Day 1: Arrive Hanoi – the capital city
Upon arrival at the airport, our guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Enjoy your free time to wander around the bustling streets and hidden alleys of the old Hanoi. In the evening you could stroll down the Walking street and night market to feel the ambience of Hanoi by night.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay overnight cruise (B,L,D)
This morning, depart Hanoi through the Red River Delta for Halong Bay (3.5 hours driving). Upon arrival, embark on the cruise then start cruising among the limestone islands. Keep cruising to the quiet area while enjoy breath-taking seascape along the way, until enjoy sunset party on sundeck and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Dinner is served around 19.00 then it’s time for you to socialize with other guests, to take part in board games, fishing for squid or just to laze around.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise
Day 3: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
Early this morning, start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt. Then, breakfast will be served on board while you immerse into the peaceful morning of Halong Bay. After check out of your cabin, continue your cruise exploring the Bay. While heading back to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration and participate in the cooking class before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Disembark around 12.00 then your driver will wait for you to take you back to your hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 4: Story of Hanoi (B,L)
Full day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his traditional stilt house and the revered One-Pillar Pagoda. After that, visit Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Have lunch with Pho bo Hanoi or Hanoi Noodle soup with beef and served with Hanoi flavorful spring roll.
In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum where you can learn about the customs and culture of Vietnam’s 54 diverse ethnic groups.
Finish your day with a walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best-kept secrets, a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find café is one of the few left in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that we will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city centre below. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits! Return to your hotel later this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Fly to Bangkok (B,L)
You will be collected from your hotel for a private transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok. Meet & transfer with your guide upon arrival, and transfer to your hotel in the city centre.
Bangkok with endless high rise buildings, busy expressway flyovers, colorful advertising billboards and heavy traffic might be all to describe Bangkok city. Yet in between the skyscrapers and sophisticated shopping centers, there are still remarkable temples, pagodas, spirit houses and historic sites.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 6: Experience Bangkok as a local (B,L)
This morning, meet your guide at the hotel reception at 8:00am, then head to Tha Thien Pier starting with a visit of Wat Pho, one of the biggest reclining Buddhas in Thailand. You will likely hear the monk's morning chanting ritual emanating from the main hall during your visit. Then continue walking to Wat Phra Keo, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and one of the most respected temples in Thailand. Next stop is the Grand Palace, home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I. For a bit of adventure, ride a Thai tuk-tuk to visit Wat Saket and climb the Golden Mountain, which offers an incredible view over Bangkok. Travel aboard a "Sam Saeb" taxi boat to discover the Jim Thompson house, home of the famous founder of Jim Thompson Thai Silk. One last ride by BTS (Sky Train) or taxi to return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 7: Bangkok – Fly to Chiang Rai (B,L)
This morning, take a short flight up north to Chiang Rai. Upon arrive, our guide will pick you up and transfer to your hotel for check in. Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the boat pier for long tailed boat ride. The journey begins with an excitement boat ride along the Me Kok River, stipping at a Karen Hilltribe village. The Karen has been acknowledged elephant keeper / trainers for centuries. You will notice that their woman folk are adorned with colorful accessories. Along the way, you will also catch glimpses of river lives and scenic sites spread with rich fauna and flora. Arrive at Karen, ride elephant from elephant camp across the Maekok River to Hot Spring. / Dinner at Local restaurant
Overnight in Chiang Rai
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Day 8: Chiang Rai - Full Day City Orientation & Local Life (B,L)
Visit Chiang Rai City to see local lives and visit to one of the oldest temples in Chiang Rai, Wat Phra Kaew. Then continue to ‘Rai Mae Fah Luang’ it was originally developed as a centre of educ ation and youth development extending scholarship programs sponsored by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation to disadvantaged students from impoverished communities in remote areas of the country.
The last class of the Foundation’s Remote Area Student Program is due to celebrate their graduation in 2004. With its original founding mission successfully accomplished, Rai Mae Fah Luang enters the next phase, completing the transition from education and youth development to its new role as a cultural centre and a centre of Lanna studies dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna heritage.
Afterwards, visit ‘Wat Rong Khun’ - is a unique temple which filled with delicate details and predominantly in white. It is established by a well-known Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who had accumulated fund over 20 years from selling his paintings. “I intend to create the replica of the magnificent and resplendent heaven.” The artist says. The temple is materialized based on the artist’s imaginaries and vision.
