Overview
This tour program offers a comprehensive exploration of four Southeast Asian countries: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. You will experience the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical landmarks of these diverse and fascinating destinations. You will visit ancient temples, royal palaces, colonial cities, rural villages, and stunning landscapes. You will also enjoy authentic cuisine, local markets, and traditional arts and crafts.
Trip Highlights
- • In Thailand, you will discover the vibrant capital of Bangkok, where you will see the impressive Wat Pho temple and the colorful flower market. You will also travel to the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, where you will admire the ruins of former kingdoms. In Chiang Mai, you will have the opportunity to explore the hub of northern Thai culture and enjoy various eco-tour options.
- • In Laos, you will visit the charming town of Luang Prabang, where you will see the exquisite Wat Xiengthong temple and the former Royal Palace. You will also take a guided city tour in Vientiane, the laid-back capital of Laos. You will also explore the mysterious Plain of Jars, the scenic Song river, and Vang Vieng, a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
- • In Vietnam, you will experience the highlights of Hanoi, the capital city with a blend of French and Vietnamese influences. You will also cruise along the spectacular Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with thousands of limestone islands. You will also visit Hue and Hoi An, two historic cities that showcase the imperial and colonial legacy of Vietnam. Finally, you will end your tour in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest and most dynamic city in Vietnam.
- • In Cambodia, you will start your journey in Phnom Penh, the capital city that witnessed the tragic history of the Khmer Rouge regime. You will visit the S-21 prison and the killing fields to learn about the genocide that took place in the 1970s. You will also see the Royal Palace and the National Museum to appreciate the royal and artistic heritage of Cambodia. You will then travel to Siem Reap, where you will explore Angkor Wat and other magnificent Khmer temples that date back to the 9th-15th centuries.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrive Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok where you’ll meet our representative and have an orientation meeting to prepare for our tour. In the evening we can go out for dinner together and get to know each other.
Day 2 :
Bangkok City Tour
We’ll enjoy a ride on a longtail boat, cruising the canals of Bangkok to reach Wat pho where we’ll have a guided tour. Wat Pho is the biggest temple in Bangkok, it has Bangkok’s biggest reclining Buddha which is 15 meters high and 46 meters long and it also showcases the largest collection of Buddha images in the country. This temple is one of the best examples of Thai – Chinese decorations and architecture. It is also home to ‘the’ Thai massage and traditional Thai pharmacology school, stemming back a long time. After our visit we’ll make our way to the flower market to observe the trading in fresh flowers and spices. These are the must sees in Bangkok and will give you a good perspective of Thai life.
Day 3 :
Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai
This morning we drive to Ayutthaya, the ancient Thai capital that has been enlisted as world heritage since 1991, to enjoy a guided tour to see Wat Pra Sri Sanphet, Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Mahathat.
Wat Pra Sri Sanphet used to be the king’s palace and state temple. In 1767 the Burmese army invaded and burned down the city, melting the golden Buddha into nuggets to take back to Burma.
Wat Yai Chaimongkol, with its 67 meter high pagoda being the tallest in Ayutthaya, was built to announce Ayutthaya’s regained independence after the Burmese were defeated by prince Naresuan’s army mid-16th century. Wat Mahathat has the biggest pagoda foundation in Ayutthaya and used to house Buddha relics which are now kept in Bangkok. You can find a Buddha head embedded in the Bodhi tree in this temple. After lunch we’ll travel to Siam’s first capital (1238) Sukhothai where we will stay overnight
Day 4 :
Sukhothai - Chiang Mai
We will enjoy a guided tour to the great remains and ruins of the first capital of Siam (1238 – 1350) “Sukhothai”. The Thai alphabet as we know it today was founded here, before this time many different scripts were used throughout the country. After lunch we’ll drive north for about 4 ½ hours to reach Chiangmai, rose of the north
Day 5 :
Chiang Mai - Elephants and City Tour
We’ll visit the world’s largest elephant camp which subsidizes and contributes to many animals’ welfare programs. Here we can see what elephants are capable of. We will then continue to go bamboo rafting along a small river lined with fruit-plantations growing things such as lychees, longan and much more. In the evening we will visit Doi Suthep where we intend to observe the monks chanting. It has a golden stupa where relics of the Buddha are kept and is Chiangmai’s best known landmark.
Day 6 :
Chiang Mai Free day
Today we are at leisure in Chiangmai and as the capital of the north there is a great choice of optional activities.
You can explore town, either by foot or by bicycle, go for a cycling tour through the farmland, go to the spa for a massage, have a look at the Sankampaeng craft district or visit a Hmong village or some of the many temples. For those that feel more adventurous the city also offers zip line excursions and white-water rafting. At night it’s worth paying a visit to the night market where many food options, local crafts and souvenirs can be found.
Day 7 :
Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang by Flight
We fly to Luang Prabang, Laos’ most attractive city where people are known to be friendly and easy going. In 1995 this city was enlisted by UNESCO as World Heritage. After checking in to our hotel we are at leisure and can wander through town to do some initial exploring. In the evening it’s time to visit the night market which has a lot to offer and is surrounded by plenty good restaurants.
Day 8 :
Luang Prabang Walking to City Tour
We’ll join the famous almsgiving in the early morning before enjoying an easy guided walking tour to the morning market, the hilltop temple Wat Phusi and Wat Xiengthong. In the afternoon you can explore the town more on your own, either by walking, TukTuk or bicycle. Other options are to visit a Hmong tribe, go swimming in Laos’ most beautiful waterfall (Kuang Si) or take a local boat along the Mekong river for some great scenery, visiting the Buddha caves with over 4000 Buddha statues, observing local lifestyle and hand crafts. We can watch the sun set over the Mekong River.
Day 9 :
Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang by Overland
After breakfast we’ll take off to Xieng Khouang by bus (7 hours), driving through spectacular mountain areas scattered with local ethnic tribes. We’ll take a break from driving to wander at a local hilltop market and perhaps some other viewpoints if time allows us to do so. After dinner we can watch a documentary of the American secret war in SE Asia and Laos, filmed by a former GI.
Day 10 :
Xieng Khouang Tour to Plain of Jars
Today we visit the amazing and mysterious plain of jars which are more than 2000-year-old. There are many different explanations for why they are here. We’ll have lunch with a local family and try some lao – lao. If weather allows (the roads need to be dry) we can reach a village where people have been turning scrap metal from bomb fragments into useful everyday tools. Although it’s a dangerous job they have been doing so since the American – Vietnam war ended. Bombs are being cleared every day and this will most likely continue for another 150 years.
Day 11 :
Xieng Khouang - Vang Vieng by Overland
Today we leave Xieng Khouang and drive on mountainous roads to Vang Vieng (7 hours). We’ll be stopping at tribal villages along the way, observing their culture and lifestyle. Once we’re checked in to our hotel we are free to explore this beautiful and scenic little town.
Day 12 :
Vang Vieng Free day
Today we are at leisure and free to enjoy some of the optional activities here. Vang Vieng offers great opportunities for cycling, walking, caving, kayaking, tubing, a boat trip or just relaxing with a great view of the Song river and some of the best scenery of Laos
Day 13 :
Vang Vieng - Vientiane by Overland
We drive for 3 hours to reach Vientiane, the capital of Laos. We’ll visit Pratuxai, That Luang and Wat Sri Saket, highlights of the city. After our tour we will check in at the hotel and are free to spend the rest of the afternoon as we wish. At night consider visiting the night bazaar for some souvenir shopping or try some local food
Day 14 :
Vientiane - Hanoi by Flight
After breakfast we are at leisure to explore Laos’ capital on our own. Enjoy a stroll around town, explore the morning market, visit the Buddha Park Wat Xieng Kuan, walk along the Mekong River or relax with some food and drinks at one of the many cafés and restaurants. Today we fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and explore this colorful city
Day 15 :
Hanoi City Tour
We’ll have a guided city tour to the highlights of Hanoi. We’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and his old residence, the One pillar pagoda and the temple of Literature. After lunch we can be at leisure or explore more of Hanoi which celebrated its millennium settlement in 2010. With a lot of its ancient sites now having become world heritage the city offers a rich and fascinating mix of old and new Vietnam lifestyles.
Day 16 :
Hanoi - Halong Bay
We drive 4hrs to the world famous Ha Long Bay where we’ll take a cruise on a traditional boat and have our lunch while a stunning scenery surrounds us. Thousands of stone pillars come out from the sea and combined with the limestone karsts they give the bay a truly unique sight. We can relax and after dinner we can settle down as we’ll overnight on board.
Day 17 :
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue by Flight
Waking up in with a heavenly view on the bay we’ll have our breakfast before cruising through more spectacular scenery on our way back to the dock. We return to Hanoi where you can take this last chance to taste some of its fabulous cuisine and finish exploring the city. Tonight we’ll catch a flight to Hue,
the ancient emperor’s residency and homeland to Vietnam’s most prosperous.
Day 18 :
Hue City Tour
After breakfast we’ll enjoy a guided tour to the great Imperial Citadel with the purple city inside which, although smaller, is no less impressive than China’s Forbidden city. Some of Vietnam’s greatest architecture can be found here. We’ll also see some aroma incense making, visit the Min Mang tomb and go to the Thien Mu Pagoda which is considered the landmark of Hue. It is the tallest religious building in Vietnam and played a key role in the Buddhist monks protests against the government in the 60’s. From 1802 to 1945, when feudalism in Vietnam rose to a top, Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyễn Dynasty.
Day 19 :
Hue - Hoi An
The bus journey to Hoi An takes 4 hrs through the cloud pass which geographically divides North from South Vietnam. Then we’ll drive along the seaside of Danang’s beautiful beaches before we can explore the world heritage sites of Hoi an. We’ll take a guided walking tour to the highlights of Hoi An to see the Japanese bridge and Pagodas before we relax on a traditional boat ride along the Tu Bong river. This was Southeast Asia’s most important harbor for trading until the 17th century before Danang took it’s thunder away.
Day 20 :
Hoi An Free day
Today you can spend the day at leisure on the Cua Dai – Angbang beach or visit a famous cookery school and take the chance to spend a fabulous day exploring the local market with a chef who will teach you the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. Other options are to visit the ancient town of My Son kingdom or take a boat trip through town
Day 21 :
Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City by Flight
We fly to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to our hotel. Today we’ll enjoy a guided tour to the war remnants museum to learn about what happened here during Vietnam war, the old post office and the old French cathedral, highlights of this city. Afterwards we can explore the city further and experience some of HCM city’s nightlife, visit the night market or enjoy dinner at one of the many
Day 22 :
Ho Chi Minh City tour to Mekong Delta
After breakfast we drive 2 hours to the heart of the Mekong Delta to go on a traditional sampan cruise in Cai Be. We visit the floating markets and see a way of life that has changed little over the last centuries. People here live on the water, using their sampan boat to paddle trough this spider web of water ways surrounded by fruit plantations and vegetable gardens. While trying different fruits we can listen to Viet folk music. We get to enjoy a delicious lunch at a family restaurant on the river bank before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 23 :
Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh by Overland
In the morning we’ll get on a public bus and drive in about 3 hours to the Vietnam – Cambodian border after which it is another 3 hours to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. You’ll experience that this is the biggest border crossing which acts double as a both a border crossing and a market.
Day 24 :
Phnom Penh tour to KiIling Fields
Today we visit the Tual Sleng interrogation center of S-21 and the Chueng-Ek killing fields in retrospective of the Khmer rouge time.
Day 25 :
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap by Bus
It’s a 6 hour drive through the countryside to Siem Reap. On our way we will observe local life style and try some food delicacies. After checking in we’ll have free time to explore the town at night.
Day 26 :
Siem Reap tour to Angkor Wat
Today we get up early to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat with our picnic breakfast. Then we’ll continue to Wat Tha Phrom, the Elephant terrace, Bapuan and the Boyon temple, Cambodia’s best religious monuments and world heritage sites.
Day 27 :
Siem Reap - Departure
As our program has come to its final day we can be at leisure or continue our journey to another location
Cost
Includes
- 26x Breakfast
- 10x Lunch
- 1x Dinner
- All transport
- Accommodation
- Activities as mentioned in dossier
- English speaking guide
Excludes
- Visa fees
- Meals other than mentioned
- Transport to joining point
- Transport from finishing point
- Optional activities
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
