Thailand and Cambodia Tour – 11 Days
This 11 days tour will take you to the major destination of Cambodia and Thailand. From Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia to Siem Reap with its beautiful Angkor temples then to dynamic city Bangkok, Thailand and relax in Phu Ket...
Trip duration: 11 days 10 nights
Route: Phnom Penh arrival - Phnom Penh city - Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Bangkok - Phu Ket - Phu Ket free time - Full Day Phi Phi Island - Joining Cruise - Phu Ket - Bangkok City - Bangkok departure
Start: Phnom Penh.
Finish: Bangkok
Activities: Heritages, Local life, Culture & Beach
Tour operates: Year round/ upon request
Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 01: Phnom Penh – Arrival
Day 02: Phnom Penh (Meals: B/ D)
Day 03: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (Meals: B/ D)
Day 04: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (Meal: B/ L/D)
Day 05: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (Meals: B/ D)
Day 06: Siem Reap – Bangkok – Phu Ket (Meal: B)
Day 07: Phu Ket – Free time (Meals: B)
Day 08: Full day Phi Phi island – Joining cruise (Meals: B/ L)
Day 09: Phu Ket - Bangkok (Meals: B)
Day 10: Half day Klong (canals) And Grand Palace tour (Meals: B)
Day 11: Bangkok – Departure (B)
DAY 01: PHNOM PENH ARRIVAL
Arrive at Phnom Penh International airport. Welcome by our tour guide and driver then transfer to the hotel.
We enjoy our cycle ride along the riverside. This laidback tour gives us a different perspective of the streets and sights of the city. We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong. Board a nicely restored wooden boat for a day cruise, enjoy the unspoiled landscapes along each bank and visit the traditional villages with their old pagodas on the islands.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
02: PHNOM PENH TOUR (Meals: B/ D)
Breakfast at the hotel then start for a full day city tour of Phnom Penh.
Visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony; continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others.
This afternoon, we will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture Centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.
Dinner and Overnight in Phnom Penh.
DAY 03: PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP (Meals: B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08.00: Check out to the hotel then travel by road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (distance: 250km). On route you will witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to/from school. Closer to Phnom Penh you may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spider vile’ due to the deep fried tarantula that is the local delicacy, are you adventurous enough to try one?
We visit Kampong Khleang, the largest floating village near Siem Reap but only few tourist go there. Depending on the season, the experience will never be the same. During dry season, from January till July you can walk between the stilts on which the houses are built, rising up to 10 meters in the air. In wet season, when the lake is at peak level, the water rises within one or two meters of the building floors. On route you may wish to stop off in Kompong Kdei, to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge.
Upon arrival in Siem Reap you will check-in to your hotel after which you are free at leisure for the rest of the evening.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 04: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (Meals: B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
08.00: We embark on an amazing journey to the unexplored and beauty of the lush mountain region of the north. Phnom Kulen is the holiest mountain in Cambodia. Kulen is no doubt the mount the most sacred of Cambodia, a very active pilgrimage place and a picnic destination for Khmer families. Few foreigners visit this magnificent place making this destination very unique. A 1½ hour drive from Siem Reap, we pass through local villages, farm land, rice fields and temples taking us to a trail through dense jungle leading to the top of the mountain.
Here stands Preah Ang Thom, a 16th century Buddhist monastery notable for the giant reclining Buddha carved into the top of a 20-m boulder. We climb the wooden staircase to a landing that surrounds the 17m long Buddha, where monks and believers bow, and burn incense and leave fruit. We continue downstream to the magnificent series of tiered waterfalls. The waters hold special religious significance for Hindus, thanks to the hundreds of phallic images carved into the sandstone floors along the shady brook area. Having the opportunity to walk right into the shallow river to photograph the sculptures and underwater carvings is simply amazing. The river then drops about 4 m to a landing where court officials once bathed. Beyond that, the water cascades another 20 m and creates a pool where the masses once washed.
Banteay Srei: nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving
Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.
Enjoy foot massage 1hour & walking at busy pub street where you can find many bars for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.
DAY 05: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (Meals: B)
After breakfast, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one km, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art. We continue to Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.
- The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
- See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
- Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru
- The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas
- The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 06: SIEM REAP - BANGKOK - PHU KET (Meal: B)
After breakfast, we transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to Bangkok, connecting flight to Phu Ket. Transfer to the hotel for check in.
In this evening, our driver will pick you up around 16:30 to Phuket’s most famous theme attraction combines a Las Vegas-style show with elements of Disneyland, and magical illusions to make an unforgettable family experience. Phuket Fantasea’s main draw is an awesome stage production based on Thai culture and history that features four dimensional effects, acrobatics, stunts, pyrotechnics and a 30 elephant circus. Before the show, guests will enjoy shopping at the Festival Village, filled with high quality products and locally made souvenirs. Other features on this outing include cultural parades, craft demonstrations, and elephant rides. We will also have the chance to taste a sumptuous international buffet at the Golden Manohra restaurant, located on the compound of the terrain.
Overnight in Phu Ket.
DAY 07: PHU KET - FREE TIME (Meals: B)
Full day is free at the leisure to relax on the beach. Accommodation and breakfast will be booked in advance.
Overnight in Phu Ket.
DAY 08: FULL DAY PHI PHI ISLAND - JOINING CRUISE (Meals: B/ L)
Within a short distance by comfortable boat, we can reach one of these tropical islands in the Andaman Sea. You have heart of yet never had the chance to visit. This amazing adventure will start in the early morning as guests set out by cruise boat from the Pier to the scenic Phi Phi Islands (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley), located about 45 kilometres from Phuket. Sightseeing excursions include Loh Sa Mah and Phi Phi Ley cove as well as Maya Bay, where the 2000 film “The Beach” (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tilda Swinton) was filmed. A chance to observe the majestic undersea world is also available for guests who enjoy snorkelling. If we are more an exploring type of person and Phi Phi’s natural beauty is not enough, there is plenty to do on and off the island. Phi Phi Ley is home to the Viking Cave, a large limestone cavern, where ancient rock paintings can be found. Thought to resemble Viking ships – hence the name of the cave – they are predicted to be 3,000 to 4,000 years old. This is a perfect spot to experience the colours and rhythms of this tropical hideaway.
Overnight in Phu Ket.
DAY 09: PHU KET - BANGKOK (Meals: B)
After breakfast in hotel, meet our guide then transfer to Phuket airport take fight to Bangkok. After arrival at Bangkok airport, meet our guide transfer to hotel in Bangkok.
This evening, we go to the newest popular night market Asiatique for Calypso Cavaret at Asiatique the riverfront.
Overnight in Bangkok.
DAY 10: HALF DAY KLONG (CANALS) And GRAND PALACE TOUR (Meals: B)
Breakfast at the hotel then experience a half day trip along the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet Klong (canals) in a long tail boat, in which we can enjoy scenes of Bangkok life. We will bring you to a more traditional and serene way of living around Thonburi residential areas, away from all the skyscrapers and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre. We will also stop by the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun).
A visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand is a must. The palace, which is the former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by the King Rama I, it was the centre of power for more than 150 years. Today, the palace is Bangkok's major landmark and most popular tourist attraction.
Overnight in Bangkok.
DAY 11: BANGKOK – DEPARTURE (B)
After lunch we depart to the airport for departure flight. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.