Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Bangkok -Ayutthaya – Kanchanaburi – Uthai Thani – Sukhothai – Sri Satchanalai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai – Bangkok
Join us on this magnificent journey of discovery and marvel at the brilliant cultural and historical monuments of Cambodia and Thailand. This meticulously crafted itinerary is packed with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and lets you travel in style.
Important Features
- Small group size (average 15, maximum 20)
- Experienced professional guides
- Gratuities for all local guides and drivers included
- No forced shopping stops
- Quality, authentic local & Western cuisines
- Unlimited supply of bottled water
- Free Wi-Fi in all hotels
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Fri: Depart Home City
The journey begins with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Sat: Arrival in Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh! Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day3/Sun: Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Located at the confluence of three rivers (Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac), Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and also the wealthiest and most populous city in the country. Out of a total population of 17 million, 2.2 million of them live in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh first became the capital of Cambodia after Ponhea Yat, king of the Khmer Empire, moved the capital from Angkor Thom after it was captured and destroyed by Siam (Thailand). Phnom Penh remained the royal capital for 73 years—from 1432 to 1505 before it was abandoned for 360 years (1505 – 1865) by subsequent kings due to internal fighting between the royal pretenders. Later kings moved the capital several times and established their royal capitals at various locations in Tuol Basan (Srey Santhor), Pursat, Longvek, Lavear Em and Udong. It was not until 1866, under the reign of King Norodom I (1860–1904), the eldest son of King Ang Duong, who ruled on behalf of Siam, that Phnom Penh became the permanent seat of government and capital of Cambodia again.
Beginning in 1870, the French colonialists built this riverside village into a city with hotels, hospitals, schools, prisons, barracks, banks, public works offices, telegraph offices, law courts and so on. In 1872, the first glimpse of a modern city took shape when the colonial administration employed the services of French contractor Le Faucheur to construct the first 300 concrete houses for sale and rental to the Chinese traders. By the 1920s, Phnom Penh was known as the Pearl of Asia, and over the next four decades the city continued to experience rapid growth with the building of railways to Sihanoukville and Pochentong International Airport (now Phnom Penh International Airport).
During the Vietnam War, Cambodia was used as a base by the Viet Cong’s North Vietnamese Army. Thousands of refugees from across the country flooded the capital to escape the fighting between the various factions, thus increasing the population of Phnom Penh to reportedly 3 million. The Khmer Rouge captured the city on April 17, 1975 and started to forcibly evacuate the entire city soon after. All of its residents, including the wealthy and educated, were forced into the countryside to do manual labour so that they could become “new people” according to the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng High School was turned into a prison camp known as S-21, where people were detained and tortured. Pol Pot sought a return to an agrarian economy and therefore killed many people perceived as lazy or political enemies. The Khmer Rouge was driven out of Phnom Penh by the Vietnamese in 1979, and people began to return to the city. Vietnam is historically a state with which Cambodia has had many conflicts; therefore, this liberation was and is viewed with mixed feelings by the Cambodians. A period of reconstruction began, spurred by the continuing stability of government, new foreign investment and international aid.
Our sightseeing today includes the Royal Palace Complex and the National Museum.
Day 4/Mon: Phnom Penh (B/L)
Today we visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. These sites may be too much for the visitor to stomach, but they embody an important period in the country’s history no matter how repugnant that period is in our common memory.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is on the same site of the high school turned prison known as S-21. Inside, Khmer Rouge’s torture devices and photos of their victims are on display. If you have read about Tuol Sleng and feel the gruesome scenes may be too disturbing, you may instead opt for a walk through the neighbourhood outside the former high school.
Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields) is 15 kilometers from the city centre. It was one of the mass grave sites of the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Day 5/Tue: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L/D)
The morning flight to Siem Reap takes 40 minutes. After a light lunch, we visit the Angkor National Museum and Angkor Wat.
