Laos - Vietnam - Cambodia & Thailand Discovery 21 days

After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.

If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old.

After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

The welcome dinner will be served at the local restaurant with the traditional dance and folk song, the best chance to experience the local culture. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel, we will first visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene. After that, we embark on the leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, a 16th century cave monastery filled with thousands of Buddha images, which locates 25 Kilometers North of Luang Prabang in the limestone cliffs

overlooking the Mekong river.  En route, you will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. You will arrive back in Luang Prabang.

On arrival back in the city, we visit Wat Mai, which is one of the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang. We then continue to Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. Our last stop today is the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers. Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, 01 JAN every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. We then transfer out to the airport to take the flight to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.

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and revealing his ideas about the universe.

In the afternoon, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

Located in the centre of the Northern Delta with a population of 6.2 million people and an area of 3,398 square km Hanoi is an ancient city which had been established and developed for over 1,000 years since 1010. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. Historians liken the life-giving Red River with its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; a cradle of civilization. Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge. The rest of the day is at leisure. Subject to your arrival time, you may want to venture out to explore the city on your own or join one of our wonderful optional excursions in and around Hanoi, such as a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter for you first impression of Vietnam’s capital city.

Arriving at the cruise’ check in lounge in Halong City around noon, embark on the boat and start a relaxing and wonderful cruise through Halong Bay known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea“. The picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

A lavish buffet lunch will be served on-board. Afterward have a short free and easy time before taking a guided excursion to Sung Sot Grotto (Surprise Grotto) and a floating village. Other activities in the afternoon include kayaking (optional and surcharge applies) or swimming (weather permitting) and a Vietnamese fresh spring roll demonstration on the sun deck Happy hour with complimentary canapés will be available at the sun deck bar. Then a scrumptious international buffet dinner will be served at the restaurant. After dinner, there is an evening Movie show on the sun deck.

Check in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

Check in the hotel for some leisure time and your guide will take you on a stroll through the ancient town. Its friendly inhabitants, narrow streets, old houses, temples and wooden bridge still remain its ancient character.

Sample local food for dinner at a charming restaurant nestled in a narrow alley typical to Hoi An. Time after dinner is yours. You may choose to take transfer back to the hotel or to enjoy exploring Hoi An night life for more experience on your own.

The journey to Hue will take you over the famous Hai Van Pass with a green view of the stretch of Truong Son mountain range on one side and a spectacular view of the East Sea on the other. Arrival in Hue will be in late afternoon. After hotel check-in, have leisure time.

In the morning, a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River will take you to Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. Continue by car to visit the Imperial Citadel. Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, the citadel covers an area of 500 ha and has a system of three circles of ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Your next stop will be at Dong Ba market which has been functioning as the main resource of food for the palaces, hospitals, army camps, dormitories of the national universities and local inhabitants. Even though the market has undergone several renovation since the beginning of the 20th century, it still embraces many old features.

In the late afternoon, you will take another domestic flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, todays Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who travelled along the Saigon River. Check in your hotel and have free time in the evening to explore the city.

In the afternoon, gain an insight into the city’s development through a walking tour to the most significant landmarks including the Opera House, the Town Hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office (all magnificent sights from the French colonial period. Your next stop will be the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.

Meet upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until

the afternoon).

Dinner at local restaurant.

Your guide will be not with you on bus but he/she will meet you in Siem Reap. The bus will stop at Arunras Restaurant for restroom and where you can find your own meals or snack before continue to final destination. Upon arrival Siem Reap, meet your guide at Borei Seang Nam station and transfer to check in at hotel for refreshment.

This afternoon, take a fun by Rermork “Tuk Tuk” ride to visit the Angkor National Museum, learn about “the Legend Revealed” and see how the Khmer Empire has been established during the golden period. Continue to Preah Ang Check Preah Ang Chom, the secret place where local

people go praying for good luck or safe journey. Tonight enjoy buffet dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at Amazon or Kulen II restaurant.

South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper

King.

Afternoon, explore Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century

masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Last but not least, view a wonderful sunset from Angkor Wat or somewhere possible.

Free until transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, meet our guide and private transfer with guide from Bangkok Airport to hotel in Bangkok. Check in and free time at leisure

Discover the highlights of Bangkok on a scenic journey by boat and foot. Visit many iconic Buddhist landmarks, including the ancient temple of Wat Pho and the massive Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit. Admire the architecturally-stunning complex at the Grand Palace before climbing aboard a traditional long-tailed boat that carries you down Bangkok’s klongs, or canals. Witness beautiful art at the Khlong Bang Luang Artist Village. This tucked-away village is built within wooden structures once a common sight throughout Bangkok’s klongs. Afterwards continue the scenic ride down the Chao Phraya River with a visit to the magnificent temple of Wat Arun.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit Sukhothai Historical Park, one of Thailand’s most impressive World Heritage sites in Thailand.

Lunch at local restaurant. Drive to Lampang province. visit Ban Sao Nak, the house of many pillars, was built in 1895 as a resident. Since the original owner was a Mon ethnic from burma who had settled in Lampag, the house was designed in a combination of northern Thai and Burmese architectures, also known as typical Lanna Thai. The wonder of the house is that it is supported by 116 teak pillars. In front of the house stand a huge Sarapee tree (Ochocarpus siamensis) aged over 150 years old. And then visit Wat Prathat Lampang Luang.

Overnight at Lampang.

After Breakfast Check out and drive up the north, visit Lampoon the small city with also long history - culture.
lunch at local restaurant and drive to Chiang Mai,
Check in hotel in Chaing Mai
Get a taste of what makes northern Thai food distinctive and famous even among Thailand’s iconic cuisine. Tonight’s outing is your chance to experience a unique and rather delicious Thai custom, the ‘Khantoke’ dinner. Served in large platters on low tables, enjoy a selection of iconic Northern-style dishes, including spicy chili dip with steamed vegetables, crispy pork skin, fried chicken wings, spicy sausage and the classic Burmese-inspired pork curry.
During your meal, enjoy a line-up of live dance and music performances by members of surrounding ethnic hill tribes, including Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Akha, Mien and Lisu. To cap off a memorable night, you’re invited to join in with the final act called ‘Ramwong’, where you can dance, smile and laugh alongside the local performers.

Surrounded by the lush tropical jungles of Chiang Mai's Mae Sa Valley, this landscape offers elephants their natural surroundings, and for much of the day the animals are free to roam around the camp. The mahout’s, or trainers, philosophy is to create a natural and healthy environment for the elephants while working to conserve and breed them. During your visit, get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Thailand’s national animal with feeding and bathing sessions, as well as spectacular daily performances. During the journey home, stop to visit an orchid farm, housing a large selection of exotic and colourful blooms.

Transfer with guide from your inside town hotel in Chiang Mai to Chaing Mai Airport or Chiang Mai Railway Station