z
Experience a once in a lifetime journey through Southeast Asia masterfully combining the sights of intricate temples, dynamic cityscapes, lush rainforests, national parks teeming with wildlife and remote islands along the Cambodian shore. Begin in Bangkok, exploring iconic landmarks such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the vibrant Pak Khlong Talad flower market. Continue to Siem Reap, where you'll uncover the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, and savor local delicacies during a guided food tour. Your adventure continues in the rugged landscapes of Kirirom National Park, where you'll engage in thrilling wildlife and eco-activities. Your journey continues on the pristine shores of Song Saa Private Island, where luxury meets natural beauty. Enjoy serene beach days, rejuvenating spa treatments, and an exciting array of watersports. Conclude your adventure in the historically significant city of Phnom Penh - the Cambodian capital. This meticulously curated itinerary offers a perfect blend of cultural immersion and relaxation, set against the backdrop of Southeast Asia’s most breathtaking and wild destinations.
Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be greeted at the exit of the aerobridge by a uniformed representative holding a welcome sign. You will then be escorted to the fast-track immigration counter for expedited clearance, followed by assistance with luggage collection and customs clearance. Finally, in the Arrival Hall, you will meet your private assistant, who will arrange your transfer to the hotel.
Hotel: Capella Bangkok
This morning meet your private driver and guide to start your tour with a visit to the Grand Palace. Though now only used for ceremonial occasions, it remains the city's biggest attraction and a pilgrimage destination for devout Buddhists. Continue with a visit to Wat Pho, one of the oldest, largest, and most visited Buddhist temple complexes in the city. Wat Pho is famed for its 46-meter-tall reclining Buddha, built in 1848 and fully covered in gold leaf. For lunch, stop at Phraya Palazzo, a restaurant that has recently won the MICHELIN Plate, Thailand Best Restaurants Awards, and the Thai SELECT award. Next, drive to Pak Khlong Talad, Thailand's largest flower market, where flowers from around the country are distributed to hotels, restaurants, and small retailers. You will find everything from local jasmine to imported red roses at this bustling, colorful market. Here, you will learn how to hand-craft a lotus petal as an offering to be made to Lord Buddha later. Conclude your day with a boat tour along the Chao Phraya River. Enjoy the illuminated cityscape and the tranquility of the river while sipping on a glass of champagne. Dinner will be on your own this evening, allowing you to pick from the region’s bounty of local restaurants.
Hotel: Capella Bangkok
Today, visit Ayutthaya, with your private driver and guide. Once one of Southeast Asia's most glorified cities, it held regional power for 417 years. After breakfast, set off for the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, approximately a 90-minute drive away. Located in the heart of the city, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a wonder to behold. Begin your tour at Wat Phra Mahathat, one of the most picturesque spots in Ayutthaya, famed for the large stone Buddha head entwined in the roots of a colossal banyan tree. Next, head to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, once revered as the grandest and most beautiful temple during the time it served as the Siamese capital over 700 years ago. Continue to Wat Lokaya Sutharam, home to a massive reclining Buddha measuring 42 meters long and 8 meters high, often draped in bright orange cloth. Afterward, stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a magnificent structure on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, commissioned by King Prasat Thong in 1630 to honor his mother. End your day with a luxurious boat ride followed by dinner in the heart of Bangkok before returning to your hotel.
Hotel: Capella Bangkok
Today, you'll learn to cook like a Thai chef in a half-day private class, preparing authentic recipes. Renowned for its authenticity and excellence, Blue Elephant stays true to Thailand's culinary culture and influences. Located in a century-old building, the restaurant in Bangkok offers a sense of time travel along with an exquisite dining and cooking experience. Your private class begins with a market visit to explore the incredible world of Thai produce and spices. You'll then learn to cook under the guidance of world-renowned chefs, who will walk you through every step of the process. At Blue Elephant, each ingredient used is premium, fresh, and carefully handled. They select the best that Thailand has to offer and collaborate with local initiatives such as the Royal Thai Projects and their organic crops. After the class, enjoy a meal in the delightful restaurant, sampling your own cooking and, if you wish, additional Thai dishes. Bon appétit! Following the meal, return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps there will be time for a signature spa treatment before another indulgent dinner in the Thai capital.
