Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
Arriving in Bangkok, you'll check into your hotel and have the afternoon and evening mostly to yourself. Get a traditional Thai massage if you're into that, or just relax by the pool for a bit. Later on, your group gathers for a briefing about what's coming up on the trip. Head out to try some authentic Pad Thai and check out the nightlife along Khao San Road, which is basically the center of backpacker action in the city.
Optional Activities
- DIY exploring of Bangkok
- Massage
- Relax by the pool
- Day 2
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Early start with a water taxi through Bangkok's canals to reach the Royal Palace. A local guide walks you through 61 acres of intricate architecture, then you'll take a private boat tour through the klongs where you can feed fish. After lunch, it's off to Kanchanaburi to see the famous bridge and the Death Railway Museum with the WWII Cemetery. You'll settle into a riverside hotel for dinner and catch the sunset from there.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local specialities dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Water taxi tour of Bangkok with local guide
- Royal Palace visit and guided tour
- Private boat tour of klongs (canals) with fish feeding
- Death Railway Museum visit
- WWII Cemetery visit
- Bridge visit in Kanchanaburi
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant (Trip Manager recommendations available)
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace Death Railway Museum WWII Cemetery Bridge - Day 3
Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
The day starts at Erawan Falls where you can walk the trails or wade into the emerald waters. From there, you head to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO site, and bike past ornate temples and palaces with their tall spires. That evening, you'll board an overnight train to Chiang Mai, so pack light for easier movement during the day.
Included Activities
- Erawan Falls visit
- Trail walks at Erawan Falls
- Swimming in Erawan Falls waters
- Bike tour of Ayutthaya temples, spires and palaces
- Overnight train to Chiang Mai
Landmarks/POIs Erawan Falls Ayutthaya - Day 4
Chiang Mai
You'll wake up in Chiang Mai and spend your day at an elephant nature park watching the animals in their natural habitat. This is a conservation-focused experience where the elephants aren't used for riding or performances. Lunch happens at the park itself, and then the evening is free to wander around town, maybe rent a scooter if you're comfortable with it.
- Meals
- Lunch (Wholesome lunch at the elephant nature park)
Included Activities
- Elephant Nature Park visit - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Lunch at elephant nature park
Optional Activities
- Vespa scooter exploration of Chiang Mai
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Nature Park - Day 5
Chiang Mai
This is entirely up to you in Chiang Mai. If you're interested in Muay Thai, sign up for a lesson with a local instructor. Or join the head chef on a tour of local markets and cook authentic Thai dishes in a rice field setting. Plenty of people just wander the old city, check out temples, and grab food at their own pace.
Optional Activities
- Muay Thai lesson
- Local market tour with head chef
- Thai cooking class in rice field
- Day 6
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
After breakfast, you'll travel to Chiang Rai, known for its colorful temples. Start with the Black House Museum, then see the striking blue temple, followed by the famous white temple. After dropping your bags at the hotel, head straight to Wat Rong Khun, which is basically an all-white modern temple made of glass. Finish up by visiting the Blue Temple and the Baan Dam Museum before the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Black House Museum visit
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) visit
- Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple) visit
- Baan Dam Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Black House Museum Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple) Baan Dam Museum - Day 7
Chiang Rai to Pakbeng (Thailand to Laos)
You'll cross into Laos today and get your passport stamped. The journey takes you to Pakbeng, partly by local river boat. This is a remote spot that still feels very traditional, and it's become a popular stop for travelers moving through Southeast Asia.
Included Activities
- Border crossing (Thailand to Laos)
- River cruise to Pakbeng on local boat
Landmarks/POIs Pakbeng - Day 8
Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
Leaving Pakbeng, you'll travel to Luang Prabang by boat on the Mekong River with stops to see waterfalls and bike rides through local communities where you'll encounter sacred Buddhist rituals. Luang Prabang itself is a pretty compact city with temples covered in gold leaf, old French colonial buildings, and monks in saffron robes everywhere. You can catch the sunset from a hilltop stupa and browse the night markets.
