Thailand, Laos & Cambodia January 25–February 6, 2021 Dear Traveler, Sunlight peeking through the hanging vines. The calls of birds unknown to the ear. The tastes of unfamiliar spices dance upon your tongue. The chitter chatter of commerce with the whizzing sounds of tuk-tuks and mopeds racing down ancient streets. The air is electric. The smells are enticing. The sounds are beckoning. Welcome to the rich and varied lands of Southeast Asia. On this carefully choreographed journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, delve into bustling Bangkok, Thailand with its gilded temples and canals bustling with open air markets. Sample street-food and sip drinks on a rooftop bar. Then fly north to Chiang Mai the country’s cultural epicenter and chat with monks and get up close with elephants. In Luang Phrabang, Laos unearth spiritual culture. Visit enchanting temples and tranquil streets. Learn about ancient ceremonies and their significance with an opportunity to partake in them. Explore serene temples by tuk tuk an adventurous transportation vehicle and learn how to be a rice farmer and follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on a cruise to sacred caves. In Siem Reap, Cambodia takes you on a different journey— delving deep into the fascinating world of ancient Angkor. Be amazed by the beauty of Angkor Wat, the smiling faces of Bayon Temple, and the jungle-like atmosphere of Ta Phrom. This part of the world has many hallmarks that Westerns assume of the region. From the miles of rice paddies littered with farmers working to the rhythm of rural life to the secluded, languid charm of rivers and canals exploding with dark rich green foliage. Sparkling gold tipped temples with giant serene Buddhas take you to a world so distant and removed from our own. Yet, once you arrive in this part of the world, both your expectations will be surpassed yet be dumbfounded by the surprises. As the ancient temples standing side by side with colonial mansions, these countries of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are boldly moving into growing economies. The emotional extremes of being dazzled by growing tech sectors and new industries, life spills out on the streets with the new and the old. The energy is here. Southeast Asia is an exciting frontier for the world. Explore in comfortable fully escorted style the enduring legacies of these amazing countries! Kind Regards, Ed Mawyer The Center for Life Enrichment ARCHWAY, SIEM REAP Luang Prabang LAOS Chiang Mai THAILAND Bangkok Siem Reap CAMBODIA Andaman Sea Gulf of ailand Thailand, Land of Smiles Highlights DAY 1 USA ✈ BANGKOK DAY 2 BANGKOK See the enormous DAY 3 BANGKOK Reclining Buddha DAY 4 CHIANG MAI at Wat Pho DAY 5 CHIANG MAI Travel on the Chao DAY 6 CHIANG MAI DAY 7 CHIANG MAI Phraya River (The DAY 8 LuaNG PRABANG River of Kings) Zip around Bangkok by tuk tuk Laos, Land of a Million Elephants Learn about a monk’s life, culture and tradition DAY 9 LuaNG PRABANG in Chiang Mai DAY 10 SIEM REAP Spend time with a Thai family and learn Cambodia, about architecture and The Kingdom teakwood homes of Wonder Enjoy a day with the elephants DAY 11 SIEM REAP DAY 12 SIEM REAP Experience the splendor DAY 13 SIEM REAP of Angkor Wat What to Expect This is a moderately active program exclusively designed for CLE. Travelers should be comfortable walking or standing for extended periods, navigating uneven or slippery terrain, and climbing stairs without handrails. Excursions include city walking tours, visits to temples and monuments, boat tours, and nature walks. Plan to dress modestly with loose- fitting clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. Shoes WOMEN WALKING WITH ALMS, CHI- ANG MAI must be removed before entering all temple buildings. WaT ARUN, BANGKOK GOLDEN BUddaH, BANGKOK MAN PLAYING WITH ELEPHANT IN WATER Monday, January 25 "Venice of the East". Visit you dine on delicious cuisine vegetables; the variety and USA ✈ Bangkok the majestic shrine of Wat artistically created. SIRIPANNA freshness is astonishing! Arun decorated with glazed VILLA RESORT & SPA (B, D) SIRIPANNA VILLA RESORT & SPA Depart the U.S. for Bangkok, ceramic pieces that reflect (B, L) Thailand. Overnight flight the rising sun. At sunset (MEALS ALOFT) Friday, January 29 enjoy drinks on the rooftop Chiang Mai Saturday, January 30 bar over the Chao Phraya Chiang Mai Tuesday, January 26 CHIANG MAI SENSUAL & Arrival in Bangkok River before returning to your SPIRITUAL. Morning visit to ELEPHANT FOR LIFE. Take a hotel. In the evening, depart the acclaimed temple Wat picturesque hour-long drive Meet your guide and transfer on a food tour of Bangkok’s Phrathad Doi Suthep, home through agricultural Thai to your hotel for check-in. food scene by tuk tuks for a to a holy relic of the Lord countryside to the Elephant Optional visit to the Jim fantastic