Amazing Indochina: Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia 18 days

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Standard hotel check-in is at 14:00; if you require early check-in (additional charge), please contact your travel consultant in advance, subject to availability.

Take some time to relax after your flight, or start exploring Bangkok at your own pace. If you’d like to make the most of your first afternoon or evening, the following optional experiences are available:

Morning

After breakfast, meet your guide and set out to explore some of Bangkok’s best-known temples and historic landmarks.

Begin at Wat Traimit, home to a renowned solid gold Buddha image. Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, where you can see the impressive Reclining Buddha, Phra Ubosot and four large chedis.

Next, visit the Grand Palace, the former royal residence and one of Bangkok’s most important historic complexes. Within the palace grounds, explore Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and see its revered Buddha image.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, with a chance to sample traditional Thai specialities, before continuing with the afternoon sightseeing.

Afternoon

Board a traditional long-tail boat and cruise through the canals of Thonburi, passing local homes and seeing everyday life along the waterways.

Continue along the Chao Phraya River and admire Wat Arun, known for its distinctive riverside towers decorated with intricate details. Take some time to explore the temple and enjoy views across the river before returning to your hotel.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Enjoy a free day to explore Bangkok and its surrounding areas at your own pace. You can keep things relaxed with a morning at leisure, explore more of the city independently or choose an optional experience that suits your interests. 

Morning

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and transferring to the airport for your short flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Chiang Mai. After check-in, take some time to settle in before the afternoon sightseeing.

Afternoon

Meet your guide and explore some of Chiang Mai’s historic temples, learning more about the city’s Lanna heritage and Buddhist traditions.

Begin at Wat Chedi Luang, known for its large historic chedi and central role in Chiang Mai’s religious heritage. Continue to Wat Phra Singh, one of the city’s most important temples, with distinctive Lanna-style architecture and intricate decorative details.

Finish at Wat Suan Dok, where white chedis surround the temple grounds, and a historic bronze Buddha image adds to the peaceful setting. Depending on the day, you may also have a chance to speak with local monks and learn more about Buddhist traditions and daily life in Thailand.

Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening in Chiang Mai.

Morning

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby between 07:30 - 08:00 and drive you to Elephant Nature Park, an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre outside Chiang Mai.

Learn about the park’s rescued elephants and hear stories about their individual journeys. You’ll have the opportunity to observe and interact with the elephants in a responsible setting while learning more about their care and rehabilitation.

Enjoy a vegan buffet lunch featuring a selection of Asian and international dishes.

Afternoon

Return to your hotel in Chiang Mai after the visit. The journey takes some time, so the afternoon is free to relax and recharge.

Morning

Enjoy your final breakfast in Chiang Mai before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Take some time to settle in and relax before heading out for an evening of Hanoi street food.

Evening

Meet your guide and set out on foot through the lively streets of Hanoi Old Quarter, where food stalls, local restaurants and small cafés line the busy lanes. Along the way, sample a selection of Vietnamese specialities, which may include Pho Bo, Bun Thang, Bun Bo Hue, Banh Cuon, Banh Mi, Nom Bo Kho and Nem Chua Ran, depending on the day’s route.

Finish with a cup of Ca Phe Trung (Vietnamese egg coffee), a Hanoi speciality made with coffee topped with a creamy egg mixture.

Note: Dishes may vary by season. If you have any specific dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan or food allergies, please let us know in advance.

Morning

At 08:00, meet your guide and driver at the hotel after breakfast and set out to explore some of Hanoi’s important historical and cultural landmarks.

Begin at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university and a historic centre of Confucian education. Walk through its courtyards and traditional architecture while learning about the scholars and students who studied here during the feudal period.

Continue to Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh read Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence in 1945. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s best-known historic Buddhist landmarks.

Note: The mausoleum is closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug. You can only take photographs from the outside.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, with traditional Vietnamese specialities.

Afternoon

Travel to the outskirts of Hanoi and visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Explore its collections of artefacts, photographs and films, which introduce the cultures and daily lives of Vietnam’s 54 officially recognised ethnic groups.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to relax or explore Hanoi at your own pace.

