10 Days in Thailand & Cambodia - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Thailand & Cambodia: Temples, Mountains & Beaches

See the highlights of Thailand and Cambodia in 10 days with this itinerary. In Thailand, you'll sample street food and tour the Grand Palace and other iconic attractions in Bangkok, hike Doi Inthanon National Park, visit an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and snorkel in the Phi Phi Islands. Then, you'll spend two days in Siem Reap, visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex, tasting street food on a guided tour, and cruising to the floating villages of Tonlé Sap.

Your journey begins in Bangkok (Thailand), where you'll unwind after your flight with a traditional Thai massage, then tour the city's grand palaces and temples and sample satay (barbecued meat), pad thai (fried noodles) and other street food on a tasting tour. Next, you'll head to Ratchaburi province, where you'll cruise in a long-tail boat alongside local vendors at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market before flying to Chiang Mai. Immerse in nature on a hike in the Doi Inthanon National Park, then learn about coffee production in the Karen village of Mae Klang Luang.

Catch a flight to Phuket on Day 5, where a speedboat will take you on a snorkeling trip to the Phi Phi Islands. Enjoy free time to explore independently, perhaps ziplining at Hanuman World Phuket or souvenir shopping in the markets. Then, board your flight to Siem Reap (Cambodia) and dive into the gastronomy scene on a street food tour. Your final full day is dedicated to iconic Angkor Wat, where you'll start with sunrise at the ruins and end with sunset over the redbrick temple of Pre Rup. Before departure, tour the floating villages of Tonlé Sap and fit in some souvenir shopping back in Siem Reap. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Best of Thailand & Cambodia: Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Siem Reap & Phnom Penh

Adding Phnom Penh to the itinerary, first-time visitors seeking a blend of culture, nature, history, and cuisine will appreciate this best-of trip. In Phuket, you'll enjoy beach time, visit Wat Chalong and other sites on the island, and attend a Muay Thai match. Then, you'll learn to make papaya salad, take a scooter tour, and visit a Hmong village in Northern Thailand before heading to Bangkok to experience the floating and railway markets. Finally, you'll end your trip in Cambodia with a visit to Angkor Wat, a cyclo tour of Phnom Penh, and a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. 

Ease into your Southeast Asia experience with free time to explore Old Town or relax at the beach on arrival in Phuket. You'll tour the island the following day, stopping at Karon Beach and Wat Chalong temple before refueling with a traditional Thai lunch on Thalang Road and ending the evening at a Muay Thai martial arts match. Fly to Chiang Mai next and hop on a Vespa for a scooter tour of the city that includes a som tam (papaya salad) lesson and a chance to shop for souvenirs in the local markets. Learn about hill tribe life on a visit to the White Hmong village before boarding your flight to Bangkok. 

Witness the rush of vendors packing up and then resetting their stalls each time a train passes at the Mae Klong Railway Market, then test your bartering skills at the Damnoen Saduak floating market. Catch a flight to Siem Reap on Day 6 and get acquainted with the history, artisans, and markets on an afternoon walking tour. Next, you'll delve into the archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat before continuing to the capital, Phnom Penh. Here, you'll explore the city's top spots, such as the Royal Palace, on a cyclo (traditional three-wheeled bike) tour and cap off your trip with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Hidden Corners of Thailand & Cambodia

Venture a little off the beaten path with this adventure, suited for travelers keen on history, culture, and nature. After visiting the Grand Palace and other popular locations in Bangkok, you'll learn about World War II history and swim in a waterfall in Kanchanaburi, tour Lod Cave by bamboo raft, attend a traditional Aspara dance show in Siem Reap, watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, and experience rural Cambodian life (including a tour by ox cart and a visit with an artisan family) in Chansar.

On arrival in Bangkok, you'll have free time to see the sites, such as the glittering Grand Palace, before meeting your guide for a street food tour in Chinatown, followed by a tuk-tuk ride around the city. The next day, your driver will take you to Kanchanaburi to learn some of Thailand's World War II history with a visit to the JEATH War Museum and a ride on the Burma Railway, then take a refreshing swim at Erawan Waterfall. Catch a flight to Chiang Mai, where you'll visit the Wat Umong temple and learn about elephant rehabilitation at Happy Elephant Home before heading to Pai for a tour of Lod Cave via a bamboo raft. 

