Day 1: Saigon – Arrival
Arrive in Saigon, meet and transfer to hotel. The balance of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: Saigon – City Tour
Take a Half Day City tour including: Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Hall (ex- President Palace). Have lunch at restaurant. PM, you will visit History Museum, Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. The balance of the day is free for leisure. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 3: Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh
Take a full day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way to the tunnels, visit a rice paper making village and market. Descend into the Cu Chi tunnels where the guerilla fighters constructed an amazing underground base! Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Cu Chi. In the afternoon, continue to drive another half an hour to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, a unique religion worshiping Jesus, Confucius and Buddha. Return to Saigon with an en-route visit to a country market. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 4: Saigon – Siem Reap Arrival
Transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap airport, meet and transfer to hotel. Time at leisure. Head into town to enjoy a traditional buffet dinner and dance show in the evening. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,D)
Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
Morning departs to Angkor Wat in an air conditioned car, or if you choose by bike, with guide. Explore this majestic temple throughout the morning while it is still cool and has fewer tourists. Have lunch and a nap or refresh with a swim. In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L)
Day 6: Siem Reap – Beng Mealea, Banteay Srei and the Ta Prohm
After breakfast, drive to Beng Mealea, a temple only recently opened to the public; about one and a half hour. After an hour, leave the paved road and get onto a beaten track running through rice fields and villages of rural Cambodia. At the temple our guide will help you imagine how it once was as you pick your way through the rubble now surrounded by jungle. In the afternoon head to Banteay Srei, an intricately carved temple known as the Lady Temple. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near Banteay Srei and then on the way back visit Ta Prohm, one of the prettiest temples in the complex. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L)
Day 7: Siem Reap – Village Tour
Visit guide’s village showing you rice paddies and typical homes along the way. At his village enjoy a fresh coconut drink and meet his family and neighbors. Walk from here to West Baray Lake where you can take a local boat to an island with some picturesque ancient Khmer ruins. Return to shore where your car will be waiting for you. From here head to Pua District and visit the Artisans de Angkor silk farm where many local women are trained in the art of silk weaving. Time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L)
Day 8: Chiang Mai – Arrival
Transfer to the airport for flight to Chiang Mai. Arrive at Chiang Mai, meet and transfer to hotel. The balance of the day is free for leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B)
Day 9: Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep & City Tour
Morning visit Doi Suthep, the most important Wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Visit some of the more famous Wats, within the city walls of Chiang Mai, Your guide will discuss Buddhism and the role it plays in everyday life as well as showing you the many details of each temple. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L)
Day 10: Chiang Mai – Working with the Elephants
Visit the Elephant Nature Park, a wonderful organization dedicated to conserving and promoting elephants. Spend the day learning to bath, feed and command these amazing beasts of burden. Please bring a change of clothes or a swimsuit as you will get wet giving the elephants their daily bath. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L)
Day 11: Chiang Mai – Mae Hong Son
Upon arrival at Mae Hong Son stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the beautiful Burmese style temples at Wat Jongcome, Wat Jongklang, Wat Phrathad Doi Kong Moo and Wat Hao Wieng. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L)
Day 12: Mae Hong Son – The Pai River
Morning, take an exciting boat trip on the Pai River to visit the mysterious Padong Long-Neck Tribe at Baan Nam Peing Din and then return by boat to Mae Hong Son. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, after which you can return to Fern Resort and have the afternoon free to swim in their pool or go for a walk. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L)
Day 13: Mae Hong Son – Pai
Wake up early to see and participate in the giving of alms to local monks. Return to the resort for breakfast. After breakfast visit the unique fish caves and continue to the huge cave complex of “Tham Lod” (Lod Cave). View the pre-historic cave with its impressive stalagmites and stalactites, before continuing on to Pai. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in Pai and check into hotel. (B,L)
Day 14: Pai – Chiang Rai
Morning departs to Thaton enjoying the scenic route that passes through the beautiful northern mountains and valleys. Enjoy lunch along the way in Mae Teang District and then continue to Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. Here you will take an elephant ride through the jungle before taking a bamboo raft, slowly winding your way down the river. Continue drive to Chang Rai and check into hotel. (B,L)
