15 Days Cambodia and Thailand Romantic Getaway with Thai Lantern Festival

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chiang Mai | Arrive in Chiang Mai

International Flight: Excluded
Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

The old city walls still stand verdantly against the course of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs, and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their handmade tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 2: Chiang Mai | Alms Giving | Tea Plantations & Hmong Hill Tribe

Meals: Breakfast
Rise early morning to join locals in visiting a Buddhist monastery. You can watch or participate in offering alms to Buddhist monks at Wat Srisodain. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Northern Thai Hill Tribes – 15 Days Cambodia Thailand Romantic Getaway Thai Lantern Festival

Then take a trip up in the hills and visit a tea plantation. Take a seat above the terraces flowing with arched rows of green tea shrubs while you sip on a fresh cup of hot Oolong. Explore the tea plantation to learn a little about the process of cultivating and harvesting tea. Then continue to a Meo hill tribe village. Have the opportunity to see their unique apparel and simple way of living. Meo families take a great deal of pride in their herbal gardens. After seeing their home and making a new friend, return back to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 3: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Lantern Festivals

Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.

Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453. You’ll return to your hotel and evening is at your leisure.

In the evening, you’ll join the Yi Peng and Loi Krathong Festivals. Krathong is what the floating boats set adrift are referred to. Each Thai imparts a different meaning or prayer depending on whether they are Buddhist or Hindu. Regardless of religion, it is believed to be casting away the negative elements of oneself. The Loi Krathong festival happens all throughout Thailand. At the same time, in Chiang Mai, the Yi Peng Festival occurs where they set off countless Lanna-style sky lanterns for good luck. Tonight, you’ll get to see both festivals being practiced. You’ll join in an exclusive gala dinner at one of the best locations in Chiang Mai with all of the lanterns from the two main bridges flying overhead. Be prepared for a magical evening!

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 4: Chiang Mai | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will each be paired with your own elephant. Learn how they became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands they respond to, how to read their body language, and how to check their health. Then have an opportunity to feed them. The mahout will also show you how to ride on their neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer. Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you with a CD of the experience. Next, enjoy a picnic spread.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 5: Chiang Mai – Krabi | Flight to Krabi | Relax on the Beach

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Krabi. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort next to the beach for check-in.

Long-tail boats and salty seas; limestone cliffs and vibrant jungle canopies; clear blue waters with a spectrum of fish varieties just below – Krabi is a step back to nature and scenery. Sandy beaches and moving sunsets draw the weary traveler for a place of respite and refocusing.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 6: Krabi | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Krabi.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 7: Krabi | Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover the spectacular limestone rock formations of Phi Phi Island. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear water of the bay. Last stop on a lovely island with great white sandy beaches. A great spot to lay down and relax at the beach. Or go snorkeling in the beautiful reef around the island.

Phi Phi Island

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 8: Krabi – Phuket | Road Trip to Phuket | Leisure

Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll take a scenic road transfer to Phuket. The transfer is around 3 hours with pleasant views en route. Upon arrival, get checked in and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Phuket.

Enjoy the beaches of Phuket. North of the resort is two stunning beaches facing the Andaman Sea, Karon Beach and Kata Beach. Perched above Kata Noi beach – a quiet stretch of white sand meets blue waves with forested mountains.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 9: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
World famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier. Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 10: Phuket | Relax on the Beach | Private Seaside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is at your leisure to explore the beautiful beaches of Phuket.

As dusk approaches, you’ll enjoy a private seaside dinner with candles, personal butler, and the sound of the sea. Dinner will feature a 4-course traditional Thai menu.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 11: Phuket – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap | Kompong Phluk Floating Village

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Board a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

In the afternoon, go to visit the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phluk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby. After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel.
Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.

In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dining experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 12: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Ancient City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.

However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.
After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcome on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection 

Day 13: Siem Reap | Kulen National Park | Women Citadel in Jungle | Spa Treatment

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, start the trip to discover Banteay Srei Temple: The Citadel of Women. Built in the10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this temple lies near the hill of Phnom Dei tucked away in the remote jungle north of Angkor Wat. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are still in excellent condition to this day. The structures are miniature in scale, but the attention to detail is unmatched among all the temples in Southeast Asia. These factors have made the temple a place of intrigue and wonder, which have led to it being widely praised as a “precious gem”, or the “jewel of Khmer art.” After visiting the temple, you’ll then enjoy your trip to Kulen Mountain.

Banteay Srei Temple (Women Citadel)

As the day begins to unfold, we’ll take your adventure to new heights into the Kulen Mountain National Park(Mountain of Lychees). Explore the jungles brimming with wildlife and tropical fruit. Discover stone carvings under the streams that predate Angkor Wat. See the 16th-century temple on the mountain where Buddhists and Hindus pilgrimage frequently.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic next to Kulen Waterfall where Angelina Jolie was filmed for the movie Tomb Raider. Take a swim if you like before we continue to the rice fields and countryside below the mountain.

Then continue to Bodia Spa, one of the top spas in Southeast Asia having been nominated for the Best Day Spa’s in Asia award for 2016 and 2017. Return to the hotel or go on to visit the nearby Psar Chas to buy some souvenir gifts and observe the Cambodian life. Return to your hotel and evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 14: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Countryside Private Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Before the light of day, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day. After your explorations, you’ll return to your hotel for some rest and leisure time in the afternoon.

Angkor Wat Temple – 15 Days Cambodia Thailand Romantic Getaway Thai Lantern Festival

Nearing dusk, you’ll go to a private dinner at a traditional wooden villa in the countryside surrounded by dragonfruit orchards and rice fields. Tiki torches and live traditional music will welcome you. Start with cocktails and canapes. Then enjoy an exquisite evening dinner while you chat and reflect on the fond memories you have collected over the last a couple of weeks. Return to the hotel when you are ready.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection

Day 15: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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