18 day Indochina & Thailand

Hanoi – Arrival
Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your representative will greet and transfer you to your hotel for check in. You will then have the opportunity to take a tour around the bustling city of Hanoi, also known as the ‘Paris of the East’ with its golden ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic lakes! The remainder of the afternoon and evening is then spent at your leisure.

Overnight: Le Jardin Haute Couture – Superior Room (or similar)

Hanoi – City Tour
After breakfast, you begin a guided tour of Hanoi city that includes the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Presidential Palace which is the mausoleum of the country’s founder. We then visit the other popular attractions in Hanoi; The Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and The One Pillar Pagoda, which was built when Hanoi was founded a millennium ago!

Your Hanoi tour then continues with a visit to the famous Temple of Literature, which is widely regarded as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, we visit the always-impressive Ethnology Museum, which is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. You will next proceed to the tranquil lake of Hoan Kiem which is the location of the famed Water Puppet Theatre, where we will then watch a traditional Vietnamese Water Puppet Show that we know you will love!

Overnight: Le Jardin Haute Couture – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
After breakfast at the hotel, you are then collected to commence the journey to stunning Ha Long Bay, enjoying natural landscapes along the way.

Once you arrive, the voyage will begin with a short cruise briefing. Enjoy a delicious meal as you cruise around the limestone islands. Take a small sampan around the hidden bays surrounding the Luon Cave. Cruise to Ti Summit Island, where you can swim or relax on the beach, or climb to the summit for a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Enjoy the sunset while eating dinner. After dinner, simply relax with an overnight aboard. Note: The cruise schedule will be detailed once the tour has been confirmed.

Overnight: Onboard Cruise Ship – Deluxe Oceanview Cabin
Meals: Breakfast (at hotel), Lunch, & Dinner (onboard cruise)

Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An
Start the day with a Tai Chi class and breakfast at sunrise. Explore the breathtaking Sung Sot Cave then continue your cruise by visiting the Ba Hang fishing town, Dog Islet and more. Watch the culinary cooking demonstration on your way back to the harbor before eating brunch. Check out of the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi.

You will then be collected and transferred to the airport for your journey to Danang where, upon arrival be transferred to your accommodation in Hoi An.

Overnight: Hoi An Historic Hotel – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast/Brunch (on cruise)

Hoi An
Today embark on a city tour of Hoi An, with it’s historic architecture is a remarkable blend of Vietnamese traditional buildings with Chinese and Japanese influences. There is a lot to see in this charming town, including the famed Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, and the busy market.

Despite the lovely environment, many people consider the food to be the highlight of their vacation to Hoi An; make sure to ask your guide for a recommendation!

Overnight: Hoi An Historic Hotel – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast (at hotel)

Hoi An – Ba Na Hills
Start with breakfast at the hotel, following which your guide will pick you up and take you to the Ba Na Hills. You will arrive at the cable car station, and enjoy the view in your cabin in mid-air, looking out at the forest’s infinite tree line. The pristine biological system of Ba Na Mountain will leave you with a sense of unexpected discovery.

First visit Le Jardin, historic wineries resembling French villas, and the Linh Ung pagoda, which houses a 27-meter-high Buddha statue. Leave Le Jardin for Gare Debay, the second cable car station, to reach the top of Ba Na. Visit and play games in Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park, the world’s third largest indoor amusement park (some games are free). In the afternoon, climb Chua Mountain’s 4, 878 ft peak. Enjoy the panoramic view of Da Nang from the summit of Ba Na Hills. Then visit Golden Bridge.  Return to the cable car station and transfer to Da Nang. Return to the hotel in the later afternoon and enjoy some free time.

Overnight: Hoi An Historic Hotel – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast (at hotel)

Hoi An – Danang – Hue
Today transfer to the train station for your travel to Hue (soft and window seats with air conditioning). Crossing the twisting Hai Van pass, with breathtaking views of the mountains and jungle on one side, and beautiful tropical beaches and the sea on the other. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel to check in.

