Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

Day 01: Bangkok Arrival
Arrive at Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi Airport. After the immigration and take your luggage, meet our English-speaking guide at the meeting point, private transfer to the hotel. Meeting point at Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport: international arrival: Gate no.06. Arrive at the hotel. Check-in and free time at leisure. Hotel: Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok (Superior room)

Day 02: Bangkok - Wat Pho The Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. 08:30hr, meet the guide at the hotel lobby and discover Bangkok. Discover the heart of Bangkok on this half-day tour of Rattanakosin Island, located in the centre of Bangkok. Begin your tour with a visit to Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple complex which holds the status of ‘Royal Monastery’ (Wat Luang), due to its proximity to the Grand Palace and its importance in Thai-Buddhist culture. Wat Pho has existed since the late 17th century, prior to Bangkok becoming the capital of Thailand. Under the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), rebuilt the temple to what we see today. The most famous resident of Wat Pho is the Reclining Buddha, a 46-metre-long reclining-positioned Buddha, a position representing Buddha’s entry into Nirvana. The Buddha’s exposed feet are separated into 108 panels depicting auspicious Buddhist symbols, including elephants, flowers, traditional dancers and tigers. The Buddha is surrounded by 108 bronze bowls which, like the Buddha’s feet, represent the auspicious characteristics of Buddhism. During your visit, you can purchase coins to drop meditatively into the bowls, said to bring good fortune and support the upkeep of the complex by the monks who reside here. Wat Pho is also home to several chedis, scattered throughout the complex, a scripture hall, a library, guarded by the Wat Pho Giant’s statues and many other Buddhist shrines and halls. The complex is known for its connection with massage and has been a school for traditional massage since the 1950s. There is a massage service centre on-site where there is an opportunity to have a massage (at an additional cost). Next, we will continue by foot to The Grand Palace, a complex of royal and religious buildings which has been the official residence of the Kings of Thailand since 1782. The King, his government and his court resided in The Grand Palace from 1782 until 1925. The palace today is used for ceremonial purposes and state visits and has become a major architectural symbol of Thailand. Begin your exploration of the complex with a visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Regarded as the most important Buddhist site in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha is 66cm in height and sits in a state of meditation. Depending on the season, the Emerald Buddha is ordained in three different outfits: one for the summer season, one for the rainy season and one for the winter season. Behind the Emerald Buddha, you will see a mural depicting Buddhist cosmology and in front of the Buddha, guests are welcome to meditate, pray or contemplate in the shadow of the Buddha. Enjoy a visit to Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, the most striking of the buildings in the complex. This building was a royal residence and is known for its European architectural style, designed by British architect, John Clunish, mixed with its Thai-style roof. Within the building, guests can see a gallery for ancient weapons used in Thailand as well as see the many reception and living rooms of former Kings and Queens of Thailand. Also visit Dusit Maha Prasat Hall, a beautiful grand-spired hall where Kings, Queens and members of the Royal Family lie in state. During your visit to The Grand Palace complex, there are a myriad of other items to visit including several Phra (temples), a model of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and some unique statues, including The Demon Guardians who mainly guard the Emerald Buddha from demon spirits; and ‘the hermit figure’, a commemoration to traditional Thai medicine.
Notes: there are strict dress codes when visiting Wat Pho and The Grand Palace complexes. Guests are to be covered up and not wear tight or torn clothing. The complexes are also no-drone zones. Hotel: Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok (Superior rooms)

Day 03: Bangkok - Free Day (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and a free day at leisure. Hotel: Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok (Superior room)

Day 04: Bangkok - Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide and private transfer to Bangkok Airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Hotel: Lotus Blanc Resort (Deluxe Double/Twin Room)

