In this section you will find a short description of the daily possibilities. The tour leader will offer a program on almost every day but the program is informal and by no means obligatory leaving lots of room for your own initiative. Your guides will organize and accompany some activities and will also make suggestions so that you are free to dine or explore on your own.
Day 1 Depart USA
Day 2 In transit
Day 3 Arrival Bangkok
We typically travel with Singapore Airlines on this trip. At the airport our tour leader greets you arranges the transfer by privately hired bus to the hotel conveniently located in the Banglumpoo area. All rooms of the hotel are air-conditioned. Wat Prakaew, the Grand Palace, the National Museum, the Royal Barges and Wat Arun are easily reached on foot. A ride in a traditional (and fast!) longtail boat through the “klongs” is absolutely worthwhile. From the boat you will be able to see places that are hard to reach by road. Other parts of Bangkok, like the busy but interesting Chinatown, or the huge shopping mall called Siam Square can be visited in several ways: by local bus, the Chao Praya Express River Taxi, by cab or by that typical Thai three-wheel taxi: the “tuktuk”. If you use one of the latter two, make sure you have agreed on a price before you get in. Do not forget to bargain!
Day 4 Bangkok - Nakhom Pathom - Damnoen Saduak - River Kwai
Day 5 River Kwai
Early in the morning we will drive out of Bangkok towards the “chedi” of Nakhom Pathom, the highest Buddhist structure in the world and the oldest “chedi” in Thailand. The next stop will be the floating market of Damnung Saduak, a popular market where all sorts of products are sold from boats. From here we leave for Kanchanaburi, home of the notorious “Bridge over the River Kwai”. The cemetery and the JEATH war museum are certainly included in our program. The museum consists of rows of barracks with photos, paintings and paper cuttings on display. From Kanchanaburi we will drive on to the river where we board a long tail boat taking us to our accommodation for the night, the “Jungle Rafts”. These are bungalows built on bamboo rafts, an ideal place to relax or to visit the Keang Lawa Caves.
Day 6 River Kwai - Ayutthaya
We drive to Ayutthaya, one of the former capitals of Thailand. Before the Burmese invaded this city in 1767, Ayutthaya was a center of prosperity, with influence extending all the way to China, Japan and Europe. The numerous ancient temples and ruins you find here are reminders of that time.
Day 7 Ayutthaya – Chiang Mai (flight)
Day 8 Chiang Mai
Day 9 Chiang Mai – Bangkok (night train)
After some morning sightseeing in Ayutthaya we continue our trip to Bangkok, and then we fly to Chiang Mai. The city of Chiang Mai is situated at the bottom of the mountain Doi Sutep (5,055 feet) and on the bank of the river Ping. A bike is the ideal means of transportation around this town to visit, for example, the country house of the royal family or the many temples of the city like Wat Phra Sing and Wat Chedi Luang. On the outskirts of town you can see artisans such as silk weavers, woodworkers, silversmiths and umbrella makers at work. The night market is always busy and souvenir hunters will definitely find plenty for gathering. From Chiang Mai we take a night train back to Bangkok Some travelers prefer to bring along their own dinner on the train, as food is costly.
Day 10 Arrival Bangkok
Day 11 Bangkok
Day 12 Depart Bangkok - – Phnom Penh (flight)
After returning to Bangkok you have most of the day for activities. You may visit the Emerald Buddha, built by King Rama I, one of the best-known Buddha images in Thailand. You may instead decide to stroll through the gardens of the Grand Palace. The Flower Market is a wonderful place to spend some time. Nakhon Kasem (Thieves Market) has great little back streets, lots of antiques, and plenty of cheap, good eateries. Of course there are plenty of museums and temples and great shopping . For those continuing to Cambodia, a short flight will take you on to Phnom Penh.
Day 13 Phnom Penh
A local guide will be available who will meet you at the airport and assist you from there. Phnom Penh is lovely, with charming cafes and a riverfront area, which has been developed. There are several wats worth visiting, including Wat Ounalom and Wat Phnom (located on a hilltop and inspiration for the city’s name). The Silver Pagoda boasts riches from the wealthy Khmer culture, which were preserved by the Khmer Rouge. For local crafts, you may wish to visit the National Museum.
The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. A memorial Stupa erected in 1988 displays 8000 skulls, accounting for only about one third of the people killed here. The Tuol Sleng Museum is a harsh reminder of the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.
Day 14 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (boat)
Day 15 Siem Reap
Day 16 Siem Reap
Day 17 Siem Reap - depart for USA (West Coast flights arrive)
Day 18 Arrival USA (East Coast flights arrive)
The boat ride is long. Be sure to pack something to eat for your journey, as you cannot get food on the boat. In Siem Reap you will visit the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. On the first day, you can visit the South Gate of the fortified city, Angkor Thom, once protected by a crocodile-filled moat. Or you may make a visit to Bayon, with its 54 towers. It is known for its bas reliefs, which are wonderful representations of the ancient lifestyle. During the Khmer Empire, the Terrace of the Elephants was the ceremonial gathering place for the kings' colorful celebrations. You may also see the Terrace of the Leper King and Baksei Chamkrong, an intricate temple that ascends to a tiered pyramid and a dramatic sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Preah Khan is a temple which was dedicated to 515 divinities and has seen numerous festivals over the years. You may also want to visit Preah Neak Pean, an ancient pool complex. The markets offer fine silks, traditional shadow puppet shows and plenty of delicious foods to sample. If you live on the West Coast your flight will arrive the same day as your departure, if you live on the East Coast your flight will arrive the following day.
PHUKET EXTENSION
An optional beach extension may be booked to Phuket between the Thailand and Cambodia portions of this trip. This includes Bangkok/Phuket and Phuket/Bangkok flights, and three nights in a 4-star hotel in Phuket. This portion of the trip is unaccompanied. The cost per person is $450 (double occupancy). Additional nights in Phuket are $100 (for a double room). A minimum of two people are needed to make this extension.If extension is added, the program would appear as follows.
Day 12 Bangkok - Phuket (flight)
Day 13 Phuket
Day 14 Phuket
Day 15 Phuket - Bangkok (flight) Bangkok - Phnom Penh (flight )
Day 16 Phnom Penh
Day 17 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (boat)
Day 18 Siem Reap
Day 19 Siem Reap
Day 20 Siem Reap - depart for USA (West Coast flights arrive)
Day 21 Arrival USA (East Coast flights arrive)
