TEMPLES OF THAILAND & CAMBODIA
Blue-Roads | Asia
Leave the well-trodden path behind and immerse yourself in Thailand and Cambodia's diverse wonders on this tour of verdant rainforests, historic temple ruins and hidden art. From Bangkok to Siem Reap, you'll gain a fascinating insight into the ancient heritage of these captivating countries.
TOUR CODE:
BAHTCBB-9 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads
Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach!
About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Breakfast daily (B), 3 lunches (L), 5 dinners (D) These tour notes contain everything you need to know Entrance included to all attractions in before your tour departs – including where to meet, the itinerary, including: Bang Luang what to bring with you and what you can expect to do Artist Village, Angkor Wat temple on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this complex, Bangkok dinner cruise document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you on tour.
TOUR CURRENCIES
Please Note: We recommend that you refresh + Thailand - THB this document one week before your tour + Cambodia - KHR departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary
DAY 1 | BANGKOK, THAILAND
Our temple-hopping adventure will begin in Thailand’s bustling capital: Bangkok. Amid the city’s multitude of markets, tuk-tuks and street food hawkers, our tranquil hotel will make for an excellent meeting point following our included airport transfer. Tonight, we’ll get to know each other over a feast of traditional Thai cuisine at our welcome dinner. Here’s to a fantastic trip!
MEALS: Dinner
DAY 2 | BANGKOK
In true Back-Roads style, today we’ll venture out to explore some of Bangkok’s lesser-known gems – and what better way to see another side to the city than aboard a long-tailed boat on the khlongs (canals)? As we float through the city’s maze of waterways, we’ll stop off at the Artist Village of Bang Luang, where we’ll have the pleasure of meeting a local Thai water puppet maker (subject to availability). After watching a charming puppet show, we’ll trade the khlongs in for a cruise along the Chao Phraya River – also known as ‘the river of kings’. We’ll make one final stop at the magnificent temple of Wat Arun before this evening’s gourmet experience: a whistlestop street eats tour by tuk-tuk.
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 3 | BANGKOK - SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
After tucking into a leisurely breakfast, we’ll leave Bangkok behind us and continue our journey to historic Siem Reap, a portal to the mesmerising ancient world of Angkor Wat. Our first evening in Cambodia will see us take to the water once more for a soul-stirring sunset cruise past a true archaeological wonder: the temple of Angkor Thom.
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | SIEM REAP - ANGKOR - SIEM REAP
On today’s agenda: an exploration of the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat temple complex, conducted by one of the region’s leading stone conservation experts. As we stroll through this world-famous religious site, we’ll receive a master class in the area’s fascinating heritage, learning the secrets behind the techniques used to design and carve Angkor’s iconic stone structures. This afternoon there will be even more to uncover, as we move on to the atmospheric Ta Prohm temple – an enchanting ruin engulfed by the snaking roots of silk-cotton trees and strangler figs.
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 5 | SIEM REAP - ANGKOR - SIEM REAP
This morning we’ll continue our tour of Angkor Wat’s captivating temples with a visit to the well- preserved ‘pink temple’ of Banteay Srei, which boasts an array of towers decorated with extraordinarily fine carvings. Unique for its (now dry) inner moat, the peaceful temple of Banteay Samré will come next. After an day of discovery, we’ll settle down for an evening under the big top at Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Expect tight-rope walking, juggling, contortion, music and theatre, all in one energetic showcase of Cambodian culture.
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch
DAY 6 | SIEM REAP - KOMPONG PHLUK - CHANSAR - SIEM REAP
After a short drive to the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake, we’ll leave the mini-coach behind us and embark on a scenic boat ride through the area’s thick mangrove forest, a unique ecosystem that’s home to an abundance of bird species. Our destination? Kampong Phluk, a floating village built on wooden stilts, where we’ll gain a fascinating insight into life on the water. After our boat trip, we’ll continue to the small village of Chansar, where we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch courtesy of a Khmer broom-making family. Back in Siem Reap, our day will come to a close at a Buddhist temple, where we’ll have the privilege of receiving a sacred water blessing.
MEALS: Breakfast Lunch DAY 7 | SIEM REAP - BANGKOK, THAILAND
One more Cambodian breakfast, then we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight back to Bangkok. This afternoon, we’ll have some free time at the hotel before we step out for our final evening together. Be sure to dress to impress – we have a farewell dinner cruise aboard the antique Manohra Rice Barge to look forward to! As we float through the city one last time, we’ll be able to see the likes of the Grand Palace and Wat Arun all lit up after dark, casting shimmering reflections across the river as we dig in to a Thai banquet to remember.
MEALS: Breakfast Dinner
DAY 8 | BANGKOK
That’s a wrap – our tour ends here after breakfast at the hotel.
MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information
Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page
Other Information
Finances
CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders.
Insurance Passports and Visas
You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport
We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring
Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:
Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear
Other things to pack:
Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin
OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER:
Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm
That's it!
We look forward to seeing you on tour.