18 Days Discover Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional English speaking guide, who will deliver you to your hotel for check-in. The evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals included: None

Today’s tour begins at 08:00. Go behind the scenes for a closer look at Buddhist culture. Start the morning with a trip to Wat Pho, arguably Bangkok’s most enchanting temple. Arrive just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants. Witness this deeply spiritual ritual and gain a better sense of Thailand’s Buddhist heritage.

After the chants, take a walk around Wat Pho and see the vast collection of religious treasures on display. Admire the famed reclining Buddha image, which stretches 45-metres in length. Learn about the symbolism of the Buddha’s intricate footprint and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image. The tour then continues to the nearby The Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered Royal family for more than two centuries. After lunch of your own choice at a local restaurant, take a long-tail boat through Bangkok’s canals to discover the true heart of the city. Start with a ride along the Chao Phraya River, also known as the ‘River of Kings’. Admire the passing skyline where glittering pagodas stand in the shadows of towering skyscrapers.

Make a stop at the Royal Barges National Museum. See the eight spectacular boats used by Thailand’s royal family to mark special occasions. Carved from teak and intricately decorated with gold leaf and mosaics, the barges are a truly impressive site. Go ashore to see Wat Arun, a 79-metre-high pagoda built in a style similar to Angkor Wat. Meaning ‘Temple of Dawn’, Wat Arun is one Thailand’s most beautiful temples and the perfect last stop on the day’s tour.    

Meals included: Breakfast

This full day tour begins at 8am, travelling by van and boat to explore Thailand's ancient capital and cultural heartlands. A 90 minute drive will bring you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Ayutthaya. The city was established as the royal capital in the 14th century and rapidly became the largest city in all of Asia, with grandiose temples and an impressive network of canals.

Although much of the city was destroyed in 1767 when the Burmese army invaded, there is still plenty of evidence of its former grandeur. Visit the main sites, admiring their unique architectural styles and learn about the history of the former city. Tour Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a classic example of Ayutthaya architecture and former home to a 16-metre high, gold-covered Buddha which was melted down by the Burmese.

Continue to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, with an impressive collection of seated Buddha Images, and Wat Mahathat where a tree has, over the course of several decades, grown around a stone carving of the Buddha’s face. Stroll through Ayutthaya’s local market and take a walk through the town's Muslim Quarter which offers the opportunity to sample an unusual local delicacy, candy floss roti.

At midday begin the return boat trip from Ayutthaya to Bangkok with a one-hour drive to the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Board an air-conditioned riverboat and cruise down the river, commonly referred to as ‘The River of Kings’. The journey takes three hours, allowing for plenty of time to observe the passing scenery of riverside life.

Arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon and transfer back to the hotel to stay overnight.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast and check out, take a morning flight to Siem Reap, where our guide will meet you taking a city tour before checking you in at your hotel. Enjoy time relaxing or exploring in the afternoon and evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will be driven to the south gate of Angkor Thom, the entrance to the once-glorious capital of the Khmer Empire. This massive historical site encompasses a series of eminent structures, such as the Bayon Temple, famed for the multitude of serene and vivid carvings, Elephant Terrace, a giant reviewing stand for Angkor’s King to greet his victorious army, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm Temple, a famous location in the film Tomb Raider. After the lunch break, the trip continues to the world-renowned Angkor Wat Temple, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. While here you will be transferred to the Pre Rup Temple, acknowledged as one of the best spots in Angkor to catch an impressive sunset, weather permitting.

Meals included: Breakfast

Notes:

Dress Code: Revealing clothes, such as shorts and skirts above the knees and showing bare shoulders are prohibited in sacred places. Respectful dress is strongly recommended in Angkor.

Smoking: Smoking inside the temple is prohibited at all times.

Public holiday closures: The Bakan Tower (Central Tower) of Angkor Wat Temple is closed on Buddhist Sabbath Days (Buddhist religious days which occur four days each month. On these days, the tower cannot be climbed.

Commence the day with exploration of Kompong Khleang Floating Village, perhaps the most authentic of Cambodia’s floating villages of stilt houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake. During the dry season when the lake is low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6 meter stilts exposed by the lack of water. Villagers then move out onto the lake and build temporary stilted houses, returning in the wet season when water level rises again. Travelling on, arrive at the Wat Thmei, Killing Field, featuring a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. Proceeding to Les Chantiers Ecoles Artisans D' Angkor, you will be able to observe a workshop that teaches the unique craft of wood and stone carving in the tradition and style of classic Cambodian artistry, before stopping at Wat Preah Prum Rath, the second oldest pagoda in Siem Reap.

Meals included: Breakfast

Take a late morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll be picked up by our guide to visit the Ben Thanh Market. Here you’ll be able to engage with the locals at first hand and sample some of the food and goods on offer before heading for your hotel.