Morning

After breakfast, your luxury limousine will pick you up from your hotel between 08:00 - 08:30 for the journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The transfer takes around 2.5 hours, with a short stop along the way.

Upon arrival at the cruise lounge, complete a quick check-in before boarding a speedboat to your cruise. Enjoy views of the limestone islands and listen to stories about the bay from the cruise manager as you make your way on board.

Settle into your cabin and attend the welcome and safety briefing with the captain and crew. Enjoy lunch as the cruise begins sailing among the limestone karsts and islands of Halong Bay.

Afternoon

Take part in water-based activities according to your cruise itinerary. Depending on the day’s programme, you may explore a limestone cave, kayak through the bay or climb to a viewpoint for wider views of the surrounding islands.

Return to the cruise for some time to relax. Later, join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration or enjoy the onboard Happy Hour from 17:00 - 17:30, with selected drinks available on a buy-one-get-one-free basis.

Evening

Enjoy dinner in the onboard restaurant before settling into a relaxed evening on the bay.

Depending on the cruise programme and weather conditions, evening activities may include squid fishing, watching a movie, playing board games or enjoying a drink at the night bar.

NOTE: The cruise itinerary may change due to the specific cruise you book.

Morning

Rise early for a Tai Chi session on board, following gentle movements as the bay wakes around you. After the session, enjoy a light breakfast before continuing the morning cruise.

Depending on the cruise itinerary, sail towards a local fishing village for a glimpse into life on the water, or simply relax on board and enjoy the final views of Halong Bay.

Return to the cruise and enjoy brunch while sailing back towards the pier. Complete check-out, then take a speedboat back to the mainland. Arrive at the port and say farewell to the captain and crew.

Afternoon

Your driver will meet you at the port and transfer you to the airport for your flight from Hanoi to Da Nang.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, meet your driver and continue by road to Hoi An. Check in at your hotel and take some time to relax after the day’s travel.

Morning

Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out of your hotel. At around 08:00, meet your guide and explore the winding streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, following the lanes around the Thu Bon River.

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of Hoi An’s best-known landmarks and a reminder of the town’s history as an international trading port. Continue to the Fujian Assembly Hall, built by the Fujian Chinese community and dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea.

Take some time to browse the shops and local boutiques for handcrafted souvenirs before enjoying lunch featuring local and regional specialities.

Afternoon

Morning / or Sunset Option

Travel from Hoi An to the My Son Sanctuary, a historic complex of Hindu temples built by the Champa civilisation and set among the green hills of central Vietnam.

Walk through the archaeological site with your guide and learn about Cham architecture, history and religious traditions. Depending on the schedule, you may also watch a traditional Cham performance during your visit.

Continue to a local home, where you can see how rice paper is made and have a go at making your own. Enjoy a home-style meal with fresh local dishes and herbal tea. If you choose the sunset option, the meal is replaced by a light snack such as banh mi and fresh coconut.

Finish with a gentle boat ride along the Thu Bon River before returning to Hoi An and transferring to your hotel.

Morning

After breakfast, depart for Ba Na Hills at around 07:45 - 08:00. Upon arrival, make your way to Suoi Mo Cable Car Station and board the cable car towards Marseille Station, enjoying views across the surrounding mountains and forested hills.

From Marseille Station, walk to the famous Golden Bridge, supported by its distinctive giant stone hands. Take some time to enjoy the mountain scenery before continuing to Jardin D’Amour, a series of landscaped gardens with flowers, fountains and sculptures.

Continue to nearby Linh Ung Pagoda, home to a large statue of the Goddess of Mercy and peaceful views across the hills.

Enjoy a buffet lunch featuring a selection of Vietnamese dishes.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon exploring Fantasy Park, with a range of rides, games and attractions. Alternatively, take some time to enjoy the cooler mountain air and explore Ba Na Hills at your own pace.

Continue to King Peak, located at an altitude of around 1,487 metres, for panoramic views across the surrounding mountains. Return to the gateway by cable car before transferring back to your hotel in Da Nang for a relaxed evening.

