From regal Golden Tigers accompanied by monks in saffron robes at Wat Pha Luangta Bua temple, zip lining through the jungles of Laos with Gibbons Apes and snorkelling with the protected Turtles of Selingan Island, to playing with undeniably adorable Orang-Utans in Borneo and spending 3 days living as a traditional Elephant mahout in Chiang Rai, this novel private guided adventure through South East Asia is potentially life-changing. Immerse yourself in the exotic wildlife of Thailand, Laos and Malaysia as you visit various animal sanctuaries, national parks and even a temple dedicated to protecting these majestic creatures! Learn about the role the elephant plays in Thai culture, the tiger in Buddhism, the efforts of South East Asia is making to protect their wildlife and more. Enjoy soul moving temples, breathtaking hiking, many boat cruises, village visits, caving, mouth-watering traditional cuisine, all internal flights, 24/7 Kensington support and much more. Nights are spent with welcoming locals in jungle villages, at traditional camps and some eco-friendly and historic hotels for a little dash of luxury. Ideal for mature children and families or just the young at heart, this once-in-a-lifetime tour celebrates this exotic region’s mosaic of spectacular wildlife.

Bangkok is a frequently chaotic jumble of traffic, temples, savory food and entertainment. Over the last few years, the opening of a slick new elevated tramway that enables visitors to glide over the chaotic scenes below, coupled with the cheap and frequent river boats and the reasonably priced air-conditioned taxis, have made tourism in the city newly appealing. Within the city limits is a wealth of over 300 Buddhist temple and shrines. Most famous are Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and Wat Trimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha). One of the largest temple complexes in the country is Wat Pho. Altogether, there are over 30 individual temples scattered here, of which the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is the largest. The Buddha's statue is enormous, an amazing 47.5m (156ft) long and 15m (49ft) high. Wat Phra Kaeo is a temple complex that houses the Emerald Buddha.

A private vehicle with English speaking guide & driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel.

Today we visit the remote forest temple of Wat Pha Luangta Bua, some 160 kms from Bangkok. In these beautiful surroundings, dedicated Buddhist monks live with numerous wild animals including various tigers, which they take for a walk on a leash every afternoon. This is one of the most extraordinary sights you will ever see in Thailand, and is probably unique in the world.  Just as with a visit to a game reserve where wild animals are not caged, the tour to the forest temple carries a small amount of risk. To ensure maximum safety, all participants must fully comply with all instructions given by the tour guide or the monks.

Welcome to Bangkok and AriyasomVilla - step back in time to a more leisurely life style. The Villa was built in 1942 and is still in the hands of the original family who built it. With 25 beautifully appointed Rooms and Suites, "Na Aroon" Restaurant, Room Service, Swimming Pool, Spa, Meeting Room, Library, Meditation Hall and under ground Car Parking we are well equipped to really look after you during your stay in the "City of Angels". Conveniently located in the "heart" of Central Bangkok.

Overnight at Ariyasomvilla.

Chiang Mai in the far north is Thailand's second-largest city and a center for excursions to the region's ancient and beautiful temples, the teak forests and their working elephants, caves and waterfalls, and journeys to visit the northern hill tribes. The main attractions are the Doi Suthep temple and elephant trekking. Doi Suthep is one of the most famous temples in northern Thailand. Perched high on a hilltop, it offers fine views over the city on clear days. The trip up can either be made via a funicular or a grand staircase with 400 steps. The banisters alone are worth a visit: a giant green-and-red glazed serpent winds its way down to end in a magnificent dragon's head.

Nineteenth-century Bangkok was laced with canals, giving the capital the designation ‘Venice of the East’. Surviving canals and the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings) provide memorable vignettes of a traditional waterborne way-of-life that has remained essentially unchanged over the centuries. The river and canals may be conveniently explored by public transport or via a traditional long tailed boat. We finally end at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), this famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark, diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79-metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. After a wonderful tour, we bring you back across the river to the main starting point.

A private vehicle with English speaking guide & driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel.

Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai today.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Rimping Village is located in the historical part of the city, specifically the Wat Kate community. This area of Chiang Mai was known by merchants as a trading zone, rich with diverse cultures, and lifestyles. Rimping Village was built specifically using the same style of architecture as the rest of the building in the area. This boutique hotel offers a comfortable, and community like atmosphere while giving its guest everything needed to create the perfect holiday experience.

Overnight at Rimping Village.

