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Indochina Explorer
18 days, Bangkok to Siem Reap
Itinerary
Day 1Bangkok
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Upon arrival you will be transferred to hotel. There are no activities planned. You are free to relax, explore the city and adjust to the frantic pace and humid heat of Bangkok.
At this meeting your CEO will ask to see your travel insurance, check that you have a visa for Vietnam and complete some other paper work. Please note that you MUST arrive on tour with your Vietnam visa. Please refer to the visa information section of these trip notes for more information on obtaining your Vietnamese visa.
Airport Transfer
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Boston Marriott Copley Place (or similar)
The hotel Boston Marriott Copley Place is located in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of excellent restaurants, and boutique shopping. Guest rooms are well appointed and benefit from en-suite, Wi-Fi and flat screen TV. Facilities at the hotel itself, include a sophisticated lounge, sports bar, fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.
Day 2Bangkok/Chiang Mai
Explore Bangkok and take a boat along the klong canals. Visit the Grand Palace and sacred Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew temple. Later, catch a flight to Chiang Mai.
Later today, settle into exquisite surroundings in Chiang Mai and take a relaxing break from the fast pace of Bangkok.
Klong Riverboat Tour
Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
Grand Palace Visit
Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Please note the cost of this optional activity does not include the entrance fee.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Accommodation
Inn on the Square (or similar)
The Inn on the Square is quintessential Cape Cod charm. From the hotel's nautical weathervanes to its rustic stone walls, this boutique property blends into the streetscape of the quaint seaside village. it boasts a downtown location in Falmouth, nestled among cafes, galleries, and boutique shops, minutes from Cape Cod's beaches and three blocks from the ferries to Martha's Vineyard.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Chiang Mai
Visit the market with a local chef to learn about traditional ingredients. Participate in a Thai cooking class and enjoy your creations for lunch. Visit the Doi Suthep Buddhist temple and listen to monks chanting at sunset. Opt to visit the bustling Chiang Mai night market.
Our hotel is located in the heart of Chiang Mai city, within 5 a minute walk of the famous night bazaar.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class
Pick out the best ingredients at a local market and learn how to make delicious Thai dishes.
Doi Suthep Temple Visit
Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a golden Buddhist temple outside of Chiang Mai on the Mt Doi Suthep. Climb 300 steps to reach the temple and be rewarded with an unforgettable view. Admire the many Buddhist relics at this sacred temple and visit the white elephant shrine. Legend has it that the location of the temple was chosen after a white elephant carried a relic to the mountain and trumpeted three times before dying on the spot. Also, with a little luck, you may witness the chanting of the monks.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Accommodation
Inn on the Square (or similar)
The Inn on the Square is quintessential Cape Cod charm. From the hotel's nautical weathervanes to its rustic stone walls, this boutique property blends into the streetscape of the quaint seaside village. it boasts a downtown location in Falmouth, nestled among cafes, galleries, and boutique shops, minutes from Cape Cod's beaches and three blocks from the ferries to Martha's Vineyard.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Chiang Mai
Today, explore Chiang Mai with some free time. Savour authentic khantoke cuisine this evening.
Free Time
Opt to visit the Elephant Conservation Centre, local handicraft workshops, and the bustling Chiang Mai night market.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Thai Guesthouse & Home Dinner
Enjoy a unique stay in a village just outside Chiang Mai at a traditional family-run guesthouse. Structured as a social enterprise, Joy’s Guest House supports the Children's Shelter Foundation providing a home and education to 45 underprivileged children from the hill tribe villages of North Thailand and Burma. In addition to schooling, older students also have the opportunity to receive hands-on training at the guest house, preparing them for careers in hospitality and tourism industries. This evening, relax in the tranquil surroundings and sit down to an authentic Khantoke dinner - dishes typically include sticky rice, hang-le curry, and crispy pork with chilli paste. The next morning enjoy the pool and gardens or opt to take a yoga class or have a massage at the spa.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Chiang Mai Cycling Tour
1500THB per personThis Chiang Mai half-day ride takes you on a memorable tour of the countryside's most interesting sights. You'll go beyond the city to see local Buddhist temples, markets, organic farms, rice paddy fields and more. Get a sense of how the locals live, stop when you want for photos, and check out the nature along the city's main river, the Ping.
Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market
Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Accommodation
Sonesta Select Newport Middletown (or similar)
This modern hotel has indoor and seasonal outdoor pool, terrace with firepit and fitness centre. Rooms include coffeemaker and Wifi.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Chiang Mai/Luang Prabang
After a relaxing morning fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Take an orientation walk of this World Heritage listed town.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Your CEO will assist with the arrangements for your Laos visa at the start of your trip. Please have 3 passport pictures and approx. $50 USD ready.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Accommodation
Sonesta Select Newport Middletown (or similar)
This modern hotel has indoor and seasonal outdoor pool, terrace with firepit and fitness centre. Rooms include coffeemaker and Wifi.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Luang Prabang
Rise at dawn to watch the monks collecting offerings of food from the locals and receive a blessing. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xiengthong and Wat Visoun Temples, then catch a boat to Pak Ou Temple caves and stop in local villages. Visit Phousi Temple to watch the sunset.
Royal Palace Museum Visit
The ornate rooms of this royal palace-turned-museum house the country’s crown jewels, many religious artifacts, and a 50kg (110 lb) Buddha, cast of gold, silver and bronze. Gifts from visiting heads of state are on display, as are the beautiful silk screens crafted by the Queen.
Wat Xien Thong Visit
Once a royal temple where Kings were crowned, the importance of this 16th-century Buddhist temple as a religious monastery is not lost on visitors. Wat Xieng Thong stands resplendent among shrines, pavilions, chapels, towers and gardens, and its gilded wooden doors, mosaics, and ceiling displays are representative of typical Laos art and craft.
Wat Visoun Temples Visit
Originally built in 1513 and still operational, Wat Visoun is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. Over the years invaders stole many of its priceless Buddha images, but this temple still offers some unusual architecture like the domed lotus flower stupa, designed by a royal and affectionately called "The Watermelon Stupa."
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Pak Ou Caves Visit
Visit these dramatic caves considered an important spiritual site by many Lao people. See thousands of Buddha statues and images that line the limestone walls.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Phousi Temple Visit
Climb more than 300 steps to the top of Mount Phou Si for a panoramic view of the sunset over Luang Prabang. Ornate Buddhist shrines dot the pathway up and the glistening seven-tiered golden pagoda of Wat Chom Si awaits at the summit.
Accommodation
Fireside Inn & Suites at Lake Winnipesaukee (or similar)
The Fireside Inn & Suites At Lake Winnipesaukee is located less than 1 mile from Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook. Hotel facilities include an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with waterfall hot tub. Rooms include coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Luang Prabang
The morning is free for optional activities, such as visiting textile galleries and the night market, relaxing in one of the town's cafés or visiting the Ethnology Museum. In the afternoon, we take an excursion to Kuang Sii waterfall.
Kuang Si Waterfalls Excursion
Journey to this magnificent tiered waterfall, where relaxing is highly recommended. Opt for a dip in the turquoise waters and explore multiple picture-perfect pools, framed by the jungle landscape.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Luang Prabang, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like learning about Laotian cuisine with a cooking class, getting a massage, and cycling around town.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Ethnology Museum Guided Tour
Take a guided tour of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about the traditional arts and cultures of Laos’s many diverse ethnic groups. Shop in the TAEC Boutique for authentic village-made handicrafts and relax with a drink at the museum café.
Night Market Visit
Shop until your heart’s content at the night market in Luang Prabang – one of the best in Southeast Asia. Head to the market around dusk. Tour the vendor stalls lining the streets offering food, wooden statues, clothes, trinkets and souvenirs to dozens of people wandering up and down the market. Don't miss the opportunity to interact with the sellers and gently negotiate a good price.
Accommodation
Fireside Inn & Suites at Lake Winnipesaukee (or similar)
The Fireside Inn & Suites At Lake Winnipesaukee is located less than 1 mile from Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook. Hotel facilities include an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with waterfall hot tub. Rooms include coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Luang Prabang/Hanoi
Flight to Hanoi. Guided cyclo ride and orientation tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy lunch at an NGO and training school for disadvantaged youth.
