Thailand and Cambodia Essential Experiences Tour

With your morning at leisure, you can acclimate to your surroundings in several ways. You may opt to sleep in, or you may decide to enjoy a short stroll through one of the colorful markets of Chiang Mai. Meet with your guide and begin your tour of the city’s highlights. Begin with a visit to the temples that dance under the sunshine. The towering spires and meticulous carvings of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh will absorb you as you delve into the spiritual roots of the local people before ascending the emerald Doi Suthep Mountain to witness panoramic vistas of the city beyond the spiritual complex.

While the temple atop Doi Inthanon is a marvel to behold, the mountain itself is mesmerizing and boasts a flurry of wildlife activity from the forests coating its colossal landscapes. Today, joined by your guide, you will step across the soil of Doi Inthanon beneath the verdant canopy of mossy trees and rocky trails. Along the Pha Dok Siew Trail, you will stumble upon an authentic Karen Tribe village where coffee is brewed to perfection. Trek next across the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail to witness the colorful creatures who reside within this unspoiled paradise.

Today, you will become deeply acquainted with the traditional rural lifestyle as you visit another Karen Hill Tribe of Chiang Mai at the Baan Thung Luang village. The friendly locals will invite you into their homes, showcasing their devotion to their customs through the elaborate garments and distinct architecture crafted from natural resources while also sharing a tantalizing traditional meal with you. Afterward, you will have a special private experience at their elephant sanctuary and learn more about their conservation efforts. You can help caretakers feed the elephants and enjoy a fun bathing session in the river.

Retreating from Chiang Mai this morning, you will transfer to Phuket, Thailand’s largest and most popular island, to enjoy a tropical paradise. Spend your afternoon wallowing in the sunshine, blanketing the beachfront before you meet your tour guide, and set off for Phuket Old Town, where night food markets steal the show and invite hungry travelers to immerse themselves in authentic Thai food. You will indulge in decadent snacks and mouth-watering meals during a gastronomy tour. Old Town has been UNESCO's City of Gastronomy since 2015, famous for its cluster of multi-cultural cuisines, including Southern Thai, Chinese, Muslim, and Peranakan.

Phuket is a gateway to the remarkable unspoiled islands littering the Andaman Sea, and today you will head to the pier where you will have a sea kayaking trip around Phang Nga Bay. As you travel around the sparkling sapphire waters, you will draw closer to the emerald seascape circling the breathtaking bay. You can visit sea caves and find a cave lagoon as you follow your professional guide. Images of craggy cliffs rising from the glossy surface and forests veiling their headlands will blow you away as you paddle around the garden of islands before returning to Phuket.

Today, you will head back to the mainland, only this time to the capital of Thailand, Bangkok. Arriving in the beating heart of the country, you will be dazzled by the modern skyscrapers starkly contrasting the cultural districts dominating the cityscape. It is a blended cosmopolitan that you will discover today as you visit the significant spiritual sites, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Phra Kaew. To round off your cultural exploration of Bangkok, you will watch a spellbinding Khon, a Thai masked dance performance, before returning to your accommodation.

Travel deeper into Thailand to discover more of the culture and tradition that underpins the rural and age-old way of life, particularly as spotlighted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya. You can participate in making a rare Thai dessert with a local family on the tiny river island of Koh Kerd. You can also meet a Sak Yant Master who has been practicing the ancient art of religious body tattoo for over three decades. Before visiting the temple ruins, you can spend time with a Stone Carving Master who etches Khmer motifs into sandstone.

You will explore Thailand through your taste buds today as you set off across the cityscape. Along the canals, stalls serve sizzling seafood, and paddocks are home to mouth-watering grills that you may hop off to dine at before hopping back in and moving slowly downstream. This evening, you will head to a humming night market laden with coveted eateries and trinket stores, where you may further tease your palate with the wondrous flavors of Thai cuisine.

Thai-Chinese Heritage sweeps much of the country, but no more is it discerned than within Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown. After breakfast, you will hit the streets and stroll through Chinatown, a destination dominated by food stalls and knock-off stores that emanate a palpable atmosphere set to sweep you off your feet. Besides the delectable treats that you may patronize during your tour, you will also cherish images of the impressive Golden Buddha resting within Wat Traimit as well as the stately porcelain spires of Wat Arun.

You will transfer to Cambodia’s stunning forested resort town, Siem Reap, on the eleventh day of your Southeast Asian vacation. Siem Reap, much like Thailand, is drenched in culture and heritage for you to uncover with each passing day you spend in the spirited city. Today, you will come to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship of the indigenous Cambodian ancestors as you visit iconic historic sites such as Preah Khan and Pre Rup, before witnessing a traditional Cambodian puppet performance in a charming outdoor setting.

You will venture deeper into Cambodia on your second day here, exploring the jungle beyond the city borders of Siem Reap. Move out of town to the viridian forests that circle the mossy remnants of the Beng Mealea temple, an unrestored archaeological and spiritual site. Overgrown with trees and shrubbery like some sort of magical fairytale hideaway, explore together and savor it all. Afterward, you will head for the umber banks of Tonle Sap Lake, where you will board a traditional wooden boat and set sail to a floating village hovering above the glossy water.

The crown jewel of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, is yours to explore after breakfast. Believed to be the world’s largest spiritual complex, this impressive feat of architecture is a colossal wonder worthy of respect. You will discover more of Angkor with each passing minute, exploring a smaller adjacent temple and former royal palaces stationed in the sacred destination. After sundown, you can enjoy a stunning performance by Phare, The Cambodian Circus. Supported by a non-profit that promotes young Cambodians from disadvantaged backgrounds, their highly-rated show is a fascinating display of artistic choreography.

You will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Buddhism today alongside a monk who will impart valuable insight with you about the nature of Cambodian Buddhism. Your tour will bring you to the famous monks’ temple of Siem Reap, where the community gathers in spiritual practice and honors the sacred shrines housed within. Your tour will culminate with a stop at one of the oldest pagodas in the country. In the evening, you will find the secret dining spots to enjoy local specialties and exciting snacks.

After breakfast, you will have one last incredible Cambodian experience before you head to the airport and jet off back home. You will transfer to a restaurant kitchen where you will meet a celebrity chef and be taken through the secrets behind the country’s famous delicacies. Enjoy a trip to the local market before you learn the art of preparing a selection of exquisite dishes and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your private transfer will meet you at the hotel and take you to the airport, leaving the flavors of Cambodia dancing on your taste buds.