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Code: |
IDCN10 |
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Routes: |
Bangkok - Sukhothai - Luang Prabang
- Siem Reap |
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Duration: |
08 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1:Bangkok - Sukhothai
Day 2: Sukhothai - Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
Day 5: Siem Reap
Day 6: Siem Reap
Day 7: Siem Reap
Day 8: Siem Reap/ Depart
Detail Itinerary
Day 1:Bangkok - Sukhothai
Flight (MWHT) from Bangkok to Sukhothai. Arrival
in Sukhothai and transfer to the hotel.
Sukhothai was as Thailand's first capital,
Sukhothai flourished from the mid-13th century
to the late-14th century.The Sukhothai kingdom
is viewed as the "golden age" of Thai
civilisation- the religious art and architecture
of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the
most classic of Thai styles. SUKHOTHAI
HISTORICAL NATIONAL PARK: was surrounded by
three concentric ramparts and two moats bridged
by four gateways. Today the remains of 21
historical sites and four large ponds can be
seen within the old walls, with an additional 70
sites within a five km radius. The Sukhothai
ruins have been declared a historical park and
rank as one of Thailand's World Heritage Sites.
Sightseeing Sukhothai and Sri-Satchanalai
Historical Park. Highlights: RAMKHAMHAENG
NATIONAL MUSEUM: provides a good starting point
for an exploration of the ruins. A replica of
the famous Ramkhamhaeng inscription is kept here
amongst a good collection of Sukhothai
artefacts. SRI-SATCHANALAI HISTORIC PARK: are in
the same basic style as those in the Sukhothai
Historical Park, but with some slightly larger
sites. The 13th to 15th century ruins cover
roughly 720 hectares, surrounded by a 12m-wide
moat. This historical park has also been
classified as a World Heritage Site. Overnight
in Sukhothai. (L,D)
Day 2: Sukhothai - Luang Prabang
Transfer to the airport. Flight (MWHT) from
Sukhothai to Luang Prabang. Arrival in Luang
Prabang,, the ancient capital city of the Lan
Xang Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples
and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains.
In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Transfer to the hotel.
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang. Highlights: WAT
XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and situated on the
banks of the Mekong River, it is the most
beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang and shows
the typical Lao art style with old religious
artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao
art. WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun): built in 1513
during the reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the
oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a
collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from the
15th and 16th centuries. WAT MAI: constructed in
1821 during the reign of King Manthatourath, it
was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the
Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy). WAT THAT
LUANG: the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are
interred inside the large central stupa, which
was erected in 1910. The inside of the huge sim
dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang Prabang
Buddhas and other artifacts. WAT SAEN: Thai
style wat built in 1718 and restored in 1957.
The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here
in 1940 is one of the most revered monks in
Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Luang Prabang
Excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou
Caves, these are two caves (Tham Thing – lower
cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock
cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and
Ou River. They are full of Buddha images of
varying styles, ages and sizes. Other
highlights: BAN XANG HAI: located near the Pak
Ou Caves, this village was once a 'Jar-Maker
Village' and nowadays the community fill the
jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo,
the local rice whisky. BAN THING HONG: this is a
3-km hike leads to Thing Hong cave. Opposite Ban
Xang Hai and close to Pak Ou, a recently
excavated cave. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, built in
1560 and situated on the banks of the Mekong
River, it is the most beautiful monastery in
Luang Prabang and shows the typical Lao art
style with old religious artifacts and some
ancient masterpieces of Lao art. Overnight in
Luang Prabang. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang with the following
highlights: NATIONAL MUSEUM: located on the
banks of the Mekong River, it was constructed as
Royal Palace between 1904 and 1909 and today
houses the Royal throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom
and many other pieces of regalia and religious
treasures. PHU SI: the temples on the upper
slopes of the 100m-high Phu Si were constructed
recently, but it is likely that previously there
were other temples on this important hill. From
the top there is an excellent view of the town.
