SOUTHEAST ASIA BROCHURE & SAMPLE ITINERARIES CONTENTS 3 Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia 4 Thailand 10 Southeast Asia by Numbers 12 Myanmar 22 Tastes 24 Vietnam 34 Highlights 36 Cambodia 42 Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy 44 Laos 47 Key Contacts 2 SOUTHEAST ASIA Something of a rare gem, Southeast Asia surprises with a magnificent blend of intriguing cultures and an old-world charm that is echoed in every aspect of local life. Golden spires, ancient temples, bustling open-air markets and fading colonial facades all evoke an exotic feeling of history and tradition. With superlative service, gracious manners and smiling, friendly people, a journey in Southeast Asia is akin to stepping back in time. Abercrombie & Kent’s true point of difference is our authentic experiences - Insider Access moments that bring guests to the heart of a culture, to witness the true face of our destinations. Utilizing our on-the-ground knowledge, the A&K journey will engage, inspire and impress. It is our exclusive access to hidden places and influential people that expands horizons and captures rare, genuine moments that few travelers ever experience. 3 Discover the ‘Death Railway’ with a local historian, Kanchanaburi Experience Thai cooking at a chef’s private home & garden, Chiang Mai Visit fascinating local markets Enjoy an exclusive in the countryside, riverside dining Bangkok4 experience, Bangkok THAILAND With its divine scenery and warm, welcoming locals, Thailand is a charming, wondrous place filled with cultural and historical landmarks. Buddhist temples, ancient cities, exotic wildlife and spectacular natural scenery are just some of the highlights to be discovered in this ever-evolving, beautiful and diverse destination. Learn Muay Thai from a local master, Bangkok 5 Thailand Discovery 11 days / 10 nights Itinerary Highlights: Visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Kood • Visit the spectacular Grand Palace and the elegant Emerald Buddha, an image carved From USD 3,605* from a single block of jade Day 1 • Explore Wat Pho, one of the largest temple Bangkok | A Cosmopolitan City complexes in Bangkok, famous for its giant 46-meter-long reclining Buddha Arrive in the magnificent city of Bangkok and immerse yourself in the vibrant metropolis known for • View Chiang Mai from the lofty perspective its traditional architecture and cosmopolitan lifestyle. of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of The city holds an eclectic mix of ornate temples and northern Thailand’s most sacred temples old-world structures surrounded by contemporary • Relax and enjoy the tropical island life and high rises and modern influences. Explore the sights beautiful white-sand beaches at Koh Kood at your leisure. Sala Rattanakosin Day 2 Day 3 Bangkok | Antiques and Architecture Bangkok | Tastes of Thailand Learn about the city’s history and heritage through its food. Sample an array of street food dishes at a market in Silom district. Then taste coconut ice cream in Chinatown and try the famous mango & sticky rice and other Thai desserts at a popular local store. Continue to see the 200-year-old Nanglerng Market, one of the city’s oldest bazaars, and Or Tor Kor Market, the place for premium organic produce as well as Royal Project outlets - a coffee shop, Insider Access: supermarket and clothing shops supported by the Exclusive Walking Tour by Kenneth Barrett royal family’s non-profit organization. Explore a lesser-known part of Bangkok in Later, board a private boat to visit three of Bangkok’s the streets of Thonburi, a fascinating riverside most alluring attractions - the Grand Palace, Wat settlement which was once a customs port. Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha) and Visit three architecturally and culturally unique Wat Pho. temples - Wat Arun, Wat Molilokkayaram and Sala Rattanakosin | Meals: Breakfast Wat Rakhang on an exclusive walking route created by author Kenneth Barrett. Meet with Day 4 the celebrated author at the end of the tour. Chiang Mai Discover Thai history and architecture at Jim Uncovering an Ancient Kingdom Thompson House, a beautiful Thai-style teak house Travel to Chiang Mai, former capital of the Lanna and garden in the heart of the city. Built by the Kingdom, which ruled northern Thailand from the founder of the famous Thai silk company, the house 13th to 18th centuries. Framed by the Ping River and contains an interesting collection of Asian antiques, nearby mountainous regions, the ancient city holds pottery and other curiosities as well as a shop selling many cultural and natural wonders. Explore the quality Thai silk products. attractions of the city at your leisure. Sala Rattanakosin | Meals: Breakfast Tamarind Village | Meals: Breakfast 6 Peaceful mountain scenery in Chiang Mai The Grand Palace in Bangkok CHIANG MAI THAILAND BANGKOK KOH KOOD A view of Thailand’s ancient temples at7 night Day 5 Chiang Mai | From Markets to Mountains Recommended: Chiang Mai Mushroom Visit Waroros Market, a busy indoor