35-day Amazing Indochina Holiday

Arriving in Bangkok, Land of Smiles, you will be warmly welcome by IOT's private Thailand tour guide at the airport. Check in hotel for refreshening.
Stay overnight in Bangkok.

On the very first day of your special Indochina holiday,we will visit the grand Royal Palace in the morning. The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there's a distinct difference in style between the Thai-styled Wat Phra Kaew and the more European-styled designs of the Grand Palace.Have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, IOT's private Thailand tour guide will take you on a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River. Later, we will go to Chinatown and explore its fascinating markets and visit Wat Trimitr before returning to the hotel.
Stay overnight in Bangkok.

This morning, IOT's private van will take you to the pier of Chao Phraya River. Get on a private boat; we will sail beyond Bangkok city to Nonthaburi, where you will visit a lively market. And then we will take a long-tail boat to Wat Sao Thong Hin, an amazing temple filled with Buddha images. We will stay for an hour in this less-stepped area for exploration. Later, we will go back to Bangkok by boat. Have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will be free in this spellbinding city.
Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Have breakfast in your hotel and some free time before the flight to Chiang Mai.
We will arrive in Chiang Mai at noon. Check in hotel and have lunch on your own.
Later, you will take a short break before we visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the symbol of Chiang Mai and also the major attraction to all Thailand tours. Following up, we will go to Studio Naena, known for its exquisite textiles. IOT's private Thailand tour guide will take you back to hotel before dusk.
Stay overnight in Chiang Mai. 

In the early morning, we will drive to Chiang Mai Elephant Camp. Here, you will see how these brilliant animals get trained to work with people. And you will have a chance to take an elephant ride in the jungles.Have lunch in a local restaurant near the camp.
Afterwards, we make a brief stop to browse the Kaad Thung Kwian Market and then continue to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, considered the most magnificent temple in northern Thailand. Lampang is the only place in Thailand that horse-drawn carriages are still in use as public transport, which attracts many Thailand tour makers.
We will go back to your hotel after a fun day in nature.
Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Have a breezy morning in Chiang Mai and free at leisure. Just as easy and handy in Bangkok, yet Chiang Mai is given the edge of low-pace livestyle, as some Thailand tour fans claim. Have lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, we will fly to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Check in upon arrival. Have some free time on your own in Luang Prabang.
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today we will take an easy walking trip in the peaceful town of Luang Prabang. You will visit Wat Xieng Thong, a temple built around 1560 by King Setthathirat. Continue your Thailand tour steps to Wat Khili and meet with one of the young novice monks residing here. You will learn about his life in the monastery and exchange your own stories. Have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you can climb to the top of Phousi Mountain from where you have a commanding view over Luang Prabang – it is also possible to hire an elephant to ride to the top. 
You will be back to hotel at dusk. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner during a performance of traditional Lao dance before your visit to the Luang Prabang Night Market (*Note: Visit to the Night Market is guideless).
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we will row along the Mekong River by boat upstream to visit Pak Ou Caves, filled with countless Buddha images of all sizes. Later, we will go to the village of Ban Muongkeo, noted for its rice wine workshops. Have picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit Ban Xang Khong Village, a traditional village with humble folks making their living by weaving. We will go back to Luang Prabng before sunset.
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast in your hotel in Luang Prabang. Later, IOT's private Laos tour guide will take you to the less-tracked paradise of Muang La (6-hour drive). En route, we will make some stops to visit the villages. Have picnic lunch in the nature setting, which might become a precious memory for your Indochina holiday.
In the afternoon, we will check in hotel upon arrival. Have a break from the long journey. And then we will visit the village of Muang La, where hilltribe people keep their ancient traditional ways of living. Return to the hotel and soak yourselves in the hot spring.
Stay overnight in Muang La.

Following breakfast you'll depart on a full-day exploration of the near countryside by 4WD and on foot. First you will visit an Iko (Akha) village perched atop a mountain at just over 3,000'. The Iko are one of the most unassimilated minorities in Southeast Asia and the villagers live very traditional lives and the women wear colorful headdresses adorned with silver coins. The view from this village is incredible, truly deserving a place in your Indochina holiday photo collection.Have picnic lunch in the village.
After your picnic lunch depart on an easy one hour long hike to a traditional Hmong village. Here you will have the chance to meet the inhabitants and understand their unique and traditional culture. Later this afternoon we return to Muang La where the resort's natural hot-spring baths and sauna once again await you. This evening enjoy another dinner on the resort's open air terrace.
Stay overnight in Muang La.