Visit the infamous Golden Triangle renowned for centuries as the centre as the centre of the opium trade. From a hill top viewpoint, marvel at the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak and forming the actual ‘Triangle’ with Laos Burma and Thailand. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand. This is the perfect spot to observe boarder life, as Mae Sai is one of the very few official land crossings between Thailand and Burma. Many Burmese come over during the day from Thalkhilek to work or do business, hurrying back before sunset. Burmese lacquer ware, gems, jade and other goods from Laos and Burma are sold in shops along the main street. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai
Day 9: Houeisay – Pakbeng (CRUISE DOWNSTREAM THE MEKONG RIVER) (B,L)
From 01 Nov to 30 Apr: Departs every Monday, Thursday & Friday
***Departs as well every Sunday with Pakou 1 (Steel boat)
From 01 May to 30 Sep: Departs every Monday & Friday
From 01 - 31 Oct: Departs every Monday, Thursday & Friday
***No operation from 01 - 30 June
Transfer from your hotel in Chiang Rai to Houeisay border for boarding Luang Say cruise. Luang Say riverboat leaves Houeisay pier at 09.00AM for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes at Ban Gon Durn (Tai Leu) weaving village along the Mekong. A buffet lunch is served on board. The boat arrives at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for overnight stay. Dinner is served at terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Luangsay Lodge
Day 10: Pakbeng - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang (B,L)
(Optional) In the morning, visit the morning market of Pakbeng village where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. Boat departs at 08.30AM for her second part of trip
The boat has a stop at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol. Lunch is served on board. Upon arrival at Pak Ou village at the mouth of Nam Ou River, boat stops for a trip to visit Tam Ting Caves of thousand Buddha"s", arriving Luang Prabang (UNESCO world heritage town) before sunset ~ 16.00.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 11: Luang Prabang city tour – Kuang Si Waterfall (B,L)
After breakfast, start visiting this sacred city of temples with a visit to the National Museum (closed on Tue), the former Royal Palace housing a collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts from foreign dignitaries. Other must-see places include Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple that served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple said to be the most beautiful temple in town, epitomizing all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. Following pay a visit to the beautiful temple of Aham.
We continue driving toward the Kuang Si waterfalls- 35km from Luang Prabang. This drive is a bit more challenging as we go up and down the hills. Eventually, we enter a national park where we can walk around to see the waterfall or swimming in the transparent water. And on the way stop at a Hmong village to learn something of one of Laos’s most significant ethnic minorities. It is also an ideal venue for local families to rest at the weekend. Back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 12: Luang Prabang – Siem Reap (B,L)
After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrive in Siem Reap, be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day strolling down the busting pub street and vibrant night market of Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 13: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples by tuk tuk (B,L)
Spend a full day exploring the fascinating temples of Angkor on a tuk tuk – a popular vehicle used by the local, a fun and breezy way to travel. Be awestruck by Angkor Wat, marvel at the smiling faces of Bayon and the tree entwined temple of Ta Prohm, that featured in the movie Tomb Raider. You’ll also see the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of Leper King, the pyramid shaped Phimeanakas and watch the sunset from the top of Pre Rup. All the main highlight temples are covered so you won’t miss a thing! This evening take your free time to wander the old market area of the town with its labyrinth of lanes filled with boutiques, galleries, cafes and small bars. It’s the place to be after dark!
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 14: Siem Reap – Hidden temple of Beng Mealea - Floating village on Tonle Sap Lake (B,L)
Today you’ll travel to the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. Constructed by Suryavarman II in the 12th century, the builder of Angkor Wat, the forest has run riot here and it is hard to get a sense of the monument’s shape amid the formidable ruins.
This afternoon, drive to the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake and embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on wooden stilts. The community has about 3,000 inhabitants who farm fish and vegetables on floating platforms. During your visit, your boat will take you through mangrove forests, a unique ecosystem that survives on flooded soil for months. Mangroves are also hosts for a variety of wildlife; keep an eye out for birds and especially the crab-eating macaques!
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 15: Siem Reap – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
This morning, take your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City – also known as Saigon by many locals. Arrival, our guide and driver will welcome you and take you to the hotel in city centre. The balance of the day is free at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16: Story of Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels (B,L)
Today, meet up with our guide at your hotel’s lobby, set out for a half day city tour around Ho Chi Minh City - the former capital of French Indochina. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon post office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House. Continue your tour by visiting the Reunification Palace which was used as the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war in the 60s. After that visit the ethnic Chinese district of Cholon with Binh Tay market.
This afternoon, set out to the countryside to visit the amazing tunnel network of Cu Chi (60km - 1.5 hours driving). This incredible system, covering almost 250km in length was shelter to over 16,000 Vietcong guerrillas during the wars. Initially started in 1948 to provide shelter against the French air and ground sweeps, the network went on to serve as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living quarters for Vietnamese fighters throughout the American war. If you are interested (and game) you can even descend into the tunnels to learn more about the harsh conditions faced by Vietcong guerrillas who lived there. Return to your hotel later this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City departure (B)
You will be collected from your hotel for a private transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Meal: Breakfast
Tour ends.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
