Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll get collected at the airport and head to your hotel to get settled. After freshening up, there's a welcome meeting at 6pm followed by dinner at a local restaurant where your trip leader introduces the group to Thai cuisine and you'll meet your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
- Day 2
Bangkok
Start with an optional temple visit along the Chao Phraya River to make merit with monks. Then you'll tour Wat Po with its famous Reclining Buddha, check out the Grand Palace, and take a canal boat tour through Bangkok's waterways. The afternoon gives you time to visit Jim Thompson House or get a Thai massage if you'd like.
Included Activities
- Wat Po temple complex tour
- Grand Palace visit
- Boat tour of city canals
Optional Activities
- Temple visit and merit making at Chao Phraya River temple
- Jim Thompson House art collection - THB200
- Thai massage - THB250
Landmarks Wat Po Grand Palace Chao Phraya River - Day 3
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Learn about Benjarong, a traditional Thai painted porcelain, at a ceramics community where you'll paint your own mug or teacup to be fired and shipped home later. After that you'll travel to Kanchanaburi to visit the War Cemetery, which honors Asian and POW workers who died building the Death Railway.
Included Activities
- Benjarong ceramics workshop - paint your own mug or teacup
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery visit
Landmarks Kanchanaburi War Cemetery - Day 4
Kanchanaburi
You'll hike through Erawan National Park to see its famous seven-level waterfall with glacial blue pools and bamboo shade. Visit Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum for history on the Death Railway, then take a historical train journey over the Krasae Bridge across the Kwai Noi River through scenic countryside. The evening is free to explore town.
Included Activities
- Erawan National Park visit and waterfall exploration
- Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum visit
- Historical Death Railway train journey over Krasae Bridge
Optional Activities
- Swimming and relaxing at Erawan waterfall pools
Landmarks Erawan National Park Hellfire Pass Krasae Bridge Kwai Noi River - Day 5
Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
Head to Ayutthaya, an ancient Siamese capital and World Heritage site. Visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village to see traditional hand-weaving and palm sugar production, then sample Thai desserts. Later you'll explore the 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat with its famous Buddha head nestled in Banyan tree roots and board a traditional rice barge for dinner on the water.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Thai dinner on rice barge)
Included Activities
- Baan Nong Khao CBT Village visit - museum, palm sugar field, local house tour
- Weaver demonstration with 100+ colors of yarn
- Wat Phra Mahathat temple ruins visit
- Traditional rice barge dinner cruise with Thai meal
Landmarks Baan Nong Khao CBT Village Wat Phra Mahathat - Day 6
Ayutthaya to Sukhothai
Travel from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok by train, taking in views of the countryside along the way. After that transfer to a vehicle and continue to Sukhothai, arriving around 5pm. The evening is yours to relax or explore. Ask your leader about where to find Sukhothai's famous noodles.
Optional Activities
- Relax by pool
- Thai massage
- Explore local dining for Sukhothai noodles
- Day 7
Sukhothai
Start with an optional alms offering, then cycle through Sukhothai Historical Park, a World Heritage site showing the Golden Age of Thai civilization. Your leader shares the history of this former metropolis and its structures. You'll have a picnic lunch in the park grounds, and the afternoon is free to explore or rest. Evening brings a homecooked dinner at a local friend's home.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch in Sukhothai Park), Dinner (Homecooked dinner at local friend's home)
Included Activities
- Sukhothai Historical Park visit
- Bicycle tour of historical park ruins
- Picnic lunch in Sukhothai Park
- Homecooked dinner at local friend's home
Optional Activities
- Morning alms offering
- Explore town in afternoon
- Relax by pool
Landmarks Sukhothai Historical Park - Day 8
Lisu Lodge
Travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region and arrive at Lisu Lodge, a community-based accommodation. You'll meet Lisu villagers (a Tibetan-Burman hill tribe) and learn about their way of life. Dinner mixes Thai and traditional Lisu dishes with hillside and valley views.
- Meals
- Dinner (Thai food mixed with traditional Lisu dishes)
Included Activities
- Lisu Lodge check-in at community-based accommodation
- Meet and learn about Lisu villagers
- Cultural immersion in Lisu way of life
- Day 9
Muang Kued Village
After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, head to Muang Kued Village for a guided tour with a local villager learning about village life and farming. You'll explore the organic farm and pick ingredients for a cooking class on traditional Thai food. Following lunch, learn palm leaf weaving with villagers before heading to a barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Lisu Lodge), Lunch (Lunch after cooking class), Dinner (Barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Lisu Lodge
- Muang Kued Village private guided tour
- Organic farm exploration
- Traditional Thai cooking class
- Palm leaf weaving handicraft workshop
- Barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp
Landmarks Muang Kued Village - Day 10
Elephant Nature Park
Travel to Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for rescued elephants and animals. Meet an expert local guide who'll share the stories behind each rescued elephant. Feed them from a viewing platform and watch them bathe and play. You'll have a vegetarian buffet lunch, then return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon with the evening free to visit Night Bazaar or explore the old town.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vegetarian buffet lunch at Elephant Nature Park)
Included Activities
- Elephant Nature Park visit
- Expert guide introduction to rescued elephants
- Elephant feeding from viewing platform
- Elephant bathing and play observation
- Vegetarian buffet lunch
Optional Activities
- Visit Night Bazaar
- Explore old town bounded by moats
Landmarks Elephant Nature Park 
- Day 11
Chiang Mai
Start by visiting a sustainable coffee social enterprise, then drive on a scenic winding mountain road to the famous Doi Suthep temple complex. You'll climb 300 Naga-guarded steps to reach one of Thailand's most beautiful temples with panoramic city views. Return to Chiang Mai for an exclusive farewell dinner cooked by a local chef featuring northern Thai specialties like kao soy.
