Cambodia | Thailand | Laos | Vietnam | Signature Tours | Mekong Experience

First Time Asia Tour

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This tour is designed for first time Asia goers. Through experience we’ve determined how people imagine Asia and the kind of trip they enjoy on their first visit. Fly into Bangkok and spend some time getting to know this amazing city before heading for the hills. Chiang Mai is the epitome of Thailand, a bustling city surrounded by beautiful countryside and interesting hill tribes.

From Chiang Mai you’ll head to Cambodia, a poor, but fascinating country full of culture and amazing temples. See the famous Angkor Wat and other surrounding temples while staying in the lovely Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast. After seeing the temples and enjoying Cambodian culture head back to Thailand and the island of Phuket. Enjoy seafood on the beach, relax in the pool, and go snorkeling, diving or canoeing in the beautiful Andaman Sea.

Day 1 - Bangkok - Arrival

Arrive in Bangkok where you will be met by a company representative and transferred to your hotel.

Meals included: None

Day 2 - Bangkok - City Tour

Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning and take you to visit the Grand Palace, the pride of Thailand. You will see the Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. Here you will enjoy a 30-minute traditional massage. Have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a boat ride through the klongs and canals of Bangkok seeing local life as well as visiting the Royal Barge Museum and Wat Arun. In the late afternoon take a walk through the beautiful flower market and visit the famous Golden Mountain.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 - Bangkok - Floating Market & Rose Garden

Our guide will meet you early and take you to the famous floating market outside of town. See local Thais selling their wares from their boats. On your way back to town stop at the Rose Garden to learn about traditional Thai celebrations and see re-creations of traditional Thai Life.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Bangkok - Day at Leisure

Have a free day to explore on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep & Home Industries

You will be transferred to Bangkok Airport for your onward flight and met at the airport and transferred to Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel, walking distance from the night market. In the morning visit the Hill Tribe Museum on your way to Doi Suthep, the most important wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below.

Have lunch with your guide at a local restaurant. After lunch visit the Chiang Mai Home Industries. See the process of creating lacquer-ware, silk and traditional Thai umbrellas; look through the stores filled with the beautiful finished products.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 - Chiang Mai - Cooking Class

Take a full day Thai cooking class. You will be taken to the market to learn about many of the fruits and spices. After getting your ingredients you will be taught to make several Thai dishes before enjoying a huge feast together to celebrate your newly acquired skills!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Chiang Mai - Mae Taman Elephant Camp

Today you will visit a beautiful orchid and butterfly farm. Go straight from there to the elephant show where you can see these amazing beasts of burden demonstrate their ancient skills. Take an elephant ride through the jungle then hop on an ox cart and see how rural Thais travel. You will have lunch and then head by bamboo raft down the Mae Taeng River. Return to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 - Siem Reap - Arrival

Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your onward flight. You will be met by a Journeys Within representative and taken to Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast where you will meet your hosts Andrea and Brandon Ross.

In the evening head into town for a traditional dinner and dance show.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 9 - Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

After breakfast head to Angkor Wat in an air-conditioned car with your guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists. Return to Journeys Within for lunch and a nap. In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple. Watch the sun set over Angkor Wat, or climb Phnom Bakeng and watch the sunset from on high.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 - Siem Reap - Banteay Srei and Tonle Sap

After breakfast travel in an air-conditioned car with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple just 30 km beyond Angkor Wat. On your way back stop at the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia.

After a rest enjoy the drive through rural Cambodia to the Tonle Sap Lake where you will take a boat ride to visit the floating village and a Cambodian fish farm. Climb Phnom Krom and see the ancient ruins high on the hill and watch the sun set over the miles and miles of rice paddies and the Tonle Sap.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 - Siem Reap to Phuket

Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight. You will be met at the Phuket airport and transferred to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Phuket - At Leisure

Free to enjoy the beach and local area at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Phuket - Phang Nga Bay

You’ll be met at your hotel and taken to the dock where you’ll catch a boat for Phang Nga Bay. Visit James Bond Island and then canoe through hongs; if you’d like you can even take a dip in the lovely, warm ocean.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14 - Phuket - Departure

Enjoy your morning at leisure. After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok

Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Rate: starting at $1,580 per person double with $635 single supplement.

Price includes:

• Air tickets (Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Bangkok – Siem Reap – Bangkok - Phuket)
• Accommodation at Chiang Mai Plaza, Chiang Mai
• Accommodation at Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast, Siem Reap
• Accommodation at Coconut Village Hotel, Phuket
• Tours and entrance fees as mentioned above
• Licensed English speaking local guides
• Air-conditioned car with driver

Price excludes:

• Personal expenses
• Visa fees
• Airport tax
• Alcohol
• Tips

Cambodia | Thailand | Laos | Vietnam | Signature Tours | Mekong Experience