Description
No two days are the same on this epic Thailand Laos and Cambodia Adventure. As you wander from the Bangkok cityscapes to Siem Reap’s remote beauty, you’ll be completely immersed in South East Asia – past and present. You’ll admire the Buddhist temples, learn all about the harrowing history, become a champion Muay Thai boxer and even try your hand at quad biking. Buckle up!
Thailand Laos and Cambodia Adventure Highlights:
Departures
- Departs Bangkok at 6:00pm
- Ends in Siem Reap at 9:00am.
Dining Summary
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 3 Lunch (L)
What’s included
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 3 Lunch (L)
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 25 included experiences
- ALL INTERNAL TRANSPORT
- ALL ACCOMMODATION
What’s not included
- Flights to/from the start/end location
- Travel insurance
- Free-time Add-ons
Included Experience
Bangkok:
- Nose around the gilded Royal Palace, then travel like a local: floating down the Rivers.
Kanchanaburi:
- A sombre slice of history. See the Death Railway Museum, WWII Cemetery and the famous Bridge itself.
- Cool off in emerald pools, shower under a waterfall and get your step count up. All in a day’s work.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya:
- Golden temples, a giant reclining Buddha and so many incredible sights to see. Try not to fall off your bike in shock!
Elephant Nature Park:
- Help to protect to these majestic giants by learning about their struggle while watching them roam free – the way they were meant to live.
Chiang Rai:
- Tour one of Thailand’s most-recognisable temples – the White Temple. You’ll find plenty of Buddhist symbolism hinted throughout its beautiful architecture (you know, to satisfy your artistic soul).
- Blazing blue deities will welcome you at the gates of this mesmerising temple. Don’t forget your camera for a spectacular view of this unconventional style of Buddhist art.
- Visit the place that has hosted art scholars and researchers for over 50 years. This museum is all about mixing traditional and modern Thai architectural styles, and it’s pretty spellbinding too.
Pak Beng:
- Float down the Mekong from Pak Beng, past craggy caves and sleepy hillside villages. A proper taste of Laos life.
Luang Prabang:
- Definitely the most surreal caves we’ve ever seen. Rock caverns packed with thousands of mini-Buddha statues. Pics or it didn’t happen.
- Cycle around the former capital of Laos, visiting Ock Pop Tock, Wat Xieng Thong, and Big Brother Mouse.
- Today, you’ll get to test out your teaching skills and chat with the students at Big Brother Mouse, who are there to learn English. The team at Big Brother Mouse are working to reduce illiteracy levels across Laos, providing language lessons and publishing/promoting books and other learning materials
- Meditate at this ornate temple, or just marvel at its gilded beauty and take lots of pics.
- Your chance to watch Lao textile artisans at work, making clothes and homeware using special techniques.
- Always wanted to live like a Buddhist? Here is your chance to offer an ‘Alms’ to monks, in the spirit of karmic giving.
- Hop onto the train from Luang Prabang, travelling at a dashing 160 km/h. You’ll catch some breathtaking views on the way.
Vientiane:
- See the amazing efforts of this non-profit, which gives prosthetic limbs to disabled locals – some of who are victims of unexploded bombs. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
- This isn’t your typical hectic capital city. Today, you’ll walk around the peacefully lovely city of Vientiane and admire Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe – the Patuxai.
- It’s bizarre. It’s beautiful. And it has a lot of Buddha statues. This fanciful sculpture garden will leave you with wonder (and a little bit of confusion) in your eyes.
- Fasten your seatbelts folks, we’re off to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh:
- Admire the architectural wonder of some of the best buildings from the Khmer Empire of Vietnam – built back in the 1800s!
- A sombre but important remembrance for the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the fields and Genocide Museum.
- Spend the evening at one of Phnom Penh’s best-loved after-dark hotspots for refreshing beverages and tantalising food.
Siem Reap:
- Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon – where Tomb Raider was filmed. But dress appropriately (no hotpants, soz).
- Not only is the food top-notch, this social enterprise makes a mission out of training and employing street youths. Respect.
Itinerary
Touch down in Thailand’s capital. After checking into our hotel there’ll be time for DIY exploring, a massage or lying by the pool to catch the first of that sweet tropical sunshine. Later we’ll rendezvous back at base so you can hear what’s in store for the trip, then the night is yours to enjoy authentic Pad Thai & the Khao San road nightlife.
