Mekong Wonders Adventure: Cambodia, Vietnam & Thailand

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

You will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your sightseeing transfer to the hotel. Your guide will be holding a sign marked "Your name".

Overnight in Hanoi

We begin a full-day city tour by passing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Continue, transfer to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda as known the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De.

Keep forward to the peaceful Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, proceed to the Ethnologic Museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam, it is widely considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam and a tourist attraction in Hanoi.

Back to the city center, visit Dong Xuan market. Start our street food tour in Ta Hien – Luong Ngoc Quyen – Hang Giay – Dao Duy Tu streets, where shows many kinds of local and traditional dishes. Here, you will have a chance to try Bun Cha (a type of noodle soup with pork BBQ).  All the preparation and content are explained by the guide. The guide also tells the daily life of the common Vietnamese, experiencing something that the Vietnamese used a lot in cooking, dried foods, spices and fresh herbs. You also have a chance to taste Hanoi’s specialties Banh Cuon – the dish that is made from a thin, wide sheet of steamed rice. This is one of the most famous dishes in Ha Noi and has been along with Hanoian for years. The tour ends with a cup of Egg Coffee at Nguyen Huu Huan Street.

Overnight in Hanoi.

We leave Hanoi at 08.00 and head south for the two-hour drive along Highway One. We spend one hour visiting the Dinh and Le sanctuaries. These are the two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. The first is dedicated to Dinh Tien Hoang (also known as Dinh Bo Linh), an Emperor from the Dinh Dynasty. The second commemorates the rulers of the Le Dynasty. Dinh Bo Linh successfully conquered Vietnam’s first independent rulers, the Ngo Dynasty. On his death in 980, General Le Hoan wisely married Dinh’s widow and established the Le Dynasty and enlarged the citadel.

Additionally, one thing that makes this tour the most exciting is the boat trip through winding stream to visit Trang An. Forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland and rivers create a mysterious fairytale-like scene. We then visit a network of 11 caves with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors. Trang An was recognized by UNESCO as The world Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has a wonderful tunnel cave system so Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island “.  

Continue, visit Mua cave (Dancing cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain, have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.

Check in at the hotel then free time.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Today, you will take the transfer to Halong, drop-off at Halong Harbor.

Ha Long Bay is listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea “as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long Bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay, we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea. You will visit several key locations.

Visits:

– One of the most stunning caves of Halong Bay

– Stop at a beautiful beach and take a refreshing swim or sunbathe on the sundeck; take a short trek to the nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay.

Back onboard the junk, you will watch the sunset and be served a sumptuous dinner, with cocktails available for purchase from the bar. You will spend the night onboard the junk, in a cabin with an ensuite bathroom.

Overnight on Cruise.

Notes: The program may differ slightly based on the junk cruise’s itinerary.

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Brunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then trnasfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue.  

Upon your arrival in Phu Bai airport, you will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your sightseeing transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Your day starts with a short visit Hue Royal Complex, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history, from 1802 to 1945. This site was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam in 1993. You will explore the ancient and atmospheric walled Citadel which contains the former Imperial Palace and the Forbidden Purple City.

Afternoon, you will visit the final resting place:  so, called the King tomb of Tu Duc and then cruise on the Perfume River to see the Old Thien Mu Pagoda.

In the afternoon, processing to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds, pass crosses the mountain range that juts into the South. This is the pass vehicles generally used to travel from Da Nang to Hue and vice versa) and the Lang Co beach.

The rest of the time is free to walk in the old town, feel the atmosphere of its original culture, enjoy shopping for tailored clothing, lanterns, shoes, and food.

Overnight in Hoi An

05:45: Meet you at your hotel then we take the boat trip along Thu Bon River. A cruise on Thu Bon River helps you indulge in the relaxing beautiful surrounding landscape and witness the rural life on the river. The tour shows you how the local fishermen cast their nets, and watch the Hoi An fishing fleet returning from a hard night’s work. Then we visit the nearby fish market. One of the beautiful spots of the market is at the waterfront, where you can see all the busy activities of people buying and loading fish from the boats. It is very noisy, hurried and crowded, but everyone tries their best to get the best deal of the day. The boats anchor, one next to the other, like a big floating market connected to the shore. There are lots of photo opportunities in this area.

Back in the town at 8am. Free time for breakfast at the hotel.

We continue take a walking tour of the old town Hoi An. Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Phuc Kien assemble hall, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An museum and Quan Cong temple.

The rest of the time is free.

Overnight in Hoi An

08AM: Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Hoi An market. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients you will use in the cooking lesson. Make sure your camera is handy.

Take the basket boats and start your journey exploring the small channels, go deep into the forest of water coconut, hear about the history of the water coconut Forest in Vietnam- American wars.

Tourist will be taught to rowing, fishing, catching crabs by the local fisherman, experience a mazing performance with basket boat dancing.

Learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food.

You can learn how to make the rice paper for the special fried spring- rolls. And learn how to make rice milk from the rice graining traditional way. After that you use the rice starch to make Vietnamese pancake (Banh Xeo). Enjoy what you have cooked after the instructions.

Free time until we transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in advance via www.evisa.gov.kh), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate where our representative is waiting. After self-introduced, you’ll transfer to hotel in the city.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we depart to Preah Khan Temple. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the center of a substantial organization, with almost 100,000 officials and servants. Next is Neak Poan, “the entwined snakes” is a small temple located on an island in the center of the now dry Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500-meter-long and 900 meter wide. Continue to Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway.

Drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

Not to be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

In the evening, enjoy sunset at Kong Kea Boat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

We drive to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.

We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king.

Photo stop at Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11^th century.

Visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.

We journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place-to-place following water levels and current. Returning to the town, we will go to visit Satcha Artisans and wood carving, lacquer ware, polychrome products, silver plating and silk paintings.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, please proceed to look for our english speaking guide who will be waiting and holding the signboard with the client's name on it Gate B No. 4 will be transferred to the hotel.

Check-in and spend the remainder of the day relaxing or stroll around yourself to get acquainted with the city.

Accommodation at your hotel in Bangkok

Overnight in Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel

08:00 am: Meet on tour guide in the hotel lobby.

Morning drive to Wat Pho - Wat Pho is regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on various subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and is home of Thai traditional massages.

The monk's chanting ritual (at Wat Pho) only in the morning and is subject to change without prior notice. A visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark, and most praised royal monument in Thailand, with the enclosed and dazzling Wat Phra Kaew is a must. Wat Phra Kaew, also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is well known for its Golden Chedi, its Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and its Eight Coloured Tower. In Thailand, it is considered by many to be a living example of a classical Siamese Court, being the former residence of the kings of Thailand.

Experience an afternoon trip along the bustling Chao Phya River and the quiet Klong (canals) in a long tail boat, in which you can enjoy scenes of Bangkok life. We will bring you to a more traditional and serene way of living around Thonburi residential areas, away from all the skyscrapers and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre. We will also stop by the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun).

After the tour is completed, we will take you back to your hotel.

Lunch at local restaurant (Food only)

NOTES

• Opening times: Wat Pho is open daily from 08:30 to 18:00. The Grand Palace is open daily from 08:30 to

15:30, except when there are special royal ceremonies or when it is used for state functions. Wat Arun is open daily from 08:00 to 17:30

• Please bring a copy of your passport for security check before entering the palace.
• For visiting temples and cultural sites, ladies should wear short-sleeved top with full-length trousers or knee-length skirts. Gentlemen should wear trousers and short-sleeved shirts for religious reasons. No sandals or flip-flops are allowed.

Evening Private Tuk Tuk Foodie Tour

Starting time 06:00 PM

Enjoy a night spent exploring Bangkok via Tuk-Tuk, so named for the sound emitted from its small capacity, two-cycle engine.

