In July/August 2023, working as Expedition Leader for World Challenge, I lead a group of 23 people on an expedition to Thailand and Cambodia.
For photographs of this expedition see Thailand & Cambodia – August 2023
This expedition is arranged by World Challenge
THAILAND AND CAMBODIA
DAY 1 – 27 JUL 23 – ARRIVAL
We arrive in Bangkok pass immigration and collect your baggage. We meet our pre-booked transfer at Gate No. 6 and travel to our accommodation. We meet our ground team this afternoon at our accommodation, to conduct an orientation briefing. We get to learn how to use the Bangkok MRT (underground railway) and we purchase a SIM card for our team phone, withdraw our budget and familiarise ourselves with the plans for the next few days.
DAY 2 – 28 JUL 23 – ACTIVITIES IN BANGOK
Today is a free day for sightseeing in Bangkok. We take a river cruise then visit the Wat Pho temple.
DAY 3 – 29 JUL 23 – ACTIVITIES IN BANGOK
Free day for sightseeing in Bangkok.
DAY 4 – 30 JUL 23 – KHAO YAI TREK DAY 1
Today we travel to Khao Yai National Park and start trekking in the jungle to nearby waterfalls. We start the trek at Pha Kluai Mai campsite and follow Trail 2. That leads us along the river passing by Pha Kluai Mai waterfall before reaching Haew Suwat Waterfall where the trail ends. We then transfer back to your campsite for the evening.
DAY 5 – 31 JUL 23 – KHAO YAI TREK DAY 2
In the morning we go to the Visitor’s Centre where we get breakfast. After breakfast we visit an exhibition in the centre to learn more about the National Park. After this we complete the trek on trail 1, which starts at the Visitor Centre. This is on an easy, paved, path and takes us to Kong Kaow waterfall. It is a circular walk which brings you back to the centre. Once back at the centre we head off following trail 5, which starts across the road and south of the visitors centre. This trail has some steep sections to it and will pass through grassland and forest. About half-way around the trail we come to an observation tower giving us views across the area. Then we continue to follow the trail to the road, where we get transport back to our campsite.
DAY 6 – 01 AUG 23 – KHAO YAI TREK DAY 3
We head back to where we finished trekking yesterday and follow the path back to the observation tower. From here we pick up trail 3. This route passes through fields and past ponds and mud holes before heading into the forest. The trail ends at the road.
After completing this trek we are collected by our transport and travel to a nearby hotel for the night.
DAY 7 – 02 AUG 23 – TRAVEL TO KOH CHANG
Leave Khao Yai this morning for the 8 hr road and ferry journey to Koh Chang island.
DAY 8 – 03 AUG 23 – ACTIVITIES IN KOH CHANG
Today we have a full day snorkelling then explore Koh Chang.
DAY 9 – 04 AUG 23 – EXPLORE KOH CHANG
Today we have free time to explore the beaches of Koh Chang and relax in the hotel pools.
DAY 10 – 05 AUG 23 – TRAVEL TO SIEM REAP
Today we leave Koh Chang and cross the border from Thailand to Cambodia via the Aranyaprathet and Poipet crossing points to reach Siem Reap, a total of 9 hours.
DAY 11 – 06 AUG 23 – EXPLORE SIEM REAP
Today is a free day for sightseeing in Siem Reap. We visit Tonle Sap Lake and Kampong Khleong Floating Village boat tour and have a cooking class. In the evening we go to the Phare Circus.
DAY 12 – 07 AUG 23 – ANGKOR WAT TOUR
Today we get up early to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat and then visit the temples in Angkor Tunh. In the afternoon and evening we visit the old markets and Pub Street.
DAY 13 – 08 AUG 23 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – PURSAT
Today we leave Siem Reap and travel 6 hours to Pursat.
DAY 14 – 09 AUG 23 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – PURSAT
Full day at the community initiative, Sustainable Cambodia, where our activities include refurbishment of the playground and classrooms. We also learn about traditional Cambodia dance and help out in the lessons.
DAY 15 – 10 AUG 23 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – PURSAT
Full day at the community initiative.
DAY 16 – 11 AUG 23 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – PURSAT
Full day at the community initiative.
DAY 17 – 12 AUG 23 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – PURSAT
Final day at the community initiative.
DAY 18 – 13 AUG 23 – TRAVEL TO PHNOM PENH
We eave Pursat this morning and travel 3 hours to Phnom Penh. We spend the afternoon mastering the MRT (underground railway) and exploring the city.
DAY 19 – 14 AUG 23 – EXPLORE PHNOM PENH
Full day activity in Phnom Penh, learning about the recent tragedies at S21 (Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum) and the killing fields.
DAY 20 – 15 AUG 23 – ACTIVITIES IN PHNOM PENH
Free day for sightseeing in Phnom Penh. We visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and the Central market. We have our end of expedition celebration meal at Eleven One Kitchen BKK.
DAY 21 – 16 AUG 23 – DEPARTURE
Today we depart for home via Singapore arriving back in London a day later 17 August 2023.
