From Siam to Khmer - a Royal Heritage Journey - 9 days

Tour Brief

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival
Day 2: Bangkok City Tour
Day 3: Bangkok – Ayutthaya day trip
Day 4: Bangkok – Fly to Siemreap – Angkor Wat
Day 5: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom
Day 6: Siemreap – Khmer Village – Beng Mealea – Siem Reap
Day 7: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Fly to Phnom Penh
Day 8: Phnom Penh City Tour
Day 9: Phnom Penh  Departure

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival
Welcome to Bangkok! Your Travel Thailand driver and guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to the hotel for check in. Free time and relax.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour
After breakfast is served at the hotel, your guide will pick you up and take you to a Harbor on Chao Phraya River to embark on a boat and explore the traditional Thai klongs (canals) and see the still-active waterborne life of the Nonthaburi residents. Then, visit Wat Arun which is known as Temple of Dawn – one of the best well-known sites in Bangkok. It is best seen from the opposite side of the river. After visiting this Wat, you head to the Grand Palace which is the official Palace of The King Of Siam since 1782 made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. It is located on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Inside the Grand Palace complex is Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha – the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The following visit is Wat Pho – the temple of reclining Buddha. The temple has a long list of credits: The oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, the longest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, the first public education institution.
Next, drive to Pak Klong Talaat Flower market to see Thailand’s exotic flora with many species of orchids. Back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 3: Bangkok – Ayutthaya day trip
This morning, leave Bangkok for Ayutthaya – 70km North of Bangkok. The first stop is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace Palace also known as Summer palace located 18km from Ayutthaya on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Arrive in Ayutthaya – the ancient capital for over 400 years. You will visit Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit which has one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. The next visit is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, located in the grand palace compound used as a residential palace. This is the biggest temple in Ayutthaya. Then you will visit Wat Maha That – a temple over 600 years old - and Wat Na Phra Mane.  Wat Na Phra Mane is still in good condition and was used as the Burmese military headquarters during the war. Inside this temple, you will see the sparkling Golden Buddha with the three thousand-year-old Buddhas carved from green stone which are extremely valuable national relics. Back to Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 4: Bangkok – Fly to Siemreap – Angkor Wat
This morning, you will leave Bangkok for Siemreap. Upon arrival and after clearing immigration and customs, you will meet your Travel Thailand guide and they will take you to the hotel in town. After check-in and refreshments, you will take the walk along the Siem Reap Riverside, and spot the fruit eating bats in front of the Residence of King.  Later in the afternoon, drive to the biggest religious temple in the world - the magnificent Angkor Wat. Built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is considered a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. We will stay there until sunset.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 5: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom
Rise bright and early for a “Tuk Tuk” ride to discover the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm at sunrise then return to the hotel for breakfast.
You begin the temple exploration today at Angkor Thom near west gate. From the enigmatic faces of Bayon Temple to the intricate base relics of the Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom is filled with fabulous monuments. At midday have lunch at local restaurant of your choosing. After lunch you will drive to Banteay Srei, it is also one of the most beautiful temples; built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V's guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture, and Preah Khan meaning “Holy Sword” is one of the largest temple compounds in Angkor and is defended by four concentric walls. The main shrine and its adjoining buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epics. You will return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon so you can enjoy your free time shopping and relaxing.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 6: Siemreap – Khmer Village – Beng Mealea – Siem Reap
Today you head out to a Khmer Village, your chance to see what real life is like in Cambodian a village. You can spend time helping a poor village family go about their daily life. The scenic drive takes you through local countryside providing some great photo opportunities. For a few hours you will have rare chance to see inside the life of Cambodian villagers. You may help plant the rice, make a roof or harvest bananas– life revolves around the seasons, so it will vary depending on when you visit. A lunch box will be provided by one of the villagers. Following lunch, drive further to Beng Mealea Temple and explore the abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle.
After all the walking, you will receive a voucher for a 60 minute complimentary foot massage for some relaxation before the drive back to Siem Reap.  This evening is free so you may enjoy evening tea, dinner and walk around on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 7: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Fly to Phnom Penh
After breakfast you are taking a break from temples and going on a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. You will see a “floating village” – boats that have been converted to look like houses and the “village” moves from place to place according to the water levels. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chass, called the “Old Market”, where you can see the locals shopping and going about their daily lives! Then transfer out for departure to Phnom Penh by plane, on arrival we meet you again and transfer you to a hotel in the center of Phnom Penh City.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 8: Phnom Penh City Tour
Begin your morning with breakfast at hotel then set out to see the capital city of Phnom Penh which was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerably charming. A city tour acquaints you with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights provides a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the cyclo ride to visit Royal Palace, which is now home to the royal family. In the northern section of the palace grounds lies the Silver Pagoda, the most sacred one in the country and The National Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 9: Phnom Penh  Departure
Free until time transferred to the airport for your departure flight home. Have a good journey back home.
Bon Voyage!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A