Overnight international flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival in Bangkok and airport reception, transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, drive to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks' morning chanting ritual. One of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho is home to the famous 45m Reclining Buddha. It is also the original school of traditional Thai massage. From here, take a tuk-tuk ride through Pak Klong Taland Flower Market to the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace is the most important and spectacular royal palace in Thailand. The mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, is now housed here.


Continue with a walk to the pier for a long-tailed boat ride along the "klongs" (canals) of Thonburi and stop at Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, cross the river again, and drive to Chinatown for a first-hand look at old Bangkok. Walk along the shops on Yaworat Road and have a cup of Chinese tea with the locals at a very old teashop. Proceed with a visit to the bustling Talad Kao Market, where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are available.


This evening, pick up and transfer from the hotel to Manohra Pier (or Saphan Taksin Pier), to board a boat for an evening cruise. Learn more about Bangkok and the Chao Phrya River, a truly magnificent waterway and one of the great rivers in Asia. The river has been a principal factor in the development of Thai heritage, culture, and economy, and is considered the nation's life and soul.


While cruising down the Chao Phrya River, enjoy a delicious Thai dinner and watch the panorama change to reveal fantastic treasures from the country's rich past, as well as fascinating modern architectural creations. The Manohra Luxury Cruise will go past the King Rama VIII Bridge, where the boat will turn around and head back to the pier. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.


Note: Wat Arun Temple will be under renovation until further notice. Guests will still able to visit the temple and walk around it, but the constructions are ongoing and climbing the stupa is prohibited. Ladies should wear a short-sleeved top with pants or a knee-length skirt, and gentlemen should wear pants and a short-sleeved shirt for religious reasons. No sandals or flip-flops are allowed.
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival and airport reception, transfer to the hotel. Take some time to settle in before enjoying a Khantoke dinner. The first Khantoke dinner was held in 1953, when local politician Kraisi Nimanhemin invited honored guests to sit with him and enjoy this special dinner. Dinner is served in small bowls("Khan") and guests are seated on cushions at a low table ("Thoke"). Northern Thai cuisine is served and during dinner, entertainment is provided by beautiful dancers who perform the Forn Leb, known as the finger dance; Forn Thien, known as the candle dance; Ramwong, referred to as the circle dance; and the Ram Dab, known as the sword dance. After finishing dinner, there will be an option to see an additional hill tribe show from various members of Yao, Lahu, Meo, Lisu, and Karen tribes. ...read less

Start this morning with a visit to a food and flower market and then continue to Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family are kept. From there, proceed with a visit to Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep Mountain, which was founded in 1383 AD. In 1935, a road was built to the top, but today people climb the 309 steps from the car park to the top or take a tram for a small surcharge. From the top, enjoy a superb panoramic view of the city. After exploring, return to the car park for a transfer back to Chiang Mai, to take a 20-minute rickshaw ride through the quiet streets of the old town.

This evening, enjoy a street food tour. Chiang Mai is considered to be Thailand's cultural capital, as it sits near some of the country's top natural attractions and boasts incredible northern Thai cuisine at its food stalls and shop houses. There is a street very popular for food next to the 3 Kings Monument where various delicious food such as Noodle Soup, Stir Fries, Phad Thai, Khao Man Kai, Khao Soi, fresh fruit, and Thai dessert can all be sampled. After enjoying the local delicacies, transfer back to the hotel.
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Head to Studio Naenna for a shiburi workshop. Start with a quick introduction to traditional Thai ikat (mudmee) techniques and then receive instruction on some shiburi techniques. Guests will be given two handkerchiefs to design using the learned techniques. Coffee and tea will be available for guests to enjoy throughout duration of the workshop.

Afterwards, there will a Karen hill tribe back-strap loom weaving demonstration on the back veranda, then visit the two galleries. One houses a large variety of high quality silk and cotton garments that are for sale and other, the Patricia Cheesman Gallery, displays either exquisite interior design textiles or antiques from Patricia's private collection.

Afterwards, enjoy lunch (not included), and then visit the historic, laidback town of Lamphun, an important site for arts in Thailand. Continue to Wieng Kum Kam, an ancient city that was built by King Mengrai in the 14th century and rediscovered by archaeologists in 1984. The ancient capital was frequently flooded and eventually abandoned and forgotten. Explore the royal temple of Wat Kanthom (Wat Changkam), the shrine of King Mengrai, and Wat Hao Nong, a temple which is still home to the remains of the old-style temple entrance. Then head to Wat Pu Pia and Wat E-Kang, which were also recently discovered during archaeological excavations. Finally, visit Wat Chedee Liam, an important landmark in the architectural heritage of Chiang Mai.