Bangkok
We’ll start the day early, with so much to see, there’s no time to waste. Catching Bangkok’s water taxi system with the city locals is the most convenient way to get to our first stop – The Royal Palace. With our incredible local guide leading the charge, we will learn all about its 61 acres of incredible architecture and some traditions of the Thailand Royal Family. Then we’ll jump on our private boat for a tour of the klongs (canals) and some fish feeding. Just listing today’s sites gives us the butterflies. Once we get back to the hotel, ask your Trip Manager where to find the best local lunch before we wave goodbye to Bangkok.
Kanchanaburi
Bangkok, you’ve been a dream! But the show must go on. Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination – the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi. We’ll start with a stop to visit the most famous bridge in town & The Death Railway Museum & WWII Cemetery will give you a healthy dose of history. And then it’s time to reach our home for the night – right on the riverfront! (Yes, you can jump in the river directly from your room.) Nothing like being greeted with a delicious dinner of local specialities, right? We’ll finish the day off watching the sunset over the dazzling landscape.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Grand Palace and Klong Tour
- Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai
Kanchanaburi
We’ve got an exciting journey ahead of us today! We’ll first make our way to the impressive Erawan falls. Walk across the serene trails. Or dip your feet into the emerald blue waters before we head to our next destination.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayuhaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We’ll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
All aboard for Chiang Mai!
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Relax at Erawan Waterfalls
- Bike around Ayuhaya
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
Time to rise and shine. Today we’re waking up in Chiang Mai!
Elephant Nature Park
Right here in this city is everything you’ve been waiting for. That’s right, we’re spending today at an elephant nature park! Watch these majestic giants strolling through their natural habitat as a part of an unforgeable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. (Who knows, you might even befriend one!). We’ll grab a wholesome lunch at the park and make our way to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai
A free evening in this blissful city? How about spending the evening zipping around on a Vespa? Exploring like a local is the best way to explore, after all.
Meals: Lunch
Included Experiences: Hang out with Elephants (Ethically) MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Ah yes. A completely free day in this amazing city – and there’s so much you can do. How about getting into a glove game with a Muay Thai lesson? Or maybe tour the local markets, guided by the head chef – who’ll then teach you how to rustle up an authentic Thai meal (right in the middle of a rice field!). The city really is all yours to make the most of.
Meals: Breakfast
Chiang Mai
It’s time to bid farewell to this lovely place. Why, you ask? Because we’re saying hello to the Chiang (‘city’ in Thai) of colourful temples! We’ll munch on a delicious breakfast, then head straight there.
Chiang Rai
The Black House Museum. A blue temple, and a majestic white one too. Welcome to the city where the beauty of colours culminates. We’ll drop our bags off at our hotel and head straight to the Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) – a modern architectural marvel, entirely designed using white glass. You won’t really find any temple like this in Thailand! We’ll then call it a day after admiring the incredible design of Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple), and the Baan Dam Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Admire the White Wonderland at Wat Rong Khun
- Explore the Neo-Traditional Architecture of Wat Rong Seua Ten
- Immerse Yourself in the Artistic Baan Dam Museum (Black Museum)
Chiang Rai
Taking a border hop, we’ll cross out of Thailand and into Laos. After collecting our oh-so-valuable passport stamps, we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat.
Pak Beng
Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences: Cruise on a Local Boat
Pak Beng
Leaving Pak Beng, we make our way to Luang Prabang – get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals.
Luang Prabang
Ending our Mekong River magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Temples dusted in gold, historic French mansions, & locals wrapped in saffron robes make this one of the prettiest places in Asia. Our explorations will involve a sunset from a hill-top stupa & a bout of shopping at the local night markets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences: See 4,000 Buddhas at Pak Ou Caves
A city cycle and an optional swim under the 60-metre cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and how relaxed you already feel.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- See Luang Prabang on Two Wheels
- Help local people learn English MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Channel Serenity at Wat Xieng Thong
- Watch the Weavers at Ock Pop Tock Centre MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Luang Prabang
This morning, the early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals – kissed by the sun’s morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang’s 34 temples. After collecting our blessings, we’ll jump on a highspeed train that’ll whizz us to a lively tourist hub filled with plentiful opportunities for adventure. Makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a lile easier, right?
