South East Asia Exclusive
10 Days
from
$5950 per person*
Highlights:
Thailand
(Bangkok, Chiang Mai)
,
Laos
(Luang Prabang)
,
Cambodia
(Siem Reap)
Trip Start/End:
Bangkok
/
Bangkok
An in-depth exploration of South East Asia, with the luxury of 5 star accommodation and private touring. From the bustle of Bangkok to the serenity of Luang Prabang. Take a helicopter ride over the temples of Angkor Wat, ride an elephant through the jungle, and join monks for their early morning alms offerings. Visit Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in style.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Bangkok
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
| Mandarin Oriental (5*) Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Bangkok
| - Private - Highlights of Bangkok with Lunch (9 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Mandarin Oriental (5*) Superior (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Bangkok - Chiang Mai
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Air - Bangkok - Chiang Mai [Direct (1hr)] - Economy (Bangkok Air)
- Transfer - Airport - Hotel - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*) Villa (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Chiang Mai
| - Private - Morning Sunrise Tour (2 hrs) - Mandarin Oriental
- Private - Chiang Mai City Temples Tour (3.5 hrs) - Mandarin Oriental
| Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*) Villa (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Chiang Mai
| - Private - Lampang Elephant School and Lamphun with Lunch (7.5 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (included)
| Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*) Villa (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang
| - Transfer - Airport - Hotel - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang [Via Bangkok] - Economy (QV)
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Private - 1/2 Day Pak Ou Cave - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Hotel De La Paix (5*) Garden Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Luang Prabang
| - Private - City Tour with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
| Hotel De La Paix (5*) Garden Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 8
- Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Air - Luang Prabang - Siem Reap [Direct (2 hrs)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Hotel - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Aspara Dance Show & Dinner - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
| Raffles Grand Hotel d`Angkor (5*) Landmark Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 9
- Siem Reap
| - Helicopter Flight of Angkor Wat - Helicopter (14min)
- Private - Angkor Wat Temples with Elephant Ride & Sunset with Lunch - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Lunch (included)
| Raffles Grand Hotel d`Angkor (5*) Landmark Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 10
- Siem Reap
| - Transfer - Airport - Hotel - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Air - Siem Reap - Bangkok [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy (Bangkok Air)
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Day 1: Bangkok
A private vehicle with English-speaking guide and driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel. The driving time is roughly 45 minutes.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental (5*) The Mandarin Oriental was founded in 1876 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel is regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels and has accommodated royalty, dignitaries and distinguished travelers for more than a century. The Mandarin offers lavish rooms and suites, exquisite restaurants and bars, and one of the most beautiful spas in the world. It is rich in history and is filled with the stories of celebrated guests who have made this hotel an essential stop on their world travels. Enjoy genuine teak and traditional Thai silks in the elegant rooms with clear views of the River and take advantage of a personal butler that is available at all times to cater to your every need.
The Golden Mountain
Day 2: Bangkok
A visit to the Royal Grand Palace - the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand, with the enclosed and dazzling Wat Phra Keo with its revered Emerald Buddha, the Golden Chedi, the Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and the Eight Coloured Towers is a must. It is considered by many to be a living example of classical Siamese Court, being the former residence of the kings of Thailand. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple served to educate people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and is considered to be the home of Thai traditional massage. Here, you will enjoy a 30-minute Thai massage as an excellent break after a morning sightseeing. Experience an afternoon trip along the bustling Chao Phya River and the quiet Klongs (canals) in a long tail boat enjoy scenes of life by water. You'll be introduced to a serene, more traditional way of living, away from the high-rise and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre, as you gently pass Thonburi residential areas. A stop will be made at the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun). Finally, a visit to the Flower and vegetable market will round off the day. Located close to the Chao Phraya River, this part of Bangkok brings you to a rural piece of Bangkok where you'll find a vast selection of all kinds of flowers, especially orchids and tropical flowers and see how the merchants create very special flower garlands. The end of this Bangkok day ends at the Golden Mountain. Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental (5*)
Chiang Mai
The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Day 3: Bangkok - Chiang Mai
A private vehicle with English-speaking guide and driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel. The driving time is roughly 45 minutes.
Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Bangkok Air.
You will be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide and transferred by private car between the airport and your hotel.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*) The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is spread over 60 acres of untouched landscape in the beautiful Thai province of Chiang Mai. The hotel is nestled between rice paddies and thick jungle. Each of the suites and villas have been decorated and furnished with distinct Lanna style, making this one of the most desirable hotels in Northern Thailand. Enjoy a variety of marvellous culinary settings inspired by the history of Lanna and cuisine that has gained both an international and highly valued local reputation. Contained within the hotel are facilities for beauty therapy and wellness treatments, as well as a cultural museum detailing the history of the Lanna kingdom. The Dheva Spa is the pinnacle of relaxation, while the Kids’ Club will keep youngsters entertained.
Buddhist Monks
Wat Chedi Luang
Day 4: Chiang Mai
A private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel and take you on one of the most unique experiences in Thailand, a visit to a Buddhist temple to offer alms to the Buddhist monks. Each morning before dawn (pick-up from your hotel is at 06:00 hrs), the monks put on their distinctive saffron robes and quietly pad in their bare feet along the streets, carrying alms bowls and receiving boiled rice and condiments from the citizens of Thailand In return people receive the monks’ blessings. You can participate in this very special Thai custom by personally presenting alms; a brief exploration at the Sri Soda temple may be made as well, religious festivals permitting, including see the monks pray in the early morning.
This amazing sightseeing tour takes guests around the famous city for an up-close and personal look at some of its most notable temples, as well as stops at its old city walls, gates and moat, and the local market and Tapae Gate. Highlight of this trip include Wat Chiang Man, the city’s oldest temple and famed for a Chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses; Wat Phrasing home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals; Wat Chedi Luang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545); and Wat Suan Dok, which dates back to the 14th century when it served as the pleasure gardens to the Thai monarchy. Nowadays it houses several white Chedi’s, containing the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal family. The last temple also houses one of the most famous Monk Schools in the whole of Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*)
Elephant Conservation Centre
Day 5: Chiang Mai
The two ancient cities of Lampang and Lamphun are located in the Chiang Mai region, South of Chiang Mai. They offer a different experience for the visitor and are in total contrast to the beaches and sea resorts of the South. One of the interesting highlights of this tour is a visit to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC). TECC, founded in 1993 under Royal Patronage, cares for more than 50 Asian elephants in a beautiful forest with a relaxed non-commercial feel. Here you will learn how to care for an elephant and experience a one-hour jungle ride on top one of these majestic beasts. After a delicious local lunch, the tour heads back towards Chiang Mai, stopping at Lamphun. Steeped in a history that dates back to A.D. 700, Lamphun is famous for several ancient and revered temples. Among them is Wat Prathat Hariphunchai, built in A.D. 1044 at the site of the ruins of the Royal Palace, and Wat Jamathevi, named after a 7th century queen and founder of Lampoon. Her ashes are interred in the main stupa of the Wat. The trip concludes with a fascinating ride along the old Lampoon-Chiang Mai Road.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*)
Luang Prabang
Hotel De La Paix Luang Prabang
Day 6: Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang
You will be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide and transferred by private car between the airport and your hotel.
Fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang via Bangkok.
Airport transfer with private guide, driver and vehicle.
Take a traditional wooden boat upstream to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou. The caves are perched on the sheer face of the cliff, offering impressive and stunning views of the Mekong and surrounding mountains. Inside the cave, there are more than one hundred Buddha images which have been attracting local people since the early 14th century when the cave was discovered. On the way, a short stop at Ban Xanghai, enjoy the taste of the local rice wine. Distilling rice wine and weaving are important economic activities for the majority of people in the village.
Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix (5*) Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang stands upon a UNESCO site in the former royal capital of Laos. Once a Governor’s mansion, a garrison and briefly a jail, the century old structure has been restored to luxury. Today, 23 spacious Suites await, each with a walled rear garden and a terrace overlooking a sun-kissed courtyard; some with their own expansive and very private swimming pools. Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang is utterly unique; a boutique resort that is a World Heritage treasure, a colonial moment preserved in amber, and a showcase of contemporary design. It’s the jewel in the town that time forgot.
