From Thailand to Cambodia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Bangkok

  

  Arrival at Bangkok Airport (BKK). Welcome! Our driver will greet you and transfer you to Bangkok in a private car, for about 1 hour. Check-in and relaxation at your hotel. (Your room will be available between 12:00 and 14:00.) Bangkok is not only a surprising city, it is bewildering. Between the street vendors and skyscrapers over 100 m high, you will fall in love with this city that never sleeps. Small neighborhoods dating from the 18th century, temples, street vendors, floating markets, everything is gathered here for a guaranteed change of scenery. Free day. Take the opportunity to rest or explore the city on your own. Here is a non-exhaustive list of excursions not included: - Take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River - Visit the Grand Palace - Go visit the Chatuchak market, open only on weekends. It is the largest open market in Southeast Asia, with more than 10,000 stalls - Go visit Muang Boran: located about thirty kilometers southeast of Bangkok, this park brings together reproductions of 109 monuments of Thailand, in a 320-acre (128-hectare) park, shaped like Thailand. - Find great deals in the markets. We particularly like: the Ratchada Rot Fai Market, the most local; the Srinakarin Rot Fai Train Market, the most original; or Chang Chui, the most modern. - Relax with a Thai massage (try the One Pho Massage, right next to Wat Pho) - Go on a shopping spree in Bangkok's shopping malls - Taste authentic Thai cuisine - Stroll along Kao San Road - Explore the temples of Bangkok - Go see the floating market * Ticket not included: 180 THB, valid between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm (about 4 euros/person) Night in Bangkok at the W 22 Hotel.

• day 2

  Immersion in the heart of Bangkok

  

  After breakfast, meet your guide to visit the main attractions of the capital, a beautiful introduction to the country's religious history and Thai traditions. You will start by visiting the Royal Palace, a symbol of the kingdom, as well as Wat Phra Kaew, the temple housing the most revered Buddha in Thailand. Continue your visit to Wat Pho to admire the largest reclining Buddha in the world. You will have the opportunity to purchase genuine handmade amulets crafted by monks as you stroll through the winding alleys of the amulet market. Your guide will take you to a local restaurant to taste typical Thai dishes before crossing the Chao Phraya and setting off by boat to visit the unusual khlongs of Thonburi. Thonburi is the former capital of Siam and forms the heart of Bangkok. Sail along the canals (or khlongs) in your private boat. Old houses, Buddhist temples, itinerant merchants, and exotic wildlife will guarantee a complete change of scenery. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Bangkok at the W 22 Hotel.

• day 3

  Culinary and cultural tour through the Bang Rak district

  

  After your breakfast, we will pick you up at your hotel at 9:30 am to experience an extraordinary culinary and cultural adventure through the capital. You will be accompanied by experts in Thai gastronomy. They will introduce you to the Bangrak district, more commonly known as the "village of love." This neighborhood is home to many local stalls and restaurants offering dishes that will take you on a journey through the flavors of the Kingdom. During this morning, you will spend your time tasting typical Thai dishes, as well as tropical fruits carefully cut by the market "mamas." To our vegetarian friends, have no fear: as Thais are Buddhists, you will also have a wide choice of dishes available to you. This private tour will show you all the colors of the city. Return to your hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Bangkok at the W 22 Hotel.

• day 4

  On the way to Kanchanaburi

  

  After your breakfast, your driver will pick you up in Bangkok and drive you to Kanchanaburi in a private car. The journey will take about 2h30 by road. Settle into your room and take advantage of this day to relax at your hotel or explore the city of Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is a city in western Thailand, known for the bridge over the River Kwai and its unique national parks. The Erawan waterfalls are also majestic to visit. Feel free to wander the streets of this small city and visit its market. During your free stay, these activities are available to you (not included): - Visit the city of Kanchanaburi and the Bridge over the River Kwai - Go see the giant tree - Prasat Muang Sing (magnificent Khmer-inspired temple dating from the 12th century) - The Dragonhead Cave Temple, Wat Ban Tham (impressive decor, you will end up in the mouth of a dragon) Overnight in Kanchanaburi at Sabai@Kan.

• day 5

  Exploring the Erawan waterfalls and overnight stay in a floating hotel.

