15 DAYS OF ACTIVITIES - THAILAND AND VIETNAM ADVENTURE
Explore a captivating 15-day Thailand and Vietnam Adventure, starting in the bustling city of Bangkok and culminating in the historic capital of Hanoi. Your adventure encompasses diverse experiences, from exploring the bustling streets of Bangkok and navigating its public transport system to hiking the Monk's Trail in Chiang Mai and kayaking through waterways. In Phong Nha, you'll embark on an exhilarating trek to the Tu Lan cave complex and delve deep into its caverns. The journey then takes you to the picturesque Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where trekking and visiting local villages await. Head to Hanoi, where you'll experience the city in a local style before heading to the stunning Ha Long Bay to cruise amidst iconic limestone karsts. On this trip, you will challenge yourself with scenic treks, explore the hidden cultural treasures of both countries, see the most fascinating natural sites of both countries, and create lifelong memories.
BRIEF SCHEDULE
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, Self - Guided Day in Bangkok
Day 2: Explore Bangkok by Public Transport (B/L)
Day 3: Explore Bangkok's waterways by kayak, Transfer to Chiang Mai (B)
Day 4:-Chieng Mai - Hike the Monk's Trail in Chiang Mai (B/L)
Day 5: Chieng Mai - Cycling & Kayaking in Sri Lanna National Park, Explore Chiang Mai by Night (B/L)
Day 6: Chieng Mai - Spending the day at Mae Kampong village (B/L)
Day 7: Chiang Mai to Phong Nha, Phong Nha free time (B)
Day 8: Phong Nha Ke Bang national park - Trek to Tu Lan cave complex (B/L/D)
Day 9: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - Explore the Tu Lan cave system (B/L)
Day 10: Phong Nha to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via Hanoi, Free time in Pu Luong (B/L)
Day 11: Pu Luong - Trekking to Kho Muong and Uoi Villages (B/L)
Day 12: Pu Luong Nature Reserve to Hanoi capital (B/D)
Day 13: Explore Hanoi Like a Local (B/L)
Day 14: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Day 15: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi, Departure Hanoi (B/L)
Wish you all the best and see you soon!
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DETAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, Self - Guided Day in Bangkok
Private transfer from the airport to the hotel in Bangkok
Private transfer · 40 minutes
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Our representative will meet you at Bangkok International Airport to warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel by private transportation. From here your adventure officially begins! Upon arrival at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours at leisure. You may choose to relax at the hotel or explore Bangkok on your own.
Self - Guided Day in Bangkok
In Thailand's capital city get ready for its chaotic energy, street food, buzzing nightlife, and sacred Buddhist sights. Today is free to discover Bangkok, you might start in Chinatown with its fragrant street food, or go to Siam Paragon, one of Thailand's largest shopping malls. Or, if you happen to be in Bangkok during the weekend, browse Chatuchak Market — more than 15,000 stalls selling clothes, flowers, food, antiques, and nearly anything else you can imagine.
After shopping or browsing, watch a match of kickboxing —Thailand's signature sport — at Channel 7 Boxing Stadium or Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. Watch a traditional puppet show at the Joe Louis Theatre, or head for Warehouse 30 to experience Bangkok's contemporary art scene, watch a film or eat at a hip restaurant for modern Thai cuisine.
Optional Activity
Your specialist has selected this for you to consider.
Dinner at Zoom Sky Bar and Restaurant
Private group · 2.5 hours · Dinner Included
In the evening, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Zoom Sky Bar and Restaurant for dinner. Located on the 40th floor at the JC Kevin Sathorn Bangkok Hotel, this place will give you a panoramic view of the Bangkok skyline in all directions. Enjoy the sunset view while sipping Zoom's signature cocktails and dining on innovative cuisine.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok by Public Transport (B/L)
Private group · 8 hours
Discover the local side of this metropolis on a full-day tour, using some of Bangkok's distinctive public transport. The day’s adventure begins with a ride on the Skytrain, an electric train that glides above the traffic. Hop off near the Chao Phraya River and board a public boat, another popular option for commuting. As you cruise down the river, the scenery morphs from city highrises to houses balanced on stilts along the river's edge.
The boat stops near the iconic Wat Pho temple complex and the Grand Palace. You'll spend the rest of the morning exploring these two remarkable sites, learning about the country’s regal history and the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of its people.
