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Welcome to Thailand. After clearing the entry formalities, exit into the arrival Area and meet your private guide from Khiri Travel. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. Transfer to your hotel to relax after your long international flight.
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel and are welcomed aboard the Manohra Song. You will get a guided tour of Wat Arun (or the Temple of Dawn), where you can have your fortune told as well! Then continue to the Royal Barges, the ornamented rowing boats that are being used in Royal Processions on the Chao Phraya River. The chef will serve a sumptuous lunch while we cruise North out of the bustle of the city. Stops will be made enroute to Wat Samakee, where we will moor for the night. Dinner is served on board and the deck is an excellent place to relax over after-dinner drinks before retiring to your state room.
If you want, you will have the chance to make merit by giving alms to the monks at dawn. While Manohra Song sets sail for Ayuthaya, enjoy breakfast on board. We start our tour of Ayuthaya at Wat Pananchoeng, which houses an ancient Buddha image, dating back to 1344 AD. The rest of the day you will spend exploring Ayuthaya's temples and ruins. Then return to the Manohra Song which will dock near Wat Niwet Thammaprawa, close to Bang Pa In and one of the more intriguing Buddhist temples. An Ayuthaya-inspired dinner is served on board.
This morning visit Wat Niwet Thammaprawat and short walk to Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. The manicured grounds hold a variety of buildings in different architectural styles. The Chinese Pavilion, donated in the late 19th Century by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is one of the highlights of the visit.
Then we cruise back to Bangkok, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.
Meet your private guide and driver who will transfer you to the hotel.
After breakfast this morning, transfer you to the airport for a flight to Hanoi
Fly from Bangkok to Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines
Economy class
A Vietnamese visa upon arrival is available (see our visa section for more details), but where possible we recommend to obtain your visa before hand.
Arrival in Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel.
Enjoy evening water puppets show, a tradition that dates back to the 11th century. The puppets are made out of lacquered wood, and handled by puppeteers who are waist-deep in water. After this spectacular show, enjoy a Vietnamese dinner.
This comprehensive day tour takes in all of Hanoi's essential sites. In the morning we will visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (1), his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. We will visit the West Lake briefly before lunch at the Song Thung restaurant.
Afterwards we head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. After this we take a relaxing one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter. Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. Return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon.
(1) The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday and Friday and in October and November. In this case we will visit one or more of the following museums: Army, History, National Fine Arts, Ethnology or Women's museum.
Journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive from Hanoi late morning and welcome at the pier. Check-in procedures and transfer to your boat for the overnight journey into the Bay.
Lunch is served on board as you cruise into Halong Bay. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot). Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner.
On your return to Halong City enjoy brunch as your boat weaves its way back to the dock. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi. If time allows return to Hanoi otherwise straight to the airport.
Drive to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for the flight to Danang.
Fly from Hanoi to Danang on Vietnam Airlines
Economy class
Meet your guide and driver upon arrival. They will transfer you to the hotel.
Today is free at your leisure. Hoi An was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port, dating back to the 15th century. During the days of the China trade, Hoi An (then known as Faifo), had a Japanese settlement, which could be reached by the Japanese bridge. This is a unique structure, the only known covered bridge with a pagoda attached to it.
Nowadays, Hoi An is also famous for its tailors and crafts shops.
Enjoy your breakfast before a transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh and the connecting flight to Siem Reap
Fly from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines
Economy class
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap on Vietnam Airlines
Economy class
Arrival in Siem Reap. A visa upon arrival can be obtained (see our visa section for details). After having completed immigration and customs formalities
Meet your guide and driver upon arrival and transfer to your centrally located hotel
In the afternoon make a first visit to the ruins of Angkor with a private car and expert guide. Please make sure you have one passport picture ready for the entrance pass.
Enjoy a sunset view from Phnom Bakheng, a hill protruding from the otherwise flat landscape. There is the option to make the climb on elephant-back. From the top of Bakheng, the spires of the main temple, Angkor Wat, can be seen.
Early departure from the hotel. Visit the walled city of Angkor Thom. Continue on to visit, amongst others, the Bayon, the Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of the Elephants. Return to Siem Reap for lunch at the stylish Foreign Correspondents Club.
The whole afternoon is set aside for a visit to the main temple, Angkor Wat. For an altogether different perspective of this marvellous temple, there is the option to board the hot-air balloon, set up just outside the main entrance.
Early departure to Angkor, to visit Pre Rup, Banteay Samre and Ta Prohm, which is famous for its walls overgrown by huge tropical figtrees. Also visit an interesting exposition of the World Monuments Fund at Preah Khan.
Return to you hotel for lunch.
This afternoon browse the market for souvenirs, or return to Angkor to visit temples you may have missed, or re-visit the ones you liked the best. Transfer to the airport.
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Price includes:
- English speaking guide during sightseeing
- Entrance fees
- Meals as indicated
- Accommodation as mentioned on the itinerary
- Tour and transfers as indicated on the itinerary
Price DOES NOT include:
- Airport taxes
- Air tickets both domestic and international
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Surcharges during festivals or peak season
- Gala Dinner on Christmas and New Year
- All Drinks
- Visa Fees
- Tips
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