20 days in Southeast Asia Itinerary

Discover the diverse history and culture of northern Thailand during a holiday in Chiang Mai, the largest and most significant city in the region.

Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan and Wat Ched Yot are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Your inner history buff will appreciate Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Wat Chiang Man. Spend the 3rd (Thu) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's lots more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Wat Phra Singh, browse the eclectic array of goods at Night Bazaar, relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers, and make a trip to Three Kings Monument.

To find other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Chiang Mai journey maker tool.

Chicago, USA to Chiang Mai is an approximately 23-hour flight. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Indochina Time (ICT), which is usually a 13 hour difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Chicago in December, with highs in Chiang Mai at 34°C and lows at 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Bangkok.

Enjoy cultural, historical, and culinary exploration during your holiday in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the most populous city in the country.

Step out of the city life by going to Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex and Chao Phraya River. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Wat Pho and The Grand Palace. The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun), get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, explore the galleries of Jim Thompson House, and hunt for treasures at Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market).

For other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Bangkok holiday planner.

Fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Chiang Mai in December, plan for a bit warmer nights in Bangkok, with lows around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Siem Reap.

Once a small village in northwest Cambodia, Siem Reap now serves as a gateway to the Angkor region's World Heritage-listed temple and other attractions.

Visit Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple for their historical value. Get a sense of the local culture at Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom. Spend the 11th (Fri) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Next up on the itinerary: take in the spiritual surroundings of Banteay Srei, experience rural life at Angkor Silk Farm, and admire the sheer force of Kbal Spean.

For ratings, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read Siem Reap online trip planner.

You can fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Kuala Lumpur.

A holiday in Kuala Lumpur, a modern metropolis and capital of Malaysia, reveals a place where colonial influences, Asian traditions, and modern aesthetics come together in urban architecture and street layout.

On the 12th (Sat), identify plant and animal life at KL Bird Park, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Batu Caves, and then admire the striking features of Petronas Twin Towers.

To find reviews, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Kuala Lumpur tour planning tool.

Traveling by flight from Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in December, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Singapore.

A Singapore vacation reveals the many charms of a leading city-state and regional hub of culture, retail, and tourism.

Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Singapore Botanic Gardens and Chinatown. Visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and Thian Hock Keng Temple for their historical value. Step out of Singapore with an excursion to Sentosa Boardwalk in Sentosa Island--about 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: get to know the resident critters at Singapore Zoo, see the interesting displays at The Intan, brush up on your military savvy at Fort Siloso, and get your game on at Flight Experience.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Singapore trip simple and quick.

Traveling by car from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In December, daytime highs in Singapore are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) so you can travel to Ho Chi Minh City.

Formerly known in the West as Saigon and affectionately referred to as the "Pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City is a study of old and new, woven and piled together in a fast-paced urban hub.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Thu): choose your vessel at Saigon Boat Company, pause for some serene contemplation at Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, then contemplate the long history of The Independence Palace, and finally take an in-depth tour of War Remnants Museum.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, use the Ho Chi Minh City route tool.

Getting from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and car. The time zone changes from Singapore Standard Time (SGT) to Indochina Time (ICT), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Fri) early enough to travel to Hanoi.

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

On the 18th (Fri), get to know the fascinating history of Old Quarter, then steep yourself in history at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and then explore the activities along Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake).

Plan my Hanoi trip by asking Inpirock to come up with tips and suggestions.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. On the 19th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.