Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer Trails

Ref: Gold: IN003

Thailand-Laos-Cambodia
9 days 
Click Here to request more information about this tour

Detailed Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Bangkok

Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 1

Welcome to Thailand. After clearing the entry formalities, exit into the arrival Area and meet your private guide from Khiri Travel. He/she will be holding a sign with your names  on it. Transfer to your hotel to relax after your long international flight.

Overnight:  Peninsula (The)Meals: None • Transport: car or minibus

Day 2: Bangkok

Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 2

Today you will visit the most important temples of Bangkok and explore the Chao Phraya River and its canals (klongs). You will be picked up from the hotel by your private guide. You will travel by private boat to Tha Chang, the pier closest to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow. Visit this magnificent temple complex with your guides. Afterwards visit Wat Po.


Lunch at the Fisherman's restaurant (on own expenses).


After lunch board your private longtailed boat for a cruise through the canals of Bangkok. Visit the Royal Barges, the ornamented rowing boats that are being used in Royal processions on the Chao Phraya River. Visit Wat Arun before returning to the hotel.
The rest of the afternoon you are free at leisure.

Overnight:  Peninsula (The)Meals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: boat|car or minibus
Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 3

This morning, you will leave Bangkok to the Summer Palace at Bang Pa In. The mish mash of palaces and pavilions in styles ranging from Italian to Chinese once served as summer retreats for Thai monarchs from the Ayutthaya period to the beginning of the 20th century. In the afternoon, you'll explore the the principal sites of this fallen city with visits to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Chai Mongkol, famous for its Buddha galleries. Until its final destruction by the Burmese, Ayutthaya was home to 33 different Siamese kings, and boasted a population, at one point, of over 1,000,000 inhabitants.
Leaving Ayutthaya, you will continue to Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. Thailand's dry northeast, known as Isan (ee-san) to the Thais, is the country's least developed and most traditional region. In addition to a wealth of Khmer monuments, the area has many fine arts and crafts and some of the friendliest people on earth.  Drive  to the hotel for check-in and rest of day at your leisure.

Overnight:  Dusit Princess Korat (FormerlyMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus
Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 4
A short distance from Korat is Phimai, once one of the most important cities of the Khmer Empire. Spend the day exploring Phimai as well as Phnom Wan and the local museum.

And then, drive to Buriram where you can find two more fine Khmer monuments, Khao Phnom Rung and Prasat Muang Tam, both with superior carvings. While the rustic artisans outside of the Khmer heartland may have lacked the sophistication of Angkor's stone carvers, their work has immense charm and spontaneity.
 
Afterwards, drive to Surin and check in to your hotel
Overnight:  Thong Tarin HotelMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus
Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 5
Today, drive to the Thai/Lao border. En route, explore Prasat Sikoraphum, Prasat Kamphaeng Yai and Prasat Kamphaeng Noi.
 
Upon arrival in Ubon Ratchathani, first visit the city's excellent Historical Heritage Museum and Ubon's most famous temple, Wat Suphat before checking in to your hotel on the banks of the Mekong River.
Overnight:  Sunee Grand HotelTransport: car or minibus
Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 6

This morning, meet your guide and driver and transfer to the border at Chong Mek. After crossing into Laos, meet your guide to begin your tour. First, drive about one hour from the border to Pakse, and from there continue another two hours to Ban Nakham Noi and have lunch at a local restaurant (on own expense).

 

After lunch you will visit Wat Phou. Wat Phou was built in the 5th century and predates Angkor Wat in Cambodia. In 2002 Wat Phou was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Also visit Um Muang before returning to Pakse.

Overnight:  Arawan Riverside Meals: Breakfast • Transport: boat|car or minibus

Day 7: Pakse - Siem Reap

Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 7

This morning, meet your guide and transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Fly Pakse to Siem Reap on Laos Airlines (TBA) - Khiri Tickets
Economy class
NOTE: flight is operated on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday only


Arrival in Siem Reap. A visa upon arrival can be obtained (see our visa section for details). After having completed immigration and customs formalities
Meet your guide and driver upon arrival and transfer to your centrally located hotel
In the afternoon make a first visit to the ruins of Angkor with a private car and expert guide. Please make sure you have one passport picture ready for the entrance pass.
Enjoy a sunset view from Phnom Bakheng, a hill protruding from the otherwise flat landscape. There is the option to make the climb on elephant-back. From the top of Bakheng, the spires of the main temple, Angkor Wat, can be seen.

Overnight:  Victoria Angkor HotelMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus|flight

Day 8: Siem Reap

Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 8

Early departure from the hotel. Visit the walled city of Angkor Thom. Continue on to visit, amongst others, the Bayon, the Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of the Elephants. Return to Siem Reap for lunch at the stylish Foreign Correspondents Club (on own expenses).
The whole afternoon is set aside for a visit to the main temple, Angkor Wat.  For an altogether different perspective of this marvellous temple, there is the option to board the hot-air balloon, set up just outside the main entrance.

Overnight:  Victoria Angkor HotelMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus

Day 9: Siem Reap - Bangkok

Gold Exclusive Explore - The Khmer TrailsDay 9

Early departure to Angkor, to visit Pre Rup, Banteay Samre and Ta Prohm, which is famous for its walls overgrown by huge tropical figtrees. Also visit an interesting exposition of the World Monuments Fund at Preah Khan.
Return to you hotel for lunch (on own expenses).
This afternoon browse the market for souvenirs, or return to Angkor to visit temples you may have missed, or re-visit the ones you liked the best. Transfer to the airport.


Fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok on Bangkok Airways
Economy class

Overnight:  No AccommodationMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus|flight

top

Price includes:
- English speaking guide during sightseeing
- Entrance fees
- Meals as indicated
- Accommodation as mentioned on the itinerary
- Tour and transfers as indicated on the itinerary
Price DOES NOT include:
- Airport taxes
- Air tickets both domestic and international
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Surcharges during festivals or peak season
- Gala Dinner on Christmas and New Year
- All Drinks
- Visa Fees
- Tips