Luxury tour in fascinating Orient: Thailand + Vietnam + Cambodia + Singapore + Bali

Arrival in Bangkok airport and meeting with local guide. Transfer to the hotel and accommodation in the room. Lunch (not included).

At 2 pm you'll be picked up from the hotel to start the tour. You'll get on board of a typical motor boat to visit some rural canals along which the exotic and traditional periphery of the city is developed. Here, it is possible to observe the simple local life-style and its cozy houses on pillars.

En route, you'll enjoy two worth visiting destinations. First of all, the visit to the museum which hosts the big, beautiful, and well-decorated and carved wooden boats that are used during the Royal Rice Barge, a yearly cerimony. Then, the visit of the monastery Wat Kalayanamit, at the meeting point of Choa Praya and the canal Bangkok Yai. The monastery dates back to the epoch of King Rama III (beginning of XIX century) and boasts the holy image of Phra Buddha Triratana Nayok.

The tour will end around 5 pm. Back to the hotel. Free dinner and overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast in the hotel. Around 10 am you'll be picked up from the hotel.

Around 10.30 am you'll visit the Royal Grand Palace and the renowned Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple). Available parts for visits within the Palace are: Montien Palace, Chakri Palace and Dusit Palace. Among them, Chakri Palace can be visited only from the outside. On the other hand, the interiors of Dusit and Montien are sometimes opened for guests (not available all days - not available in some periods).

Lunch in a restaurant en route at noon.

At 1 pm the tour takes you to Wat Pho, the most ancient Buddhist monastery in the city. It is also famous for hosting a giant statue of the Reclining Buddha within its "Wihan". Furthermore, here there is also the oldest school of Thai massages.

At the end of the visit, you'll cross Chao Praya by ferry to reach one of the most important landmarks of the country: Wat Arun, the monastery whose large pagoda is become the symbol of Bangkok.

Wat Arun was ordered by King Taksin, as a temple for its royal residence during the end of XVIII century. It's located in Thonbury, nowadays part of the urban area of Bangkok, but located on the opposite side of Chao Praya. Thonburi has been the capital city of Siam for some decades, before the foundation of the modern Bangkok.

Today's last stage is the visit to refined Wat Benjamabohpit, also known as "Marble Temple". It was built by King Rama V during the XIX century. The Marble Temple is considered the most important masterwork of the city. It boasts architectonical elements combining Oriental arts and Western style. Return to the hotel is scheduled at 4.30 pm (the schedule is strongly variable due to the intensity of the traffic). Dinner (not included). Overnight in Bangkok.

The order of visits can change without notice due to the traffic.

Breakfast in the hotel. At 7 am you'll be picked up from your hotel. Meeting with the guide and start of the tour.

Proceding westwards, along Bangkok bay, you'll reach the capital city of Samut Songkram after one hour. Here, a small local train daily crosses a secondary railway till reaching "Maeklong".

According to an ancient cultural custom, poor people can occupy public land (such as the areas crossed by rails) to develop commercial activities or to built their houses. This is the reason why Maeklong railway station has turned into a lively and dynamic market. Small stands sell spices, fruits, fresh and smoked fish. It is funny to admire how the vendors close their tends and move their coloured products as the train is going to pass! After the train has passed, peddlers put in order their goods and the normal activity starts again.

You'll admire the train pass at 8.30 am before proceeding to Damnoen Saduak, in the western municipality of Ratchaburi, around 100 km from Bangkok. Here it is possible to visit one of the most popular and celebrated tourist attractions of Thailand: Damnoen Saduak floating market. The visit begins with a short cruise along rural canals external to the market, till reaching the main canal which hosts the picturesque market.

Here, nice and typical wooden boats transport exotic and colourful goods forming a complex and tangled bustle. Merchants wear a typical hat formed by woven big palm leaves and sell everything: from tasty tropical fruits to local handicraft products, up to refreshing dinks, such as fresh coconut milk.

Free time to visit the market. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon. Time available for shopping and relax. Dinner (not included). Overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to the airport of Bangkok in time to take the flight to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi and meeting with local guide after the custom formalities.

Transfer to the city and accommodation in the hotel (rooms are available from 2 pm). Lunch (not included). At 2.30 the tour to visit the modern capital city starts. Hanoi's foundation dates back to the second millennium. The city is one of the most inhabitated and ancient settlements of Asian south-east. You'll reach the Temple of Literature, it is an ancient temple but also a real university. Then, you'll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from outside, the gardens of the Presidential Palace, and the house where Ho Chi Minh, "the father of modern and reunified Vietnam", lived.

Afterwards, you'll move eastwards to the lively centre of the most traditional Hanoi, you'll reach the Old District and its busy, dynamic and exotic market. The Old District surrounds three sides of Hoan Kiem Lake, which hosts a small island that boasts the holy Ngoc Son Temple. Visit of the temple and exploration of the Old District on board of typical local cyclos.

Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old District are also the best places where to spend the night. In fact, here it is possible to find several multi-cuisine restaurants and enjoy shopping. Dinner (not included). Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast and check-out. At 8 am departure north-east by car to reach Halong, a coastal city.

At 12.30 you'll embark on an elegant junk to enjoy a pleasant cruise with overnight in the famous Halong Bay. Your guide will be on board for the entire duration of the cruise. This magical place owes its popularity to its majestic cliffs, limestone formations, islands and rocks that stud the bay, creating fabolous sceneries. Lunch on board.

During the navigation, you'll enjoy several breaks, during which you can get off to explore local caves as well as typical fishermen villages. You'll also have the chance to swim, take part in a course of Vietnam cusine and enjoy night fishing!

Dinner on board and overnight in the junk in a shielded bay. We suggest you take with you small luggage with the necessary for the night. The main luggage, which could be too bulky in the cabin, can be left at the port or in the car.

If you wish, you can wake up early in the morning and practice Tha Chi on the upper deck. Coffe and tea offered. Then, you'll continue the tour in Halong Bay.

At 9 am check-out from the cabin, 10.30 am brunch on board before disembarkation at 11 am. Lunch at Novotel restaurant.

Return to Hanoi to admire the famous Water Puppet Show. Accommodation in the hotel. Dinner (not included) and overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast and check-out before 12. Meeting with your guide and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Danang. Upon arrival, meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in. Lunch and dinner are not included. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast in the hotel. Free time at leisure. Meals are not included. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast in the hotel. Free time at leisure. Meals are not included. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to Danang aiport to take the flight to Saigon (business class). Upon arrival in Saigon airport, you'll meet the guide and be transferred to the aiport. Check-in in the hotel. Lunch (not included).

The afternoon is devoted to the visit to the city including Notre Dame Cathedral (1880) and the Postal Office (1886). Strolling down the city streets, you'll admire the large complex of the Independence Palace, City Hall, Opera House. Time permitting, you'll also visit the War Remnants Museum, where it is possible to follow the steps of the second Indochina war, more famous as "Vietnam War", through a large number of pictures.

Return to the hotel, dinner (not included), overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast and check-out. At 8.30 am departure for the visits of the day. China Town is located in the south-west periphery of Saigon. It is possible to find it along the road that leads to South Vietnam. It will be interesting to enjoy a visit of its central market, also known as Binh Tay. Thien Hau Temple is located nearby.

Today you'll leave the modernity and the progress of one of the most largest Asian cities, to reach the giant Nine Dragons. Indeed, Mekong has nine mouths, through which, after having winded for 4,350 km through Tibet, Yunnan, Birmania, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, and having entered Vietnam, it flows into South China Sea. Mekong is the 12nd longest river in the world. Nine Dragons represent its famous Delta and occupy an area which is 39,000 sqm wide.

In the beginning of the first millennium a.C., it was the place in which Funan's capital city was located. Funan was one of the most ancient Indian kingdoms of South Asia and had become the important Khmer Kingdom through the centuries. This area was then occupied by Cham populations and by Dai-Viet. Therefore, the Delta became home to heterogeneous ethnic groups.

The most important city on Mekong Delta is Can Tho, also called "Mekong Delta Capital City". It is the 4th Vietnam largest city and is the crucial point for the river trades. Each municipality of Delta is famous for its typical products, such as rice, fish, and tropical fruits. Every day, producers meet sellers on board of their boats at the renowned floating market, Cai Rang Market.

Can Tho is located on the banks of Hau, which means in Vietnmanese language "second". In fact, it is the second branch of the river if you're coming from Saigon. Departing from this city, you'll firstly meet "Thien", which means "first", where you'll stop at Cai Be.

Lunch based on local specilities, one of the main courses of the local cuisine, is Elephant ear Fish. It is prepared in front of you, wrapping its meat in delicious rice rolls.

Your adventure starts in Cai Be. You'll get on board a junk to navigate along the canals of Mekong Delta enjoying several breaks to admire tropical fruits crops, rice milling machines and how the chaff is used to produce pillows and mattresses, but also factories to produce fish sauce, tofu and other derivatives from local products. The junk will take you to the port of the popolous Vinh Long, capital city of the namesake province. Here you can admire the lively and colourful market, unexpectedly an attraction not in contact with water. Anyway, it is not a normal market; in fact, buyers buy goods on their motorbike.

You'll reach Can Tho at sunset. Accommodation in the hotel and dinner (not included). Overnight in Can Tho.

