From river kingdoms and spice routes to royal courts and artisan villages, Southeast Asia carries centuries of stories in its temples, alleyways, and kitchens. This 30-day itinerary threads together three hubs—Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Ubud—so you can go deep, not just wide. Expect grand palaces, jungle-wrapped ruins, dawn ceremonies, and plates that hum with chilies, lime, and lemongrass.

Bangkok delivers electrifying city life and waterborne history on the Chao Phraya, while Siem Reap grants access to the Khmer Empire’s monumental Angkor complex. Ubud, in Bali’s uplands, slows the pace with terraced landscapes, craft villages, and ritual-rich performance under banyan trees.

Practical notes: Most travelers fly into Bangkok, then hop between cities. Weather varies—plan for hot days, brief showers, and temple-appropriate clothing (shoulders/knees covered). ATMs are plentiful; eSIMs or local SIMs are inexpensive. Respect local customs, bargain with a smile at markets, and carry small bills for tuk-tuks and tips.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of contrasts: saffron-robed monks on dawn alms rounds, lotus-studded shrines, and neon alleys steaming with wok-fired dishes. The Chao Phraya River still functions as the city’s spine—ride a boat, and the modern skyline yields to wooden houses and gilded temple spires.

Arrive by air via regional hubs; compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Within Thailand, intercity trains are easy to book on Trip.com Trains for day trips like Ayutthaya.

Stay riverside for heritage views or downtown for nightlife and malls. Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or compare hotels on Hotels.com Bangkok.

Days 1–4: Royal Bangkok, River Life, and Old Town

• Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew: Thailand’s most sacred complex, home to the Emerald Buddha. Arrive at opening to avoid heat and dress conservatively. Pair with Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha and an on-site traditional massage school.
• Wat Arun at sunset: Cross the river by ferry after visiting the palace. The porcelain-inlaid prangs glow at golden hour; climb partway for views.
• Canal (khlong) boat ride: Hire a long-tail boat from Tha Tien pier to see stilted homes, orchid pots, and neighborhood shrines in Thonburi.
• Old-town eats: Breakfast at On Luk Yun (retro Thai toast and soft-boiled eggs). Coffee at Factory Coffee (award-winning latte art) or Roots at Thonglor (Thai beans, seasonal specials). Lunch at Thipsamai (charred pad thai with shrimp wrapped in egg) or Raan Jay Fai (crab omelet; expect a wait and higher prices).
• Chinatown (Yaowarat): An evening food crawl—Nai Ek Roll Noodles (peppery soup with crispy pork), Jek Pui (curries from a street-side pan), and mango sticky rice from vendors on Yaowarat Rd.

Days 5–7: Markets, Museums, and Muay Thai

• Chatuchak Weekend Market: Vintage finds, thai textiles, plants, ceramics, and coconut ice cream. Across the road, Or Tor Kor Market sells pristine fruit and regional snacks.
• Bangkok Art & Culture Centre and Jim Thompson House: Contemporary art plus traditional teak architecture and silk history.
• Muay Thai night: Catch professional bouts at Rajadamnern Stadium; book ringside seats in advance.
• Where to refuel: Brunch at Rocket Coffeebar (Scandi-Thai plates), lunch at Som Tam Jay So (fiery papaya salad), dinner at Jeh O Chula (late-night tom yum “mama” noodles with seafood). For cocktails, try BKK Social Club (hotel bar finesse), Tep Bar (Thai spirits and live music), or Teens of Thailand (gin-forward, intimate).

Days 8–10: Day Trips and Neighborhood Hopping

• Ayutthaya day trip: 1.5–2 hours by train from Hua Lamphong (~$1–$4, bookable via Trip.com Trains). Rent a bike to loop Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and riverfront ruins.
• Bang Krachao “Green Lung”: Ferry to this car-free island for shaded cycling paths, floating markets on weekends, and canal-side cafés.
• Modern Bangkok: Malls with style—ICONSIAM’s indoor “floating market” food court, EmQuartier’s gourmet floors, and warehouse-chic Talad Noi street art for photos.
• Food finds: Coffee at Phil Coffee Company, lunch at Pe Aor (tom yum goong with giant prawns), dinner at Err Urban Rustic Thai (preserved meats, local snacks), and dessert at After You (shibuya honey toast).

Travel Day: Bangkok to Siem Reap

Fly in the morning: Bangkok (BKK/DMK) to Siem Reap (SAI) is ~1 hour nonstop on Bangkok Airways or AirAsia; fares usually $70–$160 one-way. Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Visa-on-arrival or e-visa is available for many nationalities; bring a passport photo and small USD bills.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, where tree roots clasp ancient stone and smiling faces gaze from Bayon’s towers. In town, creative restaurants, social-enterprise cafés, and cocktail dens hide behind bougainvillea-draped courtyards.

Base yourself near the riverside or Wat Bo area for easy temple departures and quiet evenings. Browse stays on VRBO Siem Reap or compare hotels on Hotels.com Siem Reap.

Days 11–14: Angkor Essentials

• Angkor Pass: As of 2025, 1-day (~$37), 3-day (~$62), 7-day (~$72). Bring cash, get your photo taken at the ticket office. Hire a tuk-tuk or driver for sunrise starts.
• Small Circuit: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Bayon (54 face-topped towers), Ta Prohm (strangler figs), and Terrace of the Elephants. Start early to beat the heat.
• Grand Circuit: Less-crowded gems like Preah Khan, Neak Pean (islet shrine), and Ta Som. Golden-hour photos are superb.
• Fuel up: Pre-dawn coffee at Sister Srey (social enterprise café) or Little Red Fox Espresso (Aussie-style). Lunch back in town at Chanrey Tree (refined Khmer classics) or Pou Kitchen & Café (inventive local dishes). Dinner at Embassy Restaurant (seasonal Khmer tasting menu) or garden-chic WILD – Creative Bar & Eatery (homemade spring rolls, craft cocktails).

