The Best of Thailand and Cambodia

DAY 1: BANGKOK
Arrival in Bangkok, immigration and reception at the airport. Private transfer with guide in Spanish to the hotel. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 2: BANGKOK
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, private guided tour in Spanish visiting Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Traimit, with its priceless Golden Buddha with 5 ½ tons of solid gold; Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha; and the Grand Palace of Bangkok, one of the most beautiful and ancient examples that used to be the residence of the kings of Thailand. It will be the opportunity to visit the palaces that were used for different occasions, such as the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Room, the Coronation Room and the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.


DAY 3: BANGKOK
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, private tour with a guide in Spanish to visit the famous market on the Maeklong Train Rails. When the train approaches the market, merchants fold their sales station to allow the train to cross the middle of the market.

Then, visit the traditional Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which opens at dawn and closes at noon. Thai women wearing bamboo hats guide the small and numerous boats, offering fruits and vegetables. As it is always full, the best way to discover the market is from inside a boat that crosses the small canals, so you can buy fresh products from the merchants.


DAY 4: BANGKOK/SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Bangkok airport and board a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia (flight not included).

Arrival in Siem Reap, reception and private transfer with guide in Spanish to the hotel for accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast. Rest of the day free for independent activities.


DAY 5: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel and tuk-tuk ride to the South Gate. In the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), visit the Bayon temple, with its 54 towers decorated with 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara; the Phimeanakas temple; the Terrace of the Leper King; and the Terrace of the Elephants, as well as the royal chambers. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most spectacular temples in the region, which remains relatively as it was when discovered.

After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer by bus to visit the most famous of all temples: Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple complex covers 81 hectares, comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. The five towers, which are part of the Cambodian flag, represent the 5 peaks of Meru. This 12th-century work is considered by art historians to be the first example of classical Khmer architecture and art.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Helicopter flight in Angkor Wat, with an approximate duration of 8 minutes.
• Cooking class, including a meal and transfers (excluding drinks).
  
  
  

DAY 6: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day by attending a Buddhist ceremony with monks to learn about Buddhism and how religion affects Cambodian culture. Visit the Bantey Srei and Bantey Samre temples, dedicated to the god Shiva.

After lunch at a local restaurant, on the way back, visit the artisans of D'Angkor, a center that helps young Cambodians while keeping traditional crafts alive.

Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Dinner with Apsara dance at the Kanell restaurant, including transfers (without drinks).
  
  
  

DAY 7: SIEM REAP/BANGKOK/CHIANG MAI
After breakfast and check-out, visit the Roluos temple complex: the Preah Ko Temple, the Bakong Mountain Temple and the Lolei Temple, located in the middle of an old water reserve. This temple complex dates from the late 9th century and is a splendid example of Khmer art. They represent the remains of Hariharalaya, the first capital of the great Angkor empire in the Khmer era.

Private airport transfer for boarding a flight to Chiang Mai (flight not included). Arrival, reception and private transfer with guide in Spanish to the hotel for accommodation in Chiang Mai for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 8: CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet the guide and drive to Mae Tang to visit the various tribes in the region. First, visit the world-renowned Karen Hill tribe, where the women from Burma, known for wearing rings around their necks, the “giraffe women”, are located. Next, visit the traditional Lahu Hill tribe.

Stop at one of the region's orchid farms, where there is a wide variety of these flowers. It includes lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, tour the city of Chiang Mai, with a visit to the most interesting Buddhist temples, such as the 600-year-old Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, atop Doi Suthep. After a stretch of ascent, the final part is made up of a staircase of 306 steps in the shape of a serpent. Inside, there is an intriguing copper chedi under a five-tiered golden umbrella that are part of the Buddha's relics. On an open-air day there are beautiful views of the city.

Visit Wat Suan Dok, whose central stupa has a Buddha relic and contains the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal Family; Wat Chedi Luang, where the Emerald Buddha once lived; and Wat Phra Singh, which houses the 1500-year-old Buddha image.


DAY 9: CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Patara Elephant Farm for an experience of caring for and preserving the Asian elephant. At the site, an introduction will be provided on how to find the elephant in the jungle, the management of the elephant farm and the elephant breeding program, in addition to learning how to interact with the elephants, their diet, daily care, and a bath in a river. Stop for lunch (without drinks), return to the farm for more interaction and a photo shoot.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.


DAY 10: CHIANG MAI/PHUKET - PHI PHI ISLAND
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to Chiang Mai airport and board a flight to Phuket (flight not included). Arrival, reception and transfer to the city's pier and, from there, board a boat from the hotel to Phi Phi Island. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.

Note: depending on the tide level, guests must be prepared for a “wet landing”, meaning that when they arrive at the resort, they must enter the water with the level just above their ankles and walk to the beach.


Day 11 and 12: PHI PHI ISLAND
Breakfast at the hotel. Free days.


DAY 13: PHI PHI ISLAND - PHUKET
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by boat from the hotel to the Phuket pier.


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