Independent Highlights of Cambodia & Thailand (IAT2)

13 Day Package from Siem Reap to Chiang Mai

 2024 Tour Details »2023 Tour Details

This journey through Cambodia and Thailand introduces you to the best of each country. Start in Siem Reap with visits to the magnificently preserved temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple—with some 200 faces carved into 54 towers. You’ll also visit the exquisite 10th-century Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm, where ancient jungle tree roots wind through the temple ruins. “Thailand” translates to “land of the free” and we think it’s about time that you free yourself from the typical to explore this fascinating destination with the I-Time you crave on an Independence by Globus vacation. Start your exploration with a boat ride through Bangkok’s canals, or klongs, to see family homes and temples—you’ll quickly see why they call this city “Venice of the East.” Next, visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, and the Grand Palace, which houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Lastly, stop at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok, featuring one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. You’ll alos have I-time to explore more of Bangkok and other nearby attractions including Damnoen Saduak floating market and the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Travel to Chiang Rai and visit the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, and visit a local tea plantation. You’ll also visit several interesting hill tribes and learn about their culture. In Chiang Mai, explore the most popular temples and visit an amazing elephant sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts of orphaned and rescued elephants.

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

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 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Breakfast daily; 4 lunches

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Welcome to Cambodia! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

SIEM REAP

• Today, explore the temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples are unmatched among the world’s ancient ruins.
• Your private guided sightseeing starts at the best preserved of all the temples—Angkor Wat, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu.
• Next stop is Angkor Thom to see Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch


You may consider a Apsara dinner show featuring traditioanal Khmer music and dance or an exciting performance of Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

Day 3

SIEM REAP

• Continue exploring the Angkor temple complex on a private guided tour.
• Start at Banteay Srei, a unique, small temple outside the main complex built from red sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. On your return journey stop at a local school to interact with the children.
• Then, on to Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched, unlike many other temples. Here, the jungle surrounds you, and tree roots grow over and through the ruins. The afternoon is at your leisure.


Breakfast Breakfast


Explore the temple complex further or take a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see a floating village.

Day 4

SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILAND

• Today, fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 5

BANGKOK

• Today’s private guided tour starts with a boat ride through the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals.
• Next, stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, whose 260-foot-tall spire has become identified with Bangkok.
• Continue to the Grand Palace, comprised of the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• Lastly, visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the 49-foot-high and 151-foot-long massive Reclining Buddha.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 6

BANGKOK

• Enjoy a full day at your leisure.

Enjoy a full day at leisure for your own discoveries. You may consider a visit to Jim Thompson’s House, a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, or an excursion to the vibrant Damnoen Saduak floating market.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7

BANGKOK–CHIANG RAI

• Today, fly to Chiang Rai, gateway to Thailand’s Golden Triangle and hill tribe culture.


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8

CHIANG RAI

• Today’s private guided tour starts with a traditional longtail boat ride on the Kok River.
• Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you journey to Doi Mae Salong where you’ll visit a tea plantation.
• Next, visit several fascinating hill tribes including the Yao, Lisu, and Akha, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 9

CHIANG RAI

• Drive to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town to visit the Hall of Opium, built to educate people on the history of opium in the area and help combat illegal drugs.
• Stop at the Golden Triangle view point, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Here you’ll take a boat ride on the Mekong River.


Breakfast Breakfast


Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple or explore the fascinating night market.

Day 10

CHIANG RAI–CHIANG MAI

• Today, drive to Chiang Mai, known as the “Rose of the North.”


Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11

CHIANG MAI

• This morning, travel out of the city to visit Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990’s to provide a sanctuary for rescued and orphanted elephants. You will hear the personal stories of the elephants and see how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives.
• Walk with staff and the elephants (no riding) and watch them bathe and play in the river. You’ll also have the chance to feed them.
• After lunch at the sanctuary return to Chiang Mai.


Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

Day 12

CHIANG MAI

• Today, your private guided sightseeing tour takes you to Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image.
• You’ll also visit Wat Doi Suthep, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps.


Breakfast Breakfast


Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take in a Khantoke dance show with dinner, participate in a cooking class, or simply explore the night market and absorb the lively atmosphere.

Day 13

CHIANG MAI

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.


Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

KONG BUATOEI

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

"I'm Kong. Since 1988, I have worked as a guide and in 2006 I was voted Best Tour Guide (English speaking) at the Thailand Tourism Awards. I love to teach others about Thai culture and how to speak some key words and phrases in Thai. I am approachable and energetic and interactions with my guests are one of the favorite parts of what I do. I look forward to sharing my knowledge of Bangkok with you."

Tour Director -  KONG BUATOEI

 Accommodations

SIEM REAP

BOREI ANGKOR RESORT & SPA

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

BANGKOK

EASTIN GRAND HOTEL SATHORN

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

CHIANG RAI

LE MERIDIEN CHIANG RAI RESORT

Hotel as shown or similar
Deluxe
  Free Wifi

CHIANG MAI

RATILANNA RIVERSIDE SPA RESORT

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).