Spirits of Thailand - Cambodia - Vietnam 15 days

Morning

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, meet our guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Standard check-in time is 14:00; please contact your travel consultant if you require an early check-in.

Afternoon

Meet your guide and board a traditional long-tail boat for a scenic cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Glide through the canals of Thonburi, passing riverside homes and observing the lively local life along the water.

Continue to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), where the intricate Buddhist architecture creates a beautiful backdrop as the sun begins to set. After the excursion, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure, with time to discover Bangkok's vibrant nightlife at your own pace.

Morning

After breakfast, set out to explore some of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks, beginning with the Grand Palace, the former royal residence and one of Thailand's most important architectural complexes. Continue to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), admired for its intricate details and richly decorated interiors.

Next, visit Wat Pho, home to the impressive reclining Buddha and one of Bangkok's best-known temple complexes. Enjoy some free time for lunch and explore at your own pace.

Afternoon

Continue to the Jim Thompson House, the former home of the American entrepreneur credited with helping bring Thai silk to international attention. Explore the traditional Thai teak houses, art collection, and lush gardens while learning about Thompson's connection with Thailand and its silk industry.

After the sightseeing programme, transfer back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore Bangkok independently.

Morning

After breakfast, travel back in time on a day trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Begin at Wat Phu Khao Thong (Monastery of the Golden Mount) before continuing into the historic city to explore its impressive temple ruins.

Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the former royal temple known for its three distinctive Sri Lankan-style stupas, which once held the ashes of Ayutthaya kings. Continue to Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, home to a large gilded bronze Buddha image and one of the city's most significant surviving religious monuments.

Enjoy lunch at your own expense and take some time to recharge.

Afternoon

Continue to Wat Lokaya Sutha to see its striking reclining Buddha, one of Ayutthaya's memorable landmarks. Then visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a former royal retreat featuring an eclectic blend of Thai, Chinese, Khmer, and European architectural influences.

Return to Bangkok in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. Our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Take the rest of the day to settle in, relax, or explore Siem Reap at your own pace.

Morning

At 08:00, meet your guide and begin a full-day exploration of the Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the remarkable temples of the former Khmer Empire.

Start at Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire, entering through the South Gate lined with statues of gods and demons holding a naga. Continue to Bayon Temple, known for its distinctive stone faces, before exploring Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King.

Visit Ta Prohm Temple, made famous by its appearance in Tomb Raider. Explore the atmospheric ruins, where large trees and roots grow around the ancient stone structures.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and sample Cambodian specialities.

Afternoon

Continue to Angkor Wat, the most iconic temple within the Angkor complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about its ancient Khmer architecture, including the five central towers representing the mythical peaks of Mount Meru, surrounded by galleries, walls, and a vast moat.

After exploring Angkor Wat, return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.

Morning

Gather with our guide after a full breakfast and drive to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang. Here, a fishing industry of locals will appear before your eyes. We will travel on canals (wet season) or streets (dry season). In the wet season, you will be lucky to see floating houses as water laps at the verandas. 

On this journey, look up one of the pagodas here, built on the site of an ancient temple, and take photos with wall paintings. Then, stop off to visit a house in the village and learn a little more about local life and the incredible natural flood barrier on the driftway into the open water of the great lake. 

Disembark and drive back to the hotel to unwind.   

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your local guide and driver and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Take some time to freshen up and relax before the evening programme.

Evening

At around 18:00 - 18:30, meet your driver and transfer to the port for a dinner cruise along the Saigon River. Enjoy a selection of regional dishes while cruising past Ho Chi Minh City's illuminated landmarks and riverside scenery.

During this time, a wide range of classic shows aboard the ship make you entertain while you continue your engaging cruise vacation. Back to the pier for a transfer to your hotel.

Morning

At around 08:00, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and depart for Ben Tre Province, known for its waterways, coconut groves, and rural landscapes. Board a boat and cruise along the Ham Luong River, observing riverside communities, fishing activities, and daily life along the waterways.

Visit a local coconut processing workshop to learn how coconuts are used to produce traditional products. Continue to a mat-weaving workshop, where you can see local craftsmanship and enjoy fresh fruit and tea.

Take a short walk through the peaceful village before travelling by xe loi, a local motorised rickshaw, or bicycle through the surrounding fruit orchards. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional Mekong Delta dishes.

Afternoon

Board a traditional sampan for a 10 - 15-minute journey through narrow canals surrounded by lush vegetation. The quieter waterways provide a closer look at the rural landscape and everyday life of the Mekong Delta.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City at around 17:00. The evening is free for you to relax or explore the city independently.

Morning

At 08:00, meet your guide and driver after breakfast and depart Ho Chi Minh City for the Cu Chi Tunnels, approximately 2 hours from the city centre. Learn about the tunnels and their wartime history through a short documentary before exploring the site.

Walk through the surrounding area to see hidden entrances, traps, bunkers, and other wartime structures. Enter sections of the underground tunnel network to understand how the tunnels were used for living and working during the war. An optional shooting-range experience is available at an additional cost.

Take a break with cassava and green tea, then return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Continue with a city sightseeing tour, beginning at the Reunification Palace, an important landmark associated with Vietnam's modern history. Visit the Old Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral to see examples of French colonial architecture.

Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently undergoing renovation.

Continue to the War Remnants Museum, where historical photographs, documents, and artefacts provide further context on the Vietnam War. End the tour at Ben Thanh Market, where you can browse local products, souvenirs, and regional specialities.

Return to your hotel after the sightseeing programme and spend the evening at leisure.

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to refresh.

Evening

At around 17:30, meet your local food guide at the designated meeting point and begin an evening walking and food tour through the lively streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Sample a selection of popular Vietnamese dishes, which may include Pho Bo, Bun Thang, Banh Cuon, Banh Mi, Nom Bo Kho, and Nem Chua Ran. Complete the experience with Ca Phe Trung (egg coffee), a Hanoi speciality that combines strong coffee with a creamy egg topping.

Return to your hotel after the food tour, with the remainder of the evening free to explore Hanoi independently.

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

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before meeting your guide at 08:00. Travel by private vehicle or motorbike, depending on your preference, to explore some of Hanoi’s most important historical and cultural landmarks.

Visit the Temple of Literature, founded during the Ly dynasty and closely associated with Vietnam’s Confucian educational tradition. Continue to Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945, then visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda.

Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is viewed from outside, closed on Mondays and Fridays and undergoes annual maintenance, usually from June to August.

Stroll along Thanh Nien Street towards West Lake and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temples.

Afternoon

Enjoy lunch featuring local Hanoi specialities before returning to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration, shopping, or relaxation.

Morning

At 08:00, meet your guide and depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh, approximately a 2-hour drive through the countryside. Begin at the Bai Dinh Complex, one of Vietnam’s largest Buddhist complexes, known for its extensive grounds, monumental temples, and collection of Buddhist statues.

Take an electric vehicle around the complex and explore its main highlights, including the Arhat statues, large bronze bells, and the Goddess of Mercy statue. Continue through the complex and learn about its Buddhist traditions and architecture.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, with an opportunity to sample regional specialities.

Afternoon

Continue to Trang An for a traditional rowboat journey through its network of caves and waterways. Travel between limestone karst mountains, calm rivers, and natural caves while taking in the surrounding rural landscape.

After the boat trip, return to Hanoi and arrive at your hotel at around 18:00. Spend the evening at leisure.

Morning

At 08:00 - 08:30, meet your driver at the hotel and depart Hanoi by luxury limousine for Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours, with a short rest stop along the way.

Arrive at the cruise lounge, complete check-in, and transfer by speedboat to the main vessel. After boarding around noon, receive a welcome drink and safety briefing from the cruise team before enjoying lunch while cruising among Halong Bay’s limestone islands and islets.

Afternoon

Take part in water-based activities depending on your cruise itinerary, which may include caving, hiking to a viewpoint, or kayaking. Return to the cruise and join a Vietnamese cooking class or relax with a drink during Happy Hour from 17:00 - 17:30, while taking in the sunset over the bay.

Evening

Enjoy dinner onboard before spending the evening at leisure. Depending on the cruise programme, activities may include squid fishing, movie screenings, board games, or relaxing at the onboard bar.

NOTE: Cruise itinerary may vary based on the specific cruise you choose.

Morning

Start early at 06:00 with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck, or enjoy a quiet morning onboard. Have a light breakfast before continuing to explore the bay, with opportunities to observe local fishing communities or enjoy the surrounding limestone landscape, depending on the cruise itinerary.

Return to the vessel for the final brunch while cruising towards the pier. Complete check-out then transfer by speedboat to the pier. Say farewell to the cruise team before continuing your journey to Hanoi.

Afternoon

Travel back to Hanoi by luxury limousine. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy your final breakfast in Hanoi before checking out by 12:00. Our driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your journey through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.