Accommodation

The trip will begin with a night at the 5-star Sofitel Silom Bangkok. You will then travel to Khao Yai National Park, with three nights in the comfortable Jungle House, a beautiful base for exploring the jungle and the province of Isaan.You will then travel to Siem Reap in Cambodia for four nights at the 5-star Sokha Angkor. The hotel is close to the temple site and has a salt water swimming pool as well as spa facilities.  We then return to Bangkok, arriving in time for an evening meal and one night at the Sofitel Silom, leaving time for sightseeing and shopping in Bangkok.

Hotels

Bangkok: Sofitel Silom - an elegant 5-star hotel in the fashionable Silom Road which mixes Asian style with modern French chic.

Khao Yai: Jungle House - well appointed modern rooms built right in the jungle of Khao Yai National Park. Rooms are on stilts to give a low impact on the jungle floor. Elephant trekking is available from the hotel.

Siem Riep: Sokha Angkor - a 5-star hotel with extensive facilities including a fitness centre, spa and salt water pool. Close to Angkor Wat on the edge of Siem Reap, the Sokha Angkor has a range of restaurants, and a nightly Cambodian dance show. You will be accommodated in either a deluxe pool view or deluxe city view room.

Food

We offer half-board. This will sometimes be lunch, and sometimes dinner. Thai cuisine has a worldwide reputation. Meals are flavourful and seasoned with lemongrass and basil and there is an emphasis on fresh seafood. Cambodian food is similar, with a French twist. Some foods now a staple of Cambodian cuisine (pumpkin, for example) arrived from other French colonies through the colonial administrators. In the Old French Quarter of Siem Reap you could easily imagine yourself in New Orleans or Alger. There is always a range of options including vegetarian and more spicy food.

The Breakfast buffets in both 5-star hotels are a wonder to behold, and eat, with every kind of breakfast choice imaginable. Breakfast at the Jungle House is a simple affair, with a choice of 'American' or 'Asian' breakfast. With lunch or dinner we will offer the experience of a range of restaurants, either at the hotels, or out and about.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Bangkok (this is the day before the first day of the holiday)
Day 2: Arrive in Bangkok with collection from airport if on designated flights. Meet at 7pm on the 24th floor of the 5-star Sofitel Silom hotel. Optional evening programme in Bangkok including a group meal at Silom Village, a traditional outdoor Thai restaurant with a wonderful display of Thai dancing. After this there will be a guided walk to the local night market, and for the more adventurous, to Pat Pong, the heart of Thai nightlife. Alternatively we can recommend a traditional Thai massage near to the hotel.
Day 3: Breakfast at the Sofitel and departure for Khao Yai National Park for three nights at the Jungle House hotel. Dinner together in the evening.
Day 4: Early morning jungle walk and an afternoon visit to the long drop waterfall featured in the film 'The Beach' and an optional Night Safari.
Day 5: Morning Courses. Optional Elephant Trekking or bird watching. Optional visit to local town Pakchong for shopping and photography.
Day 6: Travel to Poipet, the border town between Thailand and Cambodia. After getting the Entry Visa at the border with our assistance, depart for Siem Reap by private, air-conditiioned transport. Arrive late afternoon for four nights stay at the 5-star Sokha Angkor Resort.
Day 7: Wake early to catch the sun rise at Angkor Wat. Return to hotel for breakfast and back to Angkor Wat for a more detailed tour. Early evening visit to the fabulous Ta Prohm temple (the Jungle Temple), embraced by roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Evening meditation amongst the ruins.
Day 8: Visit to Angkor Thom which comprises of the Bayon temple, Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper Terrace and Phimeanakas temple. Afternoon free time and courses or optional further temple excursion.
Day 9: Drive to the rural Banteay Srei, a small temple with impressive carvings. On the way back visit Banteay Samre. Afternoon visit to Tonle Sap lake and boat trip around the Floating Village. On the way back visit to the Fine Art school (Artisan Angkor) where visitors can observe the making of high-quality traditional wood and stone carvings and lacquer ware following traditional techniques. Visit to old Phsar Chas Market.
Day 10: Return overland to Bangkok with a stop en-route to visit the killing field in Svaysisophon. (Alternatively, take a Bangkok Airways flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok.). Stay one night at Sofitel Silom in Bangkok. Farewell gathering.
Day 11: Morning free in Bangkok before return flight home or opportunity to join the January Skyros-in-Thailand holiday that leaves on 25 January for Koh Chang.

Travel Health Information

For advice on travel health and immunisation please visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk