16-Day Luxury Thailand and Vietnam

Upon your arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, a representative will be waiting for you at the arrival gate, just inside Immigration, holding a sign with your name. They will assist you with your carry-on luggage and guide you through the exclusive fast track immigration counters, ensuring a seamless process with no delays. After collecting your luggage from the baggage claim area, our representative will escort you through customs to our waiting vehicle parked conveniently outside the Arrival Hall, ready to transport you to your hotel (about 1 hour).

The balance of your day is free to relax and recover from your flight.

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: 137 Pillars Suites (Bangkok)

Heart & Soul of Bangkok:

Explore Bangkok's vibrant cultural treasures on an immersive journey through its historic landmarks with a canal cruise by longtail boat. Depending on your hotel's location, your guide will take you to Wat Pho. Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's oldest temples and home to Thailand's largest reclining Buddha, an impressive 45 meters in length.

Travel to Lak Mueang City Pillar, a symbolic foundation of Bangkok, before stepping into the grandeur of the Grand Palace and the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the spiritual heart of the Kingdom.

After savoring a traditional family-style Thai lunch , board a longtail boat to navigate the maze of Bangkok's ancient canals. Admire the serene wooden shopfronts, weathered teak homes, and peaceful Buddhist temples that line these storied waterways. Pause at the Artist's House (Baan Silapin), a charming centuries-old gallery showcasing local art and photography. As the day continues, visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, a striking landmark among Thailand's 31,000 temples.

Explore its intricate pavilions, ascend one of the prangs (towers), and uncover the influence of Buddhism on Thai culture. Cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry to a riverside restaurant, where a refreshing local cocktail awaits. Conclude the experience by witnessing a breathtaking view over the River of Kings, a perfect farewell to this unforgettable adventure.

***Important: Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Bangkok After Dark: Michelin Food & Tuk-Tuk Adventure:

Embark on a Michelin-starred journey through Bangkok's culinary gems. Set off to meet your tuk-tuk driver, who will introduce you to the evening's delights, starting at a beloved spot serving mango sticky rice to Thai royalty since 1932. You will savor mango sticky rice with coconut milk and crunchy mung beans, a treat enjoyed amid the buzz of street life. At the next stop, marvel at a fire show in the kitchen as chefs create a smoky tamarind-infused Pad Thai with Berkshire pork.

Continue your adventure by gliding past historic landmarks like the Grand Palace and Giant Swing en route to a next spot, where family recipes cherished by the royal family await, from spicy stir-fried pork to yellow curry with giant prawns. In bustling Chinatown, taste cooling Chrysanthemum tea and try crispy, gooey Chinese donuts. Conclude your journey as your tuk-tuk driver whisks you back to your hotel, with flavors of Bangkok lingering on your palate.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: 137 Pillars Suites (Bangkok)

Today, you have the opportunity to unwind and enjoy your leisure time. Visit the rooftop pool or book a spa treatment at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: 137 Pillars Suites (Bangkok)

Transfer to the Bangkok Airport (1 hour) for your flight to Chiang Mai.

Upon collecting your luggage proceed to Exit Door 2 where our driver/guide bearing a signboard with your name on it, will be waiting for you. You will be escorted to your vehicle and transferred directly to the Baan Kang Wat Artist Village.

Baan Kang Wat is a handicraft community consisting of more than 30 people. The community operates under the cooperation of its members to raise the level of skill and value of work to include a variety of arts such as painting, carving, embroidery, dyeing, Bookbinding, basketry, leather goods, etc.

Continue to Doi Suthep:

Explore the spiritual allure of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and marvel at pilgrims making offerings at sacred shrines, admire golden pagodas, and absorb the temple's sacred ambiance. Ascend Doi Suthep mountain; time permitting, climb the Naga serpent staircase's 308 steps for panoramic city views (or use the cable car). Engage with monks' chants, soak in the spiritual atmosphere, and discover the temple's rich symbolism. Connect with pilgrims, uncover pagodas and statues reflecting Buddhism with Hindu influences, and gain insights into Buddhism's profound impact on Thai culture and daily life.

On the way back to Chiang Mai, stop at Wat Pha Lat, a serene hillside temple nestled in the forest, offering peaceful surroundings and stunning views of the city below.

***Important: Visitors must dress appropriately - no shorts, shoulders must be covered, and shoes need to be removed when entering.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Chill Elephant Discovery in Chiang Mai (Shared Tour):

Embark on an enriching morning adventure at the Elephant Sanctuary, starting directly from your hotel in Chiang Mai. Your journey unfolds with a scenic drive to the sanctuary, where, upon arrival, you will be introduced to the sanctuary's history and its ongoing conservation efforts. Venture into the forest alongside knowledgeable guides, walking with the elephants in their natural habitat and observing these magnificent creatures up close. Along the way, you will learn about the resident elephants, gain fascinating insights into Asian Elephants, and have the chance to interact with the mahouts.

After a refreshing stop at a rest station for traditional Thai refreshments, where you can watch the elephants' playful antics, enjoy a hands-on activity as you help prepare nourishing supplements for them. Following a delicious lunch, participate in a traditional herb lesson, discovering the medicinal properties of various plants and learn about elephant health and diet.

The day concludes with a meaningful discussion about elephant conservation, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for these gentle giants and a wealth of newfound knowledge.

Notes:

• This experience involves steep, challenging terrain and is suitable only for travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with uneven mountain trails.
• This elephant sanctuary does not include any opportunities for direct interaction with the elephants. Visitors can only observe them from a safe distance. The focus is on education and observation.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Exploring Chiang Dao with Jungle Trek and Bamboo Rafting:

Begin your adventure with an early morning pick-up from your hotel by a dedicated guide and driver. Embark on a journey to Chiang Dao, where you will discover a region rich in diverse cultures, home to the Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Palong, and Karen tribes, set against the stunning backdrop of forested mountains and fertile lands filled with crops like corn, cassava, rice, and tropical fruits such as papaya and mango.

Your first stop is the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park, where you see the fascinating process of turning elephant dung into eco-friendly paper. Dive deeper into the flavors of Thailand at the Mae Malai local market, with your guide sharing culinary insights and introducing you to unique local produce.

The adventure continues with a tranquil bamboo rafting experience, drifting along a gentle stream surrounded by scenic landscapes. From here, venture further into the countryside to Pang Daeng Nai, a Dara-ang village known for its vibrant traditional attire and a royal project fostering sustainable community development. Next, embark on a scenic hike through protected forests to reach Mae Chon, where you can explore the village, discover the intricate Dara-ang textiles, and delve into their cultural heritage. Return to Chiang Mai late afternoon.

***Things to Bring: T-shirt and shorts, long sleeves/jacket during winter (Nov-Feb), hiking shoes with good grip, flip flops, sunscreen, hat or cap, insect repellent, sunglasses, and a small backpack.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Transfer to the Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, meet the representative holding a welcome sign with your name at the end of the Skywalk. They will assist with the visa procedure and your luggage handling. Meet your guide at the exit gate. Then transfer to your hotel.

Water Puppet Show:

In the evening, you will enjoy the famous Vietnamese traditional water puppet show. Puppetry is a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Since early times, puppetry has been a popular form of entertainment throughout Vietnam particularly in the North, and provides a unique introduction to Vietnamese folk songs, idioms, and literature.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Sofitel Legend Metropole (Hanoi)

Explore Hanoi Like a Local:

Escape the crowds and discover Hanoi as a local. Whilst still seeing some of the highlights, learn the history from a new perspective on a route rarely taken.

Start your morning at Hoan Kiem Lake with locals practicing tai chi and aerobics. Visit Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy a traditional ca phe sua da or egg coffee. Walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter to see French colonial architecture, then explore Hoa Lo Prison, B-52 Lake, and the Temple of Literature. Try Hanoi's bun cha noodle dish. Visit a street where trains pass close to homes, walk along the tracks, and take photos. End with a refreshing beer at a local bia hoi spot.

Hanoi After Dark:

We start this exhilarating evening at a nice cafe in the town center, with views of the amazing St Joseph's Cathedral and try snacks from a nearby street vendor before hopping on the back of our Vespas. We weave through narrow streets of the Old Quarter before arriving at a fascinating local joint located mere centimeters away from the railroad tracks, where we will brief about the local setting of Hanoi. The next stop is gastronomical heaven as we taste the quintessential dish of Hanoi, before making our way along West Lake to taste another local specialty and learn the art of wrap 'n' roll, Vietnamese style. The night ends at a live music venue. A live band will wow you with a truly unique blend of styles!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Sofitel Legend Metropole (Hanoi)

Free Day to explore Hanoi on your own. Your hotel has a lovely swimming pool and spa.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Sofitel Legend Metropole (Hanoi)

Orchid Premium Cruise:

• 09.00am, meet your guide and driver, you will depart from your hotel to Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world's largest marine limestone 'karts' landscape.
• 11:00 - 11:30 Arriving at Lot 32 - Tuan Chau Marina - have check-in procedures at the waiting lounge. You can enjoy special tea in the lounge.
• 11:45 - 12:00 Transfer to Orchid Cruises by a speed boat. Welcome aboard, we'll have some welcome drinks and gather at the restaurant for a cruise briefing and some safety instructions.
• 12:45 - 13:00 Passengers will be taking lunch while we cruise and visit Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature
• 15:00 - 15:30 Visit the quiet beach of Ba Trai Dao, known for its pristine beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Enjoy kayaking and swimming in crystal-clear water surrounded by towering limestone mountains - an idyllic escape far from the crowds.
• 17:00 - 17:30 Orchid Cruises anchors for an overnight stay in Tra Bau, Lan Ha Bay, offering a serene landscape to immerse yourself in the bay's natural beauty.
• 18:00 - 18:15 Onboard you may join a cooking demonstration and enjoy the Happy Hour (buy 1 get 1) at the bar while watching the view of the bay at sunset. Option: Massage service available. Please book with our Cruise Manager directly.
• 19:15 - 19:30 Savor a fusion dinner made with the freshest ingredients in a sophisticated space with elegant French neoclassical style and traditional oriental touches.
• 21:00 - 21:30 It's time to admire the beauty of the night on the bay at the bar on the sundeck or in the restaurant. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant. We also have chess and cards for you.
• 23:00 Overnight on board.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Orchid Premium Cruise (Ha Long Bay)

Finish Cruise:

• 06:00 - 06:30 It is a perfect time to refresh and indulge yourself in the peaceful beauty of the bay with a tai chi session on the sundeck. If you want to hunt for dawn, get up from 5:30 to 6:00 depending on the season, and consult our sailors.
• 06:45 - 07:00 We will have breakfast at the restaurant while continuing the cruise.
• 07:15 - 07:30 We progress to Trung Trang cave by our bus on Cat Ba Island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave. Trung Trang cave located in Trung Trang Valley, which is 15km away from the northwest of Cat Ba town. The cave is 300m long through the mountain, possessing a mysterious beauty due to the geological tectonics. The cave has many stalactites with different shapes that stimulate human imagination and amaze visitors.
• 09:45 - 10:00 Orchid Cruises welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.
• 10:00 - 10:30 Enjoy a delightful brunch at our restaurant while cruising back.
• 11:00 - 11:30 Disembark Orchid Cruises at Tuan Chau Marina, say best wishes and end your cruise with us.

Meet your guide and driver at cruise's lounge to drive to the Hanoi airport for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, meet your driver and guide and transfer to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantara Hoi An Resort

Hoi An Farming & Fishing Life:

You will meet our guide at your hotel early in the morning and bike from Hoi An's Old Town into the countryside to visit a local vegetable farm. Once there, you will be given a tour of the farm and then join the local workers on their daily routines. Learn about many gardening activities and have fun joining in some of them. After your farming experience, bike to a fishing village where you will meet a local family and learn about their lives in this little community.

Leaving the village behind, you then board a boat and travel to the mouth of the Thu Bon River where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. Here, meet the local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience learning the practice of net fishing. Learn how to paddle the uniquely round Vietnamese bamboo-basket boat and join in a basket boat race!

Continue biking to another village where you will be welcomed at the home of a local family with a glass of passion fruit juice. Before enjoying lunch with them, learn the traditional way of cooking rice. Afterwards, join a short rice-pancake cooking class, before sitting down to lunch to savor the fruits of your labor.

At the end of the tour transfer back to your hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Old Town Walking Tour:

The historic and quaint nature of UNESCO World Heritage Site Hoi An is perfect for exploring. As a former fishing village set on the banks of the Thu Bon River and strategic trading port for Southeast Asia, centuries of Chinese and Japanese influence have left their unique mark on this town.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: Anantara Hoi An Resort

Transfer to Hoi An Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet your driver and guide and transfer to your hotel.

Ho Chi Minh Half-Day Sightseeing:

Meet with your guide at the hotel in the afternoon and get ready to explore Saigon. Your first stop will be the Reunification Palace, the residence of South Vietnam's former president before 1975. Next, you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. Saigon is the country's most dynamic city - a vital economic hub bustling with life. The city could be described as a reconciliation of Chinese and American influences, while retaining its distinct Vietnamese charm and character. Modern office skyscrapers, next to Chinese pagodas, street markets, food vendors and imposing colonial buildings - they all create a fascinating dynamic urban landscape. Later you head to the War Museum, one of Vietnam's most popular museums, which focuses primarily on the American side of the Vietnam War. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

Please note that the Cathedral is undergoing restoration through 2027 and will only be open for church services during this time.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Des Arts Saigon

Cu Chi Tunnels:

Head into the countryside near Ho Chi Minh City to spend half a day exploring an incredible feat of perseverance and wartime engineering, the Cu Chi Tunnels. These tunnels played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War, and you'll gain insights into the prolonged struggle against invading armies, and an appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese people. The residents of Cu Chi took the war underground and into a network of highly developed tunnels that, at peak, stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens and triage areas, covering some 120-miles (200-kilometers). Imperceptible from the ground, opposing armies could roll their tanks over the bunkers without causing damage to the tunnels below. Living conditions were harsh - in addition to fighting the war, residents battled food and oxygen scarcity, venomous insects, and cramped living quarters.

After touring through the tunnels, take a break and enjoy some time at leisure before being returned to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Des Arts Saigon

Free Day to explore Ho Chi Minh on your own. Watch the sunset from the Club Rooftop Bar or enjoy afternoon tea at Le Jardin. There are also a rooftop pool and spa.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Des Arts Saigon

Relax at the hotel until check-out time is at hand, then meet your driver for transferring to the airport for your departure. Hotel check out at 12pm.

Meals included: Breakfast