  

  After having your breakfast, your hiking team will pick you up to head towards the stunning Erawan waterfalls. Don't forget your swimsuit! On site, admire the fabulous cascades spread over 7 levels, considered the most beautiful in Thailand. The morning will end with lunch at a local restaurant. Set off to visit the Hellfire Pass museum, then continue your day by relaxing at the Hindad hot springs. In addition to being able to relax, you will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Thai culture. Continue to your floating raft, where a delicious dinner will be served to you by the riverside. Night at Sai Yok Yai (floating accommodation on the River Kwai, with fan and shower, water at ambient temperature). Dinner and overnight at your hotel on the river at Krit Raft.

• day 6

  Meeting with the elephants and return to Kanchanaburi.

  

  Your guide will pick you up at your hotel. You will start your morning at the elephant camp, where you can observe them and spend time with these great pachyderms, a unique experience not to be missed under any circumstances. During this hour of animal therapy, you will watch the elephant during its mud bath, followed by a bath in the river. Throughout this activity, you will be close to the pachyderm. Then, it will be time to reward it with some fruit. Don't forget your camera to keep a memorable souvenir of this day. After this special moment, you will regain your strength by tasting typical dishes in a local restaurant, then you will continue your expedition by visiting the Wang Pho viaduct, the Krasae cave, and the Wat Tampuwa temple. You will also have the opportunity to go canoeing/kayaking on the famous River Kwai or take a ride in a longtail boat, ideal for families. At the end of the day, return to Kanchanaburi and overnight at your hotel. (For ethical reasons, we do not offer the visit to the tiger temple, as we absolutely do not support this activity.) Overnight in Kanchanaburi at Sabai@Kan.

• day 7

  Heading to Ayutthaya and tour aboard a private rice barge.

  

  After your breakfast, your driver will pick you up in Kanchanaburi and drive you to Ayutthaya in a private minivan. The journey will take about 2h30. Ayutthaya is located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok. Founded in 1350, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and a prosperous international trading port, until it was razed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the ancient city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site including palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and magnificent statues. Settle into your room and enjoy your free afternoon to relax by the pool or to stroll around the city of Ayutthaya on your own. Then, around 5pm, your taxi (tuk-tuk) will pick you up, and you will board your private rice barge on the Chao Phraya River to watch the sunset over the temples of Ayutthaya. The cruise lasts about 1h30. Overnight in Ayutthaya at Baan Thai House.

• day 8

  Discovery of the historic park of Ayutthaya by tuk-tuk and transfer to Khao Yai

  

  After enjoying a good breakfast, your French-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel reception. You will leave in a traditional tuk-tuk from the Ayutthaya region for your visit to the main sites of the ancient capital. Enjoy the many temples and palaces such as the famous Wat Phra Sri Sunphet, Wat Lokayasutharam, or Wat Napramain. Return to your hotel at the end of the morning and free time. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Ayutthaya and transfer you to Khao Yai in a private minivan. The journey will take about 03h00. Khao Yai National Park is a heritage site located in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Covering nearly 2,168 square kilometers, it boasts massive biodiversity and is home to more than 350 rare and endangered species. An unmissable stop for nature lovers, with its lush jungle, rivers, waterfalls, caves, and wild animals. Upon arrival, settle into your tent and let yourself be lulled by the sounds of the surrounding nature, or enjoy the superb swimming pool overlooking the lake. You will have a unique experience and be as close as possible to the jungle. Overnight in Khao Yai at the Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai.

• day 9

  Free exploration of Khao Yai National Park

  

  Enjoy your free day in Khao Yai to explore the park on your own, with a wide range of activities to choose from. You can choose from the following activities during your free stay (not included): - Hiking in search of local wildlife and flora - Animal watching from a platform - Night safari - Discovering caves home to thousands of bats Overnight in Khao Yai at the Lala Mukha Tented Resort Khao Yai.

• day 10

  On the road to the Khmer temples and transfer to Cambodia.