Luang Prabang
Day 7: Luang Prabang
Explore Luang Prabang by minivan. Visit the former royal temples, Wat Visun (where one can see the biggest statue), and Wat Xieng Thong (the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with its mosaic decoration and former royal carriage). Visit the Museum (former king’s palace), then climb up Mt Phousi for a beautiful view overlooking the city of Luang Prabang. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Photisak silver shop, and Minority Art Centre, learn to know different types of minority groups in Laos, their ways of living, and their survival.
Accommodation: Hotel De La Paix (5*)
Siem Reap
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Day 8: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
Airport transfer with private guide, driver and vehicle.
Fly one way from Luang Prabang, Laos to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Transfer between the airport and your hotel by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide.
Tonight you will enjoy a traditional Khmer dance show and dinner.
Accommodation: Raffles Grand Hotel d`Angkor (5*) For over 75 years, a visit to the ancient Angkor temples has been synonymous with a stay at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Now sensitively restored, the hotel's renewed elegance and modernity complement the mystery and grandeur of Angkor as never before. This award-winning hotel has tastefully appointed guest rooms with art-deco, country-style furnishings and Cambodian objects d'art, as well as a wide array of distinctive restaurants and bars to choose from. A 35-metre lap pool and a family fun pool provide a focus of activity for residents to enjoy the tropical ambience of the resort. A destination unto itself, this hotel is a residence of choice for connoisseurs visiting mystical Angkor.
Helicopter Flight
Bayon Temple
Day 9: Siem Reap
You will be picked up at the hotel by your tour guide and transferred to the Military Apron, Siem Reap International Airport. This flight will show you the enormous scale of the world-famous heritage site, Angkor Wat. Fly alongside the magnificent Angkor Wat temple and appreciate the spectacular expanse the grand moat encloses. See a completely different perspective of Angkor Wat and marvel at the size and design of a structure built some 900 years ago. A must see for any visitor to Angkor Wat. Afterwards, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Meet your private guide at your hotel and set off for a day of memorable Cambodian sightseeing. Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple complex, as well as Takeo and Ta Prohm temples. Travel from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon temple by elephant.The walled and moated city of Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Angkorian empire. It was built to protect against invaders in the 12th century. The Bayon is a state temple, erected in the center of the city. In the afternoon enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue with a visit to Angkor Wat temple complex and watch the sunset from Phnom Bakheng. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Raffles Grand Hotel d`Angkor (5*) Day 10: Siem Reap
Transfer between the airport and your hotel by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide.
Fly one way from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental (5*) - Bangkok
The Mandarin Oriental was founded in 1876 on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel is regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious hotels and has accommodated royalty, dignitaries and distinguished travelers for more than a century. The Mandarin offers lavish rooms and suites, exquisite restaurants and bars, and one of the most beautiful spas in the world. It is rich in history and is filled with the stories of celebrated guests who have made this hotel an essential stop on their world travels. Enjoy genuine teak and traditional Thai silks in the elegant rooms with clear views of the River and take advantage of a personal butler that is available at all times to cater to your every need.
The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Room
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi (5*) - Chiang Mai
The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi is spread over 60 acres of untouched landscape in the beautiful Thai province of Chiang Mai. The hotel is nestled between rice paddies and thick jungle. Each of the suites and villas have been decorated and furnished with distinct Lanna style, making this one of the most desirable hotels in Northern Thailand. Enjoy a variety of marvellous culinary settings inspired by the history of Lanna and cuisine that has gained both an international and highly valued local reputation. Contained within the hotel are facilities for beauty therapy and wellness treatments, as well as a cultural museum detailing the history of the Lanna kingdom. The Dheva Spa is the pinnacle of relaxation, while the Kids’ Club will keep youngsters entertained.
