Welcome to Southeast Asia! This 24-day adventure will take you through 3 countries – Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. During your journey, you will have the chance to see and experience stunning coastlines, emerald-green mountains, pristine National Parks, buzzing cities, slow boat rides down a river, compelling history and culture, ancient temple remains of the Khmer Empire, and some of the best cuisine in the world!

Today you will explore Bangkok with your private guide! This full-day tour combines the highlights of Bangkok City, including a visit to three impressive temples including Wat Trimit, otherwise known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which houses a 700-year-old, three-meter tall golden statue, cast from five-and-a-half tons of solid gold.

Equally spectacular is Wat Po, home to a colossal reclining Buddha and a traditional massage school. The temple garden contains a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of an original tree in India under which the Lord Buddha sat while awaiting enlightenment. The third temple we visit is Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) within the Grand Palace compound, which houses the most sacred Buddhist image in Thailand.

After a sumptuous lunch in a local restaurant, we will board a boat for a thrilling ride through the klongs of outer Bangkok to get a closer look at the rural lifestyle. Then we board a converted Rice Barge for a cruise on the bigger canals and the Chao Phraya River. Cold drinks and tropical fruits will be served onboard the barge.

Start your day at the world famous floating market of “Damnern Saduak”, which is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. There are many floating markets throughout the country, many within a couple of hours of the capital. The colorfully clad merchants at these lively markets paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruits and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks.

There is a lot of chatter and activity – bargaining is standard – that’s all part of the fun – but don’t expect to get the price down more than a few baht. From fruits and flowers to everyday needs, it leaves nothing to be desired, although it is now somewhat over commercialized.

You will visit the lively market at the best time, early in the morning, before the crowds arrive and the day’s heat breaks. This is an exciting and fun way to see the local life and to go bargain hunting. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Join us for an all-day exploration that will take us to the outskirts of Bangkok by way of famous railway and back using the ultra-modern city icon, the Skytrain. In between, pedal-power and longtail boats will bring us into the world of fascination far removed from central Bangkok and traditional tourist sites.

On this small-group tour, we will see scintillating beauty combined with amazing contrasts: modern lifestyles derived from classical traditions, Buddhist temples coexisting harmoniously with Muslim mosques, and frenetic urban sprawl giving way to gentle rural landscapes. Most importantly, you will see the many faces of Bangkok as few else have, and in a way you will not soon forget.

We drive north out of the city to the Ancient Capital City of Ayutthaya, with its interesting ruins and extensive river network.  Continue to Uthai Thani, a small town on the Sakaekrang River, rarely visited by foreign tourists where we will visit Wat Chantaram, an impressive temple with Crystal Hall and the Golden Grand Shrine.

Lunch will be at the riverside restaurant.  Afternoon, we will drive further north to Phitsanuloke, a major regional commercial center, spread along the banks of the Nan River.  Visit the much-venerated shrine of Wat Mahathat, which is home to Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha image.

After breakfast, a short drive to Sukhothai Historical Park, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Admire beautiful standing Buddha statues as you explore the many ruined temples and monasteries.  Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

This afternoon’s drive takes us further north to Chiang Mai The Rose of the North. Chiang Mai has a rich cultural and agricultural heritage and is famous for the production of high-quality handicrafts.  This evening, you will have a chance to taste the Northern dish called  Khao Soy at Just Khao Soy Restaurant.  After dinner, explore the Night Bazaar.

After breakfast, we will drive up the mountain’s winding road of Doi Suthep, where we will change vehicles to travel the remainder of the journey by Songthaew, which is pick up utility truck with a covered area and two rows of seats in the back.  We will travel by Songthaew along a rough dirt track to visit the White Hmong people in their village.  There may be a chance to visit the village school here if in session.

On the return journey, we pay a visit the temple of Wat Phra that Doi Suthep, which offers spectacular views of Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley from its mountain side location.

Return to the city for lunch at local restaurant before heading to the district of San kampaeng, home to many of Chiang Mai’s handicraft industries.

Set in a beautiful jungle setting, approximately 60-km north of Chiang Mai on the banks of the Ping River, lies the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. We will witness an enthralling display of elephant training and tricks as the trainers (mahouts) command their respective elephants to show the skills they once used in the logging industry. As the elephants no longer work in the forestry industry, this camp gives the jumbos a better way of life.

After a short elephant ride, we take to the river on bamboo rafts. To glide effortlessly and silently along the river on a bamboo raft is a wonderful experience and a great way to relax after the exhilaration of elephant riding. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. On the return to Chang Mai, we stop off to visit an orchid farm to view a variety of some of Thailand’s most exquisite blooms.

