Why travel with Journeys Within Tour Company and Trekaroo? Andrea Ross (the founder and CEO of Journeys Within and our tour guide for this adventure) lived in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 10 years, raising her two children Callie and Couper there for the first five years of their lives. She knows the joys and the pain points of family travel, and will serve as our expert guide to the region on this group trip.
For families who are new to Southeast Asia, or just looking for a great way to see the region with other like-minded families, Thailand and Cambodia are the perfect countries to visit. The Thai and Cambodian people welcome traveling families with open arms, and both countries offer culture, diversity, history and some of the best beaches in the world.
This tour begins in Bangkok, Thailand where families will explore the cultural highlights of the city. From there, a quick flight to Chiang Mai brings you to a full-day adventure with elephants and a zip-line tour of the jungle canopy that is sure to create lasting memories for parents and children alike.
Continuing on to Siem Reap, Cambodia – home of the famous Angkor Wat archeological park – families will experience the best of Khmer culture at the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus before touring the Angkor Wat temple complex and exploring the outskirts of town via quad bike.
After three days in Siem Reap, the group continues on to the beaches of Koh Samui, Thailand where kids can play in the mellow waves lapping at the shores of this welcoming island paradise with no pre-planned activities for the final four days of the tour.
Full tour itinerary details are below. Note: This group tour is limited to five families; however, individual tour options are available for families that wish to travel during different dates.
How to book this tour: Call the Journeys Within booking office at (877) 454-3672 and let us know you’re interested in learning more about the Trekaroo Group Tour (or a customized independent version of it).
June 18, 2017 Bangkok: Arrival
Arrive on your flight in Bangkok where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Tenface
June 19 Bangkok: Late Start City Tour
Today you will be taken by private van to visit the sites known as the pride of Thailand. Before doing some sightseeing your guide will take you to have lunch at a local restaurant so you may try some of the famous local cuisine.
After lunch, you will visit the Grand Palace, which houses the famous Emerald Buddha as well as the throne and coronation halls. You will also visit Wat Pho to see the impressive Reclining Buddha. Afterwards, you will be then given a 30-minute traditional Thai massage at the Wat Pho Massage School, then head to the renowned flower market before being transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Tenface
June 20 Bangkok: Floating Market Bike Ride
70 kilometers Southwest of Bangkok, the Mae Klong River spreads into a sprawling delta before reaching the Gulf of Thailand. This low-lying land is extremely fertile and over hundreds of years the Thai people have constructed an extensive network of canals to aid irrigation and navigation. The local way of life has remained traditionally agricultural, and revolves around the colorful floating markets where the fruits of the surrounding orchards are traded.
Starting in Bangkok, drive south to start your bicycle exploration of the Mae Klong Delta area, beginning at Damnoen Nam Saduak Floating Market, the biggest and most colorful in Thailand, and a must-see for any visitor. You can purchase just about anything from the vast array of “shops” on the river.
After discovering the sights and sounds of the floating market, you will embark on a longtail boat and cruise through a maze of canals cutting through local villages and various plantations. This eye-opening boat ride offers a glimpse of the Thailand of old, where local people go about their daily life with the canal as the focal point.
You will start your ride from the Mae Klong River and explore the surrounding temples and Wats, passing through coconut plantations and fruit orchards along the quiet back roads. After lunch at a riverside restaurant, continue cycling along picturesque trails towards the floating market. After some refreshments, start your journey back to Bangkok to beat the rush hour. This 32km trip is suitable for all levels of riders and is an excellent trip for families.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Tenface
June 21 Chiang Mai: Arrival and Doi Suthep Temple and Home Industries
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight – Bangkok Airways PG270 departing Bangkok at 10:00 & arriving Chiang Mai at 11:15. You will be met by your guide at Chiang Mai Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Drive up to visit Doi Suthep, the most important Wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below. Enjoy lunch with your guide at a local restaurant.
On this tour you will get the chance to explore the fascinating industrial world that feeds the ever-growing city of Chiang Mai. Witness the different processes in person, learning the techniques behind the creation of lacquer-ware, silk and traditional Thai umbrellas. You will also get the opportunity to explore some of the stores which are home to these beautifully finished products.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Le Meridien Chiang Mai
June 22 Chiang Mai: Elephant Owner for a Day at Patara Elephant Farm
You will be met in the lobby of your hotel at 7:30am and transferred to the Patara Elephant Farm, located not far from Chiang Mai. At the farm you will be given your training outfit and a brief talk on working with elephants before heading into the bush to find them. You will learn about the management of the elephant farm and the how the breeding program has been developed and maintained.
You will of course be introduced to the stars of the show, and slowly will learn how to work with them on the ground. After you’ve made friends, you can then lead them down to the river for their morning bath, followed by a short ride to a local temple where you can learn about elephants in Buddhism and the Thai’s ancient relationship with these traditional beasts of burden.
