Angkor Wat, Elephants and Phuket for the Family
This 12-night adventure blends seamless luxury with the excitement and culture Cambodia and Thailand are renowned for. Visit the magnificent temples of Siem Reap – see Angkor Wat at sunrise, cycle to ruins engulfed by the jungle, kayak alongside the floating villages of Tonle Sap – and enjoy exploring Thailand’s Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Trip highlights
- Enjoy private tours in Bangkok, Siem Reap and Chiang Mai
- Explore Bangkok by skytrain, bus boat, public boat and tuktuk
- Visit World Heritage Site Angkor Wat at sunrise
- Discover Siem Reap’s countryside and cycle to the temples of the forest
- Spend a morning with Chiang Mai’s monks
- Cruise through the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–4
Three nights in bustling Bangkok
Bustling and energetic, Bangkok has something for everyone. A haven for shoppers, historians, foodies and culture seekers alike, the capital is an integral part of any Thailand itinerary. It has everything from awe-inspiring temples to bustling markets and high-end shopping malls. And, of course there’s the food – some of the best in the world!
Where you could stay
Make it mine
Like a local
On two wheels
Street food
Bangkok City Safari
After an early morning walk through Lumpini Park to see locals doing their morning tai chi and yoga, take a ride on the Skytrain, the city’s elevated train line, before boarding a public river boat that stops at Wat Pho temple and the Grand Palace. Next, jump in a tuk tuk and zip through the streets to Soi Ban Batra to visit a family-run workshop that produces monks’ alms bowls. Finally, take a ‘bus boat’ through the city’s canals to the Jim Thompson House Museum, and visit Bangkok’s vast shopping malls.
Bang Krachao cycling tour
Bang Krachao is an idyllic network of peaceful roads, waterways and villages just moments from Bangkok’s bustling centre, an area so wonderfully untouched by modern life that it’s easy to forget you’re still in the city. This two-hour bike ride takes you past local markets, traditional Thai houses and golden temples, all under the peaceful canopy of tropical jungle. (If you’re cycling here on a Saturday or Sunday, you will also be able to experience the weekend Bang Nam Phueng market.)
Bangkok street food tour by tuk tuk
Hop aboard a lively electric tuk tuk and dive into the bustling streets of Bangkok, where you’ll embark on a culinary adventure to sample some of its renowned street food, all while accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Days 4–7
Three nights in Siem Reap and exploring Angkor Wat
During your time in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, enjoy privately guided specialist tours to show you the best of the city, Angkor Wat and the other Khmer temples in the region, like Angkor Thom. You’ll visit Angkor Wat at sunrise to stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by local people.
You’ll also explore the Siem Reap countryside, visiting a pagoda, taking an ox-cart ride and walking to the vast Western Baray man-made reservoir, then spending the evening in a villa, relaxing and enjoying sunset drinks, traditional Khmer music played by local musicians, and dinner.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
on two wheels
On the water
Circus skills
Cycling tour of the temples of the forest
Begin your two-wheeled adventure at Srah Srang before cycling 11 km to Ta Prohm then continuing on a short ride through the forest to the seldom visited temple of Ta Nei (there is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple to yourself to explore). You’ll then pause for a light breakfast at this peaceful area before exploring further. The morning ends at Ta Keo temple, the ‘mountain with bronze peaks’.
Tour of Tonle Sap Lake with kayaking and a picnic lunch
Venture out of Siem Reap to kayak on the great Tonle Sap and learn how a subsistence fishing family lives. Depending on the season, visit either the village of Kampong Phluk or Kampong Khleang where the houses are built on stilts or float to cope with the lake’s 8m water level rise and fall.
Phare circus
Phare Circus works mainly with disadvantaged young people who learn circus skills, theatre performance, music and a range of visual arts. More than simply a circus, Phare is an amazing blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.
Days 7–10
Three nights steeped in history in Chiang Mai
Explore Chiang Mai, the wonderful capital of the cultural north and spend time enjoying the surrounding countryside. Much smaller and more relaxed than Bangkok, it’s steeped in history and you can spend hours wandering around the temples. If you fancy heading out of town, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the surrounding national parks and try out a few more adventurous activities. Every evening, the centre of Chiang Mai comes alive and the colourful markets are ripe for exploring. Together with your guide, you will work your way through the labyrinth of stalls selling all sorts of crafts.
Where you could stay
Make it mine
For the elephants
Morning Alms
City safari
Chang Chill Sanctuary
Visit the Chang Chill Sanctuary, committed to a hands-off policy, to watch their resident elephants from afar as they roam freely in the forest. Your guide will first provide you with an introduction and safety briefing before you head out into the wilderness to respectfully observe these gentle giants in their natural about elephant behaviour from the local mahouts. You’ll also have the chance to fill their feeding tubes with corn, sugar cane, grass and bananas before a wholesome lunch at the camp.
A Morning with Chiang Mai’s Monks
Depart at 6am for the foothills of Doi Suthep Mountain, in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession where dozens of monks walk barefoot through the street collecting food and everyday items. Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga stair case to reach its golden pagodas. Proceed to Wat Umong, a forested temple with mysterious tunnels, to experience your own private blessing ceremony. After that, enjoy a lunch of Khao Soy crispy noodles.
Chiang Mai City Safari - with bicycle, boat, and tuk tuk tours
This full-day tour allows guests to discover the true heart of this ancient walled city, using several unusual methods of local transport, starting with travel by songtaew (local pick-up truck taxi) to the old trading community of Wat Gatekaram, with its small alleyways, old temples and local market, and on to the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, a ‘lost civilization’. Then board a long-tail boat for a scenic ride down the Mae Ping River. After lunch, the tour continues by samlor (trishaw) to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the most spectacular ruined pagodas in the city, and ends with a tuk tuk ride to a local food market.
Days 10–13
Castaway for three nights in Phuket
The ‘Pearl of the Andaman’, Phuket is blessed with castaway white sand beaches, aquamarine water and sublime, protected marine parks. Filling your time here is effortless – kayak in its turquoise waters and find offshore caves and hidden lagoons, lounge on beautiful beaches and journey around the island just to take in the views from the winding coastal roads.
Where you could stay
Explore more
All at sea
Phuket flavours
Cruise through the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay
Embark on a privately chartered boat tour of Phang Nga Bay for an unforgettable day at sea. Dotted with spectacular limestone islands and filled with pristine beaches, this private cruise allows you to see the best of the Bay at your own pace – stopping to swim, snorkel or sunbathe as you wish. At midday, a delicious barbecue lunch is served on a secluded island.
Phuket street food tour
Take to the streets of Phuket’s old town to discover the best local food. Spend the morning wandering from stall to stall, seeing the influences that the island’s multi-cultural background has had on its food. Taste a variety of different dishes and gain a better understanding of Thai’s culinary culture.
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Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
