Temples, Nature and Islands

Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Magnificent Angkor Wat

The jewel in the Angkor crown, Angkor Wat is inevitably at the top of every visitor’s wishlist. As one of Southeast Asia’s most recognisable sights, it can feel crowded at times – but with the help of our in-the-know guides and carefully curated Signature Angkor Experience, it can still feel magical.

Bangkok

Evening Street Food Tour in Chinatown, Bangkok

ETG’s Chinatown Night Walking tour is a fascinating culinary journey through one of Bangkok’s liveliest and most diverse districts.

Guided by a local expert, the tour takes you to seven eateries, ranging from air-conditioned restaurants to simple street food stands, where you will sample a range of this 200-year-old area’s heritage dishes. With a minimum of 11 well-considered dishes to sample, you will likely be quite full by the time you get to the end!

The menu will likely include steamed Dim Sum, Chinese herbal drinks, Chinese Bun, “Guau Jab” (a unique, peppery noodle soup), Lychee Ice Cream, Grilled King Prawns, Succulent Duck Cheek and Black Sesame Dumplings with Ginger Tea.

Bustling with activity, Chinatown is one of Bangkok’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. The tour lasts for approximately three hours, starting at 6pm, when this 24-hour district is just getting into full swing.

Between each tasting location, you will go on behind-the-scenes adventures to get a closer look at this unique neighbourhood: you will meet the food bazaar’s lively characters, hear memorable stories, and visit religious and cultural landmarks.

The tour can be taken privately, with a guide meeting you at your hotel, or as part of a group (if you would prefer to share the experience with other food lovers). The tour has been superbly researched to ensure you get the chance to taste some of the city’s best and safest street food from vendors with decades of experience and repeat customers.

Bangkok

Discover Bangkok's Hidden Garden

Set on the banks of a small canal, Poomjai Garden is a welcome oasis right in the heart of the city.

What sets Poomjai apart is its commitment to sustainable practices and its unique collection of flora and fauna not typically found elsewhere in Bangkok. It is a fantastic environmental project that also functions as an organic farm and restaurant.

On your visit, you’ll join a guided tour of the grounds, learning about the diverse plant life and the range of animal species supported here. As part of the experience, you’ll also participate in a Thai dessert workshop. You’ll be provided with all the necessary ingredients and instructions to create a selection of delicious Thai desserts, such as Khanom Bua Loi (Small rice dumplings in a sweet coconut cream) and Khanom Tako (Thai pudding with a coconut topping).

An immersive experience where you can support a fantastic little project while enjoying a delicious lunch in a lovely garden setting.

Bangkok

Overnight Sleeper Train in Thailand

Travelling by train in Thailand is a unique and memorable experience that offers a glimpse into the country’s cinematic landscapes and rich culture. The Thai railway system is extensive, covering most of the country, and has a range of train types to suit different budgets and preferences.

From the bustling city of Bangkok, you can board a train and journey through the lush countryside, passing by rice paddies, rolling hills, and charming villages. The slower pace of train travel allows you to take in the sights and sounds of your surroundings and to connect with local people and cultures along the way. 

One of Thailand’s most popular train routes is the Northern Line, which runs from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. This journey takes 11-12 hours, but sleeper trains make it an overnight option, with private cabins and beds.

Another popular train route is the Southern Line, which runs from Bangkok to the South with jumping-off points at Chumphon, Surat Thani (for Ko Samui or Khao Sok National Park), Trang and Hat Yai.

Here at ETG, we really recommend travelling by train at least once in your Thailand trip. Not only is a practical way to get around but it’s also often an adventure in itself: a great chance to see everyday life unfold and different landscapes in a unique way.

(It’s worth noting that it can often be tricky to obtain first-class tickets, as they are few and far between and sell out instantly. Second-class tickets are easier to obtain, and the carriage is still comfortable with air conditioning and seats that convert into sleeper beds).

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ancient City of Angkor Thom and Bayon

More than just another temple, the great Angkor Thom is in fact an ancient city, dating back to the 12th century,  that was once the capital of the whole Khmer Empire. The city itself, its Bayon temple and Terrace of Elephants are a must-see when travelling to the region.

On our Signature Angkor Tour, you’ll explore the vast city walls with your guide, accessing intricate canals and dusty corners of the complex via avenues of stone gods and demons.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Tonle Sap Floating Villages

Just a short drive south of Siem Reap, you’ll reach the northern tip of Tonle Sap Lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Tonle Sap is Cambodia’s lifeline, providing food, transport, and homes for millions of people. Although the water levels rise and fall dramatically throughout the year, you can visit the lake in any season (ask us for the most magical times to visit).

Hop aboard a wooden motorised boat and cruise across the open water to take in the lake’s sheer scale. Countless floating villages scatter the surface, where nomadic fishing families live in stilted houses and boats. They grow vegetables in floating garden plots and pots set on rafts, while dogs and pigs (somehow) roam this buoyant environment. This experience offers a rare, eye-opening look into a way of life few outsiders ever see.

You can visit the floating villages on our half-day tour from Siem Reap, either in the morning or afternoon (though the cooler morning hours are your best bet). Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the quay to step aboard the boat.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phare Circus

This is a fun evening with impressive performances that all ages will enjoy, but importantly – it supports a fantastic initiative for young people in nearby Battambang.

At the circus, a traditional folk tale is told through modern theatre, acrobatics, contemporary dance, and live music. It all takes place in a high-top tent where the audience watches in the round while enjoying popcorn, drinks, and beer.

All profits from the circus support the Phare Ponleu Selpak school, set up in 1994 by nine returning refugees from the Khmer Rouge era. Inspired by an art teacher who had helped them through drawing therapy, they decided to found the school to offer other disadvantaged children a similar experience. Phare thus began as an art school before expanding to cover music, theatre, and eventually the circus school. Students can hone their skills at the school and earn a good wage – many go on to perform around the world.

The young performers you see will have been taught at the school, and profits are fed back in to support its current pupils.

Phnomn Penh and The South, Cambodia

Cooking with Chef Nak

Just a short distance from the lively city of Phnom Penh, you cross the Mekong River and arrive at the garden oasis that local celebrity Chef Nak calls home. She will welcome you into her charming antique wooden house and let you in on the secrets of Cambodian cuisine.

Chatting with her as you wander her beautiful home and gardens is an eye-opening experience. We won’t spoil it for you, but the story of how she has researched old recipes is a fascinating one and is about much more than just food.

After settling in, you will either take a gentle walk or hop in a tuk-tuk to the nearby market, where you’ll see where the ingredients come from and how they’re chosen. Then, back in the kitchen, you will cook side by side with Chef Nak as she guides you through dishes like fish amok, traditional beef salad, and crispy fried river prawns.

If you’re even slightly interested in food, this experience is a must. Whether you stay overnight at the homestay or simply join the cooking class, you gain special insights into Cambodian culture, meet brilliant people, and dig into mouthwatering meals in a simply beautiful setting.

Bangkok

Cycle in Bangkok's 'Green Lung'

Take a short boat trip across the Chao Phraya River to Bangkrachao (or Bang Kra Jao), a jungly area nicknamed the ‘Bangkok’s Green Lung’. Sleepy Bang Kra Jao feels worlds away from the city’s energetic streets and is the perfect place for a peaceful two-hour bike ride.

Tropical plants and lush trees surround the roads in Bang Kra Jao, creating an urban sanctuary in the city centre. Cross over canals and admire the mangrove forests that line the waterways and pass traditional Thai houses and golden temples rarely visited by tourists. Stop to chit chat with people as you go, visit markets selling an array of fresh produce and refuel with snacks at one of the many street stalls en route.