Next, you'll fly to Siem Reap and get a taste of Cambodian culture at a traditional Apsara dance and dinner show. Rise early the following morning to catch the sunrise over the ruins of Angkor Wat and visit the intricately carved Banteay Srei temple. Spend a day immersed in rural life in the village of Chansar, where you'll take an ox-cart tour, visit with an artisan family, and learn traditional techniques for broom-making, fishing, and farming. Celebrate your final evening with a home-cooked Cambodian meal followed by a blessing from a Buddhist monk. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Flavors of Southeast Asia: Culture & Cuisine in Thailand & Cambodia

Aspiring chefs and food-focused travelers will enjoy the variety of gastronomy experiences on this itinerary. You'll enjoy a dinner boat cruise and a tuk-tuk food tour in Bangkok, prepare Thai dishes in a culinary class at the Blue Elephant, sample Kula cuisine in Siem Reap, and partake in a classic Khmer breakfast in Phnom Penh. There's time left over to check out Bangkok's temples, iconic Angkor Wat, and the Choeung Ek Memorial, sure to please any history and architecture enthusiast.

Experience Bangkok by night and get your first taste of Thailand on a Chao Phraya River cruise. After a good night's rest, tour the city's temples and landmarks, starting with Wat Pho, home of the giant reclining Buddha. Then, select fresh ingredients at Bang Rak Morning Market and learn to prepare papaya salad and other Thai dishes in a cooking workshop at the Blue Elephant. From there, you'll fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia, where you'll witness the sunrise over the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex and savor local flavors, including Kula cuisine created by a small ethnic minority group, on a food tour.

Fly to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, where you'll gain an understanding of some of the country's darker history with sobering visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Memorial—essential stops to understanding Cambodia's history. Make the most of your last full day with a tuk-tuk tour of the local morning markets, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia and some souvenir shopping in the Psar Tuol Tom Pong market before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Insider's Thailand & Cambodia: Chiang Mai to Phnom Penh

Explore Thailand and Cambodia like a local on this insider's trip, a great option for active travelers and those who appreciate artfully crafted structures and products. You'll visit an artisan village, admire the carvings of the Silver Temple, and hike to a waterfall in Chiang Mai. Then, bike Bang Kachao and marvel at Wat Saket Ayutthaya-era shrine in Bangkok. Finally, explore the archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat, take a walking tour of Siem Reap, and meet the artisans practicing traditional techniques at Artisans D'Angkor.

On arrival in Chiang Mai, your driver will whisk you away to your mountain resort to freshen up before heading to Baan Tawai to peruse artisan-made products. Enjoy breakfast with elephants the next day, then visit the 800-year-old Wat Luang Khun Win temple and hike to a waterfall. Your temple tour continues with a stop at Doi Suthep, where you'll climb the steps for panoramic views of Chiang Mai before your flight to Bangkok on Day 4. Here, you'll experience the city by night with some shopping at Central World, followed by a canal cruise to Wat Saket and a crab omelet at Michelin-rated Jay Fai. 

Bike around Bang Kachao, Bangkok's "green lung" human-made island, then attend a Muay Thai match before flying to Siem Reap. Embark on a guided walking tour that includes a stop at Artisans D'Angkor, where you can meet the artisans, learn about their traditional techniques, and purchase handicraft items, then spend a day exploring the sprawling temple complex of Angkor Wat. Your final destination is Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, where you'll see the sites, including the Royal Palace, by cyclo and wrap up your trip with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Culture & Beaches in Southeast Asia: Bangkok, Phuket & Siem Reap

With just three destinations and plenty of free time, this culture and beaches tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want to hit the highlights but prefer a slower pace and time to explore independently. Indulge in a Thai massage and dinner cruise in Bangkok. Then, take a snorkeling tour and enjoy a free day for sunbathing, shopping, or sightseeing on your own in Phuket before spending two days immersed in the archaeological wonders of Angkor Wat. You'll also have options to cycle in the countryside, browse Cambodian art, shop the markets, and savor Cambodian street foods during your free time. 

After your flight to Bangkok, unwind with a Thai massage and see the sites along the Chao Phraya River on a dinner cruise afterward. Witness the activity at the Mae Klong Railway Market on Day 3 and cruise the canals and barter for fresh produce at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market before flying to the island of Phuket. Take a guided tour of the island, including a stop at Karon Viewpoint and a visit to Wat Chalong to see the 148-foot-tall (45 m) Big Buddha, then head to Old Town for some street eats. Join a speedboat tour and get in some snorkeling at the Phi Phi Islands and Khai Island before flying to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Experience Cambodian cuisine and traditional dance at an Apsara dinner show at Angkor Village Resort, then satisfy your sweet tooth with some tuk-a-loc (a glutinous ball of rice and coconut milk rolled in grated coconut) at the night market. Your final days are dedicated to Angkor Wat, where you'll visit the temples and famous archaeological structures, such as the carved faces at Bayon Temple, and watch the sunset from Bakheng Hill. Use your free time before departure as you wish. Perhaps rent a bike and cycle in the countryside or browse Cambodian art in the galleries. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other 10-day Thailand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.