Compare Bangkok, Angkor Wat and The Charms of Myanmar by Alexander+Roberts vs Cambodian Traveller by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Welcome to Bangkok

Accommodation: Anantara Riverside Resort

Check in to the Anantara Riverside Resort on the banks of the storied Chao Phraya River.

Day 2: Discover Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Explore the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Step into the timeless world of life along the city’s canals as you explore by long-tail boat. Then ascend the amazing Temple of Dawn.

Day 3: Damnoen Saduak Market

Meals: Breakfast

Experience the myriad colors and exotic flavors of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the largest and most authentic in Thailand. Then marvel at the world’s tallest pagoda before returning to your hotel in Bangkok.

Day 4: Fly to Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Park Hyatt

Upon arrival, transfer to the luxurious Park Hyatt. Then join your guide to explore Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. Late in the day, your guide will lead you to a prime vantage point to watch the sun set over the jungle ruins.

Day 5: A second day at Angkor

Meals: Breakfast

Another day of guided touring includes Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers and renowned for its impressive Elephant Terrace and the stunning Banyon Temple. You’ll also visit the oft-photographed Ta Prohm, surrounded by the massive roots and limbs of the encroaching jungle.

Day 6: Tonle Sap to Yangon

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Experience a slice of rural life as we take you across the tranquil waters of Tonle Sap Lake to visit quiet floating communities and thriving fish farms. Then fly to Yangon and tour the glittering Shwedagon Pagoda. Built more than 2,500 years ago, it’s covered in gold and encrusted with diamonds. Enjoy an elegant dinner and two nights in a deluxe suite at the historic Strand Hotel.

Day 7: Discover Yangon

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Learn how to prepare traditional Burmese cuisine at Graceworks Myanmar, a unique community partnership that provides valuable training for city youth. After your 2-hour class, enjoy lunch and congenial conversation with these motivated young people.

Day 8: Fly to Bagan + Embarkation

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sanctuary Ananda

Fly to Bagan and settle in to your suite aboard the luxurious Sanctuary Ananda. Guided exploration takes you to rural villages and by horse-drawn cart to explore Bagan’s most significant temples. Your touring ends with a spectacular sunset witnessed from the terrace of an ancient temple.

Day 9: Bagan + On the Irrawaddy

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Gain authentic insight into daily life here in the Burmese countryside as you mingle with farmers and villagers at the busy Nyaung Oo market. Visit the great Shwezigon Pagoda and return to ship for lunch as you sail for Sagaing.

Day 10: Cruising + Sagaing Hills

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

After a delightful morning of scenic cruising, step off to explore some of the most important monasteries that dot the Sagaing Hills. Take in the sunset from the spectacular teak bridge that spans Taungthaman Lake.

Day 11: Mandalay to Inle Lake

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Visiting a small village supported by Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy, you can assist with this unique partnership that has brought a library to the villagers. Disembark in Mandalay and tour Mahumuni Pagoda, one of the country’s most revered sites. Then see the Shwenandaw Monastery, the only palace building to survive the bombings of World War II, before flying to Heho. Continue overland and across Inle Lake to your private lakeview chalet at the enchanting Inle Princess Resort.

Day 12: Explore along Inle Lake

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner

Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest monastery on the lake. Then join locals at the bustling 5Day Market and explore the ancient stupas of Inn Dein. Later this afternoon, a guided canoe adventure offers the chance to discover remote lakeside villages and to see the amazing leg-rowing fishermen of Inle.

Day 13: Back to Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Deluxe Anantara Riverside Resort

Drive to Heho for your flights to Yangon and Bangkok where you’ll be escorted once again to the deluxe Anantara Riverside Resort.

Day 14: Depart Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour ends this morning. 

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Ho Chi Minh City. If you have free time before the meeting, get out and discover the city's blend of old and new, East and West at your own pace. The Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum are great sites to learn more about Vietnam's history. If you arrive a day or two early, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta make for excellent and insightful day trips from the city. After your meeting tonight, why not grab your group and head out for dinner.

Day 2 Phnom Penh

Travel by public bus across the border, through rural Vietnam and Cambodia and onto Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital city is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. If you're looking for a tasty beverage when you arrive, head for a mojito on the rooftop or if you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.

Day 3 Phnom Penh

Today, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. You’ll also head out to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls marks the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. Afterwards, you may wish to learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history from an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its excellent Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to walking and generally include the Central Market, US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, the Independence Monument and Royal Palace.

Day 4 Battambang

Travel by private minibus to Battambang today. Break up an otherwise long trip with a visit to the pottery visit in Kampong Chhnang,and learn about the craft of pottery making at local workshops. Then continue to Cambodia's second-largest city. A pretty riverside town of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture, this is a great place to explore on your own. Why not take part in an optional cooking class to learn the secrets of local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken.

Day 5 Siem Reap

Spend a bit of time riding around the countryside by bike, travelling out to the rural villages around Battambang. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at what rural life means in Cambodia. Visit local families who have been producing agricultural products the traditional way passed down through generations, like rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice and stop by a Khmer house and relax and enjoy some coconut water while chatting about their life. The Intrepid partner for this activity is a local social enterprise that support training of local youth for their future career. In the afternoon continue by private minibus to Siem Reap, arriving in the evening, and relax as you prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food for dinner.

Day 6 Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

A very rewarding morning to get to Angkor Wat in the early hours to watch the sun rising over it as it did in the ancient times (weather permitting). Then Temple-hop with your local guide and make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex. The temples, dating back as far as the ninth century, were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photo opportunities at any time of day. Watching a sunrise or sunset is a must. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 square km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so there will be plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Day 7 Siem Reap / Angkor Wat

Continue your explorations of the Angkor complex this morning. In the afternoon, embark on a private local boat discover the floating villages and local daily lives at Chhong Kneas, a trading port of agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia.

Day 8 Bangkok

It's a long drive by private minibus from Siem Reap to Bangkok today. Arrive in Thailand's bustling capital and take in this exciting world of tuk tuks, khlong boats, and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Perhaps head out to sample some local specialties as a final farewell with your fellow travellers.

Day 9 Bangkok

Your trip comes to an end this morning, with no further activities planned. However, if you have more time, Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the fascinating Jim Thompson museum. Just speak to your booking agent if you'd like to extend your stay.