Join this memorable thirteen-day tour exploring two of the oldest kingdoms in Southeast Asia: Thailand and Cambodia. Start your adventure from Chiang Mai, the beautiful former capital of the Lanna kingdom, mingle with the locals in the night market, and be amazed by the beauty of the ancient Buddhist temples before continuing to Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites that both served as capitals of Siam. Ends this unforgettable trip in Cambodia, the Kingdom of wonder, a fascinating mix of culture and majestic heritage and ancient and modern worlds collide to create unforgettable adventures. Marvel before its glorious temples, matched by only a few select spots on earth.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Chiang Rai: Home of the unconventional and famous white temple, Chiang Rai is also a great place for street food and learning about the hill tribes.
Chiang Mai: The fragrant ‘Rose of the North’ was capital of the Lanna Kingdom founded by Mangrai the Great in the 13th century.
Sukhothai: Explore the well-preserved ruins of the former capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
Ayutthaya: Discover the impressive ruins of what was one of the world’s biggest cities during the early modern period.
Kanchanaburi: Visit the notorious ‘Death Railway Bridge’ that inspired the World War II novel and film, The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Damnoen Saduak: Immerse yourself in the scents and sounds of Thailand in the colourful floating market – one of the most enchanting images of the country.
Siem Reap: A vibrant and cheerful city that welcomes travellers like old Friends. A few days in this Cambodian city shows that it straddles the best of both worlds: a glorious past and a vivid present. The best way to get to know it is to explore it slowly, one legend at a time.
Day 1: ARRIVAL CHIANG RAI (10km – 30 min)
Arrive at Chiang Rai Airport, where our representative will meet and greet you. Then, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the beautiful place. Maybe explore the heart of the old town, which dates from the reign of King Mangrai in the 13th century, or wander around the night bazaar to get a flavour of Chiang Rai.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 2: CHIANG RAI – GOLDEN TRIANGLE (270km – 6hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the centre to admire the iconic monument of King Mangrai en route to the Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre. Learn all about the dozens of hill tribes that, for centuries, have lived in the highlands around the city and understand how they have survived the spread of globalisation. Continue to the Mae Chan district to explore the remote hill tribe villages of Yao and Akha peoples, and experience their way of life first-hand. Take to the road for Mae Sai, a small border town with a busy market, before heading into the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained unwanted notoriety in the Sixties because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. After lunch (included), continue to Chiang Saen to visit the hilltop Wat Phra That Chom Kitti, which is reached via a 350-step staircase. Return to Chiang Rai around 6:00 pm.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 3: CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI (260km – 4hrs)
Begin your adventure after breakfast at the hotel, heading towards Chiang Mai. On the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai, stop at the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior, with embedded pieces of mirror, makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Mai and, on arrival, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in the country. This sacred location is at the top of a mountain from where you can appreciate stunning panoramic views of the city. To reach the temple you have to climb up a 309-step naga staircase. Alternatively, you can use the cable car (included). Head to the riverbank and board a boat for a cruise along with the scenic River Ping. Stop at a farm to savour a delicious khao soi noodle curry as you enjoy interesting dance performances. After a walk through the local flower and fresh produce market, return to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 4: CHIANG MAI: CITY AND SURROUNDINGS (40km – 1hr)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Elephant Poopoopaper Park, an eco-friendly, naturally built outdoor museum park that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making our much talked about paper products from elephant poop fibres! The interpretive walking tour through our lush gardens brings visitors through eight different pavilions explaining each stage of our fascinating process from poo collection to rinsing to final product assembly. Visitors are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves and join with our talented artisans and guides and participate in our head-turning process! Complemented by the presence of rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to Chiang Mai's long and rich history of traditional papermaking and handicrafts production.After lunch in a local restaurant (included), continue to Chiang Mai for an afternoon exploring this ancient city. Chiang Mai’s old town is still surrounded by remnants of the old defensive walls and a moat. Visit the historic Wat Suan Dok and admire its 48- metre-high Sri Lankan-style chedi, which overlooks the Royal Cemetery. Continue to Wat Phra Sing in the old town and appreciate the beauty of this large complex of more than 60 buildings before visiting 14th century Wat Chedi Luang in the very heart of the old city. Return to the hotel around 5:00 pm. In the evening, you can enjoy an optional khan toke dinner (not included).
