Amazing Vietnam & Cambodia and Thailand ends Chiang Mai

Welcome to South Vietnam! Kick off your epic adventure getting amongst the hustle of Vietnam’s metropolitan city, Ho Chi Minh. Formerly known as Saigon, this city is a bubbling pot of energy, hidden gems and a cultural blend of old meets new! Join your guide and new tour mates in the hotel lobby for an informal meeting at 6.00pm. Then, hit the streets for an optional tour group dinner, enjoy a cold beer at Bui Vien or head to Ben Thanh Market for some night shopping.

Rise and Shine, it’s time to farewell Ho Chi Minh city and head towards the mighty Mekong River! Snag a window seat and soak in the views on a 2-hour drive to Cai Be. On arrival at Cai Be, hop on board the wooden boat and kick back as you cruise past lush green islands of the mighty Mekong. Enjoy lunch on board. Cruise past small river-side towns like Vinh Long and learn of the typical rural life on the Mekong. Your day cruising will end in Can Tho with free time to explore the buzzing town, lively waterfront, and quaint backstreets!

No place gives a better insight into life on the river than the floating markets in Cai Rang. After filling up on breakfast at your hotel, take a boat ride 6km from Can Tho to visit the fascinating markets, where hundreds of wooden rowboats trade everything from rice and clothing to exotic fruits on the river. Wander around the markets by foot and visit the nearby Orchard Garden. Then, continue on to Chau Doc for a boat tour of the Tra Su Sanctuary – home to an array of tropical birds and splendid canals deep in the forest of the Mekong. Finish up your day in Chau Doc town and rest up before we cross the border for Cambodia bright and early tomorrow morning!

Goodbye Vietnam, Hello Cambodia! Set an early alarm for your 7.00am transfer via public speed boat to Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh. Rest up on the way and arrive in Phnom Penh by 1.00pm with plenty of time to explore the fascinating city on a guided city tour in the afternoon. First up, one of the most popular attractions in the city – the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex! Built in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, the palace is amongst the most impressive Khmer-style designs in Cambodia. Then, visit the Independence Monument and Wat Phnom Temple – where you’ll score some epic views over the city! Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh to learn about a tragic period.

Today we’re off to Battambang. Delve further into history as we continue to the ancient Cambodian Capital of the Khmer Empire – Phnom Udong! In the city, you’ll find two large hills with incredible views across the countryside. Atop the twin humps stands several impressive stupas that survived bombing from both the Americans and Khmer Rouge during Cambodia’s recent wars. After soaking in the views, continue on to Kompong Chhnang for a stop at a local pottery village. This village is famous for producing traditional Khmer pottery, a craft passed down through generations for over 1,500 years! As night falls over South-East Asia, we’ll head towards the Phnom Sampeau Mountains to witness thousands of nocturnal bats take flight through the caves. It’s something quite spectacular to sit at the foot of Battambang’s Phnom Sampeou caves as the sun sinks into the horizon and a stream of thousands of bats parade through the caves and zoom across the night sky. Be sure to bring your camera!

Ever ridden on a Bamboo Train before? All aboard as we take an 8km journey through the scenic countryside and rice fields of Battambang. This Bamboo Train was set up by villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. It’s basic but effective with a single bamboo platform, 4 wheels, and a small motor. Then, get your hiking shoes on and camera ready for a visit to the 11th-century Angkorian temple of Phnom Banan. The 350+ step climb is well worth it, with peaceful views across the countryside waiting at the top! Soak up these picture-perfect scenes. In the afternoon, we’ll leave Battambang and drive towards Siem Reap. Stopping at Puok District to visit a silk shop, a fascinating way to learn about Cambodian silk. Here we will spend some time learning about the process of creating silk, harvesting mulberry, and the life cycle of the silkworm. Tonight we recommend a full night’s rest, before the long-awaited visit to the world-famous Angkor Wat temples tomorrow!

Prepare for one awe-inspiring day at the world’s largest temple complex – Angkor Wat! First up you’ll visit Angkor Thom’s South Gate to see the intricate Bayon Temple. This temple is famous for its Elephant Terraces and 54 towers decorated with over 200 enormous smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Then, we’ll return to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple of Angkor Wat to marvel at the prized heart and soul of Cambodia. Snap some beautiful pictures of the temple as it reflects across its impressive moat. Then, wander through the outer gallery walls as your local guide narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Tonight we’ll head out in Siem Reap to witness some of Cambodia’s most talented performers at the Phare Circus! This uniquely modern circus provides young students and graduate performers the opportunity to hone their skills and earn a decent wage doing what they love!

As we are still in awe of the marvels of Cambodia, the first leg of our trip ends after breakfast. Check out of the hotel and hop on your transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok, Thailand awaits! Following your arrival at our hotel in Bangkok via private transfer, you will meet your guide and have the chance to explore the bustling capital on your own terms.

