Example Itinerary
Stepping into Southeast Asia’s Spiritual Side
- Duration
- 11 days / 10 nights
- Price Per Person
-
Terms & Conditions
Price is based on double or twin hotel room occupancy and includes accommodation, transfers, car/driver, English-speaking guide, activities and entrance fees, breakfasts and some casual lunches while touring. Flights and optional special activities will be quoted separately. Most personal expenses, including dinners, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and gratuities can be paid on the spot while traveling. Prices may vary depending on season, choice of accommodation and other factors.
- Interests
- Spirituality
Though many travel to Southeast Asia simply for a taste of waving palm trees and sandy beaches encircled by crystal seas, it is also home to a vast number of spectacular temples and monuments with expansive religious histories, highly valued by locals and tourists alike. From Thailand to Laos to Cambodia, experience an absorption into the height of Southeast Asia’s spiritually influenced culture with adventures into sacred sites that are sometimes jaw-dropping - such as Luang Prabang’s Pak Ou caves set within extraordinary limestone - or sometimes startling, such as the famed “Hell Garden” of Bangkok’s Wang Saen Suk Monastery.
This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.
Highlights
- Buddhist Rituals: A visit to Wat Chiang Man sees travelers participate in a "Prolonging Life" ceremony - a truly unique cultural and spiritual experience.
- Bird's Eye View: Angkor's cityscape is impressive to discover on foot, but to truly appreciate the scale of the ancient temple city travelers should take to the skies on a helicopter ride.
- Expert Insight: Explore the jungle-choked ruins of Ta Prohm with an archaeologist to understand the history of the temple at a deeper level.
Day-by-Day
Day 1
MapBangkok
After arriving in Bangkok, enjoy a private transfer to your hotel set along the Chao Phraya River, luxurious getaways swathed in classic Thai charm. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
Hotel Options
Day 2
MapBangkok
Start your first full day in Bangkok at the stunning Grand Palace, the residence of the noteworthy Emerald Buddha. Next, you’ll head over to Wat Pho for a glimpse of a giant reclining Buddha and marvel over Wat Suthat, one of Bangkok’s oldest temples - characterized by the enormous swing at its entrance. After a visit to the impressive Wat Arun on the river, tour the Wang Saen Suk Monastery and its famous “Hell Garden”. Optionally have an expert accompany you for more in-depth history and insight.

Day 3
MapChiang Mai
A half-day of touring will commence at Wat Saket, or “Temple of the Golden Mount”, set on a hill with an expansive view after a climb of about 300 stairs. Then, discover the fascinating design of Wat Ratchanatdaram, said to be inspired by the metal temples of ancient India and Sri Lanka. Depending on availability, a resident monk will lead you around the temple. A flight to Chiang Mai will follow in the afternoon, and then you are free to enjoy a luxurious evening at your hotel.
Hotel Options
Day 4
MapChiang Mai
Start off your adventure in Chiang Mai at the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple overlooking the city. Enjoy a blessing at the top as you learn about the fascinating legend it is founded upon. Later, experience the peaceful Wat Umong, a 13th-century temple set within a quiet forest setting famous for the series of tunnels that define it. After, you can explore the city by rickshaw, before settling in for a Khantoke dinner and baci ceremony, a ritual used to celebrate important occasions.

Day 5
MapLuang Prabang
Spend the morning at the serene Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, and take part in a unique Buddhist practice - a Prolonging Life ceremony, a refreshing cultural experience that will grant you a new perspective on the meditative religion. Afterwards, a one-hour flight will take you to Luang Prabang, where you will settle into opulent comforts.
Hotel Options
Day 6
MapLuang Prabang
Begin your first full day in Laos at Wat Xieng Thong, one of Luang Prabang’s most popular attractions due to its remarkable beauty and historic influence. Visits to the Wat Tham Phousi Shrine, featuring a big-bellied Buddha en route to the panoramic summit of Mount Phousi; to Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang’s oldest temple, established in 1512; and to Wat Phon Phao - which will include an enlightening meeting with a senior monk - will follow.

Day 7
MapLuang Prabang
Rise early to experience a sacred Alms Giving Ceremony and a bustling morning market. The day will continue with a blessing at the decorative Wat Mai, followed by a house visit in a local village for a unique lesson in the spiritual practice of religious floral arrangement, where you can discover how Buddhist offerings are created in a bouquet style. This will be succeeded by a river cruise to the Pak Ou caves, a reverent site rich in religious history, tucked within a spectacular limestone cliff.
Day 8
MapSiem Reap
After a flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap - taking approximately three-and-a-half hours - spend the afternoon on a river cruise to Prasat Chrung, one of the four temples guarding the corners of Angkor Thom, via traditional gondola and best enjoyed at sunset with a glass of wine in hand.
Hotel Options

Day 9
MapSiem Reap
Commemorate your first full day in Siem Reap with an early morning exploration of the largest religious monument in the world - Angkor Wat. Instead of merely wandering amidst it on foot, step it up a notch - a 20-minute helicopter ride is arranged to give you a full glimpse of its sweeping majesty from the sky. Later, delve into the National Angkor Museum, and then experience the inspiring “Great City” - Angkor Thom.
Day 10
MapSiem Reap
Under the guidance of an expert archaeologist, enjoy a morning at Ta Prohm, Angkor’s most intriguing ruin due to the fact that it has been almost completely cloaked by the jungle surrounding its tumbled walls. Follow this up with visits to the unique temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, and later experience the marvel of a Buddhist water blessing. In the evening, delight in a private temple dinner.

Day 11
MapDeparture
Blessed - in more ways than one - by a new reservoir of memorable experiences and spiritual renewal, depart back to Bangkok or onward at your own leisure.

Exclusively Asia
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.
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What Others Say
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

Jessika and David, Los Angeles
There was an authenticity to the type of experience set up for us that made every city we visited special and gave us countless moments we will never forget.

A French couple from Dubai
We would really like to thank the team at Remote Lands for organizing such a perfect holiday for our family

A Family from New York City
The guides are what make the experience and in this trip they most surely standout [...] We look forward to our next experience that you and your team help us to create.