11 Days of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat international airport in Ho Chi Minh City, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city to check in. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as "Saigon" until 1975, is now Vietnam's never-sleeping commercial metropolis. Ho Chi Minh City, despite being a vibrant city in the midst of significant change, maintains a strong connection to its past through historical landmarks and French colonial monuments.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, you'll take the one and a half hour journey northwest from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through urban areas and the beautiful verdant southern Vietnamese countryside. Although the Cu Chi Tunnels were originally created as a base to plan guerrilla-style attacks against the French, they were developed throughout the Vietnam War into an inventive and astonishing subterranean network to shield the Viet Cong rebels from the American air and ground raids. Learn about the history of the tunnels, what it was like to live below and have an insight look of the Vietnamese fighting spirit by taking a tour of the vast tunnel system.

With your guide, explore the city's top attractions: War Remnants Museum, with photos and artifacts from the past, Reunification Palace, the former residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern, Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick structure with twin spires modeled after the original in Paris, Central Post Office, designed by Gustav Eiffel before he built the Eiffel Tower. Unwind in a coffee shop that was once used as a safe haven and weapon chamber by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. After that, unwind at a historic coffee shop that served as a place of refuge for Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast

Notes:

• Tour duration: full day (07.30-17.30)
• The Cu Chi Tunnels have been widened in places for western visitors, however they can still be dark, hot and claustrophobic inside so please bear this in mind if you do not like enclosed spaces.
• For those who choose to stay above the ground there are plenty of easily accessible rooms and excavated areas to visit

Today, exchange city scenes for the bucolic splendor of rice fields and fruit orchards. The journey from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta, is magnificent. At the waterfront pier, embark on a relaxing motor boat tour while admiring the sights of the Delta, including the region's iconic stilt-houses and thriving fisheries.

Trade boat for bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and customary cottages observing the rural life that remains in many ways similar to how it was lived far back in history. Children along the route keep greeting you with "Xin Chao" (hello). Visit a family-run business where they make coconut candies by hand and taste local tea with honey, sample fruits while having a chat with local people to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and traditional customs in Mekong Delta. Wrap up off your excursion with a memorable sampan cruise along the narrow canals past lush orchards and sleepy villages. Taste some local delicacies before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in mid-afternoon.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Notes:

• Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.00)
• Cycling distance: 5-7 km, depending on your physical ability and length you desire
• The exploration can be done on foot (500-700 meters) or by horse cart in case you don’t want to ride a bike
  

After breakfast, you will be free until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, welcomed by a tour guide and transferred to your hotel in the city for check-in. You will be free for the remainder of the day.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

OPTIONAL: Khmer Food Tasting Experience 50$ per person

This evening, save your stomach for a private street food tour with your local foodie guide to get a fascinating insight into Khmer food. Transfer by local
tuk-tuk to the local night market to enjoy the tantalizing sights, smells and flavors of local specialties.

Stroll through the alleys and side streets around the old market area to savor real Cambodian snacks, carefully selected for cleanliness and standards as the local people do, including grasshoppers, spiders, cockroaches, or crickets. Followed by a local beer if you so wish to wash all the tasty morsels down. Then, head to a local restaurant to sample some traditional Cambodian dishes that are created based on your allergy restriction.

Notes:

• Duration: 2.5-3 hours (18.30-21.30)
• The night market is crowded by the locals. It’s the mixture of sounds and smells of the local food. If you find it annoying, please inform the guide and we will provide you with an alternative option wherever available
  

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the Angkor complex is located in Siem Reap’s surroundings and one the most extraordinary sites of the ancient world. Today, step out and discover the beautiful temples which are considered Angkor’s jewels. Start your journey with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a temple, but an entire walled city of 9 square kilometers and the former great capital of the Khmer Empire from the late 12th Century until its ultimate decline in the 15th Century.
Admire the mysterious Bayon temple, crowned with a large number of serene faces sculpted on its towers. Take in the Terrace of the Elephants, to be used as the platform to view the victorious returning army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, an intricate terrace wall with deeply carved nagas, and other mythological figures located along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex.
Continue on your exploration of the famous jungle temple of Ta Prohm where several shots of the adventure movie “The Tomb Raider” were filmed. The magnificent tree roots have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling. This afternoon, drive out to visit the Banteay Srei which translates to “the Citadel of the Women”.

Originally constructed in the 10th Century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been remarkably well preserved. Drive back to downtown Siem Reap with a stop along the way at the Hindu temple of Banteay Samre, a structure often recognizable as a mini Angkor Wat.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast

Notes:

• Tour duration: Full day (08.00-17.30)
• Accessibility: 4 seats, 7 seats. 16 seats, 25-seat vehicle only

Today, don’t waste a minute of your time exploring the wonders of the Angkor complex. Follow your guide on the remote trails to avoid the crowds. Angkor Wat, a modern wonder of the world, was built by King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Incredibly detailed bas-reliefs depicting hundreds of exquisite carvings of Apsara, Hindu mythology, and pivotal events in that tradition’s narrative will astound you.

