Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok Hotel (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. Enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok

After breakfast at the hotel, meet with the guide and head out of the hotel for an original full day of sightseeing in the City of Angels using exclusively public means of transportation. Walk to the nearest BTS Station and get on the Skytrain for a short ride to the terminal station of Saphan Taksin on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Continue by public boat to Tha Thien pier and disembark to visit Wat Po the home of Thai massage and the reclining Buddha. Continue to visit the Grand Palace. The Royal Grand Palace is the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument and host of the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Appropriate dress is required (or can be rented on site).

In the afternoon, take a Tuk Tuk to Soi Ban Batra, where a handicraft family is famed for the art of making monk’s alms bowls. Continue by boarding a "bus boat" for a journey along the historical Saen Saeb canal. Following a trip to Jim Thompson’s House Museum, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant, the day ends with some retail therapy at Bangkok's vast shopping malls.

Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min

After breakfast, the guide will assist with transport to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in.

After a brief introduction to Luang Prabang, set out to climb the stairs of Mount Phousi to catch a sunset over the city and surrounding hills. Walk down the other side and explore the hill tribe evening market.

Proceed to l’Elephant, one of the finest restaurants in Luang Prabang, for dinner before being driven back to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Transfer by vehicle to the Historical Old Town of central Luang Prabang where the tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by the guide, walk through the rows of stalls to see what’s on sale. The locals come here every day to shop for vegetables, fruits and other exotic specialties and delicacies. The market is adjacent to the National Museum, which will be the next stop.  Once the Royal Palace of Laos, the National Museum is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels and a visit examines the history and rich culture of the country.

After this, continue by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, housing the famous Watermelon Stupa, followed by Wat Aham, which holds the altar of the 2 guardian spirits of Luang Prabang.

Enjoy lunch in town at Tamarind restaurant with a chance to sample unusual local specialties.

This afternoon, head to Ock Pop Tok to experience the importance of textiles in Laos.

Take a break at Le Patio Café, located inside the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC), and sip a local brew of coffee. Then, take a tour of TAEC, a museum dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves by boat: 1,5 hours

This morning, venture to Luang Prabang’s peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers merge. The beautiful Wat Xieng Thong is located here and a visit to the temple unveils golden gates, ornaments and colorful murals. 

Board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles which rely entirely on the river.

Located upstream from Luang Prabang, the Pak Ou Caves contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the size of a human, and the view from the mouth of the cave provides sweeping views of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.

The boat continues cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunch time at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard before cruising back downstream.

The remainder of the day is at leisure for additional sight-seeing or relaxing in this charming city.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang Airport (4 km): 15 min Vientiane Airport – Vientiane (4 km): 15 min

Enjoy free time this morning in Luang Prabang. The guide and private car will be waiting at the hotel to provide transport to the airport for the flight to Vientiane.

Upon arrival to Vientiane, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in.

This afternoon, visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Before sunset, enjoy a stroll along the Mekong River banks and stop to enjoy a cold drink at one of the many riverside food stalls.

Overnight in Vientiane

Start this morning with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Afterwards, enjoy a panoramic view over the city after climbing the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue to the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which today acts as a religious museum housing a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

Enjoy lunch at Kualao before being transferred to the hotel. The afternoon is free to enjoy shopping, more sightseeing, or a spa treatment.

For the final evening in Laos, there will be a unique opportunity to experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions: The Baci.  The purpose of the Baci is to call back escaped spirits to the body, something done before major events such as weddings, births, travel, welcoming friends and farewells.

Continue to Makphet Restaurant for a delicious dinner of modern Lao cuisines.  Makphet is a charity-run restaurant that supports street children by providing them training and a job at the vocational restaurant. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane – Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min Phnom Penh Airport – Phnom Penh (11 km): 20 min

After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel, which is located in the heart of the city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the orient, and much of its former glory can still be seen today.

Relax and unwind after the flight with some down time before the late afternoon’s experience.

Enjoy an atmospheric sunset river cruise and watch how Phnom Penh’s popular riverfront comes to life in the early evening.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at the hotel, depart on a city tour in a typical cyclo. First, visit Wat Phnom, which dates back to 1372 and contains some excellent examples of Khmer architecture and statues.

Next pay a visit to the Khmer-style National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer archaeological, religious, and artistic  artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth.

Continue on foot to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors.

The afternoon is at leisure (optional additional sightseeing can be arranged).

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Siem Reap Airport – Siem Reap (8 km): 15 min

After breakfast, transport will be provided for the flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor. Our guide and driver will be waiting here to provide transport to the hotel for check in.

After a lunch break, depart by local ‘remork’ on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous temples of Angkor.

Start with a to visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, known for its grand wall surrounding the entire city. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces.

Continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 face-carved towers.

Wrap up the day with a sunset visit to the iconic Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat was constructed to represent the model of the temple mountain symbolising Mount Meru, a mythical home of the gods. The interior of the temple is famous for its stone carvings, bas-reliefs and over 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken some thirty years of intensive labor to complete.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok Hotel (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr Siem Reap – Beng Mealea (58 km): 01h & 30 min Beng Mealea – Koh Ker (62 km): 01h & 45 min

Rise early this morning for a sunrise visit to the illustrious, 12th century Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. An early morning visit helps to avoid the crowds that gather here later in the day.

Return back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, head out to Beng Mealea, a temple tucked away deep in the Cambodian jungle. During the one hour drive, catch a glimpse of the beautiful Cambodian countryside learning about local life here along the way.

Upon arrival, explore Beng Mealea, one of the least-visited and most adventurous temples in Cambodia. Continue on to Koh Ker, an area only recently opened to tourists, housing various 10th century temples including the massive Prasat Thom. Enjoy a delicious Picnic Packed Lunch at the temples.

After the visit, drive back to Siem Reap town and transferring to the airport for the onward flight to Bangkok.

OPTIONAL HELICOPTER FLIGHT:

Fly from Siem Reap directly to Beng Mealea and Koh Ker, enjoying incredible views of Angkor Wat and the entire complex along the way. This is the best way to grasp the sheer enormity of the former Khmer empire. Flying time is approximately 60 minutes plus about 3 hours visiting the two temples.

Upon arrival in Bangkok, transport will be provided to the hotel with the evening free at leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr

This morning is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing before transferring to the airport for the onward flight.