DAYS
1 – 3: Bangkok, THAILAND
You will be met upon arrival and taken to your luxury hotel in
Bangkok, a vibrant commercial city of treasures and temples. Travel
by long-tail speedboat on the picturesque Chao Phraya River and
klongs (canals). Visit the elegant Temple of Dawn; stop at a
neighborhood monastery to learn about Thai Buddhism. Visit the Grand
Palace and its holy Temple of The Emerald Buddha, built for the King
of Siam in 1782 in traditional exotic Thai style. See its fabulous
solid Jade Buddha, the Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation
Hall. Continue through Chinatown to Wat Po, Temple of the Reclining
Buddha, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok. Enjoy a full day’s
journey to the unspoiled rural floating market of Damnern Saduak.
Eat lunch at the riverside Rose Garden Resort, then delight in a
Thai village show, boxing, sword fighting, traditional dancing and a
Thai wedding ceremony. ►Some suggested Bangkok hotels (in alphabetical order): Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok (V) Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (V) The Peninsula Bangkok (V) Siam Hotel (V) St. Regis Bangkok (V) Sukhothai Bangkok (V) ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAYS 4 – 6: Chiang Mai, THAILAND
Fly from busy Bangkok to the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai, a
modern city that has preserved its rich history and traditions.
Drive to Doi Suthep, enjoy a panoramic view of the city and visit
Wat Prathad Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand.
Visit Wat Suan Dok and Wat Jed Yod with its seven spires. Enjoy a
full day exhilarating excursion to the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp,
specializing in the training of young elephants. Take an elephant
ride through the jungle to the Lisu Village and a thrilling
bamboo-rafting trek down the Ping River ►Some suggested Chiang Mai hotels (in alphabetical order): Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai (V) Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (V) ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAYS 7 – 9: Siem Reap, CAMBODIA
Today fly south to Cambodia and Siem Reap, home to the most
incredible temples in Southeast Asia. Witness a sunrise over Angkor
Wat, an incredible temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Built
by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat
displays beautiful examples of Khmer and Hindu art. Explore the
fortified city of Angkor Thom, a four-mile site surrounded by a wall
and wide moats. Visit the mysterious Bayon Temple, with its
galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and its central
sanctuary housing giant smiling stone faces. Next, travel to Ta
Prohm, where the jungle still covers much of the monuments.
Travel to the sacred Cambodian pilgrimage site of Phnom Kulen where
in 802 A.D. Jayavarman II declared himself divine universal ruler,
marking the beginning of the Angkor period of Khmer history. See the
spectacular riverbed rock carvings. Visit Banteay Srei, a
10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. Tour Chantiers Ecoles
(Artisans d’Angkor), a vocational training center for more than 650
apprentices learning fine arts and crafts trades including stone
sculpture and woodcarving. ►Some suggested Siem Reap hotels (in alphabetical order): Amansara (V) Park Hyatt Siem Reap (Formerly Hotel de la Paix - It closed on July 1, 2012 for renovations. The upgrade will take about 8-9 months. It is expected to reopen early April 2013). (V) La Residence d'Angkor Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor (V) ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAYS 10 – 12: Luang Prabang, LAOS
Fly from Cambodia to Luang Prabang (meaning Royal Buddha) in
northern Laos. Set between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, this
enchanting town full of historic temples and colonial style
buildings is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Early the next morning,
give alms and food offerings to the resident monks. Tour Wat Visoun,
the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Aham and the
ornate buildings of Wat Xieng Thong, featuring exquisite mosaic and
gold-stenciled murals. Tour the National Museum (Royal Palace), the
turn-of-the century royal residence and Wat Mai, one of the largest
and most photographed wats in Luang Prabang, important for its
religious and aesthetic beauty.
The morning of Day 12, take a boat excursion up the Mekong River,
passing steep limestone cliffs, to the Tham Pak Ou Caves. These
extraordinary caves are filled with a vast and fascinating variety
of Buddha images. Drive back to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at
Ban Xang Hai Village, famous for the production of lao lao, the
local rice wine whisky. This evening enjoy dinner at the Grand Luang
Prabang Hotel and attend a traditional Baci Ceremony with Lao
Traditional Dance. ►Some suggested Luang Praband hotels (in alphabetical order): Amantaka (V) La Residence Phou Vao (V) ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 13: Luang Prabang, LAOS
Today you will be taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.