Angkor Wat, Elephants and Phuket for the Family

Bustling and energetic, Bangkok has something for everyone. A haven for shoppers, historians, foodies and culture seekers alike, the capital is an integral part of any Thailand itinerary. It has everything from awe-inspiring temples to bustling markets and high-end shopping malls. And, of course there's the food - some of the best in the world!

Discover a more local side of Bangkok on this full day excursion. For the early riser, there is the option to start the tour with an early morning walk through Lumpini Park, where you can watch locals doing their morning tai chi, yoga and aerobics. The real adventure, however, begins with a ride on the Skytrain: the city’s elevated train line. You will disembark near Chao Phraya river, where you will board a public boat.

Enjoy the views of the city’s skyline as it passes by and marvel at the houses precariously balanced on stilts along the river’s edge. The boat will stop by the iconic Wat Pho temple and the Grand Palace. You will spend the remainder of the morning exploring these two cultural landmarks, learning about the country’s history. Next, you will jump in a tuk tuk and zip through the streets to Soi Ban Batra where you will visit a family-run workshop that produces monks’ alms bowls. Watch the artisans at work and learn about the Buddhist monks’ daily lives.

Finally, you will get a ‘bus boat’ through the city’s canals. Rarely used by tourists, this ride provides you with an inside look at the ways of the local people who live here. Your last stop is Jim Thompson’s House Museum, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant, and the day ends with some retail therapy at Bangkok's vast shopping malls.

Bang Krachao is an idyllic network of peaceful roads, waterways and villages just moments from Bangkok's bustling center, an area so wonderfully untouched by modern life that it's easy to forget you're still in the city.

This two-hour bike ride takes you past local markets, traditional Thai houses and golden temples, all under the peaceful canopy of tropical jungle. In Bang Kra Jao, the ride is partially on narrow 1m wide and 1m high elevated pathways over the mangroves. All riders and especially children need to be comfortable navigating such pathways.

If you're cycling here on a Saturday or Sunday, you will also be able to experience the weekend Bang Nam Phueng market - a focal point of life for this charmingly rural community.

Head out on a buzzing tuk tuk into the streets of Bangkok to try some if its famous street food accompanied by a guide.

Siem Reap offers a step into the crumbling world of the lost Khmer Empire. Whilst Siem Reap has its charms, the showpiece is naturally Angkor. Encircled by tropical forest, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is adorned with grand lotus towers and ornate carvings and reigns as the largest religious monument in the World.

Our expert guides will bring the history of Angkor Wat to life as you meander through peaceful Buddhist temples, getting up close to exquisite bas-reliefs as the sun rises over huge smiling faces.

Explore Siem Reap's rural landscape beyond its temples, which has changed little since the days of Jayavarman VII. After a short drive from Siem Reap, visit a colourful contemporary pagoda to understand more of the importance of Buddhism in these rural communities and seek a blessing from the monks. Buy seasonal fruits straight from the tree, speak to families who make palm leaf weaving and folding animals.

Then, take an ox-cart ride through typical villages followed by an easy 20-minute walk to bring you to the vast Western Baray. An impressive engineering feat, this man-made reservoir was once integral to the complex Angkorian rice irrigation system which you will voyage by boat (depending on water level). This will be both an education and an adventure from a slower, more romantic era of travel. Then reach the villa, surrounded by rice paddies, across a stream to the north of a village where tourists are rarely seen and the greetings for visitors are warm and generous. This is a wonderful spot to relax in the quiet of the countryside and enjoy sunset drinks. While the chef prepares your dinner, wander across the levees of the rice paddies, look for fish traps, or walk a short distance to a viewpoint over
the ancient reservoir, whilst listening to the elegance of traditional Khmer music played by local musicians, before enjoying your evening meal.

Begin your two-wheeled adventure at Srah Srang before cycling 11 km onwards to Ta Prohm where you will take your time to walk through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance (a 1–2 km journey) where you'll pick up our bikes again and continue to ride for 15 minutes through the forest to the seldom visited temple of Ta Nei. There is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple to yourself to explore.

You'll then pause for a light breakfast at this peaceful area before exploring further. The morning ends with at Ta Keo temple, the 'mountain with bronze peaks', to see its unique five-tiered pyramid structure. Return to Siem Reap by road.

