Trail of the Elephants Tour

An evocative 25-day journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia’s physical and cultural landscapes

Contrast a relaxing passage down the Mekong River with riding elephants in the jungle; Modern cities and lifestyles with Buddhist monks practicing centuries old traditions; The buzz of urban Thailand with the laid back ambience of Laos; Exploring ancient jungle shrouded temples with trawling markets for antiques and textiles.

Trail of the Elephants Tour Highlights

• Bangkok daytrip and traditional massage
• The historical capital of Sukhothai and its superb temples and monuments
• Rafting, hiking and elephant trekking in the remote Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary
• Thai cooking course and markets in Chiang Mai
• Mekong Riverboat journey
• Temples and weaving villages of Luang Prabang
• Incredible temples of Angkor Wat
• Historic Battambang and countryside
• Boat trip traversing Tonle Sap Lake and Prek Toal Biosphere bird sanctuary
• Markets and museums of Phnom Penh
• Insight into rural life, home-staying with a wonderful Cambodian family
• NGO visits looking at education, health and vocational training for disadvantaged youth
• Very personalized small group experience
• Escorted by fantastic tour leader/s supported by local guides

“We were first time travelers looking for an ‘off the beaten track’ type trip with a bit of adventure. We certainly had this. We enjoyed the company of a great group of fellow travelers. The attention to detail by Pacific Discovery and the tour leaders was exceptional.” Mary-Anne and Trevor Stretton

Trail of the Elephants Tour Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok and welcome
Day 2 Bangkok daytrip
Day 3 Flight to Sukhothai, historic park
Day 4 Drive to Mae Sot and Umphang
Day 5 Raft and walk into wildlife sanctuary
Day 6 Walk to falls and village
Day 7 Elephant trek, drive to Mae Sot
Day 8 Drive to Chiang Mai
Day 9-10 Chiang Mai sights & activities
Day 11 Drive to Chiang Khong
Day 12 Cross Mekong River to Laos, begin Mekong River journey, overnight ashore
Day 13 Boating, then arrive Luang Prabang
Day 14-15 Exploring Luang Prabang area
Day 16 Flight to Siem Reap, sunset at temples
Day 17 Explore Angkor Temples
Day 18 Explore Angkor Temples
Day 19 Traverse Tonle Sap lake to Battambang
Day 20 Battambang sights
Day 21 Drive to Phnom Penh
Day 22 Phnom Penh excursions
Day 23 Depart for Takeo rural homestay
Day 24 Return to Phnom Penh
Day 25 Farewell Cambodia, depart Phnom Penh

Trail of the Elephants Tour Itinerary

An evocative journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia’s physical and cultural landscapes

BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

DAY 1-2. Bangkok, Thailand

Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, having journeyed from ‘the West’ to ‘the East’, and enjoy a daytrip of Bangkok, exploring the city and iconic sights, travelling by river boat, canal boat and skytrain. Bangkok is a vibrant and fascinating city, with vivid contrasts between the traditional and historic (eg. Wat Po temple, Jim Thompson’s House), and dazzling sophistication…it is also a fantastic place to enjoy New Year celebrations.
-, BD

DAY 3. Sukothai

Our journey begins with a short flight to Sukhothai followed by time exploring the Sukhothai Historical Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its superb temples and monuments.
BL

DAY 4-5. Mae Sot, Umphang

We take private vans to the remote town of Mae Sot near the Burmese border and continue on into the mist-covered, jungle-draped mountains, passing small villages and pockets of cultivated land. Raft lazily down the Mae Klong River, through a jungle-shrouded limestone canyon into the Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. A 3-hour trek through regenerating jungle brings us to our forest campsite. You will be able to wash up and relax while your guides set up camp and cook a hearty dinner.
BLD, BLD

DAY 6-7. Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary

Wake up with an invigorating swim in Thee Lor Su Falls, the most spectacular waterfall in Southeast Asia. Trek jungle trails and bamboo bridges for 3 hours to arrive at Kho Tha, a highland minority village where we stay for the night affording unique insight into remote village life. Next morning we meet our elephants and these gentle giants carry us over mountainous jungle terrain to exit the sanctuary.
BLD, BLD

DAY 8. Mae Sot, Chiang Mai

A morning to explore bustling Mae Sot with its intriguing market and gem traders, then on to Chiang Mai, with an interesting stop enroute at the Elephant Conservation Centre. Dine tonight in the colourful, sprawling night bazaar that engulfs acres of the city centre, with stalls selling a mind-boggling array of food, clothes and crafts.
BD