Day 3: Explore Bangkok's waterways by kayak, Transfer to Chiang Mai (B)
Private group
Get ready for a city adventure—paddling through Bangkok by kayak. Launching from the west bank of Chao Phraya River, you'll explore locals' traditional ways of living along hidden canals. The morning's route varies from a lotus pond to waterways temples and a 200-year-old community settlement.
You'll disembark halfway to visit a Chinese shrine and meet a local shipwright (a carpenter specializing in boat building repair). Then, hop back into the kayaks, where your route will take you past tropical fruit orchards and some of Bangkok’s oldest wooden houses, where modern materialism gives way to a simpler way of life.
Overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Train · 11 hours
Have free time until your driver meets you and escorts you to the train station, where you will take an overnight train to Chiang Mai. After arriving at the train station, enjoy a quick breakfast before heading to the hotel.
Day 4:-Chieng Mai - Hike the Monk's Trail in Chiang Mai (B/L)
Private group
Spend the morning hiking the Monk's Trail on Doi Suthep Mountain. This trail was once used exclusively by monks on their way to the summit's temple, Wat Phra That. You'll follow the uphill path, marked by strips of orange robes, for half an hour.
The first temple you'll reach is Wat Pha Lat. Possibly one of Chiang Mai’s least-visited sacred sites, it's hidden from tourists and only accessible via this trail. Stroll around the mysterious-looking statues and monuments, some overgrown with jungle. Then, you'll be transferred up to Wat Phra That on the summit, at an altitude of 5,499 feet (1,676 m). Take in the panorama over Chiang Mai as you learn about Thai religion from the guide.
Day 5: Chieng Mai - Cycling & Kayaking in Sri Lanna National Park, Explore Chiang Mai by Night (B/L)
Private group
Today’s tour will begin at 8 am. Fuel up with a good breakfast as a great adventure awaits! Set off for the one-hour drive from Chiang Mai on this day trip to Sri Lanna National Park.
Upon reaching the park entrance, hike up the Sticky Waterfalls before hopping on a bike for a 12-mile (20 km) ride. Pedal along quiet rural roads, through a vivid green landscape of rice paddies, orchards, and bamboo and fern groves.
Day 6: Chieng Mai - Spending the day at Mae Kampong village (B/L)
Private group
Today’s tour will begin early, with a visit to the local market to pick up ingredients for your lunch. Continue to Mae Kampong village, the starting point for a walk through the community forest, passing tea and coffee fields, to a beautiful seven-tier waterfall. Return to the village to watch lunch being prepared by your host family.
In the afternoon, you'll get an up-close look at the wildlife-rich jungle—in the treetops at the Flight of the Gibbon center. This adventure course of ropes and sky bridges features one of the longest single ziplines in Asia, at 2,625 feet (800 m). It's also the only zipline course where you can hear the distinctive call of endangered gibbons (and you might see them swinging through the forest canopy right beside you!).
After, transfer back to the hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 7: Chiang Mai to Phong Nha, Phong Nha free time (B)
It's time to say goodbye to Thailand, as you're transferred to the airport for the flight to Vietnam! On your arrival at Vietnam's Dong Hoi Airport, a local guide will meet you and drive you to Phong Nha to check into the hotel.
Note: The flight usually takes two hours but could have stopovers.
Phong Nha free time
You'll have free time today to explore the neighborhood of Phong Nga, with its rice paddies surrounded by ridges. It's part of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a natural paradise and UNESCO World Heritage site that covers a surface area of 304,745 acres (123,326 ha). It sits in one of the biggest areas of contiguous limestone in Asia, which has resulted in a mindblowing complex of caves. As exploration only began in 2009, most are yet to be mapped. Adventure lovers, this is your place.
Day 8: Phong Nha Ke Bang national park - Trek to Tu Lan cave complex (B/L/D)
Private group
You'll be picked up from Phong Nha and taken to the village of Tan Hoa, 43 miles (70 km) away. After a safety briefing and gear check, it’s off and away for a memorable adventure.
Begin with a walk among peanut fields, towering corn stalks, and water buffaloes to arrive at the Rao Nan River. Ascend a rocky hill to a small jungle opening, and take a break before hiking back down to the Hung Ton Valley. After a pit stop for a picnic lunch at the Hung Ton Cave opening, the action picks up again with some challenging trails from Hung Ton Valley to Mango Mountain. After dropping down to Tu Lan Valley, by mid-afternoon, you'll see Tu Lan campsite on the horizon.
