From Bangkok to the beach, this two-week tour, designed to include the Loi Krathong festival, is sure to give you a true taste of Thai life while also including a visit to Siem Reap’s ancient Angkorian temples.
Let our top guides show you the bustling city of Bangkok before heading North. Take a tour of Chiang Mai and enjoy one of Thailand’s most picturesque celebrations, the Loi Krathong Festival (Nov. 22 – 25 in 2018 – which is the Thanksgiving holiday period in the U.S.) which marks the end of the main rice harvest and is designed to thank the gods for the yearly supply of water.
Fly to the Cambodian city of Siem Reap to take in the sights at Angkor Wat and be further inspired by the wonders of the entire Angkor Archeological Park. While in Siem Reap, see the beauty of the Cambodian countryside by horseback and kayak through floating mangrove forest in Southeast Asia’s largest lake, the Tonle Sap.
Finish your trip by spending a few days relaxing on one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches, coconut in hand.
We’ve tailored two separate itineraries one for a romantic couple’s getaway below and the other for families to experience the festival.
Day 1 Bangkok: Arrival
Arrive in Bangkok where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Ariyasom Villa Hotel – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 2 Bangkok: Public Transport Tour with Klong Tour
You will be met by your guide at your hotel at 9.00am before joining a river express boat along the river to the flower market. Enjoy the sights and smells before taking a lively tuk-tuk ride to Wat Pho to see the famous Reclining Buddha. Enjoy a 60-minute massage at the temple’s traditional Thai massage school followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
After your delicious meal, head to the pride of Thailand – the Grand Palace, also visiting Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the famous Emerald Buddha. Take a stroll down the street to a local Buddhist amulet market before heading off along the klongs (canals), finally boarding a river express boat back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Ariyasom Villa Hotel – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 3 Chiang Mai: Arrival and Doi Suthep Temple with Wat Suan Dok Sunset
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 PG217 departing Bangkok at 12:10 & arriving Chiang Mai at 13:25. You will be met by your guide at Chiang Mai Airport and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, you will 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.
From here head west of the city walls on to one of the most beautiful viewpoints for sunset – Wat Suan Dok. Literally translated as ‘’field of flowers’’, this temple was built by King Keu Na of Lanna, and is a prime example of Lanna architecture. Here at this fourteenth century temple you will witness evening prayer as the monks and local people come together at the end of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Yaang Come Village – 1 Double Superior Room
Day 4 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 start 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 Yaang Come Village – 1 Double Superior Room
Day 5 Chiang Mai: Loi Krathong Festival – City Temples Tour
During the Loi Krathong Festival the city has a wonderful atmosphere unique to this special time of year, so it’s a great time to explore. You will be met by your guide and driver in the morning and start your day with a visit to Wat Phra Singh. Here you can see the precious golden Buddha, and some of the oldest mural paintings in the area (over 500 years-old). From here take a rickshaw to Wat Pan Tao, the most beautiful teakwood chapel in town, before continuing on to Wat Chedi Luang, the biggest and the most beautiful pagoda in all of northern Thailand.
Spend some time admiring the Three Kings Monument followed by a short coffee break and some additional time to explore the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre, which will give you a great introduction into Chiang Mai’s history, customs, arts and culture. After a good look around, meet up with your van which will transfer you directly back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Yaang Come Village – 1 Double Superior Room
Day 6 Chiang Mai: 4 Villages Trek
After breakfast, leave Chiang Mai by private mini-van for Phrao (94 Kms. away). Once you reachPhrao, you will continue driving for 45 minutes to the village of Pang Tong. From here you will trek approximately 20 minutes to Musher village where you can take a rest before continuing another 2 hours to a village of the Karen ethnic group. From here you will continue another 15 minutes and stop to have a picnic lunch in an Akha Village.
After lunch and a short rest, trek 1 hour to a Palong Hilltribe Village (Karen immigrants from Burma) before meeting your van and leaving Chiang Dao. If time permits you may wish to stop at an orchid & butterfly Farm, before returning to Chiang Mai for the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Yaang Come Village – 1 Double Superior Room
Day 7 Siem Reap: Arrival and Village Dining Experience
You will be met by your guide at your hotel and transferred to Chiang Mai airport for your departure flight with – Bangkok Airways PG216 departing Chiang Mai at 10:00 & arriving Bangkok at 11:20.
Catch your connecting flight – Bangkok Airways PG913 departing Bangkok at 13:45 & arriving Siem Reap at 14:45.
Arrive in Siem Reap where you will be met by a Journeys Within representative and will be transferred to your hotel.
You will be met at your hotel at 4pm and taken to the beautiful Kompheim village, located just outside Siem Reap. Here you can enjoy a short stroll through a traditional village with one of the local guides, finishing with sunset drinks at the beautiful and unique Village House. Relax and enjoy your very own private dining experience, surrounded by nothing but rice paddies and accompanied by traditional music. After enjoying your very special culinary experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel (approx. 9pm).
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 8 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom – Sunrise to Sunset
Wake up early and head out to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Return to your hotel for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast head back to Angkor Wat with your guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists. Return to Journeys Within for lunch and a nap. In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. Watch the sun set over Angkor Wat, or climb Phnom Bakeng and watch the sunset from on high.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 9 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei, Other Temples and JWOC Community Library Class
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple located just 30km beyond Angkor Wat. As you head towards your hotel you can stop at Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex. Enjoy climbing through these smaller unique. Enjoy lunch in the temple complex overlooking Sra Srang.
Come and spend an hour in JWOC’s Community Library where you’ll get to meet some of the children from the surrounding communities. Between 3pm and 4pm you can help the younger children complete a puzzle, engage in some arts and crafts, or perhaps enjoy constructing a castle from the building blocks, while helping them practice their basic English. Or if you prefer something quieter, there’s always someone looking for story time. 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, Lunch
Overnight at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel – 1 Double Deluxe Room
Day 10 Phuket: 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 PG924 departing Siem Reap at 09:50 & arriving Phuket at 13:55.
You will be met at Phuket Airport and transferred to your hotel. Once you have checked in relax and enjoy your resort. There are restaurants in the hotel and in the surrounding area, pools to enjoy and of course the beach!
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Point Yamu by Como – 1 Double Bay Room
Day 11 Phuket: Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Point Yamu by Como – 1 Double Bay Room
Day 12 Phuket: Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Point Yamu by Como – 1 Double Bay Room
Day 13 Phuket: Hongs by Starlight
Late morning you will be met at your hotel and driven with the rest of the group to the Ao Po Pier to board your boat. Cruise towards the National Park while you enjoy a light Thai lunch and listen to a briefing on the wildlife and your schedule. In the afternoon you will be taken by kayak into various hongs and caves, enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
In the evening enjoy a Thai Seafood dinner and then make your own krathong to float for luck that evening. Enjoy the sunset on board before returning in the dusk to a hong where you will launch your kratong, experiencing a magical moment! At around 8pm you will start your return to the island. Relax on the Starlight Deck and enjoy the amazing boat ride back your way lit by the stars. You will return to your hotel around 10pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Point Yamu by Como – 1 Double Bay Room
Day 14 Phuket: Departure
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate: $ 5,310 per person based on two people traveling
Price includes:
- Air tickets Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Siem Reap – Phuket
- 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