Overnight: Park View Hotel – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast (at hotel)

Ancient Hue
Take a morning boat journey on the tranquil Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda before driving to Emperor Tu Duc’s beautiful mausoleum.

In the afternoon, tour the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, which were built in the nineteenth century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy some retail therapy at Dong Ba Market before returning to the hotel.

Overnight: Park View Hotel – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Hue – Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Saigon is a lively and ever-changing city where elegant skyscrapers tower over incense-infused temples and motorcycles control the streets. The traditional European-style landmarks include Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the grandiose City Hall, and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of the recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, which was memorably assaulted by tanks in 1975. We’ll see all of the city’s great attractions and have time to shop the stalls at the lively Ben Thanh Market.

Overnight: Alagon Saigon Hotel and Spa – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
After breakfast, your tour guide will greet you at your hotel before taking you to My Tho via bus. Enjoy the beauty and lush rice paddies on the one-and-a-half-hour bus ride. We’ll stop by the Vinh Trang pagoda, the largest in the Mekong Delta.

Continue to My Tho, where you will take a boat tour down the Mekong River to observe fish cages and floating dwellings. The boat transports you to a tiny canal, away from the rush and bustle of the town. You will disembark on a coconut island in Ben Tre and take a walk around the community. Stop by a local family’s home to sample tropical fruit, honey tea and wine, and listen to villagers sing Vietnamese traditional music. Visit the coconut candy shop to learn how to manufacture sweets and see handicrafts created from coconuts. Take your time for some photos and to admire the natural landscape before traveling to the nearby restaurant. Lunch is prepared with distinctive Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy your meal outside in the shade of the trees. After lunch, spend some time relaxing, wandering around the village, or going for a short bike ride. Travel back to Saigon in the evening.

Option 2:
After breakfast at the hotel, you will go to the famed Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi, located 37 miles from Saigon, is currently a famous tourist destination for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors; the network of almost 124 miles of tunnels became legendary after playing an important part in the War. The tunnels were once functional underground cities, complete with numerous trap doors, carefully designed dwelling sections, storage facilities, weapons manufacturers, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, ducks and water buffaloes coexist peacefully in the waterways alongside the road.

Begin your trip in the morning; before entering the tunnels, tourists can see a brief introduction movie about how the tunnels were built. You’ll spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, have tea and cassava (guerrilla food during the war) and then return to the city center.

Overnight: Alagon Saigon Hotel and Spa – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast (at hotel) & lunch (local restaurant)

Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh
You are free till your transfer to the airport to fly to Phnom Penh. When you arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport, go through immigration, collect your luggage, and head straight to the exit gate, where your representative will be waiting. After self-introduction, you will be transferred immediately to your hotel in the city to check in. It’s now time to freshen up, relax at the hotel and enjoy your night as you please.

Overnight: Anik Palace – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Breakfast is served at the hotel, and then take a challenging cyclo ride (rickshaw) along the riverfront for a fantastic morning highlight of Phnom Penh Capital toward Independent Monument, where we stop to take some beautiful photos before continuing the ride to stroll around Central Market to see bustling local trades. After finishing the cyclo ride at the Royal Palace, you will walk to the Royal Palace, which is a complex of structures that serves as the royal house for Cambodia’s King and is admired by the spectacular Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles, as well as numerous Royal Stupas, shrines, and monuments.

Return to the hotel for refreshments and a break. Simply enjoy the remainder of your free time in Phnom Penh until you are picked up from the hotel lobby to transfer to Siem Reap by Giant Ibis bus. When you arrive at the bus station, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Somadevi Angkor – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat
After breakfast, you will visit Angkor Thom’s South Gate, which is topped by 4 huge faces that signify compassion, sympathy, equanimity, and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple, which has over 200 stone smiling faces and is surrounded by intriguing temples such as Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the terrace of the leper king, and the terrace elephant.

