Best of Cambodia & Northern Thailand
15 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai
Itinerary Notes
Due to the closure of the land border between Thailand and Cambodia, travellers will now will now fly directly from Siem Reap to Bangkok, rather than traveling by land as originally scheduled.
Itinerary
Day 1Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at any time.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Ho Chi Minh City
Spend today free in Ho Chi Minh City. Opt to take a boat cruise through the villages, islands, and markets of the Mekong Delta, and visit traditional candy factories. Or if you prefer, head to the famed Cu Chi Tunnels for an underground tour.
Free Time
Enjoy a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Cu Chi Tunnels Countryside Cycling Tour
Meet your guide at the hotel and drive 90 minutes to the north of Ho Chi Minh City. After hopping on the bike, you'll ride beneath rows of rubber trees and past countless forest vistas that offer incredible photo opportunities. Along the way, you'll also have the opportunity to visit a rice paper making station, farmers working in the fields and taking care of their livestock and local villages. Bike until you reach the famous Cu Chi tunnel, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.Afterwards, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Full Day Mekong River Delta Tour
Trade the city bustle of Ho Chi Minh City for the slower rural life on the Mekong Delta. Begin by exploring the peaceful Vinh Trang Pagoda, then cruise the legendary Mekong River, visiting Unicorn Island to enjoy fresh fruits and traditional music. Sample local chocolates and fresh honey tea from a bee farm. Experience local life with a peaceful rowboat ride through narrow canals, a tuktuk adventure, and a stop at a coconut candy workshop. Indulge in an optional riverside lunch before we return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Ho Chi Minh City/Phnom Penh
Travel day with border crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia. Enjoy a cyclo tour through the city.
Drive to the border and cross into Cambodia. Continue on to the capital, Phnom Penh, and enjoy a cyclo ride through the city for a street-level perspective.
Local Bus
Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Border Crossing (Vietnam - Cambodia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour
Settle in a traditional cyclo and depart from Wat Phnom. Tour busy streets to soak up the real vibe of the city. Pass the post office and Van's restaurant, both stunning colonial buildings, and make your way to the Royal Palace and National Museum. Go along the riverside road and take in the atmospheric cafes that line the street.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Phnom Penh
Guided tour of Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields). Opt to visit the Royal Palace, the National Museum or the Central Market.
Meet a local guide to learn more about the dark side of Cambodian history. Visit to Choeung Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields. After, visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison), the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished.
Enjoy a free afternoon to sightsee. Opt to explore the city's many sights: the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. With time, choose to visit the Russian Market, Wat Phnom or sip a drink at a riverside café.
Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) Guided Tour
Learn more about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge visiting the killing fields of Choeung Ek; the grounds now stand as a powerful memorial filled with victims’ skulls and mass graves. Tour this sombre, yet serene, site with a guide.
Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) Guided Tour
Learn about the dark history and devastation that occurred at Security Prison 21 (S-21); the prison, used by the Khmer Rouge regime, is now Tuol Sleng Museum. Take a guided tour to hear the stories behind the sombre photos lining the museum walls.
Free Time
Use free time to customize your experience and see the sights that interest you most.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
National Museum
10USD per personVisit Cambodia's largest museum of culture, history, and archaeology. Tour its buildings inspired by Khmer architecture – constructed in the early 1900s, they house one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art. Visits here are well worth your time.
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda Visit
10USD per personVisit the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings where the kings of Cambodia have resided since the 1860s (except for during the reign of the Khmer Rouge). Be sure to tour the Silver Pagoda compound (aka the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the central compound. See the many magnificent treasures inside this beautiful vihara (Buddhist monastery), including its floor lined with more 5,000 tiles of silver.
Russian Market
Visit the Russian Market for a selection of souvenir stalls along with jewellers and fabric sellers.
Wat Phnom Visit
1USD per personVisit Wat Phnom (Hill Temple) in late afternoon, a historic monument with lots of green space. Keep an eye on your food and belongings; cheeky monkeys like to get a hold of anything they can.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Phnom Penh/Siem Reap
Drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the home base for exploring incredible Angkor Wat.
Opt to pre-book the "Phare Circus" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Shared Van
Drive through the beautiful Cambodian countryside.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Phare Circus
Enjoy a stellar performance by Phare, a unique and socially conscious circus that injects Cambodian culture and history into its inspiring shows. See acrobatics, contortion, and aerial arts melded with theatre, modern dance, and more. Take in stories of war, relationships, and discrimination, inspired by the real-life experiences of Phare’s creators and performers.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Siem Reap
Watch the sun rise over the massive Angkor temple complex with a guided tour. Opt to visit the Tonlé Sap floating village and the Angkor National Museum. Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food at a G Adventures for Good-supported project.
Spend two days exploring Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom and one of the wonders of the archaeological world. See some of the highlights of this ancient capital, like sunrise at the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm, also known as the 'Tomb Raider' temple.
Enjoy a traditional meal to learn about Khmer food and meet some friendly locals. Alternating locations of our included local meal means we can support multiple small businesses and projects in the area. Each experience is truly unique and memorable.
Angkor Wat Guided Tour
Follow a local expert through the massive grounds of Angkor Wat for 2 days. You'll have the opportunity to go in and out of the complex, resting at the hottest part of the day.
Free Time
Enjoy free time in Siem Reap.
