27 Days Panorama Southeast Asia

Day 1Arrival Hanoi

Meal: No meal
Accommodation: Tirant Hotel or similar ★★★★

Upon arriving in Hanoi, local tour guide will meet you at airport and transfer to check in hotel. Free at leisure for the rest of the day. You can mooch through the streets of the city by yourself.


Hanoi City View
 

Day 2Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Tirant Hotel or similar ★★★★

Breakfast at hotel, you will be met at lobby of hotel at 08:00AM, to explore Vietnam’s charming capital for a day. Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone, with wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas. You will visit Hanoi’s key sites: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house, the Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, West Lake, Sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. Besides, visit one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). You can enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance at the end of the tour. After tour, you will be drop off at your hotel.


Temple of Literature Hanoi
 

Day 3Hanoi Halong Bay (Sharing bus & cruise)

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: V’ Spirit Premier Cruise or similar ★★★★

This morning, you will be picked up at lobby of hotel around 7:30 and start your trip to Halong Bay. En route, we will drive through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where you can see Vietnamese village life. Upon arriving at Halong Bay, board a beautiful traditional junk, spending a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, you will enjoy a wonderful seafood meal. You will also have an opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat.


Halong Bay
 

Day 4Halong Bay Hanoi (Sharing cruise & bus)

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Tirant Hotel or similar ★★★★

If you get up early, you can enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on board. Enjoy a hearty breakfate before the boat making its way back and stop at the Cave of Surprises, which is full of stalagmites and stalactites. The cruise boat sails back to the main harbour and the return Hanoi around 4.30 pm. You will be dropped at hotel in Hanoi and enjoy your free and leisure time on your own.


Halong Bay
 

Day 5Hanoi Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alagon Zen Hotel or similar ★★★★
 

Have breakfast at the hotel, leisure time until there will be a private driver transfer you to the airport, and ready for the next flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

This city has amazing bustling streets, fantastic restaurants and thriving trees making it perfect for days of sightseeing, afternoon shopping and evening interaction enjoying a sunset drink at a rooftop bar or on a cruise over Saigon River.

Some activities suggested :

-Visit the famous landmarks of the city: Bitexco financial towers, French colonial architectural buildings (post office - the Notre Dame), War Remnants, Chinese Market (Cho Lon)

-Ben Thanh Market in walking distance


Ho Chi Minh City View
 

Day 6Ho Chi Minh My Tho Can Tho

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Iris Can Tho Hotel or similar ★★★★
 

Pick up from hotel and set off for My Tho, which is located on the northern banks of the Mekong River, where you will visit a large food market. Around the My Tho area you will find a maze of small canals that can be explored on one of the many organized boat tours. We will take a boat ride on the Mekong River and visit an orchard on an island before lunch en route. A visit to a snake farm is arranged on the way to Can Tho.


Mekong River
 

Day 7Can Tho Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Alagon Zen Hotel or similar ★★★★

With an early breakfast this morning, you will enjoy an exciting day. Take a boat trip to the Floating Market and watch the locals selling and exchanging goods in their small boats. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we will visit Dong Tam Snakes Farm – the largest snake farm in Vietnam. A delicious lunch is arranged at the Mekong Rest Stop.

Floating Market Can Tho
 

Day 8Ho Chi Minh

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Alagon Zen Hotel or similar ★★★★

After breakfast, depart for Cu Chi Tunnels at 8:00 am. It takes about 1.5 hours bus driving. Before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction by video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then you will spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which includes the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. You will find many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh at 14:00. Have free time in the afternoon for sightseeing or shopping by yourself.


Cu Chi Tunnels
 

Day 9Ho Chi Minh Phnom penh

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: OKAY Boutique Hotel or similar ★★★★

Free at leisure before transfer to airport for the flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, you will be greeted at the airport by local guide and transferred to your hotel. You will have free time before dinner at a local restaurant and an overnight stay in Phnom Penh.


Royal Palace
 

Day 10Phnom Penh

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: OKAY Boutique Hotel or similar ★★★★

We will take a city tour of Phnom Penh, including the Silver Pagoda, on the south side of the Royal Palace, known as Wat Preah Keo. Then go to visit the Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide. The last stop is Wat Phnom, which is the tallest religious structure in the city. Then discover to the Khmer traditonal culture at National fine-art Museum. You will be dropped off at hotel after the visit. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.


Silver Pagoda
 

Day 11Phnom Penh Siem Reap

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Hotel or similar ★★★★

In the Morning, take the flight to Siem Reap and transfer to Visit Angkor Thom Temples: Victory Gate, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and more. Lunch served at a local restaurant and then transfer to hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon enjoy the spectacular architecture and sculpture of the World Heritage at Angkor Wat and view the sunset over the Angkor complex on the top of Phnom Bakheng.


Angkor Wat
 

Day 12Siem Reap

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Hotel or similar ★★★★
 

Visit the highlights of the petit circuit, including Prasat Kravan, the royal bathing pond of Sras Srang, Banteay Kdei, Takeo and the jungle-clad Ta Prohm. After lunch, continue to visit magnificent Angkor Wat to see its architecture and bas relief.  Visit the highlights of the grand circuit, including Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Preah Khan. Dinner with traditional dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.


Ta Prohm Temple
 

Day 13Siem Reap Luang Prabang

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Villa Santi Hotel or similar ★★★★

After breakfast, have a boat excursion to view wonderful landscape of Tonle Sap Great Lake and explore local fishermen’s floating villages. Return to the town for lunch and at leisure in the afternoon for shopping until transfer to the airport for your own departure flight for Luang Prabang. If time is enough when you arrive, you can explore the local Night Market, where you can find lovely textiles made by the local hill tribe people from areas surrounding Luang Prabang. 


Tonle Sap Great Lake
 

Day 14Luang Prabang

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Villa Santi Hotel or similar ★★★★

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 hotel for breakfast.

This morning transfer to the pier where you board a traditional long trail boat, for a relaxing cruise upstream on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles. You will reach Pak Ou Caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Cruise back Luang Prabang. Stop and visit Ban Xangkhong, a weaving village, where you can jump into wooden looms with local expert for practical and experience.

In the 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 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.


Morning Alms
 

Day 15Luang Prabang Vientiane

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sabaidee at Laos or similar ★★★★
 

Visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.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.

Then take afternoon flight to Vientiane. Wandering in night market (open every day) on the bank of Mekong River.


Wat Xiengthong
 

Day 16 VientianeBangkok

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Silom Bangkok or Similar ★★★★

This morning, visit Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Then, visit the huge golden That Luang monument, where all Lao citizen respect as holy pagoda. Vientiane’s own Victory Monument, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. This was built at the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches inside the monument.

Transfer to airport to catch your flight for Bangkok, friendly local guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer to check in hotel.


Wat Sisaket
 

Day 17Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Silom Bangkok or Similar ★★★★

Today after a leisure breakfast, we will start our exploration of Bangkok city. At first, drive to visit Wat Trimit, which is known for its famous Golden Buddha. The beautiful image of solid gold is 3 meters high and 5.5 tons weight. Then we will continue the tour by passing through beautiful city scenery of the colorful flower market and Chinatown.  Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) is another important spot in Bangkok, founded in the 16th century, regarded as the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city.

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo are not missed when you travel in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaeo is the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. We will a visit to Gems Gallery for some free shopping time before transfer back to hotel.


Wat Pho
 

Day 18Bangkok Chiangmai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

Enjoy a leisure breakfast and check out the hotel, your guide will escort you to the airport for the flight to Chiangmai. Welcome and transfer to hotel by private car. In the afternoon, take a visit to Wat Prathat Doisuthep sacred temple, has a history of more than 700 years. Wat Prathat Doisuthep is “must place” of Chiangmai, located on mountain about 11 kms from Chiangmai Zoo  and temple, with population and the most sacred temple containing a holy relic of lord Buddha.


Wat Prathat Doisuthep
 

Day 19Chiangmai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

An exciting day to explore Chiangmai city. The must-visit site is Wat Chedi Luang, lying smack in the heart of the city. The large Chedi was constructed by King Saen Muang Ma around 1401. Originally 90 meters high, it is now a mere 40 meters as the result of an earthquake in 1545. The 2nd temple we are going to visit is Wat Chiang Mun, which is regarded as the oldest temple within the city walls. Constructed by King Mengrai (1296-1311) the founder of Chiang Mai, it is said that the king spent his last years at this temple.

In the afternoon, we will do something light. Go to visit Elephant Show & Painting on Mae Rim route about 29 km from Chiangmai city to see elephant at work, play a football, enjoy with games, and painting (The first elephant painting in the world). Stop at a beautiful kind of orchid & butterfly farm, a lot of butterfly and a garden atmosphere. Return to the hotel.


Wat Chedi Luang
 

Day 20Chiangmai

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: In Brique Hotel Chiang Mai or Similar ★★★★

Half day Baan Hongaul Cookery School Cooking Class tour 
Half Day Course 4 Dishes (3 main course + 1 Thai desert / snack)
09h00  Pick up at the hotel by an English instructor and being transferred by van to Nong Hoi local market.  Spend about 40 minutes joining the group purchasing fresh ingredients (chicken, prawns, herbs & vegetables) for the class as well as learning to know about tropical vegetations which’s quite interesting!

09h50  continue to Baan Hong Hual, situated on Chiangmai –Lam Pang Road, only about 15 minutes away from the market.

10h15  Arrive and get briefly introduction of Baan Hong Nual which’s an open kitchen in Lanna Thai style.   All students will be then given aprons and headdresses as cooking uniforms.

10h30  Wash hands and get yourself ready for the 1st menu. However, before you start cooking first of all you would be introduced about all the kitchen utensils as well as the seasonings normally needed in the Thai cuisine. Secondly, you’ll be shown how to prepare all the ingredients also how to cook.  During the class the instructor still teach you intentionally step by step. After the 1st menu is done, you’ll be given a time to taste how delicious is your food.

11h00 Continue cooking the 2nd dish that needs about 30 minutes to finishing including preparing, cooking and tasting.

