Day 14 Siem Reap 
Welcome Meeting; Dinner
In the late afternoon we’ll gather for a short briefing with our ace guide Kheang. The day concludes with a classic Cambodian dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 15  Siem Reap
Angkor Wat; Ta Prohm
Our destination this morning is Angkor Wat, the jewel in the great Angkor crown, the world’s largest religious building, and Southeast Asia’s premier sight. Our guide will interpret its long bas relief galleries, distinctive corncob prangs, and concentric walls and moats:  which together constitute a metaphor for the Buddhist cosmos. Lunch is Khmer style in a local restaurant. In the afternoon we’ll visit Ta Prohm, made famous in the movie “Tomb Raider”. This complex was left in its natural state, overwhelmed by the jungle. The roots of giant trees weave in, on, and through the temple ruins and walls of the complex. We’ll take plenty of free time here for photographers to record these iconic Angkor images.

Day 16  Siem Reap
Banteay Sri; Angkor Thom
In the morning we’ll head to Banteay Srie, a small but intricately carved temple complex considered to be the epitome of Khmer architecture. Additionally, the journey to and from Srie affords opportunities to see village life. After a midday break we’ll visit Angkor Thom, a royal city encompassing famous Bayon temple, the Elephants and Leper King Terraces, and one of the oft-photographed Angkor Thom Gates. The Bayon is a popular favorite with labyrinthine passages to explore and multiple towers – each with 4 enigmatic Khmer faces. The south gate may well be the most photographed destination at Angkor. Its massive “4-face” tower and ‘tug-of-war’ warrior balustrades adorn many books and brochures. We will finish our day with a visit to the APOPO organization training center. This fascinating charity trains Tanzanian rats to sniff out landmines, saving thousands of Cambodian lives. Tonight we’ll indulge in a traditional dinner while enjoying classical Khmer dance.

Day 17  Thailand
A morning flight (included) carries us to Chiang Mai and Thailand

Day 17 Chiang Mai

Welcome meeting; Dinner

Welcome to Thailand! Our tour starts late afternoon with a get-acquainted meeting followed by dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 18 Chiang Mai
Elephant encounters; Wat Doi Suthep

This morning we’ll visit one of the ethical elephant sanctuaries near Chiang Mai. We’ll learn about elephant life in Asia while observing the great animals in their natural habitat. In the afternoon we depart for the nearby mountain temple of Doi Suthep for panoramic views and the tour’s best Buddhist connection experience. Ring the prayer bells as we ascend or take photos of the sacred Bodhi tree, the view, or giant ceremonial drums. While listening to the musical tinkling of temple bells you can receive a monk’s blessing, learn your fortune from joss sticks, join the ceremonial circumambulation of the stupa, or add oil to the sacred lamps (like lighting a candle in a Catholic church). Our guide will use Doi Suthep’s “Century Calendar Book” to teach you your birth sign, sacred animal, and ritual Buddha posture. If available, we'll stay to listen to the monks' chanting service.

Day 19 Chiang Mai

Cooking Class;  Village Homestay Visit

On our second morning together we’ll engage in a cooking class. We will shop for ingredients at the local market, learn to prepare several simple Thai dishes, and then enjoy the results for lunch. Then we’ll depart to the countryside for a taste of rural life. We’ll take an easy countryside bike ride, visiting a local handicraft cooperative and a mushroom or rice farm. Later we’ll partake in a traditional Kantok dinner with our village hosts. Traditional music and a dance performance will be provided by local students. The evening concludes with a Thai lantern ceremon

Day 20 Sukhothai

Craft Villages

After breakfast we will begin the journey to intriguing Sukhothai. As we leave Chiang Mai we’ll visit a couple of the famous craft villages. Choices include lacquerware, silk production, and pottery. We will certainly visit famous Bo Sang Village, where colorful umbrellas, fans, and hats are still crafted by hand. In the afternoon we continue our drive to Sukhothai

Day 21 Sukhothai
Sukhothai Historical Park
This morning we’ll have a guided visit of Sukhothai, one of Thailand’s World Heritage sites. Sukhothai was Siam’s first “national” capital, uniting its feudal kingdoms in the 13th century. Culture, art, and architecture flourished and today we can visit the remnants of that refined dynasty. The captivating temple ruins boast rows of columns, crumbling stupas, and many Buddhas displaying the enigmatic “Sukhothai Smile.”  We’ll navigate the flat terrain by bicycle and indulge in a picnic lunch among the ruins. Your afternoon is free to relax by the pool or have a Thai massage.

