Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar Itinerary
It’s just about possible to see all four countries in two weeks, if you concentrate on a few highlights. Do you want to focus on cultural sites and cities? Do you need a few relaxing days at the beach? Determine your priorities first, then set your itinerary. Here is one possible route that will hit a bit of everything—Bangkok buzz, ancient temples, quiet beaches, and more.
Days 1–2 Bangkok
Follow Days 1 and 2 of the Essential Thailand itinerary.
Day 3 Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is roughly 1 hour from Bangkok. Take a morning flight .
Your first stop should be Chiang Mai’s Old City for a quick but tasty street-side lunch and a tour of the city’s famous ancient temples including Wat Phra Singh. In the afternoon, hire a car or catch a sangthaew up to Doi Suthep, the mountain temple overlooking the city. If the weather is clear, it’s a great spot to experience sunset. Eat dinner at one of the restaurants along the base of the mountain, or on the ever-popular Nimmanhaemin Road for a taste of the local college crowd. Overnight at Bussaba Bed and Breakfast for local flavor.
Day 4: Yangon
1 hour 20 minutes from Chiang Mai.
When you touch down in Yangon, plan on first seeing the Shwedagon Pagoda—and expect at least a half-hour’s travel time from the city center. After the Shwedagon, head to the swarming 19th Street (known as Beer Street) for cheap outdoor eating and drinking, local style. Or, for an upscale evening, visit the Strand Hotel for cocktails and dinner. The city is changing fast. (The Irrawaddy and Myanmar Times are good sources of local information on the latest hipster cafés.) If your schedule allows, visit the Sule Pagoda in the heart of the city. Afterward, wander the crowded streets and sidewalk vendors to get the pulse of Yangon. Overnight at the Sule Shangri-La, formerly the iconic Trader's Hotel.
Days 5–6: Bagan
1 hour 15 minute flight from Yangon.
There are several morning flights to Bagan on various local airlines (Myanmar, Yangon, Air Bagan, Mann Yadanarponn Airways—but check schedules online, as these may change frequently). When you arrive in Bagan, you’ll have plenty to explore throughout this sprawling ancient capital site of more than 2,000 ruins over two days. It’s a bit like wandering through the Angkor complex in Cambodia. On Day 5 hire a private taxi for the day. The following day, bicycles (available for rent) remain a pleasant way to explore the ruins on your own (though dress accordingly; this can be a long, hot day). Typically, accommodations are divided among three places: Nyaung-U, which caters more toward budget travelers; New Bagan, which offers midrange options; and Old Bagan, with upscale lodging.
Day 7: Bagan—Yangon—Bangkok—Koh Samet
1 hour 15 minute flight between Bagan and Yangon; 1 hour 20 minutes between Yangon and Bangkok; 3½ hours between Bangkok and Koh Samet.
This will be a long travel day, so start early and schedule time between your flights with ample room for delays, as you will need to transfer in Yangon. From Bangkok airport, arrange shuttle transportation to Koh Samet, three hours by road and 30 minutes by ferry from Bangkok. Enjoy the beautiful beaches and the many seafood shacks that set up along the shore every afternoon. Treat yourself to a stay at the Paradee resort and relax after your long travel day.
Day 8: Koh Samet—Bangkok—Siem Reap
Siem Reap is 1 hour 5 minutes by direct flight from Bangkok.
Rise early and head to beautiful Ao Kieu beach on the south of the island to spend the morning lounging on the beach. In the afternoon, return to Bangkok airport for your evening flight to Siem Reap. Check into the luxurious Amansara or the boutique Heritage Suites Hotel and relax—you’ll need energy for the following two days of temple tours.
Days 9–10: Siem Reap
You’ll want to arrange a tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park as soon as you arrive. (Any hotel can help you; one of the best ways to see the temples is to hire a tuk-tuk driver so you can experience the scenes in open-air style.) Many visitors choose to spend at least one sunrise at Angkor Wat and one sunset on the hilltop Phnom Bakheng. The temple complex is vast, so talk to your guide, pick up one of the many freely available printed temple pamphlets, and design the itinerary that best suits your interests. If you have time after the second day at Angkor Wat, wander the old city and shop at the Psa Chas market. On your last night in Siem Reap, savor a modern Cambodian meal at Cuisine Wat Damnak.
Days 11–13: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a 2-hour direct flight from Siem Reap.
Spend the morning touring Siem Reap's Angkor National Museum, then catch an afternoon direct flight to Luang Prabang in time for a sunset drink on the Mekong. The entire UNESCO World Heritage City is accessible by foot, so wear sturdy shoes and plan full days of walking. Rise early on Day 12 (just before sunrise) to catch the parade of Buddhist monks out for their morning alms. Afterward, you’ll find enough temples, shops, and restaurants to keep you busy in the historical district. Spend Day 13 taking in the views from Phu Si Hill, getting a massage at one of the town’s many spas and perhaps trying your hand at a Lao cooking class.You can take a ferryboat across the Mekong and explore some of the old temple ruins directly across from the Luang Prabang peninsula. Another option is to hire a boat upriver to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with Buddha statues. Plan on a full afternoon. After a riverside dinner, wander through the handicrafts market that sets up along Sisavangvong Road. Stay in the 3 Nagas Boutique hotel, in a UNESCO-heritage protected mansion, or splash out on the Amantaka resort for your final night.
Day 14: Luang Prabang—Bangkok—home
Bangkok is a 1 hour 50 minute flight from Luang Prabang.
Catch a flight to Bangkok to connect to your flight home.
