Premium Thailand and Vietnam

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your journey begins in Bangkok, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe explore Thailand’s capital at your own pace. By day, you can experience a city filled with history and tradition, but by night Bangkok is taken over by a flood of music and neon lights. Maybe visit one of the many temples or explore Chinatown. Watch tuk tuks zip by while traditional khlong boats slowly wind down the Chao Phraya River. After your meeting, join your small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where your leader will introduce you to the local flavours.

Rise early for an optional Premium Experience away from Bangkok’s tourist track. Join the locals and visit a temple along the Chao Phraya River, where you’ll ‘make merit’ by bringing an offering to the temple’s monks. Later, your leader will take you for a day of sightseeing and activities around the city. Tour Wat Po – a larger-than-life temple complex in the city and home of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Visit the Grand Palace and learn about the site which has been the official residence of the kings since the 1700s, then head out on an electric boat tour of the city’s canals as your leader shows you how Bangkok’s locals live today. The afternoon is free to do as you wish – maybe check out the art collection at the Jim Thompson House or relax with a Thai massage.

On the way to Kanchanaburi today, you’ll visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village – an agricultural village famous for its Pha Khao Mah handweaving. Visit the community’s museum, a palm sugar field and a local house to see how local desserts are made with this famous Thai ingredient. Of course, you’ll get to sample the sweet treats, too! Then, watch the weavers at work as they use more than 100 colours of yarn to create traditional Thai clothing. After, maybe grab some lunch before you continue to Kanchanaburi to visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. This prisoner of war cemetery was one of the first museums to educate the public and keep the memory of the Asian and POW workers who died constructing the infamous Death Railway alive.

Visit Erawan National Park to explore a famous seven-level waterfall or simply swim and relax. The falls are said to be some of the most beautiful in the country, with glacial blue waters perfect for a dip. Many Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers were engaged here to help build a rail route to Myanmar (Burma), including the passage infamously known as Hellfire Pass. Visit the pass interpretive centre, where your leader will provide more information about this chapter in history. Take a historical train journey across a portion of this ‘Death Railway’ along the Kwai Noi River and travel over the original wooden viaduct, known as the Krasae Bridge, constructed by the Allied POWs. The evening is yours to explore the town.

This morning, head to Ayutthaya – one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sit down for a royal culinary experience at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, trying dishes like Toong Thong and the flower-shaped Chor Muang, once enjoyed in noble households. Then, head out for a Premium Experience on a century-old Thai rice barge in the style of the King Rama V period. Drift along the Chao Phraya River as Thai high society once did, stopping at two seldom-visited temples. Observe elders praying and villages ‘making merit’ at the riverside Wat Bang Nom Kho temple and step into a local neighbourhood at the Wat Bang Pa Mhor temple. Back on land, it’s on to more temples in Ayutthaya. Visit the photogenic 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat and discover rows of Buddhas beheaded by the Burmese. Look out for the displaced Buddha head suspended in the roots of a Banyan tree (one of the country’s most photographed images).

Today is relatively early start as you leave Ayutthaya and travel to the town of Phitsanulok by train. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by. When you arrive, change to a private vehicle and continue this comfortable journey until you arrive in Sukhothai. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to relax by the pool or unwind with a Thai massage. For dinner tonight, maybe ask your leader where you can get a bowl of Sukhothai’s famously tasty noodles.

Start your day in Sukhothai with an optional alms offering. Sukhothai was established in the 13th century and is one of the first ancient capitals of Siam You’ll visit its famed UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical park, which captures the Golden Age of Thai civilisation. Hop on a bicycle for a cycling tour through the park and as you ride, your leader will teach you more about the history of this former metropolis and its fascinating structures. Have a picnic lunch then the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the town at your own pace or relax by the pool. This evening, regroup and head to a local home, where you’ll sit down for a homecooked dinner and a unique insight into life in this part of the country.

Today you’ll travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region. Draped between rice fields and fruit orchards, you’ll find the Lisu Lodge – your Feature Stay for the night. The lodge is a community-based project that trains and employs Lisu villagers from the nearby hill tribe and aims to preserve their cultural heritage. The Lisu people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of the six main hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Meet the colourfully dressed villagers and learn more about the Lisu way of life – this is a truly special experience that’s sure to be one of your enduring memories of Thailand. The lodge offers guestrooms decorated in the traditional Lisu style with modern comforts. Savour unforgettable views of the surrounding hillside and valley and enjoy tonight’s dinner of fresh, local Thai food.

After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, get ready for a day of Premium Experiences. First, it’s a quick trip to Muang Kued Village, where you’ll meet with a local villager for a private guided tour. Start the day on board a raft for a scenic float down the Mae Taeng River, then learn about village life, the reforestation of the surrounding area and how produce is grown in the village orchards. Explore the organic farm and choose the ingredients for a cooking demonstration where you’ll learn how to cook traditional Thai food from the locals. Then, learn the art of the graceful Lanna sword dance, led by a local expert. Return to Lisu Lodge for a short break before your Northern Thai culinary experience. Enjoy vibrant performances like the Klong Sabadchai (a traditional sacred drum) and the women-led Candle Dance from the CBT Baan Muang Kued community.