Fill up on an included breakfast at the hotel before a full day exploring Bangkok on an included City Tour. Follow your local guide through the chaotic streets and quaint back alleys of Bangkok and visit the city’s two unmissable highlights. Wander through China Town to the banks of the Chao Phraya River and visit Wat Pho to see the famous 46-metre-long Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf! Continue to the Grand Palace just nearby, the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court, to witness the magical atmosphere. You may get a chance to visit the Temple of Emerald Buddha, located within the palace compound. There is a strict dress code at the Grand Palace so be sure to cover your shoulders and knees with loose-fitting such as long pants and shirts. Travel on the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings) and on through the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi. You will have the chance to observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways, which gave the city the name “Venice of the East”. You will also pay a visit to one of the most photographed sights in Bangkok, the Wat Arun. The majestic shrine has a pagoda as high as 76m and is decorated with glazed ceramic pieces that reflect the rising sun, giving the temple its name. After a big day exploring Bangkok, head back to the hotel to enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.

Depart Bangkok on an air-conditioned coach by early in the morning as we make our way to Kanchanaburi. Famously known for the bridge over the Kwai River, it is a significant scene of World War II and Thailand’s somber war history. Start discovring the area with a visit to the War Cemetery and the War Museum, dedicated to the prisoners who lost their lives during the construction of the bridge. Hop on a boat trip on River Kwai towards the famous bridge, where you can cross it on foot and take walk around the site. Our next stop will be the unusual railway section, “Hellfire Pass”, a pass built in record time by allied prisoners of war between 1942 and 1943. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we continue to Ayutthaya for overnight stay

Today we start exploring Thailand’s hidden archaeological gem Ayutthaya, known for Buddhist temples, monasteries and ancient statutes that cannot be missed. Follow your guide on a walking tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that dates back to 1350, which was once the capital of the ancient Siamese Kingdom and considered the biggest city in the world! Explore the magnificent royal monastery of Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Wat Mahathat and three ancient pagodas, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Next, we make our way to the city of Phitsanulok, located at the heart of Thailand and considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the country. During the journey, witness the change in the landscape as it turns greener and lusher into a jungle-like flora. Finishing the day with a full camera roll and plenty of knowledge from your local guide, arrive at your 4-star hotel for some leisure time.

For the early risers, we wake up early today to visit the hotel’s surroundings to make an offering to the monks, and experience one of the most emblematic aspects of Thai culture up close. After breakfast, we ride to Sukhotai, the historical heartland of Thailand. This impressive UNESCO World Heritage City was the cradle of Thai civilisation and home to the Sukhothai Kingdom from 1238 to 1438. Follow your local guide on a walking tour through the Sukhothai Historical Park to explore the ancient temples, impressive ruins and the giant Wat Sri Chum Buddha statue in a scenic park setting. Then, grab a window seat as we continue the journey towards Chiang Rai in the Lampang province. En route, we will have lunch and rest along the shores of the spectacular Phayao Lake. Arriving in Chiang Rai in the late afternoon, enjoy your free time to rest, swim in the hotel pool or visit the city’s night market.

Kick off the day with a hefty breakfast, as our first stop will be the new and striking Wat Rong Suea Ten, also known as Blue Temple. Discover the marvellous paintings with a style similar to that of the famous White Temple, as the architect of which trained here for years. To soak in the local culture, follow your guide to the village of Akha, an ethnic group known for its colorful costumes and the surrounding picturesque tea plantations. Continuing to the spectacular and contemporary White Temple (Wat Rong Kun in Thai) on the outskirts of Chiang Rai, witness white represent the purity and wisdom of Buddhism in sublime beauty and serenity. This bizarre-looking temple is the brainchild of Chiang Rai’s famous artist and painter Chalermchai Kositpipat. Unlike most Thai temples, the building is all white with glass and mirrors embedded into the outside to make it sparkle in the sunlight. Keep your cameras at the ready because this temple is truly insta-worthy! This hilly, forested area also holds serene landscape views, winding rivers and is home to the best elephant sanctuaries in Thailand! Spend the evening in Chiang Rai, resting up at our luxurious 4-star hotel before a big day ahead.

Today, we depart for a half-day excursion to Elephant Rescue Park for many exciting and animal friendly activities. Get the best insight about these fascinating creatures from local experts.

After returning to Chiang Mai in the afternoon, go up to the well-known mountain temple of Wat Doi Suthep, the best spot to appreciate the city in all its splendor. At night, enjoy your personal time or walk through the famous night market to soak in the vibrant atmosphere.

After breakfast at the hotel, our trip will end in Chiang Mai as we bid farewell to strangers who quickly became friends and check-out of the hotel by 11am. Luckily it’s not a final goodbye, but only until next time!