Day 1: Bangkok Arrival
Pick up upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and transfer to the hotel in the city. Welcome to Thailand, the land of smiles. Bangkok is the financial, political and cultural capital of Thailand, located in the centre-south of the country, in the heart of a fertile rice-growing region. Bisected by the Chao Phraya River, which is overlooked by all the major palaces, Buddhist temples and luxury hotels, Bangkok is seventh heaven for those who love their food and their shopping. Overnight at hotel in Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok Temple Tours
This half-day sightseeing tour in Bangkok will allow you the opportunity to explore the Grand Palace complex, which houses a number of attractions including Wat Phra Keow (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and then we will proceed to see Wat Traimit, Wat Pho and Wat Benchamabophit. A Wat is a Buddhist building where both men and women can be ordained as monks or nuns. Wat Traimit is also known as the temple of the Golden Buddha. The 3 meter tall statue is made from solid gold and weighs 5.5 tons and is a fine example of Sukhothai style art. You will then pass through Chinatown on your way to Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha. At 46 meters in length and 15 meters high the Buddha is the largest in Bangkok and illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. Your last stop is at Wat Benchamabophit, or the marble temple. This magnificent monastery was built out of white Italian marble from Carrara in the late 19th century. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 3: Bangkok Sightseeing tours & Dinner cruise
Those that love architecture and buildings or are interested in local culture will be fascinated by the Jim Thompson house and the Vimanmek Palace, two of the finest Thai residences to be found in Thailand today. The Jim Thompson House is the former home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who returned to live in Bangkok after the Second World War. Continue to amazing Vimanmek Palace, the largest teakwood building in the world. The former home of King Rama V, the palace fell into disuse until it was restored in the 1980s and today it is a fascinating museum reflecting the Thai heritage from the dramatic reign of King Rama V. A fantastic way to end your day in Bangkok, this relaxing dinner cruise aboard one of Bangkok’s luxurious restaurant boats will take you through the heart the city along the Chao Phraya River past wonderful night time views of illuminated temples and sparkling skyscrapers. As you relax in modern comfort and dine on a variety of local, regional and international dishes you will pass landmarks like the Temple of Dawn, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace. Transfer back to hotel and stay overnight at hotel in Bangkok. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 4: Bangkok – Luang Prabang
Morning flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang was the royal capital of the former Lane Xang Kingdom, with its gleaming temple roofs, colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop retains a unique charm rarely found in all Asia. Here is plenty to see, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai with five tiered roofs. We include these sights in a half day guided tour, which ends with a climb to Phousi Hill to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 5: Luang Prabang Sightseeing
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. Later, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. In the afternoon, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 6: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
Fly out to Siem Reap and you will be picked up by our local tour guide and transfer to hotel for check-in. Free and overnight in Siem Reap. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 7: Siem Reap – Angkor Tours
Today we will visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon Temple (the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 8: Siem Reap Angkor Tours
In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, then, visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples. Stay overnight in Siem Reap. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 9: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Fly to Phnom Penh by morning flight. Afternoon sightseeing tours around the city to visit visit Visit Genocidal Museum “Tuol Sleng” and then we will visit the Victory Monument and the National Museum, the Royal Palace, built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town, and Silver Pagoda, which located within the Royal Palace ground. You will then end your tour with a visit to Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of the city during sunset. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 10: Phnom Penh – Chau Doc
We will take express boat downstream to the Mekong River to reach Chau Doc in An Giang Province of Vietnam. Free at leisure and stay vernight at hotel in Chau Doc. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 11: Chau Doc – Can Tho
In the morning, we will take a boat trip to visit fish farms where fish are bred in wooden cages suspended under floating houses on the river. Continue by boat to visit a village of stilt houses belonging to the Cham minority where colourful traditional textiles are woven on old wooden looms. Continuing drive to Can Tho. Overnight at hotel in Can Tho. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 12: Can Tho – Sai Gon
Early morning board for a 3-hour cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien, 2 big floating markets with stops at a Bun Tau noodle factory and a short trek before arriving at a rice-husking mill. You can even try passing one of the many fragile monkey bridges along the canals photo shot. At the floating markets, you will discover a typical way of displaying and advertising farm products of local people gathering on the Mekong river to trade their goods. Drive back to Saigon with a lunch stop at My Tho. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 13: Sai Gon Sightseeing & Cu Chi Tunnels
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district, and Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival in Cu Chi district, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities and a visit to a rice paper making factory at Tan Phu Trung Village. Experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. Continue to drive another an hour and half from Cu Chi towards Tay Ninh to visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, and attend the noon time service with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail; photo opportunities during the ceremony. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive back to Saigon and arrive at 4 pm. Free at leisure for the rest of day. Overnight in Saigon. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 14 : Sai Gon – Hoi An
At Leisure and then you will be taken to the airport to take 1 hour flight to Danang City, famous for China Beach and the former R&R for US servicemen. Pick up upon arrival and transfer to Hoi An. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. At leisure for the rest of day and overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 15: Hoi An Sightseeing
Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarters to see the town's landmarks of Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, Phuc Kien Temple and then we take a river trip and you will enjoy the scenery along the Thu Bon River and the general view of Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit ceramic village of Thanh Ha, carpentry village of Kim Bong and Dai Chiem Estuary. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 16: Hoi An At Leisure
Free at leisure in Hoi An for shopping or relaxing. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast
Day 17: Hoi An – Danang - Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi from Danang City. Our tour guide will meet and greet you upon arrival to Hanoi City- the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with tranquil Restored Sword Lake at its heart. North of the lake are the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, each street named after the trade that used to take place there. Much of the city was transformed by the French when it became a French protectorate in the 1880s and there are wide boulevards and large colonial buildings which are now home to government departments and foreign embassies. Transferring to your hotel in the city center to refresh. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 18: Hanoi city tours
Full day city tour to visit landmarks and other the major interesting sites like Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature "Vietnam's 1st University built in the 10th C". Break time for lunch and we will visit the Vietnam National History of Museum with good collection of prehistoric artifacts and everyday items of early history through eras and dynasties. Then we will take 1 hour by cyclo ride through Hanoi's Old Quarters to experience daily life of people who are living in the oldest parts of the city, Enjoying the famous traditional water puppetry show in Thang Long Theatre where you will have chance to get a general picture of the daily activities typical to Vietnam's rural areas. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 19: Hanoi – Halong bay
Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 20: Halong - Hanoi
Waking up and enjoy the sun rising over the Bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Transfer back to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi City. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Day 21: Hanoi Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure flight. End of service. Meals: Breakfast