Enjoy  Kantoke dinner  in the  evening.  Kantoke  is  the  customary  northern  Thai  style  of  eating  with  the  food  being served to a great platter at low tables while you sit on mats on the floor. As you enjoy your meal, let yourself be entertained by a selection of northern Thai cultural performances.

Today you are on your own. Enjoy a day at leisure!

Today we take an educational and entertaining trip to Baan Tong Luang to meet several hill tribe groups and learn about their origins, lifestyle and cultural heritage. First, we visit the renowned Long-Neck Karen (Karen-Padung) whose female tribe members wear numerous brass rings around their neck creating an elongated appearance. We also visit a traditional Karen hill tribe village to witness the people go about their daily business as they make a living from the land, tourism, and handicrafts. Next stop, is a Lahu village and then onto a Palong village. The Palong women are distinctive for the rattan rings they wear around their waists.

This afternoon, you will be entertained on our tour that gives a great insight into the rich culture of the city. First stop is Wat Phra Singh, which houses a very old and sacred Buddha image. We then take a traditional pedal trishaw to the Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre. This is a fascinating museum that presents the history of Chiang Mai in a very interesting manner. The prehistoric facts presented with the help of multimedia images. The museum also has special rooms devoted to history, culture and Buddhism. You will feel the essence of the region as the guide explains all the sections in the museum. Visitors can also watch an orientation video about the history of Chiang Mai.

Meet our guide and transfer to airport for departure. Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport you will be met by our guide and proceed to your hotel for freshening up.

This morning, depart for a bicycling tour to visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great  Khmer Empire. You will visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting Bayon.  This 12th-century masterpiece lies at the very center of Angkor Thom City and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs, but the main features are the towers each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total.

Then, you will visit Angkor Wat, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a volume of stone equaling that of the  Cheops pyramid  in  Egypt.  It is  unlike all  the other  Khmer temples in that it faces  west and  is inspired  by  12th  Century Hinduism.  Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the modern Cambodian flag.  Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated  30  years to  build.  It is believed to have been a  funeral temple for  the king. It has  been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks and is well preserved.  Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides, and each tells a story – the guide will explain the mystical tales… Enjoy the sunset at Angkot Wat.

Return to hotel to refresh then transfer to dinner with Apsara Dance show at  Memorie  d’Angkor  Hotel (dinner is optional  /  on your account and you can choose to dine elsewhere this evening). Transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, this morning we will continue your visit to Angkor Thom and visit the Artisan d’Angkor to see wood and stone carvers at work.  Banteay Srei, located about 25 km from the central Angkor area is exceptional in many ways; it is a small complex built in the 10th century by the spiritual mentor of King Jayavarman V and dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. Unique to Banteay Srei  is  the  rare  pink  sandstone  on  which  are  exquisite  ornamental  carvings  of  gods,  demons,  coiling  serpents  and  floral garlands. Most of the bas-reliefs found on the walls depict scenes of Hindu episodes  – the Ramayana.

Last  stop  will  be Ta  Prohm where  the  jungle  has  reclaimed  the  monuments and giant tree trunks reach through the ancient stone. Here you can get a feeling of how the first European Explorers would have found the ruins.  This temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII constructed as a Buddhist monastery and enormously wealthy in  its time. Well, worth an  extended exploration of  its  dark corridors  and open  plazas.  Massive trees growing from stone towers are photo classics.

Lunch at local restaurant. In  the  afternoon,  continue  your  visit  to Prasat  Kravan; unique  brick  towers  contain  large  wall  sculptures  of  Vishnu  and Laksmi. East Mebon; it is located on an islet in the center of the Eastern Baray. The base of the temple guarded at its corners by stone figures of harnessed elephants.  Pre Rup; architecturally and artistically superior temple-mountain.  Neak Pean; this small temple  was located  in the  middle of  a  reservoir, reachable only  by boat. The temple  may have  served an  absolution function. It is encircled by two nagas and surrounded by pools laid out in a lotus pattern.  If the water is low enough, check out the animal and human head water spouts at the outside centre of each pool.  Most photogenic in the wet season when the pools are  full. Preah  Khan;  it  means sacred  sword.    Preah  Khan is  a  huge,  complex full  of carvings,  passages, and photo opportunities.

Transfer to hotel to refresh  then go to Viroth’s  restaurant for dinner (dinner is optional  /  on your account, and you can choose to dine elsewhere this evening).

