Visit all three countries or pick one or two as per your available time and interests. We'd be happy to design a trip for you. Here is one suggested itinerary:

Trip Highlights

During three days in Cambodia's Siem Reap – gateway to the Angkor complex of temples -- you will visit some of South East Asia’s most prestigious cultural sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site Angkor, one of the world’s greatest treasure-chests of religious-cultural art, magnificent engineering and stunning architecture. The complex of Angkor, including the famous temple Angkor Wat, is where early kings built hundreds of temples and palaces, combining some of the richest Hindu and Buddhist artistry of all times.

You’ll also experience the Cambodia of today, in the theatre, through demonstrations of silk making and handicraft production, in the culinary realm with expert instruction in Cambodian cooking,and in your guided wanderings in the town of Siem Reap. We'll recommend some worthy social service projects to visit and patronage to benefit mine and other victims of Cambodia's tragic past.

In Northern Laos, we've planned five leisurely days for you to fall in love with Luang Prabang and feel as if you belong. This well-preserved city of temples is indeed a living outdoor museum and artists' colony in one. You'll spend an afternoon learning about and trying your hand at making dyes from natural products at Your visit – and any donations you choose to make to these projects -- will contribute greatly to these conservation efforts. You'll also join local Buddhist practioners give alms to the monks at dawn and have a private cruise down the Mekong River, observing village life along its tree-lined banks. Travel to a village to observe women weavers before enjoying a home-cooked lunch of farm-raised produce. On your last day, enjoy a two hour ride through the jungle on elephant and learn about the elephant protection program that your visit supports.

Thailand's exceptional natural beauty, glittery temples, warm hospitality, spicy cuisine and vibrant culture draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia. Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Although you can shop in air-conditioned comfort in its Western-style malls, the city is a long way from being tamed by commercial homogeneity. Your walking tours and canal boat rides take you beyond the busy modern areas to witness the life of Thai families and shop keepers at an intimate level. You’ll appreciate its regal past and understand Thai’s reverence for Buddhism by visiting the Grand Palace and several stunning temples. Day trips to a farmers' market and cruising the back canals by boat introduce to you the life few tourists see.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia: Daily flights connect from Bangkok and other SE Asian urban hubs. Enjoy the afternoon on your own to rest after a long flight; or we'll begin the sightseeing services with a guided walking tour of the Old Town. Afer dinner, you'll experience the Evening Phare Circus, an outdoor theatrical and dynamic modern circus involving acrobats, juggling, high wire, and more -- but with no performing animals. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Sightseeing at Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre and Angkor Complex: Rise early to travel to Ta Prohm, the un-restored temple in the dawn light, left as it was ‘discovered’ in 1860 with tentacle-like tree roots slowly strangling the stones. After breakfast, continue to the giant pyramid of Takeo, one of the highest temples in the Angkor area. Later, visit the Golden Silk Pheach Farm, run by a local NGO to help revive the ancient Khmer traditions of silk making. Next head to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as “Palace of Women,” thanks to the intricate detail considered too fine for the hands of a man. Return to your hotel for a rest before a special dinner with traditional dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Cooking Class at Sala Kdei, and Artisans d’Angkor: This morning you’ll head to a traditional Khmer home for a cooking class. Begin by shopping for produce at the local market. Then learn to prepare Cambodian cuisine, choosing from a selection of meat, fish and vegetarian options. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a grand lunch, and take these recipes home to impress your friends. Later, stop by the Artisans D'Angkor workshop, set up to revitalize the handicraft industry of Siem Reap and to train and employ artisans from disadvantaged rural communities. You'll see them at work, stone carving, wood carving, doing silverwork, silk weaving, and making lacquerware. Then enjoy an elephant ride up Bakeang Mountain for sunset. Overnight in Siem Reap. Note: If cooking is not your cup of tea, we will arrange another activity to suit your interests.

