Southeast Asia's Hidden Gems: 20-Day Tour through Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia

Day 1

Welcome to Bangkok!

Pick up by guide and driver then transfer to the hotel for check-in. Then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunch time.

Overnight at the hotel in Bangkok.

Meals included:

None

Day 2

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.

After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying 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.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hote

Day 3

In the morning, we will depart to Ayutthaya; it takes about more than hour to reach the former Thai capital. Witness the glory of the ancient capital through its temple and palace ruins. First you will visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”, which is located just outside Ayutthaya. Then you will proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will also visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand. Have lunch by your own account. Afterwards you will visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. Our last visit will be the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.

At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel.

Our driver and tour guide will take you to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

In the afternoon, it will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.  After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 5

Breakfast served at the hotel. The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.  After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. In the afternoon you will visit the Doi Suthep hill. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 6

08:00 – 08:30 : Pick up from your hotel or accommodation

08:30 : Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

10:30 : Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

11:00 : 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.

12:00 : Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.

13:00 : Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.

14:00 : Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.

15:00 : Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants

15:30 : Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.

17:00-17:30 : Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 7

After breakfast, our guide and driver will come to pick you up at your hotel.

We will go to Chinag Rai and on the way we will visit a hot spring on the way.

Arrive at Chiang Rai Town, we will visit an unique Wat Rongkhon or White Temple built by one of the best national artist then continue to the ancient city, Chiang Saen. Then carry on to the tree country borders meet which is called "Golden Triangle".

Have lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to Mae Sai - the Thailand and Myanmar border city. Finally, visit the Akha and Yao hilltribe villages and Long Neck Karen Village, return to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8

Breakfast at the hotel then catch a flight to Bankok.

Pick up by guide and driver then transfer to the hotel for check-in. Then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunch time.

Overnight at the hotel in Bangkok.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9

Starting at 8:30 AM, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. Begin by visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda, a serene site nestled along the shores of West Lake. From there, transfer to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you'll explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the revered final resting place of Uncle Ho (President Ho Chi Minh), and his stilt house, where he lived between 1958 and 1969. Move on to the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda, an architectural gem in the middle of a square lake. The journey continues to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first college dedicated to Confucian principles.

In the afternoon, choose one of the city's museums for further exploration, including options like the History Museum, Ethnology Museum, or the historically significant Hoa Lo Prison, once famously known as the "Hanoi Hilton." Return to the downtown area for a break by Hoan Kiem Lake. Wrap up the day with a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, renowned as the 36 streets. This lively district is home to countless small businesses and shops, providing ample opportunities for exploration and capturing memorable photographs.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hanoi.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 10

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning departure for Ha Long Bay, we will go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights.

8h15 – 8h35: Pick-up in the Hanoi Old Quarter (Transfer by Expressway)

11:15-11:45: approx Check-in and finish stay registration procedure

12h15 approx: Transfer to the cruise by speedboat

12h45 approx: Check-in on the cruise.

13h00 approx: Enjoy lunch

14h00 approx: Receive key and check-in the cabin.

15h00 – 17h30 approx: Gather at reception area to participate in Kayaking activities

16h00 – 18h00 approx: Take pictures with the cruise by drone at the Sundeck area (depending on the weather condition)

17h30 approx: Sunset party

18h00 approx:  Cooking demonstration

18h00 – 19h00: Join the Happy Hour

19h00: Enjoy dinner

Overnight on cruise 

Note: the itinerary of Halong will be changed based on which cruise you choose and depending on the weather without prior notice.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch onboard

Dinner onboard

Day 11

5h45 – 6h15 approx: Enjoy the sunrise & join a golf class

6h15 – 6h35 approx: Taichi exercise

6h45 – 7h30 approx: Enjoy breakfast

7h45 – 8h45 approx: Gather at the reception area to visit Dark and Bright Cave by local rowing boat.

9h30 – 9h45 approx: Pack up the luggage and put them in front of the door, then return the key to the reception counter.

9h45 approx: Enjoy the buffet in our restaurant.

10h45 approx: Settle down the payment for personal expenses (beverages, spa, etc.).

11h10 approx: Return to the mainland by speedboat.

Return to Hanoi then transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Hue.

Upon arrival, you will go to your hotel in Hue for check-in.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hue.

Meals included:

Breakfast/Brunch onboard 

Day 12

In the morning, our driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city. The first stop will be Dong Ba Market where you can see the daily life of local people, buy some local specialties or souvenirs. Then, we will enjoy a boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most atmospheric and picturesque places in the former imperial capital on Huong river. Built on a small hill overlooking the Perfume River, 4km southwest of the Citadel, this seven-storey pagoda is an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as the Citadel.

Continue to visit Hue Imperial Citadel, the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945). Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam.

Have a short rest for your lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit an incense-making village to see how Hue people do incense sticks and listen to the story of cultural feature indispensable in the thinking of Vietnamese people.

Then, continue to transfer to Minh Mang Tomb, a reflection of the Chinese architectural concepts, recommended sightseeing by its monuments, statues, gardens and especially the bridge over a Lake of lotus flowers which gives access to the Imperial Minh Mang tomb.

And, wrap up your day with The Nguyen Emperor Khai Dinh's Royal Tomb, a unique tomb among the royal tombs in Hue, Vietnam. Where other royal tombs are expansive and invite respectful reflection, Khai Dinh built his final resting place to be monumental in style and bombastic in execution.

05:30PM our car will pick us up and transfer back to your hotel.

Accommodation at your hotel in Hue.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 13 

8.00: Pick up at your hotel and transfer from Hue to Danang.

Then, head out to Ba Na hills. Take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French.

Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Experience hill climbing train (first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), the flower garden Le Jardin D’amour and Linh Ung Pagoda.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free for explore the French village or joining games in Fantasy Park – the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam with series of interesting games: 4 – 5D film, skiver, The death race, dinosaur park… (2 hours).

Please note: Entrance fees to Debay Ancient Wine Cellar, Wax Museum, cotton animal game and carnival skill at Fantasy Park are not included in my quotation, joining them will be at your own account.  

Accommodation at your hotel in Danang.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 14

9.00 pick up at your hotel, head out for Hoi An town, stop on the way to visit the Marble Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son), discover the stunning natural caves of the mountain and enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the Marble Mountain. You also visit the stone sculpturing village.

Arrive in Hoi An old town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century, its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site, we start our walking tour to explore the ancient city of Hoi An highlights with Phuc Kien Communal House, Tan Ky ancient commercial house, Japanese covered Bridge, and Phung Hung Ancient Trading House. Visit one of the lantern-making workshops. Have lunch at restaurant.

Afternoon, time for walking around for shopping and have your clothes tailored. Then drive back to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, pick up at airport tto your hoteto your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 15

In the morning, we'll pick you up from your hotel.

We'll head northwest of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels were a Vietcong base during the American war, a massive network that stretched over 200 kilometers. They had trapdoors, living spaces, storage areas, factories for weapons, hospitals, command centers, and kitchens.

You'll watch a short video showing how the tunnels were built. There are also displays of traps and the remains of an American tank, plus many craters made by big bombs. Then, we'll spend about an hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see firsthand how the Vietcong lived underground.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Next, we'll head to the Reunification Palace, which saw the end of the tough Vietnam War in 1975. Now, it's a museum and a place where important meetings happen. Nearby, you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral (just from the outside) and the Central Post Office, both well-known places in the city.

Finally, late afternoon, we'll visit the lively Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

Accommodation at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 16

At 8:00, leave your Saigon hotel and head to My Tho, where you'll see vibrant countryside scenes and picturesque rice fields along the way. When you arrive, hop on a boat for a Mekong River tour, stopping at villages (islets) to discover local life. Visit a coconut candy workshop, learn how it's made, then stroll through the village and take a horse-drawn carriage ride to try fresh honey and seasonal fruits while enjoying traditional folk music.

Next, take an adventurous boat ride through palm-fringed creeks to Turtle Island, a beautiful natural spot. Have a tasty traditional lunch with a specialty of the Mekong Delta – Deep fried elephant ear fish and other local dishes.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City. If you're interested, make a stop to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a stunning ancient pagoda in the Mekong Delta.

Accommodation at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 17

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Catch a flight to Siem Reap.

In the afternoon, we will visit Les Artisans D’ Angkor and see their stone and wood

carving workshops where the artisans are taught to use traditional Khmer techniques. In line with its mission to produce fine Arts & Crafts objects, Artisans d’Angkor has set up a silver plated workshop in order to demonstrate this know-how and encourage the revival of this Cambodian heritage. Wood and stone carving, The art of stone carving goes back to the glorious epoch of the Khmer empire and its monumental constructions that gave rise to the Angkor temples. Like the work of craftsmen from previous centuries, stone carving is done on sandstone. Artisans d’Angkor mainly uses sandstone from Siem Reap province. Next visit the Old Market where you can see the fresh local produce being sold as well as browse the souvenir stalls.

Overnight in Siem reap

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day 18

Breakfast will be at hotel.

In the morning, we will visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk) the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century) and visit Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara),the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King and visit the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees. Ta Prohm (pronunciation: prasat taprohm) is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara. Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the

most visited complexes in Cambodia’s Angkor region. The conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm is a partnership project of the Archaeological Survey of India and the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap).

In the afternoon, Wat Thmei (New Wat) The wat contains a unique glass-walled stupa

containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. 500m west of the road to Angkor about 1.5km north of town. Then continue to visit the 7th world heritage, Angkor Wat a unique and stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of man's devotion to his Gods. It is the largest and undoubtedly the most breath taking of the monuments of Angkor and it is widely believed that it is the largest religious structure in the world until sunset.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day 19

Breakfast will be at hotel.

In the morning, we will drive to visit the Banteay Srei, the beautiful ‘Women’s Citadel’.

Located 37 kms. From Siem Reap town, this was Cambodia's last major Khmer temple to be re-discovered. This temple has the best engravings among all the ruins and was used in the film ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider’. Then the way back, you can visit local village called “Preah Dak Vilage”. Preah Dak Village is a famous and popular place for souvenirs such as objects and arts. Visitors can discover beautiful places and natural life mixed with souvenirs shops. Most things are handmade. It is located in the east of

grand circuit at Angkor on the communication road to Phnom Kulen in the North. Then we will stop and visit to Banteay Samre built in the third quarter of the 12th century.

In the afternoon, explorer to grand circle: Preah Khan temple, built by the King

Jayavarman VII and, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Ta Som temple, East Me Bon, is a large temple-mountain-like ruin, rising three levels and crowned by five towers.

Jayavarman IV, a usurper to the throne, moved the capital from Angkor to Kh Ke in

928AD. Sixteen years later Rajendravarman II returned the capital to Angkor and shortly thereafter constructed East Mebon on an island in the middle of the now dry Eastern Bary. The temple is dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents. Then move to the major Pre Rup temple, built by Rajendravarman II in late 10th century. Architecturally and artistically superior temple-mountain. Beautiful carved false door on upper level, as well as an excellent view of the surrounding countryside. Richly detailed well-preserved carvings, particularly on the lintels. Traditionally believed to be a funerary temple, but in fact the state temple of Rajendravarman II.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day 20

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Airport for flight to your next destination. Tour ends here.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Southeast Asia's Hidden Gems: 20-Day Tour through Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia

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