Return to the town and explore the world of traditional Cambodian art at Artisan Angkor, a social enterprise that provides training in Cambodian arts and crafts to young people from rural areas. Continue your ruin exploration by taking a short ride to the Roluos Temple group, dating back to the 9th Century reign of King Indravarman. Being some of the earliest temples built during the Khmer empire, the ruins of Rolous refer to a collection of four Angkor-era monuments which are the last remnants of the ancient city of Hariharalaya. Learn the evolution of these magnificent temples from the early days of the Khmer Empire up to its peak with the Angkor temples in the 13th Century. You will peacefully explore the temples as their location makes a nice escape from the crowds.

Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Landing in Luang Prabang, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Stay

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast

OPTIONAL: Discover Pak Ou Cave by local boat 90$ per person

Set off for a leisure boat trip to discover the famous Pak Ou Caves, which sits beneath a dramatic karst formation about 25 kilometers away from downtown Luang Prabang. Get onboard a traditional long-tail boat for cruising gently on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves.

Upon arrival, start exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, and the upper cave is a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. You will find Buddhas in every position, every era of life, and every size line the cave walls and understand a sacred religious practice that speaks to the devotion and commitment of Laotians to Buddhism. On the way back to Luang Prabang, stop at Ban Xang Khong and Ban XiengLek which specializes in silk weaving and Saa Paper (paper made from the bark of the Saa Tree).

• Tour duration: Half day (13.00-17.30)

Today, wake up before dawn to witness and take in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks in the early morning light. This is also one of the ways that Buddhists can make merit, helping contribute to good circumstances for the future. Spend this memorable day exploring the key highlights that contribute to the elegant tranquility of this charming town: The Royal Palace, a mix of French beaux-arts and Laos architecture that is now a National Museum housing the precious collections of the Royal artifacts; Wat Xieng Thong, a Lao-style masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood; Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang's oldest temple, which houses the Prabang Buddha’s statues and steles in simple architecture; Wat Mai - one of the town’s most luxurious monasteries with classic Laos architecture. An in-depth discussion with local monks about daily life, Buddhism, and Lao culture is the highlight of this excursion.

Enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive south of Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfall, with some stops at a hill tribe village to take in the sights and sounds of the local life. The Kuang Si waterfall is one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights with a multi-tiered cascade of pale turquoise blue water flowing from the thick jungle above into perfectly sculpted limestone pools below. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible, although between November and January, the water temperature is very cold. Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, home to more than 20 Asiatic Black Bears rescued from dire circumstances.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be free until a good time to drive to the airport for your departure flight. On arrival at Bangkok airport your guide and driver will be waiting to bring you to your city center hotel. The rest of the day is free to do as you please – relax, enjoy the hotel’s facilities, or venture out into the city.

Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

You will check-out two of Bangkok’s most significant landmarks today: Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is home to a 46-meter-long gold-leafed lying Buddha. The glittering Grand Palace, a perfect example of an ancient Siamese court, can be found on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is a must see for any visitor to Bangkok. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha can be found inside the grounds (Wat Phra Kaew).

After lunch in a Thai restaurant, we’ll hop aboard a boat for a cruise along the Chao Phraya River - the River of Kings. Along the way we can capture life along the banks of the canals – rickety wooden houses on stilts and serene waterside temples – giving us an insight into a slower, older way of life and the reason why the city was nicknamed the ‘Venice of the East’. A stop at Wat Arun,one of the most photographed sights in Bangkok, will give us a chance to stretch our legs and admire the glittering pagoda.

It rises 76 meters into the sky and is covered with glazed ceramic pieces that reflect the rising sun, hence the reason for its name: Temple of Dawn. Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Notes:

• Duration: Full day (08.00-17.00)
• Opening times: The Grand Palace is open daily from 08:30 to 15:30, except when there are special royal ceremonies or when it is used for state functions.
• Wat Arun is open daily from 08:00 to 17:30
• For religious reasons, women should wear short-sleeved tops with full-length trousers or knee-length skirts and men should wear trousers and short-sleeved shirts. No shorts or flip- flops allowed.
  

Let’s discover the Bangkok of old, when life took place on the rivers and waterways. We’ll travel approximately 100 km outside Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. An exhilarating and scenic ride on a long tail speed boat will take us past riverside villages and fruit plantations, before entering the vibrant market. There are many photo opportunities along the way and at the colorful market. Vendors sell tropical fruits, exotic vegetables and aromatic snacks from small wooden sampans on the water, while stalls on the dockside are laden with local handicrafts, wood
carvings, assorted silks and other trinkets. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs and get an insight into Thailand’s rural culture. The afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: Breakfast

Notes:

Duration: 5-6 hours (07.00-13.00)

Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the departure flight to your onward destination. Changes of the program may occur due to weather or other circumstances beyond the influence of the tour company.

Meals: Breakfast