Highlights of Thailand and Vietnam

• Day 1:

  Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center for check-in. You will be free for the remainder of the day. Accommodation in Bangkok: (5*) Anantara Riverside (Deluxe Room) (two nights)

• Day 2:

  This tour includes two of the most extraordinary Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ½ tons of solid gold) and the Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings. After, you will visit the Grand Palace that is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It was used as the residence of the Kings of Thailand and you will be able to see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.

• Day 3:

  Depart from your hotel in Bangkok and head to the Rom Hub Railway Market (Folding Umbrella market) at Mae Klong Railway Station. Rom Hub Market is truly a unique market, as it is located right on the railway track. Here the local people sell fresh food, fruits, vegetables, and other farm products on the active train track. Whenever the train is approaching, all the vendors will quickly fold away their umbrellas or awnings and remove their stalls to let the train pass. After that, continue to visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most popular and most photographed destinations in Thailand. This is one of the must-see, one-day trips from Bangkok. It is the largest of its kind, attracting a large number of tourists each day. Take a long-tail boat to the Floating Market where you will see the lifestyle of Thai people along the canal. Around 11:30 AM, you will transfer back to the Bangkok airport for a late afternoon flight to Chiang Mai (additional cost applies). Upon arrival, you are greeted and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation in Chiang Mai: (4*+) Rati Lanna Riverside (Deluxe Room) (three nights)

• Day 4:

  Chiang Mai offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment. There are countless possibilities to enjoy your stay, including trekking amid wonderful mountain scenery, visiting hill tribes, elephant training centers, temples and cultural shows and fantastic opportunities for handicraft shopping and delicious food. The city of Chiang Mai has many beautiful and historic Buddhist temples and this tour visits the most interesting, such as the 600 year-old temple of Wat Pra That Doi Suthep, near the summit of Doi Suthep. After a drive up the mountain's winding road, the final climb to the site is via a magnificent Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps. Inside is an intriguing copper plated chedi topped by a five-tier gold umbrella which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai. Other temple visits on this tour include Wat Suan Dok whose large central stupa contains a Buddha relic and where the ashes of Chiang Mai’s Royal Family are interred; Wat Chedi Luang where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined; Wat Phra Singh, housing a very sacred 1,500 years old Buddha image. In the evening, visit the colorful Chiang Mai market and try local food on your own.

• Day 5:

  A pleasant morning is spent in the company of these magnificent gentle giants which in earlier times, were a vital part of the King's army and played a very important role in Thai history. On this trip, you will be witness to the traditional techniques still used in the training process. The delicacy and precision of such gigantic creatures, is amazing. The adventurous can also enjoy a short but unforgettable elephant ride! On the return journey to the hotel, a stop is made at one of the region's orchid farms displaying a full variety of some of Thailand's exquisite blooms. Return to the hotel in the early afternoon and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

• Day 6:

  Enjoy breakfast and some time free at leisure until your driver transfers you to airport for an early afternoon flight to Hanoi capital of Vietnam (additional charge applies). Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to hotel. Afterwards, you then take a cyclo (rickshaws ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. See the unique tube house, hidden alley and make a stop at Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi City. Every weekend (Friday to Sunday) there is a bustling night market, food streets, walking street and life music performance on streets of Old Quarter. Accommodation in Hanoi: (5*) Pan Pacific Hotel (Superior Room) (two nights)

• Day 7:

  If you have seen how busy and chaotic the Hanoi old quarter is during the daytime, you will get up early for different look of Hanoi. At 5:00 AM, you will depart from hotel. First, you will go to the morning colorful floral market in the Tay Ho district where hundreds of different kinds of flowers are being sold in bulk to the flower shop keepers. Continue visiting the Long Bien night wholesale market to see how busy it is before dawn. People from every corner of the city come here to pick up some boxes of fruit and vegetable which later they will sell at their own shop or other local markets. It is time for strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake to witness, and even take part in, people, young and old, exercising, dancing, doing tai chi, and jogging. As the sun rises and the light becomes perfect, take every second to snap the best photos of your day! Then, you will walk slowly through the Old Quarter to see how the city people begin their day. You will see street side markets preparing for the morning. Return back to your hotel for breakfast Follows the breakfast, we continue the day tour visiting the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and his house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Visit Huu Tiep Lake (nicknamed B52 Lake), a small lake surrounded by houses that is home to a historic B52 that crashed into the lake in the December 1972. The B52 looks like an iron pile, but yet is the pride of the people of Hanoi. Next, visit Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature and Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past.

• Day 8:

  After breakfast, you will drive to Ha Long Bay – UNESCO World Natural Heritage – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rise from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink on board prior to your check-in. Lunch with fresh sea food will be served while the boat is cruising through many stone islets, floating villages and small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village, talk and meet with local villagers prior to swimming or enjoy free time on the sundeck. Dinner will be ready by the time the boat anchors off at a quiet designated overnight area. Accommodation on Ha Long Bay: Sealife Legend cruise (Legend suite cabin) (one night) Note: Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions.

• Day 9:

  Breakfast is served while the boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passing by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Stop for a while to explore Surprise Cave-one of the most beautiful ones of the bay. The boat then continues cruising towards the wharf. You will disembark at about 10.30AM. The driver is ready to take you back to airport for two-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolitan city (additional charge applies). Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: (5*) Majestic hotel (Colonial room) (03nights)

• Day 10:

  After breakfast, visit Cu Chi Tunnels, which are about 45 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnels were created in 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals and command centers. During the Vietnam War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been opened for visitors. After a four-hour tour, you will return back to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War, as it is known in Vietnam. Continue to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. The day ends with visits to Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

• Day 11:

  After about a 2 1/2-hour drive from busting Ho Chi Minh City, you arrive in Ben Tre. Jump on a boat and start your Ben Tre exploring day. Your first visit is at a local family making coconut-leaves-swobs. Meet your friendly host and gain insight into local traditional methods to make a swob. Continue with a bike ride on the rural road. Cycle through peaceful villages, meet friendly and smiling locals saying hello and feel the tranquil scenes of rural life. Next is a rowing boat through the crisscross canals. Be relaxed while observing the slow pace of Mekong Delta life. You then have a short walk on the village lane to Mr. Ba’s family. His hospitable greetings and tasty local cake will make you feel at home. His family member is happy to share with you the local cake making procedure. Join them and try to make one local cake on your own under their enthusiastic instruction. Enjoy tea with honey and dried coconut while chatting with them about their daily routine, the local culture and customs. Lunch is served with Mekong specialties at a local restaurant. Relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before transferring to the pier where the waiting driver will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

• Day 12:

  You will have time at leisure before you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

May 01 – September 30, 2020 (Except for public holidays)

Per Person Sharing:      $1,959

Single Supplement:       $  899

Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast as mentioned or similar
• Transfer services in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrance fees and boat fees where applicable
• Elephant camp in Chiang Mai
• Meals listed in the itinerary (if any)
• English-speaking local guide in each city
• Bottled water on coach during transfer
• Government taxes and service charges

Exclusions:

• International and domestic flights, along with airport taxes (including airport departure tax), unless otherwise mentioned
• Meals not mentioned
• Drinks and surcharge for special request on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time and other personal expenses
• Insurance
• Gratuities for guides and drivers
• Surcharge for public holidays and/or peak periods (if applicable)
• Any compulsory meal by the hotels (during Christmas and New Year)
• Any type of visa and fee
• All other services not stated in the program

PLEASE NOTE

Standard hotel check-in time is 14:00 and check-out time is 12:00 (Early check-in time or late check-out time is subject to availability and with additional charge.)