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Museums, markets and monuments- this tour covers a lot of ground! See the best of Southeast Asia in a compact yet insightful holiday. Take in the modern metropolises of Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and all the quiet places in between where nature and history beckon the curious traveller.

DURATION: 18 Days / 17 Nights
PRICE: Contact us for your custom quote
STARTING: Bangkok, Thailand
FINISHING: Siem Reap, Cambodia

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After breakfast at the hotel, The Royal Grand Palace is the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument. See palaces that were used for different occasions – the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the mysterious Emerald Buddha which is the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Appropriate dress is required (or can be rented on site). Continue the visit Wat Pho, the home of Thai massage and the Reclining Buddha.

This afternoon stroll through Chinatown and find interesting tea shops, market vendors and unique temples to get a first-hand feel for old Bangkok. Continue to The Bangkok Folk Museum, a seventy-year-old Thai house converted into a small but fascinating museum. Then hop on a long tail boat for a ride along the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet klongs (canals) of Thonburi where you see how Thai people have lived next to the water for centuries. Last stop is the magnificent Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for the flight to Sukhothai. Upon arrival, be met by the guide and be transferred to Sukhothai Historical Park which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat. Lunch possible in supplement if morning arrival. Sukhothai, a name meaning dawn of happiness, was founded in the 13th century and became the kingdom's first capital, overseeing a period known as the golden age of Thai history. The park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. See the main sites of Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai and War Sra Sri and Wat Trapang Ngoen and Ramkamhaeng Museum before checking into your hotel. Bike ride is possible in supplement in the historical park. A nice and easy way to stroll around the ruins!

After breakfast, drive north to Si Satchanalai Historical Park on the bank of the Yom River north of Sukhothai. The ancient town, formerly called ''Muang Chaliang,'' was named ''Si Satchanalai'' during the reign of Phra Ruang and 134 ruined monuments have been discovered within the park. Visit the main sites of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, Wat Khao Suwan Khiri, Wat Chang Lom, Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo, Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Yai, Wat Nang Phaya, Wat Suan Kaeo Utthayan Noi and Celadon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Center at Ban Ko Noi, some 4 kilometres to the north of Si Satchanalai. Drive to Chiang Mai via Lampang, with a stop to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, and arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.

Travel thirty minutes by vehicle north of Chiang Mai city to a long-tail boat dock, where you will take a leisurely stroll around the grounds with a herbal garden. Then board a long-tail boat and enjoy a 30-minute cruise along the rural Mae Ping River. Along the river banks, you will see traditional wooden houses and modern residences. Arrive at a boat landing and walk for about 10 minutes from the landing to Waroros fresh food market for a visit, experiencing the Northern Thai way of life. From the market you take a trishaw ride along Tapae Road past City Walls and along Ratchadamnoen Road to Wat Phra Singh.

In the afternoon, explore ancient Chiang Mai, including its old city walls, gates, moat and markets. After visiting Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai’s royal family are interred, you continue to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the temple on the mountain, and the most sacred in Northern Thailand. Your experienced guide will explain the story of the temple, the white elephant and lead you around its impressive chedi and show its beautiful murals. In the late afternoon, the tourist masses have already left the temple grounds and dusk will give a very special atmosphere. After your private blessing ceremony, witness the magical evening chanting of the monks. End with the spectacularly romantic evening view over Chiang Mai with its millions of glittering lights.

After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

On arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel.

After your breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel.

Your city tour begins with a visit to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish this morning with a visit to the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important temples in Laos. Then transfer back to your hotel/restaurant (lunch at your convenience). Be picked up by the guide at the hotel in Luang Prabang at 14:00 with the bicycles.

The first stop of the afternoon bike ride is the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, a museum dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight in to the Lao people (Note: closed on Mondays).

Continue riding to the Phousi Market and join the locals and support vendors by buying fresh produces or fruits. Be encouraged to taste some of the exotic flavours of the local fruits and learn about new items not found in the grocery store back home!

Lao cuisine relies heavily on the freshest produce and incorporates a range of intriguing flavors, many unfamiliar to the western palate. A cooking class at ‘Tamarind’ restaurant starts with an introduction to these main ingredients and how they are used in Lao cuisine. Then you will start preparing and cooking an assortment of dishes under supervision- a cheerful chef who will teach you the traditional techniques as well as information about Lao culture. A cooking class is an ideal way to experience a culture from inside as Lao people take pride in sharing their love for their cuisine with some introduction to distinctive Lao dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural livelihoods on the river. Cruise upstream for 1.5 – 2 hours before arriving at Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid April. The boat then keeps cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunch time at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard. Cruise back to Luang Prabang and return in the early afternoon.

This afternoon take a chance to participate in a unique, traditional Lao ceremony. The Baci is performed in celebration of an important event such as weddings, births, or for welcoming guests and is a means of expressing good will and good luck to others. During the Baci, special flower trays and food treats are prepared which are then touch by the participants while a Buddhist mantra is chanted. After the chanting is completed, cotton threads are tied around the participants’ wrist whilst they receive an individual blessing.

Continue to climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hill tribe market.

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 4 hour drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed onboard and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi late in the afternoon, join a half-day city tour to discover charming and historic capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is a unique city with more than 1000-year of rich culture and fascinating history. The tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes a visit to the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and a walking tour of the Old Quarter.

This morning after breakfast, depart from your hotel to Noi Bai Airport for your Hue bound flight. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be welcomed by your guide and vehicle to start your Hue discovery tour at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

From here take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax; full of lotus flowers in summer there are many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study.

Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. In the grounds of the pagoda is the Austin car made famous in 1963, when a resident monk drove the vehicle to what was then Saigon to protest against the southern regime, the photo of his self immortalization was captured and is one of the most well known images of the war.

In the afternoon see the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. End the day with a visit to the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market to see the abundance of fresh produce.

Leave Hue for Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. The scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. In the afternoon take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market.

Free at leisure. As a suggestion head down to Hoi An’s Cua Dai Beach with its stunning stretch of long white sands, crystal clear waters and island views.

Or, take an excursion to Tra Que Organic Herb Village (optional tour extra cost your own account, please contact our travel consultant for prices):

Pick up from hotel in Hoi An and transfer to the starting point of the bicycle ride. From here ride a bicycle to a local farm in Tra Que Village (depending on the location of your hotel you may be able to cycle directly). Take a trip around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilising it with seaweed. Continue gardening activities such as raking, sowing, watering greens, picking greens etc. After farming activities you will be shown how to prepare tam huu, a local delicacy before sitting down for a home cooked meal including banh xeo a speciality savoury pancake wrapped in rice paper before transferring by vehicle back to your hotel.

Transfer to Danang Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.

On arrival take a tour of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. Your program includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace it was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many.

From there stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

After this historical visit continue to the War Remnants Museum where exhibition halls display imagery of both the French and ‘American’ wars.

Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda located on the fringes of district 1. Dating from 1909 and built by Cantonese Buddhists this quiet oasis was designed using feng shui principals showcasing ornate statues and effigies. Following your tour head back to your hotel.

This morning is free at leisure for last minute shopping or sightseeing before transferring to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap.

Arrive in Siem Reap by the morning flight and transfer to hotel. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire.

This afternoon, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom. This is the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII and the city is surrounded by an 8m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.