The archaeological museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts, also to provide information and education about art and culture of Khmer civilization, with collections mainly dated from Khmer Empire’s Angkor period circa 9th to 14th-century. Most of the artifacts are discovered in and around the Angkor archaeological sites nearby. Opened on November 12, 2007, the Angkor National Museum covers the golden era of the Khmer Empire in eight galleries. The museum visit at the beginning of the stay in Siem Reap is designed to better prepare tour participants for what to see next.
Angkor Wat, the modern name for the temple complex, means “Temple City” or “City of Temples” in Khmer. Angkor, meaning “city” or “capital city”, is a vernacular form of the word nokor, which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara. Wat is the Khmer word for “temple grounds”. Angkor Wat was a Hindu temple complex that was later used for Buddhism. It is the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaiva tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious center since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag and the back of the 20,000-riel banknote.
Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early Dravidian architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall of 3.6 kilometres long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its walls.
Day 6/Wed: Siem Reap (B/L)
Visit Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm in the morning and have the afternoon at leisure after lunch.
Angkor Thom (literally: great city) was established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII as the capital of the Khmer Empire. It covers an area of 9 km² and includes several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman’s state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.
Ta Prohm, originally called Rajavihara, is the modern name of the temple built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition in which it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings has made it one of Angkor’s most popular temples with visitors.
Day 7/Thu: Siem Reap (B/L)
After breakfast, we drive 25 km to Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women), a 10th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale but the stone carvings are magnificent. On the way back to the hotel, we stop by a village for a better look at the local rural life.
Day 8/Fri: Siem Reap – Bangkok (B)
Free morning to explore on your own.
Fly to Bangkok in late afternoon and transfer to the hotel on arrival.
Located in Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand, with a population of 10.5 million within the city proper or over 15% of the country’s total. The city is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. A major financial and cultural centre in Southeast Asia, Bangkok also functions as an important hub for airlines serving the region.
Day 9/Sat: Bangkok (B/L/D)
We begin our sightseeing today at the royal Grand Palace. Established in 1782, the palace was dramatically expanded throughout successive reigns. The king and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.
We then proceed to the National Museum, which is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and features exhibits of Thai art and history.
Afternoon sightseeing takes in Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks.
Later in the day, we go on a long tail boat for an hour-long cruise on picturesque Chao Phraya River and the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi on the west side of the river. There will be chance to observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways.
If time permits, we’ll stop by Wat Pho (a Buddhist temple complex) and Bangkok’s historical Chinatown.
Day 10/Sun: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok (B/L)
Following breakfast we set out for a full-day (7 to 8 hours) excursion to Ayutthaya, a town about 90 km north of Bangkok. Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Tai state of Ayutthaya (Siam), precursor of the new kingdom established in modern-day Bangkok, until it was razed by the Burmese army in 1767. The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1991. The remaining reliquary towers and gigantic monasteries in the park give visitors an idea of Ayutthaya’s past splendour.
Our sightseeing in Ayutthaya includes Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace), Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the former Royal Summer Palace, and Chedi Phukhao Thong (a Buddhist tower built in 1587 to commemorate Ayutthaya’s liberation from Burma three years earlier.
Additional temple visits and a boat ride may be arranged depending on time availability.
Day 11/Mon: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi (B/L/D)
We depart Bangkok early in the morning. We first drive southwest for 80 km to visit Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market) in Samut Sakorn Province. In addition to fresh produce, seafood and related products feature prominently in the market because Samut Sakorn Province is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and many of its residents live off fishing. Railway tracks cut through the market and the story behind it is very interesting.
After a tour of the market, we drive 150 km to the northwest arriving at the town of Kanchanaburi just around lunchtime.
Afternoon sightseeing begins at the Burma Railway Centre, where interactive exhibits, short films and descriptions provide the context of the Japanese aggression in Southeast Asia, details of their plan for the railway and the horrors faced by the prisoners of war who worked and perished during the construction of the railway. A stop at the Don Rak war cemetery is planned.