At roughly 8:30 AM, you will arrive and register at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center camp, where all tourists are given a briefing on elephant commands by the expert Mahout's.  Soon after, you will have your first chance to meet the Elephants and Mahouts at Elephant Showground (Training Area). After the introductions complete, you will be instructed on how to properly ride these gentle giants by the Mahout's. At roughly 9:45AM you will participate in the daily Elephant Bathing show with the entire Mahout's at the bathing area.  You will then hop aboard the elephants and parade into the showground along with the Mahouts. At 11AM you will check into the Home stay accommodation and rest in the Mahout village before lunch is prepared at noon. Your morning bathing, riding, and training practices are repeating again with more hands on training and assistance from the Mahout's.  At around 2:30PM you go on an elephant ride into the forest.  After an hour, you will arrive at the elephants overnight accommodations, where the Mahouts leave there elephants to graze for the evening.  All of the elephant will have long chain connected to their leg to prevent them roaming away, and all elephants are given a different spot every day so they have enough green foods to eat. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the village before dinner and an overnight.

Enjoy the local hospitality as you overnight with the local Mahout's in their forest Village.

Overnight at Village Camp.

Early in the morning, you will accompany the Mahout's as they collect their elephants from the forest.  Elephants cover themselves with mud and dust to repel insects, as well as a means of cooling off.  You will need to carefully assist the Mahout's in the cleaning of the elephants, before making route to training ground.  As you return with the elephants you will stop for breakfast, and continue with more training and interactions with the elephant's.  Once again it is bathing time, after the cleaning is complete, you will make a visit to the local elephant hospital for some potential infant baby spotting.  After a lunch break, it's back into the water for the afternoon bath, followed by some further interaction and training with the Mahout and the elephants.  In the early evening hours you will assist in the bringing of the elephants back into the forest for their overnight.  You will return to the village of for dinner, chatting and an overnight.

Overnight at Village Camp.

Chiang Rai is the most northern province of Thailand. The mighty Mekong river creates a border in the north to both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The place where all these countries touch is the famous-infamous Golden Triangle. The terrain of Chiang Rai province is mountainous and covered in large parts with tropical rain forests. The scenery is among the most beautiful of Thailand and one of the best things about Chiang Rai province is its rich cultural diversity - various hill tribes, Thais, ancient aboriginal people like the Lawa or Khamu, Shans, Lao, Chinese, and Mon. In addition, the province offers opportunities for boat tours (on the river Kok and on the Mekong), elephant rides, hill trekking, and sightseeing.

By the third and final day the morning routine of the Mahout has surely been implanted into mind.  You will collect the elephants, proceed to breakfast, bathe the elephants (and yourself), learn and further interact with the elephants, and participate in your final elephant show.  Just before noon you will be presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Mahout and a small token souvenir, completing this unmatchable experience.

Transfer between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai with a private vehicle and driver. This drive is very scenic, and takes 3-4 hours.

Laluna stands apart from the crowd with a unique feel. A collection of 79 spacious bungalows hidden away from the main road and nestled within a tropical paradise, 20 of or bungalows surround the large lagoon style swimming pool and Jacuzzi with a large deck area where you can sit and relax, order a poolside snack or cocktail. We are located only minutes from the famous night bazaar and centre of town, and a 15 minute drive to the airport and bus station.

Overnight at Laluna.

Houayxay is the capital of the Lao province of Bokèo, on the border with Thailand.  The town lies on the Mekong river opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand being the northernmost border crossing between the two countries. The two are only connected via ferries. Houayxay is also the endpoint of national road no. 3 which connects China via the border at Boten in Yunnan province and Luang Namtha with Thailand. A bridge to Thailand is scheduled for completion in 2012.  Houayxay has a domestic airport with regular flights to Vientiane (capital of Laos) and Luang Prabang (depending on the season). Probably the most popular means of transport are boats (speed and slow boats, freighters, luxury cruisers for tourists and others) running down the Mekong to Pakbeng, Luang Prabang and other destinations.

This private transfer, with English speaking driver,  takes you form Chiang Rai, Thailand to Houayxay, Laos. The first portion is by vehicle to the border station, and then you will take a short boat ride into Laos.

Your Gibbon experience begins as a private vehicle picks you up from Houayxay for a 3 hour drive to the village of Bann Toup.  This 83 kilometre trip travels the rugged, challenging roadway of the Laos back-country to the village, where you will be welcomed by the local guide, who will take care of you from here.  After a brief introduction, begins your hike, mostly uphill for roughly 1.5 hours to the canopy-zip line infrastructure.  Here, you will be fitted accordingly into your harness, and begin a guided tour from ground level of the area to familiarize you with the cable networks. Now begins your ascent into the first tree house, here you will the freedom to choose your own direction through the networks of zip lines to the various tree houses scattered throughout the reserve to observe the Gibbons.  After a few hours of mimicking the Gibbons, you will return to the village for dinner and an overnight.

