Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll arrive in Bangkok and check into your hotel, then the afternoon is yours to spend however you like. Grab a traditional massage, relax by the pool, or just wander around and get oriented. Later in the evening, meet up with your group to hear what's planned for the next couple weeks. After that, head out to try some authentic Pad Thai and check out the Khao San Road nightlife on your own time.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Nouvo City Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore Bangkok independently
- Thai massage
- Relax by the pool
- Day 2
Kanchanaburi
Get an early start to make the most of your day. You'll take a water taxi with locals heading to the Royal Palace, where a local guide walks you through the 61 acres of intricate architecture. From there, board a private boat to explore the klongs (canals) and feed fish along the way. After grabbing lunch on your own, travel inland to Kanchanaburi to see the Bridge and Death Railway Museum and WWII Cemetery. You'll stay at a riverfront hotel tonight and have dinner featuring local specialties while watching the sunset.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local specialities dinner at riverfront location)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar))
Included Activities
- Royal Palace tour with local guide
- Private boat tour of klongs (canals) with fish feeding
- Bridge in Kanchanaburi
- Death Railway Museum visit
- WWII Cemetery visit
Optional Activities
- Local lunch (Trip Manager can recommend)
- Find best local lunch spot
Landmarks Royal Palace Bridge over the River Kwai Death Railway Museum 
- Day 3
Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai
Start the morning at Erawan Falls, where you can take a peaceful walk on the trails or swim in the emerald blue pools. Later, head to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO site, and bike around past ornate temples and towering spires. That evening, board an overnight train heading to Chiang Mai, so you'll arrive refreshed the following morning.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Overnight Train)
Included Activities
- Erawan Falls visit and trails
- Ayutthaya city cycling tour past temples, spires, and palaces
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Erawan Falls
- Dipping feet in the waters
Landmarks Erawan Waterfall Ayutthaya 
- Day 4
Chiang Mai
After waking up in Chiang Mai, spend your day at an elephant nature park watching these animals in their natural setting. Lunch at the park is included. By evening, the rest of the day is free, so consider renting a Vespa to explore on your own or just wander around the city like a local, checking out shops and cafes.
- Meals
- Lunch (Wholesome lunch at the elephant park)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Empress Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Elephant Nature Park full-day experience
- Lunch at the elephant park
Optional Activities
- Evening Vespa exploration
- Evening independent exploration
Landmarks Elephant Nature Park - Day 5
Chiang Mai
This is completely your day in Chiang Mai. Sign up for a Muay Thai lesson, or join a cooking class at a rice field where a head chef teaches you to prepare authentic Thai food from scratch. If you prefer something different, just explore the city and local markets on your own schedule.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Empress Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Muay Thai lesson
- Local market tour with head chef
- Thai cooking class in a rice field
- Independent city exploration
- Day 6
Chiang Rai
Head out early and leave Chiang Mai behind, traveling to Chiang Rai. After breakfast, visit the Black House Museum, then move on to the iconic White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), a modern structure made entirely of white glass and marble. Next, check out the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Seua Ten) before finishing up with a stop at the Baan Dam Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Wiang Inn Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Black House Museum visit
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) tour
- Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple) visit
- Baan Dam Museum visit
Landmarks Black House Museum Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple) Baan Dam Museum 
- Day 7
Pakbeng
Cross the border from Thailand into Laos today and get your passport stamped as a souvenir. You'll travel by local boat for part of the journey, cruising down the river as it winds through the countryside. By late afternoon, you'll reach Pakbeng, a remote and traditional traveler's spot that feels removed from the main tourist circuit.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Local Guest House (or similar))
Included Activities
- Border crossing into Laos
- Mekong River cruise to Pakbeng
Landmarks Mekong River - Day 8
Luang Prabang
Leave Pakbeng and travel to Luang Prabang, a city known for gold-dusted temples and historic French colonial buildings. Along the way, you'll see gorgeous waterfalls and have chances to bike through local communities and participate in Buddhist rituals. Once you arrive, climb up to a hilltop stupa in time for sunset, then browse the local night markets before heading back.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Luang Prabang Inn (or similar))
Included Activities
- Mekong River journey to Luang Prabang
- Sunset hilltop stupa visit
- Local night markets exploration
