Thailand, Laos & Vietnam

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, you'll be met and escorted to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day at leisure to recover from jet lag. 

Today, prepare yourself for a lovely Bangkok city! Walk around the bustling flower and vegetable market where you could experience authentic local life. Later, go to the impressive Grand Palace and the adjoining Wat Phra Kaew.

After lunch, an interesting long-tail boat ride along the canal will give you a chance to appreciate typical Thai houses and Thai lifestyle. Your tour today will end with Wat Arun.

After breakfast, transfer to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. Upon arrival, visit the beautiful Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Your private guide will show you the highlights of this park, including Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit.

When the tour ends, return to Bangkok and enjoy the remainder time at leisure.

After breakfast, check out and catch your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to the hotel for a short rest. Then ride up the well-paved, winding road till you reach the magical staircase leading to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a highly revered temple that sits on the top of Mount Doi Suthep overlooking Chiang Mai. Cap off the day with a Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show to taste the authentic flavor and culture of Northern Thailand.

Have you ever met an elephant? Touched one? Fed one? Bathed one? Played with one? You will today. Leave your hotel at between 8:30 and 9:00 and take a 50-minute trip north to Baan Chang Elephant Park, an ethically run, sustainable eco-park and refuge. Get up close and learn all about these wonderful creatures. Not only can you feed them, but you get to prepare their favorite lunch!

Finally, a favorite part of the Elephant Day Care experience is meeting the lovely baby elephants in the nursery area.

Today there are two highlights. Start with the cooking lesson, including shopping at the local market, and be taught how to make authentic Thai cuisine by a selected chef. Your excellent work serves as your lunch! 

After lunch, transfer back to your hotel and take the rest of the day at leisure.

Enjoy your leisure time before leaving for Luang Prabang by flight. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the hotel for a short rest. After that, you may climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. Also, you will have a chance to venture the night market and observe local life there.

If you like, get up in the early morning (around 5:40) to observe the Morning Alms-giving Ritual, get a better understanding of local people's piety towards their religion. Then visit the Morning Market or Phousi Market before going back to your hotel for breakfast.

After that, go to visit the Royal Palace Museum and the must-see temples of Wat Sene, Wat Xieng Thong, the impressive stupas of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. After lunch at a local restaurant, the rest time is yours to explore the city on your own.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the famous Kuang Si Waterfall for a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or a walk along the forest trails. En route, stop off at some villages of Lao ethnic minority groups.

In the late afternoon, you will tour the village of Ban Xang Khong to see Saa Paper-making. Return to Luang Prabang to catch the sunset at Wat Phabath.

Today you will enjoy a cruise on the Mekong River with an exploration of the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, a cave temple with a huge stalagmite resembling an elephant's head.

Along the way, you'll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where people make local wine. Next, take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a former royal weaving village. Then you'll be escorted to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the hotel.

Today starts with a deep tour to Ho Chi Minh Complex (including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, and Presidential Palace), One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple.

The afternoon is for a trip to the interesting Museum of Ethnology, a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Then have a rickshaw ride along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. The last stop is the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake where you can watch a traditional Water Puppet Show in the afternoon.

Today you will enjoy the Halong Bay cruise. It starts with about a 3.5 hours' scenic drive from Hanoi to the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, where you can see nearly 2,000 limestone islands dot the sea and traditional sampans and junks sail the glinting water, grottos, thick forests, and hidden coves, it will be a real ocean adventure! A variety of optional activities on board like kayaking, swimming, diving will definitely add more fun to this trip. 

Continue your unforgettable Halong Bay cruise. You will enjoy your brunch before disembarking the cruiser at around 10 am. When the cruise ends, your guide and driver will meet you at the pier then drive to Hanoi airport to fly to the Imperial City - Hue. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel and free at leisure in the evening. 

After breakfast, you will first visit the majestic Tomb of King Minh Mang, then sail the Perfume River by Royal Dragon Boat to the serene Thien Mu Pagoda. Later, transfer to visit cobbled paths through the grounds of the Imperial Citadel and tour the Forbidden Purple City. Absorb the energy, sounds, and odors of the bustling Dong Ba Market. 

After a relaxing breakfast, head for Hoi An while enjoying the view of the coast and Da Nang from the top of Hai Van Pass on the way. On arriving in Da Nang, visit Non Nuoc Beach, Cham Museum and the famous Marble Mountain. In the afternoon, proceed to Hoi An. Rest of the day at your leisure. 

Today starts with an eco-tour to the fishing village, board a join-in Hoi An eco-tour boat cruising on the Cua Dai River, learn the hands-on experience of casting fishing net from local fishermen, then paddle the private Vietnamese bamboo basket boat to have unprecedented fun. Return to the join-in boat for refreshment and rest.

In the afternoon, you'll get a real feel for this tiny town by taking a light excursion to the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses. Our guide will tell you all the stories behind these historical relics. 

After breakfast, head for Da Nang airport to catch your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be picked up to check in to the hotel and then visit Binh Tay Market and War Remnants Museum. Tan Dinh Church, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall, all within walking distance, are absolutely nice choices for a free stroll. 

After breakfast, set out to explore the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels led by a war veteran, who lived in the tunnels for years. Experience the mid-day service with the followers at the ornate temple of the unique Cao Dai religion. The rest of the day is for you to relax.

Breakfast at the hotel, head for My Tho to take a boat trip on Tien River and visit My Tho Fish Market and four islands. Later, ride a cart through a beautiful village to the Mr. Muoi Hai's House to enjoy honey tea. After a sampan ride along the canals of Mekong River, your driver will drive to Can Tho. Check in to the hotel and enjoy some leisure time on your own.

With a stopover at the Bun Tau Noodle Factory, you'll then start a boat cruise along the endless waterways of the mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang Floating Market to see hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your departure flight.