Explore Southeast Asia: Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Upon your arrival at the airport in Bangkok, met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This mark the first day of your 30 days in Southeast Asia.

Overnight in Bangkok

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today you will enjoy a guided city orientation which begins with a visit to Wat Traimit – the Temple of the Golden Buddha. The temple is famous for its 900-years old five-and-a-half-ton solid gold image. Continue to visit Wat Arun, perhaps better known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of the best known landmarks and one of the most published images of Bangkok. Next up is Wat Po, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, as well as the largest single Buddha image: the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas). The temple is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage Reclining Buddha.
Afternoon you continue to visit the most famous tourist places in Bangkok, Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there’s a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception). Return to your hotel and free at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Flight from Bangkok to Yangon.
Mingalabar and welcome to Myanmar! Upon arrival at the airport you will be warmly welcomed by your guide who will take you to your hotel for check in (note: check in time is 14.00. Early check in is subject to availability).
Visit Kyaukhtatgyi Pagoda to see a 70m long reclining Buddha statue around the size of a blue whale. Afterwards, head on to Chinatown for a change of scenery and check out the dragons and incense of the colorful Khen Hock Keong Chinese temple. Explore the vibrant street stalls where vendors sell all kinds of fruit, vegetable and other goods or simply just walk around and soak in the atmosphere of this little China in Yangon. You continue uptown in order to make a quick stop by the Royal Lake located in Kandawgyi Park which is very popular with local residents, especially in the early morning and around sunset. Catch a view of Karaweik Hall, a reproduction of a royal barge and enjoy a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda. No Myanmar expedition can be considered truly great if it’s lacking a visit to the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda.
Ready for an amazing experience? The visual delights present there alone, are worth the trip. Witness the colors transform on the 100-meter chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf. You will start at the eastern staircase where you will find a row of shops at the base of the temple selling various religious items. Here you will find monks robes, alms bowls, offerings, incense and other unique Buddhist objects. As your browse the stalls your guide will explain the use and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhist people. Shwedagon is largely considered to be the most important religious site for the Burmese; most visitors report that the trip is extremely memorable and still etched into their minds.
Overnight stay in Yangon

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Bagan. Welcome to Bagan, known to be one of the greatest architectural sites in Asia. When Bagan was the centre of Myanmar from the 11th to 13th centuries the monarchs built multitudes of massive stupas and pagodas, scores of which are still present on the shores of the Irrawaddy River. The majesty of Bagan with more than 4000 red brick temples on a plain of the size of Manhattan Island is one of the highlights of a Myanmar holiday that will soothe the eye of every traveler.
Discover the best of Bagan today! Not simply a chance to see the splendid Bagan temples, this excursion also introduces you to the Burmese culture, allows you to see traditional craftsmen at work and takes you up the mighty Irrawaddy River to a decidedly unusual ‘cave’ temple! Your fist port of call is an elevated temple with its panoramic views of the Bagan plains. This viewpoint will give you a taste of the sheer number of temples as well as some of their distinctive styles. From here you will have a look around the Ananda Temple – one of the most exalted of Bagan’s temples. We will ensure that our tour reaches this point before the majority of tourist arrive, enabling you to enjoy the splendor of the temple in relative tranquility. Continue to various other temples dotted around the temple plains to experience a variety of architectural styles in the area as well as the artistic wonder of the 9-14th centuries. Traveling amid the temples you will get a taste of rural Bagan life in this ‘living museum’ setting where farmers and families work amongst the monuments.
Next on the agenda is your chance to learn more about the local culture with a visit to two workshops producing Bagan’s most famous products – lacquer ware and wood crafts. Watch in amazement as the skilled craftsmen use traditional techniques passed down through generations to create beautiful items.
OPTIONAL: USD12/PAX FOR SUNSET CRUISE
You will be driven late in the afternoon to the jetty where a private wooden river boat awaits you. Sitting either under the shade or on the open-deck you’ll be treated to fabulous views as you cruise down the Irrawaddy River. You’ll cruise past several small villages, fishermen, local boats and of course many of the ubiquitous Myanmar Buddhist temples. The views of Bagan from the river are particularly spectacular and offer a different perspective from the land based tours. As the sun begins to sink slowly from view, you will prepare to disembark before being driven back, greatly relaxed, to your hotel for the evening. The perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing in Bagan!
Overnight stay in Bagan