Day 15: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle and Opium Museum
After breakfast, drive to visit the Queens Opium Museum, a fascinating look at the history and culture of the opium trade in the Golden Triangle. Then on to the Golden Triangle itself where you can see Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. In the afternoon head to the Thai Burma border and visit the market there before returning to hotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B,L)
Day 16: Chiang Rai
Have a free day to explore on your own. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B)
Day 17: Chiang Rai – Pakbeng
Leave Chiang Rai for the Laos by boat. After checking take a short drive to board the beautiful LuangSay. Fitted out for comfort this 34 meter boat will provide a little luxury for this stretch of your travels and enable you to relax and watch the countryside slide past, read a book or get to know your fellow travelers a little better. You will stop and visit a local village before lunch is served on board. Late afternoon the boat arrives at the delightful Luangsay Lodge. Dine on the beautiful terraced dining room over looking the Mekong. Overnight in Pakbeng. (B,L,D)
Day 18: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
After breakfast, stroll through nearby Pakbeng before joining the Luangsay again to continue downstream. You will stop at a Hmong village before lunch and the famous Pac-Ou Caves – the caves of 1000 Buddhas – and a local village where traditional rice alcohol has been brewed for centuries, before arriving at Luang Prabang. Your boat will pull into the ancient Royal steps and you will be met and transfered to hotel. Luang Prabang is a delight to walk around, choose your dinner spot from the many restaurants and visit the evening market. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to hotel. (B,L)
Day 19: Luang Prabang – City Tour
Wake up early to see monks receive morning alms. Return to your hotel for breakfast after which your guide will take you on a city tour including Phousi Mount, the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visun, and Wat Sen. Enjoy lunch in town followed by an afternoon free. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day 20: Luang Prabang – Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day 21: Hanoi Arrival
Transfer to Luang Prabang airport for the flight to Vietnam. Arrive at Noibai airport, meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi. (B)
Day 22: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Transfer to Halong Bay by private air conditioned vehicle. At the pier, join in with other passengers aboard the luxurious Halong Junk. Set sail into the bay while lunch is served onboard. Enjoy the stunning views of the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, stop at one such island to take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with Halong golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village where the fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Just before sunset, kayak or relax on a bamboo row boat to explore a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board, enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at restaurant. Overnight in Cabin Onboard. (B,L,D)
Day 23: Halong Bay
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. The private car and guide will take you to return to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (B)
Day 24: Hanoi – City Tour
After breakfast, full day city tour of this charming capital city to visit Ho Chi Minh’s House and Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon, take a one-hour cyclo tour of this charming capital city through the scenic Colonial Quarter, the Restored Sword Lake and the Old Quarter of “36 streets of 36 wares”. Old Quarter and shopping. Attend a Water Puppet Show to experience a truly traditional Vietnamese evening. Dinner at restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)
Day 25: Hanoi – HoiAn – City Tour Half-day
Transfer to Noibai airport for the flight to Danang. You will be met and transferred to HoiAn and check in hotel. In the afternoon, a walking tour of HoiAn. Visit the Ancient Town including the beautiful Chua Cau, or roofed bridge, Hoi Quan, the ancient meeting places, some ancestral family homes and some of the lovely and hidden pagodas. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,D)
Day 26: HoiAn – MySon – Saigon
After breakfast, morning drive to My Son, a fascinating archeological site with ruinous temples featuring both Hindu and Buddhist influences. Walk through the beautiful park where a stream flows through the center and various temples dot the landscape. When you are done return to your van and head to a local families home for lunch. Here you will enjoy traditional HoiAn delicacies made by the family. Your guide is happy to act as a translator if you have any questions. Take a walk around the village and see how the Vietnamese live today. Return to hotel in the afternoon. Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Saigon. Arrive in Saigon, meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Saigon. (B,L)
Day 27: Saigon – Departure
Time at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)