Days 1-3: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
Arrive in Thailand’s capital city, where you are met and transferred
to your hotel. The next day, explore the grounds of the sprawling
Grand Palace, dotted with gardens and statues of mythological
creatures. Continue to Wat Phra Kaew, home to the famous
Emerald Buddha, and Wat Pho, where the 150-foot-long
Reclining Buddha lies. After a boat trip to a local flower market
and Chinatown, gather for a special welcome dinner with a traditional
Thai puppet show. On the third day, a walking tour leads you
to a local Buddhist temple. After a samlor (bicycle taxi) ride
through the greenest part of Bangkok followed by lunch, the rest
of your day is at leisure.
Days 4-5: Chiang Mai / Night Markets & Buddhist Inspiration
Fly to Chiang Mai. Meet and chat with a Buddhist monk at
Wat Umong, a famed center of meditation. Afterward, visit
Wat Doi Suthep and stroll Chiang Mai’s famous Night Market,
a kaleidoscope of merchants and food carts. The next day, enjoy
lunch at a local’s home. Ride through Chiang Mai in a rickshaw, stopping
at Wat Phra Singh, home to the prized Phra Singh (Lion Buddha).
Days 6-8: Siem Reap / Khmer Crown Jewel
Fly via Bangkok to Siem Reap, where you visit romantic Ta Prohm,
a temple entangled in the jungle. Examine its crumbling stonework
and marvel at the tree roots dripping down the temple’s walls.
Before dinner, enjoy a scenic tuk-tuk ride around the city. The
next day, rise early to catch the sunrise over the Angkor complex.
Discover this masterpiece of the Khmer Empire, walking amid
moss-covered pathways and intricately carved bas-reliefs.
After lunch, board a wooden boat and cruise the floating
villages on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting a local school. The last day,
explore the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple,
with its beguiling, 172 large-scale faces.
Days 9-10: Ho Chi Minh City / Old Saigon
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the city formerly known as
Saigon. See Cholon — its Chinatown — home to markets, ancient
quarters and beautiful temples. Continue to Thien Hau Pagoda,
dedicated to Tian Hou, “The Lady of the Sea.” The next day, see
Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House, then drive into
the countryside to explore the Cu Chi Tunnel network, a key
Vietcong resource during the Vietnam War. Meet a war veteran
who recounts his experience there.
Day 11: Hoi An / Pearl of China Beach
Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang
and continue to traditional Hoi An,
visiting a colorful local market and the
400-year-old Japanese covered bridge.
At a local shop, see how silkworms are
raised. Afterward, visit a local lantern artist and learn how to
make the silk lanterns for which Hoi An is known. Return to your
hotel in Danang.
Day 12: My Son / Seat of the Champa Kingdom
Visit My Son, the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization.
Return to Danang for an afternoon at leisure.
Days 13-15: Hanoi / Capital of Culture
Fly to Hanoi. Explore Vietnam’s capital starting at Ho Chi
Minh’s House, continuing to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda,
the Temple of Literature and Quan Thanh Temple. Finish at the
famed “Hanoi Hilton” prison. The next day, visit the Fine Arts
Museum, then set off on an exciting cyclo ride into the Old Quarter,
where narrow streets date back to the 15th century. Join your
fellow guests tonight for a farewell dinner. On your final day,
transfer to the airport for your international flight home.