18 Days Best of Thailand and Cambodia Tour

18 Days Best of Thailand and Cambodia Tour

Including elephant encounter, temple expedition, and beach and island exploration, this 18 days Thailand and Cambodia tour offers you all the highlights of the two countries.

Start your tour from Chiang Mai, where you will meet the gentle elephants that are enjoying their idyllic retirements. Be a volunteer to feed them and learn how to bathe them. Then transfer to Bangkok to explore its surrounding - Kanchanaburi which is a great place for both nature lover and history buff. Afterward, head to Phuket to enjoy the amazing beach time.

Duration: 17 - 21 days
Country: Cambodia, Thailand, Multi Country

Highlights of This Trip
Including elephant encounter, temple expedition, and beach and island exploration, this 18 days Thailand and Cambodia tour offers you all the highlights of the two countries.

Start your tour from Chiang Mai, where you will meet the gentle elephants that are enjoying their idyllic retirements. Be a volunteer to feed them and learn how to bathe them. Then transfer to Bangkok to explore its surrounding - Kanchanaburi which is a great place for both nature lover and history buff. Afterward, head to Phuket to enjoy the amazing beach time.

In Cambodia, after the exploration of the fabulous temple expedition in Siem Reap, rest your body and mind on the beaches of Sihanoukville. Finally, finish your trip in Phnom Penh, a beautiful city featured with fine French architecture, wide boulevards and riverside promenade.

Itinerary in brief
Chiang Mai(3 nights)
Bangkok(2 nights)
Phuket(4 nights)
Siem Reap(3 nights)
Sihanoukville(3 nights)
Phnom Penh(2 nights)

Why you'll love this trip?
Visit the fabulous temples in Chiang Mai, like Wat Wmong, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, etc.
Enjoy a temple tour in Bangkok, covering Wat Traimit, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew.
Relax on Phuket beaches and explore Similan Islands.
Explore the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom, covering Bayon, Baphuon, Ta Prohm, etc., and admire Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.
Immerse in the fantastic beaches and island of Sihanoukville.
Enjoy a city tour to Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Royal Palace, etc., in Phnom Penh.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Chiang Mai! Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

Today, you will tour the beautiful temples in Chiang Mai.

Start with the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Then visit Wat Suan Dok built in the 14th century, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang which once contained the Emerald Buddha and later became partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s.

Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and houses one of Thailand's greatest treasures, the Crystal Buddha. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot, a peaceful temple that is surrounded by greenery.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

Today, tour the elephant rescue and rehabilitation center - Elephant Nature Park, involving in the rescues of the disabled elephants, dogs and cats.

You can volunteer and care for the animals. Take your time to wander freely on the grounds and get close to these gentle giants. You get the opportunity to feed them and learn how to bathe them.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Flight: Domestic flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for onward flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, meet your guide and start the city tour of Bangkok.

First visit Wat Traimit, known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. It is the home to a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddharupa statue, with a weight of 5.5 tons.

Then visit Wat Arun, known as the Temple of the Dawn, which is one of the most published images of Bangkok. In the middle of the temple, an 82 metres high beautifully decorated Khmer-style tower stands, where you can walk up the steep stairs and admire the view of Bangkok and the rivers.

After that, explore Wat Pho, also called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Finally, head for the Grand Palace, one of the must-sees in Bangkok, followed by Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B

In the morning, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local food, fresh fruit and products from their boats.

After an exploration of the market, drive to Kanchanaburi that is famous for the Death Railway built during WWII. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the bridge and railway are notable attractions in Kanchanaburi. Today, carriages still go on the tracks, taking travelers through the fields of sugar cane and rice terrace.

Finally, pay a visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn more history about the railway.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Flight: Domestic flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

Enjoy your free morning today until transfer to the airport for a flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and then escort you to the hotel for check-in. After that, head towards the old city of Phuket, stopping by the tourism office for an introduction to the area's history and Sino-Portuguese architecture. Then stop at a viewpoint over the city for photo ops.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Chalong, the largest and most prominent Buddhist temple on the island. Next, drop off at Street food in Bangla Road and enjoy your leisure time.

Overnight in Phuket.

Meals: B

Phuket lies off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, consisting of Phuket Island which is the largest island of Thailand and another 32 smaller islands off the coast.

Today, you will take an excursion to Similan Islands, an archipelago in the Andaman Sea off the coast. These islands are covered with thick forest and the most striking sights are to be found beneath the waves. Snorkeling and swimming are good choices.

Overnight in Phuket.

Meals: B

The next few days are all about unwinding.

