Bangkok Airport Holidays

15 nights guided adventure tour through eastern Thailand into remote areas of southern Laos and Cambodia

A truly adventurous tour that reaches parts few other tours reach! Explore the rarely visited Emerald Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia meet. From Eastern Thailand we'll journey into South Laos’ Champassak Province to explore the Boloven Plateau and Sepian National Bio-diversity Area before heading south via the World Heritage ruins of Wat Phu Temple, to discover the stunning Four Thousand Islands region, where the Mekong cascades into Cambodia over a series of spectacular falls. From here we'll continue downriver through the jungles of Northern Cambodia to our final destination of Phnom Penh.

Highlights

• Bangkok
• Cambodia's Preah Viharn Temple
• Pha Taem National Park
• Mekong River trip
• The '4000 Islands'
• Kietngong villages
• Elephant riding
• Kayaking on the Mekong River
• Wat Phu
• Phnom Penh
• SE Asian food

Itinerary

• Day 1: Depart from London

• Day 2: Morning arrival in Bangkok, meet your tour-leader and transfer to a centrally located hotel. Afternoon to relax or explore the area

• Day 3: City tour with a difference! Central Bangkok by public transport; riverboat, skytrain, tuk-tuk and canal boat including stop-offs to take in the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keow – the Temple of the Emerald Buddha - and the fascinating Jim Thompson Museum.. (Note alternatives can be arranged for those who have already visited Bangkok). In the evening we’ll board the night sleeper train for Si Saket in Eastern Thailand.

• Day 4: Our exploration of the Emerald Triangle begins at the dramatic 12th century Khmer ruins of Preah Viharn -situated on the border at the summit of a 1,800 ft escarpment overlooking the Cambodian plains below. From here we'll head eastwards to our day's destination - the small, scenic town of Khong Jiam on the banks of the Mekong, overlooking Laos.

• Day 5: Off to spectacular Pha Taem National Park for a hike to visit the prehistoric cliff paintings and unusual rock formations before returning to Khong Jiam by boat down the Mekong River.

• Day 6: Leisurely morning in this riverside town before crossing into Laos for our overnight stop at Pakse. Afternoon to check out the market and bustling waterfront area of this old port.

• Day 7: Day tour of some of the sites of the Boloven Plateau, home to numerous ethnic minorities and the centre of Lao’s coffee growing industry including visits to one of the area’s coffee plantations and a chance to bathe in the Tad Yeuang Falls.

• Day 8: Day tour of some of the sites of the Boloven Plateau, home to numerous ethnic minorities and the centre of Lao’s coffee growing industry including visits to one of the area’s coffee plantations and a chance to bathe in the Tad Yeuang Falls.

• Day 9: Morning transfer to Kietngong Village for an elephant trek to some mysterious hilltop ruins and on to the delightful Kingfisher Eco Lodge on the edge of the Sepian national Biodiversity Area for our night’s accommodation. Afternoon hike to discover the area, bird watching in the nearby wetlands or simply resting up on the balcony admiring the superb view.

• Day 10: Continue south to the ‘4 thousand islands’ - a stretch of the Mekong River of truly outstanding natural beauty straddling the Lao/Cambodian border. Accommodation on floating raft houses on Don Khone Island

• Day 11: Explore some of the islands by boat, kayak and on foot. Visit S E Asia’s largest waterfalls – the stunning Khon Phapaeng Falls – and with luck catch a glimpse of some of the rare freshwater dolphins which still inhabit this stretch of the river.

• Day 12: Free day to relax on the islands or a hike to discover some of the local scenery and villages.

• Day 13: Continuing down the Mekong we’ll follow the picturesque jungle-lined river into Cambodia and head south to the old French port of Kratie for our night’s stay. Afternoon to wander the bustling river front area.

• Day 14: The final leg of our journey will take us overland via Kompong Cham and a visit to the Angkor era temple of Wat Nokor to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh.

• Day 15: Day at leisure - relax, roam the famous 'Russian Market' or explore some of the City's sites such as the Royal palace or Tuol Sleng Museum before an evening departure for London, via Bangkok.

• Day 16: Early morning arrival in London

Fitness level: Easy - maximum walking 3 hours on day 9.

Accommodation: Hotel, guesthouse, eco-lodge, floating raft houses.

Transport: Train, flight, minibus, boat, speedboat.

Please note: Our emphasis, as usual, will be on small, family run accommodation, traditional food and local transport to give you a real feeling for and genuine insight into these fascinating cultures and stunning landscapes.

Useful information:

Currency:Thailand - Thai baht; Laos - US$ is widely accepted

Language:Thailand - Thai; Laos - Laos

Visa:Not required for British/EU passport holders in Thailand but required in Laos - cost: US$50

Time difference:Approximately 7 hours

Price includes: Flights, all meals (except dinner on day 7 and lunch on days 12 and 15), accommodation (based on 2 persons sharing), activities and transport.

Single supplement: No single supplement - single people are most welcome.

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

1. Your confirmation email from us is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it. The availability of this holiday is checked on a regular basis, however as the carrier is a scheduled airline we are regrettably unable to provide an instant confirmation.

2. If the holiday is available
   1. the tour operator will automatically process your booking and your credit card will be debited accordingly;
   2. once done the holiday will be ticketed and you will be invoiced, at this moment there is a binding contract between you and the tour operator for the holiday;
   3. if you wish to cancel the holiday after his stage you will be liable to cancellation charges as per the tour operator's booking conditions. These terms and conditions can be accessed via the link at the bottom of the page; and
   4. you will be contacted by the tour operator within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested. The tour operator will be able to answer any questions you may have.
3. If the holiday is not available
   1. the tour operator will contact you within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested to inform you of the nearest available alternative; and
   2. if the tour operator is unable to offer you an alternative which meets your approval you can cancel your request for a holiday without having to pay a cancellation fee.
4. Once you have purchased a holiday, any amendments or cancellations can only be processed through the tour operator directly. There may be a charge to effect these amendments.
5. The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 1%, Amex – 1%. *This applies between the working hours of 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.

   zero-single-supplement