Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed. Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.
This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. You may alter any aspect of the itinerary from excursions to accommodation.
International Flight: Excluded Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Then you are at leisure to explore the Chao Phraya riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.
Beginning as a small trading village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok has expanded to be both Thailand’s largest city and serves as its booming and cosmopolitan capital. As a gateway to South East Asia, Bangkok has grown in international business significance and yet still maintains its grandeur, mystery, and tropical beauty. With its many markets, world-class restaurants and street food, extraordinary Royal Palace, and a myriad of pagodas, it continues to attract millions of visitors each year and is consistently rated as one of the world’s foremost Destination Cities.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat | Afternoon Leisure
Meals: Breakfast In the early morning, take a traditional long-tail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.
Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.
Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.
Temple of Dawn – 17 Days Thailand Vietnam Discovery War Sites Natural Scenery
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 3: Bangkok | Bicycling the “Green Lung” of Bangkok | Afternoon Leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Today, take a journey across the Chao Phraya River away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Bangkok to discover an undeveloped wilderness of local waterways and jungle that is like a time warp back to the Bangkok of old. We start downtown Bangkok, and then ride to the ferry and cross the river and cycle along quiet paths, minor roads, and walkways through this extraordinary tranquil place, passing through villages, temples, and schools en route. Visit a 250-year-old Ayutthaya style period temple with a sweeping teak roof. On weekends we also visit a quaint floating market. The trip ends back in town at our starting point. This 25 km ride is very easy with no hills, though it is important to be cautious about the narrow elevated walkways. After the tour end, you will transfer to the hotel for an afternoon leisure.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Flight to Chiang Mai | Khao Soi and Night Markets
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Today, take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
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.
Your ventures will take you to lunch, where our guide introduces you to a famous street vendor serving classic “Grandma’s Khao Soy.” The dish consists of curry-based noodle soup served with chicken and pickled cabbage. The dish is steeped in the heritage of Northern Thailand and based on the accessibility of local ingredients. Continue to the night markets to explore the interesting curios, trinkets, silks, and jewelry created by the hill tribes in the surrounding highlands.
Chiang Mai is famous for it’s night markets which line the streets of the old city after dusk. Feel free this evening to try your luck at bartering for beautiful tapestries, curios, teas, and spices. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 5: Chiang Mai | Full Day: Gentle Giants of Asia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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. Will show you 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.
Elephant Sanctuary – 17 Days Thailand Vietnam Discovery War Sites Natural Scenery
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 6: Chiang Mai | Half Day: Thai Culinary Class
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you’ll join a culinary experience with a Thai chef. Start the class with a visit to the local market where Thai people buy groceries. The chef will teach you how to identify various produce and what to pick. You’ll learn about new vegetables and spices. Then, with the ingredients you’ll need in hand, continue to a Thai pavilion where the class will commence. You’ll have your own station and cooking utensils. The chef will show you how to prepare several dishes and oversee your work providing tips along the way. Then it’s time to enjoy it! After saying “goodbyes”, return back to your hotel for leisure time.
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 7: Chiang Mai | Full Day: Hiking at Inthanon National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, you’ll transfer to Doi Inthanon, the country’s highest mountain peak along 30 miles. The windy and scenic road to the top. Views depend on atmospherics but interesting places, remarkable flowering rhododendrons, rare birds, and butterflies. Lunch at a local restaurant. On the way back, visit waterfalls, hill tribe village and the temple for the holy relics in Chomthong.
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 8: Chiang Mai – Hoi An | Morning: Flight to Hoi An | Late Afternoon: Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast Today, you will transfer by flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver 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 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.
Ancient Port Town of Hoi An
In the late 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.
Hoi An Ancient port town
Accommodation: Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 9: Hoi An | Morning: Red Bridge Cooking Class
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you’ll learn about the unique cooking style and rich heritage of Hoi An cuisine.
This morning, you’ll transfer to the Red Bridge Restaurant to join in a cooking class. You’ll learn about the various influences of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese in the culinary traditions that have developed over centuries in Hoi An. You’ll also learn about various herbs, spices, and ingredients used in Central Vietnam. Then, under the guidance of your chef, you’ll prepare several dishes. After the cooking class, you’ll enjoy what you’ve prepared for lunch.