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 5: CHIANG MAI – LAMPHUN – LAMPANG – SUKHOTHAI (380km – 4.5hrs)
Charge your batteries with breakfast and then depart for Lamphun to visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a golden temple complex whose origins have been traced to the Mon Kingdom in the eighth century. Then, go to the picturesque town of Lampang to visit the historic temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After a delicious lunch (included), relax with a scenic drive to Sukhothai Historical Park, arriving in the afternoon. Explore the park, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site covering the ruins of ancient Sukhothai, which was the first capital of the kingdom of the same name. Return to the hotel around 05:00 pm.
Overnight in Sukhothai.
Day 6: SUKHOTHAI – UTHAI THANI – AYUTTHAYA (430km – 5hrs)
Begin your day in a spiritual manner, as you join locals in offering food to Buddhist monks during their morning alms round. Drive south and stop for a delicious lunch in Chai Nat (included). Today’s route from Sukhothai via Uthai Thani to Ayutthaya mirrors the southward expansion of Siam, following the kingdom’s historical development. Arrive in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam, and go to the Ayutthaya Historical Park to visit the temple of Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the adjacent Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit. Contemplate the golden Buddha and continue to the eerily enchanting ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, with its famous statue of Buddha devoured by tree roots. Such a heavenly heritage ensemble has earned this historical park the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel around 6:00 pm.
Overnight in Ayutthaya.
Day 7: AYUTTHAYA – KANCHANABURI (190km – 2hrs)
Have breakfast and then drive through pastoral landscapes virtually untouched by the passage of time before arriving at Kanchanaburi, a quiet town at the confluence of the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It is renowned for the beauty of its natural surroundings and the abundant wildlife, but it also holds an unwanted place in history as the location of the notorious World War II ‘Death Railway Bridge’, immortalised in the Hollywood classic, ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. Visit the war cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of soldiers, and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn about the appalling conditions in which Allied POWs and Thai slave labourers worked to build a military supply railway. After lunch (included), return to the hotel around 3:00 pm, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Day 8: KANCHANABURI – BANGKOK (150km – 2hrs)
Depart Kanchanaburi after breakfast at the hotel, enjoying a scenic drive towards Nakhon Pathom to visit the temple with the magnificent 127-metre-high Phra Pathommachedi stupa, the tallest of its kind in the world. Continue to Damnoen Saduak, which is famed for its vibrant and colourful floating markets. Breathe in the fragrances of the Orient as dozens of boats glide along, selling fresh fruit and vegetables as well as tasty local delicacies. The buzz of the noise and the bustle of activity are quintessential Thai experiences. Lunch included. Continue to Bangkok for drop off at your hotel in the city around 4:00 pm.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 9: BANGKOK
Enjoy a full day at leisure, discovering Bangkok on your own. For those who have never been to Bangkok, we suggest a half-day tour of the most popular Buddhist temples. The Royal Grand Palace, a great architectural masterpiece of several buildings was used as a royal residence from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. It is without any doubt a national reference and possibly the most visited royal monument in Thailand. The building houses the "Wat Phra Kaew", Bangkok's most sacred temple, in which is located the famous Emerald Buddha. In the evening we suggest you enjoy an optional Thai and International Buffet Dinner whilst cruising along the Chao Phraya River or River of the Kings. Pass by famous sites such as Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the Grand Palace. Entertainment is also provided onboard, giving you the chance to listen to live music and see an interesting show. The Dinner Cruise is not included.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 10: DEPARTURE BANGKOK (30km – 30min) / ARRIVAL SIEMP REAP (8km – 15min)
Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure until transferring to Bangkok Airport, Bus or Train Station. (Transportation to Siem Reap is not included and needs to be arranged by the client directly). Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport and after immigration clearance, you will be welcomed by our guide, who will accompany you on the transfer and assist you to check-in at the hotel. Then enjoy a day at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 11: SIEM REAP
Wake up to breakfast in Cambodia, and prepare yourself for a day at leisure to discover Siem Reap gems at your own pace.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 12: SIEM REAP
Recharge your energies with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before enjoying another day at leisure. You can either venture out into the street and discover the surroundings or relax at the hotel enjoying the available amenities.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13: DEPARTURE SIEM REAP (8km – 15min)
Indulge in one last breakfast at the hotel and a free morning at leisure for own activities. Check-out time at 12:00 pm and the guide will escort you to the transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight (the minimum check-in time at Siem Reap Domestic Airport is 2 hours before the flight departure and International Airport is 2.5 before the flight departure).
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Thailand and Cambodia. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
