Essence of Thailand & Cambodia

សួស្ដី Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Your private guide will meet with you at airport and take you to the hotel for check in.

Today a full-day city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. It remains a living relic of the country’s past struggles and successes. You will be transferred to Royal Palace, and visit the Silver Pagoda, National Museum, and Wat Phnom. Have lunch at a local restaurant before a visit to Tuol Sleng Prison Museum， a former school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture center, and it’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured there. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tells the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. The Choeung Ek Memorial, home to a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls, marking the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng, and standing in this peaceful setting it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9,000 corpses have been exhumed from the area.

Morning departure from Phnom Penh to Battambang by private transfer (about 5-6 hrs), en route, you will stop at Phnom Oudong, the ancient Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of many past kings. Consisting of a series of stupas atop a large hill, there are outstanding views across the surrounding plains below. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it. 
Then stop at Kompong Loung to visit the village of goldsmiths along the Tonle Sap, a manufacturing souvenir center stopping. Continue to Pursat Province, famous for its marble stone carvings. You will also take the time to stop at a pottery village in Kompang Chhnang before arriving at Battambang. Upon Arrival in Battambang, check into the hotel, and free time for you.

Today you will discover the city of Battambang, a charming big city where you can watch the elegant houses in the French colonial style along the river. You then visit the Provincial Museum and the pagoda before heading to the 11th century temple of Wat Ek Phnom. 

You will pass through traditional villages along the route where you can attend the manufacture of family rice cakes and contacting people about their daily lives. Afternoon, we drive an hour's ride to the hill of Phnom Bannon (337 steps) and its temple, Prasat Bannon, 7th century, which stands atop mountain that reach by a long staircase. From there, you can also admire the beautiful scenic landscape of villages, plains, pagodas. We drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. On arrival, you will visit a village and discover the daily life of the Cambodian countryside. You will also visit a workshop which is specialized in wooden sculpture.

Today you will transfer from Battambang to Siem Reap (about 3-4 hrs). You will visit a Khmer village and enjoy the view of the rice field and lots of palm trees with great fresh air. You will also board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia. After checking in at the hotel, enjoy your free time at leisure.

This morning you will be picked up at your accommodation in Siem Reap to begin your unforgettable Angkor Wat Tour. You will be transferred by private car to the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.Your tour will include visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Angkor Period (AD 802-1432). Visit the breathtaking Bayon Temple, one of the most popular sites in Angkor complex with over 200 giant faces carved into its 54 towers. The temple was designed to represent the 54 provinces of the Khmer Empire and it still carries a completely majestic atmosphere. You will also visit Baphuon Temple,Phimeanakas Temple,the Terrace of the Elephant,the Terrace of the Leper King,and Royal Palace Temple. 

In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat Temple, one of the seven wonders of the world. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. View sunset at Phnom Bakheng before heading back to your accommodation.

If you want, you can take the early morning trip witness sunrise over Angkor Wat temple and listening singing birds over the ancient land of Angkor area, you also have the chance for a friendly talk with the monks and nuns at a nearby pagoda. After the sunrise tour, breakfast either at the hotel or takeaway is available. 

Start the day by visiting Banteay Srei Temples, nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving. Continue to visit Banteay Samre, Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer. Have lunch at a local restaurant for exotic cuisine. Ta Prohm temple and Banteay Kdei are your next stops before some leisure time in the late afternoon. 

Your private guide will escort you to Siem Reap international airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival, your private guide will welcome you at the arrival hall and transfer you to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in and ensure your arrival is worry-free.

Your trip today will start with a long-tail boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River which will offer an open view of the riverside scenery. The boat will take you deeply exploring the narrow river ways winding through local residents and glistening ancient temples. The cruise ends in Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Then, you will depart for the landmark Wat Arun. After that, you will cross the Chao Phraya River to the opposite bank by water taxi. Your second stop will be Wat Pho, which is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I about 200 years ago and houses the gigantic, gold-plated Reclining Buddha image. This unique image is 49 meters long and 12 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Lunch at a local restaurant before your visit to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, undoubtedly the most dazzling, spectacular royal monuments and the city’s most famous landmark. The four must-see temples on today’s tour form the skyline of Bangkok and give the best glimpse for fresh visitors. Then return to the hotel.