Note: The ticket includes round-trip cable car rides as well as visits to impressive landmarks such as the Golden Bridge, Fantasy Park, and Moon Castle (apart from the wax museum, Debay wine cellar, and several games).

Enjoy your final breakfast in Da Nang before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to settle in and relax after the flight, or head out to explore the city with one of the optional experiences below:

Morning

At 08:00, your driver will pick you up from the hotel by minivan and travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The journey takes more than 2 hours, passing through the changing scenery on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City.

Begin with a short film introducing the history and use of the tunnel network during the Vietnam War. Explore the jungle area to see hidden entrances, traps, bunkers, and underground shelters, then follow sections of the tunnels to understand how the network was used by soldiers and local communities.

If you wish, there may also be an opportunity to try the shooting range at your own expense, subject to local regulations and availability. Afterwards, sample boiled cassava with green tea, a simple food associated with life in the tunnels.

Return towards Ho Chi Minh City and stop for a light lunch featuring local specialities.

Afternoon

Continue with a city tour covering several of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks.

Visit Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, and learn about its role in the country’s modern history and its distinctive 1960s architecture.

Continue to the Central Post Office and the exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral, two prominent examples of French colonial-era architecture in the city centre.

Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently undergoing restoration. Visitors can view the exterior and take photographs from outside, subject to access restrictions.

Next, visit the War Remnants Museum, whose exhibitions document the Vietnam War and its impact on the country and its people.

Finish at Ben Thanh Market, where you can browse stalls selling local food, clothing, handicrafts and souvenirs before returning to your hotel.

Morning

At around 08:00, depart from Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast and travel to Ben Tre Province, known for its coconut groves, waterways and rural communities.

Board a boat and cruise along the Ham Luong River, taking in the quieter pace of life in the Mekong Delta. Along the riverbanks, you’ll see local activities such as fishing, small boats transporting goods and everyday riverside life.

Continue to a coconut processing workshop to see how local producers turn coconuts into different products. Visit a traditional mat-weaving workshop, then take a break to sample fresh tropical fruit and local tea.

Wander through the peaceful village lanes before continuing by xe loi, a local motorised rickshaw, or bicycle towards nearby fruit orchards. Enjoy views of the gardens and farmland along the way.

Stop for lunch and sample some Mekong Delta specialities.

Afternoon

Continue by sampan for around 10 - 15 minutes, travelling through narrow canals surrounded by lush vegetation and mangroves.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City and arrive at your hotel at around 17:00. The evening is free to explore the city, enjoy dinner or simply relax after the day in the Mekong Delta.

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to settle in and relax after the journey.

The rest of the day is free to enjoy Siem Reap at your own pace. Alternatively, you can join an optional sunset experience by quad, travelling through the countryside and watching the changing light over the rural landscape.

Morning

At 08:00, meet your guide after breakfast and set out to explore the Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the historic temples of the Khmer Empire.

Begin at Angkor Thom, the last major capital of the Khmer Empire. Explore the ancient city and its impressive stone carvings before continuing to the Bayon Temple, known for its towers decorated with large carved faces.

Continue through the Angkor Thom complex to Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, each offering a different glimpse into the history and architecture of the Khmer capital.

Next, visit Ta Prohm, one of the best-known temples in the Angkor complex. Explore its atmospheric ruins, where large tree roots and surrounding vegetation have grown through parts of the historic stone structures.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring Cambodian specialities.

Afternoon

Continue to Angkor Wat, the largest and most renowned temple in the Angkor complex. Walk through its galleries and courtyards, admiring the detailed bas-reliefs and distinctive five-tower design representing Mount Meru in Hindu cosmology.

Later, travel to Phnom Bakheng for sunset. Climb to the temple hill and, subject to weather and local access conditions, enjoy views across the surrounding landscape as the day comes to an end.

Return to your hotel after sunset and enjoy a relaxed evening in Siem Reap.

Enjoy a free day in Siem Reap to explore at your own pace. Take the opportunity to revisit the town, browse local markets, relax at your hotel, or choose an optional experience beyond the main tourist areas.

Enjoy your final breakfast in Siem Reap before checking out by 12:00.

At the appropriate time, your driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight.