Ancient Kingdoms Explorer

- 16 Days

Thailand Tours - great for diversity

Tour Highlights

  • See the ancient ruins of Ayuthaya
  • Go on an elephant ride
  • Meet a freshwater dolphin in the 4,000 islands
  • Visit the stunning Temples of Angkor

Suitable for travellers with above average levels of fitness and mobility and a keen sense of adventure.

Included: 15 night tour with accommodation and breakfast, 1 lunch, all road transport by air-conditioned vehicles (temple touring by tuk-tuk), all sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fees), Western tour leader based on a minimum of seven travellers, local English-speaking guides throughout, arrival and departure transfers.

Not Included: International flights. Entrance fees (allow 12USD to be collected at the start of the journey). For additional expenses see trip details.

Accommodation: Bel-Aire Princess - Bangkok. Thong Tharin - Surin. Tohsang Khong - Khong Jiam. Pakse Hotel - Pakse. Villa Muang Khong - 4,000 Islands. Santepheap Hotel - Kratie. Juliana Hotel - Phnom Penh. ay Inn Angkor Resort - Siem Reap.

The whole tour was great, and so varied. The Temples of Angkor were stunning, so different from everything else you would see.

Mrs R.Pearson

Prices:

Please call for 2009 prices.

Prices based on twinshare.

Full Tour Itinerary

Day 1-3: Bangkok, Ayuthaya & Khorat

Arrive in Bangkok and head to Ayuthaya to see the former capital’s ancient ruins. Stop at the Ban Than Prasat archeological site and Phimai Temple, where you will receive your primer in Khmer art and history. Stop at a pottery village, as well as Nang Rong Isaan Village, and more off-the-beaten-path temple sites as well.
Stay 3 nights: Bel-Aire Princess

Day 4-5: Surin & Khong Jiam

Get to know the local people in remote villages, take in unrestored, ancient temples that exude ambience, as well as museums, and enjoy a visit to an elephant village where you can ride one of these playful pachyderms before crossing the Lao border.
Stay 1 night: Thong Tharin
Stay 1 night: Tohsang Khong

Day 6-8: Pakse & 4,000 Islands

Discover an eerie, deserted temple that pre-dates Angkor before you continue on to the idyllic scenery of the 4,000 Islands in Southern Laos. This little-visited part of the country is stunningly beautiful and will be your home-base for visits to Mekong waterfalls and to spot a rare breed of freshwater dolphin.
Stay 1 night: Pakse Hotel
Stay 1 night: Villa Muang Khong

Day 9-12: Kratie & Phnom Penh

Cross into the modern Kingdom of the Khmers, Cambodia. Stunning rural scenery and charming French colonial towns give way to the vibrant capital, Phnom Penh. You will experience markets both large and small, the 100-Pillar Pagoda, Phnom Sambok, Wat Nokor and Phnom Penh’s must-see sites, the National Museum, Tuol Sleng and the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda.
Stay 2 nights: Santepheap Hotel
Stay 2 nights: Juliana Hotel

Day 13-16: Siem Reap

A scenic drive along an ancient highway will bring you to Skuon, a small town renowned for its interesting regional cuisine. Wat Kua Nokor provides your first glimpse into the Khmer Kingdom of old, and colonial-era architecture gives way to modern Siem Reap, home to the temples of Angkor. Explore the highlights, as well as the outer-lying temples and Tonle Sap Lake. Depart on day 16.
Stay 4 nights: Day Inn Angkor Resort