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Day 1: CHIANG MAI (D)
Arrive in Chiang Mai, meet and transfer to hotel.
Tonight enjoy a northern Thai cultural show with Khantoke dinner.
Free to stroll in the interesting Night Bazaar featuring a wide range of
northern Thai products including good quality handicraft.
Overnight in hotel, Chiang Mai.
Day 2: CHIANG MAI (B,L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Visit an elephant camp for an interesting
interaction with elephants - bathing them, feeding them, learning to give
them commands and going on an elephant safari, riding an ox-cart as done in olden days, floating downstream on a bamboo raft before returning to Chiang Mai.
Lunch is included at a riverside restaurant.
In the afternoon tour to see northern Thai cottage industries of teakwood
carving, celadon making, silk and cotton weaving, the umbrella-making
village of Bor Sang - all handicrafts by local artisans using traditional
methods of production of which Chiang Mai is famous.
Overnight in hotel, Chiang Mai.
Day 3: CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI TOUR (B,L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to Chiang Rai province by road to tour Chiang Saen's ancient sites; the Mekong River; the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet; the border town of Mae Sai. Lunch at Wang Thong Hotel. Visit Doi Tung, the former home of the Princess Mother nestling among undulating hills with its beautiful gardens of Mae Fah Luang.
Return to Chiang Mai via Thaton and Fang stopping for tea & coffee in a riverside resort at Thaton. You can see lots of boats on the Kok River waiting for passengers to boat downriver to Chiang Rai, visit Thaton temple and admire the lovely scenery. Arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.
Overnight in hotel, Chiang Mai.
Day 4: CHIANG MAI - SUKHOTHAI (B,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning is free until time to transfer to the airport for the flight to old Sukhothai, Thailand's premier heritage site. This first Thai kindgom of the 13th century is the epitome of Thainess, which laid the foundation of Thai culture, religion and civilization and nature of the people. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel to freshen up before going to the Sukhothai Historical Park including the small Ramkamhaeng National Museum where is housed a replica of the controversial Ramkamhaeng Stone written in four languages. It showcases Wat Mahathat with the typical Sukhothai style lotus-bud chedi, various ruins fully restored like the mondop of Wat Si Chum, Wat Sra Sri of Sri Lankan Buddhist design, the older Wat Phra Pai Luang of Khmer architecture, Wat Si Sawai and the old Thuriang kilns producing
the famed white-and-blue ceramics for export throughout Southeast Asia in
the 13th and 14th century. Altogether 21 ruins were restored within and just outside the ancient ramparts of the old city. Return to the hotel for a well-earned rest.
Dinner at the hotel as the sun sets over the west.
Overnight in hotel, Old Sukhothai.
Day 5: SUKHOTHAI - LUANG PRABANG (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing of the Si Satchanalai-Chaliang
Historical Park, the twin city of ancient Sukhothai by the Yom River
with its set of ancient monuments and also declared a world heritage site.
The ruins at Chalieng show Khmer architectural designs. The fine temple of
Wat Chang Lom with stonework elephants surrounding a bell-shape stupa bears an inscription saying that King Ramkamhaeng built it in the years 1285-1291. Wat Chedi Jet Thaew has seven rows of chedi depicting ancient Indian architectural style with the main chedi an exact copy of one at Wat Mahathat in old Sukhothai. The ruins of Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat at Chaliang dates from the mid-15th century heavily influenced by Sukhothai style. It is then time to transfer to Sukhothai airport for the flight to Luang Prabang (Laos). On arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. The former capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom is Luang Prabang. This tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be "the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia". Here are plenty of interesting sights, some of which are the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city's oldest temple of Wat Wisunalat, and Wat Mai. We visit these before climbing the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The zigzag path crosses over various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. Be introduced to authentic Lao cuisine at Pakhuay Mixay restaurant.
Overnight in hotel, Luang Prabang.
Day 6: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today, we continue our city tour, seeing the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong which nestles at the meeting point of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways. The main sim has a marvellous 'tree of life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall. We then board a boat to cruise upstream on the Mekong River which also gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou caves, crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at Ban Xang Hai to visit the rice wine distillation village using traditional means. Lunch box will be served on board. Upon disembarking, we drive to the famous weaving village of Ban Phanom where shoppers have a chance to try their hand at bargaining for local handicraft. Although the many households sell about the same things, the product range is astonishing and the quality good. The villagers depend much on selling their handicraft to appreciating tourists. French set dinner at "L'Elephant Blanc" restaurant.
Overnight in hotel, Luang Prabang.
Day 7: LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The central market is of much interest for the varied and plentiful produce it contains. We visit these sights this morning, before taking a flight to Vientiane, the capital city of the country. On arrival, transfer to our hotel for freshening up before meeting again for lunch and some sightseeing of the city, visiting the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image, now in Bangkok. We then pass by the imposing Patouxai Monument that is well known as Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe on the way back to the hotel.
Dinner at Kua Lao for good tasty Lao food.
Overnight in hotel, Vientiane.
Day 8: VIENTIANE (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing to the famous That Luang Stupa, the focal point of pilgrimages by Laotians countrywide. This is the most important religious monument in Laos. A big festival is held on the full-moon night in November every year - the night after the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand. Learn something of Lao national history at the Lao National History Museum. Drive to the Friendship Bridge spanning Laos and Thailand to visit Buddha Park, an eclectic concoction of sculptures by revered Buddhist monk, Bunleua Sulilat, mixing Buddhism with Hinduism. Try a traditional Lao herbal steam bath at Wat Sok Pa Luang famous for its herbal sauna and Saturday meditation course by learned monk, Sali Kantasilo to end an interesting day. Lunch at Soukvimane Lao Food restaurant for local fare.
