Thailand, Cambodia & Laos

The Best of Southeast Asia

Feb 4 - 19, 2009 with Humanitarian Photojournalist Karl Grobl

Southeast Asia has long been a favored destination for adventurous travelers. On this trip we visit some of the most interesting and photogrenic locations in the region. we begin in the Kingdom of Thailand with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty and inspiring temples. Throughour our adventure, Thailand's warm hospitality, its world renowned cuisine, and its friendly people will delight and inspire us. Next it's on to Laos for an unparraleled glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life. From the fertile lowlands of the Mekong River valley to the fascinating French colonial town of Luang Prabang, sleepy little Laos is certainly one of the highlights of Southeast Asia.

Next we're off to Cambodia, which has finally emerged from decades of war and isolation and is now truly on the Southeast Asian travel map. Our first stop is Siem Reap, the gateway to the ancient temples of Angkor, the most important archeological site in Southeast Asia. Finally it's off to Phnom Penh for our final exploration and an unforgettable stop at the famous and photographer friendly Foreign Correspondent's Club.

We will start our tour in Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capitol city where we will explore the Grand Palace, cruise Bangkok's canals, and photograph vendors in the floating markets. Then it's off to northern Thailand where we visit and photograph hill tribes including the famous Karen Long Neck tribe. From northern Thailand we embark on a two day boat journey down the mysterious Mekong river to Luang Prabang, Laos. During our boat journey we will be traversing and photographing largely unexplored areas of the rural Laotian countryside, still rich in traditions and authentic Southeast Asian culture. After a breathtaking two days on the river we emerge in Luang Prabang, one of the most beautifully preserved French colonial towns in Asia with its green hills and gold temples; where every day, hundreds of Buddhist monks take their morning alms walk through town.

To view Karl's slide show of the 2007 tour click here

To view some of Karl's images of Southeast Asia click here

To view some of Karl's images of the 2007 tour click here

Day one: Feb 3/23 - Tour participants arrive at Bangkok's brand new international airport and will be met by our local

tour representative. Each guest will be sent via private taxi to the beautiful Siam Heritage hotel. Once settled in,

participants will gather for our pre-trip orientation meeting, followed by dinner and a walking tour of Bangkok's most

vibrant night market. Those who are feeling jet lagged can opt for relaxation or perhaps even a rejuvenating Thai

massage. We will spend the night in Bangkok. (Please note: depending on arrival times, guests may want to arrive on

Feb 2nd and spend the night at their own expense).   

Day Two:  Wake up in Bangkok, enjoy a delicious breakfast at our hotel, then depart on our private tour: in the
morning we depart for Damnern Saduak (Bangkok's famed "floating market"), where we explore and photograph the
daily spectacle from our private long tailed boat. In the afternoon we visit and photograph Bangkok's ornate Royal
Palace and the colossal reclining Buddha. Following our group dinner your evening is free.
We'll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day Three: In the morning we go to visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Founded in 1351 it was the capital of
Thailand until 1767, when it was sacked by the Burmese, and the capital was eventually moved to Bangkok.
There we'll photograph the numerous ancient temples. In the evening we are treated to a traditional dinner and Khon
dance show in Silom Village, Ruen Thep. We will spend our final night in Bangkok.  

Day Four:  After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our short flight to Chiang Rai where we are met and
transported to Chiang Saen (Golden Triangle). We check in to the tranquility of the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort
where tour guests can grab a quick lunch and then either relax by the pool or take a short orientation walking tour of
the local area, complete with river views, Buddhist temples and bustling markets. Later we embark on a sunset photo
shoot along the scenic Mekong River followed by dinner at a local riverside restaurant. We spend the night at the
Imperial Golden Triangle Resort. 

Day Five: After a delicious breakfast we meet our English speaking guide and our private van and depart to visit and
photograph several local hill tribe villages including the famous long neck tribe. In the afternoon we are transported to
the Myanmar (Burma) border where we cross over and photograph the fascinating market (the visit to Myanmar is

optional). After crossing back into Thailand, we are transported back to our hotel for a delicious dinner and then spend

the night at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort. ..

Day Six: We wake up early this morning for our one hour van ride to the border town of Chiang Kong where we
meet our Laotian tour operator who will escort us across the river to Haui Xia, Laos. On the Laotian side our immigration
papers are processed and we are delivered to our private boat for our two day river cruise to Luang Prabang. We spend
the day on the boat enjoying and photographing along the way. Tonight, after the leisurely river cruise on the scenic
Mekong we arrive at Pak Beng, a sleepy jungle settlement where we check in to the beautiful Luang Say resort. At
dinner we enjoy a local dance performance and overnight at Luang Say resort. ..

Day Seven: After breakfast we again board our private boat for the continuation of our Mekong river trip to Luang
Prabang. Along the way we visitt the amazing Pok Au caves and several traditional riverside villages before arriving in
the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, where we check into our Hotel. For dinner we dine at a wonderful
sidewalk café followed by a photographic exploration of Luang Prabang's vibrant night market. We spend the night in
Luang Prabang. ..

Day Eight: This morning we wake up early to photograph the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with
their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. At about
8:30 we return to our hotel and after breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided walking tour visiting the city's oldest and most
beautiful temples. Today we also visit a local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Namay, Hmong Village, Ban
Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall Picnic lunch by
the falls, return to Luang Prabang by afternoon. Later we explore Street Night Market. We spend the night in Luang
Prabang. .

Day Nine: Free day in Luang Prabang…..explore the local area, visit and speak with Buddhist monks in the
monasteries, or enjoy shopping and photographing the Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried
buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. We spend the night in
Luang Prabang.

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Day Ten: After breakfast we are transported to the airport for our flight to Cambodia's vibrant capitol city, Phnom Penh .
After arriving in Phnom Penh we enjoy dinner overlooking the river. We spend the night at the world famous Foreign
Correspondent's Club.

Day Eleven: We are free to explore, relax, shop and or photograph the sites of Phnom Penh. We'll have the option to visit the famous Killing Fields. We spend another night at the FCC.

Day Twelve : After breakfast we board our private van for transport to Siem Reap. . Along the way we witness local
Cambodian life, rice fields and even stop for lunch in a town where fried tarantula is the local delicacy. . Upon our
arrival in Siem Reap we are met by a local tour operator and transported to our hotel, the beautiful Pavillon Indochine.
After checking in and grabbing a quick snack, we are transported to the entrance gate of the famous Angkor Wat where
we purchase our 3 day entry passes and continue into the Angkor complex for an introductory, sunset shoot at the
main temple.

Day Thirteen: We spend the day visiting and photographing the ancient temples and traditional villages around
Angkor. At dinner we are treated to a traditional dance performance. We spend the night at the Pavillon Indochine. .

Day Fourteen: We visit a traditional stilted fishing village on the Tonle Sap and are able to view and photograph
traditional Cambodian rural life. Later we visit a local school and have the opportunity to photograph and interact with
friendly Cambodian children. We are treated to a gourmet dinner at the famous Café Indochine and then spend the
night at the Pavillon Indochine. .

Day Fifteen: This morning we wake early to explore and photograph sunrise at amazing Ta Phrom, where jungle
tree roots still cover the ruined temples. After our morning photo shoot we spend the day visiting and photographing the
ancient temples and traditional villages around Angkor. We spend the night in the Pavillon Indochine.

Day Sixteen: Feb 18/Mar 9 - After breakfast we are transported to the airport for flights back to Bangkok where guests
can meet their onward flights home.

Testimonials from previous tour participants

Karl's slideshow from the 2007 tour

To see some of Karl's images from this trip click here

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