Kingdoms of Southeast Asia

Set out on a journey that reveals the best of Southeast Asia. From the villages of Vietnam and the temples of Cambodia to the friendly locals of Laos and the lively energy of Thailand, embark on an unforgettable cultural adventure. Start your journey in Vietnam – where lush valleys and verdant fields create a beautiful country with a long and rich history.

Your tour opens in Hanoi. Layers of the city’s complex past can be found interwoven into its modern culture. Known for its French colonial architecture, tree-lined streets, and vibrant street food scene, Hanoi is Vietnam’s dynamic capital and second most populous city. Overnight at Mercure La Gare Hanoi.

Start your morning with a city tour of Hanoi and the Old Quarter. Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. Follow the meandering streets, decorated with temples and pagodas, and feast on the history before you. After working up an appetite, enjoy a walking food tour featuring some of Vietnam’s most famous dishes such as banh mi and pho. Enjoy coffee and views of Hoan Kiem Lake – the “Lake of the Restored Sword” – at a rooftop café. Later this evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Your day starts at the infamous Hoa Lo Prison. This historic site, dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs, is now a museum that tells the story of colonial history from the Vietnamese perspective. Following your visit, sit down with a local veteran from the Vietnam War to chat and connect with him as he recounts his history.

Journey to Ha Long Bay and board a charming junk boat for an overnight cruise - the perfect vantage point for soaking up the landscape. Once on board, enjoy a feast of fresh seafood as you sail past vistas of low green mountains, small villages, hundreds of islands, and limestone peaks jutting out from the sea. Disembark to discover the wonders of nature, history, and archaeology. Back on board, sit back and relax as the sounds and peaceful sway of the boat lull you to sleep. Overnight on board boat.

Your day begins with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Then, it’s your choice! Explore vibrant waters by traditional row boat -OR- see it from the seat of a kayak. Cruise back to the harbor and return to Hanoi. Fly to Da Nang and travel to Hoi An (UNESCO), an ancient trading port. Enjoy a savory meal at a local restaurant. Overnight at La Siesta Hoi An Resort And Spa.

Explore the flavors of Hoi An. Board a basket boat and journey along the Co Co River for an immersive cooking class. Learn how to catch seafood in the river and grind rice into flour. Use your ingredients to cook four classic dishes which you’ll enjoy for lunch. Continue with a moving experience at a local café and celebrate the work of talented artisans that create sustainable and fair-trade products. Before you leave, take part in an immersive lantern-making experience and create colorful beacons of prosperity. Later, on a walking tour of the old town, stroll by the ornate Chinese-style temple Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. End at the vibrant market on the banks of the Thu Bon.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the magic of Hoi An. Walk along the canals that cut through Ancient Town on your own, uncovering a preserved history interwoven into the modern way of life. Perhaps you’ll visit an art gallery, wander through a cultural museum, or go shopping for the perfect souvenir.

Leave Hoi An and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the energetic urban capital formerly known as Saigon. On an eye-opening city tour, you’ll see the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral,* and the Reunification Palace. Head over to explore treasures from local vendors on display at the Old Market in District 1. Overnight at Novotel Saigon Centre.

Take to the waters of the famous Mekong Delta. As you sail along, your guide will delve into the history and culture of the region. Find lush tropical gardens, local markets, and a bustling energy that gives an intriguing peek into everyday life. Discover the region’s cottage industry with a visit to a coconut candy factory and learn how this confection is made. Enjoy lunch featuring southern Vietnamese cuisine before traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Spend your morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City before your dinner at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s gateway to the wonders of Angkor. In this ancient city, you’ll discover a world where colonial and Chinese architecture melds into a sophisticated urban and culinary scene. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a traditional Khmer dance performance. Overnight at Tara Angkor Hotel.

Depart for a sunrise at Angkor Wat, a perfect example of classic Khmer architecture. Enter its eastern gate and exit to the west, watching the sunlight dance along stones. Have breakfast back at the hotel before returning to Angkor. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a sprawling monastic complex that is overgrown with jungle. At Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmers, visit the Terrace of the Leper King and the temples of Baphuon and Bayon, 11th- and 12th-century masterpieces at the center of the city.

Start your day at the Visitor Center of APOPO, where “hero rats” are trained to navigate minefields and save lives. Learn about the country’s history with war and meet the professional rats at a demonstration. Continue to the village of Preah Dak to see how Nom Banh Jok (rice noodles) are created. Get a peek into the local culture at the palm sugar market, where tree sap is gathered and cooked for sugar. Make your way to Les Chantiers Ecoles, where local apprentices are trained in fine arts, and peruse the different workshops of sculpture, carving, and more.

Connect with locals at the JWOC Community Center** and learn about their ongoing projects. Your day continues with a flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Get acquainted with the city with your guide. Then, it’s your choice! Venture into the lively outdoor markets at night -OR- return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Overnight at Souphattra Hotel Luang Prabang.

Hop into a tuk tuk with a guide and make your way to the city center, including a visit to the National Museum – the former Royal Palace. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong monastery, decorated in eye-catching gold. Meander along the Nam Khan River to Wat Khili, highlighting the local culture and history. After lunch, cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, shrouded in mystery and home to thousands of Buddha statues. End your day with a home-hosted dinner and traditional Baci ceremony – celebrating a significant event in someone’s life.

Begin your morning with a traditional alms offering, gathering with monks before exploring a nearby market. After breakfast back at the hotel, journey to a traditional Hmong hill tribe village in Ban Long Lao and get to know the tribe and their way of life. Set out on an easy hike*** through lush jungle and panoramic mountain scenery to the incredible Kuang Si Waterfall. After a picnic lunch, return to Luang Prabang.

Board your flight to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. A feast for the senses, this bustling city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River blends cosmopolitan sophistication with a strong sense of history and tradition. Tonight, join your fellow travelers and toast to the end of your adventure on a Klong dinner cruise. Overnight Rembrandt Hotel.

Return home with memories of your travels through the kingdoms of Southeast Asia.