13 Days Thailand and Vietnam Highlights Tour with Scuba Diving

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will have a full-day city tour of Bangkok. First visit Wat Traimit, known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. It is the home to a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddharupa statue, with a weight of 5.5 tons.

Then visit Wat Arun, known as the Temple of the Dawn, which is one of the most published images of Bangkok. In the middle of the temple, an 82 metres high beautifully decorated Khmer-style tower stands, where you can walk up the steep stairs and admire the view of Bangkok and the rivers.

After that, explore Wat Pho, also called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Finally, head for the Grand Palace, one of the must-sees in Bangkok, followed by Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Flight: Domestic flight is on Golden Trail Travel arrangement

Meals: B

In the morning, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local food, fresh fruit and products from their boats.

After an exploration of the market, drive to Kanchanaburi that is famous for the Death Railway built during WWII. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the bridge and railway are notable attractions in Kanchanaburi. Today, carriages still go on the tracks, taking travelers through the fields of sugar cane and rice terrace.

Take some time to relax here before making your way back to Bangkok airport for the onward flight to Chiang Rai.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Meals: B

Today, head to the Golden Triangle region to have a full day excursion.

Start the morning by Long Neck Karen Village to see the long neck hill tribe people who relocated from the Thai and Myanmar border. If time permits, you can watch cockfighting near the hill tribe village. Then drive to Mt. Doi Mae Salong to visit the Chinese village on the top of the mountain.

After lunch, continue the trip to the highest peak on the Thai-Myanmar border, Doi Tung. Here you can overlook the entire northern rice field plain and visit Doi Tung Temple that was built in A.D.1493. The scenery here may remind you of Switzerland.

After that, drive back to your hotel and enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Meals: B

Today, you will transfer to Chiang Mai. Before leaving Chiang Rai, visit the White Temple that mixes traditional Buddhist temple architecture with pop culture references.

After that, start your drive to Chiang Mai, taking around 3 and a half hours. En route, visit Meow Hill Tribe Village that locates on Doi Suthep. It was once famous for opium cultivation. Then head to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where you can get a panoramic view of Chiang Mai City. The site is also one of the best places to enjoy a sunset.

Upon arrival, check in the hotel and enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

In the morning, start your cultural tour of Chiang Mai. First stop at Kad Ton Payom Market, renowned for its fresh fruits and flowers, aromatic spices and northern Thai cuisine. You can participate in the local tradition of almsgiving - offering food to Buddhist monks. Continue to the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Before you head inside to see the impressive Buddha statue, learn about the Buddhist proverbs posted throughout the grounds.

Then visit Wat Suan Dok built in the 14th century, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel. Also, you have the opportunity to chat with the monks about Buddhism and their temple life.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

Today, tour the elephant rescue and rehabilitation center - Elephant Nature Park, involving in the rescues of the disabled elephants, dogs and cats.

You can volunteer and care for the animals. Take your time to wander freely on the grounds and get close to these gentle giants. You get the opportunity to feed them and learn how to bathe them.

If time permits, in the afternoon, visit Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang which once contained the Emerald Buddha and later became partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s.

Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and houses one of Thailand's greatest treasures, the Crystal Buddha. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot, a peaceful temple that is surrounded by greenery.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Flight: International flight include in quotation and will be on Golden Trail Travel arrangement

Meals: B

This morning, you will be transferred to airport for flight to Danang, Vietnam. Upon arrival , your private guide will meet you at the airport and escort to your hotel in Hoi An for check in and have a short rest.

In the afternoon, you'll start to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th-century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it's imperial styles meshed with French overtures.

Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, you will return back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Scuba Diving: Observe magnificent sea life on a full-day scuba diving tour of the Cham Islands. Situated off the coast of Hoi An, the eight islands constitute Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Explore a stunning underwater world of vivid coral and marine creatures with a PADI-certified guide.

Cham Island is a terrific place for travelers wanting to explore the magical sights beneath the water. Here, an underwater world of brilliant coral, fish, and other sea life is waiting to be discovered. On the boat, you will enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and take a short practical diving knowledge course. Upon arrival at the island, you'll discover the magic of scuba diving with a certified, Professional Association Diving Instructor (PADI). After an exciting time underwater, you will continue to Bay Chong beach for lunch, where you can relax on the beach and rest before returning to the mainland.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Today, you'll have a day at leisure to enjoy Hoi An Beach, you can relax in the sunshine and sunbathe on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Flight: Domestic flight will be on Golden Trail Travel arrangement and include in Quotation

Meals: B

In the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to Hoi An for hotel check-in.

In the afternoon, you will be escorted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam".

Firstly, head to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs, and ornate gates that provide entry.

Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small).

Overnight in Saigon.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, you can enjoy your free time to explore this city until transfer to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.