Retrospect Hidden Gems in Thailand & Indochina (31D30N)

Breakfast at the hotel. Your time of today will be on your own or you might want to practice swimming, diving; enjoy the seafood or have fun in the bars.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phuket

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Your time of today will be on your own or you might want to practice swimming, diving; enjoy the seafood or have fun in the bars.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phuket

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Your time of today will be on your own or you might want to practice swimming, diving; enjoy the seafood or have fun in the bars.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phuket

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, free time until transfer to Khao Sok.

Check-in the hotel and free time at your leisure.

Overnight in Khao Sok.

Accommodation : In Jungle Camp 

Meals: Breakfast

Highly recommended tour at Cheow Lan Lake. 1 hour by car to Rajaprabada Dam and 1 hour by longtail boat. The Dam was build about 22 years ago and created Cheow Lan Lake. The Dam produces hydro power and supplies many villages in the south from electricity.

On Cheow Lan Lake we arrive at Tone leuy Rafthouses where there is time for swimming and relaxing. you can use one of the kayaks if you like. After lunch we depart for a 4 to 5 hour jungle walk to the Namtaloo Cave. Some people say that this cave is the highlight of Cheow Lan Lake. In the past: this cave was a hide out for communist students fighting the Thai Government back int he 70's. A freshwater forest stream runs troug the cave all year. Sometimes it is possible to see catfish and large toads. When we are inside the cave, you have to wade through the streams inside the cave.

Notes: For this tour it is advisable to wear sandals with straps, shorts and a t shirt. Training shoes are also ok. Big walking boots are not advicable. The trails are easy going and you will get wet. Your boots will just fill up with water. The cave hve some intersting highlights like large stalagtites, stalagmites, rocks with crytal and some waterfalls. There are places where the water is to deep to wade. You will have to swim about 5 to 10 meters. Don't worry it is not dangerous and our guide can take care of your valuables. You will spend about 1 hour inside the cave, so you need a torch, headlight or flashlight. On exit of the cave, you will trek to the rafthouse where you can relax and swim and change to dry clothes.

When we go trekking through the cave, we suggest that you only bring your flashlight, water bottle and camera. (preferable in waterproof bag). The rest you can leave at the raft house or at Khao Sok Tree House Resort. Departure: about 8 am. Arrival back at Tree House: 7 pm.

WHAT TO BRING: Swimsuit, Hat, Towel (from your room)

Accommodation: At tree house at Khao Sok National Park.
Meals: Breakfast

06:30 Early Morning Boat Safari – on the lookout for the pristine Wildlife Khao Sok National Park has to offer.

08:30 Breakfast, Leisure Time for additional swimming and canoeing.

11:30 Check Out and return to Cheow Lan Lake Pier.

13:30: the driver picks you up at Khao Lak hotel.

Check-in at the hotel and free at your leisure.

Overnight in Khao Lak.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Khao Lak

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport to take the flight to Bangkok.

Our driver guide will welcome and transfer you to your hotel in Bangkok. The glorious history of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is closely linked to the Chakri dynasty that still reigns but does rule in Thailand. Check in and enjoy your free time at the hotel or wander to explore the city. 

Overnight in Bangkok.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we visited the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha. 

After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visited the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube. 

Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the Maeklong railway market, take photos, and enjoy the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Enjoy your own lunch. In the afternoon we will transfer back to Bangkok. 

On the way, stop at PATOM ORGANIC VILLAGE.

Patom Organic Village is where you can experience the traditional Thai way of life by learning about the journey of organic raw materials to Patom products. 

Our open factory will show you the work that goes into our bakery, supplement, and body care factory before the products make their way to Patom Organic Living stores. Immerse yourself in our concept of organic living and participate in our selective hands-on workshops.

Then, return to the hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

You have free time until we drive you to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival pick up and transfer you to your hotel overnight. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast

The morning will be mainly devoted to visiting the old city with a stop at the ancient wall, the moat and a door of the old city. You will see more   beautiful temples in Chiang Mai:   Wat Phra Singh Temple, Wat Phan Tao temple and the temple Wat Chedi Luang. Then you will stroll along streets lined with traditional houses, where you take a rickshaw ride. From there, you'll be at the large Central Market Warorot. 

Lunch at a local restaurant (on your own).

Afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous pagoda Chiang Mai. It is reached after climbing a staircase of 290 steps with ramps representing two giant nagas. From the square, you can admire the panorama of the whole Chiang Mai Valley.

Then visit craft villages: lacquer factories, silk weaving, manufacture of umbrellas, wood carvings and goldsmith work.

Then transfer back to the hotel. 

You are free to explore the night market in the evening.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast

Start from the hotel in Chiang Mai driving along a wildly route via Doi Saket through scenic hills, valleys and villages.

A short break is made at Mae Khachan Hot Spring.

Visit White Temple. Its very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, makes it a unique temple of its kind. In vihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such as monuments.

Proceed to Chiang Rai province. Lunch on your own.

We will visit the local market to discover the local products. After that we visit the world-famous Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined. Move on to Wat Phra Singh where one of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha images is now enshrined. 

Then a short drive from Chiang Rai City to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs. 

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Rai 

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast we departed for northern Thailand, a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, visit the Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries; Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar are met. Arrange a boat trip along the Mekong River at Sop Ruak. A quick visit to the island and market at Don Sao, (which belongs to Laos). Then transfer to Chiang Khong overnight. 

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Khong

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, free time until pick up and transfer to Thai Immigration checkpoint. After leaving Thai immigration, our guide will help you to buy bus tickets to pass the Friendship Bridge to Laos Immigration Office by yourself. At 08:00 am, the guests will meet our English-Speaking guide with a welcome sign at HouayXay immigration office (Lao border).

Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visa. After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on the Shompoo boat (sharing boat + guide on boat). During the morning, Quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented by our guide. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Houa Phalam), a tiny cozy place which host about 90 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area.

The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night. Check-in hotel in Pakbeng

Dinner on your own. Overnight in a hotel.

Accommodation: At the Lodge in Pakbeng 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08 am toward Luang Prabang.

Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey. In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon.

First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicity: Lao Loun, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making.

Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and it's over two thousands Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people. After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers.

The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30 pm. Transfer to a hotel in town for check-in. Time at leisure

Dinner on your own. Overnight in a hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to the hotel for breakfast.

This morning, I departed to visit Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao.  Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of the peninsula close to the confluence of the Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple. 

Meals on your own. Overnight in a hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will be driven to the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos. Upon arrival you will be provided the information about the work in caring for the elephants. Next, enjoy your time with elephants in camp.

Transfer back in town and ferry to otherside of Mekong to visit Ban Xiemienne village.  Take a walk to discover Wat Long Khoun temple, located in the jungle. This monastery historically had important ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang. From its beginnings Wat Long Khoun served as a retreat center for spiritual revitalization. It was traditional practice that the new king-designate spend three days there in ceremonial bathing and meditative retreat. Back to the hotel and time at leisure.

Meals on your own. Overnight in a hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the rice culture and farming experience with some hands-on activities along the way. Be welcomed by the hospitable farmers who will show you how rice is grown and harvested. You can plant rice in the rice paddy together with the farmers while seeing the buffalos plough the rice paddies. Discover what rice can be used to produce different products.

This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued center. Enjoy spectacular views and the surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival pick up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Hanoi  

Meals: Breakfast

Today, we enjoyed a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of the city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnological Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, several of which we will see on our forthcoming trekking. 

In the evening transfer to the railway station to board a soft sleep & AC train to Lao Cai/Sapa (21:00).

Accommodation : on overnight train - sharing 4 berth cabins (Sapaly or similar) 

Meals: Breakfast 

At approximately 06:00 we arrive in Lao Cai. Your chauffeur waits with a 45 minutes’ drive by private car, from Lao Cai Station to Sapa. After a fresh up and breakfast, we begin our exploration day by walking along buffalo paths through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests to H’mong and Dzay Village of Lao Chai & Ta Van. This is a spectacular walking through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people that you can meet along the way. .We have picnic lunch in Lao Chai or at a convenient spot en route. Continue walking from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Our car arrives to transfer you back to Sapa and the remaining day would be spent at your own pleasure. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

Accommodation : At the hotel in Sapa

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, we drove past the beautiful scenery for 100km to the tranquil town of Bac Ha, home of the Flower Hmong and an amazing Sunday market. Upon arrival, we will explore Bac Ha Sunday Market which has not changed much by time. It is considered the most unique market in the region where thousands of local minority people in their traditional attire busily buy and sell the local produce. Handicrafts, water buffalo, dog, cat, pig, horse... are all on sale. This is a golden opportunity to take the best shots. Drive to Lao Cai then board the overnight train to Hanoi (19.00)

Accommodation : on overnight train - sharing 4 berth cabins (Sapaly or similar) 

Meals: Breakfast 

Pick you up at the railway station and then transfer you to a mini hotel for breakfast and fresh-up. At around 8:30 start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stopped en route for photos and coffee before arriving at Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of HaLong Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. The feeling of witnessing the sunset on a boat is really great. Dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night near a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. Overnight on Junk.

Accommodation : On HaLong Bay boat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival pick up and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An for overnight.  

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Morning, you will cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village. Your cycling trip takes you on narrow roads to visit a place of display farming and fishing tools of the local farmers and fishermen. In this place, you will participate in daily activities of the local residents in the old time such as bailing out water with long handles buckets, pounding rice, lifting fishing nets, etc. Especially, you will savor boiled sweet potatoes dipping them into ground salty roasted peanut, drink lotus tea gathered from Tra Que lotus lagoon and listen to folk songs about Quang Nam native country, Hoi An Old Town as well as Tra Que Vegetable Village.   After that you will keep going the tour to a house of a local resident to hear about history of the village foundation and the development of this village. Then local farmers will take you to see vegetable gardens and instruct you the techniques of planting and cultivating many kinds of vegetables planted in the gardens. You have a chance to join hand in cutting, tying in bundles, and reaping the vegetables to bring home for processing food. Back to Tra Que’s family house, you will enjoy yourself with "foot massage" before working together with our family chef to learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Then, sit down and savor the dishes you have just prepared. In the afternoon, say goodbye to your host family and ride back to Hoi An, on the way, visit Nhat tomb and Ba Le well. 

In the afternoon we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at a hotel in Hoi An. 

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hoi An 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

You have free time today to explore Hoi An city by your own 

Accommodation : At the hotel in Hoi An 

Meals: Breakfast

You have free time until we arrive and pick you up at the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, collect your luggage process through custom. Your private tour guide and driver will be waiting for you outside the baggage claim/ custom area to transfer you in a private vehicle to the hotel for check-in.

Free time and overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch in the local restaurant. Visit the South Gate, the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast

Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong, the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei ,built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, start your day with a short drive to visit Kampong Phluk floating village, a permanent settlement on the Tonle Sap Lake with a small land-based village attached to it. Its remarkable mangrove forest is unique in the Siem Reap area. You will board a local boat and cruise the waterways observing the authentic and diverse lifestyle of the local floating community. Once you arrive at the open lake, jump onto the floating restaurant where you will watch the sunset over the great lake.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home

Accommodation : NA

Meals: Breakfast