Tour Route: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
Step into a vibrant mosaic of Southeast Asia’s soul, where ancient temples whisper tales of empires, bustling markets pulse with life, and serene waters reflect timeless traditions. This 18-day journey weaves through Thailand’s golden palaces, Laos’ tranquil Mekong shores, Vietnam’s historic heart, and Cambodia’s majestic Angkor ruins. From Bangkok’s dazzling Grand Palace to Chiang Mai’s sacred mountains, Luang Prabang’s monk-led rituals, Hanoi’s cyclo-filled streets, Hoi An’s lantern-lit charm, Ho Chi Minh City’s Mekong adventures, and Siem Reap’s awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, each destination unveils a unique thread of culture, history, and natural beauty. Guided by local experts and enriched with authentic culinary and cultural encounters, this expedition offers an intimate, unforgettable connection to the region’s diverse heritage.
Highlights
Experience the bustling city life of Bangkok, explore ancient temples and palaces.
Spend a day with elephants in Chiang Mai, observing their daily lives and enjoying a river swim.
Immerse yourself in Chiang Mai’s temples, visit Doi Suthep Moutain, and explore local markets.
Refresh at Kuang Si Waterfall and discover Ak Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images.
Explore the charming streets, temples, and pagodas, and witness the vibrant Cam Thanh Coconut Village of Hoi An
Visit Siem Reap and explore the ancient temples of Angkor, including Tonle Sap Lake
Explore the vibrant cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and cruise through the stunning landscapes of Halong Bay.
Included/Excluded
17-night accommodation with daily breakfast as per detail itinerary
Transfers for touring and airport pick-up/drop-off by private air-conditioned vehicle (minivan) with experienced driver
Meals as specified in the itinerary with Vegan/Western/Indian food available on request. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Local-stationed English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees & permits (if have)
Day cruise excursion and kayaking in Halong Bay
Boat/sampan excursions as per mentioned
Bottled drinking water
Surcharge for early check-in or late check-out unless stated
International and domestic flights and airport taxes
Visa Arrangement (kindly advise nationality if need assistance)
Travel insurance
Other meals which are not indicated above
Surcharge and Compulsory dinners (if any)
Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
Gratuities to guides and drivers
Personal and other expenses such as porter, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary
Itinerary
Touch down in Bangkok, the vibrant “City of Angels.” Your local guide and driver welcome you at the airport, transferring you to a centrally located hotel. Unwind and explore the city’s lively streets at your leisure, soaking in its electric atmosphere.Overnight in Bangkok.
Begin with breakfast, then explore Bangkok’s treasures. Visit the Grand Palace, a dazzling complex with Wat Phra Kaew’s 14th-century Emerald Buddha. Marvel at Wat Traimit’s massive golden Buddha and Wat Pho’s iconic Reclining Buddha. Enjoy a local lunch, then cruise the Chao Phraya River’s quaint canals on a traditional long-tail boat, ending at Wat Arun’s majestic riverside temple.Overnight in Bangkok.
Drive to Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital and a UNESCO site (1 hour). Explore Wat Phu Khao Thong’s golden mount, Wat Phra Si Sanphet’s palace ruins, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit’s bronze Buddha, and Wat Lokaya Sutha’s reclining Buddha. Return to Bangkok, fly to Chiang Mai, and check into your hotel for a free evening.Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Depart at 7:30 AM for Elephant Nature Park, a no-ride sanctuary. Walk with guides to learn about elephants’ lives and habitats, then enjoy a vegan buffet lunch at 12:00 PM. Return to Chiang Mai by 1:00 PM and visit Doi Suthep Mountain, climbing 309 steps (or taking a tram) to Wat Phra That’s sacred stupa, with panoramic city views. In the evening, savor a Khantoke dinner and Thai cultural show, featuring hill tribe dances and music.Overnight in Chiang Mai.