Around midday you will set off on a ride through the jungle to visit some lovely waterfalls where you can enjoy a picnic lunch as well as a swim in the falls with your elephant. Return to the camp in the afternoon and say goodbye to your new friends before being transferred back to your hotel.
Please note: Today you will get wet when you help with the elephants’ bath. Please bring appropriate clothing for this, as well as a towel and change of clothes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Le Meridien Chiang Mai
June 23 Chiang Mai: Flight of the Gibbon
You will be picked from the hotel between 8-8:30am and transferred to Ban Mae Kampong to start your adventure. Your guide will take you on a short jungle trek to the start of the “Flight of the Gibbon” – a 3 hour, 2km air trek high up in the rainforest canopy using zip lines and sky-bridges taking in the glory and majesty of old growth, high altitude pristine rainforest.
A traditional Thai lunch is served on your return to land and afterwards you can take a spectacular trek up beside the impressively beautiful Mae Kampong Falls before heading back to Chiang Mai in the early afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Le Meridien Chiang Mai
June 24 Siem Reap: Arrival and Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus
You will be met by your guide at your hotel and transferred to Chiang Mai airport for your departure flight – Bangkok Airways PG216 departing Chiang Mai at 10:10 & arriving Bangkok at 11:30.
Catch your connecting flight – Bangkok Airways PG913 departing Bangkok at 14:05 & arriving Siem Reap at 15:15.
Arrive in Siem Reap where you will be met by a Journeys Within representative and will be transferred to your hotel.
This evening you will be treated to a unique performance by the Cambodian Circus, also known as the hugely talented Phare Ponleu Selpak from your VIP seats. Literally translated as “the brightness of the arts,” this Artistic and Social Center has been running as a non-profit association since 1994, and was founded by a group of young ex-refugees from Battambang Province. With your reserved VIP seats, there is no need to wait in line your seat is reserved for you! Sitting in the centre of the big top tent, you will witness some remarkable acrobatics and visual arts while supporting one of Cambodia’s most inspiring projects. Performances start at 8.00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Kralanh Petite Villa
June 25 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Visit JWOC Art Class
After breakfast head to Angkor Wat in an air-conditioned car with your guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists. Return to your hotel for an early lunch or have your guide drop you off in town where they can help you find a good lunch spot. Remember to take a look at our Cheat Sheet which lists a number of our favorite restaurant recommendations!
Sunday afternoons are special at JWOC. We hold our art class for local students at 2:30pm – a no-pressure class where children are invited to come, play games, sing songs and do a simple and rewarding art project. The children are broken up into groups and you can join a group and help the little ones with scissors and other tricky tasks and give the older students encouragement and attention. It is fun for the whole family and a great way to get involved and interact with students. You will also have a chance to meet with our scholarship students and gain a greater understanding about the work we do within our community. Please note: You should arrive at 2:30pm so you can get an overview of JWOC before jumping in to help!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Kralanh Petite Villa
June 26 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei, Other Temples and Quad Bike Adventure
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple located just 30km beyond Angkor Wat. As you head back towards town you can stop at Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex, where you can enjoy climbing through these smaller unique temples. Return to your hotel for lunch, or have your guide help you find a good lunch spot in town. Remember to take a look at our Cheat Sheet which lists a number of our favorite restaurant recommendations!
You will be met at your hotel at 4.30pm and taken to the quad bike base. Here you will be given a short safety course before heading out for about an hour through the back roads of Siem Reap. Enjoy strikingly beautiful views of the rice fields and villages as the clear blue sky turns yellow and gold. After enjoying the sunset return to the base and you will be transferred by tuk tuk back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Kralanh Petite Villa
June 27 Koh Samui: Arrival
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight Bangkok Airways PG914 departing Siem Reap at 16:00 & arriving Samui at 19:45.
Once you arrive at the airport in Samui, collect your baggage and head outside to the arrivals area where you will be met by a hotel representative. You will be transferred by van, along with the other hotel guests to your island oasis on Koh Samui.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at New Star Resort
June 28 Samui: Day at Leisure
You have the day free to explore on your own or relax by sea.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at New Star Resort
June 29 Samui: Day at Leisure
You have the day free to explore on your own or relax by sea.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at New Star Resort
June 30 Samui: Day at Leisure
You have the day free to explore on your own or relax by sea.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at New Star Resort
July 01 Samui: Departure
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight – Bangkok Airways PG952 departing Samui at 10:45 & arriving Bangkok at 11:50.
Meals included: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is currently in progress and does not reflect hotel room availability. The pricing is not final until the itinerary has been confirmed and booked.
Tour Rate:
$3,125.00 per person, based on a family with 2 adults & 2 kids on this group tour.
Inquire for rates for your family size and ages – multi-generational families are welcome too!
Price includes:
- Air tickets Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Siem Reap – Samui – Bangkok
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
