Textile Treasures of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia

On arrival we will be met by our driver and local guide for the transfer to the hotel. Luang Prabang, an ancient capital city, is renowned not only for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its monuments and monasteries, but also for its tradition of weaving that has been passed from generation to generation. What begins as a silkworm, a bud of cotton or a hemp plant, is transformed into a cloth that tells a story about the weaver, her village, her tribe and her ethnicity.

After some time to rest, unpack and freshen up we'll enjoy our first workshop with Karin. This evening we'll dine together at a family-run fine dining restaurant overlooking their UNESCO-classified lily pond.

The city of Luang Prabang, reputedly one of the most beautiful cities in South-East Asia, occupies a privileged location at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Our morning sightseeing tour will take us to emblematic temples and give us the opportunity to learn more about the city’s history, architecture and culture.

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre is home to an internationally significant collection of over 400 objects which represents over 30 ethnic groups. During our visit we'll explore the two main exhibition rooms. The first room highlights specific ethnic groups through displays of photographs, ethnic clothing and household objects. The second room is dedicated to presenting the ethnic groups' wedding customs and ceremonies.

After a lunch of authentic Lao cuisine we'll visit the splendid Royal Palace Museum, the national museum, before returning to the hotel for some free time. This evening we are invited to attend a Baci ceremony, an important ceremony practised in Laos at the time of important life events. Afterwards we'll enjoy a presentation of famous Lao dances, traditional music and clothing. Dinner at the hotel is included this evening.

An early start today to witness the Tak Bath ceremony. Devoted residents of Luang Prabang kneel on the pavement, bearing food in their hands which they offer to the monks as they walk by clad in their saffron orange robes. This culturally significant moment takes place in a peaceful and respectful manner, with no words exchanged between the monks and the residents. Return to our hotel for breakfast.

Our day continues with a visit to the handicraft village of Ban Xang Khong, also known as the 'paper village'. Here we'll be welcomed by an artisan from the village who will teach us the secrets of making Sa paper from the bark of a mulberry tree. During the workshop you'll create your own Sa paper lantern. We'll also visit Artisans du Mekong art gallery which showcases the work of local artists.

Kuang Sy waterfalls are one of the highlights of Luang Prabang. Made up of limestone formations and turquoise-coloured pools, the lower level of the falls has been turned into a public park where we will have lunch and enjoy the shade and the refreshingly cool atmosphere of the falls. At Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre we'll enjoy a hands- on craft experience. The workshop will start with an introduction to silks, dyeing and weaving techniques. At the loom we'll learn the art of weaving with assistance from our guide and a weaver. We'll leave with a woven place mat with Lao motifs, a perfect souvenir! A free evening to explore the smells, sights and sounds of Hmong Night Market.

Today we’ll cruise by the beautiful and changing landscapes of the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Along the way we’ll stop to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou which shelter hundreds of statuettes of Buddha and is really a sight to behold.

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the Mekong before travelling to the border and entering Thailand. On route to Nan we'll visit Wat Nong Bua temple. Built in 1862 by Tai Lue craftsmen who migrated from southern China, the temple is adorned with elaborate carvings. The Tai Lue community is also famous for its textiles and weaving handicrafts. Thanks to its relatively remote location, Nan is less developed than many other cities in Thailand. It has preserved its authenticity and centuries old cultural heritage.

In Nan we'll visit the Nan National Museum and Wat Phumin Buddhist temple, famous for its mural paintings.

Spend the day in a small rural community on the outskirts of the city. We'll make our own northern Thai sausage, Sai Ua, and have lunch at a local house. After lunch we'll meet the local weaving group for a tie dyeing workshop.

In our workshop this morning we'll create a hand-painted scarf with the help of renowned designer and lecturer, Sakchira Wiengkoa. Continue to Chiang Mai.

Today we’ll spend the day at Studio Naenna; a weaving studio that supports the local community and creates jobs for local weavers. We’ll be introduced to the dyeing and weaving techniques that are used at the studio and have the chance to get some hands-on experience during a workshop. Our host for the day will be Patricia Cheeseman, the founder of the studio and renowned expert in ethnic textiles and weaving techniques.

An exclusive visit to Ron Simpson’s house. Ron will share with us just some of his extensive collection of antique Asian textiles. After the visit we'll enjoy some retail therapy at various locations in the city. A free evening to explore the smells, sights and sounds of Chiang Mai Night Market.

Transfer to Chiang Mail airport for our flight to Siem Reap, via Bangkok.

This morning we’ll visit Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Here we’ll visit:

The Bayon Temple, built in the late 12th or early 13th century. The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak.

Baphuon, a three-tiered temple mountain built in the 11th century.

Terrace of the Elephants, a 350m-long terrace that was used as a giant viewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall.

Terrace of the Leper King; covered in magnificent Apsara sculptures.

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer empire, but was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

Ta Prohm; unlike most of the Angkorian temples here this one is in much the same condition as it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors. UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992.

Lim Muy Theam is Cambodia’s most renowned artist and designer. He returned to Cambodia in 1995 after studying in Paris at the Ecole Boule and Ecole des Beaux Arts. For over 10 years he was the artistic director of Artisan d'Angkor, a Cambodian arts and crafts organisation dedicated to the revival and preservation of Cambodian traditional arts. At Theam’s gallery, his home and studio, younger generations acquire a deeper understanding of Cambodian aesthetics and culture. We’ll visit the workshop, and the gallery where his collections are displayed.

This morning we’ll enjoy another hand-sewing workshop with Karin.

This afternoon we’ll visit the Golden Silk Farm. Founded in 2002, the Golden Silk Pheach Preservation Centre is a non-governmental organisation producing ecological and sustainable premium-quality silk products, hoping to revive the traditional silk textile industry. The centre is a perfect example of the Khmer heritage of art and culture. From the farming of silkworms to the final design, everything is made according to the traditional way, one precise step at a time. All the employees here are disadvantaged Khmer people. Most of their creations are not for sale, but used for exhibitions all around the world to showcase this beautiful example of Cambodian heritage. Our visit, led by the founder and former Director of the National Centre of Cambodian Silk, will take us through the production process step-by-step. Before leaving we'll have a go at spinning ourselves.

Our second visit of the day is to a Lotus Farm; where we’ll discover the process involved in obtaining the lotus thread from the stem and spinning and weaving it.

Our final day in Cambodia will be spent in the floating village of Prek Toal, one of the Tonle Sap Lake floating villages, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. We’ll learn all about village life and enjoy a home-cooked lunch from one of the floating houses with an amazing view of the lake.

In the afternoon we’ll take a water hyacinth weaving workshop; a villager will teach us the traditional method of turning the water hyacinth plant into a colourful household item which we can take home as a souvenir.

Free time before transferring to Siem Reap airport for our overnight flight to London.