Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
Your driver greets you at Noi Bai airport and takes you to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you'll hop into a former military Jeep for a tour through Hanoi's Old Quarter and French Quarter, winding through backstreets and local markets to get a feel for how the city actually works.
Included Activities
- Jeep tour of Hanoi - Old Quarter to French Quarter
- Airport transfer
Landmarks/POIs Old Quarter French Quarter - Day 2
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, the drive to Ha Long Bay takes about 3 hours. Once you board your cruise, lunch happens while you're out on the water surrounded by thousands of limestone islands. Your afternoon opens up for kayaking, swimming, cave exploration, or just taking in the scenery before you settle into your cabin for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served while the boat is sailing in Ha Long Bay)
Included Activities
- Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
- Sightseeing in Ha Long Bay
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Cave exploration
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay - Day 3
Ha Long Bay to Hoi An
You'll have morning coffee or tea while watching the bay's landscape, then eat breakfast. Spend time exploring deeper into the bay before heading back to port for brunch. After that, you transfer to Noi Bai airport for a domestic flight to Da Nang, then drive to Hoi An where you'll spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Brunch (Served while sailing back to port)
Included Activities
- Morning exploration of Ha Long Bay
- Transfer to Hanoi
- Domestic flight transfer to Da Nang
- Transfer to Hoi An
Landmarks/POIs Ha Long Bay - Day 4
Da Nang
After breakfast, head toward Da Nang to see Linh Ung Pagoda (the largest in the city) and Marble Mountain. You'll grab lunch at a local restaurant, then spend your afternoon walking through Hoi An's ancient town, checking out the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and various pagodas. Before heading back, stop by Thanh Ha Pottery Village to see how traditional ceramics are made.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit to Linh Ung Pagoda
- Visit to Marble Mountain
- Guided tour of Hoi An ancient town
- Visit to Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit to Phuc Kien Pagoda
- Visit to riverside market
- Visit to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
- Pottery-making demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Linh Ung Pagoda Marble Mountain Hoi An Ancient Town Japanese Covered Bridge Phuc Kien Pagoda Hoi An Riverside Market Thanh Ha Pottery Village - Day 5
Hoi An
Start your morning learning lantern-making from a local family (lanterns are kind of a big deal in Hoi An). Then head to Cam Thanh coconut village for a basket boat ride through coconut forests, where you'll see how local fishermen live and work along with various activities throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lantern-making lesson with local family
- Visit to Cam Thanh coconut village
- Basket boat ride through coconut forest
- Experience fishing community activities
Landmarks/POIs Cam Thanh Coconut Village - Day 6
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, you have the day to explore Hoi An on your own terms. In the afternoon, your driver picks you up and takes you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You'll arrive, get settled into your hotel, and that's your evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to Ho Chi Minh City
Optional Activities
- Leisure activities in Hoi An
- Day 7
Mekong Delta
After breakfast, you're heading to the Mekong Delta where boats and houses float on interconnected rivers and canals. You'll board a boat and cruise a river branch, stopping at local workplaces and a quiet village to see coconut plantations and real Delta life. Lunch happens at a local rural restaurant before you head back to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served at a local restaurant in the rural area)
Included Activities
- Boat cruise along Mekong River
- Visit to local workplaces along the river
- Visit to Mekong Delta village
- Walk through coconut plantations
- Return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City
Landmarks/POIs Mekong Delta - Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
After breakfast, the day is yours to relax in Ho Chi Minh City however you'd like. Your driver will pick you up in the afternoon for the transfer to the airport. You'll fly to Siem Reap and get transferred to your hotel from there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to Siem Reap
Optional Activities
- Leisure activities in Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 9
Angkor Complex
You're diving into the Angkor Complex today, starting at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Walk through Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants, Baphuon temple mountain, the Terrace of the Leper King, and Ta Prohm with its massive tree roots. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll explore Angkor Wat in the afternoon and finish the day browsing Angkor night market.
