Days 1-2 Bangkok
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. The meeting will be followed by an optional group dinner.
On day 2 we set off in the morning for a longtail boat tour of Bangkok's famous khlongs (canals), which is a wonderful opportunity to see Thai everyday life in action. We also make a visit to Wat Pho to see the world's largest reclining Buddha. The afternoon is free to return to the busy streets of Bangkok, to get a taste of Thai cuisine, do a bit more temple-hopping or simply hit the shops.
In the evening, we take a comfortable sleeper-train to Chiang Mai (approx. 14 hrs). Trains are clean, with padded berths, sheets, pillow, blanket and boiling water available. Most trains have a dining carriage and there are snacks available on the train along the way.
Day 3 Chiang Mai
We spend a whole day and night in Chiang Mai, a wonderful town with strong cultural influences from the surrounding hill-tribe villages. There are many options available here - you can spend the day exploring the many ancient temples, venture outside the city to ride elephants, take a Thai cooking class, browse for handicrafts at the markets or wander through the old walled city. The view from the mountain temple of Doi Suthep is a must in the late afternoon, and we take a trip up the mountain as a group. In the evening wander through the enormous, colourful Night Bazaar, then relax at a fine restaurant along the riverfront. Make sure to sample some delicious traditional northern Thai food - the signature dish is kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef. This night we stay in a guesthouse which has comfortable rooms with ensuite and air conditioning.
Day 4 Huay Xai
It's a long journey by bus today through rural countryside to the Thai-Laos border (approx. 7 hrs). The night is spent at a lovely rural border town on the banks of the Mekong River, the lifeline of Indochina. Partake in a lovely meal and a well-earned drink this evening - there's no better way to enjoy the tranquility! Tonight we stay in a guesthouse/hotel in simple but clean accommodation.
Days 5-6 Mekong River
We board our boat for the 2 day journey down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. The boat travels at a relaxed pace, giving us a chance to experience the slow pace of village life as well as to soak up the riverside scenery (Approx. 8 hrs on day five and 8 hrs on day six) . We dock at the small town of Pak Beng to spend the night. The following morning we re-board our boat and cruise to the Pak Ou caves, home to thousands of carved Buddha images and figurines, before arriving in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang in the early evening. In Luang Prabang we stay in a guesthouse/hotel with twin/double rooms with private bathrooms and fans.
Days 7-8 Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang has a magical feel about it. Nestled in the hills of northern Laos, on the confluence of the Mekong and Khan Rivers, the city is studded with ornate temples and French colonial architecture. We visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum then hop on a jumbo (a Laotian tuk-tuk) to the Kuang Si falls, where pale turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. At the base of the falls there is a large pool offering the perfect place for a refreshing swim. Then there is free time to experience the charm of Luang Prabang on your own. A climb to the top of Mt Phousi provides a fantastic view over the town and its surrounds. The Dara Market sells everything and is a great spot to browse. If you'd like to experience more local culture, consider taking a long boat across the river to a traditional Laotian village.These nights we stay in a guesthouse/hotel with twin or double rooms and private bathrooms.
Days 9-10 Vang Vieng
On day nine we drive from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (approx. 6-7 hours). Situated on a bend in the Nam Song River, this is a charming and relaxed place known for its outdoor adventure activities. In your time here, you can explore nearby limestone cliffs and caverns, many associated with well known local legends, walk along the river bank or simply sit back and soak up peaceful river scenes of local pole boats and fishermen going about their work.These nights we stay in a simple hotel or guesthouse.
Day 11 Vientiane
On day 11 we take a short public bus journey from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, (approximately four hours), the most unlikely of capital cities. Life in Vientiane is relaxed, with daily affairs conducted at a slow pace. The country's history of isolation from modernity and the rest of the world has however, preserved its rich traditions and the city is a wealth of cultural delights to discover, on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by jumbo. Visit Laos' most important national monument, Pha That Luang, or go down the dusty tracks along the river to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which, incidentally, is open all day!) is full of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.Our accommodation in Vientiane is a basic hotel conveniently located to the city centre and Mekong riverside.
Day 12 Hanoi
Today is free for further exploration until our flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam (approx 1 hour). We overnight at our hotel in Hanoi before heading on to Halong Bay in the morning.Tonight we stay in a 2 star standard hotel with restaurant.
Day 13 Halong Bay
From Hanoi it is a 4 hr drive to Bai Chay Harbour where we board our Halong Bay boat and cruise among the magnificent scenery of the Halong Bay World Heritage-listed area. We explore at least one cave, swim if it is warm enough, and enjoy incredibly fresh seafood. Our overnight accommodation on Halong Bay is on a sailing junk with twin bed cabins that have air-conditioning and private facilities. There is also a dining room and bar where we enjoy lunch, dinner and breakfast on the junk.
