Discover Southeast Asia

THROUGH DISCOVER SOUTHEAST ASIA TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

 

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok

On your arrival at Bangkok, be welcomed by your guide from Orient Skyline Travel. Transfer to the hotel then free time for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: City tour Bangkok (B, L)

Start your day in Bangkok with first visit to the Royal Palace one of the most beautiful Royal monuments. Walk through the palaces which house the Throne Room, Funeral Palace, the Coronation Hall, the Reception and the Emerald Buddha for the most important Statute in Thailand. Finally, visit the renown reclining Buddha.

Begin the afternoon with walking through Chinatown with arrays of unique temples and tea shops to have a full understanding of Bangkok. Visit Bangkok Folk Museum (closed on Monday and Tuesday) before have a ride on a local boat on the bustling Phraya River and the calm Klongs of Thonburi to learn why Thais live near the rivers. The final visit will be the Wat Arun temple.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: Bangkok – Sukhothai (B)

Depart for the flight to Sukhothai. Upon your arrival, meet your guide from Orient Skyline Travel and transfer to visit Sukhothai Historical Park.

Founded during the 13th century, Sukhothai became the first capital of the Thai Kingdom, the visit includes Sri Sra War, Vat Mahathat, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Si Chum, Ramkamhaeng Museum. After that, check in the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnigh in Sukhothai.

Day 4: Sukhothai – Chiang Mai (B, L)

Drive north of Sukhothai to a historical park by the Yom River. This site comprises of over 130 ruined monuments. See the main relics such as Vat Phra Si Rotina Mahathat, Vat Chang Lom, Wat Khao Suwan Khiri, Vat Chedi Chet Thaeo and more at the center of Ban Ko Noi. Continue to the way to Chiang Mai and arrive in the afternoon.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Chiang Mai city tour (B, L)

Travel to the North of Chiang Mai to visit the park with a herb garden. Walk to the boat and enjoy a river cruise on Mae Ping River. Arrive at pier, leave the boat and visit the Waroros Market which reflects the Northern Thailand culture and lifestyle. After the market, hop on the trishaw ride and travel along the city wall to Wat Phra Singh.

Following the afternoon, discover Chiang Mai with visiting the old walls and gates, colorful markets. Pay a visit to Wat Suan Dok, the Royal cemetery before continuing to Vat Phra That Doi Suthep on a hill, the holiest temple of North Thailand. Stay until the others have left the site to observe a blessing ceremony with the monks chanting. Enjoy the panoramic view over Chiang Mai before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Chiang Mai – Flight to Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, board a flight from Chiang Mai airport to Luang Prabang.

Arrive in the destination and free time in the afternoon.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang city tour (B)

With your guide, begin the city tour to discover the ancient Royal Palace which serves as the National Museum today. Visit the nearby Vat Mai, a well known temple for its gold gilded bas relief, Vat Sensoukarahn with impressive dazzling façade in the sun. Visit one of Laos’ most beautiful and important temple Vat Xieng Thong.

Return to your hotel or restaurant.

After the midday break, cycle to discover more.

Visit the center of Arts and Ethnology, a museum featuring the culture and diversity of minorities in Laos with collection of working tool, art items (note: the museum closed on Mondays).

Cycle to Phousi market and see variety of local products. Make sure to sample some local fruits of the exotic flavors which are never seen nor found in at home supermarket!

Return to the hotel.

Optional activity: Cooking class

Take a cooking class in a local restaurant called “Tamarind”. Be introduced to the local ingredients, learn how they are mixed and prepared in Lao cuisine. Under the instruction from a chef, make your own dish and then sit down and enjoy your creation. Do not forget to take home the recipes, just in case you confuse!

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B, L)

Rise up early and partake in a very special experience observing sacred ceremony where the monks in yellow robe collecting morning alms. This is a serenely beautiful ceremony that highlights Laos culture and spiritualism. Return to the hotel and enjoy breakfast.

Take a boat ride on Nava Mekong Boat, cruise upstream the fertile Mekong River with beautiful mountain view and rural villages along on the river banks. Climb up to explore the two caves which are packed with thousand of Buddha images and statues. Return on boat back to Luang Prabang and arrive in early afternoon.

After a break, attend in a unique Laotian ceremony – Baci: The ceremony is performed in the important occasions, events like weddings, welcome guests, and births. Climb over 300 steps of Mount Phousi, after reaching its top, be rewarded with a stunning view of the city and countryside. Descend and spend time at the night market by the temples. Enjoy dinner in one of the fine restaurants in town.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang – Flight to Hanoi (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi. On arrival, Orient Skyline Travel’s guide will welcome you and provide transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B)

Following breakfast, depart Hanoi for a car transfer to Halong Bay, the 4 hour drive will include 20 minute for break on halfway. Arrive in Halong and be welcomed by the captain and crews onboard. During the cruise, partake in some sightseeing and activities (varied on different boats) or relaxing on boat’s sundeck to embrace the spectacular limestone towers abound. The day ends with the dinner on board.

