Day 1: Los Angeles or San Francisco - You leave for Thailand from LAX or SFO. The adventure begins! (Meals on flight).
Day 2: In flight to Thailand.
Day 3: Bangkok - You arrive in Bangkok where your guide will meet you, welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. D
Day 4: Bangkok - Today the day begins with a trip to the Golden Buddha Temple. Afterwards you will visit the Reclining Buddha Temple, which features a giant Buddha statue--over 100 feet in length. After lunch you will go to the incredible Grand Palace with Wat Pra Kaeo. This historic set of governmental and religious buildings display the incredible sense of making buildings like precious stones and jewelry. Several unique buildings stand side by side, from the Golden Stuppa to the glittering Wat and the governmental buildings with the English architecture and Thai roofs.
Evening: Traditional Thai dinner with classical dances, traditional performances, and beautiful costumes. B, L, D
Day 5: Ayuthaya - Today we will take you to King's Summer Palace, with its beautiful International flavor, georgous grounds and waterways. Then we will take you on to the historic kingdom center of Ayuthaya. The ancient ruins of the temples, royal buildings and Buddhas are somewhat reminiscent of the Khmer Angkor Wat ruins. Afterward we will take you back to your hotel. B, L, D
Day 6: Chiang Rai - You leave early in the morning to visit the Floating Market. Here you will ride on the canals through an older Thai river neighborhood and onto the actual Floating Market area. After lunch you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. There your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. B, L
Day 7: Chiang Rai - You will visit the Queen Mother's Home and Garden, Doi Tung. Afterwards we will take you to the Burmese border, where you can see the Burmese handicrafts, silver work, gems, jewelry, and fabric arts, including their incredible trapuntos. Then you will go to the historic Golden Triangle where three countries share a border: Thailand, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). You will see the small Opium Museum and where two rivers join the three nations. Then you will be take a ride on a small river boat to the Burmese side and stop on a small island owned by Laos. B, L, D
Day 8: Chiang Mai - After breakfast you will go on an excursion across to visit the hilltribe villages where you will meet the Aca, the Hmong, the Yao and the Karen (the people with the multiple rings around their necks). Many of the natives have stands with handicrafts, hats, weavings, embroideries, etc. Lunch will be at local restaurants along the way. Then you will arrive in Chiang Mai and check into the hotel. Dinner at local restaurant in Chiang Mai. B, L, D
Day 9: Chiang Mai - The day begins with a visit to the Doi Suthep, the ancient temple site. After lunch we will take you to the Handicraft "villages" that are actually the various factories of the many things which the Thais make very well: silk, silver crafting, umbrellas, cloissonne, furniture and leather. Evening Option: The Night Market. B, L, D
Day 10: Chiang Mai - After breakfast you will visit the Elephant Camp, see the elephant show and cultural show and take a one hour elephant ride, go on a bamboo raft, and learn about the noble Asian elephant and the worker monkeys. You will also visit the Orchid Farm. Evening - Khantoke dinner with hilltribe dances (spectacular show, dance, music and costumes). B, L, D
Day 11: Siem Reap - We will take a flight from Chiang Mai to Siem Reap where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. We will begin the Angkor Wat tour with Angkor Thom, the ancient city. B, D
Day 12: Siem Reap - Continue on the ANGKOR TEMPLE COMPLEX. A full day tour of Angkor Wat (the main temple area) and some of the minor temple areas. Evening option: Sunset Cruise on the Great Lake through the Submerged Forest (this boat is equipped with life jackets). B, D
Day 13: Siem Reap - Today you will go to Ta Prohm and Bantay Srei. Evening option: Sunset view from mound of Phnom Bakeng. B, D
Day 14: Saigon - Fly to Saigon. The guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. After you are settled in you will go to lunch and then to the War Museum. B, L
Day 15: Hanoi - Today you will take a tour the Tunnels. Then you will be transfered to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in the Old Quarter near Hoan Kiem Lake (like the Hong Ngoc). B, L
Day 16: Hanoi - You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Masoleum and the surrounding grounds (including Ho Chi Minh residences). After lunch we will take you to the Museum of Ethnology. Evening option: Water Puppets. B, L
Day 17: Cat Ba - Today you will go on the Halong Bay, cruise through the spectacular islands, have lunch in the midst of the beautiful areas, and visit the caves. Possibly swim in bay. Then continue onto the Cat Ba island and be transferred to your hotel. B, L, D
Day 18: Hanoi - In the morning you will have free time. Late afternoon ferry to Haiphong. A brief tour of the city and the harbor and drive back to Hanoi to be transferred to your hotel. B, L
Day 19: Hanoi - Today you will go to the Confucius Literature Center and enjoy a small concert of traditional Vietnamese music (complete with traditional ethnic costumes). After lunch, we will take you to the Buddhist Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. Old Quarter tour. B, L
Day 20: Return USA - You are transferred to the airport for your return flight to your home country with a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Price includes: All Southeast Asian flights, All land transportation throughout itinerary including arrival / depart transfers, boats, A/C private car or van, guides, drivers, excellent 3+4 star hotels (double occupancy), meals as per itinerary, Fully escorted by English speaking guide, all entrance & admission fees as per itinerary.
Price does not include: international flights, visa fees, items marked "optional", airport taxes And tips to guides and drivers.
Note: We can obtain international flights at reasonable prices. We also can offer excellent Travel Guard Travel Insurance at reasonable rates.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
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