• Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
• All accommodation
• All meals
• All sightseeing and entrance fees
• All transportation and transfers
• English-speaking Local Guides
• Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants
• Comprehensive travel guides
• The only thing you may have to pay for are personal expenditure e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, customary tipping, early check in or late check out and other items not specified on the itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: Fly to Bangkok (D)

Fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s lively capital. On arrival, meet your local guide or national escort and transfer approximately one hour to your hotel.

After check-in, enjoy time at leisure to rest or explore the surroundings before this evening’s welcome dinner and briefing.
Please note: Early check-in is not included and can be arranged at additional cost. 

Day 2: Bangkok (BLD)

Bangkok’s dazzling neon signs, charming architecture, Thai cuisine and lively markets make for an exciting introduction to this fascinating country.

Begin at the Grand Palace, the former royal residence and home of the sacred Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho, to see the impressive Reclining Buddha before exploring the lively streets of Chinatown.

In the late afternoon, board a long-tail boat for a scenic cruise along the Chao Phraya river, offering a different perspective of the city as the sun begins to set.

Day 3: Ayutthaya & Chiang Mai (BLD)

Travel north to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam. Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, known for its Khmer inspired architecture, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet with its three signature stupas. Explore Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, once a retreat for Thai royalty. Sightseeing around Ayutthaya will involve approximately 3 hours on foot. After lunch, transfer to Bangkok Airport for your afternoon flight to Chiang Mai.

Day 4: Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep (BLD)

Visit Wat Pha Lat, a tranquil forest temple tucked between jungle foliage and small waterfalls. Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Sutheo, the region’s most sacred temple, offering excellent views over Chiang Mai. This evening, enjoy a hosted dinner in a local home.

Day 5: Elephant Sanctuary (BLD)

Drive to Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary, an ethical refuge where elephants live free from exploitation. Walk through the forest with a local guide to observe elephants grazing and socialising in their natural habitat, learn about their diet, and help prepare their food.

Enjoy a Thai vegetarian lunch on the observation deck and visit the nearby Karen Cultural Centre to explore local heritage. Later, transfer to your hilltribe lodge.

Day 6: Fly to Hanoi (BLD)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or start exploring your surroundings.

Day 7: Hanoi by Cyclo (BLD)

Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, before exploring the UNESCO-listed Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Drive past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum en route to Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake.

After lunch, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter and relax with a Vietnamese coffee overlooking the lake. Conclude the day with a traditional water puppet performance.

Please note: Each cyclo takes one passenger and is oprated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. 

Day 8: Hanoi Handicraft Villages (BLD)

Travel to Chuong Village, famed for its traditional Nón Lá craftsmanship. Explore the village and join local artisans for a hands-on introduction to conical hat making, learning the key techniques behind this enduring Vietnamese symbol.

After lunch, continue to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, celebrated for over 500 years of pottery-making. Explore the streets to watch artisans at work, then join a hands-on session at the potter’s wheel to create your own piece under the guidance of a local master.

Day 9: Halong Bay (BLD)

Drive approximately two and a half hours to Halong Bay to board your overnight cruise. Enjoy lunch as you sail into the bay’s striking limestone landscape. Activities may include cave visits, island viewpoints or kayaking, depending on weather and cruise selection. Enjoy sunset on deck before dinner on board.

You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for your trip to Halong Bay. Main luggage will be left in safe storage at the hotel in Hanoi and picked up on your return.

Please note: Weather conditions such as mist, fog, wind, rain, and storms may delay the departure time of your cruise, or in some cases your cruise may be cancelled. Notifications of any delays or cancellations may not be known until your group’s arrival in Halong Bay. If your cruise is cancelled after your arrival in Halong Bay, you will have lunch in Halong Citu and return to Hanoi. If notification of the cruise cancellation is given prior to your departure for Halong Bay, an alternative day trip will be arranged to Hoa Lu and Tam Coc or ‘Halong Bay on Land’, an area located approximately 2 hours from Hanoi. Our guides will make every effort to inform the group at the earliest possible moment should there be any itinerary changes. 

Day 10: Halong Bay & Hoi An (BLD)

Join a Tai Chi session at sunrise before cruising back to port. Enjoy brunch on board before returning to Hanoi for your flight to Danang. Transfer from the airport to Hoi An via coach and upon arrival, enjoy free time before dinner.

Day 11: Hoi An (BLD)

This morning, explore Hoi An’s ancient streets and hidden alleys. Admire the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and visit one of the town’s oldest homes, built by a merchant family over 200 years ago, which is still occupied by their descendants.

Explore smaller, lesser-known temples and the Hoi An Folklore Museum to learn about local culture. In the afternoon, take part in a hands-on silk lantern workshop. Begin with a traditional tea as a local expert explains the history and cultural importance of the town’s iconic lanterns. Learn the lantern-making process step by step, from shaping bamboo frames to selecting and fitting colourful silk, and create your own handcrafted souvenir to take home.

Day 12: Tra Que Village & Cooking Demonstration (BLD)

Head out into Hoi An’s peaceful countryside to visit an organic farming community. Here you can enjoy the lush green landscapes and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. You’ll even have the opportunity to try the techniques for yourself! Afterwards, learn to prepare regional dishes and enjoy some of your creations for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore or relax.

Day 13: Saigon (BLD)

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s energetic southern metropolis. Begin your city tour on arrival, visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

Day 14: Mekong Delta (BLD)

Drive two and a half hours for a day exploring the Mekong Delta, known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’. Cruise along wide waterways, visit local workshops, paddle through narrow canals and ride by electric cart through lush orchards. Enjoy a traditional lunch before returning to Saigon this afternoon. Sightseeing involves hopping on and off boats, often on unsteady and slippery surfaces, sometimes without handrails.

Day 15: Fly to Siem Reap (BLD)

Enjoy free time in Saigon before transferring to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel before enjoying dinner.

Day 16: Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom (BLD)

Spanning from the 19th to the 15th century, the Angkor complex served as the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire and once encompassed more than 1,000 temples.

Start at Angkor Thom, including Bayon Temple with its serene stone faces, and the Elephant Terrace. Continue to Ta Phrom, where trees intertwine with ancient stone. After lunch, visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous temple in the complex, the world’s largest religious monument and nationally considered to be Cambodia’s spiritual heart. End with a peaceful boat ride on the Angkor moat at sunset.

Please note: Your group will drive approximately 6km out of town to the main entrance gate to get your entrance passes, which you must carry with you.

Please be aware that the Central Tower of the Wat complex is closed on Buddhist holidays, and on all other days has a limited number of visitors allowed at any given time, under UNESCO regulations. If you wish to visit this tower, you will be required to wait in the queue alongside all other visitors. The ability to do this will be determined upon the groups’ schedule. If you choose to climb at any site, you must be able to climb and descend without assistance. 

Day 17: Cambodian Village Experience & Dining Under the Stars (BLD)

Spend the morning at leisure before visiting Trei Nohar, a traditional rural Cambodian village. On arrival, meet local villagers and the Village Head for an introduction to community life and customs. Explore the village on foot, with visits to local homes and a community development project and learn about the traditional craft of basket weaving from a local resident. As the afternoon fades, enjoy a village-style farewell dinner prepared using fresh local ingredients, accompanied by traditional music.

Days 18-19: Depart Siem Reap (B)

Transfer from your hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Any time before your flight is at leisure. Fly overnight, arriving in Australia the following day. Please note: Only breakfast is provided on the group’s day of departure. Please contact our Reservations team if you would like to prebook Late Checkout.