Travel with us to Malaysia & Thailand to develop an understanding of the country’s health care systems and cultural influences on medical care. The primary goal is to develop a thorough understanding of the health care systems in Malaysia and Thailand through interaction with medical counterparts and allied health care workers. This will provide a chance to better understand the challenges of health care delivery as the country deals with changing demographics and an increased incidence of chronic disease. Explore how each country is dealing with inequalities in the quality of care as well as general accessibility of care in the public sector. Cultural highlights will include exploring the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, a trishaw ride through the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town in Penang, and the impressive Grand Palace in Bangkok. Giving back and engaging with the community face to face is an important part of your journey. Spend time with staff visiting a charity like the Pratthanadee Foundation. They are nationally recognized for empowering the most disadvantaged women and children in Thailand through training, mentoring and career guidance,

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“It’s all about customer service. Tapping the knowledge, expertise and communication capability of a Nanda professional means our group gets expert advice customized to our interests, knows what to expect each step of the way, gets answers and help on all those impossible exceptions that crop up, and returns from the adventure having an experience that lasts a lifetime…and craving even more.” 

Gerry Crispin, Co-Founder, CareerXRoads

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Travel with us to Malaysia & Thailand to develop an understanding of the country’s health care systems and cultural influences on medical care. The primary goal is to develop a thorough understanding of the health care systems in Malaysia and Thailand through interaction with medical counterparts and allied health care workers. Cultural highlights will include exploring the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, a trishaw ride through the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town in Penang, and the impressive Grand Palace in Bangkok. Spend time with staff visiting a charity like the Pratthanadee Foundation. They are nationally recognized for empowering the most disadvantaged women and children in Thailand through training, mentoring and career guidance. 

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY HERE

DOWNLOAD LAOS POST PROGRAM EXTENSION  HERE   

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. Comparable meetings and activities will be arranged should an itinerary change be necessary. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.
 

Depart this morning from Los Angeles and make your way to Malaysia. Note that the gateway city is subject to change. 

Arrive in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. Upon arrival and after clearing Immigration and Customs procedures, the group will be met by your national guide in the arrival’s hall for the transfer to your local hotel. Check in will be around 3:00 pm so you will have some free time for lunch prior to check-in.

The Shangri-La Hotel is a gorgeous five-star property surrounded by verdant gardens and has eight restaurants and bars. They also have a spa, fully equipped gym, impressive resort-style swimming pool and poolside bar. Guest rooms have free Wi-Fi, a mini-bar, coffee & tea making facilities, personal safe, hairdryer and upscale toiletries.

This evening the group will enjoy a welcome drink and dinner at your hotel depending on your arrival time. Dinner will be shifted to the next day as needed.

Overnight:  Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur (or similar)
Meals: Dinner

All travelers will gather this morning with your national guide and receive further information on the program and today’s activities during a welcome briefing.

Late this morning the group will be immersed in a cultural and heritage tour of Kuala Lumpur. This will take you through the Heritage Trails of the early cultures – insight into Malaysia’s multi-cultural society. Stops or photo opportunities will include the Chan See Shu Yuen Clan House, one of the most interesting in the country, China Town to see the pre-war buildings, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Central Market, Jamek Mosque and the Sultan Abdul Samada Building in Merdeka Square.

Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.

Continue your journey to explore the limestone Batu Caves that are comprised of three caverns and several smaller caves. It is the shrine of Lord Murugah, a Hindu deity – a flight of 272 steps lead up to the temple cave. Another cave, called museum cave, is filled with images of deities and murals depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures.

This evening, dinner is on your own arrangement

Overnight:  Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning the group will take part in a cooking class. Start out early with a visit to a local market, followed by a hands-on experience of cooking in a Malaysian home environment using traditional stone and wooden utensils in a modern kitchen. You will cook using fresh ingredients bought from the local markets this morning. Precious family recipes passed down from generation to generation will be shared as well as the finer details of preparing the dishes.  Enjoy your creations for lunch. 

Professional members of the group will meet with their professional counterparts for an introduction to healthcare and medical systems in Malaysia. Visit a local hospital to discuss how health care is provided along with other topics of mutual interest.

Accompanying guests will have some free time back at the hotel this afternoon.

Dinner is by individual arrangement.

Overnight: Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast and time to check-out, depart for the airport for your short journey up north to the island of Penang.

Check into your hotel with some free time for lunch on your own and to get settled this afternoon.

The Royale Chulan Hotel is at the heart of the UNESCO Heritage Site in George Town. Their 4-star heritage property offers a charming fusion of history through its colonial architecture and style, and modern luxuries through unique accommodations and gourmet dining options. Part of this hotel in Penang is a beautifully restored heritage building built in 1892 that provides a charming old-world sophistication unique to Royale Chulan Penang.

Late this afternoon, you will be picked up by trishaw! Enjoy an unhurried ride on the three-wheeled pedicab, the only mode of transportation in Penang in the olden days. Your trishaw man, who generally speaks a smattering of English, will pedal you through Little India and the oldest parts of George Town and to the small lanes in the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of George Town.