marketplace House and Organic Farm which was founded over a century ago and sells Meet the residents of Chiang Mai Mushroom a variety of northeastern products. Ride a trishaw House and Organic Farm, a home that provides along Tapae Road through the ancient city walls and food, jobs and natal care to single mothers and along Rajdamnern Road to see the elegant Wat Phra pregnant women – an Abercrombie & Kent Singh. Then move to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Philanthropy (AKP) project. which lies 3,500 feet above sea level on Doi Suthep Get involved at www.akphilanthropy.org. Mountain. Tamarind Village | Meals: Breakfast Insider Access: Day 6 Chiang Mai Writer’s Secret Lunch Chiang Mai | Local Tea and Sausages Dine at one of Chiang Mai’s rarest treasures – Journey to Mae Taeng to see the Araksa Tea the “Writer’s Secret”, former garden home of Plantation, where you can learn the process of acclaimed Thai writer and photographer Rong growing high quality Assam tea leaves. Taste Wong-savun. authentic northern style cuisine at a local restaurant before visiting the home of a famous local chef, which is not usually open for visitors. The chef assists you to make your own Sai Oua Pranee, a spicy pork sausage specific to Northern Thailand. Tamarind Village | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 7 Chiang Mai | Meet the Elephants Take a drive through the scenic countryside to Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for rescued elephants. Learn about the admirable work the organization has done to protect and rehabilitate Insider Access: elephants from abusive homes. You can observe the Tie-Dye Workshop with Patricia Cheesman natural behaviors of the magnificent creatures and Gain first-hand experience of dyeing fabrics the experience feeding them from a viewing platform. traditional way with guidance from textiles expert, Tamarind Village | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Patricia Cheesman. 8 Day 8 Chiang Mai – Koh Kood | A Tropical Paradise Insider Access: Life Prolonging Ceremony Take part in a traditional Lanna Thai ceremony performed by chief monks to expel bad luck and promote new beginnings. Fly via Bangkok to the eastern province of Trat, where you board a speedboat to reach your hotel on the island of Koh Kood. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, close to the Cambodia border, the island is a tropical paradise with a number of secluded white- sand beaches and natural forests. Relax and enjoy the picturesque surroundings at your leisure. High Season Pool Villa & Spa | Meals: Breakfast Day 9 Day 11 Koh Kood | Island Living Bangkok Enjoy the day at your leisure. Take in the sun, sand Enjoy the day at your leisure and depart at any time. and sea or explore some of the sights around the island including beautiful waterfalls, magnificent forests and local fishing villages. Season Price* High Season Pool Villa & Spa | Meals: Breakfast 1 Nov 16 – 31 Mar 17 USD 3,781 1 Apr 17 – 30 Apr 17 USD 3,755 1 May 17 – 31 Oct 17 USD 3,605 Day 10 Bangkok | Hidden Gems *Prices are based on two pax traveling together Return to Bangkok and head towards the river, and are subject to change without notice. opposite the dramatic Wat Arun, also known as the Additional fees apply for Insider Access and “Temple of Dawn” and marvel at the spectacular Recommended options. Domestic airfares not view at sunset. Then meander through the city’s included. Old Quarter to see the glittering temples without the crowds, arriving at Chakrabongse House. Once the residence of HRH Prince Chula Chakrabongse, the building now houses an exceptional restaurant where you can enjoy an exclusive dining experience at one of Bangkok’s best-kept secrets. Sala Rattanakosin | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Island Life on Koh Kood 9 SOUTHEAST ASIA BY NUMBERS 5,881 The height in meters of Myanmar’s Hkakabo Razi, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia (19,295 feet) 10 54 The number of ethnic groups in Vietnam that inhabit villages and towns throughout the country, each with its own unique traditions and culture 2,500 The estimated number of jars in the Plain of Jars, the landscape of megalithic structures in central Laos that date back as far as 500 BC 4,350 The length in kilometers of the mighty Mekong River that runs from the Tibetan Plateau, through China’s Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam (2,703 miles) 40,717 The estimated number of Buddhist temples in Thailand, a religion followed by 94% of the population 2.2 million The number of international visitors to Angkor Wat in 2016 11 Uncover hidden secrets at the Archaeology Museum with a local expert, Bagan Practice the art of meditation at a local temple, Yangon Observe the devout life of novice monks at a monastery, Mandalay Create traditional lacquerware at a hands-on 12 workshop, Bagan Uncover hidden secrets at the Archaeology Museum with a local expert, Bagan MYANMAR Myanmar is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the region, if not the world.