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

OPTION: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE OVER BAGAN – US$ 285/PAX
The morning will start off with an exciting hot-air balloon ride above the Bagan countryside. You will observe one-of-a-kind views when the sun begins to rise over the Irrawaddy River and various stupas in the region. You’re simply not going to find many other opportunities like this on Earth. (Only available from October/November through March)
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up to start your Bagan excursion. It’s off to the vibrant NyaungOo Market, where the locals come to trade fresh produce and other goods daily. From here you will have a look around the Old Bagan starting with a visit of the renowned Shwezigon Pagoda, constructed by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious memorial. Travel over dusty lanes and tree shaded roads past temples and monasteries to a small village. At one of the monasteries you will participate in a special traditional Buddhist ceremony.
From here you will journey on by horse cart for an excursion that passes Thatbyinnyu, the tallest temple in Bagan, gigantic Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork, and of course, Sulamani Temple. Take pleasure in an extraordinary sunset from the upper terrace of one of the surrounding temples.
Overnight stay in Bagan

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

A short flight takes you from Bagan to Mandalay this morning! Mandalay, the second largest city of Myanmar and one of the ancient royal capitals is often perceived and described in literature as Asia at its most traditional, timeless and alluring but those who go meet a booming and vibrant city located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. However, despite the energy and thriving business it’s where the cultural heart of Myanmar lies and tradition of music, dance and drama are still alive. Upon arrival in you’ll be transferred (1 hour) to Mandalay city. You will across the Irrawaddy River in to Sagaing. With 600 ivory colored pagodas and monasteries, Sagaing Hill is generally seen as the spiritual hub of Myanmar and claims residence to around 3,000 monks and nearly 100 meditation shrines. You’ll visit pagodas such as Swan OoPonNya Shin, U Min ThoneSae and Shin Pin Nan Gyaing. Continue to Sagaing’s local market, a less visited tourist site. We’ll head over to a small pottery village which is recognized for manufacturing ubiquitous water pots to observe the tradesmen here applying their traditional methods for producing their goods.
Next it’s on to Ava which was the standing capital from the 14th through the 18th centuries. Cross the small river by ferry and travel in a traditional horse and carriage to the wooden Bagaya Monastery renowned for its extraordinarily elaborate woodcarvings. Be sure to check out the Nanmyint Watch Tower – also called “the leaning tower of Ava“ – which is what’s left from the remnants of the ancient palace and MahaAungmyeBonzanMonastery.Return back across the river and drive to Amarapura, Myanmar’s penultimate royal capital. Amarapura means “City of Immortality”, though its period as capital was relatively brief. You will start Mahagandayon monastery, home to more than a thousand young monks and renowned as a centre for monastic study and strict religious discipline. Continue on foot or by bus a short distance to the legendary U Bein Bridge, which was built in 1782 when Amarapura was the Royal center of attention. It spans 1.2 km across the shallow Taungthaman Lake and is said to be the longest teakwood bridge worldwide. Enjoy this very special atmosphere as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows and illuminates the local people heading home. Sunset in U Bien Bridge.
Overnight stay in Mandalay

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Head off to Mandalay jetty and embark on a private boat for a relaxed 1-hour journey on the Irrawaddy River to Mingun. Experience the sights and sounds of Mingun, starting with the celebrated MingunPaya, which would have been the world’s largest (if King Bodawpaya hadn’t died before it was finished). The construction of this enormous brick building was halted after a fortune-teller predicted the King’s death upon completion. An earthquake that hit in the 1800’s, split the monument and reduced it to partial rubble – it’s possibly the world’s largest pile of bricks. From the flat top you have a fine view of the HsinbyumePaya, Mingun village and the river. Carry on to the gorgeous alabaster Hsinbyume Pagoda, an unusual stupa with a couple of stories behind it. It’s supposedly a representation of the SulamaniPaya which according to the Buddhist plan of the cosmos, stands atop Mount Meru (the mountain that stands at the centre of the universe). Afterwards hop on over to the Mingun Bell that weighs 90 tons and is claimed to be the world’s largest hung, uncracked bell still capable of ringing. Before returning to Mandalay by boat there’ll be enough time to explore the small neighbourhoods throughout Mingun crafting traditional basketry and mingle with the friendly craftsmen and vendors.
Your orientation tour of Mandalay will kick off with a walk up to Mandalay Hill, rising 240 meter above the city. At the top the reward is a full panoramic view, the hazy blue outline of the Shan Hills to the east, the Mandalay Palace (and the city sprawl) to the south and the Irrawaddy River to the west. Directly south of Mandalay Hill stands the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda, known as the pagoda of the Great Marble Image. Admire the huge Buddha, carved from a single block of marble. It’s said that the colossal marble block took 10,000 men almost two weeks to transport it from the riverside to its current location. Proceed to Kuthodaw Pagoda, frequently dubbed as “The World’s Biggest Book” for its collection of 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Then it’s off to the Shwenandaw Monastery, the Golden Monastery which is the only enduring structure from the Royal Palace of the 19th century. This impressive structure is celebrated for its remarkable woodcarvings.
Overnight stay in Mandalay