Classic French colonial architecture, beautiful decor and a scenic location makes Hanoi a fantastic place to visit.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Visas for Vietnam need to be arranged ahead of time (BEFORE your trip) as the processing time varies and they are not available at the borders. We enter Vietnam on day 8 of the trip. Please ensure your visa "valid from date' is on or before day 8 of the trip.
Some nationalities don't require a Visa for Vietnam for shorter stays - please contact your Foreign Ministry for up to date entry/exit requirements.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Lunch at Hoa Sua
Savour a meal of Western (mainly French) and Vietnamese cuisine at this restaurant while supporting a training program that prepares local disadvantaged youth for careers in the culinary arts. After 19 years of operation the Hoa Sua School has trained more than 7,000 young people giving them the skills to overcome poverty, many of them going on to have very successful careers. Meet with one of the organizers to learn more about this successful organization.
Hanoi Cyclo Tour
Take a seat on a cyclo for a tour of Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter. Let the driver navigate through the bustling streets and start taking some photos or just use the tour to help get familiar with the area.
Accommodation
Ogunquit River Inn (or similar)
The Ogunquit River Inn has a scenic location overlooking the Ogunquit River and the Atlantic Ocean. Facilities include an outdoor pool (open seasonally). Rooms include coffeemaker and WiFi.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 9Hanoi/Ha Long
Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, then continue to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise in a traditional junk boat with a local guide. Explore the limestone caves around the bay, enjoy sumptuous local seafood and relax on deck with a cool drink while watching the passing scenery.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum Visit
Take a guided tour of the mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body is housed in a glass case. Continue to the Presidential Palace and visit the museum to learn about Ho Chi Minh’s life and political history. Opt to visit the palace gardens.
Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open until 11:00am and closed on Monday and Friday. Entry is dependent on what time the group arrives in Hanoi.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Cruise through majestic Ha Long Bay on a traditional wooden junk boat. Enjoy your time afloat eating fresh seafood, exploring Sung Sot cave or opting to kayak. Spend a peaceful night anchored in the bay under the stars.
On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Ha Long/Hanoi
Enjoy a morning cruise around Halong Bay with an option to kayak before transferring back to Hanoi. Take the afternoon at leisure to visit local markets, shops and museums.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Visit one of the many historical museums by day and head to dynamic Hang Gai Street or the night market for some evening shopping.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Halong Bay Kayak Excursion
Travel the narrower channels of Halong Bay by kayak. See rock gardens, dark sea caves, lagoons and limestone karsts.
On rare occasion Halong Bay is closed to tourist vessels by the government authorities due to extreme weather conditions. Should this occur, an alternate activity will be provided.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City
Catch our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam and take a thrilling cyclo tour of this bustling city.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Tour
Take a city tour on a cyclo (cycle rickshaw) – a great way to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of Ho Chi Minh City while keeping your hands free for that camera action.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Benh Tan Market Visit
Wander the bustling aisles of this energetic market known for its abundance of dried and fresh produce, jewelry, textiles, liquor, and tobacco products. Be fancy (and efficient) and have a one-day suit made. Feel free to bargain!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Ho Chi Minh City
Take a guided tour of the infamous Cu Chi tunnels, legendary for the vital part they played during the Vietnam War.
Take a half day trip to the Cu Chi tunnels with a local guide. Allow some free time in the afternoon to sightsee or shop. Try your hand bargaining at the Ben Thanh Market, hire a cyclo (pedicab) for sightseeing or take a boat ride on the Saigon river.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour
Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Shop at the Ben Thanh Market, tour the city by cyclo, or boat down the Saigon river.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Ho Chi Minh City/Phnom Penh
Flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Take an NGO-supported cyclo city tour along the waterfront and key city sights, with option to visit the famous Foreign Correspondents club for sunset drinks.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
The visa cost for Cambodia is paid on arrival into Siem Reap Airport, which is $25 USD. You can also apply online for an e visa at http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/vindex.aspx
Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour
Settle in a traditional cyclo and depart from Wat Phnom. Tour busy streets to soak up the real vibe of the city. Pass the post office and Van's restaurant, both stunning colonial buildings, and make your way to the Royal Palace and National Museum. Go along the riverside road and take in the atmospheric cafes that line the street.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Phnom Penh
Explore recent history with a local expert guide, including Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields).
