Essence of Thailand & Cambodia

សួស្ដី Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Your private guide will meet with you at airport and take you to hotel for check in. In your free time in the afternoon, strolling the streets of Phnom Penh and explore the city.

Today a fullday city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.It remains a living relic of the country’s past struggles and successes.You will be transferred to Royal Palace, and visit the Silver Pagoda, National Museum and Wat Phnom. Have lunch at local restaurant before a visit to Tuol Sleng Prison Museum，a former school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre, and it’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here.

The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek which tells the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge.The Choeung Ek Memorial，home to stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls, marking the site of the infamous Killing Fields.This was the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng, and standing in this peaceful setting it's almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9,000 corpses have been exhumed from the area.

Today you will start your Mekong Island cycling tour. From Phnom Penh, travel by ferry boat across the Mekong. Disembark for cycling North along a scenic dirt route following the Mekong River North to a silk village where we stop to see silk-weaving and a temple. Cross by ferry to Silk Island for cycling through villages and farms along small paths before crossing by ferry to Chrouy Changva peninsula. Cycle along the Mekong south and then cross the peninsula to the Tonle Sap River where we will cross by ferry into Phnom Penh. 

Today you will take a short flight to Siem Reap (approximately 1 hour). The small but expanding town of Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor. This is the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia, perhaps even in South East Asia. You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so, after pick up and transfer to your hotel,take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere.

This late afternoon, you will enjoy an Apsara Dinner Show. While dinning under the candle lit in the authentic Khmer set-up on the cozy low seats, you can indulge themselves with the Reamker (or Khmer Ramayana) and local folklore depicted through the traditional Khmer dancing accompanied by the Pinpat -the traditional Khmer orchestra. Empress the long lasting memory of Cambodian art & cultures.

This morning you will be picked up at your accommodation in Siem Reap to begin your unforgettable Angkor Wat Tour. You will be transferred by private car to the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.Your tour will include visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Angkor Period (AD 802-1432). Visit the breathtaking Bayon Temple, one of the most popular sites in Angkor complex with over 200 giant faces carved into its 54 towers. The temple was designed to represent the 54 provinces of the Khmer Empire and it still carries a completely majestic atmosphere. You will also visit Baphuon Temple,Phimeanakas Temple,the Terrace of the Elephant,the Terrace of the Leper King,and Royal Palace Temple. 

In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat Temple, one of the seven wonders of the world. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. View sunset at Phnom Bakheng before heading back to your accommodation.

If you want, you can take the early morning trip witness sunrise over Angkor Wat temple and listening singing birds over the ancient land of Angkor area, you also have the chance for a friendly talk with the monks and nuns at a nearby pagoda. After the sunrise tour, breakfast either at hotel or take away is available. 

Start the day by visiting Banteay Srei Temples, nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving.Continue to visit Banteay Samre, Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

Have lunch at a local restaurant for exotic cuisine.Ta Prohm temple and Banteay Kdey are your next stops before some leisure time in the late afternoon. 

This morning, you will be picked up from Hotel and transfer to visit Koulen Mountain. It also has a major symbolic importance for Cambodians as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, for it was at Phnom Kulen that King Jayavarma II proclaimed independence from Java in 804 CE. Jayavarman II initiated the cult of the king, a linga cult, in what is dated as 804 CE and declaring his independence from Java of whom the Khmer had been a vassalage state (whether this is actually "Java" or "Lava" (a Lao kingdom) is debated, as well as the legend that he was earlier held as a ransom of the kingdom in Java. See Higham's The Civilization of Angkor for more information about the debate).During the Angkorian era the relief was known as Mahendraparvata.

Drive to the pier to board a motorized launch to cruise on the Tonle Sap, the largest fresh-water lake in South East Asia. See and learn how Cambodians built a life around the Eco system of the lake with fish and crocodile farming, floating markets, schools and restaurants. Even floating hospitals. Time permitting; we visit the Cecko Research system to learn more of the Eco system around the lake.

After lunch,transfer to airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival in Bangkok, Your guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall, and transfer to your hotel with a private car and driver. Your guide will help you with luggage and hotel check-in, and ensure your arrival in Thailand is worry-free.

Depart early morning for a 2-hour drive to the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak Floating Market located 100 km (62 mi) from Bangkok, one of the Thailand’s most famous attractions. Day-in and day-out from about 8 am to about 11 am, the Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. You will have a chance to take a ride on a long tail boat to get the real sense of a floating village. After the long tail boat cruise around the village, you will stop at a transit point where you can choose to further explore the floating market by a 4-seat boat (at your own expense) or stroll around by the river's banks. 

After having lunch, you will return to Bangkok, and you will visit Wat Pho, which is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples. Wat Pho was built by King Rama I about 200 years ago and houses the gigantic, gold-plated Reclining Buddha image. This unique image is 49 meters long and 12 meters high with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Your last stop is The Royal Grand Palace, the nation's landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace, which is used for many different occasions, and you will see The Coronation Hall, the Funeral Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the mysterious, famous Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Then return to the hotel. 

Depart for a 1.5 hour drive through Bangkok's rural outskirts to Ayutthaya History Park. Begin by visiting the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace, located 60 kilometers north of Bangkok, an impressive architectural blend of East and West dating back to the 17th century. Continue to Ayutthaya, which was the capital of the Thai Kingdom for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and in 1767 it was destroyed by the Burmese army. Nowadays the ruins of the former city are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Stroll around the ruins of several ancient temples including Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a former royal temple during Ayutthaya's days of glory; Wat Mahathat, where the roots of a tree surround the head of Buddha; and if time allows, Wat Chai Wattanaram, a perfect example of Khmer architectural influence. This afternoon, board a luxury boat and enjoy a Thai buffet lunch whilst cruising back to Bangkok. Witness the daily life of the river’s inhabitants and watch the scenery change from rural to cosmopolitan transfer back to your hotel on arrival at the pier.

After breackfast and check out from hotel, you will transfer to Bangkok airport for your internal flight to Phuket. On arrival, your private driver will take you to the hotel for check-in. After settle down，relax poolside or head to the beach.

After pick up at your Phuket hotel in the morning, you will travel by air-conditioned minibus to the cruise departure point at Ao Por Pier. You can enjoy the complimentary coffee,tea and dessert service before boarding your luxury boat enter Ao Phang Nga National Park, where you will have opportunities for snokling and swimming.Later,you will admire the craggy stalactite formations of Panak Island’s caves and enjoy canoeing in Bat Cave or Mangrove cave. Then depart from Panak Island to Hong Island, our guides will paddle you around to explore hidden caves and lagoons.

After have a great buffet lunch on board, you will continue on to a photo stop at Khao Phing Kan, also known as James Bond Island.The famous movie named The Man with the golden Gun was filmed here.Then you can enjoy swimming and relaxing before return to Ao Por Pier and then transfer to your hotel.

Day at leisure. Relax at your hotel or explore the surrounding area.

Have breakfast and relax at your hotel. After check out from hotel, you will set apart to Phuket airport for your international flight home or to your next destination.