We then proceed to the Bridge over the River Kwai. The bridge gained international fame from the Hollywood film version of the French novel Le Pont de la rivière Kwaï by Pierre Boulle. The story is fictional but uses the construction of the Burma Railway (also known as Siam-Burma Railway) between 1942 and 1943 as its historical setting.
Day 12/Tue: Kanchanaburi – Uthai Thani – Sukhothai ((B/L/D)
Our morning drive to Uthai Thani takes 4 hours (265 km).
Nestled in a peaceful corner of the lower northern region, the small town of Uthai Thani is surrounded by lush mountains with a diverse ethnic mix. Our sightseeing here includes Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Temple) and a short cruise on the Sakae Krang River.
We then drive another 3 ½ hours to arrive at the hotel in Sukhothai.
Day 13/Wed: Sukhothai (B/L)
The modern city of Sukhothai is very small with a population of 37,000 as of 2022. It is located about 427 km (265 mi) north of Bangkok on the River Yom, a tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The main attraction here is the ancient site of Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sukhothai Historical Park, which is 13 km from the new town of Sukhothai and covers an area of roughly 70 square km.
The historical site once served as the capital of Sukhothai Kingdom (1238-1438) from 1238 to 1347. The kingdom expanded to its greatest extent during the reign of Ram Khamhaeng the Great (1279-1298), who was believed by some historians to have introduced Theravada Buddhism and the initial Thai script to the kingdom. At its peak, the kingdom’s territory reached what is now Laos in the north, Andaman Sea in the west and the Malay Peninsula in the south.
We spend the whole morning exploring the ancient ruins inside the historical park. The afternoon is set aside for relaxation or exploration on your own.
Day 14/Thu: Sukhothai – Sri Satchanalai – Chiang Rai (B/L/D)
After breakfast we head north and arrive at a village called Ban Na Ton Chan 1 ½ hours (90 km) later. This small village in Si Satchanalai district is a little gem of innovation in promoting immersive and ecologically sustainable tourism. The village is backed by lush mountains and rice paddies. Many of its 200 families are engaged in traditional arts and crafts in additional to farming.
After a tour of the village, we continue our overland journey for another 360 km (5 ½ hours) to Chiang Rai, the northernmost major city in Thailand. Chiang Rai as a city traces its history to 1262 CE when King Mangrai made it the capital of his kingdom known as Lan Na.
Day 15/Fri: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
Our sightseeing today begins at the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. It unique design mixes contemporary and classic styles.
We then proceed to the Golden Triangle (70 km/1-hour drive to the north) where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. A name reportedly coined by the CIA, the Golden Triangle covers area of approximately 950,000 square kilometres and is notorious for its narcotics industry. Our visit is safe and the focus of our excursion is the pristine scenery and the life of the local hilltribes.
Day 16/Sat: Chiang Mai (B/L)
Nestled in high mountains and 750 kilometres north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. The city was founded as the new capital of the Kingdom of Lan Na (1296–1768) by King Mangrai. Known for its artistic and cultural heritage, the city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly one million, more than half the total of Chiang Mai Province.
The morning is set aside for rest and relaxation. A visit to the Elephant Rescue Center can be arranged upon request. You’ll have the pleasure watching the elephants taking baths in conditions close to their natural habitat and interact with the gentle giants.
The afternoon walking tour following lunch includes Warorot market by Ping River and the old city centre.
We spend the rest of the day visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple sitting atop the Doi Suthep Mountain about 15 km west of the city. The temple ground offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai on a clear day and the night view of Chiang Mai from here is simply spectacular.
Day 17/Sun: Chiang Mai – Bangkok (B/D)
We fly back to Bangkok midday and enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner tonight.
Day 18/Mon: Bangkok – Returning Home (B)
Your Thailand tour ends this morning. Transfer to the airport any time for return flight.