Overnight on Halong Bay boat.

Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi – City tour (B, L)

In the opened air of the bay, enjoy breakfast while the boat motors gently across the bay toward the harbor. Return to Hanoi by car transfer.

Embark on a half day tour and visit the historic & cultural capital of Vietnam. The highlights of Hanoi are 1000 years of history with ancient temples, boulevards dotted colonial architectural buildings, parks and lakes. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and walk along the old quarter streets.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi – Flight to Hue – City tour (B, L)

Take an early transfer to Noi Bai airport to board flight to Hue. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Hue where you begin the discovery tour of Hue. Visit the Imperial Citadel with the meridian Gate, the Forbidden City, the Great Harmony Palace, from here the final Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam had ruled Vietnam from 1802 until 1945.

After a short transfer, visit Thien Mu pagoda (Heavenly Lady) by the royal Perfume River. Visit the picturesque pagoda complex with the 21-meter high tower, the giant bronze bell and marble stone of biography. Within the back garden, see an old Austin car which relates to a famous event in 1963 that a monk drove that car to Saigon to protest against the South Vietnam’s government by self immolation.

After a midday break, visit Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb which was built in a tranquil gardens. Next, visit tomb of Khai Dinh where traditional Vietnamese style and European elements are seen to blend.

Return to the city and visit colorful Dong Ba Market.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 13: Hue – Danang – Hoi An – City tour (B)

Transfer on a scenic coastal road to Hoi An, the busiest trading port from 17th to 18th century for international trading ships from French, Japanese, Chinese and Portugal. After over two centuries, Hoi An town still remains a charming place to live and visit. On the way, stop to enjoy the spectacular view on the top of Ocean Cloud Pass (Hai Van), arrive in Danang to visit Cham Museum where the finest Cham sculpture collection is displayed. Reaching Hoi An and visit the UNESCO town with the ancient houses, the Japanese Bridge then the colorful market by the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 14: Hoi An – Free day (B)

Free day on Hoi An.

Or, take a trip to visit Organic vegetable village of Tra Que (with a supplement):

From the hotel, take a short transfer to the Hoi An and hop on the bike riding to Tra Que village (if your hotel is near Hoi An, you can bike directly from the hotel). Visit the organic garden and put your hand in helping the farmers hoeing the soil, putting seaweed fertilizer. Walk into the local kitchen where a local chef will show you how to make local dish, here enjoy home lunch including Banh Xeo before cycling back to the hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 15: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City – City tour (B)

Take an hour flight from Danang to the Vietnam’s most vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon.

Arrive in the city and visit Reunification Hall or the former name was Presidential Palace during the Vietnam war where on 30 Apr 1975 a Northern tanks crashed the gate and Saigon collapsed. The building has been a witness of the Vietnam war and Vietnam’s history. Visit the War Remnants Museum where hundreds of war images from the last two wars are displayed.

Walk to the nearby Saigon Post office and Saigon Notre Dame, Dong Khoi Street (Catinat Street), the City hall and Opera house.

Visit the Jade Pagoda, built in 1909 by Cantonese Buddhists, this Feng Shui principled temple is one the top sacred temples in the city where newly wedded couple often come to beg for healthy pregnancy.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City – Flight to Siem Reap (B)

In the morning, take a short flight to Siem Reap.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom temple. Known as the Khmer Empire’s final capital, the city center is rounded by a stone wall. Be impressed walking through the South Gate which is decorated with elephants and the giant faces on top.

Further to Bayon Temple which located in the center of the ancient city. Built during the 12th century, this building masterpiece features with 54 faces all enigmatic symbolizing the 54 regions under the Khmer Empire. The two must see also includes The Terrace of Elephant and King Leper Terrace.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Visit Siem Reap (B, L)

Travel to Tonle Sap Lake, enjoy a boat ride on the Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake to see the life on the water. Ride on the wooden boat to Kampong Phluk village where the stilt houses will be submerged during the raining season and Tonle Sap Lake expands.

Lunch (picnic) will be enjoyed on a floating house or on a boat while taking in the scene of the local life on the water (note: during the dry months, water level is low and it is not possible for the boat trip (May to following Apr), other floating village in Chong Kneas is arranged as an alternative option).

Return and hop on tuk-tuk that journeys through Angkor Wat. Built during the 12th century, Angkor Wat was built to symbolize the holly mountain, the Mount Meru where the Gods dwelling for home. Angkor Wat is decorated with over 2,000 Apsara dancers carved on the walls.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 18: Visit Siem Reap – Departure (B)

Today, explore Ta Prohm temple, built from the 12th and 13th century. Being covered by jungle and forest vines and trees, Ta Prohm is unique with parts falling down on the ground making it the most picturesque temple of Angkor. Also you will visit Banteay Kdei Buddhist monastery, the ablution pool of Srah Srang.

From there, take a short transfer to the airport for departure.

 

You might be interested in our Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Multi-country tours!