Highlights:

 

• See the magic of UNESCO Siem Reap and Angkor Wat
• Float down the Mighty Mekong River in style
• Taste some of the best food in the world
• See the freshest produce direct from the paddy fields and fields. Nobody does good food like this region
• Explore the world's beautiful Temples and Stupas
• Understand the philosophy of Buddhism
• Explore the Vietnamese cultural paradise and former Royal Court City of Hue
• Visit the fascinating cities of Northern and Souther Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
• Spend a night in a traditional Vietnamese ship on Ha Long Bay, one of the most magical experiences in the world
• Understand why nobody has been able to conquer the Vietnamese over the centuries - the Mongols, Chinese, Americans, French and others have never been able to colonise or pacify the country when at war. 
• Understand the impact of French colonisation on Vietnam - food, language, alphabet and education system, as well as a beautiful French colonial style of architecture in Hanoi.
• Try some of the best food in the world in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The people are incredibly healthy here as they don't eat much processed food. With a rice noodle and vegetable based diet, South East Asians are some of the healthiest populations for a reason. Visit their "floating markets" and see how they make rice noodles at a local factory.
• Head to Cu Chi Tunnels to explore how cities were built underground during the Vietnam War. It's a fascinating visit and very educational. 

 

Included:

• 4 Star Accomodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
• Meet and Greet at Airport
• Transfers to and from hotel
• Expert driver/guide
• Comfortable touring vehicle
• Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
• Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels

 

Not included

 

• Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination 
• Gratuities minimum recommended $20 per person per day
• Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
• Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway. 

 

Detailed Itinerary:

 

Day 1

 

Fly into the most important South East Asian airport - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. You'll be met and greeted once off your flight by our driver who'll bring you to your hotel. Check-in, get some rest or go out and explore with the local guide who will do a walking tour with you and show you some of the highlights close to your hotel. You'll have the option to stay in your accomodation for western food or try some excellent local cuisine by heading out close by to where you're staying. Spend three nights here. 

 

Day 2

 

Today we'll have a local driver and the same tour guide as yesterday providing great driving skills and expert knowledge in the capital of Thailand. Learn about the country's monarchy, the importance of ritual and see some of the most famous and impressive Buddhist temples in the world - Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Your guide will also take you to a market so you can see the sheer quantity of fresh foods, fresh local ingredients and taste the flavours of the excellent and healthy Thai cuisine. 

 

Day 3

 

Today we'll take a river Cruise and visit a Sky Bar for an amazing vista over the city. Dusk and sunset are absolutely beautiful over this city of nine million people. 

 

Day 4

 

We leave the capital today and head 150km north, away from the bustling capital to the relatively small city of Lopburi, capital of its province. Top attractions here are King Narai's Palace and Phra Prang Sam Yot, another famous temple. Enjoy the company of friendly monkeys who live freely enjoy the city, but don't leave your shiny camera down or they'll swipe it. Same goes for food and water, they love a free meal. 

 

Day 5

 

Heading north to Phitsanoluk, which is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, founded over 600 years ago. We'll visit the Phra Si Ratana Temple with our guide and enjoy the night bazaar, where you can have some amzing Thai cuisine. This was one of our favourite places in Thailand and such an interesting cultural and culinary experience. 

 

Day 6

 

Fully immersed in Thai culture and cuisine at this stage, we'll do something different and perhaps unusual today. We head north to Lampang, visiting the Thai elephant conversation centre. Elephants are a very protected species in Thailand and play an essential role in the beliefs, myths and history of the country. We'll also visit Chae Son National Park today, exploring the beautiful landscapes. 

 

Day 7 and Day 8

 

We're on our way to the capital of the North and the largest city in this part of Thailand. Chiang Mai is the crossroads of the mountainous region and it's a place for us to catch our breaths after the spectacular road and scenery on the way here. We'll spend two nights in this cultural capital. Your guide will show you the highlights and you'll be able to engage in any of your interests. We recommend you take a Thai cookery course with a local who speaks fluent English, enjoy the musuems, galleries, city sights and lots of culture. 

 

Day 9

 

Enjoy the drive to the extremely interesting part of North West Thailand as we visit Pai. Pai has always been a place that attracted people a little different - here the pace of life is calm, quiet and relaxed and we love this little town. Tourist friendly but still with its own culture, it's a fascinating area. Visit the "Long Neck" village and see some local tribes. Your driver and guide are experts and will show you this unusual female tradition of wearing bracelets around their necks - apparently making them more attractive. The culture is much more complex than this of course, there's a whole deeper meaning and understanding to it. 

 

Day 10

 

We're going to give you the chance to relax today in Pai. Get a Thai Massage, eat some extremely tasty food, share some stories with the locals and just enjoy the community of relaxed people and their market on the gentle banks of the river. It's a place to connect with yourself and nature again as the surroundings are stunning. 

 

Day 11

 

Today we head to Chiang Khong Port - on the Loatian border. Take a boat down the Mekong River and wave goodbye to your Thai Driver and Guide. You're accompanied by a Loatian guide once you step off the boat, spending the night on the banks of the river. Overnight half way down this spectacular Mekong experience.

 

Day 12

 

Head back on your comfortable boat to continue to the great city of Luang Prabang deep into Laos, one of the world's most beautiful countries. Overnight for two nights here and enjoy the French culture, arhitecture, famous monks' morning rituals, explore the restaurants, cafes and much more. 

 

Day 13

 

Your local guide will show you some of the highlights of the city and explain much more in depth knowledge to you today. Luang Prabang is one of our favourite places in Asia, and you'll discover why today. Get those cameras ready for some great shots. 

 

Day 14

 

We'll head south from this beacon of culture to Vang Vieng on the Nam Song River. Our journey is through spectacular limestone landscapes that will leave you gasping out of sheer amazment in their beauty. Laos is truly spectacular and today's trip will be the perfect opportunity for the photographers on board to get clicking. The Nam Song at night is great, and many people like to relax with a meal or a glass of wine as the watch the sun set in hues of orange, red and yellow. The memories will last you a life time, as they have with us. 

 

Day 15 and Day 16

 

We arrive in the capital, Viantiane, today. Very much a city that has a French influence, we recommend you visit a couple of the musuems in the area and try some of the local cuisine. You'll see baguettes and other breads you might not associate with Asia, rather with France, but European cuisine has been important here for many decades. Two nights here will be great to gather our energy and explore the galleries and life of the capital city.

 

Day 17

 

We leave the mystical and stunningly attractive country of Laos behind as we fly direct to Hanoi from Vientiane, capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival you're going to check into your French colonial style hotel right in the cultural hub. We'll let you rest a little and then your local guide for Vietnam will join you, showing you the highlights of the city with our driver. Enjoy this evening to try some of the classics of Vietnamese cuisine, not just Pho. 

 

Day 18

 

We're exploring the city today and learning about the differences between north and south Vietnam. Visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and learn about his life. Explore the many highlights of the city and enjoy the incredible culture and feeling of the place. It's as though it hasn't changed in 1,000 years, in spite of recent economic growth.

 

Day 19

 

Leave Hanoi and visit UNESCO Ha Long Bay - our guide and driver will get you from Hanoi to the boat into this incredible bay of 1,000 limestone islands that represent dragons in the local mythology. Spend the night on the Bay with your own berths on board our partner's ship. It will be privately chartered for your group, so plenty of space for you and your fellow guests. You'll try your hand at karaoke and visit Monkey Island, relaxing on the beach if that's of interest to you. 

 

Day 20

 

Return to the mainland following an incredible beautiful sunrise in Ha Long Bay and then we're heading down the coast to Vinh, a convenient local city on the coast. 

 

Day 21

 

We arrive in Hue, ancient Imperial Capital today and UNESCO site. It's an incredibly special place and the royal complex will truly impress you. Our guide and local guide will fill you in on all the history and after a few hours whisk you away to try some of the best local food and have a well deserved drink. Overnight here. 

 

Day 22

 

Spend the day at leisure in Hue and re-energise with some down time. You'll have plenty of opportunities to see galleries, musuems and other attractions, there's quite a lot to keep you entertained here and the local guide will keep you up to date based on your interests. 

 

Day 23

 

We'll take a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh city, largest city in the country today and explore so much when we arrive. Check-in to our central hotel and meet the local guide for a panoramic city tour. See the highlights and get familiar with the best parts. 

 

Day 24

 

Today we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. So many young American men and women left and never came back, not to mention the impact the war between north and south had on the country. This is a fascinating visit and the expert guides here will leave no stone unturned to explain the history and how they were able to avoid Agent Orange by digging underground cities where thousands of people lived out the war. 

 

Day 25

 

Today is your chance to explore the interests that are most import to you. Personally, we enjoyed trying street food and going to the Vietnam War Military Museum - it's a truly fascinating visit and an extremely educational one. There are many musuems, galleries and other attractions to enjoy in this cultural city, once called Saigon. By the way, the beer of the same name is the local brew - very refreshing and light, great to deal with the warmth of the city. 

 

Day 26

 

Fly home or continue on to the post tour in Cambodia. We know this will have been a mind-altering experience for everyone and you'll never look at life again. The simplicity, honesty, care and kindness of South East Asia's people is hard to fathom, not to mention the great cuisine, architecture and interesting history. We love South East Asia and we know you will too. 

Post Tour $3000 10 Days