Day 4: November 11: Bangkok
This morning our tour will include the palaces and temples of the King and the Emerald Buda. Overnight Bangkok.
Day 5: November 12: Bangkok – Golden Triangle
This mornings tour will take us on a boat ride through the floating Market and then catch our mid day flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, located in the middle of the Golden Triangle. This afternoon we will take a boat ride on the Mekong River with a stop in the Country of Laos. After our tour we will check into our Deluxe Hotel located on the banks of the Mekong River in the middle of the Golden Triangle. From your hotel in Thailand you can see across the river to both Laos and Burma.
Day 6: November 13: Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai
The day will be spent driving through the lush forests of upper Thailand and a special visit to the Long Neck Tribe featured in National Geographic. The women in the tribe use metal rings to stretch their necks. These metal rings often way over 20 pounds. After our day touring the lush forests of Thailand we will arrive into Chiang Mai and continue on to our Deluxe Hotel.
Day 7: November 14: Chiang Mai
This will be one of your highlight days as you travel across streams and into the hills riding an elephant, raft down a beautiful maintain stream and watch people play with cobra’s. Before returning to your hotel you will visit a beautiful golden temple on a hill overlooking Chiang Mai.
Day 8: November 15: Kuala Lumpur
This morning our non stop flight takes us to Kuala Lumpur the capital of Malaysia. Sean Cannery’s film “Entrapment” was filmed here when Kuala Lumpur had the tallest building in the world. It is a clean, beautiful city. We will take a small tour before checking into our hotel.
Day 9: November 16: Kuala Lumpur – Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
We will enjoy a tour of Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding area before taking our flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival we will travel directly to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay.
Day 10: November 17: Ha Long Bay
We will spend the day cruising on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay, stopping to explore one of the many caves in this area. We will sail past picturesque islands, floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries as we observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. We will overnight in Ha Long.
Day 11: November 18: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
This morning we take the picturesque drive from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi. Although Hanoi is the modern-day capital of Vietnam. It still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite exploration by cycle, while its many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Begin your day at the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Continue the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best serving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university.
Afterwards head to HOAN KIEM LAKE, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. Reroute, pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent OPERA HOUSE (may be seen from the outside only) and ST JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL. From the lake, begin exploring the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses is also known as 'The 36 Streets,' each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover's paradise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life. Overnight Hanoi
Day 12: November 19: Hanoi – Saigon (Ho Chi Min)
This morning you will fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Min City). A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorcycles, chatting on cell phones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. We will then head to your 5 star luxury hotel.
Day 13: November 20: Saigon (Ho Chi Min) – Angkor Wat
Today will be a full day visiting Saigon and the Cu Chi Tunnels. Never discovered by American forces, the CU CHI TUNNELS were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Today, you can walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists.
Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. We will then head out to CHOLON (CHINATOWN), stopping to visit two of Saigon's most interesting pagodas, the JADE EMPEROR PAGODA and GIAC LAM PAGODA, the oldest in the city. The sprawling, densely packed Cholon retains a traditional Asian feeling, unlike the more modern Saigon city center. Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to BINH TAY MARKET, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, built by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End your tour at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. This evening we will take the short flight to Angkor Wat.
Day 14: November 21: Angkor Wat
Today will be spent visiting the many temples and ruins that are around Angkor Wat, including the jungle ruins used in the filming of Tomb Raiders. You will go from one fantastic set of ruins to another, each time being awed at their uniqueness and beauty We will end our day with the breathtaking visit to Angkor Wat, built almost 1,000 years ago, this fantastic structure and area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992. We will be there to tour and witness the sunset that can turn the whole building a different color, before returning to your luxury hotel.
Day 15: November 22: Angkor Wat
We will take a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This huge lake swells to 7 times its normal size during the monsoons of July and August. We will visit floating fishing villages were people live year round on floating homes that have to be moved as the lake swells and recedes. We will finish the day visiting other ruins around Angkor Wat before returning to your Luxury Hotel.
Day 16: November 23: Fly Home
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