16 Days Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Highlights Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chiang Mai | Arrive in Chiang Mai

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After getting settled in your room, feel free to explore the night markets and bazaars for some interesting souvenirs made by the hill tribes in the surrounding mountains.

The old city walls still stand formidably against the ravages of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs, and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their hand made tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.

Accommodation: Na Nirand Romantic Resort

Day 2: Chiang Mai | Gentle Giants of Asia | Kantoke Cultural Dinner Show

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will have an elephant just under both of your care for the day-with the mahout (elephant guide) to help you learn about your elephant and get acclimated with their behavior and personality. Learn how she became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands she respond to, how to read her body language, and how to check her health. Then have an opportunity to feed her. The mahout will also show you how to ride on her neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer.

Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you a CD of the experience. Next, enjoy a picnic spread.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Around 7 PM, we will transfer to an outdoor courtyard theater. Take a place in traditional Thai seating as Thai dishes are brought to you. Enjoy colorful performances in traditional Lanna Thai apparel with live music. Then return to the hotel after the show.

Accommodation: Na Nirand Romantic Resort

Day 3: Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Temples and Heritage | H’mong Hill Tribe and Doi Suthep Mountain Temple | Specialty Dinner at David’s Kitchen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.

Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Temple perched on Suthep mountain. Every Temple with a name starting with Wat Prathat contains Buddhist relics and is considered sacred to adherents. Climb around 300 steps to reach the temple. On the way, ring some of the temple bells, if you like. The temple has a set of impressive murals picturing scenes from the life and teachings of Buddha. Our guide will elaborate on some of the history and stories as you explore the temple compound. Continue to a Meo hill tribe village. Have the opportunity to see their unique apparel and simple way of living. Meo families take a great deal of pride in their herbal gardens. After seeing their home and making a new friend, return back to Chiang Mai.
In the evening, you’ll transfer to David’s Kitchen for a set menu of modern French cuisine.

Accommodation: Na Nirand Romantic Resort

Day 4: Chiang Mai – Siem Reap | Flight to Siem Reap | Royal Gardens & Ang Chek Ang Chorm Temple | Specialty Dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Today, take a flight to Siem Reap with a short stopover in Bangkok (1h5m) with Bangkok Airways. Feel free to use Bangkok Airways Lounge which is complimentary. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, our guide will greet you at the airport and continue to the Royal Gardens of Siem Reap Town. It’s home to an old temple and giant trees.

Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chorm Shrine is one of the most popular temples in Angkor area, which provides spiritual protection for the entire Siem Reap. Located just west of the Royal Residence, the Shrine of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm, meaning the sisters’ temple, is said to dedicate two Angkorian princesses who dressed in the traditional robes of Theravada Buddhism. The taller statue is named Preah Ang Chorm, the shorter one is Preah Ang Chek. Then, you will transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Introduce to Khmer Cuisine

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak by chef Joannes Riviere. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Cambodian wooden house and recently rated as one of the Top 50 Asia Restaurants. The set menus change every two weeks based on the freshest seasonal products from the local market. It is one of the best restaurants in Siem Reap in terms of food quality.

Accommodation: Heritage Suites Hotel

Day 5: Siem Reap | Vintage Mercedes to the South Gate | Ancient Angkor Thom by Bicycle | Water Blessing Ceremony | Apsara Dinner Performance

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll hop in a Vintage Mercedes-Benz. Circle around Bayon temple with it’s giant stone smiling faces and stop for photos with the classic automobile if you like. Return back to the South Gate of the ancient capital where you’ll continue with our guide. (Note: Vintage car will return and a standard vehicle with air conditioning will provide transportation for the rest of the tour. No camera is provided for photos. Please bring your own.)

Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.

Biking through the stone city

The biking tour will start at the South Gate – a photogenic bridge at the gateway of the stone city of Angkor Thom which has made its way into many Hollywood movies. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Visit Bayon Temple where you will be surrounded by 216 gigantic stone faces which fame as “Khmer Smile”, you will also visit the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Stop your cycling trip with a visit to the local monastery to chat with monks and see their daily life. Then take part in a Water Blessing Ceremony. We will provide a change of clothes for you – a traditional Sarong which you will wear during the ceremony.