Overnight at Bokeo Nature Reserve Village.

After breakfast, you trek back to the canopy infrastructure for the day.  You are free to explore as you might, along the ground trails, through the tree zip lines, or relaxing viewing hospitality in the tree houses with the Gibbons. A keen eye and well tuned pair of ears will aid in the non-guaranteed sighting of these tree swinging wonders.  Listen carefully during the day as the Gibbons sing, and follow their voices for the best opportunity to encounter them.  Keep in mind a wide variety of birdlife and other forest animals live amongst the Gibbons, and provide ideal photo opportunities. Dawn is the best time for wildlife encounters.  As the day wines down, you descend from the trees and hike back to the village for dinner and another overnight.

Overnight at Bokeo Nature Reserve Village.

Chiang Rai is the most northern province of Thailand. The mighty Mekong river creates a border in the north to both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The place where all these countries touch is the famous-infamous Golden Triangle. The terrain of Chiang Rai province is mountainous and covered in large parts with tropical rain forests. The scenery is among the most beautiful of Thailand and one of the best things about Chiang Rai province is its rich cultural diversity - various hill tribes, Thais, ancient aboriginal people like the Lawa or Khamu, Shans, Lao, Chinese, and Mon. In addition, the province offers opportunities for boat tours (on the river Kok and on the Mekong), elephant rides, hill trekking, and sightseeing.

An early morning start to your final day begins as the previous; arrive around dawn at the canopy infrastructure again for your last chance to encounter the wildlife.  After a few hours you return back to Baan Toup, where your private vehicle awaits.  You will be transferred back to Houayxay as you’re once in a life-time Gibbon experience comes to an end.

Transfer by private vehicle from Houayxay to Chiang Rai. A short boat transfer is taken at the border with Thailand, and then by road the distance is roughly 2 hours.

Overnight at Laluna.

Kota Kinabalu is the current capital of the East Malaysian state of Sabah, and was originally known as Jesselton. It is located in the North-West of the island of Borneo. KK, as it is known locally, is a thriving city which is currently booming, to a large extent due to the investment by the Malaysian government in the region. The city itself is relatively new as the original town was destroyed during world War II.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from Chiang Rai to Bangkok.

Fly from Bangkok to Kota Kinabalu, via Kuala Lumpur.

Transfer between your city hotel and the airport.

Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu embraces the aesthetic and eclectic beauty of Sabah while boasting superb views of the city, Mount Kinabalu, and the South China Sea. Located in downtown Kota Kinabalu, and within easy walking distance of local attractions, the commercial district, and retail and entertainment facilities, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu provides immediate access to some of Malaysia’s finest beaches and golf courses.

Overnight at Le Meridien.

Transfer between your city hotel and the airport.

Fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.

Your first day begins as you are met at Sandakan Airport or Hotel in Sandakan, for a transfer to the jetty. At around 9:30AM, you will board a boat and depart to Turtle Island National Park. It takes roughly around an hour to reach Selingan Island which lies 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast. Selingan Island is the main nesting area for Green and Hawksbill Turtles. Once you've arrived you have the whole day to relax, swim or snorkel. After dinner, prepare to wait for the Park Ranger to inform us of any sightings of a turtle laying eggs. You will learn about the conservation of these turtles; witness the collecting of eggs from the nesting site, the process of planting them in the hatchery and the thrilling sight of baby turtles scrambling to the open sea upon release on the shore.  You will overnight at the Selingan Island Chalet.

Overnight at Selingan Island Chalets.

After an early breakfast you will leave behind Turtle Island and return to Sandakan, at approximately 7AM. From here you will proceed to Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre situated in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Here, you will learn about the rehabilitation of young or strayed orang-utans before taking a stroll on the boardwalk through the lowland rainforest for some panoramic viewing. Witness the feeding of orphaned orang-utans before departing on a 2.5hrs drive through rustic countryside. Next, you'll take a short boat ride to Borneo Nature Lodge for an orientation and check in. Relax by the river before embarking by boat upriver for a ride along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan, boasting wildlife and birds in the virgin mangrove and rainforest habitat. Search for some of the primates species including Proboscis Monkeys as they settle down on treetops. You will return to the Borneo Nature Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Borneo Nature Lodge.

Depart early morning for a visit to the Gomantong Cave, famed for its edible birds' nests (Guano). Take a 15 minutes’ walk along the boardwalk to the opening of Semut Hitam cavern and explore the cave system. After you will return to Sandakan for lunch before proceeding on a city tour, where you will visit the water village, the  central marketplace and a Buddhist temple. Your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Fly from Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).