19 days Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia Highlight Tour

Meals: B / L

Today you will visit the Grand Palace, a beautiful example of an ancient  Siamese court, and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha statue. Then, ride like a Local by tuk-tuk to Wat Pho temple, to behold the 150-foot-long Reclining Buddha statue. Next, explore the city’s renowned klongs(canals) by boat and cruise the Chao Phraya River. Also visit Wat Arun and the Royal Barge Museum.  

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B / L

This morning visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where you will experience the traditional Thai market with  numerous vendors selling local foods, fruits and products from their boats. Explore the market before continuing on to Kanchanburi to learn about the region's storied past and present-day culture. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the infamous bridge and railway is a notable part of the Kanchanaburi landscape. Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to get an understanding of the deadly, Herculean task many Thais were faced with decades ago. Take some time to just relax here, before making your way back to Bangkok hotel.  

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B

Taking early flight to Chiang Mai, your private guide and driver will welcome you at airport and pick you up to visit the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Learn about the Buddhist proverbs posted throughout the grounds in English and Thai before you head inside to see the impressive Buddha statue. You’ll also visit the 14th-century Wat Suan Dok, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel, then enjoy an opportunity to chat with a monk about Buddhism and temple life. Transfer to Hotel and rest is your own leisure.  

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B / L

This morning , transfer to visit The golden triangle which is a mysterious region for most of Indochina tour makes, today you will enjoy a full day excursion to the heart of golden triangle region.

Your fascinating day will start from morning by firstly visit the Long Neck Karen village to see the long neck hill tribe people who relocated from the Thai and Myanmar border. If it is possible, you will also able to visit a Cock Fighting near the hill tribe village. Keep driving to Mt. Doi Mae Salong and visit the Chinese village on the top of the mountain. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue the trip to the highest peak on the Thai-Myanmar border. Doi Tung, provides an opportunity to view enrooted many different Lahu and Akha village as well as terraced farming areas and see from distance the Princess Mother's frigid flower Garden. Doi Tung temple, built in A.D.1493, is located at the peak. Its scenery reminds one of Switzerland, features many unique images and temple architecture overlooking the entire northern rice field plain.  Transfer to Huay Xai after that. 

Overnight in Huay Xai.

Meals: B / L

Depart on 9:30AM, Within the Mekong region, the capital of the Lao province of Bokèo, Huay Xai is an important border crossing point with neighboring Chiang Khong, Thailand and was thus chosen as the ideal departing port for the cruise. After one-hour journeying along the river, the boat stops at a traditional village. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship.

Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes. The river cruise arrives at Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature. A Laotian dinner is served on the open air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.  

Overnight in Luang Say Lodge.

Meals: B / L

Mornings are special times at Luang Say Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace.

Depart on 8:00 am . The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with two stops planned along the way to Luang Prabang. A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the river boat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ cuisine. A different choice of fish and meat dishes than on the first day is prepared for a greater culinary experience.

Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the Tam Thing cave. Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals.

Following a day along the wide Mekong river, with beautiful sceneries of mountains, wild nature, local life and delicious food, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B / L

This morning you will be transferred to the Elephant Villlage.

•       Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome and greeting by our camp manager and participate in short briefing about elephants

•       Ride the Elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1 km bareback elephant ride! 1 person per elephant.

•       Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae waterfall and relax, dip your feet or go for a swim in the clear, cool ponds

•       Mahout Training: Receive your mahout training on how to control an elephant like a mahout

•       Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant.  Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available)

•       Bring Your Elephant to the Jungle: Enjoy the unique experience of riding your elephant in the evening to her jungle hideaway where she gets to retire for the evening

•       Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the Elephant Camp restaurant (set menu served with drinking water)

Overnight:  Enjoy a relaxing night at our Elephant Lodge with stunning views of the Nam Khan river

Meals: B / L

•       Awake from your Slumber:  You won’t believe how tranquil and beautiful the Lao jungle mornings are!

•       Pick Up Your Own Elephant:  In the morning, retrieve your elephant from her jungle hide away

•       Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating bathing experience!