Explore the dark side of Cambodian history at Choeng Ek Memorial, the site of the infamous Killing Fields that were the execution grounds for Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge during their reign from 1975 - 1979. We also visit Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished. This is a haunting look into history which serves to remind everyone that genocide must not be ignored, or those lost, forgotten.
Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) Guided Tour
Learn about the dark history and devastation that occurred at Security Prison 21 (S-21); the prison, used by the Khmer Rouge regime, is now Tuol Sleng Museum. Take a guided tour to hear the stories behind the sombre photos lining the museum walls.
Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) Guided Tour
Learn more about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge visiting the killing fields of Choeung Ek; the grounds now stand as a powerful memorial filled with victims’ skulls and mass graves. Tour this sombre, yet serene, site with a guide.
Optional Activities - Day 14 HideShow
Royal Palace Visit
Visit the King’s current dwelling place, a magnificent riverside palace with classic Khmer architecture. Dress appropriately please; visitors must wear clothing that covers knees and shoulders, and shirts must reach the elbow.
National Museum Visit
10USD per personWander the galleries of the National Museum to see amazing works of art from Cambodia's "golden age" of Angkor. Visit the museum’s lovely courtyard before you leave.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Phnom Penh/Siem Reap
Drive to Siem Reap, Cambodia and take an orientation walk through the entertainment district and visit the exciting night market.
Shared Van
Drive through the beautiful Cambodian countryside.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Night Market Visit
A neighbourhood unto itself, Siem Reap’s night market is lively with shoppers exploring more than 240 hut shops selling souvenirs, artwork, and clothing. Opt for a Dr. Fish massage—small fish nibbling dead skin off your feet—or a visit to the tropical Brick House Bar.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 16Siem Reap
Spend two days exploring the ruins of the Angkor Wat temple complex with a local expert guide. Also experience a Khmer lunch at New Hope, a local training school and G Adventures-supported project.
Angkor Wat Guided Tour
Enjoy a tour of the impressive ancient ruins with a local guide. Explore magnificent Angkor Wat temple--Visit the enigmatic faces of Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and tour Ta Prohm (aka the "Tomb Raider" temple), which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle.
Tuk-Tuk
Scoot quickly around the big cities inside a three-wheeled mini-taxi.
Your G for Good Moment: New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant
Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food at the New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, an initiative kickstarted by G Adventures. Providing skill-building opportunities to marginalized community members, the project also funds the adjacent free community school and health centre. Visit the restaurant run by locals and see how the New Hope project has supported positive change in the community.
Free Time
Take some time to explore this lively town on your own. This evening, opt to enjoy a Cambodian Circus show.
Optional Activities - Day 16 HideShow
Phare Circus
Enjoy a stellar performance by Phare, a unique and socially conscious circus that injects Cambodian culture and history into its inspiring shows. See acrobatics, contortion, and aerial arts melded with theatre, modern dance, and more. Take in stories of war, relationships, and discrimination, inspired by the real-life experiences of Phare’s creators and performers.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 17Siem Reap
We continue to explore the ancient capital of Angkor Wat. Option to visit Angkor National Museum and Tonle Sap floating village.
Angkor Wat Guided Tour
Enjoy a tour of the impressive ancient ruins with a local guide. Explore magnificent Angkor Wat temple--Visit the enigmatic faces of Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and tour Ta Prohm (aka the "Tomb Raider" temple), which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle.
Tuk-Tuk
Scoot quickly around the big cities inside a three-wheeled mini-taxi.
Free Time
In your free time opt to shop, or visit the museum or floating village.
Optional Activities - Day 17 HideShow
Angkor Museum Visit
12USD per personLearn about the story of Angkor and the Khmer empire at the interactive Angkor Museum. Explore the museum’s inspiring galleries and interactive technology, which bring Angkor’s past to life. Opt to rent an audioguide (5USD) for the full experience.
Tonle Sap Floating Village
25-30USD per personTour the floating villages of Tonlé Sap. See what life is like living on a lake — rice planting, attending churches and school, are all done on top of water. (Please note: this activity runs seasonally.)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 18Siem Reap
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.