Unveiling the essence of Asia

Six Extraordinary Secret Journeys for the Historical Time Traveller

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Step Back in Time with These Time Warp Journeys

What if time travel were possible, when and where would you visit? How many of you would jump at the opportunity to explore the ancient world? Time travel remains, as yet, out of our reach but travel can provide a sense of journeying through time in the contrasts that it can share with us as we experience cultures and destinations so very different to our own.  In many ways, travelling allows us to experience the amazing passage of time.

Asia, a land rich in its variety of living cultures and ancient civilizations, has long been attracting history-lovers to explore and experience its enigmatic ruins and monuments, and the myriad of living cultures seemingly unchanged for centuries. Every destination has fascinating stories to tell, the history often writ clearly in stone and wood in the structures and architecture that make up the towns, cities and villages. And with the heart and soul of the culture preserved within the temples, palaces, mausoleums and the architecture of belief.

From the incredible Tulou Earth Buildings of Fujian, China, all the way across the continent to the Amber Fort in Jaipur, India. Asia brims with countless such historical journeys that offer an intriguing insight into the unique experience of life in these wonderful destinations. Embarking on one of our Secret Journeys will share with you an all too rare chance in our busy modern lives, to enjoy a wonder-filled sense of travelling through time.

Secret Retreats is looking to take you on a journey on the path less travelled, to lesser-known places and experiences in Asia. So, forget about Angkor Wat… well, actually, you should still DEFINITELY visit the breathtaking Angkor Wat, truly a wonder of the world! But the Secret Journeys we recommend in this edition will unveil for you an Asia unchanged by time, sharing with you, the traveller, thought-provoking and enriching experiences that will at once stimulate and revive you, as you re-discover your world through fresh eyes. This is the miracle of travel. This is, Secret Journeys.

Provincial Sojourn
3 Days / 2 nights

Enjoy your stay at a two-suite private villa set on the banks of the Tha Chin river in Suphanburi with a swimming pool, staff to take care of you and your own river boat for excursions. Observe local life, visit local temples and meet the monks to exchange stories about how Buddhism helps people here navigate life. Take your boat upriver and discover the stories of the river life as you cruise serenely past the local scenery. And simply relax poolside at your villa, contemplating Slow Life, Central Thailand style.

On this journey you will enjoy a chance to visit the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. A city that once ruled a rich and powerful kingdom of more than a million inhabitants, with a culturally rich society that celebrated art and literature. All that remains of the original city today are brick remnants and enigmatic ruins of the palace and the city’s many temples; the city was sacked by the Burmese more than 250years ago. Over a period of 400 years, Ayutthaya went from a prosperous trade and political capital to a completely defaced city – plundered, burned and abandoned to ruin. Exhibiting sophisticated techniques and styles, Ayutthaya’s architectural heritage is an amalgam of Lopburi, Sukhothai, Dvaravati, U-Thong, ancient Khmer and Persian styles. Today, Ayutthaya’s temple and palace ruins serve as a powerful reminder of Siam’s glorious past as well as haunting memories of one of the darkest periods in Thai history.

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Lao Essential
6 Days / 5 nights

On this journey, you will get to discover 2 capitals of Laos, Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Luang Prabang is the cultural capital of Laos today, and Vientiane the country’s modern capital city. Located amongst the mountains of Northern Laos, Luang Prabang is a delightfully picturesque town encircled by forested mountains, with the old town, which was founded 700 years ago, set on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers. Its charming character, deep history and picturesque setting have made the town one of the most attractive sites in Laos.

From 1354 until 1563 Luang Prabang was the capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, a powerful Laotian Kingdom that finally split into three kingdoms in 1707. The town is named after the Phra Bang Buddha image, the most highly revered Buddha image in the country which in 1353 was gifted by the King of Angkor to Fa Ngum, the first King of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Buddhism remains today of great importance to the daily life of the people of Luang Prabang, and the ancient temples and monks’ morning alms round populate the memories of all who visit this ancient town. With the coming of French Indochina to Laos in the 19th century, and the country regaining its independence in 1953, the town’s history is retold by the buildings on its storied streets. From the ancient temples to the once royal residences to the dwellings of the townspeople, the mix of traditional Lao and French colonial architecture is picture postcard perfect and preserved for generations to come by its UNESCO World Heritage status. Our journey will share with you the stories of both the modern-day capital, Vientiane, and the ancient world of Luang Prabang. Connected by the Mighty Mekong River, the itinerary can start or end in Vientiane.

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A Taste of India
10 Days / 9 Nights

Join for a veritable feast of a tour as you journey from bustling Delhi through colourful Rajasthan. You begin by visiting the city of Agra and the amazing monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Then continue to the iconic cities of Jaipur and Udaipur and also stay for two nights in a lovely retreat in the rural Indian town of Barli. Along the way you will discover many facets of Indian culture, including the country’s rich, varied, colourful and delicious cuisines.

As you go footloose in the charming complex of the Amer Fort made of pink and yellow sandstone, you will witness the regal finesse of Rājputāna. A timeless and majestic beauty resides in the pink city of Jaipur, steeped in an otherworldly charm, this city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. And the Jaigarh Fort atop the Cheel ka Teela (Hill of Eagles) where the views and experience are simply magical. Then continue your journey through time in majestic Rajasthan, with a stay in Fort Barli, a 350year old palace-fort that is today a stunning heritage hotel. Experience rural India and its wonderful wildlife from the comfort of your regal home. And Udaipur, known as the city of lakes surrounded as it is by seven lakes. Founded in the 16th century, in the days of the British Raj it was considered by the British as the most romantic spot on the continent of India because of its beautiful architecture, deep culture and wonderful natural scenery. All this and more awaits you on a Secret Journey in India.

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Discover Angkor and Siem Reap
4 Days / 3 Nights

Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world. Spread over 160 hectares in the jungles near Siem Reap, its construction started in the middle of the 12th century, with its temples first dedicated to the Hindu pantheon, and later dedicated to Buddhism. Located on the shores of the Tonle Sap Lake, the greatest freshwater reserve in the whole of Southeast Asia, the ancient Khmer’s water management was what gave rise to the development and growth of the city of Angkor. The nearby town of Siem Reap, which literally means “Siamese defeated” in reference to the victory of the Khmer Empire over the army of the Thai kingdom in the 17th century, offers a combination of activities ranging from visits to the vast archeological sites and iconic temples, exploring the lake and discovering the unique lifestyles of the people who literally live on the lake in the homes on stilts, and enjoying the surrounding nature in the jungles and National Parks to the north of the city.

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The Earth Buildings of Fujian
4 Days / 3 nights

A 4-day 3-night all-inclusive experience to discover the cultural heritage of the Hakka people of Fujian, embodied in their truly unique communal homes, the Tulou. Fujian Tulou were built in the Song and Yuan Dynasties and have a history that dates back more than 1,000 years. Large circular buildings set around a central shrine, they are built of earth, sand, lime and fired brick and are typically 3 or sometimes 4 stories high. Built to house a clan, these are large structures, that at one time confused the spying West during the cold war who thought they were missile silos. Today these earthen buildings are protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Located in the unspoilt Taxia village, your Secret Journey will take you to experience the culture of the Hakka. Your heritage hotel home offers a truly luxurious stay set within a village that has a history of more than 600 years and includes many well-preserved original Tulou buildings. Get lost in culture and forget the time as you take tea in the tea rooms and observe the people and their unique lifestyle. Join in a pottery workshop or listen to the traditional Hakka music while admiring the timeless scenes that surround you and the mountains beyond.

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The Last Shangri-la
7 Days / 6 nights

The Kingdom of Bhutan, a small, land-locked country of only about 760,000 inhabitants, it is often called the happiest country in the world. Bhutan’s values provide for a unique intersection of tradition, spirituality, and development, making it like no other place in the world to experience. This Secret Journey across a magical Himalayan kingdom will open your eyes to a unique philosophy on national wealth, development and well-being. Bhutan is a country where the Gross National Happiness (GNH) of the people – measured as a right balance between economic well-being and emotional well-being – is valued more than the more typically important, and commercially motivated metric, GDP.

Bhutan is also the world’s only carbon negative country with over 70% of the country forested, and where living sustainably and in harmony with the environment comes as second nature to the people. A deeply spiritual culture, based on Buddhism, the religious calendar is the symphony of daily life for the Bhutanese, a life where spirituality is reality, and where one would consider the stresses of the modern world are a truly alien concept – it’s worth noting that this is also a country that functions fine even without traffic lights, imagine the stress that would generate in Paris, London or New York! Fiercely protective of conserving both the environment of Bhutan and the local culture, this is not a destination for mass tourism. Numbers of tourists allowed to enter the country are controlled to ensure that only a limited number of tourists are touring the country at any given time. Exclusive, yes, but for good reason. Discover a real world Shangri La on our Secret Journey to Bhutan.

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Contact our Concierge on dream@secret-retreats.com for these, and more, Secret Journeys that will share with you timeless experiences off the beaten path as our team Unveils the Essence of Asia to you.

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