•       Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at our Elephant Camp restaurant (set menu with coffee / tea and drinking water)

•       Depart: Transfer back to Hotel in Luang Prabang between 10:00 am and 11:00 am 

•       Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: B / L

In the morning, will gather in our local restaurant. From here, our guide will take you to a fresh morning market. Spend approximately 1 hour to experience the local lifestyle through their normal habits. Learn about fresh ingredients and their usages, especially for our upcoming dishes. Our local professional guide will share you interesting stories that make up your day.  Back to the restaurant and have a morning tea break before the cooking class is started.  Firstly you will have a delicious demonstration, which display many popular dishes such as Feu Khua (sticky rice noodles with chicken and vegetable), chicken larp, Oh Peadak, Gheng Phet,etc. Then, you will able to taste those dishes and choose which you prefer to cook. With helpful guide from our chef, you yourself will make them real shortly. Have lunch in the restaurant with your own homemade dishes. In the afternoon, continue to explore the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will leave for the beautiful town Vang Vieng by taking Road 13 toward South. When you arrive in Vang Vieng, you'll take a boat trip on the Nam Xong River for natural beauty of Vang Vieng, You'll check in at your hotel, then have free time at your leisure.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Meals: B / L

Today, enjoying your free morning, then transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrive, guide will meet and escort to your hotel check in . rest is your own leisure.   

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B / L

This morning see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400 year old temple features ten tiers enclosed by gardens, including a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake where you’ll see the Tortoise Tower perched on the water. Enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through Hanoi’s the Old Quarter. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist leads you while you sit in a canopied seat affixed to the front. Next, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the midst of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in his vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this day - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where Vietnam’s  best and brightest studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, travel to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient (3 hr. drive). Dinh Vu Port, Haiphong where we arrive at around 11h30. You can take special tea at Orchid Cruise’s lounge by warm welcome.

We welcome our guests onboard the cruise and then check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and Cruise Manager, anchored in the south of Halong Bay, one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’ in a worldwide survey. Halong Bay is steeped in culture from hundreds of years ago. The bay has remained unchanged for centuries, with beautiful seas and impressive islands.

Your Halong Bay Cruise boat proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. We have lunch before continuing our journey via the islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched, as not many cruise ships use the route via the Cat Ba Island – Thoi Quyt area – Coc Ngoi islet – through Cua Van to Ba Trai Dao area.

We progress to Ba Trai Dao beach area of Lan Ha Bay a separate part of Halong Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam. The region is known for its pristine beaches and spectacular beauty, having about 400 fascinating islands. Unlike the main, Ha Long Bay, the islands of Lan Ha Bay are forested, and most are small in stature.

We take you for a trip in the small coracles, used by fishermen for centuries. You will learn how they go about their trade, casting the nets, whilst navigating the waters in their tiny craft.

Alternatively, you may prefer to try your hand at kayaking or simply just enjoy a swim. This is a great experience, immersed in the crystal clear waters of the bay, in the Ba Trai Dao area.

Returning your Halong Bay Cruise boat you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Meals: B / L

Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which we serve breakfast. Upon completing breakfast continue our journey and head out in canoes to explore the bay in the area where the Toi Sang cave is situated. Visitors then return to your Halong Bay Orchid Cruise boat for check-out procedures. We return to the quay side in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark then you will transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B / L

After breakfast, begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom by the traditional local transportation named "Tuk Tuk". On your way, you’ll catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat as you pass by. However, we’ll save the best for last as you continue today to see some other equally impressive ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure hidden under a canopy will leave you feeling as if you’d stepped into an adventure movie set. Then visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). Continue on to the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon offers many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy. As the sun approaches the horizon, enjoy a sunset view from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. Return to the hotel for some time to relax.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B

This morning, continue on to the remote temple of Banteay Srei: set deep in the jungle. The Citadel of Women, Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale in comparison to the other colossal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. This temple is considered the jewel of Khmer art. In the afternoon, be prepared today for one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. Enter Angkor Wat and to view its amazing architecture and history. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carving. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning exploring through the many passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world.  

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake—Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a fun ox cart ride through the countryside,. Continue on a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lak , to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

Rest of your own leisure. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement

Meals: B

Today you will take flight to you sweet home.

End of service.