Included Activities
- Mekong River journey to Luang Prabang
- Waterfall visits
- Biking explorations
- Local community and Buddhist ritual experiences
- Sunset from hilltop stupa
- Night market shopping
Landmarks/POIs Luang Prabang Mekong River - Day 9
Luang Prabang
Start with a bike ride around Luang Prabang, and there's an option to swim under Kuang Si Falls, a 60-meter cascade. Most of the day is free, so visit temples, check out palaces, sit by the river watching daily life, or just explore however you want. Later, head to a riverside bar to watch the sunset.
Included Activities
- City cycle tour of Luang Prabang
Optional Activities
- Swim under Kuang Si Falls
- Visit palaces
- Visit temples
- Watch local life by the river
- Sunset at riverside bar
Landmarks/POIs Kuang Si Falls - Day 10
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Early risers can participate in Buddhist morning rituals and offer alms to monks at one of the city's 34 temples. Later, you'll board a high-speed train to Vang Vieng, a lively hub surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts. Spend time kayaking on local rivers or exploring caves, or just relax with other travelers and watch the sunset hit the mountains.
Included Activities
- Buddhist alms offering ritual with monks
- High-speed train to Vang Vieng
Optional Activities
- Kayaking and caving experience
- Relax and socialize with travellers
- Sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Vang Vieng - Day 11
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
You're heading to Vientiane, Laos's capital and easily the most laid-back city on the trip. See Pha That Luang stupa and Patuxai, an artistic monument. There's also the chance to volunteer at the COPE center, which helps bomb victims with prosthetics and rehabilitation. Later, visit Buddha Park, a quirky sculpture garden filled with Buddhist figures and imagery.
Included Activities
- Pha That Luang stupa visit
- Patuxai visit
- COPE centre volunteer experience - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Buddha Park visit
Landmarks/POIs Pha That Luang Patuxai COPE Centre Buddha Park - Day 12
Vientiane to Phnom Penh
Flying out of Laos gets you to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. After dropping your bags at the hotel in Bassac Quarter, grab a beer and some food since the neighborhood's a nice spot to unwind. Visit the Royal Palace, where the Cambodian royals actually live, and the Silver Pagoda, which shows off some of the best examples of Khmer architecture. The evening is free to explore.
Included Activities
- Flight from Vientiane to Phnom Penh
- Royal Palace visit
- Silver Pagoda visit
Optional Activities
- Evening city exploration
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Bassac Quarter - Day 13
Phnom Penh
This is a heavy day emotionally. You'll visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with a local guide who can provide context and answer questions. Later, get a change of pace by exploring the city's best restaurants and food spots via tuk-tuk. Your hotel sits near a popular dinner area, so ask the Trip Manager for recommendations on where locals eat.
Included Activities
- Killing Fields visit with local guide
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum visit with local guide
Optional Activities
- Tuk-tuk food tour of Phnom Penh's best foodie spots
- Evening at after-dark dinner hotspot
Landmarks/POIs Killing Fields Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Day 14
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
The coach ride takes you from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat. You'll have the afternoon mostly free to settle in. Relax at the pool if that appeals to you, or check out the Phare Circus, which holds the Guinness World Record for the longest running circus show. Save your energy though, because you're waking up very early tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Coach transfer to Siem Reap
Optional Activities
- Pool relaxation
- Phare Circus visit
Landmarks/POIs Phare Circus - Day 15
Siem Reap
It's an early wake-up to get to Angkor Wat for sunrise over the ancient temple complex. From there, you'll explore Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, where the jungle is slowly overtaking the structures. You'll visit a social enterprise that trains disadvantaged youth in hospitality, grab their frozen shakes and food. There's an optional quad bike tour at sunset through the paddy fields if you want more action. Evenings mean checking out Pub Street and local night markets.
Included Activities
- Angkor Wat sunrise visit
- Angkor Thom visit
- Ta Prohm temple visit
- Social enterprise visit
Optional Activities
- Quad bike ride at sunset through paddy fields
- Pub Street evening
- Local night market exploration
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Ta Prohm - Day 16
Siem Reap
The tour wraps up in Siem Reap with a final breakfast as a group. You'll say goodbye to people you've traveled with and probably make plans to reunite on another trip sometime down the road.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Final team breakfast)
Included Activities
- Final team breakfast