Continue your journey to Ta Prohm temple, which is studded with magnificent, wonderful tree roots and served as the filming location for Lara Croft’s Tomb  Raider. Afternoon, you will continue to see the magnificent Angkor Wat, which was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is the world’s largest unparalleled monument. Angkor Wat, built by Surya Varman II in the 12th century, is regarded as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations and a must-see in your lifetime. Your tour guide will teach you about the astounding history, ancestral incredible, architectural wonders, and the greatest carvings that date back to the Khmer Empire, which occupied the majority of Southeast Asia.

Overnight: Hotel Somadevi Angkor – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Grand Circuit
After breakfast we visit Banteay Srei, also known as ‘the Woman’s Citadel’ which is a modest, charming temple that is one of the pearls of this amazing city. Built in the eleventh century from of red sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This is the most Indian of all the temples in Angkor, and H.W. Ponder describes it as “a fairy palace in the heart of an immense and mysterious forest.”

You will also visit Banteay Samre, an Angkor Wat-style Hindu temple built in the early 12th century by Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II. The temple is named after the Samré, an ancient Indochina people, and is built with the  same materials as Banteay Srei.

Return to your hotel to freshen up. This afternoon, you will go overland to view the Grand Circuit’s highlights, which include: Preah Khan, which means The Sacred Sword, was also erected by Jayawarman VII and is well-known for its extremely long cruciform corridors and intricate sculptures. Neak Pean – This temple is a beautiful example of Khmer art. Jayavarman VII built this temple, which is a perfect portrayal of the skies on Earth.

Overnight: Hotel Somadevi Angkor – Superior Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Siem Reap – Bangkok
Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight: Nouvo City Hotel – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Bangkok – City Tour
Start the day early to witness the monk’s morning chanting ritual. After this experience, visit the temple grounds of Wat Po and the famous 147.6 ft reclining Buddha. Wander through the temple grounds, exploring the various chedis (stupas), pavilions, and courtyards.

Next visit Wat Phra Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).Admire the Emerald Buddha statue and the intricate murals depicting the Ramakien story. Stroll through the palace gardens and take in the beautiful  landscaping and architecture. Explore the Grand Palace grounds, including the Outer Court, Middle Court, and Inner Court. Don’t miss the impressive Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.

You will then take a ferry across the river to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Admire the stunning central prang (tower) and it’s intricate porcelain decorations. Wander through the temple grounds, visiting the Ordination Hall and other smaller prangs.  Here you will board a traditional longtail boat where you will cruise through the Chao Phraya River and enter the intricate network of the canals (klongs). Navigate through Thonburi’s serene canals, observing local life and stilt houses before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Nouvo City Hotel – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Bangkok – Mae Klong Railway Market – Jim Thompson House
Today after breakfast, you will arrive at the Mae Klong Railway Market, also known as the “Umbrella Pulldown Market.” Experience the unique sight of vendors swiftly retracting their goods and awnings as the train passes through the market. Spend some time exploring and shopping for fresh produce, seafood, and local snacks. You will then take a short drive to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market for a traditional long-tail boat ride through the bustling canals. Witness vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and local delicacies from their boats. Enjoy some free time to shop for souvenirs and sample Thai street food before transferring back to Bangkok.

Finally, you will visit the Jim Thompson House, in the heart of Bangkok’s city center. Here you will start by learning the story of the American businessman and traveler, who made it his life’s work to bring Thai silks to the world’s fashion houses. You also have the opportunity to explore his remarkable home! This is one of the best places in Bangkok to see traditional Thai teak homes, as Thompson assembled his using historic houses shipped to Bangkok from around the country. Find out what is known — and what remains a mystery — about Thompson’s 1967 disappearance in the Malaysian jungle, then explore the collection of art that he assembled during his 25 years in Thailand.

Overnight: Nouvo City Hotel – Deluxe Room (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Bangkok – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight home or for your onward travels elsewhere.

Note: Check out time is 12:00pm
Meals: Breakfast