JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
- • Soaking up the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and feasting on local specialties
• Cruising on a traditional junk boat through scenic Halong Bay
• Visiting the imperial city of Hue and enjoying a cruise along the Perfume River
• Strolling through the lantern-filled streets and riverside promenade of Hoi An Ancient Town
• Experiencing the racing pulse of Bangkok, and visiting its highlights
• Diving into northern Thai culture in Chiang Mai and seeing its many cultural and natural highlights
• Unwinding on the famed beaches of Thailand's premiere island paradise, Phuket
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi – Street food walking tour in the Old Quarter (D)
Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport. Your guide will be holding a signboard with your name on it. Hop on your private car and take an hour journey to the bustling Hanoi Old Quarter. Check-in and settle in your room.
In the late afternoon, meet up with your guide again, today you will have chance to discover the street food of Hanoi under guidance of our local guide. We start walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Your local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls and a local fruit store. In the end you will visit a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and enjoy our local delicacy "egg-coffee". Return to your hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter
Day 2: Essence of Hanoi (B)
Today, start your journey to the highlights and hidden gems of Hanoi at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing structure housing the remains of the revered former president, Ho Chi Minh, who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from colonial rule. Next, head onward to the Temple of Literature, an ancient collection of courtyards, gardens and architecture built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Considered the oldest university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature dates back nearly one thousand years!
In the afternoon you continue to visit the fascinating Women Museum and Hoa Lo Prison, ironically nicknamed the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ by US prisoners of war (POWs) during the American War. Afterwards, you take a walking tour strolling through the small alley streets of Hanoi Old Quarter.
Wrap up your day by enjoying a water puppet show for a look at traditional performance art in Vietnam, then head back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter
Day 3: Hanoi – Fascinating Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel about four hours to the port of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a small tender boat to meet your traditional junk boat, which is anchored just offshore. After a short safety briefing, set sail to the outer reaches of Bai Tu Long Bay, passing by stunning limestone karst formations jutting out of the jade waters. Later, take a kayak out and get an up-close look at the incredible jungle-clad karst formations for which Halong Bay is so famous.
Wrap up your evening with a Vietnamese cooking demonstration from the on board chefs! Enjoy dinner, some squid fishing and then retire for a good night’s sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private cabin on a deluxe overnight cruise in Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B)
Early morning you can enjoy a Tai Chi lesion on the sun deck and then followed by a light breakfast. You will have free time to relax and then check out of the cruise cabin at mid-morning. Then brunch will be served on board. Around midday you will return to the docks. Return to Hanoi and spend some free time shopping before being picked up again to the airport in the evening for a short flight to Hue.
Upon arrival, our local guide will warmly welcome you and take you to your hotel in the centre.
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 5: Highlights of Hue (B,L)
Today you will travel by private vehicle to an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as Thien Mu pagoda. It is famous for its seven storeys, and dedicated to a Manushi-Buddha. After your visit, board a local boat to the peaceful outskirts of Hue, where you will then start cycling on a leisurely tour to Thuy Bieu village. There are plenty of opportunities to admire the quiet and superb landscapes of Hue: rice fields, fruit tree orchards and vegetable gardens, communal houses, primary schools and a valley of cemeteries. Along the cycling route, visit a homemade incense-producing household and observe the daily life of the farmers as they perform their strenuous work with seemingly incredible joy and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to greet those you meet along the way. Then, you’ll head to Tu Duc Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue. It was inspired by the concept of tranquility and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial period before returning to the city center.
For lunch, feast on a vegetarian meal prepared by nuns at Dong Thuyen Pagoda, a temple located on the top of a hill with a fantastic view. Visit the kitchen to see how your meal is prepared in a wood burning stove, then dig into your food in the company of the nuns who made it. Take the opportunity to learn about Buddhism or just get to know your friendly hosts.
In the afternoon, have a closer look at the home of the royal family with a visit to the impressive Citadel. Round off your day with a walk around Dong Ba Market for a glimpse of local life. Back to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 6: Hue – Day train to Danang – Hoi An (B)
After breakfast your guide and driver will collect you and transfer you to the train station to take a four hour scenic train ride to Da Nang. Along the way you will get to see the beautiful coastal line and pass the breathtaking Hai Van Pass (also known as the Pass of Ocean Clouds). Upon arrival at Da Nang station, you will be picked up by your private driver and transferred to the nearby Hoi An Ancient town. En route you will stop to visit the beautiful beach of Non Nuoc village and the Cham Museum. You also have a chance to climb the Marble Mountains, a set of sacred hills with Buddhist shrines. Arrive in Hoi An and check in to your hotel room. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 7: Fisherman’s farming life - Hoi An’s hidden corners (B,L)
After breakfast, we depart your hotel for a discovery around Hoi An. On arrival at Cua Dai pier, embark for a boat ride to the mouth of Thu Bon River to enjoy the daily activities of fishers such as throwing fishing net and trading their products. Your boat then continues cruising for about half an hour to a fishing village. Changing to smaller bamboo boat (a coracle) to discover a distinctive mangrove forest and try your hand on fishing crabs. Under the blurry sunlight inside the forest, you might feel a mysterious atmosphere covering this whole area. This excursion also gives you a chance to admire skillful fishermen who are working in the forest. Enjoy a delicious BBQ seafood meal at a lovely local house.
