Thailand, Laos & Cambodia

Overnight flight from the U.S. to Bangkok, Thailand.

Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Optional visit to the Jim Thompson Museum this afternoon. Festive welcome dinner.

Visit the most important sights of Bangkok: the giant Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho covered in gold leaf. The Grand Palace is a “must see” for every visitor. Within the compound is the Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew). After lunch, travel on the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings) and on through the canals by deluxe boat. Observe the serene family homes and temples along the waterways, which gave the city the name “Venice of the East”. In the evening, depart on a food tour of Bangkok’s food scene by tuk-tuks.

Fly north to Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of Thailand. Have a one- in-a-lifetime evening that starts with a spiritual blessing, followed by a traditional Khantoke dinner in a historic wooden house. Dinner is served at the hotel’s original teak homestead dating back to the 1800s.

Morning visit to the acclaimed temple Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, home to a holy relic of the Lord Buddha considered the most sacred wat in northern Thailand. Next, visit Wat Umong, with its unique tunnels. Here you can have an opportunity to informally talk with a monk and learn about a monk’s life, Thai culture, and Tradition, and Buddhism. Afternoon Drive through the historic areas of Chiang Mai, including the old city walls, city gates, and moat. Visit Wat Phra Singh which houses the beautiful Lai Kham Chapel with its exquisite wood carving and northern style murals. Afterward visit Wat Chedi Luang, containing an enormous Pagoda.

Take a picturesque hour-long drive through the agricultural Thai countryside to the Elephant Nature Park. Hear from expert guides the stories of rescued elephants, the problems elephants face in Southeast Asia, and how they are aiding Thailand’s dwindling elephant population. Opportunity to feed the elephants from the viewing platform. Watch these gentle giants as they splash around and play while you stay dry on the riverbank.

A short transfer takes you into the outskirts of Chiang Mai to meet your host family in an authentic Thai neighborhood. Spend time with the Thai family learning about traditional Thai architecture and the graceful teakwood homes and structures. Stroll through the orchard and herb garden with your host family, who will also demonstrate how to make bamboo baskets and cigars from banana leaves. Cruise along Chiang Mai streets to visit favorite places to eat at night.

Afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Visit “The Bamboo Experience” surrounded by Rice fields and landscapes to learn about Lao culture. Tonight, experience a Baci Ceremony! The Baci is a ceremony to celebrate a special event such as a welcome, a birth, or a marriage. After the ceremony, everyone shares a meal as a member of the community.

Give alms to the monks. Then let’s get spiritual as we follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to the Pak Ou Caves. These ancient limestone caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues, many broken and crumbling, covered in dust and cobwebs. But first, relax on a cruise down the Mekong River observing life on the sleepy riverbanks. In the afternoon, enjoy The Living Land Farm Experience. As part of a small group learn how to be a rice farmer for a day. You will also learn about other traditional crafts such as bamboo weaving, tool and trap making, gardening, and even blacksmithing.

Sightseeing in Luang Prabang by Tuk Tuk. Visit the National Museum (Royal Palace), a graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. Visit Wat Xieng Thong. Wat Xieng Thong was built in 1560 and situated on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit Wat Visunalat and “That Makmo.” Wat Visunalat (Wat Visoun) built in 1513, it is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang. Afternoon flight to Siem Reap. This evening enjoy a performance at Phare Cambodian Circus and dinner. Learn how the circus has improved the lives of young Cambodians.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed at Angkor. Epic Angkor Wat, the largest and most important of the Angkor Temples, is full of courtyards and carvings. Then there’s the mysterious Bayon Temple with its giant smiling stone faces. See the haunting beauty of Ta Phrom. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer scale and the spiritual atmosphere that you will experience when seeing these ancient monuments. Today’s Highlights: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper Kings, Bayon Temple, Baphuon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas) Ta Prohm.

In a rural village take a ride on an ox cart and learn how to drive it ourselves. A local family will demonstrate how to prepare a delicious Khmer lunch. Later, walk around the village to see the community school run by a NGO and built from old plastic bottles! Dinner at La Residence de Krous, a contemporary, Cambodian, wooden house, and a fine example of Khmer architecture.

Transfer to the airport for flight to the U.S. and home.