Breakfast and check-out. At 6.20 am your daily tour starts. Today you'll visit famous Cai Rang market. This is the strategic hour for bargaining, therefore no seller wants to miss it. Junks are sacttered in an irregular way, boats occupy more than 1 km of river "Can Tho", one of the most important tributaries of Hau. They don't know that they are performing one of the most authentic, colourful and exotic activities of our planet just on board their junks. Sellers will look at you in astonishment and be suprised by your interest. They cannot understand your amazement, but happily accept it. Their faces show no pride, they are indifferent about an external world which doesn't belong to them.

On their junks it is possible to find everything: mango, rambutan, lychee, pineapples, mangosteen, but also spices, perfumed roots, every kind of vegetables and much more. On the other hand the fish market takes place on the banks of the river. Lunch in a typical restaurant (Mekong Restaruant).

Return to Saigon, the arrival is scheduled in the early afternoon. Free time at leisure, dinner (not included) and overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. Meeting with the guide and transfer to Saigon aiport to take the flight to Siem Reap (business class). Arrival in Siem Reap and meeting with the local guide, then transfer to the hotel.

Check-in (rooms are available from 2 pm). The rest of the day is free at leisure, meals are not included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Around 8 am departure to visit the famous historical site of Angkor. The day starts with the so called "grand tour" of Angkor. First stage is at Prasat Kravan, one of the most ancient constructions in Angkor. It is composed by 5 aligned towers. Then, you'll admire Srah Srang (the Royal Pools), before reaching the area of the large artificial basin Yasodharatataka (modern name East Baray), which has been dryed out. King Yasovarman ordered the construction of impressive dams to contain the basin. The dams were 7 meters high and arranged according to a rectangular shape 7,600 * 1,800 meters large.

At the centre of East-Baray, on an artificial hill, there are the ruins of Shivaista Rajendraesvara Temple (nowadays known as East-Mebon). While to the south, five imposing towers stand out. They belong to the state temple for the Khmer king Rajendravarman II: the Rajendrabadresvara, nowadays known as Pre Rup, an imposing "mountain-temple".

Around 20 km northwards, it is possible to find one of the most polished and refined masterworks of the Khmer. It is a small temple completely covered by wonderful bas-relifs. The original name of this artistic masterpiece is Tribuvanamahesvara, name that identifies God Shiva as the God of Three Worlds. Nowadays, the temple is famous as Banteay Srei, meaning "women's citadel".

The whole afternoon is devoted to the visit of the wonder of Angkor: the magical Angkor Wat. Since its re-discovering, this place has triggered the phantasy and the desire of the Western world. Nowadays it is considered as one of the most sensational wonders of our planet. This colossal monument boasts several records, among which the fact of being the largest religious complex in the world!

Overnight in Siem Reap.

At 8 am departure to continue the visits in Angkor. Today's main focus will be Jayavarman VII, the most famous and praised king. Under its kingdom, between the end of XII century and the beginning of the XIII century, the Khmer Kingdom reached its greatest expression and political and cultural influence. Jayavarman VII's era also marks an important spiritual transition, from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. Its large monuments are devoted to this ritual.

The day begins at Angkor Thom, the large fortified city accessible by passing through the renowned "South Gate", framed by gods and demons sustaining "Naga" snakes. Inside, there are the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, entirely carved with amazing bas-relifs. At the geometrical center of Angkor Thom, the State temple of Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the renowned Bayon, is located. It is famous thanks to its several towers on which big stone faces are carved.

Going out from Angkor Thom, through the Eastern "Victory Game", you'll find a series of amazing monuments, including two little temples designed according to the style of Angkor Wat: Thommanon and Chao Sai Tewoda, as well as the ruins of the majestic mountain-temple, today known as Ta Keo, which has never been completed by its constructors (visit to this temple from the outside).

These stunning ruins are the perfect prelude to the most important visit: the big Rajavihara, nowadays known as Ta Phrom. It is famous for its wild aspect. Ta Prhom has been chosen as an example to show the state in which Angkor has been discovered. Still today, big trees grow on the walls of the monastery and their imposing roots insinuate through the limestone blocks, creating a mystic union among art, history and nature.

In the afternoon you'll visit the second, enormous monastery: Nagarajayasri, the "lucky citiy that brings victory". It has been devoted to the King's father. The entire complex was fortified and enclosed by a high wall and surrounded by a wide canal crossed by four bridges adorned by "Naga" snakes. Nowadays, the complex is famous as Preah Khan and the construction highlights its symbolic importance.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast and check-out from the hotel before 12.00. Transfer to Siem Reap airport  to take the direct flight to Singapore. Arrival in Singapore, meeting with the assistant and private transfer to the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. The whole day is free at leisure to discover the city according to your personal style. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. The whole day is free at leisure to discover the city according to your personal style. Overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. The morning is free at leisure, in the early afternoon transfer to the airport to take the direct flight to Bali. Arrival in Bali in the late afternoon, private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in reserved rooms and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.Free time during the whole day for sun and relax. Dinner (not included) and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel and free time until the transfer to the airport: end of services.