You can simply lie on the beach for a sunbath, jump into the blue sea waters to have fun, taste the fresh seafood with a glass of cocktail in hand, go further to adventure the off-coast small islands, or explore the nearby fishing villages to find the history of Phuket.

Overnight in Phuket.

Meals: B

Continue relaxing on the beaches.

Overnight in Phuket.

Flight: Internal flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

Today, you will leave Phuket and take a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, meet up with the tour guide at Siem Reap International Airport. Then, your will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B

Today, begin your exploration of the remains of Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Angkor served as the seat of the empire.

In the morning, tour the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Huge silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grow over, around, and through the ancient stone blocks. The temple would make you feel as if you are in an adventure movie set.

Then, visit Banteay Kdei, a kind of smaller version of Ta Prohm. Continue to Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Palace, Baphuon Temple and Bayon Temple. Bayon sets itself apart with its 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed. With winding tunnels, chambers, and climbs, Bayon offers many exciting moments to keep your camera busy.

In the afternoon, head to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. Spend the afternoon fully exploring the passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the flourishing kingdom.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B

In the morning, head towards the deep jungle to visit Banteay Srei. The temple is carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day.

After lunch, take a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Then, tour Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Flight: Domestic flight is on GTT arrangement

Meals: B

After breakfast, the guide will transfer you to the airport for a flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up and escort you to the hotel. The rest of the day is for leisure on your own.

Overnight in Sihanoukville.

Meals: B / L

Today's trip will take you to enjoy a cruise to Koh Rong Samloem, a pearl in Cambodia which is surrounded by turquoise blue water. On the cruise, equipment is provided for snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, etc., to promise you the best experience.

En route, you will get the opportunity to go swimming and snorkeling. And upon arrival at the island, you can enjoy a sunbath on the white sandy beach, or go for an exploration of mangroves and bird sanctuaries.

At the end of the day, cruise back to Sihanoukville.

Overnight in Sihanoukville.

Meals: B

Today, spend your time exploring Sihanoukville, sitting on a peninsula jutting into the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Beaches of fine pearl-white sand line the shore around the peninsula, each offering its own unique character from the busy Ochheuteal Beach to the secluded chill-out Otres Beach.

You can walk leisurely on the beach, swim in the warm sea, taste fresh seafood, watch the beautiful sunset over the sea, or enjoy a party scene in the evening.

Overnight in Sihanoukville.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will depart from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh by a private car. The drive takes about 5 hours to arrive in Phnom Penh at noon.

En route, stop to visit Crab Market that is famous for delicious crab and other fresh seafood sold along the beachfront restaurants. Continue to the sleepy riverside town of Kampot, known for the pepper grown, lively local markets, and the colonial architecture.

Then, pay a visit to Bokor Hill Station, once a resort town but now mainly a deserted ghost town with eerie ruins to explore and photograph. If weather permits, you can get a panoramic view of the Cambodian coastline and Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island from the summit.

Keep driving towards Phnom Penh City. Upon arrival, check in the hotel. The rest of the day is for leisure on your own.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B

Start the day with a Tuk-tuk ride to visit the Silver Pagoda which is decorated with about 5000 silver tiles on the floor and the Royal Palace where the Khmer royal family lives. After that, tour the National Museum where you can see a large collection of Khmer history, arts and architecture.

In the afternoon, head straight to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to delve into the sad past of Khmer people. Accompanied by the knowledgeable guide, you will see the exhibitions in the museum and then pay a visit to Choueng Ek Memorial, a pagoda constructed out of over 8000 human skulls excavated from the Killing Fields.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, enjoy your leisure time untill the guide transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

End of service.

HOTELS
Homestay
Economy 2*+ Hotels
Superior 3* Hotels
First Class 4* Hotels
Deluxe 5* Hotels
Luxury 5*++ Hotels

Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request

Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian  speaking guide can be arranged with on request.

SERVICE INCLUSIONS
✓Flight tickets with airport tax as listed in above itinerary.
✓Entrance fee and sightseeing as listed in the itinerary.
✓Private English speaking tour guide service.
✓Private van for land transportation with cold drinking water and soft drink provided in the car.
✓Meals as listed in the itinerary (B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner).

SERVICE EXCLUSIONS
-International air tickets.
-Visa Handling fee, visa stamp fee.
-Meals are not listed in itinerary.
-Insurance, gratuities and personal expenses.
-Tipping for guide, driver and hotel bell boys, etc.
-Surcharge for public holidays (if any).
-Services not stated in the itinerary.

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