Visitors to Cambodia and Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.  Experience the mystical temples, soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Cambodia and Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.

Main program includes:
Round trip airfare from San Francisco or NYC, (SFO - NYC) airport. Airline taxes and fuel surcharges are included. (Valid at present time)
Domestic air-fare.
First class hotel accommodations for 11 nights at a centrally located​ hotels including hotel tax and service charges.
Services of an English-speaking tour manager throughout the program.
Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers, tours and guided excursions.
Guided tours, admissions and entrance fees as per program in itinerary.
Daily Breakfast, some lunches & Dinners
All VAT city and local Tax, baggage handling at hotels. (Based on one bag per person).
Headsets on guided tour

ITINERARY:
Day 1: Departure from the USA on your overnight flight to Thailand.

Day 2: Bangkok Arrival
Upon arrival, proceed through customs and collect your luggage. A Jet Vacations professional guide will personally greet you. Departure and transfer by deluxe coach to your hotel centrally located in Bangkok.  Tonight, join your group fellow members for a welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Bangkok. (D)

Day 3: Bangkok Highlights
After breakfast at your hotel, you will go to the Grand Palace, the most important and impressive royal palace in  Thailand. Here, you will see the enigmatic Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. You will then continue to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho is renowned for housing the famous 45 meter long reclining Buddha as well as for being the original school of traditional Thai massage. After that, you will take a long tail boat and cruise along the canal of Thonburi and get a glimpse of the everyday life of the famous ‘water people’ of Thailand. You will have lunch at a local restaurant on the way. On your way back, you will stop by what is probably the best known symbol of Bangkok, the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), with its sparkling spires covered in broken shards of glass and pottery. (B, L)

Day 4: Bangkok - Cooking Class join-in 08h00 - 13h00)
After breakfast at your hotel, set out to learn the secrets of delicious Thai cuisine. 
At the cooking studio, you will learn how to make some of Thailand's most tasty dishes from scratch. Under the supervision of a professional, you are sure to create mouthwatering dishes that you can, of course, enjoy afterward.  Evening free at leisure  (B, L)

Day 5: Bangkok At Leisure.
Enjoy a full day at leisure , or join us for an optional tour. (B)

Day 6: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
After breakfast at the hotel,
meet your driver and guide and travel to Bangkok airport for your outbound flight.

Hotel Pickup time: 9:25
Flight departure time : 12:25
Flight Number: PG225

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, you will meet your driver and local guide and travel by car to your hotel.

Flight arrival time :13:45.  (B)

Day 7: Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel.  
Tea plantation experience at Araksa (11:00 - 13:00)
Upon arrival at the tea plantation, you will be greeted by a local tea expert who will explain to you the different processes and methods used to cultivate young tea plants. After that, the resident picker will lead you to the tea bushes where you will be instructed how to pick tea leaves. At the roasting station, you will be offered a demonstration of the art of processing tea by hand from kneading to roasting. When the roasting is done, enjoy a Thai lunch with a cup of tea (from the tea plantation!).
Inspirational retreat at Doi Suthep until sunset (15:00 - 18:00)
In the afternoon, take a trip to the centuries-old Doi Suthep, one of the highest hills near Chiang Mai. Doi Suthep is also one of the most spiritually remarkable temples. Experience a unique private blessing and witness the chanting of monks: an awe-inspiring and exotic experience that will give you plenty to think about. You will gain a sense of balance between earth and sky as you behold the sky bursting into different colors during sunset.  (B, L)

Day 8: Chiang Mai
Uplifting moments with peaceful pachyderms join-in (08:00 - 14:00)
In the morning, you will travel through the indescribably peaceful countryside North of Chiang Mai to Baan Chang Elephant Park where you will learn about elephants and how to take care of them. Once you arrive, the Elephant Mahout (elephant caretaker) will give you some brief yet useful information about Thai elephants. After that, you will begin your elephant adventure by dressing in a most attractive uniform – Mahout’s clothes, before gaining even deeper knowledge about the life and behavior of Thai elephants. Then, it is time to feed the eager giants with bananas and sugarcane and learn the basic commands for elephants. Later you can spend more time interacting while bathing, scrubbing and swimming with the elephants.
In the evening, have dinner at the hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 9: Chiang Mai to Siem Reap
After checking out you will meet your driver and travel to Sieam Reap airport for your outbound flight.  Arrival at Siem Reap Airport and transfer to the hotel to check in.  Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, you will take your connection flight to Siam Reap.  The room is at your disposal from 14:00.  Located a few kilometers from the temples of Angkor and Siem Reap, a peaceful and green place awaits the traveler at the end of his day of discovery for a moment of relaxation around a drink, some amuse-bouche. The sky is colored, the lights are rays, and the day gives way to dusk in the beautiful Cambodian countryside; the moment is perfect and unforgettable. (B, D)

