 Printable PDF
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (D)
Upon arrival in Noi Bai International airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Hanoi Opera / Sofitel Legend Metropole (after April 2011) 5-star. Later on, start your city tour with visits to One Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Fine Arts. Then visit Temple of Literature, Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. This evening, enjoy a Water Puppet performance, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi (B/L)
This morning, you will head to magnificent Halong Bay where you will enjoy a private boat cruise and seafood lunch. Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. Return back to Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Hue (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Hanoi airport for your flight toHue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hue, check-in to the Saigon Morin Hotel 4-star. Spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the Imperial City, built in the early 19 th century. The Imperial City is modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing with numerous palaces and temples within their city walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum. Other visits inside the Imperial City are Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins and the original Nine Dynastic Urns to name a few. Enjoy dinner at Y Thao Garden, renowned for its ceramics.
Day 4: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B/D)
This morning, take a boat cruise on romantic Perfume River. Visit the 7-storey Thien Mu Pagoda and the Khai Dinh and Tud Duc tombs. Depart for Hoi An, driving through scenic Danang. Visit the open-air Cham Museum and the Marble mountains. Upon arrival in Hoi An, check-in at the Palm Garden Resort 4-star.
Day 5: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)
Enjoy a walking tour on Hoi An’s narrow cobblestone streets and visit the Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the colourful bazaar, and the local market. Later on, enjoy a boat trip down the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village on Cam Kim Island. The residents of this village are woodworkers and boat building families. Drive back to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the Caravelle Hotel 5-star.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)
This morning’s tour introduces you to the sights and sounds of Ho Chi Minh City. Visits include the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House, the Reunification Palace, The War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market and Dong Khoi Street. During the afternoon, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the amazing network of underground tunnels built by the Vietcong guerrillas during the Vietnam War.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, start your tour with visits to the Royal Palace, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and theadjacent Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant National Museum, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s great markets. Overnight at the Cambodiana Hotel 4-star.
Day 8: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/D)
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa 5-star. In the afternoon, visit the Khmer ruins of Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive historic sites. King Suryavarman II dedicated this magnificent temple to the Hindu god Vishnu. Also visit, Angkor Thom, the fortified city covering an area of 10 square km. Visits within Angkor Thom include Terrace of the Elephants; Terrace of the Leper Kings and the mysterious Bayon Temple.
Day 9: Siem Reap (B/SD)
After breakfast, continue your exploration with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Other visits include Ta Keo, Chay Say Tevoda, Srah Srang and the Rolous Group. These exquisite temples depict Khmer history and myths. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner and dance performance at Angkor Village Hotel.
Day 10: Siem Reap - Chiang Mai via Bangkok (B)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai via Bangkok. Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, please claim your luggage and re-check in at the Thai Airways check-in counter for your onward flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be met and transferred via coach to the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai 4-star. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 11: Chiang Mai (B/D)
This morning, drive to Mae Sa Valley and visit an elephant camp, where you’ll be shown how these imposing animals work so well in the jungle. *(Optional: take a ride on an elephant!)* Continue your adventure with a visit to a beautiful orchid and butterfly farm. In the afternoon, visit the Wat Phra Dhat Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Yet Yod and buy traditional souvenirs at a local handicraft village. This evening, take part in a traditional northern Lanna style dinner, known as Kantoke featuring wonderful food and elegant dancers.
Day 12: Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
Today, indulge your inner “Iron Chef” as you take a full-day Thai Cooking class & Vegetable carving at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai Resort and learn how to cook delicious Thai recipes. You will also learn the art of carving fruits and vegetables. (Venue for the cooking class will differ between Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2011).
Day 13: Chiang Mai - Bangkok (B)
Early this morning, transfer to the airport, for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred via coach to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers 5-star. Rest of the afternoon is free at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a Thai dinner & Classical dance at a local restaurant.
Day 14: Bangkok (B/SD)
This morning, drive along the picturesque Chao Phya River and its Klongs (canals). Observe serene villages and temples along the waterway, known as the "Venice of the East". Stop at Wat Arun, the temple of Dawn and its 79-meter spire. This afternoon, visit the Grand Palace, the former residence of Thai kings. See the Reception, Coronation and Funeral Halls. Then explore Bangkok's splendid temples with visits to three sacred places: the Wat Benchmabophit (Marble Temple), the Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) and the Wat Trimtr (Golden Buddha). Afterwards, shop to your heart’s content at Gems Gallery. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the renowned Sala Rim Naam Thai Restaurant
Day 15: Depart Bangkok (B)
Head to the airport for your return flight home.
- B = Breakfast
- L = Lunch
- SL = Special Lunch
- D = Dinner
- WD = Western Dinner
- SD = Special Dinner
|
Photo Gallery               
|
