12 days, October 26- November 6, 2008
$2495 Includes Air!
Strictly limited to 18 participants! A.C.T. has chartered the entire pandow boat, RV River Kwai, for this customized program. The air- conditioned vessel features ten rooms, each facing outward with views through sliding glass doors. All staterooms have private bathrooms.
Day 1: Your exciting journey begins today on your overnight flight from Los Angeles to Thailand, “ Land of Smiles.” Enjoy the comfort and amenities of Asiana or Cathay Pacific Airlines.
Day 2: BANGKOK. Welcome to the capital of Siam! Upon arrival, transfer to your upscale hotel, located in the Monument commercial and shopping district. Rest of the day at leisure. CENTURY PARK HOTEL.
Day 3: BANGKOK. Today we introduce you to this vibrant city. Your morning tour of Bangkok is highlighted by some of the outstanding Buddhist temples (wats) in the capital. Visit Wat Trimitr with its invaluable 5-ton solid gold statue of Buddha and Wat Po, featuring the colossal 150 foot long “Reclining Buddha.” See the White Marble Temple representing the finest example of Thai architecture. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Thai Dinner with a dance performance. (B,D)
Day 4: BANGKOK. Leisure day. Optional tour to one of the last remaining authentic “floating markets” at Damnoen, plus a visit to the Rose Garden complex, a Thai village featuring working elephants and a presentation of local arts and history. (B)
Day 5: CRUISING. After breakfast, depart by coach toward Kanchanaburi to begin your magnificent “safari” cruise adventure aboard the RV River Kwai. Along the way you will stop at numerous attractions such as Phra Pathom Chedi (the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia), Khao Noi Cave Temple and WWII’s War Museum. After embarkation and lunch, continue your sightseeing to such places as the “ Stone Garden” at Somdet Phra Sri Nakharin Park . Tonight, enjoy your first romantic dinner by candle light outdoors on the Top Deck! (B, D)
RV River Kwai
Day 6: CRUISING. A.M. visit to Prasat Muang Singh, an historical park with 800 year old Khmer temples reminiscent of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Embark on a restored 1943 train for a short ride over a long wooden viaduct. Upon arrival in Saphan Tham Krase, visit a riverbank cave and continue on to the Sai Yok Elephant Village. Watch them perform and take an optional elephant ride. Relax the rest of the day aboard the RV River Kwai, where your journey continues up river. (B,L,D)
Day 7: CRUISING. Visit Kaeng Lava Cave to admire the stalactite and stlagmite formations. Drive through Hell Fire Pass, a part of the Death Railway cut through a stone mountain and built by the allied prisoners of war. Visit a local boarding school for underprivileged children. (B,L,D)
Day 8: CRUISING/FLY TO CAMBODIA. After breakfast, bid your crew goodbye and depart for Bangkok Airport, where you will fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Transfer to your first class hotel. ANGKOR CENTURY HOTEL (B)
Angkor Wat
Day 9: SIEM REAP/ANGKOR TEMPLES. Once the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, the city and its fascinating temples were slowly covered by jungle until lost to civilization. Rediscovered at the end of the 19 th century, the jungle was cleared over the next 70 years to reveal the “8th Wonder of the World”—the ancient Temples of Angkor Wat—today a UNESCO Heritage Site. This morning, visit Angkor Thom, Banon, Baphoun Temple, and the Elephant Terrace. Enjoy lunch at the Red Piano Restaurant, a favorite of Angelina Jolie during her filming of the Tomb Raider movies. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat Temple. (B,L,D)
Day 10: SIEM REAP/ANGKOR TEMPLES. Morning visit to Ta Phrhm, Preah Khan , and Neak Pean Temples. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, opt to visit a fascinating floating village on the Mekong River or partake in a traditional Aspara dinner show. (B,L)
Day 11: Morning at leisure. Transfer to airport for flight back to the USA. (B)
Day 12: Your memorable tour to Southeast Asia ends with your return to LAX.
