Vietnam & Thailand Odyssey – 16 Days of Culture, Nature & Discovery

Welcome to Hanoi! Your guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Take time to relax before an evening briefing and a welcome dinner at KOTO, a social enterprise restaurant that supports underprivileged youth.

Discover Hanoi’s highlights with your private guide. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the traditional stilt house where “Uncle Ho” once lived. Wander through quiet lanes to Huu Tiep Lake with its downed B-52 aircraft and explore the Ethnology Museum, showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. After a pho lunch, continue to the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison. Ride a cyclo through the French Quarter, sip famous egg coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, and enjoy a street food walking tour with dishes like bun cha, banh mi, and green papaya salad.

Journey through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, where your traditional-style junk boat awaits. Cruise past limestone karsts, visit Sung Sot Cave, and relax on deck as the sun sets. Join a cooking class, enjoy fresh seafood, and consider night squid fishing.

Start your day with Tai Chi on deck and optional kayaking through hidden lagoons. After brunch, disembark and stop in Yen Duc Village for a cultural walk and water puppet show. Return to Hanoi for a flight to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An. Evening at leisure.

Explore the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town of Hoi An with its Chinese temples, merchant houses, bustling market, and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before free time to relax or head to the beach.

Relax in the morning before your flight to Bangkok. In the evening, board a luxury teakwood rice barge for a fine dining river cruise along the Chao Phraya, experiencing Thai hospitality and panoramic city views.

Start at Wat Suthat to hear monks chanting, then see the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Visit the sacred Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace, followed by lunch overlooking the Chao Phraya. Cross the river to Wat Arun, explore canals by long-tail boat, and stop at the Golden Buddha Temple. Evening brings a lively tuk-tuk food tour, tasting Isaan specialties, Pad Thai, and ending with a rooftop drink.

Travel outside Bangkok to witness the famous Mae Klong Railway Market where vendors clear their stalls as trains pass by. Continue to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market for a boat ride among vendors selling fruits and local snacks. Return to Bangkok for a free evening.

Fly north to Chiang Mai, then visit the Elephant Hospital in Lampang, browse ceramics, and admire Lanna architecture at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. End with a massage at the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute before exploring the lively Night Bazaar.

Begin early at Doi Suthep Temple, witnessing monks’ morning rituals with sunrise views. On return, visit Wat Palad hidden in the forest. Afternoon visits include Wat Chiang Man, Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Suan Dok with its flower-filled grounds.

Spend a full day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Feed, bathe, and walk with elephants in a sustainable environment, learning about their care. Join them for a mud spa before returning to Chiang Mai.

Explore Thailand’s “Roof of the Nation.” Visit Karen villages, cascading waterfalls, and hike through lush forest trails. Admire the twin royal pagodas and enjoy sweeping views before visiting the King’s agricultural projects with coffee and flower gardens.

Fly south to Krabi, a coastal gem surrounded by limestone cliffs and mangroves. In the evening, browse the lively night market for food and souvenirs.

Choose to explore the Phi Phi Islands, the Viking Cave, or hike waterfalls in Khao Phanom Bencha National Park.

Spend your final full day exploring Koh Lanta, Koh Rok Nai, or relax at Railay Beach with options for kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

Your journey ends as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight via Bangkok.