Your G for Good Moment: Local Khmer Meal
Depending on the day of the week your tour visits Siem Reap, you will either enjoy a traditional meal at the G Adventures-supported New Hope project or in a local home in a nearby village. With so many travellers coming through this area, alternating experiences helps to allow multiple small businesses to flourish. Both experiences are truly unique and memorable.
The New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, an initiative kickstarted by G Adventures, provides skill-building opportunities to marginalized community members. The project also funds the adjacent free community school and health centre. Meals at Phila's house support the education of underprivileged children in the area. Visit either project – both run by locals – and see how they have supported positive change in the community.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Angkor Museum Visit
12USD per personLearn about the story of Angkor and the Khmer empire at the interactive Angkor Museum. Explore the museum’s inspiring galleries and interactive technology, which bring Angkor’s past to life. Opt to rent an audioguide (5USD) for the full experience.
Tonle Sap Floating Village
25-30USD per personTour the floating villages of Tonlé Sap. See what life is like living on a lake — rice planting, attending churches and school, are all done on top of water. (Please note: this activity runs seasonally.)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Siem Reap
Spend another day exploring the temples of Angkor. In the afternoon, opt to going further afield in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat Guided Tour
Enjoy another day touring the impressive ancient ruins with a local guide.
Free Time
Get out and explore.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Tonle Sap Floating Village
25-30USD per personTour the floating villages of Tonlé Sap. See what life is like living on a lake — rice planting, attending churches and school, are all done on top of water. (Please note: this activity runs seasonally.)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Siem Reap/Bangkok
Fly from Cambodia to Thailand. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore bustling Bangkok as you wish.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Bangkok.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Bangkok
Head out and explore all you can in this sprawling city.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Bangkok, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the Grand Palace, hopping on a cycle tour of the city, and visiting the National Museum. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Day 10Bangkok/Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a klong boat tour of Bangkok including a visit to Wat Pho. Travel to Kanchanaburi and head to your floating rafthouse accommodation.
Klong Riverboat Tour
Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
Wat Po Visit
This temple is known for its reclining Buddha, its feet covered with mother-of-pearl engravings of Buddhist symbols. Explore the large grounds and other compounds to see other Buddha figures, murals and the chedis that contain the ashes of Buddha. This is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Overnight Rafthouse Excursion
Enjoy a unique experience aboard a floating rafthouse on the famous River Kwai.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a day of sightseeing at Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Private Vehicle
Enjoy a short drive to view the beautiful Erawan Waterfalls. (1-2 hours per direction)
Erawan Waterfalls
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. Its seven tiers offer a unique experience at every climb, reaching up to 1,500m (4921 ft). Swim in the turquoise pools, snap photos from the top tier, and opt to hike in the jungle to spot monkeys.
Bridge on the River Kwai Visit
Take in a piece of World War II history on this visit. We're sure you've seen or at least heard of the famous movie "Bridge on the River Kwai." Well, now you can tour the real thing. It's massive, majestic, and imposing, offering fabulous views of the river below.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
Explore the Allied War Cemetery and the Thai-Burmese Railway Centre to learn more about the area's history. Travel to Ayutthaya and visit the historical sites of the old capital city. In the evening board an overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Thai/Burma Railway Centre and Allied War Cemetery Visit
Visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum to learn about the Death Railway's dark history, and the Allied War Cemetery where more than 6,000 prisoners are buried.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Temple Ruins Tour
Visit the ruins of Ayutthaya, which served as Thailand’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, when it ranked as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Located 86km (53 mi) north of Bangkok, the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include stunning pagodas and Buddha images.
Basic Overnight Train (beds)
Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Chiang Mai
Arrive in Chiang Mai and explore the city. Visit Doi Suthep in the afternoon.
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market and cooking classes, it's a feat to fit it all in. Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
Chiang Mai Old Town Orientation Walk
Walk the inner Old Town of Chiang Mai with your CEO who will point out the basic landmarks and points of interest.
Chiang Mai Street Food Crawl
Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
Free Time
Use free time here to make the most of your time in Chiang Mai.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Doi Suthep Temple Visit
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden Buddhist temple outside of Chiang Mai on the Mt Doi Suthep. Climb 300 steps to reach the temple and be rewarded with an unforgettable view. Admire the many Buddhist relics at this sacred temple and visit the white elephant shrine. Legend has it that the location of the temple was chosen after a white elephant carried a relic to the mountain and trumpeted three times before dying on the spot. Also, with a little luck, you may witness the chanting of the monks.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Half-Day Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1300THB per personThis half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. Go beyond the city to see Buddhist temples, local markets and organic farms. Just off the beaten track, you'll get a sense of how the locals live and see Chiang Mai from a totally different view.
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Day 14Chiang Mai
Take a full free day to relax or explore the countryside of northern Thailand.
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market, it's a feat to fit it all in. Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.
Free Time
Use free time here to make the most of your time in Chiang Mai.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Half-Day Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1300THB per personThis half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. Go beyond the city to see Buddhist temples, local markets and organic farms. Just off the beaten track, you'll get a sense of how the locals live and see Chiang Mai from a totally different view.
Northern Thai Cooking Class
Channel your inner chef with a home-style Thai cooking class. Take a trip to the market with your teacher and learn about regional flavours as you pick out fresh ingredients. Head back to the cozy kitchen for a hands-on lesson in whipping up delicious local favourites like hot and sour soup, green curry, and sticky rice.
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Chiang Mai
Depart at any time.
With a little extra time in the area, hilltribe treks are easily accessible, as is the Golden Triangle.