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to the pier on Tonle Sap. Thirty minutes south of Siem Reap is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, cyclically swelling from 2,500 square km to more than 12,000 square km in the wet season.  Floating fishing villages dot the semi-submerged forest that lines the flood plain rim of the lake, offering an excellent place to see lakeside rural Cambodia, and a unique ecosystem rich with bird wildlife. Take a boat trip on the lake to see the floating homes and villages who earn their livelihoods from the abundance of freshwater fish directly under their homes.

Now, we’re off to Vietnam! Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport and board the flight to Saigon. Your guide will meet you as you exit the airport, and transfer you by private vehicle to the Hotel for check- in.

This morning, visit the Cu Chi where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defense against the French, and later expanded during the American war.  It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare, and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.  Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering – stairs quickly access some. We recommend good walking shoes and sun protection for this trip and advise you may get a little dirty!

Return to Saigon for late lunch at a local restaurant. Then visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum (closed every Monday), which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Visit Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the center of the city; the ‘wedding cake’ styled hotel d’ville and Dong Khoi Street, formerly the center of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat. Continue with your guide to the visit the nearby Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) where you will wander the colorful stalls and stands of this central area of local trade and commerce.

Journey south of Ho Chi Minh City by road for approximately 2.5 hours to the Mekong River town of Cai Be to board a motorized sampan for a winding introduction to life on the river. Cai Be is known for its large floating market, where displays of food produce are hung from bamboo poles over the host boat to attract custom. From here the journey continues across the upper reach of the river to a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations. Barges ply the route, overloaded with rice husks used as fuel for the regions numerous brick kilns.

You will get off the boat onto an Island to visit a pop-rice making family, a local farmer’s house, and orchard & bonsai garden. Lunch is served at a local house on one of the Islands.  Then you will continue with the boat to Vinh Long, a prosperous city in the Mekong Delta and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, passing the newly constructed My Thuan Suspension Bridge. Return to hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast,  check-out and transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for domestic flight to Danang. Upon arrival at Danang Airport; meet and transfer to hotel in Hoi An for check-in.

After breakfast  at hotel,  take a tour on  foot where you will  visit some  of the historic merchant  and community  houses, pagodas and places of worship, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, and the market.   Wander around Hoi An’s back streets and you will become aware of a soft, clattering hum.  It’s the sound of sewing machines. This little town is also home to literally hundreds of tailor shops.  Nobody will be able to tell you exactly when, how or why Hoi An became sewing central.  Many of the buildings have souvenir shops at the front, but a few have been opened to visitors and still retain  all their  original features,  furniture, and  ceramics. The same  family has  occupied some  of the  houses for generations.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, continue to drive to visit  Kim Bong Village is well known for its carpentry.  Most of Hoi An’s Old Town architecture was made by their ancestors, dating back to the town’s  heyday as a commercial port. In the 16th and 17th century, Thanh Ha was a  thriving village.  It was  famous for  earthenware that  was sold  in many  provinces throughout  Central  Vietnam.  It was Thanh Ha villagers who made the bricks, tiles and floor slabs for old buildings in Hoi An and the surrounding areas. Nowadays, many old buildings  in Hoi  An need  restoring, and the Thanh  Ha  Villagers are the only contractors that can provide materials exactly like the ones when the old port town prospered.

Take a walking tour to the pier and join a boat for a ride to Thanh Ha, observing the craft of shaping clay into vases, kettles, and cookery vessels. Sail on to Kim Bong and visit its boat building yards and see handicrafts and sculpture.

Return to Hoi An and back to your hotel!

This morning we will  take you  on a  bicycle tour  with an  experienced local  guide who  will show  you the more interesting  hidden parts  of this  beautiful town  and outlying  areas.  Everything is  guaranteed to give you a  sense of serenity. Cycle through the tiny village lanes to the river, where you can learn about the daily life of the local people.

Pass by fields of  corn,  sweet potato,  nipa,  and a  shrimp and  crab farm.  On the  way visit  houses for  worshipping ancestors and traditional craft houses. Such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons.  Lunch at Tra Que village before returning to the hotel.  Relax and enjoy the rest of your final day on the trip at leisure!

After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for domestic flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival transfer to local restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House- the magnificent 900-seat Municipal Theatre was built in 1911 and is a jewel of French colonial architecture. Originally modeled as a smaller version of the Great Paris Opera House, it was from the balcony of this wonderfully restored French colonial building that the Viet Minh-run committee of citizens announced that it had taken over the city on 16 August 1945. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums (Army, History or Fine Arts, depending on your preference).

Then enjoy a walking tour (approx. 1 hour) of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District.  This densely populated corner of the city  was once a center of  commerce where goods  were  sold under the street name of a  particular guild. Still a  thriving community of  sellers today,  you will  see street  names such as Sugar  Street,  Tin  Street, and  Paper  Street.  Ancient homes  and temples are interspersed with stories in this souvenir hunter’s paradise!

Early this evening, your cyclo (pedicab) awaits you for transfer to the theater where the ancient and unique art form of water puppetry  is enacted. The  ‘stage’  is a  pool of  water in  which the  hidden puppeteer  must stand  (waist deep!)  to skillfully manoeuvre dancing puppets attached to bamboo poles on its surface.  Each short skit in the performance relates to the daily life  of  the  people,  and featured are  scenes  such as  ‘Returning  from  School after Graduation’  and  ‘Rearing Ducks and  Chasing Foxes’.

After breakfast,  visit Ho Chi Minh’s complex. Visit outside of the Mausoleum. The tomb is monumental,  built of marble, granite, and precious wood. Behind the Mausoleum is Ho Chi  Minh’s  house. The simple house where  Ho  Chi  Minh lived and worked is made of wood and enjoyed a  tranquil setting,  with a  view of  a lotus pond. Ho Chi Minh’s belongings are on  display and  visitors can  walk up  the steps  of his  house to  see his bedroom.  Close by,  you will see a famous pagoda  built in the  11th  Century named  the One  Pillar  Pagoda.

There is  also time to  visit the impressive  Ho Chi Minh Museum, which is located in the same complex. Continue to visit the  Temple of Literature  (the  Van  Mieu  Pagoda)  founded in  1070.  An excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture, the pagoda housed Vietnam’s first university which was established in 1076 to educate the sons of Mandarins.  The temple,  dedicated to  Confucius,  consists of  5  walled courtyards leading to a  pavilion where  82 stelae of an original 117 record the names and places of birth of successful candidates of the grueling mandarin examinations from  1498 to 1787, the years of the Ly dynasty. The stelae sit on the backs of giant turtles, symbol of longevity; these emblems along with the crane, another creature denoting longevity, are also found in the main red-lacquered temple nearby.

Lunch at  Wild  Rice  Restaurant – one of  Hanoi’s  most highly regarded restaurants,  serving modern  Vietnamese cuisine with regional influences. Wild  Rice is located in an art-deco style building with modern  Vietnamese décor and is sometimes frequented by high-end tour groups due to its excellent reputation.

This afternoon,  visit  Thay and  Tay  Phuong  Pagodas-  rich in  Buddhism, the north of Vietnam is home to the country’s most colorful and revered pagodas and temples. Located  40 kilometers southwest of  Hanoi lies the  Thay Pagoda  (Master’s  Pagoda). While a  temple is a  place worships the dead; a  pagoda is a  place to worship the  Lord Buddha.  Thay Pagoda is widely known for its finely carved statues in lacquer and gold of Buddha in his past and present form and its colorful Buddhist ceremonies performed here during auspicious dates of the Lunar calendar. Water puppetry is also occasionally carried out in the courtyard of the pagoda, but this is limited to festivals and holiday periods. Only  6  kilometers further away lies  Tay  Phuong  Pagoda situated at the top of a small hillock.  Built in 1794 the pagoda is famous for its vast display of finely carved wooden statues of former monks from the 18th Century.

Note: From here we journey as the locals do – on the humble bicycle!! Cycle through local farms, rice fields, and villages and come close to day to day life in this lovely rural region of Vietnam.  We can guarantee this will be the highlight of your travels!

Depart Hanoi to Ha Long this morning for a two-night cruise on the Bay! En route there will be a  short stop at the  Sao  Do center run for and by physically challenged children. On your arrival in Halong Bay, you are transferred by tender to the beautiful luxury junk boat. Once settled  in, you start  your cruise  around the  majestic Halong Bay while enjoying a delicious lunch. Drinks are available for sale on board.

After lunch, you have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Eventually, the captain will find a secluded spot where you can swim in the clear water of the bay, and soak up the sun on the top deck. In the evening the cook prepares a sumptuous meal as the boat weighs anchor in the heart of the bay. For those who are interested, there is the opportunity to do some night fishing.

This morning,  you will continue cruising on the bay until 10:30  and then return to the pier.  After disembarking the junk,  the waiting vehicle will meet and transfer you back to Hanoi, the journey of about 3.5 hours and transfer directly to Hanoi Airport to meet your international flight home.