Gain an overview of the spirit of the people and what they have overcome from turbulent history of Vietnam on display at the War Remnants Museum, featuring artefacts and records of hostilities against French, Japanese and American incursions. Also of significance to the country’s history is the Independence Palace commemorating the declaration of independence and rejoining of the south with the north. A strong French colonial influence is evident at Notre Dame Cathedral and an amazing fusion of French and Vietnamese architecture within Saigon Central Post Office. Further remnants of French colonial architecture can be found strolling along Dong Khoi Street, now mixed with high rise and populated with designer shops, restaurants and entertainment.

Meals included: Breakfast

Before arriving at today's main destination - Cu Chi Tunnels – savor the experience of visiting an organic agricultural garden where you’ll enjoy lunch after a private cooking class. In the afternoon you have a challenging opportunity to explore the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnel network, which was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The underground network providing living and restorative capability formed an essential part of their strategy for success. Some tunnels have been enlarged to accommodate visitors. Following a drive back to the hotel you will be free to relax for a pleasant Saigon sunset and enjoyable night.

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, you will leave Ho Chi Minh City to visit Cai Thia, passing through Cai Be, in the Mekong Delta. From here, witness local life from a different perspective as you ride a bicycle along paths that wind through plantations, vegetable gardens and tropical vegetation. You will pass peaceful villages and cycle along narrow canals, before stopping at a local family to sip tea and enjoy local fruits. After lunch at a guesthouse, jump aboard a rowing boat for further exploration on the river after which a local boat will return you to dock. From here, continue your journey to Can Tho where you’ll spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: The route for today’s cycling activity is between 5 and 10 kilometers and a maximum 1 hour travel.

Start today’s trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams of the mighty Mekong River to Cai Rang Floating Market, where hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostle for trade and sellers shout loudly to advertise their wares. In the afternoon, you will be driven to Can Tho airport for your flight to Da Nang. On arrival you’ll be greeted by your local guide and transferred to the hotel in Hoi An.

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, on a light excursion around the tiny town of Hoi An, you will be able to explore picturesque cultural sites such as the ancient Japanese Covered Bridge, Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) and Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quan Cong Temple), and the Old House of Tan Ky, home of a former Vietnamese merchant. A boat ride on the Hoai River in the afternoon leads to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where making pottery is still practiced in the traditional way and you can watch the locals at work. Pay a visit to the Precious Heritage Museum and see photographic work by Rehahn, a French photographer who shares his adventures in Vietnam. Tra Que Vegetable Village is a charming vegetable village which produces fresh leaves, vegetables and fruits for the local community. You may enjoy an opportunity a cooking class learning Hoi An culinary specialties. The evening is yours to explore charming Hoi An, taking in a highly recommended visit to the Hoi An night market.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Hoi An, before being driven to Hue. En route, you’ll have a chance to tour Da Nang, visiting Non Nuoc Beach, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and the famous Marble Mountains. En route take in the spectacular view to the ocean from Hai Van Pass. On arrival in Hue in the afternoon, you are free to explore the city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Get a fine experience of Hue today with a visit to the Imperial City of Hue, where you can stroll around this Forbidden Purple City site to see the Halls of Mandarins. At every turn there are things to broaden your knowledge, experience and understanding of Vietnamese history. Continue the tour to the majestic Minh Mang Tomb and a sail along the Perfume River in a royal dragon boat to the serene Thien Mu Pagoda. Later, you will be transferred to the bustling Dong Ba Market where you can get up close to local life and sample some of the exotic wares.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy free time early in the morning until it’s time to leave to catch the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, after checking into the hotel, take a walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter street markets with a local guide who’s passionate about food. Discover the exotic flavors of Vietnam with fellow food-lovers. You can sample fruit, hawker street food and local specialties like pork crepes. Visit Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan, for a personalized taste encounter with Hanoi’s best street food on this walking tour.

Meals included: Breakfast

In the morning, spend some leisure time on Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Later, visit Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda and Vietnam’s Confucius Temple and first university, the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, proceed to Hoa Lo Prison (called the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs), followed by the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the best place to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups from the rich collections of objects, photos, video tapes and cassettes. Pay a visit to a local craftsman’s house to learn how the water puppets are made and enjoy a unique water puppet show, a favorite experience for all visitors to Vietnam and a highlight of any Vietnam tour.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Please note the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays. Your guide may adjust the itinerary accordingly.

The next day and a half promises the enriching experience of a Halong Bay cruise, beginning with a 2.5-hour drive from Hanoi to the World Heritage site. Over 1,600 limestone karst islands dot the bay, traditional sampans and junks sail the glittering waters, grottos, thick forests, and hidden coves complete a movie-magical picture. Check-in for the cruise at mid-day, in time to be served a buffet lunch, before embarking on a memorable ocean adventure. Along the way a variety of optional activities like kayaking, swimming, diving can add to the fun of this trip.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Continue your leisurely Halong Bay cruise today until brunch is finished (around 10:00am-10:30am). Disembark from the boat around 11:00am. Your guide and driver will meet you at the pier, and then drive you back to Hanoi. Once check in is completed, you are free to enjoy the remainder of your day exploring or relaxing.

Meals included: Brunch

The remainder of your time in Hanoi is free for you to enjoy at your leisure until our guide and driver escort you to airport for your return flight. The tour concludes today.

Meals included: Breakfast