Thailand, Laos and Cambodia Adventure

Day 1  Bangkok                        
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.      

Day 2  Bangkok to Kanchanaburi                
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. 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.      

Day 3  Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai            
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. We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, 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. All aboard for Chiang Mai!      

Day 4  Chiang Mai        
Time to rise and shine. Today we're waking up in Chiang Mai! 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 unforgettable 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. 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.      

Day 5  Chiang Mai                    
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.

Day 6  Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai            
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. 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.      

Day 7  Chiang Rai to Pakbeng              
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. Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.    

Day 8  Pakbeng to Luang Prabang            
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. 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.      

Day 9  Luang Prabang                
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 just one week in.

Day 10  Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng              
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 high-speed 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 little easier, right? 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.

Day 11  Vang Vieng to Vientiane            
Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot… 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.      

Day 12  Vientiane to Phnom Penh      
This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia. 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.      

Day 13  Phnom Penh                  
You'll find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past hidden among the shy smiles and pretty 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!)    

Day 14  Phnom Penh to Siem Reap                  
Another included flight takes us out of Cambodia's capital this morning, landing us in the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world. The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in the afternoon. Or visit the Phare Circus (which also holds the Guiness 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).

Day 15  Siem Reap                
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 pretty 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 mouth-watering 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.

Day 16  Siem Reap            
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.