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning return to the Mandalay airport for the flight to Heho, in the heart of the Shan State. Upon arrival at the Heho airport, you will proceed to NyaungShwe village. Along the way, you will have an opportunity to visit rural workshops that specialize in traditional Shan paper and unique handcrafted umbrellas. Also, be sure to stop in at the teak monastery of Shweyanpyay to witness the intricate wood carving artwork and craftsmanship of the monks there.
Then you will board a private motorboat and begin heading out onto Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s most spectacular and breathtaking sights. Its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic hills provide the perfect backdrop. Along the way you will pass several villages that are built on stilts over the lake, which are inhabited by the local Intha people. Observe the daily activities of the local leg-rowing fishermen and see their ‘floating gardens’, which are built up from strips of water hyacinth, earth and anchored to the bottom of the lake with bamboo poles. Drive to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Inle Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast you’ll pay a visit to the lake’s morning market (the market is open every day apart from dark moon and full moon calendar days). The market’s location rotates between the lake’s villages in a 5 day schedule and is also visited daily by the lake’s inhabitants as well as the surrounding natives who also come to sell and trade their wares. A 1-hour boat ride down a small canal will take you to the Pa-Oh village of Indein, positioned on the western shores of Inle Lake.
Take a leisurely stroll around the village before ascending the moss-covered stairway to the top of a hill. Once you’ve arrived at the summit, you will be greeted buy an iconic Buddha image which sits enshrined among hundreds of stupa ruins and overgrown shrubbery. Here, from the peak, you will also be rewarded with mesmerizing views of the placid surroundings. The Indein Pagoda complex is undoubtedly one of the most amazing sites around the shore of the lake and it consists of hundreds of small stupas which are overrun by moss and greenery. Then it’s time to embark on a 45 minutes trek to Sae Ma village. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty and panoramic vistas of the area while basking under the shade of the bamboo grooves in the area. Upon arrival at the village, observe the daily lifestyles of the rural inhabitants. On your boat ride back, should time allow, you’ll stop at the Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people and enjoy a delicious coffee and cake (snack break not included). As an exciting day comes to close transfer back to your hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.
Overnight stay in Inle Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Breakfast will be served at your hotel before driving by a combination of boat and car to the Heho Airport (1-1.5 hour) for a short flight back to Yangon.
A private car will be waiting to greet you and the remainder of the day is at your leisure to do as you please until your international flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (In Yangon, the car and guide will be at disposal until departure flight time).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a guided city tour starting with the War Remnants Museum – a real eye-opener to a part of Vietnam’s proud history, followed by the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the big, modern city of Vietnam.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue by heading to Chinatown with walking tour through back streets of China town near Cho Lon to view the local daily life. Stop off for a visit of Thien Hau temple, which was built in the early 19th Century dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of seafarers. We delve deeper into Chinatown visiting the amazing Cholon and Binh Tay Market (or Ben Thanh market) for an insight into where locals shop. Then you’ll be back to hotel at around 17:00.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City – Optional Activities for Free Evening in Ho Chi Minh City [at extra cost]
Evening Street Food Adventure by Vespa Scooter
At 18.00, embarks on a part night excursion, part local street food. You will experience the nightlife of Saigon the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Stops include drinks at Zoom cafe to watch the world go by, food and drinks at local restaurants (one stop for sea food and one stop for Southern food), samplings of Saigon best authentic street local food, a Vietnamese-style coffee shop (with live music). Guests ride pillion behind our drivers to enjoy and experience the Vietnamese night life with friends. You’ll be taken back to your hotel at the end of the trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