Days 15–17: Culture, Crafts, and Circus

• Angkor National Museum: Contextualize bas-reliefs and Jayavarman-era history before or after temple days.
• Phare, the Cambodian Circus: High-energy acrobatics and storytelling by graduates of a social arts school—book an evening show.
• Artisans & markets: Browse the Made in Cambodia Market for silk scarves, woodcarving, and ethically produced souvenirs.
• Café & bar time: Coffee at Crane (design-forward) or Footprint Café (book-filled, community-focused). Cocktails at Miss Wong (Shanghai speakeasy vibe) or the terrace at FCC Angkor for colonial-era ambiance.

Days 18–20: Day Trips and Slow Evenings

• Tonlé Sap (Kampong Khleang): Visit a stilted village and learn about seasonal water levels; go with a responsible operator and avoid peak midday heat.
• Phnom Kulen: Forested national park with waterfalls, the River of a Thousand Lingas, and hilltop reclining Buddha. Pack swimwear.
• Kulen Elephant Forest or APOPO Visitor Center: Ethical elephant encounters (no riding; limited numbers) or learn how trained rats detect landmines.
• Where to eat: Brunch at VIBE Café (plant-forward), lunch at Banlle Vegetarian, dinner at Haven Training Restaurant (supporting local youth), and late-night tapas at cozy Picasso Bar.

Travel Day: Siem Reap to Ubud (Bali)

Morning flight Siem Reap (SAI) to Bali (DPS) typically connects via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur; total 5–7 hours including transit. Expect ~$120–$250 one-way depending on season. Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Upon arrival, fixed-rate airport taxis or ride-hailing bring you to Ubud in ~1–1.5 hours.

Ubud

Ubud is Bali’s cultural heart—temple courtyards fragrant with frangipani, gamelan orchestras at dusk, and terraces combed into emerald amphitheaters. The pace slows, but the days fill quickly with waterfalls, craft villages, and wellness rituals.

Stay within walking distance of the center (Monkey Forest, Hanoman, or Dewi Sita streets) or choose a jungle-edge villa in Penestanan or Nyuh Kuning. Explore options on VRBO Ubud or compare hotels on Hotels.com Ubud.

Days 21–24: Core Ubud—Temples, Forests, and Rice Terraces

• Ubud Monkey Forest: Ancient temple complex and cheeky macaques; secure loose items and avoid direct eye contact.
• Campuhan Ridge Walk: Sunrise or late afternoon for breezy hills and alang-alang grass views; combine with a café stop in Penestanan.
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Go early to stroll the subak irrigation paths; nearby swings and photo spots dot the cliffs.
• Temple trio: Tirta Empul (holy spring purification; wear a sarong), Goa Gajah (elephant cave), and Gunung Kawi (rock-cut shrines in a river valley).
• Eat & drink: Coffee at Seniman Coffee Studio (cuppings and serious beans) or Anomali Coffee. Lunch at Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku (spiced Balinese chicken rice). Dinner at Locavore NXT (hyper-local tasting menu; book ahead) or Ibu Oka for babi guling (go earlier for best cuts). Nightcaps at Night Rooster (inventive cocktails).

Days 25–27: Waterfalls, Wellness, and Villages

• Waterfalls: Tegenungan (powerful and close), Kanto Lampo (terraced rock cascade), and Tukad Cepung (sunbeam-lit cave; go early).
• Wellness day: Morning yoga at The Yoga Barn, followed by a Balinese massage and a jamu (turmeric tonic). Consider a sound bath in the evening.
• Craft villages: Mas for woodcarving, Celuk for silver jewelry, and Tegalalang roadside studios for painting.
• Food trail: Breakfast at Clear Café (tropical bowls), brunch at Milk & Madu, lunch at Sage (plant-based), and dinner at Room4Dessert (multi-course sweets in a garden setting).

Days 28–30: Volcano Sunrise and Coastal Day Trips

• Mount Batur sunrise trek: Depart ~2:00–2:30 a.m., hike 1.5–2 hours to the crater rim for sunrise over caldera lakes. Post-hike soak in hot springs.
• Sidemen Valley: A quieter tapestry of rice fields and village life—do a guided walk, then a farm lunch overlooking the terraces.
• Nusa Penida or South Bali coast (day trip): For dramatic cliffs and turquoise coves—Kelingking, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong—or head to Seminyak/Canggu for an afternoon at a beach club like Potato Head or La Brisa (allow 1.5 hours each way from Ubud).
• Final bites: Coffee at Suka Espresso, lunch at Warung Biah Biah (Balinese small plates), and a farewell dinner watching a Legong or Kecak dance at a palace courtyard.

Departure

Transfer from Ubud to Denpasar Airport (~1–1.5 hours). For onward flights across Asia or back home, compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Getting Around & Budget Notes

• Local transport: In Bangkok, use BTS/MRT (fares ~$0.70–$2) and river boats; tuk-tuks for short hops. In Siem Reap and Ubud, tuk-tuks/scooters or pre-booked drivers are most practical.
• Typical costs: Street-food meals $2–$5; midrange dinners $10–$20; cocktail bars $7–$15. Day-trip drivers in Bali/Siem Reap run ~$35–$60 per day depending on distance.
• Connectivity: Buy a local SIM/eSIM at arrival; data plans are inexpensive and reliable.

This month-long journey balances headline sights with everyday magic: monks at dawn, market vendors at sizzle hour, and dancers tracing old stories in new light. With Bangkok’s energy, Siem Reap’s grandeur, and Ubud’s serenity, you’ll get a deep, flavorful slice of Southeast Asia—and reasons to return.