Dinner will be provided at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Royal Chulan Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

 Meet your guide this morning for a morning walking tour starting at the oldest wet market in George Town offering up fresh food, inexpensive clothes and knick-knacks. Try your hand at haggling! Take in the various food stalls enjoying local snacks like Roti Bakar & Kopi O as you explore.

Continue your walking tour to St. George’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia. Next see the Goddess of Mercy Temple before passing through colorful stalls where flower garlands are made. Head onward to King street with a chance for the guide to share a brief talk on their temples as you explore.

Cut down Market Street to visit their spice shops to learn about the various uses of each spice in cooking. Make your way past food stalls for additional explanation and food sampling including Roti Canai and Teh Tarik. Exit out to Queen Street to visit the Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple, dating back to 1873, the oldest functioning temple in the city.

Your last stop is Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi to visit one of the most distinctive Chinese clan associations in Malaysia with their closely-knit and defensive congregation of buildings and magnificent clan house. Their lineage can be traced back 650 years!

Dinner will be provided at the hotel. 

Overnight: Royal Chulan Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel before checkout. Head to the airport this morning for your flight to Bangkok. There will be options in route to grab lunch (own expense).

Well known as the City of Angels, Bangkok is the present capital city and the focal point for Thailand.  It was made the capital of Thailand in 1782, by the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty. It is a vibrant city, a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center with an endless choice of sightseeing and entertainment opportunities. In addition to the many temples and historic buildings, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, the list of interesting places to visit is endless.

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport, you will be met and greeted by your local guide and transferred to the hotel. 

The Amara Hotel, located in the heart of Bangkok’s city center, offers spectacular views of the Bangkok skyline. Just a stone's throw away from the city’s main financial hubs, it is nestled in the center of the historic Bangrak district. Nearby you will find a host of restaurants, world-class bars and the colorful Patpong Night Market at your doorstep. Guest rooms have a personal safe, coffee/tea making facilities, high speed internet, minibar, iron & board and a hairdryer. The hotel has 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, gym, foreign exchange and onsite dining.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon after check-in. 

Dinner will be provided at the hotel this evening.

Overnight:  Amara Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Meet your guide this morning for a tour of some of Bangkok’s highlights.

Your first stop will be Wat Po, the most extensive and oldest temple in Bangkok. It houses the third biggest colossal reclining Buddha in Thailand. The gigantic gold-plated reclining Buddha, with inlaid mother-of-pearl housing the soles of 108 good lucks, is highly revered among Buddhists. The temple houses hundreds of chedis, the most important among all being the Chedis of the Kings, mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues that educated people on varied subjects. Time permitting, you may have an opportunity to witness the solemn atmosphere of monks chanting in its marvelous main chapel.

A visit to Bangkok is not complete without paying a visit to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple. The Temple is commonly known as Wat Phra Kaew and is part of the Grand Palace.  It was built according to traditional Thai belief from Sukhothai reign, the first capital of Thailand, in order to have a temple for royal ceremonies in the compound of the grand palace and houses the most revered Buddha statue of each era. The magnificent buildings of the Grand Palace yield a feeling of the grandeur Thai architectural style.  Constructed 220 years ago by the command of King Rama I, the founder of Bangkok, it was once the residence of the Royal Family before Chitralada Summer Palace was turned into the permanent home.

Continue to Supatra River House Restaurant for your first authentic Thai dishes in Thailand over lunch. The interior of the house is divided into several dining areas with a cozy bar and seating outdoor on the terrace. The décor is traditional architecture and the views of the river, Grand Palace, and Wat Arun are spectacular.

After lunch it’s time to experience the hidden face of Bangkok. You will board a typical long-tailed boat that will take you through Bangkok’s waterway into the complex network of Thonburi canals. You will enjoy picturesque sights and scenes of traditional Thai canal life with houses on stilts, hidden temples, floating groceries and water taxi. 

Stop this afternoon to visit the Pratthanadee Foundation, an award-winning charity, established in 2000, to provide free training for women and girls in Thailand. With a small team of local staff, an international board and a group of dedicated volunteers, they provide training, mentoring and career guidance to over 3,000 under-educated and economically disadvantaged women and girls each year. They believe in empowerment, not dependence. Their aim is to build the confidence and potential of young women from poor regions across Thailand to help them build safe and successful lives.

On the return journey, you can admire and photograph the imposing sight of the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), whose 259 feet spire with magnificent multicolored porcelain-studded towers has become the most remarkable visual identity of Bangkok, with the Chao Praya River in the foreground. 

Dinner is on your own this evening.

Overnight: 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 This morning the group will explore the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most famous in Thailand. Situated 110 km from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province, this market is like a trip back in time to the Siam of old. You will see colorfully clad merchants paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit, vegetables and other foodstuff to sell to shoppers on the canal banks. There is lots of activity and bargaining is part of the fun of the sale. This buzzing market is at its best in the early morning before the crowds arrive and the heat of the day builds up. After visiting the market, continue to Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakorn Pathom, reportedly the largest pagoda in South East Asia.

Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant.

