Day 1: Overnight FlightYour tour begins with an overnight flight to Thailand
• Skip a day ahead en route as you cross the International Dateline.
Day 2: Bangkok, Thailand - Tour BeginsArrive in one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Bangkok.
Day 3: BangkokTour Bangkok and discover this land’s religious beliefs
• Visit two of Bangkok’s famous temples: the Golden Buddha and the Reclining Buddha
• Tour the Grand Palace, an ornate royal residence built in 1782
• Join your fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner.
Day 4: BangkokVisit Jim Thompson’s house, a magnificent Thai-styled home containing an extensive collection of art objects and antiques
• Relax for the remainder of the day.
Day 5: Bangkok - Siem Reap, CambodiaTake a morning flight* to Siem Reap, the gateway to the temple complex of Angkor
• Tour the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the mysterious temple of Bayon
• Investigate its astonishing smiling faces and detailed bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life in the 12th century
• Meet local schoolchildren and learn about life in Cambodia at the JWOC** Community Center.
Day 6: Angkor WatDuring a full day excursion, behold the exotic Ta Prohm, a haunting, jungle-bound temple
• After lunch, visit the intricately carved Angkor Wat
• Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, it is one of the world’s most impressive temple sites
• Opt to remain at Angkor Wat to witness the sunset; this beautiful temple is enigmatic at twilight.
Day 7: Angkor WatDrive through Angkor to its rural outskirts and visit the Banteay Srei temple – a true jewel of Khmer art
• Explore its red sandstone walls, decorated with amazingly preserved carvings
• This afternoon visit Preah Khan
• Originally a Buddhist monastery, this temple showcases elaborate carvings to complement a stunning library
• Overgrown with vegetation like its sister Ta Prohm, Preah takes its name from the sacred sword protecting Cambodia.
Day 8: Angkor Wat - Hanoi, VietnamDrive into the countryside
• En route, visit a local village before setting sail on a cruise of Tonle Sap – the Great Lake of Cambodia
• Discover how communities live and work on the lake
• See floating schools, markets, police stations, and observe the daily lives of the population
• Visit a typical house and enjoy an opportunity to interact with local families
• Later, fly* to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city.
Day 9: HanoiDiscover some of Hanoi's cultural treasures during visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Minh’s simple house
• Set out on a short walk to the One Pillar Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature features a presentation on Vietnamese history spanning a thousand years
• Study the varied aspects of Vietnamese culture
• Explore the Old Quarter, revered as the jewel of Hanoi
• Soak in this idyllic setting around pristine Hoan Kiem Lake and the nearby labyrinthine streets dedicated to regional merchandise
• Visit the Lake of Restored Sword and discover the legend that gives the lake its name
• Tonight, enjoy a performance at the world-famous Water Puppet Theater.
Day 10: Hanoi - Halong BayDrive to Halong Bay where you will board your junk boat for your overnight cruise
• Begin your cruise along Halong Bay
• Lunch onboard and take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay
• Follow this with a sampan ride to discover a small gateway in one of the limestone karsts which opens into a scenic lagoon with coral reefs
• Relax this evening and watch the sunset prior to dinner.
Day 11: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi AnWake up early for a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck
• Depart for the Sung Sot grotto where stalactites hanging from the high ceiling take on numerous shapes and forms
• Board the ship for brunch prior to disembarking
• Return to Hanoi for a short flight* to Danang, then a short drive to the city of Hoi An, the 16th- and 17th-century trading port of Vietnam
• Spend time in this preserved merchant town which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999
• Take a cyclo (pedal cab) tour of Hoi An where the traditional lifestyle and Chinese architecture have remained unspoiled since the 17th century.
Day 12: Hoi AnBegin with coffee at Hai Scout Café before proceeding to the market to learn more about the ingredients you will use for your cooking class
• Take a leisurely cruise up the Thu Bon River to the cooking school
• Learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking as you help prepare five traditional dishes to enjoy for lunch.
Day 13: Hoi An - HueDrive along the coast from Hoi An to the city of Hue
• Travel along the Hai Van Pass, whose name means “pass of the ocean clouds,” as the peak of the mountain is above cloud level while its base is close to the sea
• Arrive in Hue and visit the old Imperial City, including the Citadel, the “Forbidden Purple City,” and the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Day 14: Hue - Ho Chi Minh CityFly* to Ho Chi Minh City, a vibrant metropolis
• Take a locally guided tour of the historic city landmarks including the Thien Hau temple and Cholon, the city’s Chinatown
• Embark on a walking tour of the historic city center for a view of Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, the Opera House and the ornate city hall
• Visit the War Remnants Museum which features a collection of weapons from two Indochina wars.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong DeltaTravel to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta
• Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple and a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children
• Board a small boat to explore the Mekong River islands
• Stop at an orchard for fruit and tea
• Listen to some local music
• Later, enjoy a lecture on the economy and politics of Vietnam
• Follow this with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City - Tour EndsCross the International Dateline
• Gain a day.