Scenic Thailand & Vietnam - 13 Days

Welcome to Thailand! Upon your arrival, our representative and private driver will warmly welcome you at the airport. We will then escort you comfortably to your hotel. After checking in, take some time to recover from your journey.

Once you're ready, you may explore the bustling city streets at your leisure. Discover Bangkok's historic charm, admire its architectural wonders, and browse the diverse array of local products on display. After your day of exploration, return to the hotel to unwind and enjoy a restful night's sleep.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before we pick you up for a tour of Bangkok’s vibrant cityscape. Our first stop is Wat Traimit, located in Chinatown, where you will admire the stunning temple housing a massive solid gold Buddha statue, weighing 5.5 tonnes.

Next, we visit Wat Po, renowned for its impressive 45-metre reclining Buddha and recognised as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Our journey continues to the Royal Grand Palace, the most iconic and esteemed royal monument in Thailand. Here, you will see the Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House. The highlight is the revered Emerald Buddha, known as Thailand's most sacred Buddha image.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have some free time to explore until your private driver collects you for the transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by your driver and taken to your hotel.

We begin our tour with a visit to Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the "White Temple". This striking monument, the lifelong endeavour of artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, blends traditional Buddhist art with modern motifs, its mirrored glass decorations enhancing its stunning beauty.

Next, we visit Wat Phra Sing, home to a revered replica of the Phra Sing Buddha, a significant cultural artefact originally from Chiang Mai. We'll also see Wat Phra Keow, which once housed the Emerald Buddha during the 13th century before its relocation to Bangkok.

Following these visits, you can enjoy a trishaw ride, a popular local form of transportation, before returning to the hotel.

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we'll check out and journey to Sop Ruak, known as the Golden Triangle. Here, you'll visit a striking viewpoint where the Mekong River meets Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand—a significant confluence steeped in history.

We'll then explore the Hall of Opium (note: closed on Mondays), an enlightening museum that delves into the area's historical ties to the opium trade. Following our museum visit, we'll have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our travel to Chiang Mai.

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Chiang Mai. You may choose to relax, visit local cafes and temples, or join an optional elephant sanctuary experience.

Optional Tour: Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary with Lunch. Embark on a scenic drive at 07:00, travelling approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through picturesque hills, forests, and local farms.

Arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary by 08:30. Begin with an informative walk about the elephants and change into traditional Karen attire. Prepare medicine for the elephants, learning about their health and care.

At 09:00, you'll meet the elephants. Interact, feed, and administer medicine in an environment that simulates their natural habitat, while discovering fascinating insights about their behaviour and history. Capture memorable photos with these gentle giants. At 09:45, enjoy a mud spa alongside the elephants.

Then, at 10:30, accompany them to a river for a bathing session. Conclude your visit with a traditional meal at 11:30, and bid farewell to the elephants. Depart the sanctuary at 12:00 for the return drive to Chiang Mai, arriving at around 13:30.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. You'll have some free time to relax or explore before your private driver, without a guide, collects you from the hotel and takes you to Chiang Mai International Airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Once you land at Noi Bai International Airport, our driver will be there to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

Hanoi, the colonial capital, offers a unique blend of Asian charm with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, serene lakes, and ancient oriental temples and pagodas.

We provide a complimentary hotel pickup between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. Our first stop is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where we will explore the architectural and historical significance of Ho Chi Minh's final resting place.

Nearby, we visit Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda, established in 1049 by King Ly Thai To. This iconic structure is an important symbol for Hanoi's residents. We then proceed to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, a significant Buddhist site located on West Lake.

We'll have lunch at a local restaurant. After, we will visit the Ethnology Museum (available on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), followed by the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university founded in 1070. The tranquil gardens and well-preserved architecture provide a glimpse into Vietnam's academic past.

Travel past Hoan Kiem Lake to appreciate the tranquil waters and visit the charming Ngoc Son Temple. Our journey concludes with a tour through Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, after which we return to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before the Cruise team collects us for a journey to Halong Bay. Travelling the scenic route through the Red River Delta, we’ll pass endless fields of vibrant green rice paddies. Upon arrival at Halong, we will embark on a cruise to explore the breathtaking limestone formations and karst grottoes that define the bay.

After our exploration, enjoy a delightful seafood lunch. Then, we visit a renowned limestone cave in Ha Long Bay, where you have the chance to engage in activities like kayaking or swimming. This allows for a closer experience of the nearby floating villages and shops.

As evening falls, we return to the boat for an early dinner. Afterwards, enjoy leisure time with optional activities on board or simply relax. We will spend the night on the cruise.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast as we set sail towards the port. En route, we will stop at the fascinating Limestone Cave, where you’ll marvel at its stunning stalagmites and stalactites, a testament to nature's artistry over millennia.

Afterwards, we continue smoothly towards the main harbour, arriving back in Hanoi by approximately 17:00. You’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel. You then have leisure time to explore at your own pace. Later, we'll provide a private cab transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a journey to the Mekong Delta. Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide and a professional driver, we will head to My Tho, a town situated on the left bank of the Mekong River. Here, we board a sampan to cruise along the river, passing the picturesque Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands.

Our first stop is Unicorn Island, where we will stroll along country lanes, admire orchards, savour tropical fruits, and enjoy traditional folk music performed by local residents. We will also visit a fruit plantation before continuing our exploration. Glide through the Thoi Son canal on a hand-rowed sampan to truly immerse yourself in the serene countryside.

We will visit family workshops and a honey-bee farm, where you can taste honey tea and sample local coconut candies. A traditional Vietnamese meal awaits to refuel us before we cycle around Tan Thach village, meeting locals and experiencing daily life in the Mekong Delta. Alternatively, you can opt to relax in a hammock and enjoy the refreshing breeze.

An experienced English-speaking guide will collect us for a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated in the countryside near Ho Chi Minh City—a journey of approximately 90 minutes.

During the Vietnam War, the residents of Cu Chi expanded their fight underground, building an extensive tunnel network that once stretched all the way to Cambodia. These tunnels included meeting rooms, kitchens, and medical areas, cleverly hidden from the surface so that even tanks passing overhead wouldn't cause harm to them.

Although ingenious in design, the underground life was challenging, with residents facing food and oxygen shortages, venomous insects, and cramped living conditions. This visit offers significant insights into the Vietnamese people's resilience and their enduring struggle against invading forces.

We will also have the opportunity to sample manioc, a staple food for the guerrilla fighters here during the war. For those interested, you can test your aim at the nearby shooting range with an AK47 or MK16. After the tour, you'll be transferred back to your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City.

Begin your final day with a nourishing breakfast. Take a moment to unwind before our professional driver transports you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. From there, you'll catch your flight back home.