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THE ANCIENT HISTORY & CULTURE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Explore the ancient history and rich culture of this fascinating Asian land.

DAY 1: ARRIVE BANGKOK

Arrive in Bangkok and meet your Tour Director and transfer to your hotel for some time at leisure. This evening introduces you to mystical dances, Thai cuisine and a truly Thai ambiance at SILOM VILLAGE! During dinner, feast your eyes on the grace and beauty of the dancers, elegantly performing stories from classical Thai literature and folk-tales. The exquisitely crafted traditional costumes bedecked with jewels must be captured on camera. (D)

DAY 2: BANGKOK

Depart the hotel by coach and board long-tailed boat through the KLONGs to see the family homes, temples and way of life, which gives this city the name “Venice of the East”. Stop at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) whose 79m spire has become so identified with Bangkok. Continue to visit the GRAND PALACE, comprising the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). (B,D)

DAY 3: BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI

Depart via Nakorn Pathom for Kanchanaburi to visit THAILAND BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE, an interactive museum dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Then walk to the Cemetery of the allied prisoners of the World War II. Continue by coach to the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai. Afterwards, take a ride on the Death Railway. In the afternoon, visit to TIGER TEMPLE or Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, famous for the many Indochinese Tigers that are cared for by the monks at the temple. (B)

DAY 4: KANCHANABURI – AYUTHAYA - PHITSAMULOKE

Continue to Ayuthaya via Suphan Buri. Visit to the Ancient Capital of Ayuthaya– visit WAT PHRA SRISAN PHET and WAT MONGKOL BHOPIT (Giant seated Buddha image). Afterward, continue to Phitsanuloke spread along the banks of the Nan River. Visit the much-venerated shrine of WAT MAHATHAT, typical of the ancient styple of Thai religious architecture. Then proceed to hotel in Phitsanuloke for one night stay. (B,L)

DAY 5: PHITSAMULOKE – SUKHOTHAI – CHIANG MAI

A short drive to Sukhothai Historical Park, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Admire beautiful standing Buddha statues as you explore the many ruined temples and monasteries. This afternoon’s drive takes us further north to Chiang Mai “The Rose of the North”. Chiang Mai has a rich cultural and agricultural heritage and is famous for the production of high quality handicrafts. Enjoy a family style Thai dinner set in a 100 year old Teakwood House on the bank of the Ping River. (B,L,D)

DAY 6: CHIANG MAI

Early Morning Buddhist Almsgiving. Each morning before dawn, priests don their distinctive saffron robes and quietly pad in their bare feet along the streets, carrying Alms bowls and receiving boiled rice and condiments from people. In return, people received blessings from the monks. You can participate in this very special Thai custom by personally presenting alms to the Buddhist monks. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will drive up the mountain’s winding road of Doi Suthep, where we will change vehicles to travel the remainder of the journey by “Songthaew”, a pick up utility truck with a covered area and two rows of seats in the back, to visit the White Hmong people in their village. On the return journey, we pay a visit the temple of WAT PHRATHAT DOI SUTHEP which offers spectacular views of Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley, from its mountain side location. Afternoon visit to the district of Sankampaeng, home to many of Chiang Mai’s handicraft industries. (B)

DAY 7: CHIANG MAI – BAN THATON

In the morning we will visit ORCHID FARM and one of the ELEPHANT CAMPS where skilled “mahouts” show how elephants have worked in the jungles for centuries. Your highlight today is a one hour elephant ride. Then we continue our drive to Ban Thaton where we spend the night at a riverside resort. From here, we visit a PADUANG KAREN VILLAGE where we are greeted by members of the ‘long-necked’ Padaung people, who early in life begin placing brass rings on the necks and legs of the village girls. As the girls age and mature, additional rings are added, creating the visual illusion of stretching their necks. The Karen hill people are Thailand’s largest ethnic minority group. Originally from Myanmar (Burma), they have fled to Thailand over the years, seeking haven from Burmese government persecution. (B,L)

DAY 8: BAN THATON – CHIANG RAI

Continue driving to visit Mae Sai, a market town on the Myanmar border. From Mae Sai, drive

to the renowned Golden Triangle where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers meet. Enjoy views over Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and the mighty Mekong River. Visit to HALL OF OPIUM at Golden Triangle and take a BOAT TRIP ON MEKONG RIVER. Visit Chiang Saen, where evidence of the original 13th century city can still be seen. Drive back to Chiang Rai. (B)

DAY 9: CHIANG RAI – BANGKOK – SIEM REAP

This morning proceed to Chiang Rai Airport for flight to Bangkok. Arrive Bangkok and connect flight to Siem Reap. Free time in Siem Reap prior to dinner and a cultural show at ANGKOR VILLAGE THEATRE. (B,D)

DAY 10: SIEM REAP

This morning, visit monumental magnificence of ANGKOR THOM – the last capital of the great Khmer Empire. You will visit the sprawling ELEPHANT TERRACE, THE TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING and the enchanting BAYON. Continue to 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. This afternoon, you will visit ANGKOR WAT, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each tells a story but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk, which is located on the east wing; the guide will explain the mystical tale. Enjoy sunset before returning to your hotel. (B,L)

DAY 11: SIEM REAP

This morning, visit ANGKOR NATIONAL MUSEUM, a profound cultural landmark in Siem Reap, and BANTEAY SREI; ‘the Womans Citadel’ - a tiny, enchanting temple, which is one of the jewels in this remarkable city. This afternoon, visit to a development project teaching young adults, stone carving, wood carving, lacquer application. ARTISANS D’ ANGKOR is a heart warming reminder that progress in Cambodia can go hand in hand with traditional crafts. Take the boat to TONLE SAP LAKE. This lake is the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia and is the heart of the Cambodian fishing industry and the lifeblood for millions of Khmers living on and around it. Every year during the monsoon season the flow of water from the Mekong River changes

direction forcing water back into the Tonle Sap lake bringing nutrients that fertilise the rice fields and support the breeding of the 200+ fish species and other life. You will board a comfortable boat to see the true way of life in one of the floating villages of the Tonle Sap, here you can see how Khmers and Vietnamese live and work side by side. (B,L,D)

DAY 12: SIEM REAP - BANGKOK

Leisure time today until your transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok. This evening in Bangkok, enjoy a superb Asian dinner on Traditional converted Rice Barge while slowly drifting along the riverside of the Chao Phraya River, past the Temple of Dawn and the Grand Palace. A perfect way to end your memorable trip. (B,D)

DAY 13: BANGKOK

Your tour ends today with your group airport transfer for your homebound flight. (B)

VALUE

13 DAYS/12 NIGHTSPriced from $3497 US per triple

WHAT’S INCLUDED

MORE FEATURESVisits to special attractions per itinerary

MEALS12 breakfasts 5 lunches6 dinners

HOTELS12 nights hotel accommodation in moderate first class or superior tourist class hotels

AIRPORT TRANSFERSGroup airport transfer included upon arrival and departure

STANDARD AMENITIES & SERVICESProfessional Student Discoveries Tour Director throughout. Privatetransportation via air-conditioned motorcoach.

NOTE: Arrival and departure times may modify this itinerary.