Day 22 Bangkok
Klong Tour; Riverside Dinner
After breakfast we'll depart Sukhothai, heading south to Thailand's bustling capital - Bangkok. Upon arrival we'll check into our hotel for some down time. In the late afternoon we'll embark on a tour of the city's canals (klongs). Bangkok is laced with hundreds of canals. A tour of these waterways is a journey into Bangkok’s heart and soul, and a fantastic waterborne photo safari. We’ll see people cooking, fishing, washing dishes, swimming, making merit, and playing. We’ll float past teak palaces side by side with ramshackle hovels and workaday wats. Afterward we’ll enjoy a classic Bangkok experience, a riverside dinner with the illuminated spires of the Grand Palace visible on the other side of the river.

Day 23 Bangkok
Grand Palace; Wat Pho
The Grand Palace complex with its flamboyant architectural style includes Wat Phra Kaew, a wonder of gleaming stupas, statues, and bots. This is Thailand’s premier sight and a fitting start to our Bangkok sight-seeing. Phra Kheo is home to the country’s most venerated religious object, the Emerald Buddha. The complex is surrounded by a galleried wall, displaying an electric mural series from the Ramakian, the Hindu epic of good vs. evil. Giant Yakshas, or mythical guardians watch over the entrances. Gilded garudas and multi-chromatic mythic warriors line the bases of chedis and other gilded statues populate the grounds. Next door is Wat Pho, home to Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha. Pho has a more work-a-day feel. Engage the monks in conversation, check out the ancient massage school “instruction” panels, drop coins in the alms bowls, or photograph the whimsical guardian statues at Pho’s main gates.

Day 24 Bangkok
Tuk-Tuk tour
On this morning we’ll explore Bangkok’s less accessible sights on a tuk-tuk tour – the ubiquitous Asian 3-wheel transport.  Highlights include Wat Saket – the Golden Mount, Rama V monument, the flower market, and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Visit the amulet market, Dusit Park, or Wat Traimit with its 5.5 ton solid gold Buddha statue.

Day 25 Ayuthaya
Ayuthaya Historical Park
After breakfast we'll travel north to Ayuthaya, Siam’s capital from the 14th to the 18th centuries. It is Thailand’s second World Heritage site and our favorite archaeological destination. We'll visit Wats Mahathat and Si Sanphet upon arrival. After checking into our hotel we'll finish our afternoon with the saffron-sashed Buddha statues of Yai Chai Mongkhon. Then we’ll board a converted rice barge for dinner. Relax while some of Ayuthaya’s prime sights drift gently by.

Day 26 Khao Sok
Khao Sok Excursion
An early morning flight jets us south to Surat Thani (included). Then it’s on to Chiaw Lan Lake in beautiful Khao Sok National Park. After checking in to our floating guesthouse we’ll enjoy lunch together. Afternoon activities include a nearby excursions on the lake surrounded by soaring limestone karsts and cliffs. In addition to the tropical flora and breathtaking landscape we hope to see gibbons, flying lizards, and a variety of birdlife. But the real magic begins at dusk as moon shadow creeps across the surrounding karsts creating a magical ambiance.

Day 27 Trang - Koh Lanta
Tharn Bokkaranee
A morning’s drive brings us to another natural jewel, Tharn Bokkoranee National Park. We’ll board longtail boats to venture through karst hongs (natural caves) and emerald pools surrounded by the verdant mangrove jungle. After lunch we continue south to Koh Lanta, by-passing over-developed resort areas to relatively undeveloped Trang Province. It’s longer and more complicated to get here, but the payout is spectacular.

Day 28 Trang - Koh Lanta
Free day
Today is a full-stop break from the demands of our tour itinerary. No planned activities. You decide how you want to spend your day in this tropical paradise. Options include snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, scuba, or just relaxing by the beach.

Day 29 Trang - Koh Lanta
Andaman excursion
After breakfast we’ll take a boat excursion to 3 or 4 of the most picturesque Andaman islands for a fun-in-the-sun snorkeling adventure. Our private boat will take us to pristine beaches and past dramatic karst islands. The day includes Koh Muk’s spectacular Emerald Cave. We swim through a 300-foot long sea cave to reach the secluded interior lagoon (actually a collapsed hong). A perfect sandy beach is surrounded by steep jungle-clad cliffs forming a perfect, round, natural chimney up to the blue sky. It is an amazing experience! We'll return to Lanta for our final Thai feast together.

Day 30 Tour over
Our tour officially ends after a midday flight back to Bangkok (flight included; Bangkok's Don Muang airport). We will help with transfer arrangements into the city or to nearby Suvarnabhumi international airport (BKK).