Ancient Kingdoms of South East Asia
14 Days ~ From £3,500 per person based on shared accommodation.Discover South East Asia’s fascinating history on this World Heritage circuit tour visiting highlights of early Siamese, Lao and Khmer Kingdoms. Journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia to explore some incredible ancient sites; travel through beautiful landscapes; meet the locals and taste the wonderful cuisine. Travel is at a relaxed pace, allowing time to fully appreciate the areas visited. London • Sukhothai • Bangkok • Luang Prabang • Siem Reap • Angkor Wat • Phnom Penh • Bangkok • London
Day 1. To Sokhathai via Bangkok Morning depart from London Heathrow on direct Thai Airways flight to Bangkok and onwards to Ho Chi Minh City. Day 2. Bangkok & Sukhothai Arrive Sukhothai and transfer to the Sukhothai Heritage for two nights. Day 3. Sukhothai Morning guided tour of the UN ESCO World Heritage Ancient City of Sukhothai, Thailand’s Capital from the mid 13th C. to late 14th C. Wat Mahathat, the largest Temple, is surrounded by brick walls and a moat. Among the ruined columns original Buddha images sit in quietness and serenity. Close by is the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum housing a miniature model of the old city (closed Monday/Tuesday). Day 4. To Bangkok After breakfast board flight to Bangkok. Afternoon visit the Grand Palace and see the Emerald Buddha. Two nights at the Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel. Day 5. Floating Market & Thonburi Klongs Take a long tailed boat early in the morning to visit the colourful floating market a short distance outside Bangkok. Pass along the Klongs – canal – which once gave Bangkok the name ‘Venice of the East’. Glimpse the simple lifestyle of riverbank dwellers, then, at the noisy, vibrant market bargain for souvenirs Day 6. To Luang Prabang After breakfast fly to Luang Prabang. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest living Temple in Luang Prabang, dating to 1513. It contains a superb collection of antique wooden Buddha’s. Also visit Wat Aham and Wat Xieng Thong, the jewel in the crown of the cities Monasteries and Temples, featuring numerous ornate buildings with exquisite mosaic and gold-stencilled murals. Stay three nights at Villa Maly. Day 7. Boat cruise to Tham Pak Ou Caves and local Villages After breakfast, take an excursion by boat to the Tham Pak Ou Caves with their ancient Buddha sculptures. Also visit the Ban Chan and Ban Xiengmane villages. Lunch at local restaurant. Day 8. Swimming and Village tour Morning visit Kuang Si Waterfalls. Swim in glorious turquoise pools created by the multitiered waterfall. Later visit Ban Tha Pene, a nearby Khmer village. Day 9. To Siem Reap – Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm After breakfast fly to Siem Reap. Afternoon visit Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor Temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor, with its beauty still partially lost to the jungle. Three nights at the Victoria Angkor Resort. Day 10. Full day guided tour of Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom. Watch the sunrise, then, visit the amazing complex. The pinnacle of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. Angkor impresses visitors by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the incredible creativity of its carvings. In the afternoon explore the amazing city of Angkor Thom with the many faces of the unique Bayon at its centre. Day 11. Siem Reap - at leisure Day at leisure to relax or continue your exploration of the outerlying Temples. Late morning flight to Phnom Penh. Met on arrival with transfer to the hotel. Two nights at the Raffles Le Royal. Day 13. City tour and ‘Killing Fields’ Morning exploration of this fascinating city, with its graceful tree-lined boulevards and decidedly French Colonial air. The city teems with life and has a pulsating vibrancy. Visits will include the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Afternoon tour of the infamous S-21 prison and the ‘Killing Fields’ with a short talk on its poignant history. Day 14. To London via Bangkok Morning transfer to the airport to board Thai Airways flight to London via Bangkok. * Extensions can be arranged for beach breaks in Cambodia or Thailand. Please ask for details. 
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
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