Let’s discover the most remarkable destinations in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand during 26 days. How amazing you feel when moving from this place to another to learn more about their culture, tradition and customs.
Your trip begins in Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh City, the most dynamic city with friendly people and the mixture of culture. Continue exploring the culture, tradition and custom of Vietnam in the Centre and North as well. Luang Prabang will be the next destination with stunning natural surroundings and following, numerous temple sites and monuments in Vientiane.
Arriving in Phnom Penh, you will drive along the wide boulevards to see a lot of French colonial architecture shines through in fleeting glimpses. Heading to Siem Reap and see hundreds of temples within a 40 square-kilometer area. Ending your tour by capturing the best of Thailand from the Centre to the North including Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Rai and Chang Mai.
We were very impressed with our guides and drivers.....three in particular went out of their way to help (including checking us into hotels, helping us with purchases, rescuing our 7 year old from a locked toilet). It certainly made the trip much easier having the guides with us and the site visits organized in advance.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide
Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh City arrival (G)
Upon arrival, met and transferred to your hotel for check in. Then, you’ll be free. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City/Cu Chi (B, L, G)
In the morning, you’ll start your city tour including the History Museum (special exhibition of the 5thC ‘Oc Eo’ civilization), the Museum of War Remnants (very partial, but riveting, recollections of the ‘American War’: not for the squeamish).
In the afternoon, you’ll visit Cu Chi Tunnels (intricate network of underground passages and bunkers that became legendary during the 1960’s for their role in the war of liberation). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City/My Tho/Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G)
At 8:00 you’ll be picked up at our hotel to travel to My Tho. On arrival, boat cruise on Mekong river to the Thoi Son island: rowing through small canals and walking along small village road to visit fruit gardens, elementary school, spirits distilling house, and see the daily life of villagers. On your visit you’ll have chance to enjoy some of tropical fruits and traditional music show. After lunch at a local restaurant on island, you’ll continue to cruise to visit a coconut candy workshop. In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh for overnight.
Day 4 : Ho Chi Minh City/Danang/Hoi An (B, L, G)
After breakfast, you’ll be free until the driver and guide come and take you to the airport for your flight to Danang. On arrival, you’ll find the driver and guide waiting for you to take you to Hoi An. On the way, you’ll have a brief visit to Cham Museum, then continue to travel to Hoi An. After lunch, a guided visit to the Ancient Town. Overnight stay in Hoi An.
The town is an ancient trading port, once the largest in Indochina and a meeting point for many cultures that left their mark in the different architectural features of its wooden buildings.
Day 5 : Hoi An/Hue (B, G)
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Hue. On arrival, you’ll have a boat cruise to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (beside the Perfume River – very tranquil). Then, having a visit to King Minh Mang’s Tomb (the most majestic of the Royal Tombs) and drive to visit the Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue
Day 6 : Hue City tour (B, L, G)
Morning visit to the Imperial Citadel of Hue and the Antiquity Museum. Afternoon drive to visit King Tu Duc’s Tomb (the poet King, the simplest Royal tomb set in a beautiful garden) and visit to Garden Houses – (a cultural characteristic in Hue). In the evening you’ll be picked up to enjoy a Hue musical show on a boat in the Perfume River for about one hour. Overnight in Hue
Day 7: Hue/Hanoi (B, L, G)
Having a breakfast at your hotel, then, you will get the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you’ll have a city tour including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Viet Nam dating back to the 11th C), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ethnology Museum and the centre of Hanoi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the Northern Viet Nam). Overnight in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi/Halong (B, L, D, G)
A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine ‘karst’ landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower
Day 9: Halong/Hanoi (B, L, G)
Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.
Day 10 : Hanoi/Luang Prabang (B, G)
You’ll be free until the driver and guide come and take you to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, met and transfer to our hotel in city. This afternoon, we will tour Luang Prabang. Sitting at the confluence of Mekong and the Khan rivers, this is the most beautiful city in Laos. Many historical building is very well preserved and the medieval ambience also remains intact. We will visit Wat Visunalat, Wat Aham, and ascend Mt Phousy for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape. Overnight at hotel in town.
