Cambodia & The Thai Islands – East Coast
16 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
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.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
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
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.
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.
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
Cross the border into Thailand and continue on to the bustling metropolis of Bangkok.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Cambodia - Thailand)
Get ready to cross into Thailand. Aranyaprathet is known for being one of the most hectic border crossings but your CEO will help make the process go as smoothly as possible. The border crossing is done on foot and can take up to an hour so be patient and think of all the fun Thailand has in store.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Load into the van on the Thai side of the border and continue on to Bangkok.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Bangkok
Spend a full free day enjoying as much of Bangkok as you can on your own.
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!
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Bangkok Cycling Tour
35USD per personHop on a bike and explore the quieter side of busy Bangkok. Cycle through the city and see hidden temples and lush parks. Amazing street food vendors abound so be sure to stop for a bite and refuel.
Thai Foodie Tour and Cooking Class
Experience the flavours and scents of traditional Thai cuisine with a cooking class. Select fresh ingredients from the local market and then get hands-on back in the kitchen. Learn how to make delectable dishes and enjoy your creations for lunch.
Day 10Bangkok/Koh Tao
Catch a morning flight to Chumphon, then transfer by minivan to Chumphon Pier. Spend leisure time at the beach there and opt to have lunch on your own at a restaurant near the port. Then, board a ferry to the tropical island of Koh Tao. Upon arrival enjoy free time to relax on the beach or become acquainted with the bustling little town.
Plane
Catch a short morning flight from DMK Airport in Bangkok to Chumphon Airport.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Free Time
Get to know the island with some free time and opt to eat dinner at one of the restaurants on your own.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Koh Tao
Enjoy a full-day snorkelling excursion from Koh Tao with stops at Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk, and Shark Bay. Have an included lunch on board and use free time to explore the island beaches. Return to the hotel in the evening to spend a free night in Koh Tao. Known as ‘turtle island’ in English, Koh Tao's beach bars and hotels come alive at night with many chances awaiting for you to share your tales of the days activities over a cold beer or two.
A mask, snorkel and life jacket are included during the snorkel trip. If you wish to use fins, they are available to rent on the boat.
Full-Day Snorkelling Excursion Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
Spend a full-day out on the water. The group will be picked up from the hotel in the morning after breakfast and transferred to Mae Haad Pier where everyone will board the boat. The first stop will be Koh Nang Yuan. Here, you will have time to relax on the beach, climb up the mountain to savour the view, or swim a short distance to snorkel the Japanese Garden. Second stop is to Mango Bay where a buffet-style lunch will be served on board. Afterwards, snorkel in Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk, and Shark Bay before returning to Mae Head Pier.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 12Koh Tao/Koh Pha Ngan
After breakfast take a ferry to nearby Koh PhaNgan and spend a free afternoon on the island. Opt to explore the nearby waterfalls, swim in lagoons, take a short hike, or relax by the water. Dinner this evening is included at a local restaurant.
Ferry
Enjoy a ferry ride from Mae Head Pier to Koh PhaNgan. Then transfer to the hotel which is about 20-30 minutes from the pier.
Free Time
Don't waste a minute— start exploring on arrival.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Koh Pha-Ngan Waterfalls Exploration
Hike to some local waterfalls and marvel at their beauty.
Swimming
Jump in and enjoy the turquoise waters around Koh Pha Ngan.
Yoga and Meditation Courses
Get your inner Om on and take part in some of the more relaxing activities offered on the island.
Hiking
Head out on some trails to explore the island at your own pace.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 13Koh Pha Ngan
Enjoy a full free day to make the most of your remaining time on Ko Pha-Ngan.
Free Time
Get out and explore— the whole day is yours.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Koh Pha-Ngan Waterfalls Exploration
Hike to some local waterfalls and marvel at their beauty.
Yoga and Meditation Courses
Get your inner Om on and take part in some of the more relaxing activities offered on the island.
Hiking
Head out on some trails to explore the island at your own pace.
Swimming
Jump in and enjoy the turquoise waters around Koh Pha Ngan.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Koh Pha Ngan/Koh Samui
Enjoy breakfast before departing Koh Pha Ngan. Board a ferry and transfer to Koh Samui and spend the remainder of the day on your own exploring this tropical paradise.
Free Time
Kick back and relax on the biggest of the eastern islands.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Stand Up Paddleboarding at Koh Samui
50USD per personGlide your way along Ko Samui's coastline on a stand-up paddleboard. The water in this area is generally calm and always warm, you'll be tempted to jump off for a swim.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Koh Samui
Today you will be exploring Ang Thong National Park on a full-day boating excursion with lunch and snorkelling by the beach included. Swim in the park's clear waters, photograph the lush island's rising out of the sea, and learn about the area's biodiversity. Afterwards, transfer back to the hotel and spend an evening at leisure.
Ang Thong Marine Park Island Hopping Tour
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands. All of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except for one. This full-day leisure excursion through the astonishing archipelago offers plenty of time to immerse yourself in the landscape.
Free Time
Spend the evening on your own, opt to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 16Koh Samui/Bangkok
After breakfast at the hotel the group will transfer to the Koh Samui Airport and board a flight to Bangkok. The tour ends upon arrival to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Please book any onward international travel no earlier than 15:00.
Plane
Board a flight back to Bangkok from Koh Samui.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.