Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Bangkok
BangkokOptional Activities
- Explore Chinatown area
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Wander Khao San Road
- Get a Thai massage
- Urban Adventure bike tour through backstreets
- Sample world famous street food for dinner
Landmarks Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Khao San Road - Day 2
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Bangkok to Chiang MaiIncluded Activities
- River cruise down Chao Phraya River to explore khlongs (canals)
- Visit Wat Pho and see the 46-meter-long gold-plated reclining Buddha
Landmarks Chao Phraya River Wat Pho - Day 3
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Doi Suthep temple complex with scenic winding drive
- Climb 300-step naga-guarded stairway to temples
Optional Activities
- Wander through Night Bazaar
- Relax at a restaurant along the riverfront
- Sample traditional northern Thai food, especially kao soy
Landmarks Doi Suthep Temple Complex - Day 4
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in riverside sala (pavilion) alongside elephants)
Included Activities
- Visit ChangChill elephant experience with 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai
- Observe daily patterns of free-roaming elephants
- Attend live lecture from expert local guides on elephants, sustainable tourism, and conservation
- Lunch in riverside sala (pavilion) alongside elephants
Landmarks ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - Day 5
Chiang Khong
Chiang Khong- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) in Chiang Rai
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Chiang Khong town
- Visit Wat Phra Kaew
- Visit Wat Luang
- Enjoy Thai drink and dinner with view of Mekong River
Landmarks Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Wat Phra Kaew Wat Luang Mekong River - Day 6
Chiang Khong to Pak Beng
Chiang Khong to Pak Beng- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Board slow boat for 2-day Mekong River journey to Luang Prabang
Landmarks Mekong River - Day 7
Pak Beng to Luang Prabang
Pak Beng to Luang Prabang- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Board slow boat to Pak Ou Caves
- Visit Pak Ou Caves—two sacred limestone caverns filled with Buddha images
Optional Activities
- Climb Mt Phousi's 328 zigzag steps to Phu Si Temple and sacred stupa for sunset views
Landmarks Pak Ou Caves Mt Phousi Phu Si Temple - Day 8
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kuang Si Falls—multi-level cascade of bright blue pools
- Visit local social enterprise supporting women in weaving
- Learn about traditional Laos textile making
Landmarks Kuang Si Falls - Day 9
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Witness traditional alms giving ceremony with Buddhist monks
- Day 10
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Nam Song River - Day 11
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore caves, particularly Tham Chang cave
- Hire bicycles to explore the countryside
- Hike trails to nearby lookout points
- Join a day trip for kayaking on the river
- Visit organic mulberry farm outside town
Landmarks Tham Chang Cave - Day 12
Vientiane
Vientiane- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Si Saket—oldest temple still standing with almost 7,000 Buddha images
- Visit COPE visitors centre—organization assisting those injured by unexploded ordnance
Optional Activities
- Explore Vientiane on foot or by jumbo (tuk-tuk)
- Browse Karma Cafe at COPE centre
- Join fellow travelers for dinner celebration
Landmarks Wat Si Saket Mekong River - Day 13
Vientiane to Hanoi
Vientiane to Hanoi- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at KOTO restaurant supporting disadvantaged youth in hospitality careers)
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting with new group and leader at 6 pm
- Dinner at KOTO restaurant
Optional Activities
- Urban adventure tour
- Wander Old Quarter to admire French architecture
- Day 14
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Hanoi to Halong Bay- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel by private minibus to Ha Long Bay
- Board private boat and cruise Ha Long Bay exploring caves and beaches
- Overnight boat cruise
Optional Activities
- Optional kayaking tour of Ha Long Bay
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 15
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Halong Bay to Hanoi- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Return to Hanoi by bus
Optional Activities
- Enjoy pho—local specialty of broth, noodles, and meat
- Relax by Hoan Kiem Lake
Landmarks Hoan Kiem Lake - Day 16
Hue
Hue- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to hotel
- Visit local village recycling hub
- Taste local specialty—salt coffee
- Visit Imperial Citadel ruins with temples, state houses, and emperor's palace
Landmarks Imperial Citadel - Day 17
Hue
Hue- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vegetarian feast in a nunnery)
Included Activities
- Motorbike tour around Hue with local guide
- Visit Thanh Toan 18th-century covered bridge and local market
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda 17th-century active Buddhist monastery
- See Thich Quang Duc's car at pagoda
- Vegetarian lunch in a nunnery
- Visit royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Landmarks Thanh Toan Covered Bridge Thien Mu Pagoda Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Day 18
Hue to Hoi An
Hue to Hoi An- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus journey through Hai Van Pass
- Sightseeing walk through Hoi An Old Town with leader
- Receive sightseeing pass for select attractions
Landmarks Hai Van Pass - Day 19
Hoi An
Hoi An- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Browse cobbled streets and art galleries
- Hire a bike and cycle through rice paddies to Cua Dai Beach
- Browse markets for paintings, ceramics, and cloth lanterns
- Visit tailors for custom-made outfits
- Have dinner at a riverside restaurant
- Join a cooking class
Landmarks Cua Dai Beach - Day 20
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Sightseeing bus tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Landmarks Reunification Palace Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House War Remnants Museum - Day 21
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Regional specialties including elephant ear fish at restaurant in heart of Delta)
Included Activities
- Day trip to Mekong Delta
- Board private boat to Ben Tre
- Visit coconut gardens
- Stop at local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams
- Paddle in sampans past coconut trees
- Tuk-tuk tour around villages
- Lunch at restaurant in heart of Delta sampling regional specialties like elephant ear fish
- Return to Ho Chi Minh City
Landmarks Mekong Delta Ben Tre - Day 22
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures tour to Cu Chi tunnels
- Climb into and explore the underground tunnel network
- Optional group dinner after welcome meeting
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 23
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel by public bus to Phnom Penh
Optional Activities
- Grab a mojito on a rooftop
- Shop at art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market)
- Visit Psar Tuol Tom Pong (Russian Market) for local souvenirs
Landmarks Psar Thmei (Central Market) Psar Tuol Tom Pong (Russian Market) - Day 24
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
- Visit Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Optional Activities
- Visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Visit Wat Phnom
- Visit National Museum with Khmer collection
- Take cyclo tours around city
Landmarks Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Wat Phnom National Museum - Day 25
Phnom Penh to Battambang
Phnom Penh to Battambang- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit pottery village in Kampong Chhnang
- Learn about pottery making at local workshops
Optional Activities
- Cooking class to learn local dishes like amok, Khmer curry, and fried spicy chicken
Landmarks Kampong Chhnang Pottery Village - Day 26
Battambang to Siem Reap
Battambang to Siem Reap- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Countryside bike ride around Battambang
- Visit rural villages and local families producing traditional agricultural products
- Visit Khmer house and enjoy coconut water
Optional Activities
- Browse markets for street food dinner
- Day 27
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat UNESCO World Heritage site
- Temple-hop through Angkor complex with local guide
- Visit Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm temples
- Three day Angkor Pass included
Landmarks Angkor Wat Bayon Ta Prohm - Day 28
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Continue Angkor complex exploration
- Private boat tour to Chong Kneas floating villages
- Explore Tonle Sap Lake and local daily lives
Landmarks Chong Kneas Tonle Sap Lake - Day 29
Siem Reap to Bangkok
Siem Reap to Bangkok- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok
Optional Activities
- Sample local specialties with fellow travelers
- Day 30
Bangkok
Bangkok- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Jim Thompson Museum
- Extend stay in Bangkok
Landmarks Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Jim Thompson Museum