evening of eating Buddha and considered the Nature Park. You will hear the Thompson Museum this and adventure. SHANGRI-LA most sacred wat in northern personal stories of rescued afternoon. SHANGRI-LA HOTEL BANGKOK (B, L) Thailand. Next, visit Wat elephants as told by expert HOTEL BANGKOK (D) Umong, with its unique guides. You will learn about Thursday, January 28 tunnels which give the wat the problems elephants Wednesay, January 27 ✈ Bangkok Bangkok its name (Umong is the Thai face in Southeast Asia, and Chiang Mai word for "tunnel".) Here you how Elephant Nature Park is VISIT THE MOST IMPORTANT Morning flight to Chiang can have an opportunity to helping in the treatment, and SIGHTS OF BANGKOK: the informally talk with a monk care of Thailand's dwindling Reclining Buddha at Wat Mai, the cultural heart of and learn about a monk's life, elephant population. You will Pho is a giant lying Buddha, Thailand. A ONE-IN-A-LIFETIME Thai culture and Tradition, have a chance to feed the covered in gold leaf. The EVENING that starts with a Buddhism, etc. Conclude the elephants from the viewing Grand Palace is a "must see" spiritual blessing, followed visit with a short meditation. platform. Enjoy a sumptuous for every visitor. Located by a traditional Khantoke AFTERNOON DRIVE through and varied buffet of Asian close to the banks of the dinner in an historic wooden the most historic areas of and International dishes. Chao Phraya River the Grand house. Your host will meet Chiang Mai, including the Walk with the staff and the Palace is the perfect example you at your hotel and escort old city walls, city gates elephants to the river that of an ancient Siamese court. you to a beautiful temple in and moat. Visit Wat Phra skirts the park. Watch these Within the compound is the Chiang Mai to take part in a Singh which houses the gentle giants as they splash Temple of Emerald Buddha special Buddhist ceremony conducted by the head monk. beautiful Lai Kham Chapel around and play while you (Wat Pra Kaew). AFTER After making an offering with its exquisite wood stay dry on the river bank. LUNCH, travel on the Chao carving and northern style In the late afternoon return Phraya River (The River of and receiving a blessing murals. Afterwards visit Wat to Chiang and your hotel. Kings) and on through the you will be whisked off to Chedi Luang, containing SIRIPANNA VILLA RESORT & SPA Klongs (canals) of Thonburi the exquisite 137 Pillars an enormous Pagoda. (B, L) by Supatra boat (Deluxe House. Dinner will be served Experience everyday life of Boat). Observe the serene in the hotel's original teak *Park visits are all about Chiang Mai at the Muang spending quality time observing family homes and temples homestead dating back to the 1800s. Take in the ambiance Mai market which showcases and being with the herd. We do along the waterways, which not adhere to a strict schedule; locally grown fruits and gave the city the name of the historic surroundings as the best way to make the most ELEPHANT NATURE PARK GIVING ALMS TO MONKS, LUANG PRABANG of your visit is to relax, watch RESORT & SPA (B, L, D) a cruise down the Mekong preserved as it was when and learn from the elephants. River observing life on the the royal family last lived THINGS TO BRING: Shorts/ Monday, February 1 swimming gear and change Chiang Mai ✈ sleepy riverbanks. In the here and provides unique of clothing. Luang Prabang afternoon: THE LIVING LAND insights into the history of Afternoon flight to Luang FARM EXPERIENCE. Rice is Laos. See the collection of Sunday, January 31 Prabang. Upon arrival the ultimate foundation of the palace's most prized Chiang Mai transfer to your hotel. daily life in Asia and yet it art, including the Phrabang EXPERIENCE THE DAILY The Bamboo Experience is still a mystery for many Buddha cast of a gold, silver LIFESTYLE OF A LANNA venue was designed visitors. The Living Lands and bronze alloy. VISIT WAT FAMILY. A short transfer in pavilion style, rustic Farm, is an organic farm XIENG THONG. Wat Xieng takes you into the outskirts setting and surrounded by operated by a local team for Thong was built in 1560 and of Chiang Mai to meet your Rice fields and beautiful the benefit of Lao people. situated on the banks of host family in an authentic landscapes to learn about It maintains educational the Mekong River, it is the Thai neighborhood. After Lao culture. Tonight the programs and professional most beautiful monastery in a refreshing welcome group will experience a organic farming right next Luang Prabang and shows to village rice paddies. As the typical Lao art style. drink, spend time with the BACI CEREMONY AT THE part of a small group learn VISIT WAT VISUNALAT (Wat Thai family learning about BAMBOO experience venue! traditional Thai architecture The Baci is a ceremony to how to be a rice farmer for Visoun) and THAT MAKMO.