Accommodation: Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 10: Hoi An – Hue | Morning: Road Trip to Hue | Afternoon: Hue Imperial Highlights
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 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.
Imperial Citadel
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: Eldora Hotel
Day 11: Hue | Full Day: Vinh Moc Tunnels and War Sites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Explore the Demilitarized Zone in the area around the former border between North and South Vietnam.
After having breakfast at the hotel, our private guide and car will greet you as you deploy to see some of the memorials of history and relics of war left in Vietnam. You’ll start your day by visiting Vinh Moc Tunnels with 2 hours transfer from Hue. These interconnected caverns were built to shelter people from the intense bombing from American Forces. Walkthrough the narrow tunnels and see how people were living inside.
Visit the Ben Hai River, the natural border between North and South Vietnam. Here you can see the huge Hien Luong Bridge, which represented the desire for reunification after the national war.
Finally, you’ll finish visiting the McNamara Electric Fence, a multimillion-dollar secretive project from American Forces during the war.
After the exploration, you’ll be transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation: Eldora Hotel
Day 12: Hue – Hanoi | Half Day: Bicycling to Hue Tombs | Evening: Flight to Hanoi
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Take to bicycles 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.
Hue Style Lunch
Enjoy a Hue styled Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. Then come back to the hotel to shower before the flight. In the evening, 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.
Hue Royal Citadel – 17 Days Thailand Vietnam Discovery War Sites Natural Scenery
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 13: Hanoi | Morning: Hanoi Highlights | Afternoon: Private Street Food Tour in Hanoi French Quarter
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch In the morning, you’ll start by visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda. 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. 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.
Next, you’ll visit 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. Often compared with Oxford and nearly as old, 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.
Vietnamese Streetfood
Start the afternoon 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 afternoon, 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: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 14: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Full Day: Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner
In the morning, take a shuttle 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 enroute 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.
Lan Ha Bay – 17 Days Thailand Vietnam Discovery War Sites Natural Scenery
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 demostration 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 15: Hanoi | Morning: Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Return to Hanoi | Afternoon: Hanoi War Sites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Enjoy breakfast in the dining hall before taking a journey to explore the area around Sang Tai sea cave via canoes.
Return to Hanoi.
Discover the most important places of the History and Culture of Hanoi.
Then, continue with our guide and driver to visit the Vietnam War sites in Hanoi. You’ll start visiting Hoa Lo Prison, was constructed in 1896 by the French colonist to house Vietnamese political prisoners. Under the French regime, it was known as the Maison Centrale, and was an important symbol of colonialist exploitation of the era. The Vietnamese took it over in 1954, and the prison was subsequently used to house prisoners of war from 1964 to 1973, where it came to be known sarcastically as the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs. It is bound to be a moving visit.
Next, stop at Huu Tiep Lake, where the wreckage of an American B-52 bomber lies as a memorial to the war. Then, head to West Lake and Truc Bach Lake and visit the monument to John McCain, commemorating the spot where he parachuted to safety after his plane was shot down over the lakes.
Once completed the tour, transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 16: Ninh Binh – Hanoi | Wonders of Ninh Binh
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Hoa Lu(2-hour transfer), the ancient capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for only 41 years. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present-day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now two temples dedicated to two Vietnamese kings, which have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace. The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
Trang An Grottoes
In the afternoon, you’ll take an amazing boat trip through Trang An Grottoes. A gathering of 31 valleys and 50 cross-water caves are home to 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna many of which are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. Rowing through the Trang An Grottoes is a peaceful trip of serenity. The highland air is a respite from modern living and the sounds are only that of birds and the oars stirring the clear water. Towering overhead are magnificent forested mountains upon which you might catch a glimpse of grazing white-bearded goats. In the valleys, you’ll see cultivated rice fields.
You’ll then go on to visit Bai Dinh Temple, the largest temple in Vietnam. This Buddhist temple was built into the mountain with 3 terraces and faces the river. Explore the many halls, rooms, carvings, and statues during the late afternoon. Our guide will then take you to the best place for watching the sunset over this untouched part of Vietnam. Shortly afterward, you’ll witness the 13-tier pagoda – Chau Bai Dinh – be lit up for the evening: a true spectacle to behold!
After the exploration, return to Hanoi.
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 17: 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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One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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