  

  Departure from your hotel this morning after your breakfast. Your driver will take you towards the Buriram region to visit the Khmer temple of Isan "Prasat Muang Tam", beautifully restored. The journey will take about 03h30 by road. Less visited, this temple is nonetheless just as impressive with its lotus ponds and magnificent sculptures. 8 kilometers from Phanom Rung, and built between the 10th and 11th centuries, it is dedicated to Shiva and features a particular layout in the way its prangs (Khmer-style towers) are arranged. Next, discover Prasat Hin Phanom Rung. Be ready to be amazed by the most spectacular Khmer ruins in Thailand. Built on an extinct volcano, this temple perfectly represents the Hindu paradise. Local lunch with your guide. Then, your driver will transfer you to the Aranyaprathet border in a private minivan. The journey takes about 2h by road. You arrive at the Aranyaprathet border, where you will go through the formalities to cross the border into Cambodia (Poi Pet Border). Upon your arrival in Cambodia, you will fill out a form to which you will attach a passport photo, and you will pay the visa fee of 30 USD/person. Then, your private Cambodian driver and your French-speaking guide will take you from the border to your hotel in Siem Reap, in a private vehicle. The journey takes about 03h00. SIEM REAP means "Siamese defeat" and refers to a battle between the Siamese and Khmer armies, which saw the victory of the latter. Capital of the province of Siem Reap, it is located near the Angkor archaeological complex and about 314 km north-northwest of the capital Phnom Penh. The city has colonial and Chinese architectural styles, especially in the French quarter and around the Old Market. It is a rapidly developing city, due to the booming tourist attraction of the Angkor temples since the end of the war and the last Khmer Rouge attacks, which took place until 1994. Tourism has particularly accelerated since the 2000s. There are still some buildings from before independence, called Chinese compartments. You will then settle into your room at the hotel. Enjoy your free evening to stroll through the streets of the charming city of Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap at the Pavillon Indochine.

• day 11

  Immersion in a local Cambodian village and visit to the temples of Angkor Wat.

  

  Your half-day will begin with the preparation of your own traditional breakfast. You will discover and help with the different steps of making rice noodles, then you will enjoy your production with the family. After that, you will head to another village specialized in making sticky rice cooked in bamboo and in harvesting coconuts. You will watch the preparation and filling of the bamboo, tasting Cambodian snacks and a fresh coconut. On the way, you will find various sugar palm stands. The locals will explain all the ways they use the fruits. Don't be shy and try! For your last stop, you will visit a house where the family makes and sells handicrafts made from palm leaves. They will show you how to create an object that you can then keep as a souvenir of your experience. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will go to the wonderful and gigantic Angkor Wat temple, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which, since its creation in the 12th century, has remained a religious center of great importance. It also offers a timeless moment, as you walk along its walls covered with vegetation... Local flavors of Siem Reap. As you stroll through the center of Siem Reap, you will pass by many food stalls and taste a large number of delicious, surprising, and tasty specialties of Cambodian cuisine. To start your exploration, in the heart of the city, in a local house, an aperitif will be served to you along with an assortment of local dishes that the Khmers love. You will continue to a secret but famous local destination where the traditional saak koh ang is served: grilled beef with vegetables, all accompanied by local beer or other drinks. The evening will continue with a visit to the night market, then a final lively and tasty local stop, before ending your culinary adventure near the river to enjoy a traditional dessert. All these gastronomic stops will make for a flavorful evening! Night at the hotel. Night in Siem Reap at the Pavillon Indochine.

• day 12

  Excursion on Tonlé Sap Lake

  

  After your breakfast, your private driver and your French-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the shores of the magnificent Tonlé Sap Lake. From there, you will board a local boat from Kompong Khleang and gently wind your way across Tonlé Sap Lake to observe the small floating villages. The small local boat will allow you to easily move along the different canals that connect to the great lake. Once at the mouth, when you see nothing but water as far as the eye can see, that's when you'll realize just how immense this lake is! During the dry season, you can stroll with the locals before boarding for the cruise. Picnic lunch with a local family. In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Thom (the "great city"), starting with the south gate, the famous Bayon (12th-13th centuries), dedicated to Buddhism and composed of 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 faces of Avalokitesvara. Then, you will discover the pyramidal temple of Baphuon (11th century), dedicated to Brahmanism and representing Mount Meru. Next, the Terrace of the Elephants, 350 meters long, hosted the splendor of royal audiences and public ceremonies; then the Terrace of the Leper King, a 12th-century platform featuring several admirable sculpted figures of Apsaras (nymphs of great beauty). Finally, you will end the morning with the discovery of Phimean Akas, the "celestial palace," a three-tiered pyramid representing Mount Meru. In the evening, you will end this day with the Phare show: the Cambodian circus. You will discover "Phare Ponleu Selpak," an NGO founded in 1994 with the aim of providing artistic education to underprivileged Cambodian youth. The show will give you a real insight into the history and culture of Cambodia: ideal for groups of all ages. Both performances are executed professionally by talented young artists. The show is dynamic, exciting, and shows a Cambodia full of life. The aim of each performance is to give travelers an idea of the modern artistic scene while revealing fragments of Khmer history. Some scenes will transport you to the era of the Khmer Rouge, while others focus more on the issues of current Khmer society. All are worth seeing! The show starts at 8 p.m. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap at Pavillon Indochine.