Day 05: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Temples Complex (B/L)
Start your visit at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is Bayon, a richly decorated temple. Its most distinctive feature is the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Move on to Phimeanakas, shaped like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear. Walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex. Take a short drive to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle gives the temple a truly magical feel. Return to Siem Reap for lunch and to escape the hot sun. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and best-preserved temple in the complex. This visually spectacular massive three-tired pyramid has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its flag. Admire the grandeur of its architecture and its extensive decoration of bas-relief friezes. End your day taking in the views of the sunset over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple before returning to Siem Reap. Hotel: Lotus Blanc Resort (Deluxe Double/Twin Room)

Day 06: Free Day (B)
The day is free at leisure. Hotel: Lotus Blanc Resort (Deluxe Double/Twin Room)

Day 07: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B)
Check-out from your hotel and depart for Phnom Penh with driver only, approximately 6h (320km). Hotel: Le Botum Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Note: Guide is not included for transfer to Phnom Penh.

Day 08: Phnom Penh - Toul Seleng Genocide Museum and Killing Field (B)
Start the day at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former secondary school that was converted by the Khmer Rouge into one of the regime’s largest detention and torture centres, Security Prison 21. An important educational site, the museum chronicles the Cambodian genocide and documents the atrocities that occurred within its walls. Please note that images on display are graphic and can be unsettling. After wandering around this museum, continue to Wat Phnom, the most important temple in Phnom Penh. Situated atop a 27-meter high knoll, the temple overlooks the city and offers a pleasant green respite for tourists and locals alike. Later, you will be dropped off at the pier where you will take a speedboat to Chau Doc. Hotel: Victoria Nui Sam Lodge (Superior Room)

Day 09: Chau Doc - Chau Doc Floating Market (B)
You will be picked up bright and early to start your morning adventure by boat to the local floating market. Your journey will be quite different from your usual commute as you’ll make your way by boat whilst the sun rises. The market sells an assortment of local produce from vegetables to fruit. Then heading off again to the Vinh Te canal. This part of the river has a fascinating history and your guide will share tales about how and why it is important to the local communities. After we will transfer back to our hotel. Hotel: Victoria Can Tho Resort (Superior Room)

Day 10: Can Thao - Free Day (B)
The day is free at leisure. Meet your driver to be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City. Hotel: Central Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - City Tour (B)
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Dong Khoi Street to visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, aka Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica or Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception, is a symbol and one of the most famous Saigon attractions in the financial hub of Vietnam. As one of the most famous attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, this long-age cathedral attracts not only Catholic believers but also tourists and locals of other religions because of its sacred atmosphere and magnificent structure beauty. Visit the city’s Central Post Office, which was designed by the French architect Alfred Foulhoux. You will also visit the War Remnants Museum, where Vietnam’s government has assembled presentations - some of them graphic - of wartime hardships and atrocities. Next, stroll toward Xa Loi Pagoda, built in 1956, which holds historical significance as a Buddhist site in Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond its architectural charm, the pagoda played an important role in Buddhist demonstrations against the Ngo Dinh Diem regime in 1963, foreshadowing increased US involvement in Vietnam. Today, the pagoda stands as a peaceful sanctuary, featuring a prominent seated Buddha statue and a towering seven-tiered tower, embodying the resilience and unity of Buddhism in Vietnam. Hotel: Central Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Phan Thiet
Relax as we drive to the coast of Phan Thiet to start your beach vacation. has a fascinating and long history and was once at the heart of the Vietnam War. Now a days the people of typically earn their living in fishing, agriculture and aquaculture. Hotel: Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne or similar

Day 13: Phan Thiet - Free Day (B)
The next four days are yours to spend entirely as you please. Grab one of the resort’s bicycles and explore the town and country roads, or jump in a jeep for a giant sand dune adventure. If all that tires you out, relax with a massage or treatment at the spa! And of course, you don’t forget to enjoy cocktails and seafood by the sea! Hotel: Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne or similar

Day 14 to Day 16: Phan Thiet - Free Day (B)
Day at leisure. Hotel: Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne or similar

Day 17: Phan Thiet - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
It’s your last chance for a dip in the sea before returning to Ho Chi Minh City’s airport for your onward flight.