The Grand Southeast Asia Experience - 20 days

Tour Brief

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival.
Day 2: Bangkok City Tour.
Day 3: Bangkok – Floating market – Fly to Chiang Mai.
Day 4: Chiang Mai – Elephant Camp.
Day 5: Chiang Mai Tour – Fly to Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuang Si Waterfall.
Day 7: Luang Prabang City Tour – Fly to Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay.
Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Yangon.
Day 10: Yangon City Tour.
Day 11: Yangon – Fly to Bagan.
Day 12: Bagan Discovery.
Day 13: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake.
Day 14: Heho – Mandalay.
Day 15: Mandalay – Fly to Siem Reap.
Day 16: Siem Reap Angkor Tour.
Day 17: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh.
Day 18: Phnom Penh – Speedboat to Chau Doc.
Day 19: Chau Doc – Mekong Delta – Saigon.
Day 20: Saigon City Tour – Departure.

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival.
Welcome to Bangkok – the city of Smiles. Our Travel Thailand tour guide and driver will pick you up then transfer you to your hotel for check in. In the evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner on Chaophraya River.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour.
Today you have a full day to explore Bangkok City. This tour combines many popular Bangkok sightseeing spots. Firstly, Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn, Wat Pho or the Reclining Buddha temple is the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas in the city. Walk in to enjoy the beauty of the temple of The Emerald Buddha, the exquisite temple contains an image of Buddha carved from a single piece of jade and one of the most holy and revered of religious objects in Thailand, then head to the Grand Palace, the spectacular Royal Palace with intricate architectures. In the evening, you are free to taste variety of food of Thai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.
Day 3: Bangkok – Floating market – Fly to Chiang Mai.
After breakfast, we shall pick you up at your hotel then drive to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – the most colorful of Thailand’s floating markets – 104 km southwest of Bangkok. You can see boats of various shapes and size which carry goods for trading such as tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers and food on wooden boats with smile of vendors. Experience a thrilling long-tail boat ride out of the floating market and journey along the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens and plantations. Have lunch and transfer back to Bangkok for your flight to Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Day 4: Chiang Mai – Elephant Camp.
Today we will visit Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. Have a chance to see the Elephants at work, bathing in the river, dragging & pushing logs, responding to command, especially, you can ride on an elephant. Then, we will embark the bamboo raft, floating along Mea Ping River – a main river of Northern, enjoy beautiful scenery along the river. In the afternoon, visit Butterfly and Orchid Nursery Farm; see a ton of Orchid nursery farm and beautiful flowers in the north, learn how to grow orchid in Thai style, see orchid products, enjoy plantation and see many kind of Butterfly’s in the same area.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.
Day 5: Chiang Mai Tour – Fly to Luang Prabang.
This morning, we visit the craft village at Wat Srisupan – a stunning silver ordination hall, Continue to learn about Chiang Mai at Lanna Art Hall. Enjoy your time with presentation of Lanna artistry wisdom of Buddhist belief and warship relative to the universe, the motivational inspiration of Buddhist architecture. You can see the items in religious rituals such as Buddhist sculptures or crafted by hand manifesting the inspiration in Buddhism. In the afternoon we drive to the Chiang Mai airport to catch your flight to Luang Prabang. Our Laos Travel driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuang Si Waterfall.
Take a morning cruise along the Mekong River, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and discover the numerous Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the founder name Mekong River. They are a group of caves on the right side of the Mekong River. It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. We’ll stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine), before continuing down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, we drive to Kuang Si Waterfalls for an afternoon of fun and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang City Tour – Fly to Hanoi.
The morning is spent visiting the main highlights of Luang Prabang: Vat Visoune, Vat Aham, Phousi Hill (for a stunning view overlooking the city), Vat Mai Souvannaphoumaram, Vat Xieng Thong - the most beautiful temples of Luang Prabang and the National Museum known as former Royal King’s Palace. Also visit Ban Xang Khong, a weaving and handmade mulberry paper village before transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Our driver will meet you at the airport and take you to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay.
Have breakfast at hotel before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.
Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Yangon.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in center.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.
Day 10: Yangon City Tour.
Spend a full day exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon city; Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake. After lunch, discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda. The “Golden Pagoda” is really a must see while you are in Myanmar. Enjoy some shopping in bustling Scott market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Yangon.
Day 11: Yangon – Fly to Bagan.