Return to the Hoi an ancient town center and take a stroll to visit this recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with the more than two-century- old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-trading house. After the visit, free to wander around, our guide is happy to suggest some best tailor shops in town for you. Or if you are looking for a relaxing end, try out a cup of tea or coffee at “Reaching Out Tea House” - a very special and unique ancient house that offers fabulous drinks served by impaired staff. The rest of day is then free at your leisure. Enjoy your last evening in Hoi An with a stroll along the river, being sure to float a lantern for good luck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Bangkok (B)
Spend the morning free at your leisure. In the afternoon, our driver will pick you up to Danang Airport for your flight to Bangkok.
Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and take you to your hotel in the city centre. The rest of the day is free for your relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 9: Experience Bangkok as a local (B)
This morning, meet your guide at the hotel reception at 8:00am, then head to Tha Thien Pier starting with a visit of Wat Pho, one of the biggest reclining Buddhas in Thailand. You will likely hear the monk's morning chanting ritual emanating from the main hall during your visit. Then continue walking to Wat Phra Keo, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and one of the most respected temples in Thailand. Next stop is the Grand Palace, home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I. For a bit of adventure, ride a Thai tuk-tuk to visit Wat Saket and climb the Golden Mountain, which offers an incredible view over Bangkok. Travel aboard a "Sam Saeb" taxi boat to discover the Jim Thompson house, home of the famous founder of Jim Thompson Thai Silk. One last ride by BTS (Sky Train) or taxi to return to the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 10: Bangkok – Floating Market & Railway Market – Fly to Chiang Mai (B)
Prepare for a morning of colour, art and passion, as you’re picked up at your hotel and driven 100 km southwest of Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the Ratchaburi province. Walk around and check out the many stalls or rent a paddle boat to experience the market from water.
Next stop at the Mae Klong railway market where 8 times a day, every day of the week, a train runs through the market! As soon as the siren signals the arrival of the train, everything stops. Shoppers will hop off the tracks, and vendors will quickly pack their goods and prepare to close/retract their awnings from the train track as the train passes by. Once the train is gone, its business as usual as if nothing happened.
After your morning tour transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. On arrival a guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 11: Essence Of Chiang Mai - Full Day Lanna Temple Relics (B,L)
Spend a day exploring the highlights of Chiang Mai, all while reducing your carbon footprint by travelling aboard a traditional Thai rickshaw.
Start the day at Doi Suthep, home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - considered the holiest shrine in northern Thailand. Founded under miraculous circumstances in 1386, this spiritual location features a steep flight of 300 stairs flanked by greenery and guarded by a 16th Century Naga serpent carving. You can either brave the climb or opt for a more gentle funicular train adjacent the stairs. Atop the mountain, the views from here are nothing short of stunning.
Enjoy lunch in the shade of large trees at a charming riverside restaurant and then swap your car for a traditional Thai rickshaw. Glide onward to Waroros Market. Weave through stalls brimming with anything from flowers to silks to handicrafts, before ending the day at two of the most stunning temples in Chiang Mai: Wat Srisuphan and Wat Chedi Luang.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 12: Chiang Mai - Full Day Chiang Dao Trek And Elephant Camp (B,L)
Today’s adventure starts just north of Chiang Mai with a visit to Palong Village - famous for an ethnic tribe originating from Myanmar (Burma). Drive on from here to Ban Palai, a picturesque Karen village comprising traditional bamboo houses and rice paddies cut into the jungle. This is the starting point for your two-hour trek, following a nature trail passing some breathtaking scenery. Have your camera ready to capture the abundance of flowers, vegetation, and a rare glimpse of local wildlife.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before heading to the Mae Taman Elephant Camp for some elephant encounters. Spending time with these magnificent beasts is a highlight of any trip to Thailand. Wrap up your adventure in northern Thailand with a bamboo rafting river journey downstream - an ideal way of seeing the jungle from a different angle.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Day 13: Chiang Mai - Flight To Phuket (B)
Transfer from your hotel to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Phuket. On arrival in Phuket, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day settling into island life.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket
Day 14: Phuket Free Day (B)
Spend the rest of your trip enjoying some quality downtown on Thailand’s largest paradise island. If sitting all day on a beach is not your thing, the island offers many activities such as elephant encounters, white water rafting, rock climbing and plenty of water sports. Or stay in town and shop up a storm at the local markets.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket
Day 15: Phuket Free Day (B)
The whole day is free at your leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket
Day 16: Phuket – Depart Bangkok (B)
At a good time, a private driver will take you to the airport for a short flight back to Bangkok. Then transfer via your international flight home.
Meal: Breakfast
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