Our journey begins in Bangkok at the deluxe Peninsula Hotel where balcony rooms overlook the busy Chao Phraya river. We tour the city and visit the extravagant Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the tempting selection of silks at Jim Thompson’s House. We have also scheduled an excursion to Ayutthaya, for 400 years the capital of the kings of Siam. Fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia for an exciting visit to Angkor Wat, a visually stunning monument surrounded by the Cambodian jungle. Accommodations are at the stunning Grand d’Angkor Hotel, a Raffles Hotel. We are then off to Laos, a landlocked nation considered by many seasoned travelers to be the crown jewel of Indochina. Years of isolation has allowed Laos to retain its traditional charm and serenity. Laos awes travelers with the beauty of its countryside, the sound of monks chanting, and ancient temples hidden amidst lush jungle. The United Nations has recently declared Luang Prabang, the ancient northern capital, a protected World Heritage Site. Our specially selected hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang provide the touch of luxury sophisticated travelers have come to expect when traveling in Southeast Asia.

Day 1 -- USA
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Bangkok.

Day 2 -- BANGKOK
Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok (Balcony Rooms). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 --  BANGKOK
Spend this morning at the dazzling Grand Palace complex. Its centerpiece is Wat Pra Keo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After a special Thai lunch, we visit Jim Thompson’s House to admire the exquisite collection of Asian art and later to browse among a tempting selection of Thai silks. We also visit Suan Pakkard Palace and view the stunning private art collection. Tonight’s dinner you will enjoy dinner at Supatra River House, a two-story traditional Thai house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River near the Temple of Dawn.

Day 4 -- BANGKOK
Spend the entire day at leisure. You may wish to take a Thai cooking class or schedule spa treatments or just wonder the markets of this bustling city.

Day 5 -- BANGKOK
After breakfast drive to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Founded in about 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. Its remains, characterized by its prang or reliquary towers, and gigantic monasteries give testimony to its past splendor. For the return journey, board the Horizon riverboat for a relaxing cruise back to Bangkok. Enjoy lunch on board. Return to the hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 6   BANGKOK - SIEM REAP
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway town leading to Southeast Asia’s most immense collection of ancient temples and palaces built between the 6th and 13th centuries..

Upon arrival, you will be met by Destination Asia Representative and transferred to Grand Hotel d’Angkor. Lunch is at Café d’Angkor restaurant iin the hotel.

This afternoon, you will visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom - last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimean Akas  and the stunning Bayon temple.  This 12th-century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs, but the highlight is the “faces”, more than 200 of them, silent but with the famous half-smile playing on their lips. PJ de Beerski wrote of them; “godliness in the majesty and the size, mystery in the expression.” Enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat before returning to our hotel.          

Dinner and overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor (Landmark room)
Day 7 -- SIEM REAP
Optional sunrise at Angkor Wat and return to hotel for breakfast. This morning, you will visit Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism.  Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build. It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king.  It has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story. The most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, which is located on the east wing. In it the Naga serpent is twisted by demons and gods to spurt out the elixir of life. Lunch at hotel

This afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm. You will continue with a visit to Preah Khan "The Sacred Sword", an extensive monastic complex covering over 56 hectares built by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a monastery and teaching complex. It is one of a group of temple complexes situated on a small 'Baray'. Preah Khan is the site of the World Monuments Fund ‘prime’ Asian project a painstaking renovation whilst maintaining it’s mysterious allures and superb original structure. 

Dinner at Le Grand Restaurant.

Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor (Landmark room)

Day 8 -- SIEM REAP
Breakfast at hotel. This morning, you drive to Banteay Srei; the citadel of women - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. Built of red sandstone in the tenth century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the carved male and female figures in the niches are exquisitely executed in both style and proportion. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor and in the words of H.W. Ponder, is a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest.  Lunch at the hotel   This afternoon is at leisure to relax at the hotel spa or explore the town of Siem Reap.

Dinner at hotel with Cultural Dance Show.

Overnight at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor (Landmark room)
Day 9 --SIEM REAP - LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at hotel. At leisure until the transfer to the airport for our direct flight to Luang Prabang (VN 868/1240-1420 - subject to change.)

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to the hotel for check-in.  Lunch is on your own. Dinner and accommodation at Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel (Garden Wing Room)
Day 10 -- LUANG PRABANG
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. It is a sleepy town which has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Laos culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 Luang Prabang was awarded by UNESCO world heritage city status. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, this afternoon visit Vat Visoun, the site of the impressive stupa, That Makmo. Walk to Vat Aham a major tutelary shrine and continue to Vat Mai, built in 1796, a five -tiered wooden roof of Luang Prabang style.  At the end of the day, see sunset at Vat Siphouthabath.   Return to the hotel where dinner and overnight are provided.

Dinner and accommodation at Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel (Garden Wing Room)
Day 11 -- LUANG PRABANG
We awaken early this morning to watch the saffron robed monks in their morning meal procession. Return to the hotel for breakfast.  Our full day excursion today begins with a boat ride on the Mekong River to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, replete with stunning Buddhist sculptures. We will picnic lunch by the river and continue to a village downstream that is produces rice wine.  Our next stop will be in the village of Ban Phanom, where tribesmen produce traditional Lao cotton and silk weaving for purchase. Return to the hotel in Luang Prabang.  Dinner is independent.

Accommodation at Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel (Garden Wing Room)
Day 12 – LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE, LAOS
Depart Luang Prabang this morning for Vientiane (flight to be advised).  Arrive Vientiane and transfer to Settha Palace Hotel.  Lunch is independent. This afternoon depart from hotel to visit the Buddha Park and Friendship Bridge. The Buddha Park is a religious sculpture park located by the Mekong river 24 kms south of Vientiane. The park captivates visitors with an unusual blend of Buddhist and Hindu imagery. Stop to admire the impressive Friendship Bridge over the Mekong river that links Laos and Thailand.  Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.

Accommodation at Settha Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 13 -- VIENTIANE - BANGKOK
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Vientiane's major attractions are its serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the scene on the streets of central Vientiane. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture.  This morning visit Vat Sisaket, built in 1818, and the only temple to survive in tact from the foreign invasion in 1828. All other temples in the city have undergone extensive restoration. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Also visit Hophrakeo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Special displays included antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts. Patousay was constructed in 1958. Its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris.

Return to hotel before 1200 noon and check-out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok (flight to be advised ).

In Bangkok, day rooms (available from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. – maximum 10 hours) are available at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel while you await your international departure, if required, and at supplementary cost.