing Khmer Rouge era (1975-1979). During this time, Pol Pot's brutal military dictatorship claimed the lives of over two million Cambodians or about 25% of the country. Historic landmarks you'll visit include the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.  At the end of your tour, you'll return to your hotel, where the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the final night of your trip.

Day 21: Depart Phnom Penh

Rise early and, if you like, stroll along the Mekong riverfront to snap a few more pics and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Then, after a leisurely breakfast back at the hotel, you'll transfer to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home—or onward to the next adventure. Safe travels!

More Great Thailand Itineraries