Note: Ladies should wear a short-sleeved shirt with pants or a knee-length skirt and gentlemen should wear pants and a short-sleeved shirt for religious reasons. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.
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This morning, drive through the Chiang Dao district and pay a visit at an elephant training camp. Enjoy an elephant ride before proceeding to Thaton. Then take a 4 hour ride on a long tailed boat to Chiang Rai. Then pass bamboo huts and jungle areas on the way, and visit a Karen hill tribe village built along the banks of the Maekok River. Upon arrival at the boat landing in the afternoon, proceed to the hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Visit the infamous Golden Triangle, renowned for centuries as the center of the opium trade. From a hilltop viewpoint, marvel at the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak to form the actual "Triangle" with Laos, Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand and the perfect spot to observe border life and local trade. Mae Sai is one of the very few official land crossings between Thailand and Burma and is therefore an important trade hub. Many Burmese come over daily from Thakhilek to work or do business and hurry back before the sun sets. Burmese lacquer ware, gems, jade and other goods from Laos and Burma are sold in shops along the main street. Return to Chiang Rai by car.

Founded in 1262AD, Chiang Rai boasts a fascinating architectural history with a mix of Thai and Burmese styles. Begin the city tour by visiting the ancient temple of Wat Phra Kaew, original home of the Emerald Buddha which is now housed in Bangkok. Continue to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong to observe its large gold stupa, and then visit Wat Rong Khun, which is different from any other temple in Thailand. In contrast to the ancient temples, this temple was built in 1997 and was designed using white glass. Return to the hotel after the tour.


Note: Wat Rong Khun is under construction, so only the outside is open for viewing. Ladies should wear a short-sleeved top with pants or a knee-length skirt and gentlemen should wear pants and a short-sleeved shirt for religious reasons. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day city tour. First visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Continue on a short guided tour of the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground in an example of classical Laotian architecture. Then visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham before lunch (included).

Following lunch, visit the Arts and Ethnology Center to learn about Laos' many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Afterwards, return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai and then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred gilded stupa and a panoramic view of the city and Mekong River at sunset. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where guests can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
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Start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang; Tak Bat. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). The guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life in Laos and there will be a chance to make 'merit'. It's early but well worth the wake-up call!

After breakfast head off with a guide to visit Wat Xieng Thong - often said to be Luang Prabang's most beautiful temple. Then head to the river to begin a relaxing riverboat trip with a guide on the mighty Mekong to visit Pak Ou Buddha Caves. En route it is possible to stop at Ban Xanghai, where local people produce Lao rice wine. Pak Ou caves have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed here by local people since the 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many people still pay respect to this tradition.

After exploring the caves and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, return to the boat and journey back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, transfer to a private vehicle and drive to the nearby village of Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by Lu minority people that originally came from Sipsongpanna in Southern China. This village was once famed for producing silks for the Royal Palace, and Lao textiles are still woven here in the traditional manner on ancient wooden looms. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
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Transfer to the airport for a connecting flight to Siem Reap. Reception at airport and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Rise early to make the most of this exciting day. The guide will take guests to visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great Khmer Empire. Visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting Bayon. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom City and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs, but the main features are the towers, each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total. Continue to visit Preah Khan. This extensive monastic complex, which covers over 130 acres, was built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a nice local restaurant.

Then transfer by Tuk Tuk to Angkor Wat with a private guide. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides, each telling a story, but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea Milk, located on the east wing. The guide will explain the fascinating mystical tale behind it. At the end of the day, enjoy an hour long Kher massage.
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In the morning, visit Banteay Srei (The Women's Citadel) a tiny, enchanting temple which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, "a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest."


Continue to Banteay Samre, another Hindu temple, before visiting Ta Prohm, a temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its re-discovery by the French. Surrounded by jungle, it remains a labyrinth of stone hallways that have become overgrown with roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelope the stone like tentacles. Continue to Pre Rup Temple. Built in 961, the boldness of the architectural design is superb and gives the temple fine balance, scale and proportion. The temple is close in style to the East Mabon, although it was built several years later. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.


Afterward transfer to the famous Tonle Sap, the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia, for a cruise to a nearby floating village. For most of the year the lake is fairly small, approximately only one meter deep with an area of 2,700 square km. However, during the monsoon season, the water is pushed up from the Mekong River into the lake, resulting in an increased area of 16,000 square km and a depth of up to nine meters, ultimately flooding nearby fields and forests. The floodplain provides a perfect breeding ground for fish. The livelihood of most of the local community depends largely on fishing and Tonle Sap accounts for 75 percent of Cambodia's annual inland fish catch.


Note: Depending on the time of year, the Tonle Sap boat ride might be unavailable. In that choose from the Institute for Khmer Traditional Textiles Tour, Siem Reap School Tour, or Cooking Class and Visit to Local Home. Please contact a travel consultant for more information.
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Bangkok and connect with the flight home or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.