2 Week Exploration in Thailand and Cambodia

You may choose to fly into Bangkok, but I prefer going straight to Phuket since you will have a stopover in Bangkok anyway when flying into Phuket (and most other islands). I like to limit the time in airports and I find this more efficient, even though it adds to an already very long flight.

Since this is your first full day after a very long flight, I would recommend taking it easy and maybe just checking out the beach. You will probably notice the multiple massage parlors here, and I encourage you to take advantage! You can get a 60-minute massage for 300-500 baht, which is close to $10 USD. Some days I enjoyed two of these, why not?

Take a day trip to Phang Nga Bay, explore the sea caves and “James Bond Island.” Full day tours range from $60-$110 USD per person. This tour can be 8-10 hours and you will probably be tired after, which is why I don’t recommend doing it the day immediately after you arrive. Also, a word of caution: The safety standards for tourism are not the same here as they are in the US, Canada and Europe. These are large group tours and at no time, especially if you are in a small canoe or kayak, should you EVER veer away from the group. We did this while exploring the caves and the large boat almost left us in the middle of the ocean!

There are so many island options in Thailand; it can be difficult to choose! The Phi Phi islands are some of the most beautiful and it’s quick and easy to get here from Phuket via speedboat. Did you ever see the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio? It was filmed here and you can take a day trip to Maya Bay, to experience the beauty for yourself

There are endless options of activities here. You may prefer to hike up to the Koh Phi Phi viewpoint, or scuba dive; the beauty of these islands extends far below the surface! If you prefer to explore in a more leisurely style, you can visit the Tonsai village markets. This location isn’t as touristy, but you’ll find a lot of great food options.

It’s easy and inexpensive to get to Chiang Mai from Phuket; there are non-stop options as well. Depending on your departure time, you should have some time to explore the city after you check into your hotel. This was my absolute favorite location in Thailand; it’s much less touristy than the islands and has so much culture and charm. I really enjoyed the night bazaars and the street food. Some folks steer clear of street food, but I love it! Plus who doesn’t love a $5 dinner that’s uber fresh?

There are so many temples in Thailand, it’s actually easy to get “templed out.” I highly recommend a trip to the 600+ year old Buddhist “Doi Suthep” temple. The drive from Chiang Mai is approximately 45 minutes. You will also find locals around the temple selling souvenirs and handmade items. Expect to barter when buying from independent sellers and when in markets, it’s common practice here. If time permits, you might enjoy a Thai cooking class here.

The White Temple in Chiang Rai should not be missed; I was surprised to see what is painted on the inside! You can book a full day tour with transportation to/from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai for approximately $50 USD per person depending on the tour. Some tours include stops at the hill tribes and Golden Triangle. A word of caution if you visit the hill tribes: the sales pressure can be quite high. The tour guides pass through these areas with groups of tourists and hill tribe natives see this as a huge sales opportunity.

The flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is about 90 minutes and approximately $50 USD per person. There is also an overnight train, but you need to book this in advance if you prefer this option. Depending on the time you arrive you may be able to squeeze in a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, which I highly recommend.

Check out the floating markets. You can do this with or without a guide. Also visit Wat Arum, also known as the Temple of Dawn. There are some excellent photo ops here!

Take a day trip here and see the beautiful Erawan waterfall and immerse yourself in Thailand’s natural beauty. Guided trips are approximately $200 USD per person and if that isn’t in your budget you can easily skip and add an extra day elsewhere.

Fly to Siam Reap. You are so close to the Angkor Wat; it could be considered a shame if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to see the largest religious structure in the world! It’s only an hour flight from Bangkok and very inexpensive.

Spend some time at the Angkor Wat. You can choose to do this with a guide, which I recommend because it provides the opportunity to learn some of the history of this temple and the country of Cambodia. Also check out Ta Prohm, also known as the jungle temples. This is an amazing experience! With that said, it’s important to note that this is a developing country and there is a lot of poverty. Upon leaving Ta Prohm, we were surrounded by a group of children asking us for money in a very aggressive manner. It’s important to be mindful of this so you can set expectations and prepare accordingly.

Pack up and head to the Siam Reap airport to catch your flight home.