Tantalizing Thailand & the Temples of Angkor (2791)

15 days from Siem Reap to Bangkok

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details »

This budget-friendly tour through Cambodia and Thailand highlights each country’s rich history, fascinating culture, and religious monuments. Start in Siem Reap with visits to the magnificently preserved temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple—with 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.

In Bangkok—Thailand’s current capital—visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha; the Temple of the Reclining Buddha built in 1832; and the Grand Palace, the royal residence established in 1782 where you’ll see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture. In Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century capital, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ruins of palaces, temples, and homes. But that’s not all…in Chiang Mai explore a night market by tuk-tuk and visit an amazing elephant sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts of orphaned and rescued elephants. Travel to the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet and visit a local tea plantation. You’ll also visit several interesting hill tribes in the mountains near Chiang Rai.

Your trip to Cambodia and Thailand is a rich in experiences, sights, and welcoming people you’ll long remember!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. Local Guide and sightseeing vehicle in Siem Reap. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Tantalizing Thailand & the Temples of Angkor map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

13 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 2 Dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

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

Day 2 SIEM REAP

Your sightseeing tour starts at the best preserved of all the temples—Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Continue to Angkor Thom to see Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features more than 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 3 SIEM REAP

Today, visit the exquisite 10th-century Banteay Srei, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. Then on to Ta Prohm, which has been left relatively untouched; surrounded by jungle, tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls. You’ll also visit a local school to interact with the children.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 SIEM REAP–BANGKOK, THAILAND

Today, fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. After settling into your hotel, perhaps explore the Sukhumvit Street Market or wander the vibrant streets of Chinatown.

Day 5 BANGKOK

Bangkok is an exhilarating blend of historic and religious monuments, chic modernity, exciting shopping, and friendly culture. An exciting day of sightseeing is ahead. Take in the city’s principal landmarks such as the splendid Temple of the Golden Buddha and the spectacular Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. You will also visit the gleaming Grand Palace, Thailand’s most sacred monument, and the spectacular Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 6 BANGKOK

Today is yours to explore Bangkok at leisure. You may opt to join an optional excursion to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya or cruise on the Chao Praya River. Or, stimulate your senses and try local cuisine made with fresh Thai herbs, selecting sweet, rich, or spicy sauces to please your palate at the outdoor food markets and quaint local cafes.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 BANGKOK–SUKHOTHAI

Enjoy a bit of time at leisure this morning then fly to Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century former capital. Enjoy dinner at your resort.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 SUKHOTHAI

Today, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the temples and monasteries, including Wat Si Chum with its stunning seated Buddha. The afternoon is yours to relax or further explore the park. Lunch and dinner are served at your resort.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 9 SUKOTHAI–CHIANG MAI

Today, drive to Chiang Mai. This evening, join your Tour Director for a tuk-tuk ride and orientation walk through the lively night market.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 CHIANG MAI

This morning, visit the revered Buddha statue at Wat Phra Singh, and 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. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy this dynamic city.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 CHIANG MAI–ELEPHANT SANCTUARY–BAN THATON

This morning, travel out of the city to visit Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990’s to provide a sanctuary for rescued and orphaned 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. After lunch at the sanctuary, continue to Chiang Dao Cave, the most famous cave system in Thailand. Explore this beautiful cave system filled with stalagmites and stalctites that continues for miles below the surface. Lastly, make your way to your resort in the hills of Ban Thaton.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 12 BAN THATON–DOI MAI SALONG–CHIANG RAI

Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you journey to Doi Mae Salong where you’ll visit a green-tea plantation. Next, visit several fascinating hill tribes including the Yao, Lisu, and Akha, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins. This fascinating cultural excursion enables you to interact with the locals and experience their daily lives and be taught their rich heritage and history. Continue to Chiang Rai.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 13 CHIANG RAI–GOLDEN TRIANGLE EXCURSION

Drive to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town to visit the Hall of Opium, built to educate people on the 5,000-year history of opium 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 to enjoy spectacular views of the Laos countryside and river life along both sides of the riverbanks. After lunch, return to Chiang Rai and enjoy some time at leisure.

Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 14 CHIANG RAI–BANGKOK

Fly to Bangkok and transfer to your hotel near the international airport. Prepare for departure tomorrow or journey into the city for independent exploration.

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 15 BANGKOK

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

TONY PITAYA KANTHONG

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

“I'm Tony, and I've been working as a Tour Director since 2005. I love my profession and sharing the history and culture of Thailand with visitors from around the world. I look forward to meeting you.”

Tour Director - TONY PITAYA KANTHONG

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

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


Siem Reap
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai

Siem Reap

Lake Tonle Sap Cruise

Lake Tonle Sap Cruise

Hop aboard a traditional Cambodian watercraft and set out with an expert Local Guide to explore life on Tonle Sap-the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia!

Price Range: $$

Apsara Dinner & Dance Show

Apsara Dinner & Dance Show

Step back in time as we introduce you to the wonders of Khmer music, dance, and cuisine. We'll transport you to the beautiful Angkor Village Resort for a tantalizing dinner of authentic Cambodian dishes. Then, ancient Khmer culture comes to life during a brilliant Apsara dance performance, an artform based on the bas-reliefs found at Angkor Wat. Marvel at the graceful, sinuous hand gestures that tell the stories from classical mythology.

Price Range: $$

Phare Cambodia Circus

Phare Cambodia Circus

'Enjoy the performance of the Circus of Battambang now in Siem Reap! Phare Ponleu Selpak, meaning "the brightness of art", originated in 1986 in Site 2 Refugee Camp on the Thai border.

Price Range: $$

Bangkok

Dinner Cruise on Traditional Rice Barge

Dinner Cruise on Traditional Rice Barge

Enjoy history, culture, cuisine and beautiful river scenery on this wonderful cruise down the Chao Phraya River aboard a converted rice barge.

Price Range: $$$

Jim Thompson's House & Legacy

Jim Thompson's House & Legacy

If you love art, antiques, and fantastic architecture - as well as a good mystery - then our excursion to the Jim Thompson House & Museum is a must.

Price Range: $$

River of Kings Dinner Cruise

River of Kings Dinner Cruise

We'll show you a unique, from-the-river perspective of Bangkok's captivating beauty on this unforgettable dinner cruise and Thai classical dance show. Embark your water craft and relax as you float peacefully along the Chao Phraya River past the city's most popular attractions.

Price Range: $$

Half Day Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Half Day Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Imagine a grocery-shopping trip where you have to flag down the merchants as they float by on boats. Experience the traditional Thai way of buying and selling colorful fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers, and sweets since the 19th century.

Price Range: $$

Evening Tuk Tuk Market Tour

Evening Tuk Tuk Market Tour

Discover Bangkok's magical evening atmosphere as a passenger in a Tuk Tuk. Visit the flower market, evening street food scene plus view the magnificent temples at night.

Price Range: $$

Chiang Mai

Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Show

Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Show

A showcase of Northern Thailand's incredible cuisine and colorful Lanna culture, enjoy a delicious dinner served in traditional Khantoke style with large platters on low tables. Whilst savoring delightful local specialties, you will be entertained by wonderful classic dances performed by hill tribes.

Price Range: $

Culinary Delights of Chiang Mai

Culinary Delights of Chiang Mai

Sample the delights of Chiang Mai cuisine at the popular night market, including various mouthwatering local snacks and the delicious Khao Soi - a delightful coconut curry noodle dish unique to Northern Thailand. Enjoy fresh Thai cuisine while learning about Chiang Mai's culinary history.

Price Range: $$

Chiang Rai

Food & Night Market Tour

Food & Night Market Tour

Marvel at the decor and intrepretive design of Wat Phra Singh, one of the oldest temples in Chiang Rai. Then enjoy the colorful night markets with local food and desserts plus a memorable trishaw ride.

Price Range: $$



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 International 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 Cosmos).

eBrochure  |  Travel Deals