At 8.00 AM, depart for a 2 hour drive to Ben Tre, one of the country’s southern provinces, situated in the Delta of the Mekong River. Take in the highway as you leave behind the busy city. On arrival, take a boat on Ben Tre River – one of tributaries of Mekong River to witness lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring. Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in traditional style by printing and baking. You will visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits. Later, take a motor-cart on shady village paths, passing by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. After lunch at a riverside restaurant, enjoy rowing-boat along water palm creek, and boat back to pier where you will be taken to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at around 17.00.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you will drive to Cu Chi Tunnels where you will visit the amazing network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. This huge construction was a habitation for villagers in the war time. With 3 levels of depth, it was never discovered by the US during the Vietnam War despite its proximity to Saigon. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide. After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Your time will be your own till being transferred to the airport for the flight to Danang. On arrival, met and transferred to your selected hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

At 9:00 AM sharp, your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby to give you a proper show-around of the old town. You’ll start a walking tour with a lion’s share of places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls; the museum and the colorful local market. Following the narrow lanes, you’ll meander through tiny streets studded by houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures.
After such gallavanting, your time will be your own to wander around or getting amongst some retail therapy. This afternoon is your own.
Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

A free day in Hoi An to spend as your wish!
Apart from exploring Hoi An’s World Heritage architecture & colorful market on foot, you might visit Vietnam’s grandest Cham ruins at My Son; attend a cooking class at a riverside restaurant; or join other travelers to get up close and personal to daily farming and fishing life. For early risers, why not capture the real Hoi An by joining a 4-hour photography tour led by a local expat expert? If you want to go below, hop on a boat to Cu Lao Cham Island for a fun and relaxing day to explore exotic coral reefs and marine life [best between March & September]. If you’d like any of these activities to be included during your free time in Hoi An, just let it be known during your enquiry, or ask one of the Travel Specialists.
Overnight in Hoi An
Hoi An – Optional Activities for Free Days in Hoi An [at extra cost]
Option 1: Hoi An – My Son Cham’s Ruins ½ Day [Private Tour]
In the morning, an hour drive will take you to the ancient Cham ruins of My Son. The route takes you through some incredible scenery and tiny villages that specialize in brass works, with little shops flanking the roadside selling big brass gongs. Upon arrival, guided visit the Tra Kieu capital which was the former administration center of Champa Kingdom. Discover the majestic ancient ruins at My Son including ancient towers which were built from the fourth century to fourteenth century. Walk around to see up to three groups of ancient temple and tower ruins set amongst hills and streams. Return to your hotel around noon. The remainder of the day will be your own.
Note: There is a daily traditional dancing shows at 9:45 a.m. (except Mondays and included in entrance ticket price).
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An
Option 2: Hoi An – Attending a Cooking Class (08.15 AM to 01.00 PM) [Group Tour]
The day starts at 8.15 a.m. with a welcome drink at Hai Café in the Ancient Town of Hoi An. You will visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. You will then board a boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before you prepare the same dish yourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, you sit down and sample what you have cooked.
Note: Bring your swimsuit and after the cooking tour has finished relax and enjoy free use of our 20 meter swimming pool – towels and showers provided.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An
Option 3: Hoi An – Farming & Fishing Life [08.30-14.00] [Group Tour]
This day trip provides you with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. Accompanied by your local tour guide, you commence the day with a gentle cycling along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities – coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. You will also experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you en-route. Later you will board a boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. You will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides you with a cultural window into the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities. After a simple yet tasty lunch on the boat, return to your hotel at around 14.00. The remainder of the afternoon will be your own!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An
Option 4: Cham Island Discovery (Boating, Swimming & Snorkeling) (L, G) [Group Tour]
The snorkeling day trip and island tour is a great way for non-divers to join the water sport activities in Cham Island. Our professional snorkeling team provide in water safety and guidance throughout. In addition to snorkeling, a variety of options are available in the afternoon, enjoy more snorkeling or simply relax and enjoy the beach. The tour begins with hotel pickup at 8 am and return back to your hotel at 5.30pm. Tour price includes all transfers, (within the Hoi An area), boat transfers, drinking water, tea, coffee, fruit and cakes, full professional diving and snorkeling equipment lunch on the beach, all Island fees and taxes; led by multilingual tour guides/PADI professional team (speaking English, French, Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation:

A free morning at leisure in Hoi An.
Afternoon drive north to the Royal City of Hue with en-route stop to visit either the Cham Museum in the city centre OR the famous Marble Mountain, which stands for the five essential elements that establish nature. Continue the scenic route to Hue, enjoy the view of the coast line and Danang from the top of the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Clouds) makes your journey interesting and have your camera ready for some great photo opportunities.

