Tour Code: 26TNC
Tour Manager: Dan Brubaker
Group Size: 8
Activity level: Moderate

The best of Cambodia and Thailand!  Participate in Loi Krathong Festival.  Experience a hands-off elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai.  Ride along the klongs in Bangkok, once known as the Venice of East. Be awed by the Khmer masterpiece at Angkor Wat. The sombering feeling at Choeung Ek Killing Fields at Phnom Penh. 

Wednesday, November 25
Arrival into Chiang Mai. Transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner. Stay in Chiang Mai for 4 nights. 

Thursday, November 26
In the morning, we head up to Doi Suthep, one of most sacred pilgrimage temple high in the mountain with a beautiful view of the city below. Return for lunch & rest.  Depart by 3:30 pm for the Yee Peng Sky Lantern Festival. Return to hotel late in the night. 

Friday, November 27
All day excursion to visit the Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple) and Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) in Chiang Rai. Participate in the Loi Krathong Festival in the evening. 

Saturday, November 28
Spend all day at an ethical “hands off” elephant rescue sanctuary. Ethical participation would mean no riding and no bathing. Just observe them roaming, interacting and playing freely. Visit other rescued animals as well. Do some shopping at the Chang Klan Night Bazaar after dinner. 

Sunday, November 29
In the morning, we fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Free time in the afternoon to do some shopping at Siam Square (with 5 malls next to each other) or to visit Jim Thompson House. Evening cocktails at a sky bar. Stay in Bangkok for 4 nights. 

Monday, November 30
In the morning, we visit the splendid Grand Palace, glittering Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho, where a 160 foot long Reclining Buddha reside. Then we take a boat tour across Chao Phraya River to Thonburi where we will go through the klongs (canals) with 2 stops at Wat Arun and for lunch. Afterwards, we take the Skytrain back to Siam Square for dinner.

Tuesday, December 1
Short visit at Setsatian School for the Deaf. Head up to Ayutthaya to see the majestic capital ruins of the Second Kingdom (as Bangkok is the capital of the Third Kingdom). Learn how Ayutthaya rose to prominence after Sukkothai, the capital of the First Kingdom, fell. Return to Bangkok in late afternoon. 

Wednesday, December 2
We head out to Ratchaburi to see the interesting Mae Klong train market, as well as Damnoen Saduak floating market. Return to Bangkok by mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. 

Thursday, December 3
In the morning, we fly to Siem Reap. Free time in the afternoon. Go swimming in the pool. Enjoy the pub street and night market. Stay in Siem Reap for 3 nights. 

Friday, December 4
In the morning, we see deaf as well as “differently abled” craftspeople (artists, painters, embroiderers and sculptors) at Les Artisans D’Angkor. Then the rest of the day will be exploring Angkor Complex sites including Bantey Srey, Bayon Temple, Elephant Terrace and Ta Prohm. 

Saturday, December 5
We head out to ride on a boat at Tonle Sap Lake, where you get a glimpse of daily life on floating villages, complete with schools, restaurants and hospitals. After lunch, we visit Angkor Wat, including its spectacular sunset view. Humans only circus show in the evening. 

Sunday, December 6
 5-hour drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh with a lunch stop enroute. Free time in the afternoon, including the option to go swimming or visiting the National Museum and/or the Russian Market. Stay in Phnom Penh for 2 nights. 

Monday, December 7
Visit Wat Phnom, Lady Penh and Royal Palace. Lunch at a café for good cause, then visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Farewell dinner. 

Tuesday, December 8
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Updated as of 12/20/2025

Dan has been to 92 countries including Bolivia, Cuba, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, North Korea and Uzbekistan. He has also presented at Deaf Youth Leadership Camps in Germany and Thailand as well as team-coordinating an exchange program between two deaf schools in Kentucky, USA and Kamensk, Russia.

• 13 nights in 3-star or 4-star accommodations.

• 21 meals: Breakfast (13), Lunch (4), Dinner (4)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

  • Approximately $340 for 2 domestic flights - Chiang Mai > Bangkok > Siem Reap

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Chiang Mai, Thailand and ends in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: dan@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.