Today we have an early morning flight to Bagan, in fact, the only direct flight. Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland, where over 3,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Start your tour with a trip to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan then explore the beautiful, gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and learn about Burmese Buddhist traditions. We continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, take a tour of a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 12: Bagan Discovery.
After breakfast, start your day by visiting Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple; take note of the architectural differences between MyaZedi Pagoda and the Manuha Temple.
This afternoon, enjoy an exotic horse cart ride to one of the largest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda along with many other interesting sites nearby. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view from the second highest pagoda in Bagan, the ShweSandaw Pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Bagan.
Day 13: Bagan – Heho – Inle Lake.
Leave Bagan for Heho. Inle Lake, the second largest lake in Myanmar is located 900 meters above sea level and is home to the Intha people, famous for their one leg rowing technique.
Upon arrival, board a motorboat for a sightseeing tour to Phaungdawoo Pagoda, famed for its richly gilded five small Buddha images and believed to be the holiest pagoda in Inle Lake. Our next stop is Ngaphechaung Monastery, known as “Jumping Cat Pagoda”. As you travel closer to Nam Pan Village, have a look at cotton and lotus weaving factories and cigar making houses. These sites will give you a true sense of traditional Intha life.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake.
Day 14: Heho – Mandalay.
Head to the airport for a flight to Mandalay. Leave the city for Sagaing Hill, learn about a monk’s schooling, visit Budda Cave, Uminthonze Pagoda and Sunooponnyashin Pagoda. Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of Mandalay. Drive 30 minutes to Amarapura - famous for Mahagandaryone Monastery, Amarapura is the best place to see how monks live in Mandalay. Walk over Ubein Wooden Bridge, the longest teakwood of its type to Mahamuni Image - a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.
Day 15: Mandalay – Fly to Siem Reap.
Known as the hub of Buddhism in Myanmar, Mandalay is a realm of stupas, monks, and monasteries. The most fascinating visit will be the time watching the monks during worship time and enjoying their daily meal.
Drive to Mandalay Pier; embark on a private boat upstream to visit Mingun, famed for its huge and incomplete Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell, the 90 ton ringing bell.
In the afternoon, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery: noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, Kuthodaw Pagoda: known to hold the world largest book, then transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap, you will have a stop at Bangkok. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 16: Siem Reap Angkor Tour.
Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake before dawn and take a tuk-tuk ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm, at sunrise. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays. Return to the hotel for breakfast then set back out on a full day temple tour.  Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat - the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, we proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, head out of town and embark on a short cruise along Tonle Sap Lake and visit the local floating villages. In the late afternoon, watch the sunset from the foot of Phnom Krohm Mountain on the way back to your hotel in town.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 17: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh.
After breakfast you will depart for Phnom Penh by the private car. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm.
The journey offers an excellent opportunity to observe Cambodian rural life up-close. Stop along the way and visit a market, where every assortment of street food is available, including the Khmer favorite: deep-fried spiders, where we will offer you a complimentary spider snack! Once we arrive in Phnom Penh you will check in and have some time for refreshments. The rest of the afternoon will be filled with visits to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek. A visit to these sights provides deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Round up this busy day with a visit to the Russian Market – a good place for bargain hunting and good spot to observe Cambodian daily life.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 18: Phnom Penh – Speedboat to Chau Doc.
After breakfast, enjoy the morning visiting the Royal Palace which now is a home to the royal family, around 10am check out and board the speed boat trip along The Mekong River to Vietnam. Visa formalities may take up to 45 minutes at the border. Continue by river to Chau Doc, where you will meet up with our guide and you will be taken to the hotel.
Later in the afternoon, time permitting, feel free to take some time and explore the area surrounding the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc.
Day 19: Chau Doc – Mekong Delta – Saigon.
We leave hotel early in the morning crossing Mekong Delta to Cai Be. From here the group will see the Mekong Delta (Nine Dragon River Delta). This is special experience of Mekong Delta. We will visit the Candy factory, orchard garden, listen to traditional music and have lunch in the ancient house.
We cross the island in the middle of Mekong River by oars boats and get to know more about the living of local people along this magic river.
Later in the afternoon, drive to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Day 20: Saigon City Tour – Departure.
Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, then learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants museum and former Presidential Palace. You conclude the day exploring the city’s French colonial architecture, stopping at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office. Then enjoy a free afternoon before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.