Best of Thai Land, Cambodia, Vietnam Tour - 18 days

 Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel. The glorious history of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is closely linked to the Chakri dynasty that still reigns but does rule in Thailand. 

Check in at the hotel and free time for your relaxation.  Overnigh in Bangkok

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

 Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube. Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation. Overnight in Bangkok.

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the Maeklong railway market, take photo, and enjoy the local snack in the market. Then, drive to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Enjoy your own lunch.

Afterwards, move to Coconut Sugar Farm where you will observe how Thai farmers produce coconut nectar and palm sugar loaf. You will see a demonstration of coconut flower cutting, pouring the nectar into a bamboo container, putting preservation woods in the container, boiling up and pasteurizing the coconut nectar into the drinkable one. You will try squeezing coconut milk from coconut shell using a traditional Thai "rabbit-teeth" wooden machine.Return to hotel for relaxation. Overnight in Bangkok.

The morning would be free to do whatever takes your fancy until you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. 

Then, move to San Kamphaeng Handicraft Village which is famous for high-quality cotton and silk weaving, elaborate wood carving, and ceramics. The village is made up of small cottages tucked between the factories and workshops where artists produce their crafts.

 We also visit Bo Sang Umbrella Village, famous for the production of paper umbrellas, hand-painted in an infinity of painstakingly detailed designs. These vibrant parasols are so popular that they are celebrated every January at the at the Bo Sang Umbrella festival.

Transfer to hotel and free time at your leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

06:30 – 07:00 Pick up from your hotel.

07:00 Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

08:30 Arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Learn about the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing.

09:00 Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

09:45 Mud Spa with the elephants

10:30 Walk with the elephants to a river and bathe them.

11:30 Eat a traditional meal and then say goodbye to the elephants.

12:00 Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.

13:30 Drop off at your hotel. 

* Please Note: At the Sanctuary, we will allow you to spend as much time as possible with the elephants. Therefore, there is no formal schedule and aside from pick-up times, the times shown here are approximations.

 Then, free time at your leisure. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

peak of Thailand – Doi Inthanon National Park. On arrival, we will spend 2-3 hours trekking through the jungle following a narrow mountain trail which leads us to stunning hidden waterfall in the middle of lush jungle. Along the way before reaching the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village, we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces. Discover the Pagagayaw Karen hill tribe village and taste a cup of locally grown coffee then move on to Vachiratharn Waterfall, a 70 meters high thunderous waterfall. Enjoy the cool fresh air at the waterfall before we continue back to the ground.

 After that you will visit the beautiful architecture of Napamaytanidol Chedi and Phra Mahatat Napaphon Bhumisiri which build to honor the 60th birthday of King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit. Finally, transfer back to Chiang Mai for your overnight.

Enjoy a small break before leaving for the airport and the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your local guide will greet you and send you to your hotel for check-in. You will then enjoy the rest of the day in this historical city at leisure.

Overnight: Siem Reap .

Meal: Breakfast

8:00: Drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent,Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century anddedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining.

The pink sandstone structure bears aseries of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels,pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man.You’ll also visit the Landmine Museum where Mr. Aki Ra, a child soldier in the Khmer Rouge,has dedicated his life to helping those in need. Having spent most of his childhood fighting forthe Khmer Rouge, Mr. Aki Ra was trained by the United Nations to detonate land mines; Hisfantastic work earned him a nomination for CNN Hero of the Year in 2010.Not to be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated withcarvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.We visit the Rolous Group including Lolei, Preah Ko & Bakong temple first. This islandtemple consists of four brick towers on a double plate rite platform.

The 3 temples Bakong,Lolei and Preah Ko – located 11 Kilometers (6.8 miles) southeast of the Siem Reap Market– comprise the Rolous group of monuments, and are dating back to the late ninth century and isthe earliest site of the 600 years Angkor Period that is open to visitors.Have dinner by yourself.Overnight in Siem Reap

Have breakfast at hotel.

(Angkor Wat opens at 5:00AM so if you would like to avoid the crowds in the day, you canstart the tour as soon as possible at 5:00-6:00AM)

5:00 - 6:00: We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor

6:45 -7:00: Check-in at airport.The private car will pick you up and transferto your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.Have lunch by yourself and check-in hotel.

14:00 -14:30: : The car picks you up at the hotel in District1.

15:00: Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunificationpalace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is awidely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.

16:00: Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the NotreDame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office.17:30: Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vastdisplay of the both the Indochina wars.

18:00 - 18:30: End trip.Have dinner by yourself.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

8:00: Pick up at your hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.The trip to Cu Chi will take you an approximatelyone and a half-hour bus drive.9:30: Before exploring the tunnels, you will watchan introductory video about how the tunnels weremade and how Vietnamese people survived in theharsh conditions of the wartime. Then, spend yourtime exploring the remaining areas and tunnel system which include special living areas withkitchens and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like weapons factories, fieldhospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs.