After an early breakfast, we will depart Muang La for the scenic village of Muang Khua on the Ou River (2.5-hour drive). In Muang Khua you will board a chartered local boat with a covered roof for protection from the sun or possible rain. This informal cruise along the Nam Ou will take approximately five hours through some of Laos' most spectacular landscape and river scenery, with time to visit hidden villages and enjoy a picnic on a secluded beach along the way.
Our idyllic boat trip ends in Nong Khiaw, followed by a short drive to Luang Prabang. Have picnic lunch en route.
In the afternoon, you will have some free time in the beautiful town of Luang Prabang.
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Connecting your Indochina holiday to Vietnam, we will take an afternoon flight to Hanoi. Check in upon arrival and have some free time on your own.
At night, you will attend a traditional water puppet show, which will be one of the highlights of your Vietnam tours.
Stay overnight in Hanoi

Today's comprehensive tour takes in all of Hanoi's essential sites. In the morning we will visit Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. We will visit the West Lake briefly before having lunch.
Afterwards we head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. After this we take a fun cycling tour through the Old Quarter. Also known as the '36 Streets', this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.
Stay overnight in Hanoi.

This morning we drive to Halong Bay (approximately 3 hours). Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. In 1994 this unique landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Itineraries differ in different cruise junks, nevertheless, you will likely see Bai Tu Long Bay, Coc Island, Cap De Island, Bo Cau Island, Vong Vieng fishing village,Trong Cave and Ho Dong Tien Cave, which are all the golden nuggets for your Vietnam holiday. In IOT's cruise junk list, you will certainly find a favorite one to enlighten your Vietnam holiday.
Stay overnight on the junk.

Hey good morning! Did Halong Bay give you a sweet night? Morning activities can include more swimming and kayaking in this amazing location or one can enjoy the spa services on board. As we continue our cruise through Halong Bay, we will visit Ti Top Island,which boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the bay. If you like, climb the 400 steps of Ti Top lookout which provides breathtaking panoramic views over the bay. We then return to the Halong harbor where your private Vietnam tour guide and driver will be waiting to take you to Hanoi airport for the ongoing flight to Da Nang.
In the afternoon, we will arrive in Da Nang, from where IOT's private Vietnam tour guide will take you to Hoi An. Check in upon arrival. Have the rest of your day free at leisure.
Stay overnight in Hoi An.

Today we will take a tour of the ancient town centre to visit the Merchant Building, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the exotic local market. You will enjoy some free time wandering in the town. Have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will be free in the beach resort of in the ancient town of Hoi An.
At the evening, you will enjoy a sunset boat trip along Thu Bon River, making it a perfect day for your own Vietnam holiday. 
Stay overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, we will depart to in the early morning. Stop in Da Nang for short climb up the Marble Mountains to see the shrines and limestone caves that blanket the hills, with spectacular views over the famed China Beach. We ascend Hai Van Pass, with its incredible views over the Lang Co Lagoon and the South China Sea. Lunch will be at a seafood restaurant near Lang Co.
On the south side of the pass, we enjoy an easy stroll amid plantations to Khe Su village, nestled at the foot of Bach Ma Mountain. This small, traditional village relies on the income derived from their cottage gardens. A huge variety of crops are cultivated including cassava, beans, sugar cane, tea, bananas, pineapple, mango, coconuts, and jackfruit. Here we are surrounded by typical features of the Vietnamese countryside – lotus ponds, livestock, and stacked rice stalks.
We will arrive in Hue in the late afternoon. Before check-in, we explore Phu Mong village, a community of ancient garden houses. Like other garden houses in Hue, the romantic and peaceful Phu Mong garden houses, each within its own private landscape, typically has two main areas: the wooden home and a surrounding garden, both designed according to geomancy and the owner's spiritual life and talents. About 200 years ago, Phu Mong was home to a senior royal officer of the Nguyen Dynasty. Due to the rank of the early owners, the houses were built solidly and they withstand the monsoons, typhoons, and squalls which often devastate the central city. Phu Mong today includes more than ten garden houses built 150-200 years ago; we'll have the opportunity to visit several. Check in hotel and have a relaxing free night in Hue.
Stay overnight in Hue.

Today we will focus on the life of one of the most interesting emperors of Vietnam: Tu Duc, Vietnam's fourth emperor who lived from 1829 until 1883. Tu Duc is said to have had 104 concubines, and during his reign, Vietnam lost its independence to France. We begin by boarding a dragon boat for a pleasant cruise on the Perfume River. Along the way to Tu Duc Tomb, we stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, with its very characteristic central Vietnamese architecture.
After lunch, we'll visit the Forbidden Purple City,which has now been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and those buildings that remain have been painstakingly restored. This evening we transport you back to the times of the Nguyen Dynasty as we have arranged traditional 'Royal Court' dinner in a restaurant. Sample a selection of traditional Vietnamese Royal dishes as we watch a presentation of ancient dancing and court music.
Stay overnight in Hue.

