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)
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
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