Hotel De La Paix Luang Prabang
Hotel De La Paix (5*) - Luang Prabang
Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang stands upon a UNESCO site in the former royal capital of Laos. Once a Governor’s mansion, a garrison and briefly a jail, the century old structure has been restored to luxury. Today, 23 spacious Suites await, each with a walled rear garden and a terrace overlooking a sun-kissed courtyard; some with their own expansive and very private swimming pools. Hotel de la Paix Luang Prabang is utterly unique; a boutique resort that is a World Heritage treasure, a colonial moment preserved in amber, and a showcase of contemporary design. It’s the jewel in the town that time forgot.
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor (5*) - Siem Reap
For over 75 years, a visit to the ancient Angkor temples has been synonymous with a stay at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Now sensitively restored, the hotel's renewed elegance and modernity complement the mystery and grandeur of Angkor as never before. This award-winning hotel has tastefully appointed guest rooms with art-deco, country-style furnishings and Cambodian objects d'art, as well as a wide array of distinctive restaurants and bars to choose from. A 35-metre lap pool and a family fun pool provide a focus of activity for residents to enjoy the tropical ambience of the resort. A destination unto itself, this hotel is a residence of choice for connoisseurs visiting mystical Angkor.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Cambodia
VISA/PASSPORT
A valid passport and a Cambodian visa are required for both US and Canadian citizens. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month beginning with the date of entry into Cambodia. Processing generally takes 7 working days along with a visa processing fee of approximately US$20. Tourists and business travelers may also obtain a Cambodian visa at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings. Any method of obtaining a Cambodian visa requires a passport-sized photograph and a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of entry into Cambodia. A departure tax is charged on all domestic and international flights. This tax must be paid in U.S. dollars. Cambodia offers on-line visa processing at http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh. You may also apply in person at the Cambodian Embassy.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Cambodia for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are not widespread and poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/cambodia.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Phnom Penh.
Government: Constitutional monarchy since 1993.
Language: Khmer is the official language and spoken by 95% of the population. Chinese and Vietnamese are also spoken. French was widely spoken until the arrival of the Pol Pot regime and is still taught in schools, but English is now a more popular language to learn among the younger generation.
Religion: 95% Buddhist (Theravada), the remainder Muslim and Christian. Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in 1989 after a ban on religious activity in 1975.
Time: GMT + 7.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use. Power cuts are frequent.
Telephone: Country code +855. Prepaid telephone cards are available in post offices, hotels and shops for public phones around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good in major towns and cities and patchy elsewhere.
Internet: Available in some areas. Internet cafes are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and other major towns.
Travel tips of Laos
VISA/PASSPORT
A passport and visa are required for both US and Canadian. The Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that visas can be issued upon arrival in Laos to U.S. and Canadian citizens with two passport-size photographs and approximately $35 at designated ports of entry. Foreign tourists are generally admitted to Laos for 30 days. Visas can also be prearranged for a processing fee of approximately US$60 and generally takes 15 working days to process.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Laos for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are not widespread and poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/laos.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Vientiane.
Government: People’s Republic since 1975. Gained independence from France in 1953.
Language: The official language is Lao, however, many tribal languages are also spoken. French, Vietnamese and some English are spoken.
Religion: The majority of the Lao people are Buddhists. The Laos-Lum (Valley Laos) people follow the Hinayana (Theravada) form of Buddhism. The religions of the Laos-Theung (Laos of the mountain tops) range from traditional Confucianism to animism and Christianity.
Time: GMT + 7.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone: Country code +856.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Check with your service provider. Coverage is sporadic and mainly, though not exclusively, situated around Vientiane.
Internet: Internet cafes are located in the major towns and are becoming increasingly common in places frequented by backpackers.
Travel tips of Thailand
VISA/PASSPORT
U.S. and Canadian citizens staying for fewer than 30 days do not require a visa, but must possess a valid passport and may be asked to show an onward/return ticket.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Thailand for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is required. Medical facilities are not widespread and poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/thailand.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Bangkok.
Government: Constitutional monarchy.
Language: Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.
Religion: The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada form), 5% are Muslim and there are Christian and Hindu minorities.
Time: GMT + 7.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.
Telephone: Country code +66.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. There is good coverage, especially around main towns.
Internet: There are plenty of Internet cafes, some even found in remote areas visited by tourists.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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