Depart early morning for a 2-hour drive to the Maeklong Railway Market (also known as Rom Hub Market). It has a train running through the middle of it several times a day. Right down the middle and close enough to touch. Only in Thailand! Marvel at each seller quickly moves their wares via ingenious sets of easily-movable containers to avoid the coming train, once the train has passed， it’s back to business as usual.Your second stop is the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak Floating Market located 100 km (62 mi) from Bangkok, one of the Thailand’s most famous attractions. Day-in and day-out from about 8 am to about 11 am, the Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. You will have a chance to take a ride on a long tail boat to get the real sense of a floating village. After the long tail boat cruise around the village, you will stop at a transit point where you can choose to further explore the floating market by a 4-seat boat or stroll around by the river's banks. After having lunch, you will return to Bangkok and enjoy your free time at leisure.

Asiatique The Riverfront is a very famous open-air mall in Bangkok. It is known for its scenic restaurants, shopping stalls, and food markets. And of course, there are lots of entertainment options too to awaken your senses. Surely, this popular place has all your fashion needs and food cravings. And you’ll definitely love the wide array of entertainment, from amazing rides to spectacular shows. The lovely views of the Chao Phraya River make it a perfect destination to enjoy with your family and friends.

You will transfer to Bangkok Airport for your internal flight to Phuket. On arrival, your private driver will take you to the hotel for check-in.

You'll take in Phuket Island's natural beauty as you are driven along beach roads through Patong, Karon, Kata, and Rawai. 

Your first stop will be the hilltop 'Three Beaches' viewpoint where you can take in a great vista of the beautiful bays of Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon, as well as Kho Pu Island, at one of the island's best scenic spots. 

You will continue to visit Phuket's Big Buddha, which is one of the most important and revered landmarks on the island. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and, at 45 meters tall, can be seen from as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach. Then go to Wat Chalong is the largest and most revered. The temple complex was built in its current location in 1837. Some remains of older structures have been found, however, it is unknown exactly how old they are.

The last stop is Phuket Town. Soak up an atmosphere at a local market with many local food and people. Try to eat like locals by starting to drink Thai coffee and enjoy eating 6 local food and drink stops. For example, “Ba-Jang”, an authentic Chinese food made of sticky rice and various other ingredients all wrapped up in bamboo leaves and steamed. Enjoy the experience of the famous traditional Phuket dish “Mee Hokkein”  and taste it in a local environment. And also a fresh coconut, local dessert, and ice cream. All of the food you have known all food stories relate to people. Get many true Phuket cultures by walking through the fresh market, a Chinese Shrine, a Buddhist temple, and Phuket Old Town. Learn about its Sino-Portuguese Heritage, architecture, and Peranakan community’s culture by walking and looking at buildings along the road. 

**All the food mentioned above are samples for your reference, our guide will arrange the food for you depending on your preferences.

Enjoy a private transfer to the pier, our private guide will also escort you on the boat, they will provide you a one-on-one service by helping you take care of your belongings, taking photos when you are snorkeling, etc.

After picking up at your Phuket hotel in the morning, you will arrive at the cruise departure point at Ao Por Pier. You can enjoy the complimentary coffee, tea, and dessert service before boarding your boat and entering Ao Phang Nga National Park (join boat). There you will have an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the area by snorkeling and swimming in the peaceful blue water. Later, you can admire the craggy stalactite formations of Panak Island’s caves while canoeing in Bat Cave or Mangrove cave. Then, when you leave Panak Island and move on to Hong Island, our guides will be with you as you explore hidden caves and lagoons on the island. If you are lucky, you will find locals selling coconuts in the mangroves, and you may even get close enough to observe a variety of wild monkeys!

After having a wonderful buffet lunch on board the boat, you will continue to a photo stop at Khao Phing Kan, also known as James Bond Island. The famous movie named ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ was filmed on this island. Then, you can enjoy swimming and relax on the beach before returning to Ao Por Pier and our private guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Day of leisure. Relax at your hotel or explore the surrounding area.

Enjoy your free time until your guide comes to escort you to the airport for your onward flight.