Day 4: Angkor Temples: Rising at the crack of dawn, journey to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, this is the most famous temple at Angkor. Continue on to visit the immense walled city Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and sports. See other temples with spectacular bas-relief images of ancient battles and snapshots of daily life. Finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

Day 5: Fly from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang, Northern Laos: Enjoy free time on your own in the morning before your flight to Luang Prabang. Relax at your hotel upon arrival or explore the nearby town with its many artist shops and a fascinating street market. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Alms Giving and Half Day Tour of Luang Prabang: Wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight (photo left). Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast. Then pay a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum and houses what used to be possessions of the former Laos Royal. Visit several of this charming city's many monasteries, some on foot. End your tour with a short climb up stairs to the top of Mount Phousi, located in the center of town to admire the view of the Mekong River and surrounding mountains. Later, board a luxurious boat for a private cruise up and down the Mekong River, observing ocal villages and rural life along the tree-lined banks of the river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Guided Walk, Visit to the Ethnology Center and a Living Crafts Center: Start the day with a guided tour of the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center, a non-profit museum that preserves and displays the traditional arts -- costumes, weavings, lifestyles, etc -- of Laos' diverse ethnic groups. Then drive a short ways out of town to the Living Crafts Center (Ock Pop Tok), another center dedicated to conserving the country's rich heritage and indigenous knowledge in textile making. After lunch in a peaceful riverside garden setting, move to the workshop to participate in a seminar on Lao textile dyeing and weaving, including how silk worms make silk thread, dyeing silk using natural dyes, weaving techniques, and depending on time you can try out weaving on one of the looms. Return to Luang Prabang and in the early evening, participate in a Baci ritual blessing ceremony. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Phone Say Village: After breakfast, you will set out for Phone Say village (10 km drive and a 20+ minute easy walk), a traditional Lao village on the Mekong River. There you can observe everyday life of families who rely upon fishing and weaving for a livelihood and will enjoy a home-hosted lunch (photo left). Return to Luang Prabang and overnight.

Day 9: Elephant Trekking: Drive out of town to Elephant Village where you'll meet the camp staff for a short briefing about the elephants. These elephants were rescued from mistreatment or abandonment when their working lives in the timber industry ended due to their age. They are still active and able however and are happy to ferry you on a ride through the jungle (1 hour). From the camp, you can hike through the jungle amidst limestone cascades and the beautiful Tad Sae waterfalls before a short boat trip down the Khan River back to camp. If you prefer to do the elephant ride without the hike, this is possible too. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 10: Fly to Bangkok: Catch a short flight to Bangkok, Thailand and settle in for a few days' stay in this vibrant city, a stark contrast to the jungle and small town life of Luang Prabang. Relax for the rest of the day or explore on your own. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 11: Bangkok Sightseeing Tour: After breakfast meet your guide and together explore Bangkok on foot, by car and boat, starting with colorful Sampeng Lane of China Town, browsing for bargains at Thieve’s Market, and strolling through the bustling Flower Market. Visit some of the lesser known Buddhist temples of Bangkok, then drive to the impressive Grand Palace, a beautiful example of an ancient Siamese court and once the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. After lunch, take a long-tailed boat down small canals off of the main river, before stopping at the enchanting Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), which lights up beautifully at night. Return to your hotel in late afternoon, and overnight in Bangkok.

Day 12: Day Tour to Ayuthaya and float back to Bangkok: In the morning, drive to Ayuthaya, one of the world great heritage cities and once capital of and used as the royal temple-cum-palace by several kings. A favorite holy site shows the effects of time with the roots of a tree growing around the Buddha’s head (photo left). After the tour, board the luxurious cruiser “Grand Pearl” and enjoy a buffet lunch as you glide down the River of Kings, witnessing the rural Thai life along both sides of the mighty river. Return your hotel and overnight in Bangkok.

Day 13: Mae Klong Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: After breakfast depart for the Floating Market, located on a 60 mile loop drive to the southwest of Bangkok. On the way stop at another fascinating market situated on the train tracks which is moved every time the train passes through town, up to eight tiems a day! Continues with a boat trip through a fruit plantation to see Thai houses and the traditional way of life. Return to Bangkok and overnight.

Day 14: Depart Bangkok for home:

Trip Cost: Varies by group size and hotel standard. Please inquire.


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