In the afternoon, go to visit Ta Prohm Temple – a jungle monastery with trees overcoming stone. This temple has been featured in many Hollywood films, including Tomb Raider and Transformers 3. On the way back, stop to see the Killing Fields of Wat Thmei. Our guide will relay to you the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.

Accommodation: Heritage Suites Hotel

Day 6: Siem Reap | Village Visit and Filter Donation | Floating Village of Kampong Kleang | Banteay Srei: The Citadel of Women

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, go with our guide to visit a small village where a water filtration system* has been donated on your behalf. You’ll have a chance to meet with locals. The water filtration system will be able to provide potable/drinking water to the family. We can also arrange to have your logo or names painted on the filter ahead of time. The guide will help to translate.

Optional recommendation: We suggest that if you have any used children’s books in your home that you no longer need, you may bring them with to donate to the children in the village.

*More information on the slow sand water filtration system provided can be found on the Center for Disease Control website here: https://www.cdc.gov/safewater/sand-filtration.html. We coordinate with waterforcambodia.org to have the filters made and for coordinating with local government authorities in establishing which families need a filter. Water for Cambodia is a non-profit supported by Rotary International and The Singapore International Foundation.

Floating Village

Then, you’ll take a boat trip on the water of the Tonle Sap Lake to a floating village called Kampong Kleang. This floating village is one of the most remote and least visited on the lake. You’ll transfer to the village then go by boat to explore the stilted homes and lake. See pet dogs and pigs in people’s homes over the water. Watch as community members get around on small boats. Visit the mangrove forests nearby home to diverse fauna. Then continue to the local pagoda, a colorful Khmer architecture with monks tending to their daily chores and studies. Have an opportunity to meet with the monks and discuss with them about their life and beliefs. Those studying English are always excited to practice.

Enjoy a traditional lunch at the local restaurant. Next, you’ll visit Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This smaller temple in the jungle features some of the most intricately preserved carvings of all the temples in Cambodia. Then you’ll take an ox-cart ride through the rice fields and give Palm Sugar and Palm Wine a try if you fancy. Then you’ll return to the hotel to relax at your own leisure or stop at a local souvenir market on the way back.

Accommodation: Heritage Suites Hotel

Day 7: Siem Reap – Hoi An | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Flight to Danang

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Before the light of the day, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.

Angkor Wat Sunrise

Then, take a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in.

At the end of a long lane of sandy beaches, palms and the blue sea turns the Thu Bon River. Take a step back in time 300 years to cobblestone alleys and aged wooden and stone homes. Time stands still in this quiet part of the world where ornate doorways and bridges could keep the curious passerby entranced in amusement. The setting – a Far Eastern port that was forgotten in time. Japanese, French, Chinese, and Vietnamese designs and styles melt together along every street.

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection

Day 8: Hoi An | Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk | Cruise Dinner on the Thu Bon River

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th-century Hoi An port town in it’s preserved state. You’ll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s.

Then you’ll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China’s influence in the region. You’ll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors, and more. You’ll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it’s imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You’ll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection

Day 9: Hoi An | Myson Holy Land | Dinner in a Private Nonla

Meals: Breakfast
Today you’ll explore the My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam’s most important Cham site.

In the morning, your tour guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lay the 1,100-year-old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You’ll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. Afterward, you’ll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes.

Fresh and lively Vietnamese cuisine with a commanding view over Monkey Bay and the surrounding mountains. Citron’s private dining booths are in the shape of an inverted Non La floating out over the hillside. Tonight, you’ll enjoy delicious cuisine with splendid views. We’ll return you back to the hotel after dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery Collection

Day 10: Hoi An – Hue | Mountain Coastal Road Trip to Hue | Hue Imperial Citadel | Specialty Dinner at Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then transfer by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding alongside the beaches of Danang where you’ll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Then you’ll approach a steep and narrow ascent where you’ll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

You’ll continue your climb to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. You’ll continue onward through mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you’ll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. As you enter Hue, you’ll see many imperial signs and impressive houses and buildings which are only a deluge of what’s to come.

Lunch at a royal residence

Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 6 miles long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off-limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in the Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue

Day 11: Hue | Hue Tombs | Specialty Dinner with Chef Madame Nhu Huy

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, continue with our guide by vehicle through the romantic city of Hue and surrounds. Your journey will bring you to Khai Dinh’s Tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos of the countryside scenery. When reaching Khai Dinh Tomb, start exploring the structure. It is notable for it’s elaborate decorative work and unique architecture, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is of a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by large dragon sculptures. The tomb is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards.

Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh’s grave, an altar to him as well as a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh tomb, continue by bicycle to Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh’s Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb showcases a traditional elegance, and many view it to be the most beautiful of Hue’s royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, it is said he preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace.

Afternoon and Terrific Evening Activities

Enjoy a Hue styled Vietnamese lunch a at a local restaurant before continuing to the last famous imperial tomb today – Minh Mang Tomb. Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 structures (palaces, temples, and pavilions) designed on a symmetrical axis running from Dai Hong Gate to the foot of La Thanh (The Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor’s tomb. Local rumor has it that the emperor buried a splendid treasure of gold and priceless valuables somewhere on the large compound. But the secret of it’s whereabouts followed him to his grave.

Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Tonight for a special treat, you’ll enjoy a private gastronomy fare with chef and author Madame Nhu Huy. She will introduce your palate to the “Yin” and “Yang” of Hue royal cuisine. For many generations, Hue was the center of royalty in Vietnam – and it’s dishes reflect the refined tastes of the monarchs. Hue has a rich history in the culinary arts. Try delectable assortments while your host expounds on the history of Hue’s unique food heritage. Return back to the hotel in the evening.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence, Hue

Day 12: Hue – Hanoi | Flight to Hanoi | Hanoi Highlights | Water Puppet Show with Dinner

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

After getting settled into the room, go with our guide to visit unique sites in the Millennium Old Capital if Vietnam. Start with the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th-century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius’s teachings.

Historical Hoan Kiem Lake

Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you’ll enjoy a half-hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. In the late afternoon, transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda set on West Lake. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat.

The evening will start with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world-renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You’ll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood.

After the show, you’ll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Apricot Hotel

Day 13: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay by Orchid Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, take a private transfer to Haiphong where you’ll enjoy some time at Orchid’s Private Lounge for refreshments until boarding. Then board Orchid Cruise.

Receive a safety briefing and check in your cabins. The boat sets adrift for Da Chong islet, home to an old French lighthouse. Enjoy a sumptuous feast in the panoramic dining hall while en route to the isles of Con Vit and Gia Luan. The bay opens up to you with stunning green karsts towering above the water. This area receives very few cruise ships as it has just been newly opened up. Continue to Ba Trai Dao beach of Lan Ha Bay. A paradise with perfect beaches and natural beauty. Stop at one of the beaches for swimming or kayaking during the afternoon.

As dusk approaches, welcome the sunset with a local specialty – “Ba Kich”(a liquor made from Noni fruit). Back on board, you’ll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets. Enjoy your creation! Then time for supper in the dining hall. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine and seafood in a romantic setting. After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or give night squid fishing a try with the staff(subject to seasonal availability).

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 14: Lan Ha Bay | Cat Ba Island & Lan Ha Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day starts early onboard your Lan Ha Bay Cruise boat with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. You can then enjoy a lovely breakfast, we continue the journey exploring Bai Tu Long Bay. A smaller boat will take tourists to visit the wonderful pristine landscape on Bai Tu Long. Here you will see the Vung Vieng fishing village. This is located in an area of quiet, peaceful, and stunning scenery. The lives of the fishermen throughout the years have changed little. There are museums, schools houses, and shops here. You can swim in the sea, or take a kayak out on Bai Tu Long Bay. Experience the culture of the fishermen living on the sea all year round.

Return to the boat for lunch, before visiting the amazing Sung Sot Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay. The stalactites and stalagmites here are incredible. After the exploration, return to the cruise.

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 15: Lan Ha Bay – Hanoi | Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Private Streetfood Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy the sunrise over the bay followed by a Tai Chi session. Then a light breakfast.

Take to kayaks and venture into Toi Sang cave. The cave is one of the longest grottoes in Halong with hanging formations. At the end, it opens up to a beautiful lake.

Return back to the cruise for a brunch and wrap your trip up with a Tea Ceremony with the crew for an intro into Vietnamese tea culture. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer back to Hanoi.

Vietnamese Street Food

Start the evening with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang(for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the “36 Old Streets and Guilds”.

Throughout the evening, you’ll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon(grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien(crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha(BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and spring rolls), Nem Cuon(fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center.

Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Accommodation: Apricot Hotel

Day 16: Hanoi | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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