Indochina Holiday: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia

Itinerary

• Day 1: Welcome to Bangkok

  Bangkok can be justifiably seen as your gateway to Southeast Asia. At the airport, your personal guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel for check-in. Feel free to enjoy the rest of the day exploring a bit, or simply unwinding from the long flight.

  • Bangkok

• Day 2: Bangkok

  After breakfast, you will walk through the flower and vegetable market with a fresh and pleasant smell. Next, head to the Grand Palace, the architectural miracle of Thailand and visit Wat Phra Kaew inside the palace.

  After lunch, see Thai houses and rural life by a long-tail boat cruising along the canal. Finally, proceed to Wat Arun. Touring to this unique white temple should be one of the top things to do in Bangkok for first-time visitors.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 3: Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Bangkok

  Today, you will enjoy an excursion to Ayutthaya, an ancient city as the former Thai capital for 400 years with past glory and beauty retains traceable. Firstly, visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, which combines various types of architecture ranging from Thailand to China. Later, head to Ayutthaya Historical Park. Here, you will marvel at the Buddha's head within a tree in Wat Mahathat, learn about the history behind Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and see the huge bronze Buddha inside Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit.

  After the tour, return to your hotel in Bangkok.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 4: Bangkok - Chiang Mai

  After breakfast, you will fly to Chiang Mai in mountainous northern Thailand. You will have time for a short rest after checking-in to your hotel. The remarkable Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple awaits you in the afternoon. The temple is known for its many steps and local white elephant legend. The Chiang Saen architecture here-most exemplified by the pagoda, is among the most elaborate in Thailand. To fill your evening, enjoy a traditional Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show, demonstrating the richness of life in this part of the kingdom.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 5: Chiang Mai

  An Elephant's Care Day experience awaits you today. At 8:30 to 9:00 your shuttle bus from the hotel will deliver you to Baan Chang Elephant Park, 50 minutes north of the city. In this ethically run, sustainable elephant refuge, you can meet, touch, bathe and play with rescued elephants. After lunch, prepare the elephants' lunch of sticky rice, fruit and herbs and feed it to them. Before being driven back to Chang Mai, don't miss visiting the baby elephants, too. They have their own separate nursery area and will be as curious to meet you as you are to meet them.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 6: Chiang Mai

  Today's mouth-watering activities will leave you with a memorable experience. An experienced Thai chef will guide you through traditional cooking methods as you prepare and cook local ingredients selected at the local market. Thai cuisine is justifiably world-renowned and you will no doubt be satisfied as you enjoy your own culinary work for lunch!

  After lunch, transfer back to your hotel and take the rest of the day at leisure.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 7: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai

  Chiang Rai is located in the province of the same name close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar. Established in 1935, the Wat Phra Singh Buddhist temple here is an ideal landmark to visit before you head to the point known as the northernmost in the kingdom, the Mae Sai Border. It is from here that Thais' and international visitors most congregate to enter into neighboring Myanmar. Testifying to the international significance of this area, the Golden Triangle of Chiang Saen District is the point where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. After this, you can check into your hotel in the city of Chiang Rai.

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  • Chiang Rai

• Day 8: Chiang Rai - Pakbeng

  Please prepare for an early rise as your guide escorts you to the Houi Xay pier for the pleasant excursion down the majestic Mekong River on the Luang Say Cruise en-route to Pakbeng. On the way, you will get a taste of local life at Kamu Village. To energize you for the rest of the day, you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch on board. No matter where you look, you will not be disappointed by the natural beauty around the Mekong, which surely must rank as one of the world's great rivers. Passing the international border, you will also have dinner onboard in the evening before your arrival at Pakbeng in the landlocked country of Laos.

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  • Pakbeng

• Day 9: Pakbeng - Luang Prabang

  A morning excursion to the local market in the village of Pakbeng will introduce you to the ethnic minority people who live and work here. As you continue your cruise, stop at the traditional Lao Loum village (Tai people) of Ban Baw, where children are known to love tourist photos! Here you can also see the process of making Lao Whiskey. Your next port of call on your cruise is the ancient city of Luang Prabang. After a tasty onboard buffet lunch, you will continue to the Pak Ou Caves. These caves form a pilgrimage spot for locals and have an extensive collection of Buddhist icons. You should arrive in the city of Luang Prabang around the evening and then you can check into your hotel, where you will stay overnight.