Professional members of the group will visit a local hospital or clinic for an introduction to healthcare and medical systems in Thailand this afternoon.

Guests will have time to further explore the local markets independently this afternoon.

A moonlight farewell dinner cruise on the “River of Kings” is a must. Very few cities in the world can offer such an experience. This tour offers a combination of world-famous Thai and international cuisine served on board  as it passes some of the most iconic buildings the city has to offer. Along the route, you will see the city’s most famous buildings such as the Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn and several famous bridges, including the newly built Rama VIII Bridge. 

Overnight: Amara Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Say farewell to Thailand and travel back to Los Angeles today. Depending on your departure time, lunch is on your own arrangement this afternoon.

OR Continue you on Laos for an extended stay.

Meals: Breakfast

Professional Participants - As this Nanda Journey is focused primarily on professional development, costs associated with your participation on the program may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Consult with a tax professional to determine eligibility.

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. Comparable meetings and activities will be arranged should an itinerary change be necessary. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.

Review and download Booking Terms & Conditions HERE

Dr. Jay Popp is the Medical Staff Lead for AmSurg. He formerly served as Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of South Carolina; Director, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, University of South Carolina; and Director, Endoscopy Laboratory, Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Popp is a former president of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG); member, American Gastroenterological Association (AGA); recipient, ACG’s William D. Carey Award; and Master of the ACG, Weiss Award. 

Download EXTENSION PDF HERE

Day 01: December 11, 2022

After breakfast at the group hotel in Bangkok, you will check out and head to the local airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the local airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for the remainder of the day free to get settled. 

Surrounded by thickly forested mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm rarely found in Asia today. This fascinating town was the capital of the Lane Xang (million elephants) Kingdom until the mid-sixteenth century. In colonial times it served as a provincial headquarters of the north. The legacy of the European presence here - well preserved French architecture and careful street planning – has blended delightfully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City. Lunch is on your own today with dinner at the hotel
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Overnight:  Le Bel Air Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner

Day 02: December 12, 2022

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be met by a local guide and transferred for a half-day discovery of some of the priceless monuments around the old city, now under UNESCO protection as a World Heritage Site. Visit Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. Displayed inside is a collection of personal artifacts of the former Laotian Royal Family. Visit Wat Mano, a monk school, where you will have the opportunity to meet with young monks learning about Buddhism and Laos histories. Visit Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temple. It is characterized by its several roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive “tree of life” mosaic. For those who are interested you will have a chance to climb its 350 steps. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Next you will visit Pak Ou Buddha Cave. These caves have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed here by local people since the 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many people still pay respect to this tradition. After exploring these caves, enjoy taking a private Mekong Riverboat down the stream to Luang Prabang passing through stunning mountain scenery and traditional villages dotting the riverbank. If time and energy permit, pay a visit to the small, iconic riverside Ban Thin Hong weaving and fishing village, where you have an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about rural Lao life and handicrafts. A great photo opportunity and experience for those looking for a deeper insight into Lao Culture. You are welcomed in the village with the special, traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. ‘Baci’ plays an important role even today to welcome or say farewell, bring good luck and ward off bad spirits for any major event in the life of local people. 

After exploring the village, relax on a river cruise along the Mekong Delta to Luang Prabang with unique Lao refreshments and canapés served on board along with a choice of soft drinks. You will return to the hotel for the remainder of the day to explore independently with lunch on your own arrangement. Dinner will be provided at L’Eléphant Restaurant which offers traditional, as well as more creative, French and Lao cuisine

Overnight:  Le Bel Air Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 03: December 13, 2022
After breakfast at the hotel, head out with a local expert guide for an architectural walking tour of Luang Prabang to discover a fascinating heritage and masterful example of both colonial and Laotian architecture. Mr. Francis Engelmann is your guide on this insightful journey. Born in Paris in 1947, he is a writer and an independent consultant living in Luang Prabang and has worked closely with UNESCO over the past 10 years. He also spent two years at the Luang Prabang Conservation Authority and assisted with ‘The Quiet in the Land’ art project in Luang Prabang. Francis has lived in Asia for over 25 years and written many successful books and memoirs on his experiences here. He was deeply involved in the mission to enter Luang Prabang as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995 and is happy to answer any questions regarding this magnificent town. Embark on a cultural walking experience with Francis through one of Asia’s most pleasant and visually exquisite places. The walk is oriented towards the lesser known parts of the town including remote, charming lanes that show the traditional atmosphere of Luang Prabang.

Enjoy lunch at the Phamxai Riverside Restaurant. Return to the hotel for some free time before your dinner cruise.

The Mekong River is the perfect setting for a very special and magical evening. Luang Prabang’s most exquisite and favorite dinner cruise embarks and heads downstream to moor near a small village where traditional Lao dancers perform age old interpretations of the Ramayana, rural life, folk tales and legends while you watch the sunset with cocktails and hors d’oeurves, followed by a fully catered gourmet dinner. 
Overnight: Le Bel Air Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner

Day 4: December 14, 2022

Depart for the U.S.A today

Meals: Breakfast

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. Comparable meetings and activities will be arranged should an itinerary change be necessary. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.