THAILAND, LAOS AND CAMBODIA ADVENTURE

Bangkok:

• We’ll start the day early, with so much to see, there’s no time to waste. Catching Bangkok’s water taxi system with the city locals is the most convenient way to get to our first stop – The Royal Palace. With our incredible local guide leading the charge, we will learn all about its 61 acres of incredible architecture and some traditions of the Thailand Royal Family. Then we’ll jump on our private boat for a tour of the klongs (canals) and some fish feeding. Just listing today’s sites gives us the butterflies. Once we get back to the hotel, ask your Trip Manager where to find the best local lunch before we wave goodbye to Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi:

• Bangkok, you’ve been a dream! But the show must go on. Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination – the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi. We’ll start with a stop to visit the most famous bridge in town & The Death Railway Museum & WWII Cemetery will give you a healthy dose of history. And then it’s time to reach our home for the night – right on the riverfront! (Yes, you can jump in the river directly from your room.) Nothing like being greeted with a delicious dinner of local specialities, right? We’ll finish the day off watching the sunset over the dazzling landscape.

River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar)

Included Experience:

• Grand Palace and Klong Tour
• Included Experience

Kanchanaburi:

• We’ve got an exciting journey ahead of us today! We’ll first make our way to the impressive Erawan falls. Walk across the serene trials. Or dip your feet into the emerald blue waters before we head to our next destination.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya:

• We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We’ll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Overnight Train to Chiang Mai

• All aboard for Chiang Mai!

Overnight Train

Included Experience:

• Relax at Erawan Waterfalls
• Included Experience

Overnight Train to Chiang Mai:

• Time to rise and shine. Today we’re waking up in Chiang Mai!

Elephant Nature Park:

• Right here in this city is everything you’ve been waiting for. That’s right, we’re spending an entire day at an elephant nature park! Watch these majestic giants strolling through their natural habitat as a part of an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. (Who knows, you might even befriend one!). We’ll grab a wholesome lunch at the park and make our way to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai:

• A free evening in this blissful city? How about spending the evening zipping around on a Vespa? Exploring like a local is the best way to explore, after all.

The Empress Hotel (or similar)

Chiang Mai:

• It’s time to bid farewell to this lovely place. Why, you ask? Because we’re saying hello to the Chiang (‘city’ in Thai) of colourful temples! We’ll munch on a delicious breakfast, then head straight there.

Chiang Rai:

• The Black House Museum. A blue temple, and a majestic white one too. Welcome to the city where the beauty of colours culminates. We’ll drop our bags off at our hotel and head straight to the Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – a modern architectural marvel, entirely designed using white glass. You won’t really find any temple like this in Thailand! We’ll then call it a day after admiring the incredible design of Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple), and the Baan Dam Museum.

Wiang Inn Hotel (or similar)

Included Experience:

• Admire the White Wonderland at Wat Rong Khun
• Explore the Neo-Traditional Architecture of Wat Rong Seua Ten
• Immerse Yourself in the Artistic Baan Dam Museum (Black Museum)

Chiang Rai:

• Taking a border hop, we’ll cross out of Thailand and into Laos. After collecting our oh-so-valuable passport stamps, we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat.

Pak Beng:

• Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.

Local Guest House (or similar)

Day Highlights:

• Cruise on a Local Boat

Pak Beng:

• Leaving Pak Beng, we make our way to Luang Prabang – get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals.

Luang Prabang:

• Ending our Mekong River magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Temples dusted in gold, historic French mansions, & locals wrapped in saffron robes make this one of the prettiest places in Asia. Our explorations will involve a sunset from a hill-top stupa & a bout of shopping at the local night markets.

Luang Prabang Inn (or similar)

Day Highlights:

• See 4,000 Buddhas at Pak Ou Caves

Luang Prabang:

• This morning, the early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals – kissed by the sun’s morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang’s 34 temples. After collecting our blessings, we’ll jump on a high-speed train that’ll whizz us to a lively tourist hub filled with plentiful opportunities for adventure. Makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a little easier, right?

Vang Vieng:

• Known for its dramatic limestone karsts, Vang Vieng will keep you busy this evening. Explore the local rivers and caves by kayak, or chill out surrounded by like-minded travellers, watching the sun set over the mountains.

The Silver Naga Hotel (or similar)

Included Experience:

• Take part in a Buddhist Alms Giving
• Jump on a High Speed Train to Vang Vieng
• Kayaking & Caving Experience

Vang Vieng:

• Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot…

Vientiane:

• Welcome to the largest city in Laos! If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised. The vibe here is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to lend a helping hand to the COPE centre – a local charity that provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. It’s now time to visit the Buddha Park – a fanciful sculpture garden adorned with significant Buddhist images. Spend some time talking amongst the bizarre & sometimes ornate statues, and head back to our hotel for a good night’s rest.

Hotel Aaron (or similar)

Day Highlights:

• Support the Work of COPE (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
• Wander Around Laos’ Serene Capital
• Let Yourself be Baffled by the Buddha Park

Vientiane:

• This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia.

Phnom Penh:

• Drop your bags off at our cool hotel in the Bassac Quarter (the perfect spot to kick back with a beer and a bite). We’re doing some historical sight-seeing today. We’ll visit The Royal Palace (the official residence of the Cambodian royals) and the Silver Pagoda (one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture). Later tonight, the city is yours to explore as you please.

Mettavary Hotel (or similar)

Included Experience:

• Fly to Phnom Penh
• Included Experience

Phnom Penh:

• Another included flight takes us out of Cambodia’s capital this morning, landing us in the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world.

Siem Reap:

• The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in the afternoon. Or visit the Phare Circus (which also holds the Guiness World Record for the longest circus show) for some insane multicultural entertainment. There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with – but it’s probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World (and something we know you’ve all been waiting for).

Amber Angkor Villa Hotel (or similar)

Day Highlights:

• Catch the Cambodian Phare Circus MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience