Thailand, Cambodia & Laos
Day 1 Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.
Overnight at J.W.Marriott Bangkok or similar.
Day 2 Bangkok (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning Klong & Grand Palace Tour with lunch
Travel by Motor boat on the Chao Phraya River and klongs to see the serene family homes and temples along the water-ways which gives this city the name “Venice of the East”. Along the way, stop at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) before heading to the Grand Palace, once the official home for the Kings of Siam built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs. You can also visit the Royal Funeral Hall and The Royal Coronation Hall.
Afternoon Bangkok City & Temple Tour
Thailand has over 26,000 temples or Wats. This tour will bring you to three of the most distinguished temples in Bangkok. Wat Trimitr, the temple of the Golden Buddha, is a fine example of Sukhothai art and was discovered by chance from a layer of stucco during construction of the temple.
Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po, the temple of the reclining Buddha, which is the largest and oldest in Bangkok.
Your last stop is at Wat Benchamabopit or the marble temple. This magnificent monastery was built with white Italian marble from Carrara.
Overnight at J.W.Marriott Bangkok or similar.
Day 3 Bangkok (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day Ayuthaya Coach and Cruise Tour
You have a choice of visiting Thailand’s ancient former capital by boat and returning by coach or vice-versa.
Located 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayuthaya was Thailand’s capital from 1350 to 1767. Once a thriving international commercial center, the ruins and temples are spectacular and some are still quite intact.
You will also see the summer palace of King Rama IV with its mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture, which is a well preserved “museum” to a former historical period in the land once known as Siam.
Overnight at J.W.Marriott Bangkok or similar.
Day 4 Bangkok - Chiangmai (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel.
Early morning transfer from hotel to Bangkok Airport for flight to Chiangmai.
Morning Chiangmai City & Temples Tours including Doi Suthep
The city of Chiangmai has a wealth of beautiful and historic Buddhist Wats (temples), and on this tour a visit to the most fascinating Wats is made.
Near the summit of Doi Suthep is the 600 year old temple of WAT PHRATHAT DOI SUTHEP. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via an enormous mythological Nagas (Dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps (elevators are available). On a clear day there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai from the temple grounds.
Other temples visited on this tour include WAT SUAN DOK, whose large central stupa contains Buddha relic which supposedly self-multiplied!, and WAT CHEDI LUANG, consisting of an impressive chedi originally built in 1411. The temple also contains the city pillar.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon Half day Inherited Craftsmanship Tour
Chiang Mai is the center for quality handicrafts production of Thailand. On this trip you will visit many factories producing and selling various kinds of quality handicrafts, seeing the production process which had been passed down from their ancestors, shopping for these delicate hand-crafted quality products, such as : Saa Paper Umbrella, Lacquerware, Silk and Cotton Fabrics, Gems & Precious Stones, Wood Furniture and decorative items, etc.
Overnight at Sheraton Chiangmai Hotel.
Day 5 Chiangmai (B,L)
Full day Thaton & Long Necked Hilltribe Village
Approximately 176 Kms. north of Chiang Mai, situated at the border of Thailand and Burma, is Tha Thon district. On this tour you will visit 4 hill tribes’ villages, including Padong long-necked Karen hilltribe village, which recently migrated from Burma.
Leave Chiang Mai for Chiang Dao (approx. 1.30 hrs). Visit Chiang Dao cave. Proceed to visit Palong and Lisu village. Continue on to Tha Ton, where local lunch will be provided.
Day 6 Chiangmai – Bangkok (B)
Day 7 Bangkok – Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Early morning transfer from Hotel to Bangkok Airport for morning flight to Siem Reap.
Arrival at Siem Reap airport and transfer to La Residence d’Angkor.
Morning Tonle Sap Cruise
In the morning, you will travel to Phnom Krom for a cruise on the Tonle Sap, visiting floating villages.
Afternoon Temples Tour
Visit Neak Poan and Sras Srang, the royal pool that is situated opposite the East gate of Banteay Kdei. It is known as the King's bathing pond. Next stop is Banteay Kdei, this temple was constructed by Jayavarman VII during the 12th and 13th Centuries. Its system of galleries and vestibules that were added after the construction of the main towers makes it look like a cloister.
Continue to Takeo and jungle-clad Ta Prohm. This temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been controversially left to the destructive power of the jungle by French archaeologists to demonstrate the awesome power of nature. It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. Enjoy sunset from Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight at La Residence d’ Angkor.
Day 8 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast
Morning Angkor Thom Tour
The Royal city of Angkor Thom was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th Century. It was destroyed when the Chams from Vietnam rose up against the Khmers and invaded, sacking the city, and was subsequently renovated by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th Century. Continue to visit Victory Gate and the Bayon. This temple mountain, built by Jayavarman VII, is situated in the center of the city of Angkor Thom. It is a three-tiered pyramid with its entrance facing east. The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers all crowned by gigantic faces, representing Avalokite-shvara but with the features of Jayavarman VII. Next stop is Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Afternoon Angkor Wat Tour
In the afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat to view its architecture and bas reliefs. This temple is the largest religious building ever constructed and is truly one of the wonders of the world. Believed to have been undertaken as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best-preserved of the Angkorian temples.
Overnight at La Residence d’ Angkor.
Day 9 Siem Reap – Vientiane (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning transfer from hotel to Siem Reap Airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, transfer from Vientiane Airport to Hotel. The rest of day at leisure.
Overnight at Loa Plaza Hotel
Day 10 Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Vientiane airport for flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival transfer to the Villa Santi Resort for 2 nights. After lunch at Pakhouei Mixay Restaurant, sightseeing includes Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Xiengthong, then climb Phousi Mountain for a panoramic view of the city. Transfer back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Villa Santi Resort
Day 11 Luang Prabang – Pbak Ou (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel
Overnight at Villa Santi Resort
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning tour of the Former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and local Market. Transfer to the airport for flight back to Vientiane. Transfer to the Lao Plaza Hotel and have dinner at Tamnak Loa Restaurant in Vientiane.
Overnight at Lao Plaza Hotel
Day 13 Vientiane (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning sightseeing of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, Hor Prakeo, That Luang,
Overnight at the Lao Plaza Hotel
Day 14 Vientiane – Bangkok (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Vientiane airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival transfer back to the J.W. Marriott for overnight.
Day 15 Bangkok
Early transfer to the airport for departure.