Dinner at La Safran of French cuisine.
Overnight in hotel, Vientiane.
Day 9: VIENTIANE - SIEM REAP - ROLOUS GROUP (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. An early morning transfer to airport for the flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On arrival at Siem Riep Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. The town of Siem Reap is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city of Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1431 AD. After checking into hotel, we go to Nests and Fins Restaurant for lunch before driving to the archaeological area to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the 9th century. Here are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to as the Rolous group, consisting of Lolei, Bakong and Preahko. They predate Angkor Wat and give a good chronological account of temple construction in the Khmer civilization.
Dinner at the Tonle Sap Restaurant.
Overnight in hotel, Siem Reap.
Day 10: ANGKOR THOM & OTHER TEMPLES (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing to the second-most important temple cluster of the ancient Khmer civilization. We enter Angkor Thom by the South Gate flanked by giant gods and demons on both sides of the causeway. Angkor Thom was built by the greatest of the Khmer kings, Jayavarman VII (r.1181-1218). It is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone numbering 216 in all at the impressive Bayon Temple. Our walk around the ruins will take us to the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and a number of less important but nevertheless interesting ruins. Lunch at Angkor Cafe. In the afternoon visit Ta Phrom, Preah Khan and Neak Pean all built by the same king.
Ta Phrom is little restored deliberately leaving it in the embrace of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers as an example of how all the other Angkor period temples were before restoration. We explore this masterpiece as well as Preah Khan and Neak Pean which the king dedicated to his father and mother, and ome of the surrounding temples (Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado.) As the sun sets we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments and Angkor Wat standing in splendid solitude opposite us.
Dinner at Sampheap Restaurant.
Overnight in hotel, Siem Reap.
Day 11: ANGKOR WAT (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Today we explore the largest as well as most complete structure of all Khmer temples - Angkor Wat. It was built earlier than Angkor Thom and is the most splendid monument of the ancient Khmer world. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and outside ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple spires. The bas-reliefs around its galleries are most spectacular and entertaining, telling the history of Angkor and the usual stories of the Hindu gods. With lovely carvings of deities and apsaras. Lunch at Bayon II restaurant.
Free afternoon to relax and walk around the Old Market or indulge in a massage.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in hotel, Siem Reap.
Day 12: BANTEY SREI - KBAL SPEAN (B,L,D)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Full-day tour to the outer places of Angkor city.
Heading out of the town we drive on a newly paved road past the Preah Dark village to the intricately carved and well-preserved temple of Banteay Srei, often known as the pink stone temple with exquisite carvings of apsaras. After seeing this beautiful monument we continue driving through the rugged mountain scenery to Kbal Spean, known as the River of 1000 Lingas. The view over the riverbed carvings is impressive. The next stop of our trip is the Banteay Samre Temple, which is adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu and Krishna legends. This is awesome territory in the mountains of little visited Cambodia.
Lunch and dinner will be catered for. Dinner will be at Kulen II Restaurant where a show is put on in farewell to your visit of Angkor.
Overnight in hotel, Siem Reap.
Day 13: SIEM REAP - TONLE SAP LAKE - BANGKOK (B,L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to the Great Lake (Tonle Sap) for a boat cruise in one of Southeast Asia's largest natural lakes. The experience is educational as we pass by floating villages, friendly children in small boats and fishermen pulling in the morning catch. This excursion depends on your departure time. If time permits we can also include a visit to a local village along the way to see how the rural Cambodians live today. We then transfer you to Siem Reap Airport for the flight to Bangkok. At Bangkok airport, transfer to hotel about 5 minutes' drive from the airport by the hotel's inclusive transfer service.
Overnight at Asia Airport Hotel or Comfort Suites Airport Hotel, Don Muang, Bangkok.
DAY 14: BANGKOK - DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport by the hotel's minivan for your departure flight.
End of Program
Tour cost in Japanese Yen per person in the group
| Standard | Superior | First class | |
| 2 pax | 148,000 | 167,000 | 223,000 |
| 3 - 5 pax | 142,000 | 161,000 | 216,000 |
| 6 - 9 pax | 133,000 | 151,000 | 208,000 |
| 10 - 14 pax | 131,000 | 149,000 | 205,000 |
| 15 - 19 pax | 128,000 | 147,000 | 202,000 |
| 20 pax & up | 127,000 | 145,000 | 201,000 |
| Single room sup | 51,000 | 69,000 | 86,000 |
INCLUDED:
-Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Accommodation in hotels of your choice in the list
- Air ticket Luang Prabang - Vientiane and domestic airport taxes
- Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
- English or French speaking guide
- Entrance fees
- Boat trip
NOT INCLUDED:
-International air tickets to/from Laos
-Visa fees
-Departure airport tax
-Travel Insurance
-Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others not stated
* Notes: The supplement for flight Vientiane to Siem Reap or Bangkok is about US$140
per passenger. This price is subject to change by the airlines concerned.
| City | HOTEL NAME & CATEGORY | ||
| Standard | Superior | First | |
| Chiang Mai | Royal Lanna or similar | Rydges / Mae Ping | Duangtawan/Tamarind |
| Sukhothai | Thai Village House | Pailyn | Sukhothai Resort |
| Luang Prabang | Phousi / Muang Luang | Villa Santi Hotel or Villa Santi Resort | Grand Luangprabang Hotel Souvannaphoum |
| Vientiane | Lan Xang or similar | Dokmaideng/Novotel | Lao Plaza or similar |
| Siem Reap | Star Royal or similar | Angkor Star or Princess Angkor | Apsara Angkor or Angkor Century |
| Bangkok | Comfort Suites Airport | Asia Airport | Asia Airport |
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