Compare Cambodian Traveller by Intrepid Travel vs Thailand's highlights and Siem Reap by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 896 | $ 5,321 |
| Price Per Day | $ 100 | $ 443 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Touchdown in Vietnam amid the chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City, travel through Cambodia and arrive in Thailand's vivacious capital, Bangkok. Visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, learn the secrets behind Khmer cuisine in Battambang and reflect on Cambodia's tragic history at the sobering sites of Phnom Penh. Journey through three of South East Asia’s most contrasting countries on an adventure that draws you away from the crowds and into the heart and soul of this captivating region, and its equally enchanting people. |
Explore the many temples around Siem Reap including the iconic Angkor Wat. Cruise out on to Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, the Tonle Sap. Venture into the hills surrounding Chiang Mai for a rural Thailand adventure. Navigate the huge bustling city of Bangkok where local street vendors and markets are contrasted by ultra modern shopping malls and spectacular sky bars. Enjoy a three day experience in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. |
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have free time before the meeting, get out and discover the city's blend of old and new, East and West at your own pace. The Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum are great sites to learn more about Vietnam's history. If you arrive a day or two early, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta make for excellent and insightful day trips from the city. After your meeting tonight, why not grab your group and head out for dinner.
Day 2 Phnom Penh
Travel by public bus across the border, through rural Vietnam and Cambodia and onto Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital city is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. If you're looking for a tasty beverage when you arrive, head for a mojito on the rooftop or if you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.
Day 3 Phnom Penh
Today, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. You’ll also head out to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls marks the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. Afterwards, you may wish to learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history from an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its excellent Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to walking and generally include the Central Market, US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, the Independence Monument and Royal Palace.
Day 4 Battambang
Travel by private minibus to Battambang today. Break up an otherwise long trip with a visit to the pottery visit in Kampong Chhnang,and learn about the craft of pottery making at local workshops. Then continue to Cambodia's second-largest city. A pretty riverside town of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture, this is a great place to explore on your own. Why not take part in an optional cooking class to learn the secrets of local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken.
Day 5 Siem Reap
Spend a bit of time riding around the countryside by bike, travelling out to the rural villages around Battambang. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at what rural life means in Cambodia. Visit local families who have been producing agricultural products the traditional way passed down through generations, like rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice and stop by a Khmer house and relax and enjoy some coconut water while chatting about their life. The Intrepid partner for this activity is a local social enterprise that support training of local youth for their future career. In the afternoon continue by private minibus to Siem Reap, arriving in the evening, and relax as you prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food for dinner.
Day 6 Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
A very rewarding morning to get to Angkor Wat in the early hours to watch the sun rising over it as it did in the ancient times (weather permitting). Then Temple-hop with your local guide and make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. The temples, dating back as far as the ninth century, were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photo opportunities at any time of day. Watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 square km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so there will be plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.
Day 7 Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Continue your explorations of the Angkor complex this morning. In the afternoon, embark on a private local boat discover the floating villages and local daily lives at Chhong Kneas, a trading port of agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia.
Day 8 Bangkok
It's a long drive by private minibus from Siem Reap to Bangkok today. Arrive in Thailand's bustling capital and take in this exciting world of tuk tuks, khlong boats, and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Perhaps head out to sample some local specialties as a final farewell with your fellow travellers.
Day 9 Bangkok
Your trip comes to an end this morning, with no further activities planned. However, if you have more time, Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the fascinating Jim Thompson museum. Just speak to your booking agent if you'd like to extend your stay.
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Siem Reap.
Day 2 : Siem Reap
Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Siem Reap and will accompany you on your private transfer to your hotel.The Shinta Mani Resort has a great location in the city's French Quarter, just 15 minutes from Angkor Wat.
Day 3 : Siem Reap
Your guide will collect you this morning for your private tour of Cambodia's most famous site - Angkor - once the capital city of the Khmer Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guide will show you around the magnificent temples of Angkor including the walled city of Angkor Thom, the many faces of the Bayon and the iconic Angkor Wat.
Day 4 : Siem Reap
Today you will journey out of Siem Reap to Lake Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and home to Cambodia's floating villages. Your guide will take you on a fascinating private tour of one of the villages where you will also get to explore the canals and mangroves by boat.In the evening you will attend the renowned Cambodian circus, a unique awe inspiring performance showcasing the talents of the local people. This acrobatic theatre is not to be missed!
Day 5 : Chiang Mai
This morning you will join a local chef for a fascinating street food exploration of Siem Reap. You will be guided through market warrens, roadside cafes and local homes on a wonderful discovery of Cambodia's cuisine. You will have the chance to try Cambodia's best breakfast dishes, tasty treats and tropical fruits. In the afternoon you will have a private transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Chiang Mai, located in Northern Thailand. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will be met by your guide and taken to your boutique hotel.
Day 6 : Chiang Mai
This morning your guide will collect you for your private tour of the beautiful Mae Sa Valley. The tour includes a visit to the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, a butterfly farm and a visit to one of the local Hmong hill tribes.
Day 7 : Chiang Mai
Today you will join a group for an unusual and exciting way of exploring the city - on a guided Segway tour! The rest of your day will be at leisure. In the evening you may like to visit the city's famous night bazaar.
Day 8 : Bangkok
After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport in time for your morning flight to Bangkok. Your guide will be waiting for you at Bangkok airport and you will have a private transfer to your riverside hotel.In the late afternoon your guide will collect you for a private evening tour of Bangkok where you will get the chance to explore Bangkok's famous food stalls and markets and visit some of its most interesting night spots.
Day 9 : Bangkok
Today you will have a private guided tour of Bangkok visiting the capital's key attractions: the Grand Palace, Wat Po (home to the reclining Buddha) and Jim Thompson's house. You will get to use Bangkok's different forms of public transport - the Skytrain which winds its way through the skyscrapers and shopping malls, the public taxi boat, a long-tail boat and of course the infamous Thai tuk tuk! This is a fun excursion that will give you a fantastic insight into the capital as well as the people that call Bangkok home.
Day 10 : Khao Sok National Park
You will have an early start today for your private transfer to the airport to catch your internal flight to Phuket, a journey of around one and a half hours. Upon arrival at Phuket airport you will be met by staff from Elephant Hills who will take you and other guests to the Khao Sok National Park. The Elephant Hills Camp is a fantastic rainforest and elephants experience. All meals are included during your stay as are a programme of group tours. The welfare of the elephants is at the heart of this camp and it has received numerous awards for this. This is one of the few places where you will see elephants without chains.Upon arrival at the camp you will meet the elephants and learn more about these magnificent creatures. You will have the opportunity to help feed and bathe them.After a traditional Thai lunch you will have the opportunity to take a jungle canoe down river paddling past stunning limestone karsts.
Day 11 : Khao Sok National Park
Today you will leave the tented camp with other guests and head inland by road and then by boat for your scenic journey to the relatively untouched and stunning Cheow Larn Lake. This is a great place to be amongst nature and experience a unique accommodation experience - a floating tent!Your afternoon includes a guided canoe safari.
Day 12 : International return flight
After breakfast you will have the option to join your guide on a walk through the jungle listening to the chorus of the many primates, reptiles and birds that inhabit the national park.After lunch the lodge will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
