Day 1
Upon your arrival at Bangkok airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to you to your hotel.
Siam’s capital moved south from Ayutthaya in 1782 and remained in Bangkok after the formation of the Kingdom of Thailand. This bustling metropolis is not to be missed, despite the infamous pollution, with world class shopping and dining opportunities, stunning temples and much evidence of its amazing cultural heritage.
The remainder of your day is at leisure giving you plenty of time to rest after your long flight or explore Bangkok, known locally as Krung Thep (or ‘City of Angels’). Driving through the streets you’ll have your first opportunity to witness the pace, the smells, the energy and the congestion that all combine to give Bangkok it’s own, very unique feel…it’s a fantastic city.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: (_/_/_)
Day 2
Start the day with a visit to the stunning Royal Grand Palace, a national landmark and the most important royal landmark in Thailand. Here you can visit the various buildings that were used for different occasions – the Funeral Palace; the Reception Palace; the Throne Hall; the Coronation Hall; the Royal Guest House; and the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
Continue on to Wat Po, home of the famous reclining Buddha, measuring a staggering 45m in length, as well as one of the oldest Traditional Thai-massage schools in the country.
The remainder of your day is at leisure. For anyone wanting to continue exploring there are countless options to choose from - we would also recommend a trip to the famous ‘night bazaar’ of Suan Lum - the perfect opportunity to unearth some last minute bargains.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 3
Morning departure for Nakhon Pathom, to the west of the capital. Here you can explore its impressive chedi temple, the highest in the entire country. Continuing on to Kanchanaburi, you will visit the famous Bridge on the River Kwai (built, under Japanese direction, by Allied POWs during World War II), the POW Memorial Cemetery and the Railway Museum.
You will also board a train for the short journey through Kwai Noi gorge, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the way.
Arrive at Pakseng Pier in the mid-afternoon where you will board a traditional Thai longtail boat – the ideal way to reach your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 4
The morning starts with a short drive to the village of Nong Khao, a typical example of the Thai village’s to be found across the region. Upon arrival bikes will be available or you can continue your tour by the songtaew (local pick-up truck style taxi).
Throughout the morning you will visit the village shrine and a nearby fan-palm orchard set amongst picturesque rice paddy fields where you can observe how the locals collect the palm products (palm season is from December to June, however many palm products are available for most of the year).You will also see a demonstration of a ritual to strengthen and comfort the spirit of the Rice Goddess, helping to enhance your understanding of the very important role that rice plays in Thai society.
Once back at the village join some of the locals in making sticky-rice crisps and also visit the village weaving centre before returning to Kanchanaburi for lunch.
In the afternoon visit Prasat Muang Singh, an amazing Khmer temple complex that you can explore by foot. Like so many attractions in Asia you can really get amongst the buildings rather than being unnecessarily restricted behind a rope.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)
Day 5
Morning departure for Ayutthaya travelling via Suphanburi so as to enjoy the wonderful backdrop of rice fields that surround you as far as the eye can see. It won’t be long until you arrive at Ayutthaya located at the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak Rivers.The ancient city is on an island formed by a bend of the Chao Phraya River and served as the Thai capital for 417 years.
During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders or diplomats alike, claimed the city to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. Even after being completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767 it still retains vast beauty in its mix of Khmer and early Sukhothai architecture. One of Thailand’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it boasts some spectacular temples and ruins within its ancient city walls.
In the afternoon you can explore either by foot or by bicycle, taking in Wat Yai Chaimongkol (AD 1357), a monastery constructed to celebrate the victory of King Naresuan's single-handed combat on elephant's back against the Crown Prince of Burma in 1592 and thereby regaining Ayutthaya's independence after 15 years of Burmese governance. You will also visit Wat Phra Srisanpetch (AD 1448), the largest temple in Ayutthaya, situated within the gardens of the former royal palace which once housed a 16 meter Buddha covered in 340kg of gold before being melted and stolen by the raiding Burmese!
Overnight in Ayutthaya.
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)
Day 6
In the morning take a small motor boat down to Bang Pa In, a former royal summer palace. Visit the gardens and magnificent pavilions before tranferring to Bangkok Airport by car for your flight to Siem Reap.
Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Over 100 temples are spread over a vast area and the site easily lives up to its status as one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world.
During any visit to the Angkor temples, we ensure your day(s) remain both flexible and personal. Having met with your guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples. Whilst some wish to explore as many temples as they can during their stay, others like to travel at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Maximum experience, minimum crowds
Whether it’s sunrise at Angkor Wat or sunset at Pre Rup, climbing through the snake like roots that engulf Ta Prohm or swimming in the quiet waters of the West Baray Reservoir (or a combination of these), you can be sure that your visit to one of the seven wonders will not be easily forgotten. Unlike some archaeological tours, the Angkor temples never seem to lose that initial ‘wow factor’. Every site is as outstanding as the last, and it will be with a mixture of regret and excitement that you'll get back into your air-conditioned transport to visit the next site. We do still appreciate that some visitors are wary of becoming ‘templed-out’ and to combat this we can create more varied days with visits to other sites such as floating villages and flooded forests on the Tonlé Sap Lake, museums and exhibitions, cooking schools or simply time at leisure to explore Siem Reap or laze by the pool.
Your guide
All our guides are highly experienced Angkor specialists, fully trained and licensed to work at the temples. Along with their exceptional knowledge of each temple and the civilisations that built them, Selective Asia’s guides know how best to avoid the bus-loads that descend on any given temple at certain times of the day, and know every trick in the book when it comes to getting the best photos and the most tranquil moments.
If you have any specific requirements or special interests, be sure to let us know and we will arrange the guide with the most suitable expertise.
Additional Temples
You may also wish to consider visiting some of the further lying such as Beng Melea & Koh Ker, Sambor Prei Kuk or Preah Vihear. Excursions to these less-visited temples always enhance your experience however they do change things logistically and therefore visits must be arranged well in advance of your arrival.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 7
Continue your tour of the Angkor Temples….
Siem Reap has expanded at a phenomenal rate in recent years, with another hotel seemingly opening every other month. However, the old town retains much of its original charm and there are a number of sites of interest such as museums, galleries and the local market. The town also has a wide choice of restaurants and bars, with something to suit every taste.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 8
After breakfast, depart Siem Reap to the Tonlé Sap Lake where you will board a local boat at Kampong Klaing, a remarkable village built entirely on stilts. En route there is the opportunity to enjoy watching the local fishery activities and lives along the river. The journey will take you out through the river to the great lake where you’ll pass by the floating village and continue forwards to the Kampong Phluk, or the ‘flooded forest’.
Accessible only during high water, you’ll pass through the tree tops whilst still seated in your local boat! There will also be the opportunity to visit a village on the banks of the Tonlé Sap and take the time to learn more about different traditional methods of fishing before returning to Siem Reap in the early afternoon.
Continue your tour of the Angkor Temples, explore Siem Reap town, or enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 9
Your morning is at leisure until the transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok.
Upon arrival you are met by your driver (no guide) for the journey to Hua Hin, Cha Am or Pranburi (approximately three hours). The beaches in the region have been popular since the 1920’s when King Rama VII used the area to escape city-life. Whilst some areas have remained popular since then, development has been kept to a minimum on many of further lying beaches. There are a wide range of facilities and hotels in the area and we will be happy to advise you on your options.
Upon arrival the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hua Hin/Cha Am/Pranburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 10
Your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hua Hin/Cha Am/Pranburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 11
Your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hua Hin/Cha Am/Pranburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 12
Your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hua Hin/Cha Am/Pranburi.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)
Day 13
Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Bangkok Airport (no guide) for your onward flight.
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)