11h30  Take a small break for about 15 minutes for some tea, coffee or herbal drinks (complimentary by the school).  Or students can spend time to walk around seeing herbal & vegetable plantations as well as different kinds of fruits like Longan, Mango, Rose Apple, Guava, Lychees & Jack Fruit.

12h00  Back to the class again for the 3rd and the 4th dishes (normally the Thai Curry &Dessert).

12h40  Some steamed rice will be served with curry then follow by a dessert.

13h20  When the class is over, cook books in English version with color pictures will be given to all students.

13h00 Thanks and say bye to each other then transfer back to the hotel.

Enjoy your free time on your own arrangement in the afternoon.


Baan Hongnual Cookery School-Cooking Class
 

Day 21ChiangmaiYangon

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Taw Win Garden Hotel  or similar ★★★★

After check out in the morning and transfer to take flight to Yangon.
Upon arriving at Yangon International Airport in the morning, you will be welcomed by our local tour guide, who will help you to get to the hotel and check in hotel. In the afternoon, you will have city tour of Yangon, to have a 1st impression of this city. Firstly, we will visit Karaweik Hall, a Royal barge on the Royal Lake for photo stop. Then move to Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining Buddha) Pagoda, a colossal reclining Buddha. Drive in downtown visit China Town with the fruit market and Yangon’s city center covering World famous Shwedagon Pagoda to witness the golden dome light up sunshine at the sunset. 

Then transfer back to hotel to have a rest. 


Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda
 

Day 22Yangon Bagan

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amata Garden Resort or similar ★★★★

Early morning transfer to airport and fly to Bagan. For sightseeing includes visit to the colorful Nyaung U Market, Shwezigon Pagoda and its magnificent golden stupa, Htilominlo Temple noted for its fine plaster carvings and glazed sand stone decoration, Gubyaukgyi Temple, with superb mural paintings of jataka scenes. And then go to visit Myinkaba Village and observe the process of Traditional Lacquer ware Industry, one of Myanmar’s best-known handicrafts. Keep visit Ananda Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the early-style temple with four impressive standing Buddha images. Thabinnyu Temple, the highest temple in Bagan and Dhammayangyi Temple noted for its remarkable brickwork. Enjoy sunset over the site from the upper terrace of Shwesandaw Pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.|


Dhammayangyi Temple
 

Day 23Bagan Mandalay

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel ShwePyi Thar or similar ★★★★

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to catch the morning flight to Mandalay.  Upon arriving, you will be transferred to visit Mahagandayon Monastery where hundreds of young Novice (Sanga) studying Buddhist Literatures with strictly obeying rule and regulation of the Monastery according to Buddha teaching. In the afternoon, cross the small river by ferry boat to make joyful excursion by horse cart at Ava (Innwa); it was one of ancient Myanmar capitals before British annexation in 1885. Next, proceed to Sagaing Hill, which is perhaps the living center of Buddhist faith in Myanmar today. Hillsides are dotted with numerous Pagodas and Monasteries. Continue to visit Khaungmudaw Pagoda. Then, transfer back to U-Bein Bridge and enjoy sunset before going back to Hotel.


U Bein Bridge
 

Day 24MandalayMingunMandalay

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel ShwePyi Thar or similar ★★★★

Have breakfast at hotel. Depart Mandalay on a private boat along the Ayeyarwaddy River to visit Mingun, a village on the west bank of the river. Visit to Settawya Pagoda, Mingun Pahtotawgyi, and the world renowned ringing Mingun Bell and Myatheintan Pagoda. In the afternoon, visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, Kyauktawgyi Pagoda a large Buddha image carved out of a single block of marble, Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace)noted for its exquisite wood carving, Kuthodaw Pagoda known as the world’s Biggest Book for its stone slabs of Buddhist scriptures. Mandalay Palace and in the evening enjoy the sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at hotel in Mandalay.


Kuthodaw Pagoda
 

Day 25MandalayHehoInle Lake

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Amata Garden Resort or similar ★★★★

After breakfast at hotel, take a morning flight from Mandalay to Heho, then drive to Inle Lake. We will start a full day Inle Lake sightseeing by boat visiting to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, Floating Gardens, Unique Leg-rowers, Traditional Fishing Method, Silk Weaving, Stilt House Villages on the lake and Nge Pe Chaung Monastery. We still stay overnight at hotel in Inle.


Inle Lake
 

Day 26IndeinYangon

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Taw Win Garden Hotel or similar ★★★★

After breakfast at hotel, visit the Indein Pagoda which is located near the Indein creek; it is narrow and has many twists and turns. Paddy field around the creek receives water from the creek. Here our beat start venturing into a small canal and pass through the beautiful scenery on the way to Pa O Hill tribe village. After visiting the local market, we enjoy walk to the very impressive ruins containing hundred ancient pagodas, some of which are hidden in the lush vegetation. Then, transfer to airport for the flight back to Yangon.


Indein Pagoda
 

Day 27Departure Yangon

Meals: Breakfast

How time flies! It’s time to finish your vacation. Our guide will transfer you to the Yangon airport for your flight.

Service ends