13 Days Lost Legends of Siam & Angkor Tour Package
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Priced From: $ 5,750 pp dbl.occ.
Dates: Jan - Dec

-Experience the thrill of personal discovery as you explore the mythical city of Angkor with your private, specialist guide
-Journey into the mountains of northern Thailand to meet members from four main hill tribes: Hmong, Yao, Akha and Lisu – each with distinctive cultural traditions
-Glimpse the everyday life of the Thai people through a variety of genuine encounters, including a remarkable morning at one of the remaining rural floating markets, at Damnern Saduak west of Bangkok. Cruise the small canals that make up the markets in one of the traditional long-tailedboats
-Take an elephant trek into the teak forests of Chiang Mai, and watch these gentle giants at work and play. Learn about their close and lasting relationship with their human mahout
-Tour the artisans’ workshops of  Les Chantiers Ecoles, a school established by the government in 1992 to teach stone and  woodcarving, lacquer ware production, furniture construction and silk weaving to poor young Cambodians. The school helps the artisans to support themselves while contributing to the revival of Cambodia’s rich cultural identity

Day 2: En Route
Cross the international Dateline.

Day 3: Bangkok, Thailand
Arrive in Bangkok, where you are welcomed and escorted to your elegant hotel on Chao Phya River. Since 1876, the Oriental Bangkok has hosted royalty, heads of state, authors, and industrialists. It remains a premiere hotel resort, located ten minutes from the city center. The Oriental Bangkok

Day 4: Bangkok
This morning, begin your introduction to Thailand’s rich cultural heritage with the magnificent Grand Palace. The palace grounds cover 60 acres and encompass the Inner Palace, the home of the current king, pavilions and government offices. The Emerald Buddha Temple houses the 31-inch-high Buddha, carved from one block of jade, and is the most revered image in Thailand. Also admire Wat Pho, Reclining Buddha Temple, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok; and Wat Trimitr, the world's largest Golden Buddha thought to be 700 years old. This afternoon is at leisure. The Oriental Bangkok (B,D)

Day 5: Damnoen Saduak
Your itinerary takes you into the countryside, past rice paddies. Visit a local coconut sugar factory before reaching Damnern Saduak’s floating market. Modern grocery and department stores have largely replaced traditional floating markets, but a few still survive. Board a long-tailed boat to cruise the small canals of the market. Gain an eye-level view of boats laden with tropical fruits, flowers, vegetables and fresh produce. Travel to Nakorn Pathom, which boasts the world's tallest Buddha monument. Lunch at a rural theme park overlooking a river. Return to the hotel this afternoon with a better understanding of life in rural Thailand. The Oriental Bangkok (B,L)

Day 6: Bangkok / Chiang Mai
Fly north to Chiang Mai, center for exploring the distinctive mountain hill tribes of  Thailand. First, visit Doi Suthep Temple, an important landmark to Buddhists and Lanna people. Then, set out to meet the Hmong hill tribe. Over 100 years ago, six hill tribes migrated from China into the mountains of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Each has a distinct culture, religion, language, art and dress. Mandarin Oriental Chiang Mai, Colonial Suite (B,D)

Day 7: Chiang Maii
Delve further into Thai as you travel to an elephant camp on the banks of the Ping River to witness the special relationship between an elephant and its handler, mahout. An elephant-back trek takes you along the river and through nearby jungle, past bamboo trees and hanging creepers to a remote hill tribe village of the Lisu. Enjoy a peaceful ride on a bamboo raft as it floats down the River Ping. Mandarin Oriental Chiang Mai, Colonial Suite (B,L)

Day 8: Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
Travel by road through lush mountain landscapes, past hill tribe settlements of the far north. Arrive at your exquisite mountain resort. Genuine Thai hospitality is wrapped in a setting that is both traditional in spirit and contemporary in design. Savor a private terrace from your luxury room with amazing views of the verdant Mekong Valley. Anantara Resort Chiang Rai, Deluxe Room (B,D)

Day 9: Golden Triangle
Discover the Golden Triangle, so called because three countries – Thailand, Myanmar and Laos – meet. The scenery on these narrow mountain roads is splendid, especially at Doi Mae Salong, a Chinese settlement founded by Kuomintang soldiers who fled China in 1949. Meet members of Akha and Yao, hill tribes, who continue to follow the simple lifestyles of their ancestors. After lunch, set out for Mae Sai, the town nearest the Myanmar border. Then, journey into the heart of the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet. From a hilltop, you see all three countries. An optional boat trip is available for those who wish to get closer to Laos and Myanmar. At Chiang Saen, there is evidence of a 13th-century city that once flourished here. Take time to relish this tranquil setting of old temples on the banks of the Mekong River. Anantara Resort Chiang Rai, Deluxe Room (B,L)

Day 10: Chiang Rai / Bangkok / Siem Reap, Cambodia
Today fly from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. Then, connect with your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.Your guide escorts you to the hotel. Grand Hotel D'Angkor (B,D)

Day 11: Angkor
Today begins the stellar event of your journey – mythical Angkor. The name refers to both the complex of temples, and to a specific temple, or wat. One of the first Europeans to record seeing Angkor Wat was a Portuguese monk in 1586. By then, Angkor was already more than two centuries old! As you delve into this ancient world and study some of the thousands of carvings, you begin to see the world through the eyes of the people who inhabited this place. The Banteay Srei temple is the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built of pink sandstone, its walls are rich with exquisitely preserved carvings. Visit Preah Khan, a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers an enormous area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of about 2296 feet by 2624 feet. The gem of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples. Intricate stone carvings adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls runs the longest continuous bas-relief in the world. The ancient ruins are stunning any time, but at sunset, Angkor is simply extraordinary. Grand Hotel D'Angkor (B,L)

Day 12: Angkor Thom / Ta Prohm / Ta Keo / Les Chantiers Ecoles
Continue your discovery of fabled Angkor. A wall and wide moats encircle the fortified city of Angkor Thom where many of Angkor's most popular sights are located. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods. Carvings at the Terrace of the Elephants portray sporting events and hunting scenes. At Bayon Temple, ascend narrow stairs to the central sanctuary, where you find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. Ta Prohm temple is still a captive of the jungle; giant roots of a silk cotton tree running along one gallery. This is most likely how Angkor appeared to European explorers. Visit Ta Keo, the first Angkor monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is about 164 feet high and surrounded by four lower towers. Finish off the day at Les Chantiers Ecoles, a school established in 1992 by the government to teach stone and woodcarving, furniture construction and silk weaving skills to young Cambodians from poor rural areas with no education. The school also supports the revival of Cambodia’s cultural identity through the National Silk Centre near Siem Reap. Grand Hotel D’Angkor (B,L,D)

Day 13: Siem Reap / USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, with a wealth of experiences to remember. (B)

12/08