Optional Activities
- Waterfall exploration
- Biking explorations
- Local community visits
- Buddhist ritual experiences
Landmarks Luang Prabang 
- Day 9
Luang Prabang
Start the day with a bike ride through the city, then head to Kuang Si Falls and swim beneath the 60-meter cascades. The rest of the day is yours to check out palaces and temples, wander by the river, or just sit and watch the locals go about their day. By evening, grab a seat at a riverside bar to watch the sunset and take in how peaceful everything feels here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Luang Prabang Inn (or similar))
Included Activities
- City cycling
- Kuang Si Falls swimming
Optional Activities
- Palace visits
- Temple visits
- River observation
- Independent exploration
- Sunset at riverside bar
Landmarks Kuang Si Falls - Day 10
Vang Vieng
If you're an early riser, witness Buddhist monks collecting alms at sunrise from 34 temples around the city. After that, catch a high-speed train heading to Vang Vieng, a busy tourist town surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. This evening, either kayak through local rivers and caves, or just relax with other travelers and watch the sun drop behind the mountains.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Silver Naga Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Buddhist alms-giving ritual
- High-speed train to Vang Vieng
Optional Activities
- Kayaking in rivers and caves
- Sunset observation over mountains
- Chill out with other travelers
Landmarks Vang Vieng - Day 11
Vientiane
Travel to Vientiane, Laos's largest city, which has a surprisingly laid-back atmosphere. See the Pha That Luang stupa and the artistic Patuxai monument (Laos's take on the Arc de Triomphe). Later, volunteer at the COPE centre, which provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services. Afterward, wander through Buddha Park, a quirky sculpture garden full of Buddhist imagery, then head back to your hotel for the evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Aaron (or similar))
Included Activities
- Pha That Luang stupa visit
- Patuxai viewing
- COPE centre volunteer visit (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
- Buddha Park exploration
Landmarks Pha That Luang Patuxai Buddha Park - Day 12
Phnom Penh
Fly out this morning and head to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. Drop your bags at your hotel in the Bassac Quarter, which is perfect for grabbing a beer and something to eat nearby. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace (where Cambodian royals actually live) and the Silver Pagoda, one of the best examples of Khmer architecture. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the city on your own.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mettavary Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Royal Palace visit
- Silver Pagoda visit
Optional Activities
- Independent city exploration
Landmarks Royal Palace Silver Pagoda 
- Day 13
Phnom Penh
A local guide will take you to the Killing Fields mass graves and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where you'll learn about Cambodia's difficult history under Khmer Rouge rule. Take time to pay respect to those who died. Afterward, return to your hotel, which sits near some good spots for food and drinks, so you can decompress.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mettavary Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Killing Fields visit
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum visit with local guide
Optional Activities
- After-dark dinner at local hotspots (Trip Manager can recommend)
Landmarks Killing Fields Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Day 14
Siem Reap
Board a coach heading into the countryside toward Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument. You'll arrive in Siem Reap by afternoon with the rest of the day free. Relax by the pool back at your hotel, or check out the Phare Circus (which holds a Guinness World Record for the longest show) for some multicultural entertainment. Save your energy though, because tomorrow starts early.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Pool relaxation
- Phare Circus visit
Landmarks Angkor Wat Phare Circus 
- Day 15
Siem Reap
Rise early and travel to Angkor Wat to catch the sunrise at this ancient spiritual site, which really is something special. After you're back at the hotel, take a siesta and swim to recharge. Then head out again to explore Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm (the temple from the Tomb Raider films), where the jungle is slowly reclaiming the stone. Later, visit a social enterprise that employs disadvantaged youth, grab lunch there (their frozen shakes are excellent), then finish the night walking Pub Street and checking out the busy night markets.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Angkor Wat sunrise viewing
- Angkor Thom tour
- Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple) tour
- Social enterprise visit with former street children
Optional Activities
- Pub Street exploration
- Local night markets exploration
Landmarks Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Ta Prohm - Day 16
Siem Reap
The tour wraps up in Siem Reap after a final team breakfast together. Say goodbye to your group and make plans to stay in touch, maybe even talk about doing this all over again down the road.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Final team breakfast)
Included Activities
- Final team breakfast