Today, you’ll meet the residents of the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai – a wildlife project that provides sanctuary for elephants and other animals. Your expert local guide will share stories of the rescued elephants and the issues they face in South East Asia. Watch the elephants from a viewing platform as they bathe and play. After, tuck into a vegetarian buffet lunch before heading back into Chiang Mai. Visit Kalm Village – an art, craft and culture centre in the Old Town that supports local artists. Then, the evening is yours to enjoy your own way. Maybe visit the vibrant Night Bazaar or spend more time exploring the Old Town, bounded by moats. Your leader can give you recommendations on where to go for dinner.

This morning, drive to the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Take in the views along the scenic and winding mountain road, which brings you to an impressive 300-step, Naga-guarded stairway. The rewards justify the ascent to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, not to mention the fantastic panoramic views of the city. Return to Chiang Mai where you’ll have time to relax before your farewell dinner at Tutu’s home-style restaurant. There’s no menu here – just seasonal dishes served to share, one plate at a time. You might try her signature mangosteen and crab salad or classic Thai dishes like panang and massaman, all prepared with care and tradition. It’s a warm, personal setting to swap stories with your group and close out the journey.

Today you’ll catch a flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi to begin the Vietnamese leg of your journey. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. This evening, join your leader and group for dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the exciting world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.

Depart Hanoi and travel to Ha Long Bay – one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening – the sleek Capellacruise, featuring comfortable suites with private balconies and boasting an attentive, friendly crew. Set sail in style as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone karsts slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay and sit down for a seafood lunch on board. The sites you visit here will vary, but you may stop at a cave where your leader can point out interesting rock formations, or maybe a fishing village to learn about local life. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to swim, kayak or simply relax on the beach. Soak in the scenic surroundings with a dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.

Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and some relaxation time on board the boat before returning to Hanoi in the mid-afternoon. Spend some free time exploring on your own, then join your group in the early evening for a leader-led walk through the city. From the French Quarter, you’ll head to the oldest ice cream shop in Hanoi to cool off before discovering more of the Old Quarter. Finish at a hidden traditional apartment for a classic Hanoian tea. Then, walk past historical landmarks including the Hanoi Opera House, Trang Tien Street, the Metropole hotel, the National State Bank, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Be Market and Cau Go Street, finishing at a traditional tube house.

After breakfast today, you’ll take a mid-morning flight to Hoi An. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch in a quiet garden setting that feels more locally rooted than the busy tourist flow. Then, set off on a guided walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of treasures and cultural influences from the city’s history as a trading port. Follow pagoda-lined streets to a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An’s trading port was particularly known for its pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee – your leader will take you to a local coffee shop where you can savour a delicious brew as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An. Maybe try a traditional ca phe trung (coffee whipped with egg and sweetened condensed milk) or a refreshing iced coconut coffee.

Today, you are free to explore as you wish. Maybe set off by bike with a local guide for a casual cycle through emerald-green rice paddies and villages. Then, board a boat for an amazing Thu Bon River view. After, feast on authentic cuisine with a selection of Vietnamese dishes at a local family’s restaurant. Or, skip the cycling and head straight to a farm-to-table dining experience in the agricultural village of Tra Que. The town is famous for cultivating over 40 different types of vegetables and herbs, particularly the aromatic herbs used in local rice-noodle dishes.

This morning, fly to Ho Chi Minh City to start your exploration of this bustling hub. There’s no such thing as too much Vietnamese coffee, so start off by learning about the country’s coffee heritage and sustainable farming practices and prepare your own traditional Vietnamese coffee. After, take a city walk with your leader to see Ho Chi Minh City from past and present perspectives. Stroll past famous landmarks such as the ornate City People’s Committee Building, the City Opera House, a viewpoint of the CIA building, and the French-era Central Post Office. Landmarks and civic buildings contrast with the modern, commercial energy of the city centre – notice how beauty and sophistication sit alongside deeper layers of wartime and political history. In the evening, the food stalls at Ben Thanh Market might reel you in with the sweet and savoury scents of pho and bun mam.

Today, head out for a Premium Experience at the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km/124 mi) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, you’ll be guided by a war veteran who will share a first-hand account of life during the war. He will also share his in-depth knowledge of the tunnel system. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. After, return to Ho Chi Minh City for some free time. This evening, enjoy a final dinner with your fellow travellers at a highly regarded contemporary Vietnamese restaurant by renowned chef Ngo Thanh Hoa.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you wish to spend some more time in Ho Chi Minh city, contact your booking agent to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).