Glimpse Of Indochina In 15 Days

Your Southeast Asia trip begins with your arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. Check in to the hotel and get over the jet lag.  You can mooch through the streets of the city. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and product variety are splashed all over this area. 

After enjoying the first day yourself and return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep. 

Have breakfast at the hotel then you will be picked up by an experienced English-speaking guide and travel to Ba Vi, a countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi. The approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.

Activities

Then arriving at Mr. Duoc’s house, you will be welcomed with fresh honey tea and green lentils or lotus seeds made by his family.  Imagine a Vietnam in the old time of war through the stories of Mr. Duoc, who is not only a veteran who lives during those hard times but also a green tea expert. You will visit his tea plantation which is one of the largest in Ri village and join with locals in green tea processing. Afterward, have a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with another local host and then enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a lovely garden.

After that, you will wander around the village and mingle with local people. You will visit the local craftsman who has been skilled at making conical hats from a very young age and other workshops in the village to see how people there make tofu or shell the rice.

As you meander through the countryside you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Then join your guides for a leisurely cycling trip along the country roads. Observe traditional Vietnamese rural life as the local people work in the paddy fields. Along the way, watch out for a water buffalo plowing a paddy field while ducks swim across the top. Stop at another host family for foot bathing following the recipes of the Muong ethnic group and relaxing time before embarking on your private boat for a trip along the Da river.

Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, an English–speaking guide will meet you at the hotel at between 8 am and 8.30 am. You will be transferred by a professional driver from Hanoi to Hoa Lu, which is located 80km to the South of Hanoi. This is the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century and your guide will tell you all about the history of the Le and Dinh Dynasties, who ruled this antique citadel.

Enjoy a Vietnamese traditional lunch before boarding into a private sampan to visit Tam Coc, well-known as “Halong Bay inland” and see the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. You will then continue with a cycling tour through the stunning scenery of rice fields, karst formations, river, and a tranquil village (around 5km).

In the evening, return to Hanoi and enjoy a lovely night on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, the cruise team will pick you up. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival to Halong- the natural wonders of Southeast Asia, you will enjoy a cruise trip on the Bay and explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes.

After you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which there will be a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking or swimming so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.

Overnight on cruise.

Rise early for a Tai Chi lesson or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Limestone Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. From here, it’s clear sailing back to the main harbor and returns to Hanoi around 17:00. Free in your leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and have a relaxing time before your driver transfers you to the airport. Fly one way from Hanoi, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Breakfast at the hotel: Start your sightseeing tour of the Angkor area we spend a full day trip exploring the wondrous ancient ruins of Southeast Asia with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.

We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, our driver and guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, we enjoy a short-guided trip to see the city’s oldest temples Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Warmly welcome on arrival at Chiang Mai International Airport, meet & greet service by our guide. Transfer from the airport to the hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Check-in at the hotel.

Have a leisurely day in Chiang Mai or take an optional tour.

OPTIONAL TOUR:

HALF DAY ELEPHANT SANCTUARY WITH LUNCH

Morning visit : 06:30-12:30

07:00 Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

08:30 Arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Walk through and learn about the elephants, change into traditional Karen clothing and make medicine for the elephants.

09:00 Meet the elephants. Feed, give medicine, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

09:45 Mud Spa with the elephants 10:30 Walk with the elephants to a river and bathe them.

11:30 Eat a traditional meal and then say goodbye to the elephants.

12:00 Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Have a leisurely day exploring Chiang Mai in your own peace. 

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

There are no activities planned for today. Enjoy your free time until transfer (Private, with an English-speaking guide) to Chiang Mai Domestic Airport, upon arrival at Bangkok Domestic Airport, meet & greet service by our guide.

Transfer from the airport to the hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking guide. Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for pick up. We will take you through the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to visit Wat Traimit a visually stunning temple in China Town, and see one of the largest solid gold Buddhas (5.5 tones of the precious metal). Continue to visit Wat Po the home of the famous 45-meter reclining Buddha as well as the original school of traditional Thai massage. Visit The Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace that was used for different occasions as The Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House, and the mysterious famous Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.

The afternoon is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your Southeast Asia trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones.  Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. The Southeast Asia trip ends!