Have breakfast and a free morning in Hue.
At noon, IOT's private Vietnam tour guide will take you to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at noon and IOT's private Vietnam tour guide will take you to a nice restaurant for lunch.
Later, we will visit War Remnants Museum as well as the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before 1975. Drive through the old colonial center and admire the old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the City Hall before checking in at your hotel.
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast in the hotel and later IOT's private Vietnam tour guide will take you to Vinh Long. At Vinh Long pier, we will take a boat trip over the Mighty Mekong. We will sail to an isolated island, where you can visit a family workshop home-making rice paper, coconut candy and rice wine. Later, a small boat will take us into the jungles to reach to a village. We will visit the fruit farm and you are free to sample the fruits, lychees, pineapples, durian and wax-apples etc, what a feast for your fun Vietnam holiday! Later, we will have some traditional Mekong cuisine inside the orchard for lunch.
In the afternoon, our sailing continues to Can Tho, a lovely riverfront town. Check in and have some free time in this small town.
Stay overnight in Can Tho.

After an early breakfast we will board our local boats to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, the most famous floating market of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the bustling activity of the market. We will further venture through small canals visiting a rice husking mill and a shop where rice noodles are being produced. Disembark and we will take a 4-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Have lunch en route.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon, have some free time and dinner on your own before we fly to Siem Reap.
It's in the late night that we arrive in Siem Reap. Check in hotel and enjoy a relaxing night in Siem Reap.
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast in your hotel, we will visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most breathtaking monument at Angkor. Built as the funerary temple for Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1112 to 1152, Angkor never fails to reward the Cambodia tour fans with its grand scale, surreal bas reliefs and unbelievable attention to detail. At noon, IOT's private Cambodia tour guide will drive you back to Siem Reap for lunch.
This afternoon, we will focus our Cambodia holiday on Angkor Thom, including Pimeanakas, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and finally, the Bayon, with its mysterious towers and beautiful bas reliefs. We will be back to Siem Reap before sunset.
Later, you will be invited to a traditional Apsara dinner show. Enjoy the excellent dance and great food!
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, we will drive to Banteay Srei dating back to 10th century, regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. This site is well-preserved and its relief carvings are amongst the most accomplished Angkor has to offer. An outstanding example of its deep relief is the east pediment of the southern library, which shows Ravana trying to shake Mount Kailasa. Have picnic lunch.
After lunch, we will go to Ta Phrom, built in 1186 and dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. Unlike the other temples of Angkor, Ta Phrom has been left to the elements, and looks very much like the other temples must have when 'discovered' by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860. With all the canopying trees, this site was chosen for the movie Tomb Raider, and got attention from international Cambodia tour travelers. We will be back to Siem Reap for a romantic dinner in a nice restaurant.
After dinner, you are free to wonder in the lively Angkor Night Market.
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

In the morning, we will take a boat trip in Tonle Sap Lake. En route stop at Ampil Peam to stroll through this traditional village where locals live much as they have for centuries. Continue to Mechrey, a small community on the Tonle Sap Lake. The village consists mainly of floating and stilted houses. Board a local-style boat and explore the area. This interesting excursion includes a foray into the nearby flooded forest. You can enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, IOT's private van will take you back to Siem Reap and you will be free afterwards.
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast in the hotel and some free time afterwards. At noon, you will fly to Bangkok, and take the connecting flight to Yangon.
Check in upon arrival and have a free night in Yangon.
Stay overnight in Yangon. 

In the morning, we will visit the inspiring Shwedagon Pagoda, the biggest attraction for all Myanmar tours. Your Myanmar tour guide will bring you to the east gate of the pagoda and visit the local market (where anything to be offered to the temple or to monks living around the temple can be found) and will advise you as to the most appropriate offering to make. We will join the locals at a typical teashop and get some more information about Shwedagon Pagoda before heading to the pagoda itself. A very leisurely walk around the temple complex will give the full insight of this impressive site, and once we reach the sign representing your birthday, you are invited to 'do as the Yangonites' and pour lucky water over the sign that represent.Have lunch in a nice restaurant.
After lunch, you will enjoy some free time in Yangon before we fly to Heho. Arrive in Heho, IOT's private Myanmar tour guide will take you to Inle Lake. Check in hotel and have some free time afterwards.
Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