Day 11 : Luang Prabang (B, L, G)
This morning, after breakfast, we visit Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple), the city with most magnificent temple by the Mekong. From here, we catch a traditional long boat trip up the Mekong river to visit the famous Pak Ou cave. The upper section of the cave is part of a limestone cave staffed with Buddha images of all styles and sizes. En route, we will also visit Ban Phanom, a traditional weaving village. Return to city and overnight at hotel in town
Day 12 : Luang Prabang (B, L, G)
This morning, we make an excursion to the lovely Kuangsi Waterfalls. En route, we will visit Ban Xhom (traditional Lao Loum village) weaving village and the BanThapene. In the afternoon, we visit the former Royal Palace and the National Museum before having the rest of the day roaming the streets and soak in the charm of this lovely city. Overnight at hotel in town
Day 13: Luang Pabang/Vientiane (B, G)
Following breakfast at hotel. You have free time at leisure before transfer to the airport for your departure flight Vientiane. On arrival in Vientiane you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane is a laid-back capital which retains an old world feel and is a great contrast to the industriousness of other cities in Indochina. This afternoon tour the famous sights including Wat Sisaket, Vientiane’s oldest original temple, Phra That Luang, and the Patuxai monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe. Late afternoon is ideal for taking in a Mekong River sunset and a cool drink.
Day 14: Vientiane discoverer (B, L, G)
Pick up from your hotel, excursion by private car to Nam Ngum Dam on the road No. 10. On the way, stop over to visit traditional salt attraction at Ban Keun and enjoy seeing local people along the road and stricky rice wine distillation can be seen at Ban Pak Khanhung. Arrive Nam Ngum Dam and take a boat trip on the lake for one hour to delay for lunch to enjoy seeing its panoramic view. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, return to Vientiane on the No. 13 and stop over to visit the archaeological site of Vang Xang from 8-11th century and H’Mong market at Km52. Arrive Vientiane by late afternoon and transfer to hotel.
Day 15 : Vientiane/Phnom Penh (B, G)
Fly the short distance to Phnom Penh and transfer to your hotel. In the early afternoon we begin a tour of the city with an orientation of its layout and visits to Wat Phnom and the central market. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 16 : Phnom Penh (B, L, G)
After having breakfast at hotel, we contrast the impressive Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, with the chilling Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields. After a dusk cyclo tour you will have free time to explore the waterside ambience, colonial architecture, and fine restaurants of this riverside town.
Day 17 : Phnom Penh/Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor (B, L, G)
We fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the great temples of Angkor, one of mankind’s most inspiring sights. Begin our discoveries with a visit to the of the fortified city of Angkor Thom, and the eerie Bayon.
Day 18 : Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor (B, L, G)
On the morning we exploring in Siem Reap we venture into the grounds of magnificent Angkor Wat, the centerpiece attraction of the Angkor complex and a highlight of every visitor’s stay in Cambodia.
Day 19 : Outlying temples (B, L, G)
Rise early for a return sunrise visit to Angkor Wat, and discover jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm temple. We also set out on a dusk cruise of the ecological marvel, Lake Tonle Sap, and end our time in Siem Reap with a visit to some special outer temples. Have dinner in local restaurant and free time in the quaint colonial town of Siem Reap.
Day 20: Siem Reap/Bangkok (B, G)
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival, met and transferred to your hotel for check in.
In the afternoon, you’ll have a city tour, visiting highlights of Bangkok includes; Wat Phra Keo, Wat Trimit, the Golden Buddha Image. Proceed to Wat Pho or the Temple of Reclining Buddha and take a ferry to Wat Arun. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch visit to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple. Return to hotel for leisure and overnight stay
Day 21: Bangkok/Ayutthaya (B, L, G)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the boat pier to board the cruise upriver bounding for Wat Chong Lom in Nonthaburi, enjoy views on the River of Kings along the way. An International buffet lunch is served on board while cruising. Disembark the cruise and continue driving to Ayutthaya – the former capital to visit the Historical Park and its temples among them Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Phra Meru, Wat Yai Chaya Mongkol and the ancient ruins of Wat Chai Wattanaram.
