Iconic Thailand, Laos and Cambodia

Sawasdee and welcome to the land of smiles. Your tour begins in Bangkok, the center of Thailand and known world-wide for its abundance of sensational foods, glamorous shopping malls, historic sights and sizzling nightlife.

Upon arrival to the airport, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to the Anananta Sathorn Bangkok Hotel for check-in and refreshment. Relax until its time for an adventurous evening street food tour in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown. One of the world’s most renowned street food destinations and favourite local food spot. With 7 stops on the walking tour and over 10 scrumptious food and drink samples for a truly interesting dinner experience.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel

Enjoy a morning at leisure until and afternoon tour to explore three of the top sights in Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha,  Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in all of Bangkok where you are able to see the incredible 160 foot (46m) reclining Buddha, and the magnificent Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn.

Tour ends with a tuk-tuk drop-off at your hotel in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel

After breakfast, journey 1.5 hours south to Damnoen Saduak, a town famous for its morning floating market selling produce and tourist trinkets. Hop on board a small canoe and row through the stalls, and practicing your bartering skills during this classic Thai experience. After the boat ride, you will have an hour to explore the market on your own before settling down for lunch.

Continuing onwards, we will drive 2.5 hours north to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Although it was destroyed in 1767, there are still nearly 100 ruins left to admire and visit throughout the island at your leisure. Some of the most famous historical sites to see on your visit are the Buddha head entwined in a Bodhi Tree at Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, and can be easily explored via tuk-tuk or by bicycle.

Depart Ayutthaya in the late afternoon and return to Bangkok’s airport for a short 1.5-hour domestic flight to Thailand’s northern rose, Chiang Mai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: U Chiang Mai Hotel

Explore the holiest and most important temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, with a sunrise alms giving ceremony this morning. Located at the top of a mountain, the 309 steps to the top along a golden staircase is the perfect way to wake up your body and mind.

Return to the Chiang Mai city center for breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: U Chiang Mai Hotel

Meet Asian elephants today at Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and conservation center. Throughout the day, get up close with the elephants as you feed, bathe, and play with them after a short training course from a Mahout. Enjoy a lunch at the camp before returning to your hotel in Chiang Mai in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: U Chiang Mai Hotel

Travel 3 hours northeast of Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, a mountainous city on the border of Laos and Myanmar. The emerald Buddha you viewed in the Royal Palace in Bangkok comes from this city, as does the magnificent white temple known as Wat Rong Khun. Try a delicious northern Thai dish for lunch and then the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa

Rise and shine for a day-trip to visit the infamous Golden Triangle, an area known for its illicit history in the opium trade, leaving astounding views to be had.

Drive 1.5 hours north to the sleepy Mekong town of Chiang Saen, the oldest city in Thailand built by Thai ancestors (Ayutthaya and Sukhothai were established by Mon-Khmer groups). From here, we will board a long-tail boat and take a 40-min ride up the river to Sob Ruak, the point at which you can survey the three countries all at once.

In Sob Ruak, visit the Hall of Opium Museum to learn more about the history and use of the drug. Return to Chiang Saen by a short 15-min bus ride and dine in a local restaurant for lunch before making the return journey back towards Chiang Rai, with a stop at Mae Chan to experience daily life in the Akha and Yao Hill Tribes.

Check in to your Chiang Khong accommodation in the early evening, a small town on the Lao Thai border.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa

Today we will complete the border crossing from Thailand to Laos in the morning. After the paperwork is completed, transfer by tuk tuk or minivan to the dock to board your luxury cruise ship. The cruise will journey along the Mekong River, giving you plenty of time to admire the scenery in comfort. The boat will also stop to meet different hill tribes along the river.

Enjoy lunch aboard the boat and try delicious local snacks before arriving in Pakbeng just before sunset. Check-in to your accommodation for the night and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Luang Say Lodge

Return to the ship at 8 am and begin sailing towards our final destination of Luang Prabang. Before our arrival to Laos’ most beautiful city, stop at Pak Ou Caves, where a thousand Buddha images are kept. Before reaching Luang Prabang, stop at the Lao Whisky Village to see how villagers make the potent Lau Lao, a special type of whiskey made from rice.

Arrive to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and check-in to your charming boutique hotel. Enjoy a free evening to stroll and admire the simple and classic beauty of both natural and man-made creations along the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Luang Say Lodge

Enjoy a free day in Luang Prabang to enjoy all the charm of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Check out famous temples such as Wat Xieng, Wat Visoun, the Melon Stupa and Wat Aham, or climb up Mount Phousi for stunning vistas. Make sure to browse the local handicrafts for sale at the main-street market which is open all day and night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Satri House

Drive out of Luang Prabang this morning and begin your day-hike from Long Lao Village where Khmu and Hmong people reside. Pass orchards, rice fields, and vegetable gardens before disappearing into the wild jungle and some medium-rock climbs, arriving in the afternoon to the out-of-this world Kuang Si Waterfall. Swim and relax in the glowing turquoise waters in your very own version of the Jungle Book. Make sure to stop at the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary to learn about one woman’s efforts to protect Asian sun and moon bears from illegal poaching and organ theft for medicinal purposes.

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Satri House

Rise before the sun and take part in the iconic tradition of Luang Prabang, offering alms to a long line of monks in dusky saffron robes at Ban Vat Sean. Typical alms givings are usually of simple food such as rice or fruit so that the monks can have their one meal per day.

After the ceremony, return to the hotel to have your own breakfast before checking out and taking a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor. Relax at the hotel until an evening showing at the internationally acclaimed PHARE Circus, a Cambodian NGO association improving the lives of children, young adults, and their families with art schools, educational programs, and social support since 1994. Watch the captivating combination of ancient myths, contemporary dance and acrobatics used to share the local culture with you.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Spend your morning flying through the jungles of Cambodia at the Angkor Zipline. With 9 single and 1 double zipline, 3 suspended sky bridges, and 1 “Spiderman” bridge, this is the perfect way to get your blood pumping in the morning. After 2-hours of excitement, cool down with a guided nature walk and fill-up on a deliciously prepared Khmer lunch.

Then, meet Cambodia’s epic past with a cycling tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park. One of the most important historical sites in the entire region of Southeast Asia, the City of Temples will surely amaze and astound even the most experienced traveller.

Begin at Angkor Wat, the masterpiece of Angkor Park, often considered one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world, and then continue on to Angkor Thom, famous for its carved faces pointing out in either direction on top of massive 75 ft. (23 m) towers. Within is the mysterious Bayon Temple, the Mona Lisa of Southeast Asia, located at the exact center of Angkor Thom, with a total of 216 carved faces.

Stops will also include the Elephant Terrace, the Leper Terrace, before moving on to the popular Ta Prohm, recognizable from the film Tomb Raider. Depart from the park after catching the beautiful sunset and return to your hotel in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Get your adrenaline pumping while exploring the beautiful countryside of Siem Reap today by ATV. After a safety briefing and driving lesson, drive along dirt-roads through the countryside and see the day-to-day rural Cambodian lifestyle. Drive past local schools and fruit and vegetable markets before stopping at a local Buddhist monasteryto gain some interesting insights into the local religion. Wander through the Angkor-styled Prei Monti Temple before setting down for a local lunch.

The tour continues in the afternoon, visiting numerous villages before stopping at a pre-Angkorian temple on top of Phnom Bok Mountain. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

Your last day in Cambodia is free for leisure until your transfer to the airport for onward booked travel.

Meals: Breakfast