Indochina Adventure: 20-Day Across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam

After breakfast, embark on a long-tail boat journey along the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings) to visit three of Thailand's oldest temples. Cruise through the bustling canals of Thonburi to observe local waterfront life. Stop at the Royal Barges Museum and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) with its glazed mosaics. Visit Wat Traimit and its Golden Buddha. Proceed to the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

Visit Wat Pho with its impressive Reclining Buddha, surrounded by Chinese statues depicting royal guards in various postures.

Return to the hotel for rest. Overnight in Bangkok.

Morning departure to the west of Bangkok to visit the Maeklong Market, set up along the train tracks near the railway station. Walk along the rails to explore this colorful market and witness how quickly vendors fold their stalls for the approaching train (train times are not fixed, typically around 8:30 am).

Arrive at Samut Songkhram and board a traditional long-tail boat for a scenic journey along the Grand Canal and smaller canals, showcasing authentic rural Asia on the outskirts of Bangkok. This hour-long journey culminates at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a picturesque spot bustling with vendors selling food, flowers, plants, and animals.

Return to the hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Arrival in Siem Reap, greeted by our English-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in (subject to availability).

Free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Full day exploring the mystical temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire (9th-15th centuries): Angkor Wat temples, dedicated to Vishnu, the supreme god of Hinduism, are considered masterpieces of Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Thom temples form a walled city covering 10 square kilometers, once home to a million people. Visit the South Gate with its huge statues, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the famous Bayon Temple, featuring 54 towers adorned with 216 faces of Avalokitesvara, the most important deity in Buddhism.

Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy dinner and an Asara music and dance show at a charming local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast. Full-day excursion to the majestic temples of the Small and Grand Circuits: Visit Banteay Srei (Citadel of the Women), one of the most beautiful temples, constructed from pink sandstone and adorned with intricate carvings of Apsaras and deities. Explore the sacred temples of Neak Poan, Preah Khan, and Banteay Samre, known as miniature Angkor Wat. Visit the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, an abandoned Buddhist monastery engulfed by the jungle. Enjoy the sunset from the mountain temple of Pre Rup.

Return to Siem Reap. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight from Siem Reap to Hanoi. Arrival at Hanoi airport, greeted by our local English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, explore Hanoi's cultural sites and historic monuments, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university founded in 1070. Enjoy lunch with 'Cha Ca', a typical Vietnamese dish of grilled fish noodles.

In the afternoon, stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarter, known as the '36 Streets and 36 Wares', named after the products historically sold there, such as Paper Street, Sugar Street, and Silver Street. Enjoy a cup of egg coffee or a glass of beer.

Return to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Depart for Ninh Binh – known for its limestone rocks, sugarloaf mountains, and rice fields flooded by rivers and lakes year-round. After a 2-hour drive, arrive in Ninh Binh province. Embark on a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River through Tam Coc, often referred to as 'Halong Bay on land'. This winding river passes through rice fields, sugarloaf mountains, and three caves at the foot of limestone peaks.

Continue to Mua Cave (Hang Mua), climbing 486 stone steps to the top of this bell-shaped mountain for panoramic views of the Tam Coc region.

Finally, visit Hoa Lu – once the ancient capital of Dai Co Viet (Vietnam's former name), featuring the remnants of temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Depart for Halong, Vietnam's most beautiful bay and one of Asia's most magical landscapes. Board a traditional junk boat upon arrival. Welcome by the crew and embark on a magnificent cruise through the bay. Visit Bai Tu Long (northern part of Halong Bay):

Admire picturesque islands and islets of various shapes (sail, dog, cock, incense...). Visit splendid caves in Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son Cave, home to stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years. Continue the cruise to Cap La, kayak and swim in the sublime waters of the bay (weather permitting). Late afternoon, leisure on the upper deck of the junk boat. Participate in an onboard cooking demonstration, preparing 'nem' or spring rolls. Lunch and dinner on board.

Free time for personal rest and relaxation: card games, night fishing...

Overnight on board.

Early morning, wake up for sunrise over the bay's islets.

Boat ride to discover deserted beaches and the picturesque Ca Tunnel, Ba Ham Lake. Continue the cruise to lesser-known parts of Halong Bay.

Lunch on board, disembark, and return to Hanoi.

In the afternoon, flight to Hue, Vietnam's ancient capital.

Overnight in Hue.

