HIGHLIGHTS

UNESCO World Heritage sites: Luang Prabang, Laos; Pagan, Burma; Ayutthaya, Thailand; Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Nature and outdoors, pagodas and temples, river cruises, ethnic tribes, arts and crafts, shopping, charming hotels, delicious cuisines.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival in Bangkok. Welcome Dinner

Day 2 Bangkok. "Good Karma" tour: Grand Palace, Wat Pra Keao temple, and Emerald Buddha; Wat Po and reclining Buddha; National Museum; exquisite riverside brunch at Oriental Hotel; optional afternoon spa visit

Day 3 Ayutthaya, thailand. Visit the capital of ancient Siam, taking in ruined temples and royal palaces. Enjoy a cruise on a converted antique, teak wood rice barge and visit to neighboring craft villages

Day 4 Golden Triangle, Thailand. Fly to Chiang Rai and transfer to our spectacular resort, located in the fabled Golden Triangle, on the banks of the Mekong River near the point where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Afternoon at leisure

Day 5 Golden Triangle, Thailand. Tour the Golden Triangle, visiting Doi Tung mountain, the Hall of Opium museum, and traveling along a series of seldom-traveled byways through breathtaking scenery (in the not-so-distant past, lands ruled by opium warlords) to Mae Sai, on the Burmese border.

Days 6-7 Mekong River Cruise. Transfer to Chiang Khong, and ferry across the Mekong River to Laos. Board the Luangsay, a comfortable river cruiser, for a relaxed, two-day journey down the Mekong. En route pass through breathtaking scenery and watch life on and along the river, stop at traditional village and meet people of the many hill tribes who inhabit the region. Accommodations on Day 5 is a beautiful lodge located in the hamlet of Pak Beng, the halfway point of our journey. After arrival in Luang Prabang and hotel check in, we conduct an orientation walking tour of the delightful town

Day 8 Luang Prabang, Laos. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the gems of Southeast Asia. Wake up early to catch the unforgettable sight of hundreds of orange-robed monks lining up to beg for alms from the town's shops and homes. After breakfast, tour the former royal capital, taking in the best of the temples, traditional markets and royal palace

Day 9 Bangkok, Thailand. Fly to Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. Remainder of day at leisure.

Day 10 Rangoon (Yangon), Burma. Fly to Rangoon. Afternoon city tour, including visits to the enormous reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi temple, and the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset.

Day 11 Pagan (Bagan), Burma. Fly to Pagan and check in to our delightful inn, situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River (get your camera ready for the blood-red sunsets). After lunch we begin exploring the magnificent ruins of Pagan, and take time to visit a couple of lacquerware workshops before enjoying a sunset happy hour overlooking the river

Days 12 Pagan, Burma. Explore old Pagan, capital of an ancient empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its thousands of ruined temples and pagodas, monasteries and palaces, as well as rural villages and farms, Pagan is a delight - one of the true gems of Southeast Asia. After a breathtaking sunset atop one of the many temples, we'll conclude our day of touring with a Burmese feast at a riverside restaurant

Day 13 Around Pagan, Burma. We drive to Mount Popa, home to Burma's 'nats' or spirits. A climb to the temple on top of the mountain rewards us with a breathtaking view of the region. Continue on to Kyaukpadaung and Salay, where we wander through a very traditional market and visit an exquisite century-old monastery built entirely out of teak. We return to Pagan on a scenic byway along the banks of the Irrawaddy River, arriving in time for a sunset cruise past the ruined temples of old Pagan

Day 14 Mandalay, Burma. Burma's peaceful number two city is the cultural heart of the nation. Our afternoon tour takes in the city's most attractive pagodas and monasteries, and sunset from atop Mandalay Hill, with its spectacular views of Mandalay and its surroundings

Day 15Mandalay. Journey south of Mandalay, visiting the picturesque, former royal capitals of Amapura, Ava and Sagaing. We utilize horse carts, ferries, and taxis during the course of our journey, and conclude the day with sunset at stunning U-Bein Bridge - a hundred and fifty years old, this kilometer-long bridge is constructed entirely of teak

Day 16 Rangoon, Burma. Fly to Rangoon. Afternoon at leisure; optional visit to Inya Lake and Park

Day 17 Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Afternoon walking tour of Siem Reap town, including visits to Artisans d' Angkor, an organization employing victims of the recent civil wars in making stunning crafts, the sobering Land Mine Museum, and a local market. Before dinner, we'll make our way to the renovated Grand Hotel d'Angkor for happy hour drinks in the delightful Elephant Bar

Day 18 Angkor Wat, Cambodia. One of the true wonders of the world, Angkor Wat and surroundings was the capital of an ancient Khmer empire that stretched across much of modern-day Southeast Asia. Over the course of centuries, the emperors built dozens of spectacular temples, royal edifices, tombs and monuments to the Gods, their generals and, of course, themselves. Today, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of hundreds of ruins over as many square miles. Today we focus on magnificent Angkor Wat itself (with its miles of stunning bas reliefs), the mysterious royal city of Angkor Thom, and Ta Prom - an enormous temple and monastery complex completely overrun by the jungle.

Day 19 Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Travel off-the-tourist-track to seldom-visited Beng Melea, a huge, ruined citadel that served as the model for Angkor Wat itself, and Kbal Spean, a river where hundreds of images were carved into the riverbed rocks in ancient times. We continue our exploration with a visit to Banteay Srei, a small temple home to an exquisite collection of bas reliefs, and conclude with a stop at Bantei Samre

Day 20 Bangkok. Fly to Bangkok. Remainder of the day at leisure for last-minute shopping, perhaps a visit to a spa, or night out on the town. Farewell dinner

Day 21 Transfer to airport for departure flight

Meals
Program includes daily American Breakfast, about half of the lunches and four dinners.