INTRIGUING SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH CHIANG MAI EXTENSION

INTRIGUING SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH CHIANG MAI EXTENSION
19 DAYS FROM $3,469 US
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Travel to the distant and exotic countries of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam during this fascinating 19-day Regional Discovery! The adventure begins in Bangkok, Thailand, with a visit to the Grand Palace (the former seat of the court of Siam) and the Royal Temple, and then see the 31-inch Emerald Buddha and other treasures at Wat Phro Keo. From there, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a cruise on Tonle Sap, then enjoy a full day of guided sightseeing at the amazing Angkor Wat. Another short flight takes you to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Here, see the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum, and cruise on the Mekong River. Visit China Beach before traveling to Hoi An for a boat cruise on the Thu Bon River and visits to the Hoi An Museum and a Chinese Assembly Hall. Next, fly to Hanoi, the capital city where ancestral history and modern culture converge. Delight in a performance of the renowned Water Puppets, tour the city’s highlights, and relax on a cruise of Ha Long Bay. Return to Bangkok, where a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River aboard a luxurious teak barge is the perfect ending to your unforgettable vacation.

Day 1 (Fri.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2 Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand (Sat.) Welcome to the Thailand’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.

Day 3 Bangkok (Sun.) Today’s fascinating sightseeing tour of this bustling city is highlighted with a visit to the GRAND PALACE, the truly grand seat of the court of old Siam, and the adjoining royal temple. You’ll also visit WAT PHRA KEO, housing the 31-inch Emerald Buddha and the RECLINING BUDDHA. The afternoon is at leisure. You might want to visit the famous Jim Thompson Thai Silk House. Tonight join your traveling companions at a WELCOME DINNER hosted by your Tour Director. (B,D)

Day 4 Bangkok–Siem Reap, Cambodia (Mon.) Today a quick flight brings you to Siem Reap, which will act as your base during your visit to the temples at Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins found on earth! After lunch enjoy a CRUISE on Tonle Sap (Great Lake) prior to viewing one of life’s most amazing experiences, sunset at ANGKOR WAT. (B,L,D) Map

Day 5 Siem Reap. (Tue.) A full day of guided sightseeing at the magnificent temples of ANGKOR WAT. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that ultimately evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the Temples of Angkor, with their remarkable bas reliefs, towers, pools, and absolute immensity, are arguably unmatched among ancient temples anywhere in the world. (B,L)

Day 6 Siem Reap–Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (Wed.) Today, a short flight takes you to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Cu Chi Excursion (Thu.) Leave the city, driving through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the CU CHI TUNNELS—an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that were used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon walking tour of the famous and historic city landmarks. The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Following a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE (formerly the Presidential Palace) and the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, drive to Cholon, the Chinatown district of the city, for a visit to the huge BINH TAY MARKET and the ornate THIEN HAU PAGODA. (B,D)

Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Mekong Cruise Excursion (Fri.) Enjoy a CRUISE on the great Mekong River. Travel south to My Tho, gateway to the Mekong Delta and Vietnam’s “rice bowl.” Board your boat and travel to an island in the middle of the delta where you can visit a local family’s home, enjoy their hospitality, and share some tea or rice wine. Tonight, venture on your own to try some of the local cuisine, an interesting blend of French and Asian flavors. Your Tour Director can assist with dinner recommendations for tonight; maybe you’ll choose to dine at the famous Rex Hotel. (B,L)

Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)-Hoi An. (Sat.) After a short flight, visit CHINA BEACH, made famous as the landing point by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Then enjoy a picturesque journey by coach to Hoi An, Vietnam’s active trading center and a town which has been largely preserved. The architecture of Hoi An reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and British traders. Hoi An is also where French Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism and Roman script to Vietnam. Dinner tonight is at your hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Hoi An. (Sun.) Today starts with a BOAT JOURNEY on the Thu Bon River. Continue with a walking tour of Hoi An, visiting an old MERCHANT HOUSE, the HOI AN MUSEUM, a CHINESE ASSEMBLY HALL, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Then free time to enjoy this quaint town. (B,L)