Hotel List
| City | Nights | Hotel | Category |
| Phnom Penh | 3 | La Rose Suites | 5-star/luxury |
| Siem Reap | 3 | Victoria Angkor Resort | 5-star/luxury |
| Bangkok – 1st stay | 3 | Sofitel Sukhumvit | 5-star/luxury |
| Kanchanaburi | 1 | River Kwai Rosotel | 5-star/luxury |
| Sukhothai | 2 | Legendha Sukhothai Resort | 5-star/luxury |
| Chiang Rai | 1 | The Legend Chiang Rai | 5-star/luxury |
| Chiang Mai | 2 | Melia Chiang Mai | 5-star/luxury |
| Bangkok – 2nd stay | 1 | Sofitel Sukhumvit | 5-star/luxury |
Dates & Prices
discount available
Price based on double occupancy. See Terms & Conditions for cancellation penalty. Scroll down for what the tour price includes and excludes.
| Depart (Fri) |
Return (Mon) |
Land Only CA$/US$ |
Single Supplement CA$/US$ |
| 2024 | |||
| 15-Nov | 02-Dec | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 22-Nov | 09-Dec | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 29-Nov | 16-Dec | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 27-Dec | 13-Jan | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 2025 | |||
| 03-Jan | 20-Jan | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 10-Jan | 27-Jan | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 17-Jan | 03-Feb | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 24-Jan | 10-Feb | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 14-Feb | 03-Mar | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
| 07-Mar | 24-Mar | $8700/$6450 | $3170/$2350 |
|
What the tour price includes:
|
What the tour price excludes:
See Terms & Conditions for more information. |
Passport
For this tour, you’ll need a passport that has at least 2 blank visa pages and six (6) months validity at the end of the trip.
Visa
Thailand does not require visa for stays of less than 30 days. Cambodian e-visa can be easily obtained online. Please wait till within 30 days of travel to apply and feel free to ask for us for assistance. If you apply on your own, be sure to deal with the appropriate authorities directly and avoid any middleman. Some of the middlemen may use domain names ending with .org to trick the public.
Cambodia Tourist e-Visa: US$36
https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
Immunization
Visitors may be asked to show proof of vaccinations against COVID-19 prior to or on arrival. COVID testing prior to arrival is no longer required.
We are not aware of any other inoculation requirements and we suggest you visit the websites of your national government’s disease control centre and pertinent embassies in your country for the latest. We recommend all of our guests to be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Tips on Staying Healthy
Do not drink from the tap when you travel. Ask for bottled or boiled water when eating in restaurants. When buying bottled water from street vendors, especially at tourist sites, make sure the cap is properly sealed because some vendors may be selling tap water in recycled bottles.
Try to avoid uncooked food. Raw food, even clean, may still cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
Always carry a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of hand sanitizer containing more than 60% of alcohol, no matter where you go.
Always have an N95 type of facemask ready. Passengers sitting next to you may be sick and cough loud but wear nothing to cover their mouth. This was a big problem before the pandemic that may return soon.
Banknotes in general are filthy and carry all kinds of germs. Minimize your contact with local banknotes and coins by keeping them in a plastic bag and sanitize your hands every time you touch them. Use plastic for payment as much as possible.
Currency & Credit Card
Cambodia currency: Riel (KHR)
Thai currency: Baht (THB)
Please keep your inventory of local currencies to the minimum. Your tour fare covers all the expensive items already. You only need some local cash, which can be easily obtained as you go, for souvenirs and meals not included in the tour price.
Consider using a credit card for transactions over $20. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Southeast Asia. Street vendors in Cambodia prefer U.S. dollars to their own currency but you should exercise caution if you want to play along. Merchants in more prosperous Thailand only accept their own currency if you pay by cash.
Travel Insurance – When to Buy
We will save your deposit as credit if you cancel at any time and for any reason. The transferrable credit has no expiration date. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to pay $30 to $50 on cancellation insurance for your deposit.
However, you should definitely consider purchasing trip cancellation & emergency medical insurance when your balance is due. If you don’t have proper coverage, the loss could be devastating if you were forced to cancel close to your departure date or run into a serious medical emergency during the trip. Please ask us for insurance quotes when your balance is due.