- Meals
- Dinner (Exclusive farewell dinner with traditional northern Thai food including kao soy (yellow wheat noodles in curry broth))
Included Activities
- Sustainable coffee social enterprise visit
- Doi Suthep temple complex visit
- Exclusive farewell dinner by local chef
Landmarks Doi Suthep - Day 12
Chiang Mai to Hanoi
You'll arrive in Hanoi and get collected at the airport for transfer to your hotel. A welcome meeting happens at 6pm where you'll meet your trip leader and fellow travelers. If you arrive early, explore the colorful Old Quarter or visit the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum. Join your leader for welcome dinner at a restaurant decorated like an old-fashioned Vietnamese house.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant resembling old-fashioned Vietnamese house)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Quarter
- Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum visit
Landmarks Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum - Day 13
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Travel to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site and natural treasure of Vietnam. Board a traditional junk-style boat with modern conveniences and set sail among limestone karsts and scattered islands. You'll have seafood lunch onboard, visit Surprise Cave to see rock formations, and can optionally swim at Ti Top Island Beach or take a kayaking tour. Finish with candlelit seafood dinner on deck under the stars.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch onboard), Dinner (Candlelit seafood dinner on deck)
Included Activities
- Ha Long Bay overnight boat cruise (Feature Stay accommodation)
- Seafood lunch onboard
- Surprise Cave visit with rock formation viewing
- Candlelit seafood dinner on deck
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Ti Top Island Beach
- Kayaking tour - VND250000
Landmarks Ha Long Bay Surprise Cave Ti Top Island Beach 
- Day 14
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
Enjoy a peaceful breakfast on the boat and optionally join Tai Chi on deck before returning to Hanoi. In the afternoon, experience a traditional Hat Xam performance, a rare Northern Vietnamese art form dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Performers sing acoustically at a private club house in one of the few places where this tradition survives, and the 60-minute show may include guest interaction.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on boat)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on boat
- Hat Xam traditional performance at private club house
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi on boat deck
- Day 15
Hanoi to Hoi An
Take a half-day guided tour of Hanoi visiting the Temple of Literature, a calm oasis in the city, and the infamous Hoa Lo Prison where American POWs were held. Have a special lunch at KOTO cafe, a social enterprise training disadvantaged youth with creative Vietnamese dishes. Later fly south to Danang and drive to Hoi An with the rest of the day free to explore or relax at the pool.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at KOTO cafe - social enterprise with creative Vietnamese dishes made with local ingredients)
Included Activities
- Hanoi half-day tour
- Temple of Literature visit
- Hoa Lo Prison visit
- Lunch at KOTO social enterprise cafe
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An
- Relax at hotel pool
Landmarks Temple of Literature Hoa Lo Prison 
- Day 16
Hoi An
Walk through Hoi An's Old Town discovering traditional treasures and cultural influences from historical traders. Visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, tour an ornately decorated historic trader's house, and explore a local museum. Stop at a local coffee shop to try traditional Vietnamese coffee like egg coffee or iced coconut coffee while watching the town's activity. The afternoon is yours to explore more.
Included Activities
- Hoi An Old Town walking tour
- Chinese assembly hall visit
- Japanese Covered Bridge crossing
- Historic trader's house visit
- Local museum visit
- Local coffee shop visit
Optional Activities
- Browse market for silk and materials
- Commission tailor-made garments
- Hire bicycle for countryside ride to nearby beach
- Farm to Table dining experience at Tra Que Village and Mua restaurant - USD84
Landmarks Hoi An Old Town Japanese Covered Bridge - Day 17
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
You have a free morning in Hoi An to explore more of the town and surrounding area. Browse the market for silk and materials, commission tailor-made garments, or hire a bicycle for a countryside ride to a nearby beach. In the afternoon, transfer to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening exploring the food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market.
Optional Activities
- Browse market for silk and materials
- Hire bicycle and ride to nearby beach
- Collect tailor-made garments
Landmarks Cho Ben Thanh Market - Day 18
Ho Chi Minh City
Head out of the city to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network dug by the Viet Minh and expanded by the Viet Cong. Enter a widened tunnel section and learn about life underground including hospitals, accommodation, schools, and military operations. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. An optional final dinner with fellow travelers at a local restaurant can be arranged.
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit
- Reunification Palace tour
- War Remnants Museum visit
Optional Activities
- Final dinner with group at local restaurant
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels Reunification Palace War Remnants Museum - Day 19
Ho Chi Minh City
Your adventure ends after breakfast this morning. If you'd like to extend your stay in Ho Chi Minh City, additional accommodation can be arranged based on availability.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Additional accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (subject to availability)