Hotel: Capella Bangkok
Today, you will be met by your private driver and taken to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted through fast-track airport procedures before being transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. In the evening, you will be transferred to one of the best restaurants in town for a fine dining experience. Afterward, enjoy a performance of the locally famed Phare Circus, with excellent seats reserved for you.
Hotel: Zannier Phum Baitang
This morning, embark on a pre-dawn tuk-tuk ride through the forests to Angkor Wat's East Gate, arriving in time to see the first rays of the morning sun illuminate the temple. After the sunrise, begin your guided tour of the complex. Following your exploration of Angkor Wat, travel by tuk-tuk to Sra Srang, the Angkor reservoir, where you will enjoy a full breakfast in an exquisite traditional Khmer wooden house. After breakfast, continue your journey by tuk-tuk and take a short walk to the secluded North Gate of Ta Prohm. From there, walk through the pristine forest to visit Ta Prohm temple. In the mid-afternoon, you will be collected to visit the main sights of Angkor Thom, starting at the remote Eastern Gate, known ominously as the Gate of Death. From here, commence a short climb up the walls of Angkor Thom's giant moat. At 12 kilometers in length, the wall is an attraction in its own right. Descend from the wall to end your temple visit at the mighty Bayon. This 12th-century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. In the evening, embark on a Siem Reap food tour before ending the day back at your hotel.
Hotel: Zannier Phum Baitang
Early this morning, embark on a tour of Banteay Srei just after sunrise with your private driver and guide. Unlike many other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is visited throughout the day, so a quieter experience is best enjoyed in the early morning. Banteay Srei, meaning "Citadel of the Women," is named for its delicate and renowned feminine beauty. Afterwards, head back to Siem Reap, taking a detour onto an unpaved road to reach the eastern side of Banteay Samre temple. Here, disembark and access the temple via a forested path. Like Angkor Wat, Banteay Samre is believed to have been dedicated to Vishnu, though no inscriptions have been found to confirm this. Cleared by French archaeologist Maurice Glaize in 1930 and extensively restored between 1936 and 1944 using the Anastylosis method, Banteay Samre is now one of the finest and most complete Khmer monuments. In the late afternoon, drive to Tonle Sap Lake, the lifeblood of Cambodia. Board a private luxury boat for a sunset cruise, taking in the lake's scenic beauty before returning to your hotel for an exquisite dinner.
Hotel: Zannier Phum Baitang
After breakfast check out of your hotel and embark on an overland journey from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, which takes approximately 6 hours with rest stops, accompanied by your private guide. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, meet the Shinta Mani Wild Team and continue your journey through the foothills of the Cardamom Mountains and Kirirom National Park to the renowned Shinta Mani Wild. This rugged landscape, featuring mountains, marshes, plains, and rivers, provides an ideal habitat for a diverse array of rare and endangered species, including elephants, tigers (though sightings are rare), sun bears, Siamese crocodiles, gibbons, and clouded leopards. If you so choose you can zipline into the property across lush rainforest. In the afternoon, explore Southeast Asia’s last wild estuarine ecosystem aboard Bensley pontoon boats, or join rangers and researchers in monitoring the land for illegal activities. For a more relaxing experience, indulge in a full range of treatments at the Boulders Spa, set in the tranquil lush surroundings.
Hotel: Shinta Mani Wild
Enjoy a day at Shinta Mani Wild with a range of all-inclusive activities, including: Wildlife Alliance Rangers Anti-Poaching Patrol: If you're passionate about preserving the natural environment, you might join Wildlife Alliance rangers on their anti-poaching patrols, motorcycling through the forest to protect this precious habitat. Butterfly Walk: Explore the WILD Sanctuary, home to over 140 species of butterflies, some of which gather in fluttering masses of hundreds. Your Bensley Butler will guide you on a hike, sharing their enthusiasm for these vibrant creatures. Jungle Trekking: Discover the 800-acre WILD sanctuary nestled within the 4.5 million acres of Southern Cardamom National Park. The trekking opportunities are boundless, limited only by your interests and adventurous spirit.
Hotel: Shinta Mani Wild
Enjoy a range of activities today at Shinta Mani Wild, including: Expedition River Travel: For those who love the water, embark on an adventure aboard a custom-built expedition boat designed for exploring the secret backwaters of the upper Srey Ambel Estuary and its connecting waterways. The boat offers every comfort, including day beds for bird-watching and sun beds on the roof for the perfect view. Kayaking: The Southern Cardamom rainforest, known for its high annual rainfall, feeds into the Gulf of Thailand through an extensive network of rivers and estuaries, creating excellent conditions for flat-water kayaking. Mountain Biking: Explore the surrounding jungles with mountain biking opportunities suitable for all skill levels. Whether you prefer navigating forest single tracks or cycling through a Khmer village, the adventure butlers are eager to guide you on your biking journey.
Hotel: Shinta Mani Wild
Today, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver. You will be transferred to Song Saa Pier and take a boat to the luxurious island resort. Cambodia's islands remain a pristine and unspoiled paradise. Tourism here, limited to a few adventurous travelers, has since evolved, positioning Cambodia as one of Asia's premier and most accessible beach destinations. Song Saa Private Island, thoughtfully designed and inspired by its natural surroundings, offers luxury, tranquility, and a profound connection with the environment. This refined tropical escape features a pristine private beach, spacious wooden villas, indulgent spa sanctuaries, and a well-preserved coral reef, allowing you to unwind and savor simple luxuries. All activities are included in the room rate, with the exception of motorized sports and diving.
Hotel: Song Saa Private Island
Spend today at your leisure, making the most of the included activities such as morning yoga, snorkeling, and perhaps even a scuba diving adventure. In the evening, embark on an excursion to witness the mesmerizing bioluminescent plankton that illuminates the sea at night.
Hotel: Song Saa Private Island
Enjoy another relaxing day at your beautiful resort hotel. Whether you're soaking up the sun on the beach, lounging on a daybed by the pool, or trying out an adventurous water sport, be sure to visit the open-air spa on the property to indulge in some signature treatments.
Hotel: Song Saa Private Island
Today, you will be transferred by boat from the island back to the mainland. Upon arrival at the pier, you will meet your private driver and assistant, who will then transfer you directly to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival in Phnom Penh check into your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure.
Hotel: Rosewood Phnom Penh
Start your day with a tour of Phnom Penh’s most notable sights in a cyclo, a traditional Phnom Penh mode of transportation that offers a fun way to explore the lively city. Begin with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former school that was converted into the Khmer Rouge's primary detention and torture center, known as ‘S-21.’ This poignant visit provides deep insights into Cambodia's recent dark history. Next, head along the vibrant riverfront to the Royal Palace, dating back to 1866. Here, you'll see the Silver Pagoda, named for its floor covered with over 5,000 silver tiles. Originally known as Wat Prakeo, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, this temple features a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Continue to Wat Phnom, located near the northern edge of the city. The site showcases impressive examples of Khmer architecture and statues. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in town. Next, visit the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Khmer art and artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries, with over 5,000 pieces on display. In the evening, return to the riverside where a boat awaits. Embark on a sunset cruise along the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers, taking in the city views as the setting sun paints the skyline with brilliant colors. Return to your hotel with your private driver for an evening at your leisure.
Hotel: Rosewood Phnom Penh
After breakfast check out of your hotel and meet your private driver in the hotel lobby. You will be transferred to the airport ahead of your international departure flight.