- Meals
- Lunch (Served at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- South Gate of Angkor Thom
- Bayon Temple visit
- Terrace of the Elephants visit
- Baphuon temple mountain visit
- Royal Palace Area visit
- Phimeanakas visit
- Terrace of the Leper King visit
- Ta Prohm temple visit
- Angkor Wat temple visit
Optional Activities
- Bars and pubs at Angkor night market
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Thom - South Gate Bayon Temple Terrace of the Elephants Baphuon Phimeanakas Terrace of the Leper King Ta Prohm Temple Angkor Wat Angkor Night Market - Day 10
Siem Reap
Your day includes visiting Wat Thmei with its glass stupa containing remains from the Khmer Rouge period. Then you'll go to Puok to see the full silk-making process at Artisans d'Angkor, and check out West Baray, an ancient water reservoir. The afternoon brings a traditional wooden boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake to see Khmer floating villages, plus Wat Bo pagoda and the local market. You'll finish at Les Artisans d'Angkor craft center before returning to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Visit to Wat Thmei (Killing Field)
- Visit to Artisans d'Angkor silk production center
- Visit to West Baray
- Floating villages boat tour on Tonle Sap
- Visit to Wat Bo pagoda
- Local market visit
- Visit to Les Artisans d'Angkor craft center
Landmarks/POIs Wat Thmei (Killing Field) West Baray Tonle Sap Floating Villages Wat Bo - Day 11
Siem Reap to Bangkok
Your driver takes you to the airport for your Bangkok flight. Once you arrive, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, you'll board a long-tail boat and head out on the Chao Phraya River and interior canals, stopping at Wat Arun to see the temple and watch local riverside activity.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Long-tail boat excursion on Chao Phraya River
- Visit to Wat Arun
Landmarks/POIs Chao Phraya River Wat Arun - Day 12
Bangkok
After breakfast, you'll visit the Grand Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) which are in the same compound. Then it's on to Wat Pho to see the giant reclining Buddha. In the afternoon, head to Jim Thompson House in the city center to learn about the American businessman who built Thailand's silk industry and see his collection of traditional teak homes and art.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Grand Royal Palace
- Visit to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
- Visit to Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Guided tour of Jim Thompson House
Landmarks/POIs Grand Royal Palace Wat Phra Kaew Wat Pho Jim Thompson House - Day 13
Ayutthaya
You'll depart early and drive over an hour to Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital. Spend your day exploring ancient ruins including Wat Phu Khao Thong, the old palace grounds, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit with its huge bronze Buddha, and Wat Lokaya Sutha. You'll also visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace with its mix of European, Khmer, Thai, and Chinese architecture. Grab lunch on your own, then return to Bangkok in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Wat Phu Khao Thong
- Visit to Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Visit to Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit
- Visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha
- Visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Wat Phu Khao Thong Wat Phra Si Sanphet Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit Wat Lokaya Sutha Bang Pa-In Summer Palace - Day 14
Bangkok to Luang Prabang
After breakfast, your driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. You'll arrive and get transferred to your hotel to settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Day 15
Luang Prabang
Start with the Royal Palace Museum, built back in 1904 during the French colonial period. Later you'll cruise upstream on the Mekong enjoying countryside views and reach the Pak Ou Caves, which hold thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai village for local rice wine, then visit Wat Sene and the ornate Wat Xiengthong. Check out Thai Lue villages for arts and crafts, and Ban Xienglek for traditional paper-making. Catch sunset at Wat Prabath and browse the Night Market for handmade textiles. There's also an optional petanque game with locals if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Royal Palace Museum
- Mekong River cruise to Pak Ou Caves
- Visit to Ban Xanghai village
- Visit to Wat Sene
- Visit to Wat Xiengthong
- Visit to Ban Xangkhong Thai Lue village
- Visit to Ban Xienglek village
- Sunset stop at Wat Prabath
- Visit to Night Market
Optional Activities
- Visit to Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed Mondays)
- Petanque game with local team
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace Museum Pak Ou Caves Ban Xanghai Wat Sene Wat Xiengthong Ban Xangkhong Ban Xienglek Wat Prabath Luang Prabang Night Market - Day 16
Luang Prabang
Wake early to watch over 200 Buddhist monks receive daily alms from residents, a 14th-century tradition that still happens every morning. You'll also walk through the temporary morning market where locals trade rice, vegetables, fish, and chicken. After your hotel breakfast, climb 329 steps up Phousi Hill for panoramic views of the city and Mekong River. Head to Kuang Si, the area's largest waterfall with three tiers and brilliant azure pools for swimming. Optional activities include visiting Ban Thapene village, hidden waterfalls, the Bear Rescue Center, or Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center for sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning alms-giving ceremony observation
- Morning market visit
- Phousi Hill climb
- Kuang Si waterfall visit and swimming
Optional Activities
- UXO Visitor Center visit (closed Saturdays and Sundays)
- Ban Thapene village and hidden waterfall exploration
- Bear Rescue Center visit
- Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center visit
Landmarks/POIs Phousi Hill Kuang Si Waterfall Ban Thapene Bear Rescue Center Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center - Day 17
Elephant Village Camp
Your English-speaking guide picks you up at 8:00 am for Elephant Village Camp. You'll get close to elephants during feeding time, tour the hospital and museum, and see dung paper-making. You'll have one-on-one time as a Mahout with an elephant (one person per elephant). After that, take a traditional Lao long boat to Tad Sae Waterfall for swimming and relaxation before your transfer to the airport to wrap up the tour.
Included Activities
- Elephant Village Camp welcome and briefing
- Elephant feeding experience
- Elephant hospital visit
- Museum and gallery tour
- Dung paper making facility visit
- Mahout experience (one-on-one with elephant)
- Traditional long boat trip to Tad Sae Waterfall
- Swimming at Tad Sae Waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Village Camp Tad Sae Waterfall