Days 14-15 Hanoi
We travel by bus from Bai Chay to the capital city of Hanoi (approx. 4 hrs).Hanoi is filled with old French charm, tree-lined boulevards and lots of character. Its vibrant old quarter, comprised of 36 streets, from silk to wood carvings and lacquerware, make it a bargain hunter's paradise. The afternoon is free to explore the many attractions before we attend a performance with traditional water puppets.
The following day visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, where you'll get an insight into Vietnam's recent history. You'll also have time to visit some of Hanoi's numerous peaceful temples and pagodas which offer a glimpse at the colourful religious culture of the country.
These nights we stay in a comfortable centrally located hotel, with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
In the evening we board an overnight train bound for Hue.
Day 16 Hue
Arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital, in the morning we have a full day to enjoy the many sights and slower pace of this tranquil city. We visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen Emperors' tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda as well as enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. Hue, renowned as the centre of Buddhism in Vietnam, has a wealth of pagodas and monasteries to discover. Being a centre of education, there are often students around the city willing to act as personal guides and show you the many secrets of this regal city. Dong Ba Market offers all kinds of goods and foods to see and sample, including traditional Hue specialties such as banh khoai, a type of pancake made from cassava, sugar and coconut milk. Our hotel in Hue is a modern 2 star hotel located in the heart of the old Imperial City of Hue. It has clean twin and double rooms with ensuite and air conditioning, as well as a swimming pool and restaurant.
Days 17-19 Hoi An
Leaving Hue, our bus journey takes us south through rural landscapes and the fishing village of Lang Co before ascending the dramatic Hai Van Pass and on to the World Heritage Site of Hoi An (approx. 4 hrs). Once a thriving port town, Hoi An retains much of its old architecture and hours can be spent discovering its beautifully faded French Colonial buildings and Buddhist pagodas - you can even pop into an old house belonging to an established local family to learn about Hoi An citizens' ancient traditions, some of which still live on. Today, the townspeople trade in ceramics, wood-ware, paintings and tailoring. The next 3 nights in Hoi An are spent in a small hotel located near all the attractions of Hoi An Ancient Town. It has clean twin and double rooms with private facilities and air-con, and a pool.
Days 20-21 Ho Chi Minh City
A short flight from Danang brings us to Ho Chi Minh City, the economic hub of Vietnam (approx. 75 mins). The streets are a tangle of pedestrians, motorbikes, cyclos, stalls-on-wheels, pavement cafes and markets, and it's virtually impossible not to be caught up by the city's buzz. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely tour of Saigon, in cyclos - a cross between a trishaw and a tricycle.Our hotel is located close to the bustling Ben Thanh Market as well as the city's main shopping district, so there is much for you to explore and discover on your last day in Vietnam. You may also choose to take an optional trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a huge network of claustrophobic tunnels which played a vital part in the Viet Cong's war efforts against the US Army.
Our accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is a comfortable 2 star hotel. It has twin and double rooms with ensuite and air conditioning.
Days 22-23 Phnom Penh
From Ho Chi Minh City we travel by public bus through rural Vietnam to Phnom Penh in Cambodia (approx. 7 hrs). We confront Cambodia's tragic past, on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. We then head out to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields.
To learn about a brighter period in the country's history, make an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Phnom Penh has many other attractions also, and there is time for you to explore the Russian Market and National Museum. You could also take a stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many cafes while observing the bustling river traffic.
These 2 nights we stay in a basic hotel/guesthouse located right near the riverfront area. It has twin and double rooms with ensuite and air conditioning.
Day 24 Homestay
From Phnom Penh we travel by public bus to the rural town of Kampong Thom (approximately 3 hours), and then on to our homestay located outside the township. Facilities are very basic, but this is an opportunity to experience the everyday life of rural Cambodians. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional dinner with our host family. Tonight at our home stay conditions are basic, with shared toilet and bathroom facilities.
Days 25-27 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat
On Day 25 we take a bus from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap (approx. 3 hrs), our base from which to explore the fascinating ruins of Angkor Wat, and nearby Angkor Thom. One of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, these temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the largest influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. They were built over an area of some 160 sq km and many of the most famous structures are clustered close to Siem Reap.There is plenty of time to explore the Angkor complex at leisure. Take in the amazing Angkor Wat, the most well-known of the temples and the best at sunrise and sunset. Wander the Terrace of the Elephant for a closer look at the elaborate, intriguing carvings. And certainly don't miss the evocative Ta Prohm, where enormous strangler figs wrap around the crumbling stone structures.
Our accommodation in Siem Reap is a comfortable 2 star hotel centrally located close to all the sights. It has twin and double rooms with ensuite and air-con.
Days 28-29 Bangkok
This morning, we travel by private bus to Bangkok (approx. 7 hrs in the dry season, possibly longer in the wet season depending on road conditions).We arrive to Bangkok on the evening of day 28. It's a great chance to see and do anything you missed the first time as well as the perfect place to enjoy a final optional meal with your travelling companions.
There are no activities planned for day 29 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
