DETAILED 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

+ During peak periods, this hotel applies a surcharge not included in this quotation. Such surcharge will be added to the quote at time of confirmation!.