10 Days From Bangkok To Siem Reap

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. 

Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. Wat Pra Kwae is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue will bring back fortune and prosperity for the nation.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

The Wat Pho wall-surrounded complex was divided into 2 by Soi Chetuphon running along East – West. The Northern complex is the one including the gold Buddha statue and massage school mentioned above. The Southern complex, Tukgawee, is a monastery and a school.

Then, we visit the Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue.

Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power. The Golden Statue was defined to be built in Sukhothai period, the 13-15th century – one of the most famous periods of Thai Buddhism architecture.

After having lunch (on your own), we will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by.

On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. “Arun” means sunrise, but it is most beautiful in the sunset. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style. You can climb up to the top of Wat Arun to see Chao Phraya, Grand Palace and Wat Pho at the opposite side.

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we pay a visit to Meaklong Railway Market - a local market has grown up along the rail tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the sellers quickly clear their stalls, and set them up again when the train has passed.

We continue our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating market, which is specialized in trading fruits, vegetables, etc… by small boat. In the old days, floating markets were formed because roads and means of road traffic have not developed.

Due to the demand for buying and selling goods, people gather in the river by means such as boats. Nowadays, despite the fact that the road network has developed everywhere, floating market still exists and develops more and more.

Afterwards we continue the road to the city of Kanchanaburi.

Upon arrival, visit the World War II memorial including the Jeath War Museum, Cemetery. We will take 30 minutes train to experience and enjoy the beautiful view from train along the river. This is one of Southeast Asia's historic railways, the remaining part of the "Death Railway", departing from the provincial capital to the Railway Station from Tonburi (or Namtok) and transfer then city to visit Kwai bridge.

Overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Morning breakfast and depart for Erawan Waterfall - a beautiful seven-tiered waterfall. Located in Erawan National Park, Walking up to see each of the picturesque falls, it is best to bring good walking shoes. Also, guests should remember to bring their swimming suit if they wish to swim in the fall’s natural pools.
 
In the afternoon, we continue the road to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is known as the 'Venice of the East’ because it is found along the Chao Phraya, the tributaries that surround the province of Ayutthaya River. Many monuments and remains of the period can be visited in this city founded in 1350 by King Uthong when the Thai had to migrate to the South under pressure from their neighbours to the North. 

Overnight in Ayutthaya.

Having a breakfast and today we will pay a visit to some sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park, situated in the old city of Ayutthaya. The city was constructed by Ramathibodi I in 1350 and was the capital of Thailand until it was destroyed by Burmese – Myanmar army in 1767. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize this type of architecture built with red bricks, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO.

- Wat Phu Khao Thong is a massive pagoda towering in the middle of paddy fields and can be seen from afar. Built by King Ramesuan in 1395, the pagoda is unique with the combination of 2 architectural styles: Thai – style and Mon – style. There is a high golden plated chedi on the top, which makes the pagoda outstanding.

- Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Ayutthaya Grand Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The highlight of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is 3 towers standing high together in Ceylonese style, has the same architecture with Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

- Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit is the pagoda in which the bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara is situated. This is one of the biggest Buddha statue in Thailand. It was considered to be built during the Ayuttaya period of King Srongta, who transferred the location from the east side to the west and has been the location since then. After that he ordered to build a dome on top.

- Wat Lokaya Sutha is considered as the sacred place for pilgrims since it’s famous for the reclining Buddha statue, which is the statue of the Blessed Buddha intact compared to other monuments in the entire Ayutthaya ruins. It is also the most important relics in most of those in Wat Lokaya Sutha. Thai people believe that if they paste the golden leaf onto Buddha statues, they will be protected by Buddha. Heading back to Bangkok.

En route, we visit the Royal Summer Palace in Bang Pa-in district.

Situated about 60 km northern away from Bangkok, this palace is called Royal Summer Palace since it is a favorite resort of royal. The first palace had been built in mid-early of the 17th century, then was the ruins and be forgotten when Burman occupied Ayutthaya. It was not until the rule of King Rama IV – did the palace rebuild. King Rama IV was the first Siamese king came to Europe and was sharply impressed by the architecture there. Therefore, the whole architecture of the palace is in the way of 19th century European style.

The time today is on your own until we transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, proceed to check-in hotel and free to explore city yourself.

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene.

The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins.  The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Lunch is own account.

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city of Angkor Thom. We will begin with the fascinating South Gate where we will stop for some nice photos. We will then move to the impress Bayon. Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight.

At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time.

Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Palace area.

7am, drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining.

The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. Drive on to Chau Srei Vibol which is a small charming temple on top of a hill which hardly sees any visitors - very few non-locals have heard of it, and it is set just far enough away from the main tourist routes.

Continue to the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group we visit the main one called Bakhong temple.

In early evening, explore Siem Reap night by tuk tuk to experience Cambodia's nightlife in full, from the local people's customs to the activities geared to tourists. Walking through the food markets, enjoy dinner with local beer/soft drink in local beer garden, insect salad with cocktail (if you are brave enough to try), visit night markets and or, you may want to try foot massage by fish (own account).

At the end of the trip, take the short tuk tuk ride back to your hotel.

Note* Set menu dinner (meal only without drink) at a local restaurant will be replaced if you are not familiar with local beer garden.

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witnessing very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.

Enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village. Leisurely walk through the rice paddies and see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine, handicraft works meanwhile a member of the family will offer you a fresh coconut and some homemade rice wine to taste.

Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, arrive at the quay for embarking on a motorized boat to visit floating houses village offering an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap.

(Note***floating community is recommended from September to February).

The time is on your own until we transfer to the airport for an international flight back to your hometown.