Day 10: Siem Reap
This morning, you will travel on a road flanked by huge century-old trees before all of a sudden, a majestic stone doorway will appear as you enter Angkor Thom, “the big city”. Magically emerging from within, admire the massive smiling faces of the Bayon temple carved in stone. Built around the 12th and 13th centuries, this amazing edifice is surrounded by 54 towers, each of them adorned with 4 faces. After visiting Bayon you will travel to the Baphuon, a temple mountain built in the 11th century, whose restoration, led by French architects ended not so long ago. Then, walk along the Terrace of the Elephants, which with its length of 350 meters was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies. Continue your visit at the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century and adorned with magnificent Apsara sculptures.

In the afternoon, visit the most famous temple: Angkor Wat. Starting at the central avenue, you will soon realize just how huge it is. This wonderous architectural achievement, will impress you not just by its structural elements but also by its artistic detail. Finish the day by visiting Ta Prohm, a temple which seems almost consumed by the tropical nature that surrounds it.
Dinner at a nice restaurant. (B, D)

Day 11: Siem Reap
Dedicate your morning to a visit to the complex and biodiversity-rich Tonle Sap Lake. You will discover the secrets of Prek Toal Village and the natural and unique ecosystem of Southeast Asia’s largest waterbird breeding colony. The bird sanctuary is important for eight species of bird: the Spot-billed Pelican, Greater Adjutant, Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter and Grey-headed Fish-Eagle. Thousands of commoner waterbirds also breed here, and over 150 species have been recorded.

During the visit, discover the unique livelihoods of those living on the lake, where everything floats, from the pagoda to the school to the pharmacy!
Experience locally cooked lunch in a floating restaurant managed by a local NGO, and creation of a final memory: a water hyacinth handicraft workshop. A villager will teach you the traditional way of creating a colourful household item from the water hyacinth plant. Finally, you will wave goodbye to this water-world and head back to the mainland, Chong Kneas.

Tonight you will discover Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO founded in 1994 in order to provide artistic training to poor, young Cambodians. The show gives a real insight into Cambodian history and culture and is ideal for all age groups. Both performances are executed with professionalism by talented young performers. It is energetic, thrilling and shows the vibrant side of Cambodia. The aim of each performance is to give travelers a real insight of the modern artistic stage, with each story deeply revealing a piece of Khmer history. Some shows will transport you into the Khmer Rouge period, some will focus on the modern issues of Khmer society. But all are worth a visit!
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Meals included: Picnic breakfast box on the boat during bird watching (breakfast box take away from the hotel), cooked lunch with beverage (1 beer or 1 soft drink per person) at OSMOSE floating restaurant (non-private). (B, L)

Day 12: Siem Reap
Your cooking class will start with a visit to the fresh, local market or village; depending on group size, you'll learn how to choose the perfect ingredients to make delicious Cambodian cuisine. The expert chef will then demonstrate how to cook each dish before you try your hand at preparing it yourself at your cooking station! All your carefully prepared dishes will then be served so that you can enjoy the beautiful garden views while having your meal (3 courses).
 
In the afternoon, take a trip to Banteay Srei, a beautiful pink sandstone temple that is also known as the "Citadel of Women" and features some remarkable sculptures of divinities. You’ll be captivated by it, as even though it’s not the biggest temple in the Angkor complex, it’s obviously the most genteel.
 
It became legendary through the adventures of Malraux who stole a bas-relief and 2 apsaras from it in 1923. It is the only major temple not built by a king, with the construction attributed to Yajnavaraha, a courtier and king’s counsellor.
The best time to visit Banteay Srei is in the early morning or late afternoon which will give you the opportunity to take some stunning photos of the pink-colored temple in the changing light. It is a true jewel of Khmer art and today one of the best restored temples on the archaeological site.  (B, D)
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Day 13: Siem Reap - Departure day
travel to the airport for your departure flight. The room is at your disposal until noon time only.. (B)