Vang Vieng
Known for its dramatic limestone karsts, Vang Vieng will keep you busy this evening. You can opt to explore the local rivers and caves by kayak, or just chill out surrounded by like-minded travellers, watching the sun set over the mountains.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Take part in a Buddhist Alms Giving\
- Jump on a High Speed Train to Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng
Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot…
Vientiane
Welcome to the largest city in Laos! If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised. The vibe here is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to lend a helping hand to the COPE centre – a local charity that provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. It’s now time to visit the Buddha Park – a fanciful sculpture
garden adorned with significant Buddhist images. Spend some time talking amongst the bizarre & sometimes ornate statues, and head back to our hotel for a good night’s rest.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Support the Work of COPE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Wander Around Laos’ Serene Capital
- Let Yourself be Baffled by the Buddha Park
Vientiane
This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh
Drop your bags off at our cool hotel in the Bassac Quarter (the perfect spot to kick back with a beer and a bite). We’re doing some historical sight-seeing today. We’ll visit The Royal Palace (the official residence of the Cambodian royals) and the Silver Pagoda (one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture). Later tonight, the city is yours to explore as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Fly to Phnom Penh
- Marvel at the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
You’ll find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past hidden among the shy smiles and prey tree-lined streets. Today we’ll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our local guide. Next, you can choose to hit the streets on a tuk-tuk and taste your way through the city’s best foodie spots. Then we’ll head back to our hotel located at an after-dark dinner hotspot. (Ask your Trip Manager for some local favourites!)
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Pay respects at the ‘Killing Fields’
- Explore the Bustling Bassac Quarter
Phnom Penh
We’ll take a coach out of Cambodia’s capital this morning and drive into the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world.
Siem Reap
The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in the afternoon. Or choose to visit the Phare Circus (which also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest circus show) for some insane multicultural entertainment. There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with – but it’s probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World (and something we know you’ve all been waiting for).
Meals: Breakfast
Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn’s hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day’s first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it’s prey much magic. Next, we journey back to the temples to explore Angkor Thom and the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm (which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle). With knowledge in hand, we’ll pay a visit to a social enterprise, where disadvantaged and former street children are trained up in hospitality skills. And wow, do they do it well; their frozen shakes and mouthwatering menu never fail to impress. And finally, you’ve got the option to admire the sunset from the paddy fields – on a quad bike ride! With no early rise on tomorrow’s agenda, we can let loose on the city’s famous Pub Street and the buzzing local night markets.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Tour Cambodia’s Buddhist Temples
- Empower Young Locals by Eating a Scrumptious Dinner MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
We came, we saw, we did it all! After one final delicious Asian breakfast together it’s finally time to say goodbye (sob). Team, it’s been epic.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Info
- TRAVELLERS WITH A MIDDLE NAME PLEASE CONTACT RESERVATIONS TO PROVIDE AS SERVICES CANNOT BE BOOKED WITOUT THIS INFORMATION. Trip starts in Bangkok at 6:00pm and ends in Siem Reap at 9:00am. Full Passport Information (inclusive of middle name) is required at time of booking as services cannot be booked without this information. Single and twin chargeable arrival transfers are available for flights arriving into Bangkok (BKK Airport Only). Twin transfers can only be booked when two passengers are traveling together on the same reference number and same arrival flight. Departure transfers are not available. Full Flight Information must be provided if transfers are required to be booked. Please note that during the Contiki Special Stays in Kanchanaburi and Pak Beng travellers will be accommodated in shared rooming (single supplement does not apply on these nights). Travellers are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of the trip. This trip is operated by Contiki Holidays Asia Limited & you have one of our awesome Trip Managers on board. In South East Asia we contract our Ground services through a local Destination Management Company, called Trails of Indochina. Their local guides & our Trip Manager will look after you through-out the trip.
Please ensure that your name is correct on your ticket, as per your passport. Name changes or amendments may incur Contiki and/or Airline fees. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for their selected holiday as well as any necessary vaccinations. It is compulsory for travellers to take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before travelling on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property, and is arranged at time of deposit. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. For full details please visit www.contiki.com/booking-conditions. As Contiki trips are specifically designed for likeminded 18-35 year old travellers, to confirm space on the trip each travellers date of birth must be provided. Full payment must be received no later than 60 days before the trip start date.