Day dedicated to exploring Hue, Vietnam's last imperial capital (1802-1945): The Imperial City, residence and workplace of 13 Nguyen kings for 143 years. Scenic tombs of the Nguyen kings (Gia Long Mausoleum or Minh Mang Mausoleum). Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's most beautiful and visited pagoda, or the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda where the tombs of eunuchs from the Nguyen dynasty are located. Phu Mong Village with garden houses - a cultural identity of Hue. Traditional conical hat-making.

In the evening, enjoy a royal dinner in traditional attire with music.

Overnight in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Walk or drive to Hoi An along the wild coastline of the East Sea and the Hai Van Pass. Views of Lang Co and Da Nang with their turquoise water bays, long beaches like Thuan An and Lang Co, and large lagoons with various types of fish farms by the local population.

Various visits and stops are planned along the way:

Picturesque cemeteries along the roadside: called 'ghost villages', these cemeteries contain sets of tombs and castles of finely carved Asian architecture.

Overnight in the hotel.

Free day in Hoi An to relax. Here are some suggested activities: Explore Hoi An's Old Town (on your own) including Phuc Kien Assembly Hall dedicated to the protector goddess of fishermen and sailors; Phuc Thanh Pagoda, the oldest in Hoi An (1454); the Japanese Covered Bridge built in 1593; old lanes, museums, and ancient wooden houses dating back hundreds of years.

Relax on the beautiful beaches of the East Sea (Cua Dai, An Bang...) or stroll through the surrounding countryside where various traditional villages are located (vegetables, ceramics, carpentry...).

Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Visit upon arrival: Ben Thanh Market – symbol of the city. Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office (designed by Gustave Eiffel's plans). City People's Committee headquarters: the former Marie Centrale, the city's most beautiful colonial building.

War Remnants Museum: Saigon's past during the Vietnam War years (1954-1975). Traditional Medicine Museum of Vietnam, discovering Vietnamese traditional medicine with over 3000 years of history. Chinatown (Cho Lon) with Thien Hau Temple.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Depart for the Mekong Delta, a region half land, half water at the southern tip of the country.

Arrive in Ben Tre, a major city located in the heart of the northern arms of the river. Take a boat trip along the rivers to reach Mo Cay, a small rural area still not very touristic, well-known for its coconut trade and the manufacturing of coconut products: coconut fiber, activated coconut charcoal, etc.

Bicycle or Xe loi (motorized cycle) ride on the green island abundantly covered with coconut palms. The route, away from mass tourism, takes you along small paths under the shade of coconut trees, offering a particularly poetic landscape. Stop at farms to observe the production of coconut sweets and brooms.

Continue with a small rowboat ride through water palm-surrounded creeks, immersing you in the daily life of the delta. Visit the traditional house of Mr. Van, tasting local specialties made by his wife: coconut jam, honey tea with pollen... and wonderful encounters with the local population.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phuket. Arrival at Phuket airport, greeted by our English-speaking guide, and transfer to the hotel for check-in (subject to availability).

Free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Phuket.

During your two free days in Phuket, we suggest the following activities for your reference:

Phang Nga Bay: Located 85 km from Phuket, famous for its karst peaks and Koh Tapu, known as "James Bond Island". Explore natural caves, visit the fishing village of Ko Panyi, and enjoy boat, canoe, or kayak excursions. Phi Phi Archipelago: Famous for Maya Bay from "The Beach", offers jungle hiking, the Viking Cave, and ideal snorkeling spots. Closed to the public but expected to reopen from 2022.

Similan Archipelago: A national park with granite islands, excellent for hiking and renowned as a top destination for snorkeling and diving. Offers 30 notable sites to explore underwater. Patong: A vibrant area with bars, restaurants, and leisure activities such as parasailing, tubing, and lively nightlife. Old Phuket Town: Wander through Sino-Portuguese style buildings, visit local craft shops, museums, and historical sites like the Blue Elephant Mansion.

Beautiful beaches: Relax on stunning beaches like Rawai, Nai Harn, Patong, Kata, Karon, Ya Nui, Kamala, Surin, Nai Thon, and Banana. Wat Srisoonthorn and Samnak Song Nai Harn: Visit Wat Sri Sunthorn with a reclining Buddha and the Samnak Song Nai Harn Monastery nestled in a serene location.

Phuket Shows: Enjoy cultural performances at Fantasea theme park and cabaret shows with flamboyant costumes and various acts from dancers and performers.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will fly back to Bangkok for your return journey, marking the end of your memorable exploration through Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in 20 days. Thank you for choosing Kampá Tour to accompany you on this journey!