Start the morning with a visit by boat to Indein, an area with hundreds of pagoda ruins and a great view over the lake. We walk back through the bamboo forest and continue by boat to visit a local cheroot (Burmese cigar) factory as well as the floating gardens of Inle Lake. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch on the lakeshore with great views.
After lunch, we will continue the trip by visiting a special place where Intha women (originally the people living on the lake) pull threads from the stem of the lotus flower – a slow process resulting in a very soft fabric woven into shawls. The collection of historical Buddha statues at the local monastery is impressive and your guide will tell you more about the history of the Shan people, the Intha people and the other tribes living in the area.
Stay overnight in Inle Lake.

Have breakfast in your hotel and later IOT's private Myanmar tour guide will take you to Heho for the flight to Mandalay.
Check in upon arrival and have some free time afterwards.
At night, we will take you to a nice restaurant for an excellent dinner.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

After breakfast we will drive to Pyin Oo Lwin which is 42 miles from Mandalay (about a 1 ½ hours drive). Pyin Oo Lwin was once a British hill station for officers to escape the summer heat and at the time was called Maymyo. We take an antique horse carriage from the clock tower in the middle of the town (which was a present from Queen Victoria) to bring us to the botanical gardens where we have time to walk around. Later, we will go to Maymyo. Have picnic lunch en route.
After lunch in Maymyo we visit the caves and the waterfall in the surroundings of this city that still has a very colonial atmosphere, before our drive back to Mandalay.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Today we begin a 3-day 2-night cruise down the Irrawaddy River with a transfer to the Gawein Jetty. We embark at about 11:00 a.m. from Gawein. As you cruise upstream to Mingun, enjoy a welcome cocktail. After lunch, there is a late afternoon stop in a typical river village where you will have time to explore and get a glimpse of life here.
Stay overnight on the cruise junk.

Early this morning we reverse course and cruise downstream to Sagaing. During the journey, admire the natural beauty of the river and witness day coming while relaxing on the sundeck. The sunrise over Sagaing Hill is a lovely way to begin the day for your special Indochina holiday. After breakfast, go ashore to visit Sagaing with a local guide, before returning to the ship to continue downstream to Bagan.
Lunch will be served as we cruise. By late afternoon we stop at Yandabo, a village specialized in pot-making, which is also where the peace treaty of the First Anglo–Burmese war was signed on February 24, 1826. We continue to cruise all day, and moor overnight near a river village called Shwe Nann Tint.
Stay overnight on the cruise junk.

Early in the morning we will proceed down river to Bagan. After breakfast (if time permits) we will visit another typical river village and enjoy the sunrise near Bagan. Passengers will disembark at Aye Yar jetty around 1015 where your Myanmar tour guide and car will be waiting for you to start exploring the historical sites of Bagan. By many described as more impressive then Angkor Wat, the temples of Bagan never fail to impress. Over 4000 temples (most of them around 800 years old) are spread out over an area roughly 8 km long and wide. It is this landscape of temples that make the area so special and the best way to explore is to go around (by horse cart or car) and simply stop at whatever temple you would like to have a closer look at.
In the morning you will visit Htilominlo Temple where the guide will sit down with you to tell the history of Bagan. A stop at the Tharaba Gate is made to pay respect to the guards of the old temple city before going to a local restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, certainly you'll want to visit the famous Ananda Temple before heading to your hotel on the riverside.
Stay overnight in Bagan.

Bagan also offers an aerial view over the temple area while floating in a hot air balloon safely operated by British pilots, and this morning you will have an unforgettable hour-long balloon flight to see Bagan from the air, sure to be one of the highlights of your Indochina holiday. 
Today we will visit Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi, a 13th century 'cave temple' with fine frescoes; the Dhammayangyi Temple, a massive, later-period temple with the finest brickwork; following is the Thatbyinnyu Temple, which towers above the other monuments of Bagan. A picnic style lunch will be served near one of the ancient temples of Bagan.
Late this afternoon we board a horse cart to continue exploring the temple area. As the sun sets, we will enjoy a panoramic sunset view over the temples.
Stay overnight in Bagan

Leaving Bagan, we will be back to Yangon again. We will take a short break before the flight to Bangkok.
We arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon, just in time for a party night in this glamorous city. Check in upon arrival and have a free night.
Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Later, IOT's private Thailand tour guide will take you to the airport for the flight back home.
Hopefully you had a great time with IOT and we sincerely look forward to seeing you again soon for your future Indochina tours!
Bon Voyage!