Overnight in Hue

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you’ll spend the full day for a city tour of Imperial City of Hue, firstly with the ancient walled Citadel including the former Imperial Palace. You’ll then visit the Dong Ba market to learn about local produce and specialties of Hue. You might get some great deals done at the local Dong Ba Market. Have lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will cruise the Perfume River by a dragon boat to serene Thien Mu Pagoda and drive to visit the majestic Royal Tomb of King Ming Mang or King Khai Dinh.
Take the flight from Hue to Hanoi.
Hue was the Vietnamese capital during the Nguyen Dynasty 1802-1945 and ruins of the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the Citadel and the Imperial City. Created in the 19th century, the Imperial City was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and holds many palaces and temples inside its giant walls. Many of the buildings were damaged by French aerial bombing and the Tet Offensive in 1968. Now it is slowly being restored thanks to generous funding by UNESCO.
Note: You might consider a candle-lit dinner set in a garden house which is a traditional feature of Hue’s culture. Both the garden house and the cuisine are great introduction into Hue’s culture.
Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This city tour of Hanoi takes in essential sites which will commence from your hotel lobby at 08.30 a.m. In the morning, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex including the Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum; The Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070.
After lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant, you’ll continue visiting the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the country, containing an extensive display of life-size structures dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority peoples; enjoy a cyclo ride for 1 hour touring through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter – a must for any visitor to Hanoi! The day finishes with a traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppets.
Note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all day on Monday and Fridays, as well as from 1st October to 30th November (approx.) for annual conservation.
Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, a two hour road trip through picturesque countryside and agricultural land will take you to Hoa Lu. On arrival, your guide will lead you through this ancient complex which formed the capital city of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le Dynasties between 968 and 1009 AD. King Dinh Tien Hoang chose this mountain location as the water systems fed from the mountains were perfect for both agriculture and defense. Enjoy the sight of palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions built by different dynasties and visit the Dinh and Le Temples, the two remaining architectures of Hoa Lu. In the afternoon, take a 2-hour sampan ride along the waterways of Tam Coc. Known locally as the ‘Halong Bay of the land,’ this winding river way is dotted with gorgeous limestone karsts with endless photo opportunities. You will also visit Bich Dong Pagoda comprising three pagodas located at different levels on a green mountain and the setting of the French film ‘Indochine’. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

At 08.00 AM, you will be picked up at your hotel and start the scenic 3.5 hour drive to Bai Tu Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside and have a short break en-route. Meet the crew upon boarding the traditional wooden junk with cruise briefing, then relax and enjoy lunch while the boat heads towards the secluded islands. Visit a less visited ancient limestone caves and go sea kayaking and swimming if the weather permits. Return to the junk refreshed and relax on deck with a drink

Meals:
Accommodation:
Transportation:

Enjoy an early morning swim (if weather permits) followed by breakfast. The tour then visit one of the famous caves in the middle of the bay before cruising back to the main harbor for the 3 hour drive back to Hanoi, arrival in the mid-afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Shuttle Limo

After breakfast, the morning will be yours!

Afternoon transfer to Noi Bai airport for the afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival, pick up and transfer to chosen hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, we then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts and Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.

You may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. There’s also an opportunity to visit the bear sanctuary nearby, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc.

We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents.

After breakfast, we then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and for Saa (jute) Papermaking

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, you will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Centre.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure before you will be transferred to the airport in time for the flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you will be picked up by another guide and driver who will take you to your chosen hotel in the downtown.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch not included

Visit to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup Temple.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

We will drive up Kulen Mountains for the visit to a Grand Buddha Statue, the River of Thousand Lingas and the Great Waterfall. Lunch not included

On the way back, we will visit to Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples. Dinner not included and night at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at KAMPONG PHLUK VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” move from place to place following water levels and current.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to next destination. It’s time to say farewell to Southeast Asia after 4 weeks. However, you might consider to extend with few more nights in pristine Koh Rong Island in the South of Cambodia or fly to Phuket via Bangkok to chill out at a beach front resort before returning home. Just let us know and we will get back with a custom itinerary that fits your preferences.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat