Indochina Cultural: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia

DAY 1: BANGKOK
Arrival in Bangkok and reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 2: BANGKOK
Breakfast at the hotel. Private part-time tour with guide in Spanish in Bangkok to three of the most famous Buddhist temples: Wat Traimit, with its priceless Golden Buddha with 5 ½ tons of solid gold; Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha; and the Grand Palace of Bangkok, one of the most beautiful and ancient examples that used to be the residence of the kings of Thailand. Opportunity to visit the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Room, the Coronation Room and the impressive Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.


DAY 3: BANGKOK
After breakfast at the hotel, private part-time tour with a guide in Spanish to visit the famous market on the Maeklong Train Rails. When the train approaches the market, merchants fold their sales station to allow the train to cross the middle of the market.

Then, visit the traditional Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which opens at dawn and closes at noon. Thai women wearing bamboo hats guide the small and numerous boats, offering fruits and vegetables. As it is always full, the best way to discover the market is from inside a boat that crosses the small canals, so you can buy fresh products from the merchants.

Return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.


DAY 4: BANGKOK/CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel to the airport to board a flight to Chiang Mai (flight not included). Arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel for accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 5: CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Private car tour, with guide in Spanish, to the Mea Tang Area to visit tribes in the region. First, a visit to the world-renowned Karen Hill tribe. These women, from Burma, are known to have several rings around their necks, which make them have the nickname “giraffe women”. Next, visit the Lahu Hill tribe.

Stop at one of the region's orchid farms, where there is a wide variety of these flowers. Stop for lunch (without drinks).

In the afternoon, tour the city of Chiang Mai with a visit to the most interesting Buddhist temples, such as the 600-year-old Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, atop Doi Suthep. After an uphill stretch, the final part takes place via a staircase of 306 steps in the shape of a serpent. Inside there is an intriguing copper-covered chedi under a five-tiered golden umbrella, which are part of the Buddha's relics. On an open-air day, there are beautiful views of the city.

Visit Wat Suan Dok, whose central stupa has a Buddha relic and contains the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal Family; Wat Chedi Luang, where the emerald Buddha once lived; and Wat Phra Singh, which houses the 1500-year-old Buddha image.


DAY 6: CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Patara Elephant Farm for an Asian elephant care and preservation experience. On site, an introduction will be provided on how to find the elephant in the jungle, the management of the elephant farm and the elephant breeding program, in addition to learning how to interact with the elephants, their diet, daily care, and a bath in a river. Stop for lunch (without drinks), return to the farm for more interaction and a photo shoot.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 7: CHIANG MAI/LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos (flight not included). Transfer to the hotel and accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.

In the evening, visit the city's night market.


DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES - LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, ride a traditional boat along the Mekong River, which has beautiful landscapes with its banks surrounded by villages, fields and forests. On the way, we stop at the village of Ban Shanghai, famous for making some of the varieties of rice wine.

Visit the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two caves connected with about 4,000 lacquered gold Buddha statues, with different shapes and sizes.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks). Then, visit the National Museum and the former Royal Palace, and climb Mount Phousi, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG/HANOI
Departure very early to see the monks walking around the city and receiving donations from the population (usually food). Visit the local market and return to the hotel for breakfast.

Tour to the most important and significant monument in Laos: Wat Xieng Thong. There are more than twenty buildings in the complex, including sanctuaries, pavilions, and residences. In its gardens there is a wide variety of flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees.

Visit the Wat Sane, Wat Mai and Wat Visoun temples, and the Ock Pop Tock, a traditional textile store and center created and managed by women.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks). Return to the hotel for transfer to the airport for boarding to Hanoi, Vietnam (flight not included).

Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer to the hotel and accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 10: HANOI
After breakfast, tour of Hanoi. Vietnam's capital is the only Asian city with tree-lined avenues, French colonial architecture, lakes, and oriental temples.

Visit the Temple of Literature, the country's first university and considered the symbol of Hanoi, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square, and the One-Pillar Pagoda, made of wood shaped like a lotus leaf, in honor of Buddha.

Lunch stop at a local restaurant (no drinks).

In the afternoon, visit an artisanal flower shop to learn about the production of traditional Vietnamese spiritual floral arrangements and offerings. Then, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake with panoramic views of Ngoc Son Temple. Finally, ride a Pousse cycle (bike with cart) through Hanoi's old quarter, also known as the District of 36 Streets.


DAY 11: HANOI - HALONG BAY
After breakfast, land transfer to Halong Bay (approximately 2h30 journey), through the rich agricultural lands of the Red River Delta, past rice fields and the region's traditional rural life.

Board the traditional wooden boat “junco” for a cruise for 1 night with full board. The trip passes through numerous islands in the bay, such as the Turtle, the Dog, the Chief of Man, etc. Free time to relax and enjoy the scenery or organize optional activities.

Note: The cruise itinerary is subject to weather conditions.


DAY 12: HALONG BAY - HANOI/ DANANG - HOI AN
During the cruise it is possible to take a Tai Chi class on the boat terrace at sunrise. An opportunity for beautiful photos.

Brunch served on board and return to the pier. Ground transfer to Hanoi airport and board a flight to Da Nang (flight not included).

Upon arrival, ground transfer to Hoi An and check-in at the hotel for accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.

At dusk, take a boat ride on the Hoai River to catch a glimpse of city lights and flashlights over the waters that call for good omens. Upon disembarkation, free time to stroll through the streets of the region and return to the hotel on your own.


DAY 13: HOI AN
Breakfast at the hotel and visit to the city of Hoi An, an important commercial port in Asia in the 17th and 18th centuries, whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little in recent years.

Stroll around the old city center to visit traditional merchant houses; the over 400-year-old Japanese bridge; the Phuc Kien room, an old house of traditional Tan Ky architecture; and the city's history museum.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks).

Return to the hotel and free afternoon to enjoy the beach, stroll through the colorful market, or do some shopping.


DAY 14: HOI AN - DANANG - HUE
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Da Nang, with a visit to the city and the Linh Ung Pagoda. Continue along the road to Hue, the former Vietnamese imperial capital.

Upon arrival, stop for lunch at a local restaurant (no drinks). Transfer to the hotel for accommodation for 1 night, with breakfast.

In the afternoon, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and tour the Dong Ba market.


DAY 15: HUE/HO CHI MIN CITY
After breakfast, private visit, with an English-speaking guide, to the imperial citadel where the Nguyen dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, and to the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. After lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks), visit the mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh.

Transfer to the city's airport to board a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (flight not included). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and accommodation for 2 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 16: HO CHI MINH CITY
After breakfast, departure for a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War.

Then return to Ho Chi Minh. Lunch stop at a local restaurant (no drinks).

In the afternoon, visit the old Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue Street, and the City Hall. Later, you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese “coffee” (not included).


DAY 17: HO CHI MINH CITY/SIEM REAP
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia (flight not included). Transfer to the hotel for 3-night accommodation in Siem Reap, with breakfast.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks). Next, tour the Rolous temple complex: Preah Ko Temple, Bakong Mountain Temple, and Lolei Temple. Rest of the day free.


Day 18: SIEM REAP
After breakfast, ride a tuk-tuk (traditional Cambodian vehicle) to the south gate of Angkor Thom, home to the 8-meter-high walls that lead to the Bayon temple in the center. As Bayon itself has no wall or moat of its own, those in the city are interpreted by archaeologists as representing the mountains and oceans that surround Mount Meru.

Then, visit the Ta Prohm temple, which has remained relatively the same as when it was discovered and still holds much of its mystery.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks). Visit the most famous of all temples: Angkor Wat, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is the largest and best preserved temple of those that make up the Angkor complex. Considered the ultimate example of the classical Khmer architecture style, it is considered the largest religious structure ever built, in addition to being one of the most important archaeological treasures in the world.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 19: SIEM REAP
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out at the hotel. Departure to attend a Buddhist ceremony with the monks in a Pagoda, where it will be possible to learn more about Buddhism and how this religion affects Cambodian culture. Then, visit the Bantey Samre and Bantey Srei temples, dedicated to Shiva.

Lunch stop at a local restaurant (no drinks). Soon after, visit the D'Angkor Artisans, a center for the protection and conservation of traditional crafts.

Return to the hotel.


DAY 20: SIEM REAP
Breakfast and hotel check-out. Private transfer to Siem Reap airport.



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