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  • Luang Prabang

• Day 10: Luang Prabang

  If you are an early-riser you will be able to see the traditional alms-giving ritual here commencing at around 5:30 am, where you can engage with local monks and nuns. To continue your day, the Phousi Market offers a wide selection of local delicacies. In the afternoon, the Royal Palace Museum awaits you, as does three elaborate Buddhist temples: Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, and Wat Aham - these serene places of worship offer a contrast to the fierce fighting that took place here during the Laotian Civil War. At sunset, from the summit of Mount Phousi, you can take in the small but busy city below. During your time in Luang Prabang, you can explore the night market on both evenings.

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  • Luang Prabang

• Day 11: Luang Prabang

  Set amidst a tranquil forest setting is the majestic Kuang Si Waterfall. Enjoy a swim here in the naturally-colored turquoise pool. Later in the day, you will proceed to the Ban Na Ouan Village of the Khamu people and an ethnic Hmong Village where you can observe the traditional life still practiced by the hill tribes in this remarkable land.

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  • Luang Prabang

• Day 12: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng

  After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will arrive at Vang Vieng. Set in the impressive karst hill landscape, Vang Vieng is a town developed for tourism. Here, you will board a boat on the Nam Song River.

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  • Vang Vieng

• Day 13: Vang Vieng

  Tham Jang Cave is your first stop for the day and probably the best-known landmark of Vang Vieng. Within this cave is a natural spring which visitors are welcome to swim in. After this, to get a taste of local life, you will visit the ethnic Tai Deang and Souayhill tribe villages. Feel free to enjoy your evening at your own pace.

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  • Vang Vieng

• Day 14: Vang Vieng - Vientiane

  Vang Xang, known as the ''Pond of Elephants'' is a remarkable archaeological site. Spanning a millennium of history, the site was developed by the Buddhist Mon and Hindu Khmer civilizations. You will then continue your journey to the Laotian capital, Vientiane. After your hotel check-in, spend the evening at your own leisure.

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  • Vientiane

• Day 15: Vientiane

  Start your day in the capital with a visit to the Wat Si Saket. The temple was built in 1818 and has maintained most of its original structure. No fewer than 7,000 Buddhist statues are housed in this building! In the afternoon, proceed to the landmark known as the national icon of Laos; the gold-covered That Luang Stupa and then head to the Buddha Park, a large sculpture park southeast of Vientiane. The Patuxai Monument in central Vientiane was constructed between 1957 and 1968 to honor fallen Laotian soldiers of WW2 and the independence movement. Although known as the Laotian Arc de Triumph, the architectural style is very much Laotian in nature. Feel free to unwind for the rest of the day at your own pace.

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  • Vientiane

• Day 16: Vientiane - Hanoi

  After breakfast, you will have some spare time to wander around Vientiane for a while before heading to Wattay International Airport for your flight to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. There, you will be met by your personal guide and escorted to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your own pace.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 17: Hanoi

  Your day in the historic capital of Vietnam begins with a visit to the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays and Fridays). Hanoi has over 1,000 years of history and as you would expect, many important buildings are testifying to its key role in Vietnamese history; these landmarks include the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple.

  Later in the day, visit the renowned Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which pays homage to the dozens of distinct ethnic groups living in this fascinating country. The Old Quarter, the commercial heart of historic Hanoi, can be reached by one of the many rickshaw rides you can find in the capital. For the evening, the Hoan Kiem Lake is the setting of the traditional Water Puppet Show which is highly recommended.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 18: Hanoi - Halong Bay

  The spectacular Halong Bay can be reached from Hanoi about 3.5 hours' drive. Here you will board the Halong Bay Cruise, which is surely the best way to appreciate the stunning maritime environment here-truly rich in biodiversity. In addition to the world-beating scenery, a range of water sports are available. These activities are optional and if you prefer to simply take in the scenery here, you will find few locations to match the natural beauty of the pristine blue water and limestone islands!

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  • Halong Bay

• Day 19: Halong Bay - Hanoi

  A Tai Chi lesson on the deck is a great way to awaken your senses in the morning. Your first stop today will be the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave) which is considered one of the finest grottoes in the whole bay area and located at Bo Hon Island. The cavern is so-named due to the many local stories and legends associated with it. Following this, you will enjoy a fine and filling meal before reaching the mainland for your drive back to Hanoi.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 20: Hanoi - Sapa

  From the capital, travel to the mountainside town of Sapa. If you would like to appreciate the photogenic scenery on the way and take pictures, you are welcome to make some stops (the journey is about 5 hours). On settling into your hotel, have a short rest before your first attraction, the remarkable Silver Waterfall which is said to resemble a great white dragon! Reaching the heights of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, immerse in the breathtaking view at the "Heaven Gate" of Sapa and take in the beauty of the Lai Chau Valley, the majestic Fansipan Mountain and the frontier town of Sapa.

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  • Sapa

• Day 21: Sapa

  Vietnam is an ethnically diverse country with minorities including the Red Dao, Hmong, and Tai being native to this region. The local market, which is your first stop for the day, is a melting pot for this diversity and you can see the various minorities selling their goods, you may also wish to buy snacks and other provisions for your day ahead.

  It is recommended to save space on your camera for the afternoon trekking tour to the Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, surrounded as they are by majestic mountain scenery. After this rewarding but tiring trek, you will welcome the drive back to Sapa to get some much needed sleep.

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  • Sapa

• Day 22: Sapa - Hanoi

  Ma Tra Village is your first stop of the day and home to the ethnic H'mong and Red Zao people. Not too far from here is the home of the Red Dao people, Ta Phin Village. The rice terraces of this area are a testament to an important industry for the whole of Vietnam. The beautiful and peaceful Lai Chau Valley can be a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's bustling cities. You will have lunch in a local village before being driven back to Hanoi.

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  • Hanoi

• Day 23: Hanoi - Hue

  From Hanoi, you will fly to Hue, highly important as both a former capital and scene of one of the most critical and costly battles of the Vietnam War in 1968. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is at your disposal.

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  • Hue

• Day 24: Hue

  After breakfast, you will head to the elaborate Tomb of King Minh Mang, the famous emperor ruled Vietnam from 1820-1839. You will then cruise down the Perfume River (so-named due to the unique aroma the waters emit) via royal dragon boat to the Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady and arguably the symbol of Hue City.

  The walled-city known as the Imperial Citadel was established by Emperor Gia Long with work beginning in 1804 in the old citadel of Hue. Within the complex is the Forbidden Purple City built around the same time. One of the largest palaces of its kind, the citadel here endured significant damage during fierce fighting in the 1968 Battle of Hue. A recommended way to spend the evening is at the bustling Dong Ba Market which specializes in local delicacies including macerated shrimps as well as souvenir products such as lanterns and traditional conical hats.

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  • Hue

• Day 25: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An

  In the morning, you will be driven to the historic town of Hoi An. Dividing the two major cities of Hue and Da Nang to the north of Hoi An, is the Hai Van Pass which offers the visitor a remarkable panorama of coastal Vietnam and the busy cities on either side.

  At the port city of Da Nang, you will be pleased to find the pristine Non Nuoc Beach, as well as the renowned Cham Museum, dedicated to sculptures of the ancient Champa civilization and the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone karst mountains. By late afternoon, you should arrive in Hoi An, where you can unwind or explore a bit on your own.

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  • Hoi An

• Day 26: Hoi An

  To commence your day in this historic town, you will take part in an Eco Tour. This will involve some interactive activities that are sure to give you an insight into local life and livelihoods including traditional fishing techniques. Hoi An is known as a culturally diverse town and after lunch, you will see this exemplified by the Chinese Temple and the Vietnamese Former Merchants' House which now also serves as a hotel. Feel free to put any questions to your experienced guide.

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  • Hoi An

• Day 27: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City

  After checking out of your hotel in Hoi An you will depart for Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam's largest city, formerly (and still sentimentally) known as Saigon, offers an abundance of interesting sites including the ornate former Presidential Palace, the Tan Dinh Church, Saigon Central Post Office (built in French colonial style between 1886 and 1891), Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Whilst Ho Chi Minh City is a fast-growing metropolis, you will be pleased to know it is still relatively compact. Wandering around the Binh Tay Market is a good way to conclude your day.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 28: Ho Chi Minh City

  For those who are not claustrophobic, a fascinating and poignant landmark is the Cu Chi Tunnels. This complex subterranean network was used by Vietcong forces during the long-running and costly Indochina Wars and especially during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Allow for some time to explore this vast network of tunnels, so important in Vietnam's national conscience. You will also have the opportunity to watch a documentary and explore the forest around here. In the afternoon, the Cao Dai Temple offers a spiritual respite before you return to your hotel and appreciate the setting sun.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 29: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Can Tho

  The city of My Tho is considered a good starting point to appreciate the majestic Mekong Delta. The My Tho Fish Market and Four Islands can be reached by a pleasant boat ride down the Tien River. You will then proceed to the city of Ben Tre, which played an important role in the Vietnam War and here you can see traditional processes of making rice paper and coconut candy.

  Mr. Muoi Hai's house is a good place to unwind and appreciate local culture. Here, you can sample honey tea and the traditional music of "Tai Tu". It is recommended you take advantage of the horse cart rides in the area for a novel way to get around. You will then proceed to Can Tho, the fifth largest city in Vietnam. On checking into your hotel you can relax or explore a bit on your own.