Overnight in Ayutthaya
Day 22: Ayutthaya/Uthai Thani/Sukhothai (B, L, G)
Breakfast at hotel, before driving further north with an interval in Uthai Thani. Reach the provincial capital then visit the market place to experience the local lifestyle and their daily routine and Wat Chantharam (Wat Tha Sung) with its spectacular Crystal and Golden Halls.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en-route, we then take you to Sukhothai, founded in the 13th century, it was the Kingdom’s first capital. Visit Sukhothai Historical Park which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat, the park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. See the main sites of Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, War Sra Sri, Wat Trapang Ngoen and Ramkamhaeng Museum before checking into your hotel. Bike ride possible in supplement in the historical park. A nice and easy way to stroll around the ruins!
Overnight in Sukhothai
Day 23: Sukhothai/Phrae/Lampang (B, L, G)
After breakfast drive north to Si Satchanalai Historical Park on the banks of the Yom River north of Sukhothai. The ancient town, formerly called ”Muang Chaliang,” was named ”Si Satchanalai” during the reign of Phra Ruang and 134 ruined monuments have been discovered within the park. Visit the main sites including several temples, as well as the Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center at Ban Ko Noi, some 4 kilometres to the north of Si Satchanalai.
Continue to Phrae, one of Thailand’s oldest cities founded in 828 under the name Muang Phon and one of the most authentic Lana towns, Phrae is packed with traditional Thai architecture in the form of beautiful teak houses, eclectic wats and quiet lanes as well as several large colonial period teak mansions. We will spend some time visiting Vongburi House, a large two-storey teak mansion built in 1897 for a family that held a large teak concession in the area. The house has remained in the family ever since and is a living museum, full of fascinating relics of the past including documents related to the purchase of slaves. Also, visit the small silver workshop on site to see bowls and other ornaments being made.
Continue to Lampang, a large trading centre during the 19th Century. Take a horse cart ride along Taladkao Road where you can see old Thai, Chinese, British and Burmese merchant houses.
Overnight in Lampang
Day 24: Lampang/Phayao/Chiang Rai (B, L, G)
After breakfast drive up to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand. Dating back to 1486 and is believed to be one of the oldest wooden buildings in Thailand. Then continue north to Phayao situated on the scenic Kwan (Lake) Phayao. Visit the interesting local museum and the quirky Wat Analyo with its eclectic mix of religious architecture and iconography perched on a hilltop with views of the Lake.
Arrival in Chiang Rai late afternoon, visit the main market area, to get a feel for local life in Chiang Rai. Continue your visit with some of the temples of the area: Wat Phra Kaew with its beautiful brass and copper Buddha image, and Wat Rong Khun with its unique “kanok” architecture.
Overnight in Chiang Rai
Day 25: Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar (Tha khilek) border. Walk around the local market, and continue to visit Chiang Saen on the steep banks of Mae Khong River, opposite of Laos where you will see some magnificent ancient ruins and temples then drive to Sop Ruak, a small trading village and the actual point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
In the afternoon, head South-West towards Chiang Mai after a visit to Wat Rong Khun the “White Temple”. Coffee break on the way at the excellent Jarin Garden Resort famous for its homemade pies or at Cabbage and Condoms operated by the Population and Community Development Association to serve and assist the rural people. Arrive Chiang Mai late afternoon, and check in at your hotel
Overnight in Chiang Mai
Day 26: Chiang Mai departure (B, G)
In the morning, drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Climb the Naga staircase to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The sound of temple bells fills the air and the view overlooking the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity.
Afterwards drive up the mountain by “songtaew” onto a rough dirt road to the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project where you can enjoy a cup of the local ‘arabica’ surrounded by fabulous gardens of flowers. Continue to the white Hmong village of Chang Chine where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.
Afternoon, transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your departure flight.
Price includes:
Price does not include:
Hotel list for Five Star standard:
Hotel list for Four Star standard:
Hotel list for Three Star standard:
If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.