Day 11 Hoi An–Hanoi. (Mon.) After a morning at leisure, fly to Hanoi, the nation’s capital and one of Southeast Asia’s most engaging cities. An early dinner this evening followed by a fascinating performance of Hanoi’s renowned WATER PUPPETS, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th century. (B,D)

Day 12 Hanoi. (Tue.) Today’s sightseeing takes time to look at the life of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. First visit the MAUSOLEUM and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next on the agenda are the ONE PILLAR PAGODA, the HO CHI MINH MUSEUM, and the Presidential Palace. Stop at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” before continuing on to mystical Hoan Kiem Lake where you will enjoy a brief guided walk. Travel by “CYCLO” through the fascinating Old Quarter, 36 ancient streets where peddlers trade as they have for centuries. Also visit the ancient TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, over 900 years old and Hanoi’s first university. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Hanoi. Ha Long Bay Excursion. (Wed.) Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Hon Gai, gateway to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site. The bay in the Gulf of Tonkin is dotted with over 3,000 limestone islands, carved into fanciful shapes by the action of the water. Tunnels, caves and weirdly shaped outcroppings with imaginative names can be found on many of the small islets that are sprinkled across the bay. Board a CRUISE that takes you to explore the caves and admire the beauty and scale before stopping at one of the many secluded bays. Return to Hanoi late this evening. (B,L)

Day 14 Hanoi–Bangkok, Thailand. (Thu.) Today board your flight to Bangkok. This evening, enjoy a FAREWELL DINNER aboard a luxurious teak barge, the Tassaneeya Nava. Cruise the broad Chao Phraya River past Bangkok’s splendid temples and palaces. (B,D)

Day 15 Bangkok-Chiang Mai. (Fri.) A short flight brings you to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city. (B)

Day 16 Chiang Mai (Sat.) Today’s Chiang Mai city tour includes a visit to WAT PHRA SINGH with its famous Buddha image; the HILL TRIBE MUSEUM; and WAT DOI SUTHEP, a temple tucked away in the mountains at 3,464 feet above sea level. The temple is reached by climbing 290 steps. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration. (B)

Day 17 Chiang Mai (Sun.) Plenty of time today for further exploration. Perhaps you’d like to take our optional excursion to the elephant training camp where you can ride an elephant. Chiang Mai is famous for its cottage industries including silk and cotton weaving, wood carving, lacquer, and pewter. Your Local Host can assist you in visiting any of these factories and with other ideas to enhance your stay. (B)

Day 18 (Mon.) Fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok where you’ll overnight at an airport hotel. (B)

Day 19 (Tue.) Homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

INCLUDED FEATURES

BANGKOK: Sightseeing with Local Guide, visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, cruise the Chao Phraya River
SIEM REAP: Cruise on Tonle Sap, visit Angkor Wat with Local Guide
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON):Sightseeing with Local Guide; walking tour of the city’s landmarks; visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Binh Tay Market, Thien Hau Pagoda; Cu Chi Tunnels excursion; Mekong Delta excursion and cruise
HOI AN: Sightseeing with Local Guide; boat ride on the Thu Bon River; walking tour of the city; visit an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly hall, and China Beach
HANOI: Sightseeing with Local Guide; water puppets performance; visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, the Temple of Literature; take a “cyclo” ride through the Old Quarter; Ha Long Bay cruise
CHIANG MAI EXTENSION:Sightseeing with Local Guide; visit Wat Phra Singh, the Hill Tribe Museum, Wat Doi Suthep; host service during your stay

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable

MEALS

13 American breakfasts (B); 8 lunches (L); 8 dinners (D), including a Welcome Dinner in Bangkok and a Farewell Dinner on a luxury teak barge in Bangkok, on OVE: breakfast daily (B).

QUALITY HOTELS

BANGKOK Montien Riverside Hotel (SF), SIEM REAP Prince D’Angkor Hotel & Spa (F), SAIGON Majestic Hotel (MF), HOI AN Palm Garden Resort (SF), HANOI Guoman Hotel (F), BANGKOK Norotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (F), CHIANG MAI EXTENSION Sheraton Chiang Mai (SF)

DEPARTURE DATES:
April - June
September - November

PRICES:
From approx $3,469 US per person double occupancy