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  • Can Tho

• Day 30: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

  About 6 km from Can Tho is the remarkable Cai Rang Floating Market which is the largest wholesale floating market in the area. The Mekong Delta is vital to the Vietnamese economy and cruising around here on your boat you will see important livelihoods in fishing as well as fruit and vegetable produce. Back to Ho Chi Minh City, you will then head to the airport for your next leg of the journey to Siem Reap in neighboring Cambodia. After checking in to your hotel there, feel free to relax or explore a little at your own pace.

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  • Siem Reap

• Day 31: Siem Reap

  Angkor Thom is a world-renowned site and served as the last capital of the ancient Khmer Empire. The complex includes many elaborate and intriguing landmarks including the 13th Century Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.

  Just a few minutes ride is Angkor Wat, which is generally regarded as the world's largest religious complex. The site is so synonymous with Cambodia that it is featured on the national flag. Steeped in history, you will not want to miss the stunning panorama on top of the Bakheng Temple as the sun sets over this ancient complex.

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  • Siem Reap

• Day 32: Siem Reap

  The sunrise over Angkor Wat is truly amazing, though you will need to get up early to appreciate this. You can also engage with Buddhist monks and nuns as they take part in the traditional alms giving ceremony. After breakfast, proceed through local villages to the 10th Century Banteay Srei Temple. The temple is somewhat unique among the many at Angkor due to the relatively small scale of the intricate sculpture work and this, along with other factors, have made it particularly popular with visitors. Sample the local cuisine for a delicious lunch after which you will head to two splendid sites, the Ta Prohm Temple (noted for the huge tree roots around it) and the Ta Keo Temple which was possibly the first to be built of sandstone. After returning to your hotel, the afternoon will be at your disposal.

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  • Siem Reap

• Day 33: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

  In a local ethnic Khmer village, you will get a taste of the everyday life here. The area is rich in rice fields and palm trees, creating a splendid juxtaposition of the natural and agricultural. A light cruise brings you to one of the world's most remarkable ecosystems, the Tonle Sap Lake, where the Asian Monsoon conditions here create a unique flow reversal into the river of the same name. In the afternoon, visit the Artisans Angkor, a social enterprise designed to revitalize, teach and maintain the unique Khmer craftsmanship, with a particular focus on young people. Have a stroll around the Old Market before your short flight (about 45 minutes) to the bustling capital of Phnom Penh. After checking in to your hotel, feel free to unwind or spend the evening at your leisure.

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  • Phnom Penh

• Day 34: Phnom Penh

  The seat of the Cambodian Monarchy since the 1860s, the Royal Palace and the magnificent Silver Pagoda compound are adjacent to one another and as such, are often combined in the same visit. The site includes an intriguing small green Buddha sculpture, the origin of which is uncertain. The National Museum of Cambodia and Wat Phnom Temple (which dates back to 1372 and is the tallest religious building in the city) - are relatively nearby. For the afternoon, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. This somber but historically important site archives one of the darkest chapters of modern history, when the brutal Khmer Rouge regime controlled Cambodia (then Kampuchea) from 1975-1979. The site includes the infamous Security Prison 21 and the Killing Fields of Choeung EK. Some 17,000 innocent men, women and children were slaughtered here, just a fraction of the million-plus people who perished in the Cambodian Genocide.

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  • Phnom Penh

• Day 35: Phnom Penh - Bangkok - Phuket

  Enjoy a filling breakfast before your flight to Bangkok for the connection to the famous resort of Phuket. No doubt you will want to unwind after checking in to your hotel.

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  • Phuket

• Day 36: Phuket

  Enjoy the white beaches, crystalline seawater, exotic foods and more activities in the next two days in Phuket. Phuket is justifiably renowned as one of the world's best beach resorts, noted for its pristine sands and clear blue water as well as the delicious food on offer here. Little wonder it has been featured in popular culture including hit films such as 'The Beach' starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

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  • Phuket

• Day 37: Phuket

  Today will be free for you to simply relax or perhaps take part in such activities as kayaking, snorkeling or swimming.

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  • Phuket

• Day 38: Phuket - Bangkok

  You will have a few hours to spare in Phuket before your connecting flight to the capital. After checking into your hotel in Bangkok, feel free to spend your final evening in Thailand at your own pace.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 39: Bangkok, Departure

  Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel where your personal guide will pick you up and escort you to the airport. As you depart Thailand and South East Asia, we hope you have had a wonderful experience and wish you a safe journey ahead.

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