DAY 9-10. Chiang Mai

Visit Wat Phra Than Doi Suthep, a mountain-top temple affording panoramic views of Chiang Mai, and the informative Tribal Museum which offers insights into the culture and customs of Thailand’s many minority peoples. Take a day to explore Chiang Mai independently, with the option of an enticing course in Thai cooking or another relaxing massage.
B, BL

DAY 11-13. Depart Thailand, enter Laos, Mekong River journey

Travel overland to the peaceful town of Chiang Khong, on the banks of the mighty Mekong River and commence a 2-day boat journey down river, through a remote corner of Laos to Luang Prabang. This is a wonderful opportunity to absorb life on the Mekong, the artery of Asia…watch children playing, women washing, men fishing. We overnight ashore in a small riverside village.
BD, BLD

DAY 14-15. Luang Prabang

The World Heritage City of Luang Prabang is steeped in history. With its glistening temple roofs, crumbling French colonial architecture and fantastic food, you will be reluctant to leave. Explore temples, silk-weaving villages, and relax in the delightful ambience of this ancient town.
B, B

DAY 16-18. Siem Reap, Cambodia & Angkor Temples

Late morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Tree-lined Siem Reap is home to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Take your time to explore the largest temple ruins on earth. Through mammoth carved stone panels, stories unfold of historical events, tales of gods and legends. See the restoration of some temples and the disintegration of others as the jungle reclaims them.
BD, B, B

DAY 19. Tonle Sap Lake & Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve

We traverse the mighty Tonle Sap lake to Battambang. This offers a unique insight into the lives of people living on the lake and the opportunity to observe some of Southeast Asia’s rarest birdlife, in the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve.
BLD

DAY 20. Battambang

Battambang is a riverside town in Western Cambodia with some of the best preserved French-era architecture. We have a full day in Battambang to explore this lovely city, and the surrounding countryside.
B

DAY 21-22. Phnom Penh

Travel by private bus to the capital, Phnom Penh, following an ancient Khmer Highway. Here you’ll uncover the tragic history of the Khmer Rouge regime at Tuol Sleng Museum. Visit the fantastically chaotic Russian Market, lunch at Friends Café, an NGO providing vocational training for some of Phnom Penh’s 20,000 ‘street kids’, and enjoy a sunset drink at the renowned Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
BD, BL

DAY 23-24. Takeo, Phnom Penh

A rural adventure to Takeo, where we get a taste of culture and an understanding of life for the majority of Cambodians, by home-staying with a wonderful Khmer family and visiting local schools.
BLD, BD

DAY 25. Farewell Cambodia

Our journey concludes today with the flight home. All of us will travel with a wealth of wonderful memories, experiences and friendships. Cambodia and its optimistic people will have left an indelible impression.
B

Trail of the Elephants Tour Notes

An evocative journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia’s physical and cultural landscapes

Suitability

This tour is suitable for anyone who is moderately active - we’ve had 10 - 80 year olds join us on this itinerary. On two days we will be walking for 3-4 hours with a small daypack on varied terrain – most people on the tour have no problem with this. Additionally, there are opportunities for day walks in Northern Thailand, cycling in Luang Prabang, and as much or little walking as you like around the Angkor temple complex. Southeast Asian towns and cities are often best explored on foot and bicycle, however motos, cyclos, and taxis are available for the less active.

Accommodation

Our accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to enhance our experience. On this itinerary we enjoy: 20 nights in locally owned character hotels and guesthouses with private bathroom/ensuite and air conditioning; 2 nights in guesthouse/lodge with shared facilities; 1 night camping and 1 night homestay, with basic shared facilities.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling in Asia, and throughout there will be the opportunity to eat authentic Asian or Western style food. Special dietary requirements are catered for. Asian style eating is often a communal affair, and allows for a far greater variety of dishes to be sampled - it’s also more fun. Most meals are included as indicated in the itinerary but we do have some independent meals enabling a choice of where, when and what you eat.

Transport

The itinerary has been designed to maximise comfort and safety whilst also giving you the opportunity to experience local transport and take part in daily life. We utilise private vans, taxis, boats, moto-taxis and take two flights within the region.

Tour Cost

Tour cost is NZ$5850, US$4385

Tour inclusions

› All tour related travel and transport from tour start to finish including two flights within the region and applicable airport taxes
› Visas for Laos and Cambodia (no visa required for Thailand)
› All accommodation*
› Most meals as indicated in the itinerary
› All excursions, activities and entry fees as described in the itinerary (unless noted as optional)
› Escorted by a Pacific Discovery tour leader and the services of English-speaking local guides
› Online image library for your tour
›› Refer information booklet for international flight options and exclusions
*Twin or double share basis. Single supplement available for additional NZ$550, US$415.