Your evening of adventure begins as you embark upon your 4-hour open-air journey that will take you past bustling markets, ancient temples, and savory street food as you witness the city come alive under a glistening stream of vibrant night lights. Continue to Wat Prayoon, standing out from the rest of the city’s temples thanks in part to its iconic red fence, fashioned out of ancient lances, swords, and axes. The temple was built during the reign of King Rama III and features a low-rise Turtle Mountain housing spirits dedicated to the deceased.

From there, pass by the Memorial Bridge, stretching over the Chao Phraya River.

At the Giant Swing, learn about the prior influence of Brahmanism in Thailand. The nearly 70-foot swing was originally built in 1784 to serve as an integral part of Brahmin ceremonies.

Enjoy a visit to the Flower Market, where you will see numerous varieties of exotic orchids and sweet-smelling flowers. The buzz in0 this market is best experienced at night during which busy vendors load their wares up and down their mopeds.

Travel to Yaowarat Road, home to Bangkok’s thriving Chinatown District. Here you will find an array of gold shops, exotic markets, historic buildings and colorful snacks. Visit a local restaurant where you can sample mango sticky rice.

Overnight in Bangkok

Breakfast at hotel

07:00 am - Morning picked up in the morning from your hotel in Bangkok and transferred to the "Umbrella Market"- the market is located directly on the left and right side of the railway- track. When a train signals its approach by whistling, the vendors fold away the roofs (hence the "umbrella"- reference) and wait patiently for the train to pass.

When the train is through, roofs will be unfolded again, and life continues exploring the Railway Market.

In the afternoon, drive to the airport for a flight to Chiangmai.

You will be met outside the baggage claim area by your guide and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your sightseeing transfer to the hotel

Transfer to the hotel in Chiangmai.

You will be picked up at 08.30 AM. First, we visit the riverfront Worarot Market, be ready for colorful flowers, unfamiliar smells and friendly crowds. Nearby textiles, hill tribe clothes, silks, hats and beads can be found as well. P2of7

From the market we go to Thapae Gate, one of the four original city gates, where we continue with a “Samlor,” or rickshaw. Visit Wat Che Luang temple and Wat Prasingha These architectural masterpieces stand as silent guardians of the city's past, each with its own unique story to tell.

Stand before the Three Kings Monument, a tribute to Chiang Mai's former rulers. Learn about the legacy of these influential figures who shaped the city's destiny

Observe the daily routines of the locals, their traditions, and the unique rhythm of life that pulsates within Chiang Mai's ancient walls.

Lunch at Local Restaurant then transfer to Doi Suthep Temple

According to legend, the shrine of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep was erected in 1383 after a wandering white elephant carrying a sacred Buddha relic stopped here, trumpeted three times, and promptly died - an auspicious sign by Thai standards.

Listen to the chants, hear the magnificent bells and gongs, experience worship in pageantry and symbolism. Doi Suthep Temple is the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

If you'd like, you can climb the 300 steps leading to the temple's top level, where a delightful, panoramic view of the city awaits you.

Overnight in Chiangmai.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Join in activities & Private transfer)

08:30 Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

10:30 Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

11:00 Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

12:00 Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.

13:00 Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.

14:00 Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.

15:00 Change clothes and say goodbye to the elephants

15:15 Drive a short distance from the Sanctuary to engage in a unique cultural handicrafts experience.

15:30 Depart from Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.
Suggestion to bring: T-shirt, long pants, extra clothes, sandals or slippers, sunblock lotion, insect spray, swimming suit. Return to your hotel

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Transfer to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Koh Samui

After cleaning arrival formalities, please exit with your luggage through the arrival hall. This is where you will meet your guide.

Transfer to hotel.

The regular check-in time is at 15:00; early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability

Overnight in Koh Samui

Free and easy day at Koh Samui.

Overnight in Koh Samui.

Free and easy day at Koh Samui.

Overnight in Koh Samui.

In time transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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