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KHMER HERITAGE TOUR (Thailand/Laos/Cambodia) - 9 Days / 8 Nights

CODE: EX.R-ERT/KHT
BANKGKOK - LOPBURI (L)
Morning departure from Bankgkok to Lopburi. On the way stop at Vat Phra Buddhabat one of six royal temples in Thailand with a revered Buddha footprint. Following lunch at a local restaurant visit the early-Khmer style remains of the old city at Vat Phra Si Rantana Mahathat and King Narai's Palace. Overnight in Lopburi.

LOPBURI - PIMAI - KORAT (B, L)
After breakfast depart for Korat. Visit the Thao Suranaree Memorial Vat Sala Loi and continue to the archeological site of Pimai 60km to the northeast to see Khmer temples built by King Jayavarman VI in the eleventh century. On the way back to Korat in the late afternoon visit the excavation site of Ban Prasat. Overnight in Korat.

KORAT - PHANOM RUNG - MUANG THAM - SURIN (B, L)
After breakfast leave for Phanom Rung Historical Park, the best restored of all Khmer monuments in Thailand. Also visit the nearby Prasat Muang Tham, an older Khmer temple built by King Jayavarman V. Lunch at local restaurant in Prakhon Chai before continuing to Surin and further on for a visit to Prasat Sikhoraphum 30km to the north-east. Overnight in Surin.

SURIN - PHRA VIHARN - UBON RATCHATHANI - KHONG CHIAM (B, L)
After breakfast drive southwards to the site of Khao Phra Viharn, a stunning mountain top Khmer temple perched on a cliff of the Dangrek mountain range. The temple is actually on Cambodian territory but can be accessed by road from Thailand. Lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Ubon Ratchathani and Khong Chiam, a riverside village at the Laotian border overlooking the confluence of the Mun and Mekong rivers. Overnight in Khong Chiam.

KHONG CHIAM - LAOS BORDER - VAT PHOU - PAKSE (B, L)
After breakfast head to the nearby site of Pha Taem to see 3,000 years old cliff-paintings and continue to the border town of Chong Mek. Leave Thailand and after completing Laotian immigration formalities with Laos guide stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Journey by road to Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover the remains of the Hindu-influenced Khmer temples pre-dating those of Angkor in Cambodia. Pass through the nearby town of Champasak where there are some interesting examples of French colonial architecture. In the afternoon transfer to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.

PAKSE - SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast take a short city tour of Pakse before transferring to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer directly to hotel. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Start the visits with the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group (Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei). In the afternoon visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast a morning sightseeing takes in the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers and the small twin temples Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.  Return to hotel after watching the sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap.

SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast visit to Banteay Srei, the unique riverbed carvings at Kbal Spean (River of 1000 lingas) and Banteay Samre. In the afternoon, continue with the "Big circuit" temples comprising Pre Rup, East Mebon, Neak Poan and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DEPART SIEM REAP (B)
After breakfast take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (best from July-February) and visit a floating village. In the afternoon visit the workshops of Artisans d'Angkor to see wood and stone carving or shop for souvenirs before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for departure flight.


TOUR INCLUSION OF:
  • Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel.
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast.
  • English or French speaking local guides.
  • Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicles with driver.
  • Boat trip if mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned visits in the itinerary.
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary as (B) is breakfast, (L) is Lunch, (D) is Dinner.
TOUR EXCLUSION OF:
  • Flight from Pakse - Siem Reap (~90 USD)
  • 3-day Angkor Temple Pass (~40 USD)
  • Airport departure taxes and surcharges.
  • Visa stamping fee.
  • Personal expenses as telephone, laundry, etc.
  • Others meals are not mentioned in the "inclusion of" above.
OPTIONAL:
  • Add-on international airfare from interior U.S. cities.
  • Add-on other flights if mentioned in the "exclusion of".
  • 3-day Angkor Temple Pass (~40 USD)
  • Travel Insurance.

 

1820 West 3600 South, Suite #C
Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - U.S.A.
Tel: (801) 973-4163 - Fax: (801) 973-2545
E-mail: tours@vietlinktravel.com