Transfer to the airport. Flight (MWHT) from
Luang Prabang to Siem Reap. Arrival in Siem Reap
and transfer to the hotel. Visit Phnom Bakheng,
hilltop temple ruins which provide one of the
best views of Angkor Wat, for the sunset over
Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Siem Reap
Sightseeing of Angkor. Visit Angkor Wat, a
temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King
Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and
1150. It was constructed over a period of 30
years and is world famous for its beauty and
splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest
continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs
along the outer gallery walls and narrates
stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO
declared the monument and the whole city of
Angkor a World Heritage Site. Visit Angkor Thom,
a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers)
built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from
1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates
and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. In
the center of the walled city are the city's
most important monuments including Bayon,
Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace
of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal
Enclosure. Other highlights: BAYON: Jayavarman
VII's temple mountain that stands at the center
of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of
Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow
corridors, steep flights of stairs and an
amazing collection of towers decorated with over
200 smiling faces. BAPHUON: the pyramid shape
represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the
center of the city that was here before Angkor
Thom. PHIMEANAKAS: near the center of what was
once the royal palace within Angkor Thom.
Phimeanakas means ''Celestial Palace'', though
today there is not much left to indicate its
former splendour. FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing
remains today except two pools that were used by
royalty for washing. TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this
terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies
and was a base for the King's grand audience
hall. The famous lines of elephants are at
either end of the retaining walls. TERRACE OF
THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of
Elephants is a platform named ''Terrace of the
Leper King''. On the platform is a nude statue
''one of Angkor's mysteries. TA PROHM: one of
the most popular attractions of Angkor as much
of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks
very much as most of the Angkor monuments would
have appeared when European explorers first
stumbled across them. Overnight in Siem Reap.
(B,L,D)
Day 6: Siem Reap
Continue the sightseeing Angkor with a visit to
Banteay Srei Temple, built in the late 10th
century, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to
Shiva. The temple is square with entrances on
the east and west. Of main interest are the
three central towers which are decorated with
male and female divinities and beautiful
filigree relief work. Visit Banteay Samre, built
in the middle of the 12th century under
Suryavarman II, and dedicated to the god Vishnu.
ROLUOS GROUP: these monuments mark the beginning
of classical art, as some of the earliest great
temples built by the Khmer. They served as the
capital of Indravarman (who reigned from 877 to
889). LOLEI: built on an islet by Yasovarman I
(who ruled from 889 to 910), the founder of the
first city of Angkor. The sandstone carvings in
the niches of the temples are notable as are the
Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts. PREAH
KO: erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th
century in dedication to his defied ancestors in
880. There are inscriptions in Sanskrit on the
doorsteps of each temple. BAKONG: built and
dedicated to Shiva by Indravarman I, this is the
largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group
of temples and still has an active Buddhist
monastery. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Siem Reap
Boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, which links the
Tonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River, and onto the
Tonle Sap Lake. Highlights: TONLE SAP (Great
Lake): this lake takes up much of the center of
Cambodia and changes in size depending on the
season. During the dry season in February it
shrinks to a tenth of its original size and is
then one of the richest fishing grounds in the
world. The boat trip explores the lake's fishing
villages. PHNOM KROM: a hill south of Siem Reap
with spectacular views over the lake and a
temple dating from the 10th century. The three
towers on it are dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and
Brahma.
CHONG KNEAS: a floating village on the lake
where both Khmer and Vietnamese live. Visit
Chantiers Ecoles (Artisans d'Angkor, a
vocational centre trains 650 apprentices a year
including 160 in five arts and crafts trades
united in the "Artisan d'Angkor production
network. Guided tours through the different
workshops like stone sculpture, woodcarving,
polychromie, and watch the artisan at work.
Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Siem Reap/ Depart
Transfer to the airport - End of services. (B)
Included:
Accommodation and meals as described (please
note that some hotels provide only CBF)
All transfers within the journey, including
pick-up at airport
Economy class flights
All entrance fees
English, French or German speaking guides (other
languages available upon request)
Visa-approval letter for Vietnam
Not Included:
Visa fees and Airport taxes
Tips and expenditure of a personal nature, such
as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
Other tours & meals not mentioned in the program
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