The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available). Local Host and sightseeing vehicle in Singapore. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!Your Tour Includes: •Guided sightseeing of Singapore including admission to Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck•Lunch at a traditional hawker center•Bumboat ride along the Singapore River•Guided city sightseeing of Hanoi including admission to the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda•Afternoon sightseeing cruise and lunch on Ha Long Bay•Guided walking tour of Hoi An with admission to the Hoi An Museum•Admission and guided tours of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple•Guided city sightseeing of Luang Prabang including admission to Mount Phousi, Kuang Si Waterfalls, and Pak Ou Cave•Cruise on the Mekong River and traditional Baci ceremony•Guided sightseeing of Chiang Mai including admission to Wat Phra Singh and Wat Doi Suthep•Guided sightseeing of Bangkok including admission to the Temple of the Golden Buddha, Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and the Grand Palace•All intra-vacation flights as noted in the itinerary
Notes:
Ascent of Mount Phousi (approximately 350 steps) may prove challenging for those with physical limitations.Intra-vacation flights are subject to airline availability, and you may be booked on the best available connecting flight.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN SINGAPORE
Welcome to Singapore! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in
Day 2 SINGAPORE
Sightseeing with your Local Guide introduces you to Singapore’s highlights. Start with a visit to the Gardens by the Bay, a showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry. The gardens house flora from five continents and award-winning architecture design as well. Enjoy lunch at historic Lau Pa Sat, one of Singapore’s most famous hawker centers, and take a scenic bumboat ride along the Singapore River for a different perspective of the city.Your tour ends at Marina Bay, where you will ascend to the Sands Skypark’s gravity-defying rooftop for stunning views over the city. (B,L)
Please note:
Local Host services are provided in Singapore as noted in the itinerary. You will meet your Tour Director in Hanoi on day 4
BreakfastLunchDay 3 SINGAPORE
Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)
BreakfastDay 4 SINGAPORE-HANOI, VIETNAM
Today, fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and one of southeast Asia’s most engaging cities. (B)
BreakfastDay 5 HANOI
Today’s included sightseeing tour takes you to many of the city’s highlights, including the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and gateways, and One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. You will also see Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the fascinating network of alleyways and shop houses that make up the Old Quarter. Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program created to teach local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. No strings attached, but we recommend this evening’s optional performance of Hanoi’s famed water puppets. (B,L)
BreakfastLunchDay 6 HANOI-HA LONG BAY
Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most scenic destinations, and board your afternoon cruise through the stunning bay. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail through the dramatic limestone islands, then explore the Sung Sot (Surprising Cave) and visit Titov Island. (B,L)
BreakfastLunchDay 7 HA LONG BAY–HOI AN
Drive to Hanoi and board a flight to Danang on Vietnam’s central coast. On arrival, transfer to nearby Hoi An, Vietnam’s active trading center. The well-preserved architecture here reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. (B,L,D)
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 8 HOI AN
Start today with a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town including an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. For lunch, sample Cao Lao noodles, Hoi An’s most famous dish. The smoked, chewy noodles have a distinctive taste and are unique to Hoi An. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. If you feel like going with the flow, consider an optional cruise on the Thu Bon River, passing unspoiled countryside before visiting with a local farmer to learn about life on the river. (B)
BreakfastDay 9 HOI AN–SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
Today, fly to Siem Reap, which will act as your base during your visit to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! (B)
BreakfastDay 10 SIEM REAP
Today, visit nearby Angkor, the ancient Khmer capital. Start your exploration at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas-reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Next stop is Angkor Thom to see the Bayon Temple. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features more than 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-reliefs. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
BreakfastLunchDay 11 SIEM REAP
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this treasure trove at your own pace. You may choose to venture a little further into the jungle with an optional excursion to see Ta Prohm, a unique temple that has been left relatively untouched, with tree roots growing over and through the ruin walls. Or, have you ever wanted to run off and join the circus? Here’s your chance with an optional performance of Phare Cambodian circus. (B)
BreakfastDay 12 SIEM REAP-LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
Fly to beautiful Luang Prabang. (B)
BreakfastDay 13 LUANG PRABANG
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this UNESCO World Heritage city. Begin your morning by ascending Mount Phousi for beautiful views over the city and Mekong River. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, often thought to be the most beautiful wat, or monastery, in the city. Journey through scenic Laotian countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where the water cascades into a series of turquoise pools for a picture-perfect view. Return to your hotel where your evening is at leisure. (B,L)
BreakfastLunchDay 14 LUANG PRABANG
Visit Pak Ou Cave, home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed by local residents since the 16th century. Cruise the Mekong through stunning mountainous scenery and float past traditional villages lining the riverbanks. A small fishing village welcomes you with a special Baci ceremony, aiming to bring you good luck.
(B,L)
BreakfastLunchDay 15 LUANG PRABANG–CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Today, fly to the Thai mountain town of Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North.” (B)
BreakfastDay 16 CHIANG MAI
This morning, visit the revered Buddha statue at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Doi Suthep, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy this dynamic city. Things get spicy with mouth-watering northern Thailand dishes at an optional Kantoke dinner and performance by local hill tribe dancers. (B)
BreakfastDay 17 CHIANG MAI
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore at your own pace or simply take it easy and soak in the surroundings. If you’re feeling inspired to spend the day with some of Southeast Asia’s gentlest giants, you may choose to join an optional excursion to Elephant Nature Park, where you’ll learn about conservation efforts and observe these majestic creatures in a more natural, ethical setting. In addition to elephants, tree planting and providing a safe home for other rescue animals are continuous projects at the park. (B)
BreakfastDay 18 CHIANG MAI-BANGKOK
Today, fly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. (B)
BreakfastDay 19 BANGKOK
An exciting full day of sightseeing is ahead. Take in the city’s principal landmarks such as the splendid Temple of the Golden Buddha and the spectacular Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. You will also visit the gleaming Grand Palace, Thailand’s most sacred monument, and the spectacular Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Your Tour Director hosts a farewell dinner tonight to toast your trip through Southeast Asia! (B,D)
Breakfast
DinnerDay 20 BANGKOK
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)