After breakfast, walk Chiang Mai’s Old Town, photographing its ancient walls, moat, and gates. Visit Wat Phra Singh’s Lanna-style Lion Buddha, Wat Phan Tao’s serene gardens, and Wat Chedi Luang’s towering stupa. Take a rickshaw through traditional streets, then explore Warorot Market’s vibrant stalls, a hub of Thai culture.Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Enjoy a free morning before transferring to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Check into your hotel and savor a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Optionally, stroll the Night Market for hill tribe textiles.Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Optionally rise early to observe Luang Prabang’s alms-giving ritual, where saffron-clad monks collect offerings (notify your guide in advance). After breakfast, cruise the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai village for rice wine distillation. Visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves, then drive to Khouang Si Waterfall, hiking past an Asian bear rescue center to swim in turquoise pools.Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Explore Luang Prabang’s Morning Market, brimming with local produce and crafts. Visit Wat Xiengthong’s classic Laotian architecture and the National Museum’s royal artifacts. Climb 328 steps to Mount Phousi’s gilded stupa for Mekong views, then tour Wat Mai’s ornate designs. Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, and check into your hotel for a free evening, optionally shopping on Silk Street or snacking on Hang Than Street.Overnight in Hanoi.
At 9:00 AM, sip egg coffee on Hanoi’s Train Street, watching trains pass. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda, a 1049 Buddhist relic. After lunch, tour Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known as “Hanoi Hilton,” then take a 1-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, passing St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Hoan Kiem Lake. End with a traditional Water Puppet Show.Overnight in Hanoi.
Depart at 7:00 AM for Halong Bay (2.5-hour drive). Board La Regina Cruise at 10:15 AM, sailing past limestone karsts. Explore Sung Sot Cave’s stalactites at 11:45 AM, then enjoy a European-Asian fusion lunch. Kayak or row at Luon Cave (2:00 PM), swim at Titop Island (3:30 PM), and savor afternoon tea on the sundeck, passing Heaven’s Gate and Fighting Cock Islet. Return to Hanoi by 5:30 PM.Overnight in Hanoi.
Enjoy a free morning before flying to Da Nang. Transfer to Hoi An (1–1.5 hours), checking into your hotel for a relaxing evening in this lantern-lit town.Overnight in Hoi An.
Spend the morning at leisure, optionally touring Mulberry Silk Village’s silk-making process (9:00 AM or 3:00 PM). At 1:00 PM, visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village, rowing bamboo basket boats through Bay Mau’s palm forest and learning fishing techniques. Explore Hoi An’s ancient town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, and silk street. Stroll the night market, release lanterns on Thu Bon River, and dine at a local restaurant.Overnight in Hoi An.
Enjoy a free morning in Hoi An, exploring markets or relaxing. Transfer to Da Nang’s airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel and dive into the city’s vibrant nightlife, with late-night food stalls at bustling markets.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Drive to Vinh Long and cruise the Mekong River, observing fish-farming cages. Visit Vinh Long market’s exotic produce, then tour brick kilns crafting pottery. Explore workshops making rice paper and coconut candy, enjoying tea and sweets. Dine on local cuisine at a traditional house, then cycle or walk the Red Kingdom’s brick-kiln villages along Thay Cai and Long Ho canals. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Transfer at 10:30 AM for a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Check into your hotel (2:00 PM, early check-in subject to availability). In the evening, enjoy a traditional Khmer dance show with dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating Cambodia’s cultural heritage.Overnight in Siem Reap.
Explore Angkor Thom’s South Gate, Bayon Temple’s 200 smiling faces, Phimeanakas, and Elephant Terrace. Visit Ta Prohm’s jungle-entwined ruins, featured in Tomb Raider. After lunch, tour Angkor Wat, a 12th-century UNESCO masterpiece with intricate bas-reliefs and towering spires, covering 81 hectares.Overnight in Siem Reap.
At 8:30 AM, visit Banteay Srei, a 10th-century temple with delicate pink sandstone carvings. Stop at a palm sugar village and explore Banteay Samre’s serene architecture. Cruise Tonle Sap Lake’s Kampong Phluk, a floating village with schools and homes adapting to seasonal water levels, offering a glimpse of local life.Overnight in Siem Reap.
Enjoy a free morning before transferring to Siem Reap’s airport for your departure, concluding an unforgettable Southeast Asian journey with Indochina Tours.
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