Travel by road to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. You have the choice of either walking along the path along the city wall to the Death Gate or continuing around by road. En route to the Terrace of the Leper King, you'll stop briefly to see an imposing statue found in Bayon which is now displayed at Vihear Prampeilveng. Begin again at the atmospheric Preah Palilay and walk through the shaded parkland behind the terraces, past Phimeanakas with its beautiful lakes, and the imposing Baphuon to finally reach Jayavarman’s state temple of Bayon at the centre of the city. Explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. Your guide will point out the most interesting of the detailed bas reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era.

Visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world, and watch the sun rise behind this ornate temple. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

Venture out of Siem Reap to kayak on the great Tonle Sap Lake. Depending on the season, visit either the village of Kampong Phluk or Kampong Khleang where the houses are built on stilts or float to cope with the lake's 8m rise and fall in water levels. Take the opportunity to pause at the stilted houses to learn how a subsistence fishing family lives, before continuing by boat along the margins of the lake. While you explore the life on the water we will have prepared a picnic lunch for you to enjoy on-board while absorbing the atmosphere of this unique place.

Phare Circus works mainly with disadvantaged young people. They learn circus skills, theatre performance, music and a range of visual arts. It combines local traditions with new creative and innovative genres. Daring athleticism is combined with stories that speak powerfully to Cambodia’s not-too-distant history; for example, escape from tyranny is depicted through tightrope walking. The dark subject of a young girl trying to deal with memories of atrocities, is depicted by breathtaking acrobatics in which seemingly impossible goals are achieved. More than simply a circus, Phare is an amazing blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.

Explore this wonderful city and spend time enjoying the surrounding countryside. Much smaller and more relaxed than Bangkok, it’s steeped in history and you can spend hours wandering around the temples and night markets in the Old Town. If you fancy heading out of town, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the surrounding national parks and try out a few more adventurous activities.

Every evening, the centre of Chiang Mai comes alive and the colourful markets are ripe for exploring. Together with your guide, you will work your way through the labyrinth of stalls selling all sorts of crafts. Keep your eyes peeled for beautiful silks and jewellery or have a suit measured, ready for collection the following evening. This is the perfect opportunity to practice your bargaining skills and pick up some souvenirs.

Depart your hotel at 6am and arrive at the foot Hill of Doi Suthep Mountain, in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession where dozens of monks walk barefoot through the street collecting food and everyday items. Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga stair case to reach its golden pagodas. Proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels, you reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony. After that, enjoy a delicious bowl of Khao Soy for lunch. This famous Northern Thai dish is a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles and plenty of spice.

The capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai has a rich history dating back to the 13th Century. This full-day tour allows guests to discover the true heart of this ancient walled city, using several unusual methods of local transport to travel off the beaten track.

The day starts with a transfer by songtaew (local pick-up truck taxi) to the old trading community of Wat Gatekaram, with its small alleyways, old temples and local market. The songteaw then moves on to the ruins of Wiang Kum Kam, a "lost civilization" that was wiped out by a flood 200 years ago. Explore the ancient ruins by bicycle before boarding a long-tail boat for a scenic ride down the Mae Ping River.

After lunch, the tour continues by samlor (trishaw) to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the most spectacular ruined pagodas in the city, where the famous Emerald Buddha was once enshrined. The day ends with a tuk tuk ride to Waroros Market where guests can mingle among the locals and soak up the sights and smells of the fresh food and Thai spices.

The 'Pearl of the Andaman', Phuket is blessed with castaway white sand beaches, aquamarine water and sublime, protected marine parks. Filling your time here is effortless - kayak in its turquoise waters and find offshore caves and hidden lagoons, lounge on beautiful beaches and journey around the island just to take in the views from the winding coastal roads.

Cruise through the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay by private boat for an unforgettable day at sea. Dotted with spectacular limestone islands and filled with pristine beaches, this private cruise allows you to see the best of the Bay at your own pace- stopping to swim, snorkel or sunbathe as you wish. Midday, a delicious barbeque lunch is served on a secluded island before continuing the cruise through Phang Nga Bay.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary provides a safe home for sick, injured and old elephants who have worked an exhausting life in the logging and tourism industries. During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to feed, walk with and observe these beautiful creatures as they roam through the sanctuary.

You will meet the elephants, learn who they are and why they need to be protected. Tours start with a presentation and educational video on the history of the animals and the work of the sanctuary. You'll get to feed the elephants while learning more about their individual characters, as well as walk and observe them. By giving elephants a respectful space, they have the freedom to play, bathe and socialise together, which gives for a peaceful and relaxing day for both the animals and visitors.