• day 13

  Back to the Land of Smiles for the paradise island of Koh Kood.

  

  Enjoy your last free moments to relax at your hotel or shop for souvenirs in downtown Siem Reap. Your driver will then transfer you by private minivan to the Poipet border for your return to Thailand. The journey will take about 03h00. You will then be transferred with your private Thai driver towards the Laem Sok pier, in a private minivan. The journey will take about 04h00. You will be welcomed and board a fast catamaran to Koh Kood, for a crossing of about 1h30. A peaceful neighbor of the large island of Koh Chang off Trat, Koh Kood is still preserved from mass tourism. Here, you will find yourself in an almost untouched natural landscape, with a few resorts and few shops and restaurants. Here, no jet-skis or other water sports, no elephant rides, and that's a good thing! However, you can go diving or snorkeling. There are a few agencies on the island. As for sightseeing, Koh Kood has two waterfalls, two large banyan trees nestled in the deep forest, a huge Buddha structure with a viewpoint, and many virgin beaches to discover. Overnight in Koh Kood at the Shantaa Koh Kood Resort.

• day 14

  Free beach stay in Koh Kood

  

  Your choice, during your free stay, these activities are available to you (not included): Scuba diving or snorkeling Massage, spa, yoga Go see the waterfalls of Klong Chao, Klong Yai Kee, Huang Num Keaw Go fishing and visit the fishing village of Baan Ao Yai Go trekking up to the View Point at the top of Battleship Mountain Go trekking and see the old trees in the Koh Kood forest And of course, enjoy your hotel and its beautiful beach. Night in Koh Kood at the Shantaa Koh Kood Resort.

• day 15

  Free beach stay in Koh Kood

  

  Your choice, during your free stay, these activities are available to you (not included): Scuba diving or snorkeling Massage, spa, yoga Go see the waterfalls of Klong Chao, Klong Yai Kee, Huang Num Keaw Go fishing and visit the fishing village of Baan Ao Yai Go trekking up to the View Point at the top of Battleship Mountain Go trekking and see the old trees in the Koh Kood forest And of course, enjoy your hotel and its beautiful beach. Night in Koh Kood at the Shantaa Koh Kood Resort.

• day 16

  Free beach stay in Koh Kood

  

  Your choice, during your free stay, these activities are available to you (not included): Scuba diving or snorkeling Massage, spa, yoga Go see the waterfalls of Klong Chao, Klong Yai Kee, Huang Num Keaw Go fishing and visit the fishing village of Baan Ao Yai Go trekking up to the View Point at the top of Battleship Mountain Go trekking and see the old trees in the Koh Kood forest And of course, enjoy your hotel and its beautiful beach. Night in Koh Kood at the Shantaa Koh Kood Resort.

• day 17

  Back to Bangkok

  

  The team at your hotel will transfer you from Koh Kood to Bangkok by ferry, then by private car to Bangkok. The total journey, with the ferry and the car ride, will be about 06h00. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel near Bangkok airport by private car, for about 01 hour of travel. Check-in and relaxation. Last night of relaxation in the Land of Smiles. Night at Bangkok airport (BKK) at the Aranta Airport Hotel.

• day 18

  Return flight to France.

  

  The shuttle from your hotel will transfer you to Bangkok International Airport, which is only a few minutes away. It's already the end of the holidays, but you leave with your head full of memories.