The tour guide will pick you up at yourhotel in the Old Quarter (or pick up from the airport).Start your tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and HoanKiem Lake, see the famous old buildings up close andfeel the atmosphere of the local people doing business.

 15:30: You move to visit at Ho Chi Minh Complex including: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and tour guide will give you historyinformation and answer any questions you may have.Afterwards, ride around the city, outside of the Old Quarter, where most tourists do not visit, past by someof the majestic, historical buildings to the edge of WestLake and stop for Vietnamese tea/coffee.

 16:30: Next we will cross the bustle street for a shortwalking inside the campus of the first university of

Vietnam – Temple of Literature – which was built in10th century under Ly Dynasty who greatly influencedby Confucianism.

18:00-18:30: After that, we have chance to have a cup of Vietnamese coffee and you will be taken back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Just 100 km down to the south of Hanoi, Hoa Lu was theancient capital of Viet Nam from 986 to 1009. The Trang Aneco-tourism site is considered the “Ha Long Bay land”.Here, space was so quiet that the only sounds were those ofthe trains. In the distance, visitors have the opportunity toperceive the white flowers of the reeds in the foothills.While enjoying fresh air and mountain scenery, which takes visitors into a magical world.

7:30 - 8:00: Our guide and driver pick you up at your hotel, arrive after 2,5 hours.

10:00: Depart to the most popular attraction to visit inNinh Binh are the Trang An Grottoes (the World NaturalHeritage site). Arriving Trang An - eco tourism site. In 2hours you will be surprised by the beauty of this landscapethat seems as Halong Bay on land. The bamboo boat willtake you through many amazing caves.

12:00: Lunch in Restaurant where you can try the special food is goat meat and other traditionallocal foods. After Lunch, Depart to visit Trang An tourist attraction – Hoa Lư.

13:00: Arrive Hoa Lu, once ancient capital of Vietnam dating back to the 11th century. Havingbeen eroded over the millennia, the dilapidated ruins have nearly been absorbed by the

spectacular scenery creating a mystical atmosphere that willbesure to titillate your imagination, visit King Dinh and LeTemple.

13:30 - 14:00: Visit Mua Cave - totally get challenging to finallyenjoy wonderful relaxation on the top of Mua Cave mountainwith a majestic world around you.

16:00-16:30: Getting on the car return to Hanoi.

Free time to relax till transfer to the station for night train to Sapa.

Note*:

Late checkout at the hotel is not included. Our tour guide will not accompany during the train trip .Train schedule is subject to change depending on availability .Private compartments on request at surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages.

Meet your tour guide  at the train station and head to Sapa at 6 AM. Indulge in breakfast at your hotel then have breakfast at your hotel .

9h15: We start trekking on small trails down the Muong Hoa Valley toward Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here we will discover their daily life and how they make traditional clothes, handicraft, indigo...We will visit the biggest valley which provides the best view for golden rice terraced fields in Vietnam. After Lao Chai we walk to Ta Van village of Giay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields.

Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages, about 8 km from Sapa town, where black H’mong and Dzay people are living, it is also the beginning of the valley which is called Muong Hoa. From a high point of the main road, great view of the whole villages open wide to offer the marvelous panorama views, backed by high mountains and facing the river. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields and stream, discover and visit some of Black H’mong families. You will have a welcome feeling at any house of the hospitable people there. You can interact them, learn about their culture and customs. Then we take you back to sapa town and drop you at the hotel.

08:30: Pickup at the hotel. We start a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. We enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and trek for 6 km to Sin Chai village, which is located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before climbing up on the way back to Sapa.

You are free to explore the town till bus transfer to Hanoi departing at 3:00pm.

Arrive Hanoi at 9pm.

08:30: Pick up at your hotel near by the Old Quarter in Hanoi by shuttle bus departure to Halong Bay – Lan Ha bay.  Short break half way. 

12:00: Arriving Tuan Chau marina, transferred  by tender of cruises. Welcome aboard the  cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet  the captain, crew in the cruise briefing, safety  instruction. 

13:00: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine  of fresh seafood

and an assortment of  appetizing favorites are served while sailing  through Islets of Con Vit. 

15:30: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. 

The area is surrounding of extraordinary limestone karsts landscapes. We progress to Ong Cam Area  of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy  kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Bay. 

17:30 Back to Cruise, drop anchor for staying overnight. Enjoy the complimentary Sunset Party on the  sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retiring to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, wifi access or play exciting games. Overnight on board.

The morning is the best time of the day on Lan Ha Bay. You might like to head to the upper deck to participate in our daily Tai Chi sessions or relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice to watch the stunning scenery unfold before you. After breakfast, explore the mysterious caves amongst the remote islets on local rowing boats.

The breath-taking beauty of this World Heritage region will certainly impress. Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. After a final early brunch and a last farewell from our crew, you will be transferred back to Hanoi .

Overnight in Hanoi.

Our tour ends today with a private transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.