Day 9: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - Explore the Tu Lan cave system (B/L)
Private group
This morning, tuck into a hearty breakfast before exploring the maze-like Tu Lan cave system. Start with a brief swim across the river, then take a break to enjoy a blue lagoon, before swimming another 591 feet (180 m) downstream to the cave’s entrance. Explore the dry area of the cave—which may involve some climbing and squeezing—and soon after, the dry exit will be in sight.
Then, trek a short way through the valley into the dry entrance of Kim Cave. Stay a while to observe the natural window of light that illuminates this incredible space. Then, set off on another swim of 1,476 feet (450 m) and trek 1,640 feet (500 m) through Hang Kim to To Mo Valley.
Day 10: Phong Nha to Pu Luong Nature Reserve via Hanoi, Free time in Pu Luong (B/L)
Flight · 7 hours
After breakfast, spend some time at leisure. Meet our guide and driver who will transfer you to Don Hoi airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be transferred to Pu Luong by private car (around 4 hours).
Free time in Pu Luong
Pu Luong is one of the most spectacular places in Vietnam, with miles of limestone peaks and three-quarters of the reserve covered with primary tropical forest. It's also the home turf of ethnic Muong and Thai people, who you'll see working the rice paddies across the lowlands. With few foreign visitors, the villages have retained an authentic feel and tranquil atmosphere. The locals are friendly, too, so spend some time exploring the area at your own pace. Rent a bicycle and pedal between villages, or hike among the rice fields.
Day 11: Pu Luong - Trekking to Kho Muong and Uoi Villages (B/L)
Private group · 8 hours
Set off early from your Pu Luong Nature Reserve retreat, for a full-day guided hike of 8 miles (13 km). Descend into the valley and its tumbling rice terraces. After following small paths shrouded in vegetation, the view will open up to a picturesque village at the base of a mountain. This is Kho Muong, a settlement of stilted houses in the central valley. You'll have chance to engage with locals here and see their rural way of life. There'll be time to visit the Bat Cave, where the first ancestors of the Muong ethnic group once lived.
After lunch in one of the homes on stilts, trek 4 miles (7 km) through the jungle to explore the abundance of flora and fauna. The winding trail around lush mountains will take you to the village of Uoi, in the middle of the forest. Weave between farmland and villages, ponds and rivers, mountains and open pastures, savoring the ever-changing scenery. Then you will be transferred back to Pu Luong.
Day 12: Pu Luong Nature Reserve to Hanoi capital (B/D)
Private transfer from Pu Luong Nature Reserve to Hanoi
Private transfer · 4 hours
Relax at your resort and then transfer to Hanoi via a four-hour private car journey.
Optional Activity
Your specialist has selected this for you to consider.
Hanoi Evening Street Food Tour
Private group · 2 hours · Dinner Included
Meet with your guide for a mouth-watering food tour of Hanoi. Start with a trip to Thanh Ha Market, where you'll browse food stalls, try local delicacies, and learn about Vietnamese culinary culture. Head to Dong Xuan Market, famed for its noodle shops, and sample treats such as pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs) and bun dau (tofu served in soup with rice noodles and fermented shrimp paste).
Next, move on to the Old Quarter to explore its network of labyrinthine lanes. Here, you'll learn about traditional celebrations, stop at ceremonial cake stalls, and taste a French-influenced dessert. Wander along Hang Cot Street, known for its preserved sugared or salted fruits. You'll end the tour at a café, to sip slow-dripped hot coffee or a sweet iced drink, while watching Hanoi’s street life unfold.
Day 13: Explore Hanoi Like a Local (B/L)
Private group · 7 hours
Begin the day by driving from your hotel through the historic Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam in 1945. Marvel at the exceptional architecture and soak in the delightful atmosphere around this square. Proceed to Lenin Garden, a communal space frequented by locals. This presents an excellent opportunity to people-watch and gain a better understanding of their daily activities.
Next, stroll through the narrow alleys of Hanoi, where family shops have been passed down through generations. Observe the locals' daily routines as they continue to practice traditional ways of life in the alleys of Hanoi. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this unique experience. Continue your walk to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, constructed in the late 11th century, and learn about its significance in the country's history. Afterward, visit the intriguing Ethnology Museum, exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam and serves as both a research center and public museum (closed Mondays).
Day 14: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Private Transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Private transfer · 2.5 hours
In the morning, your personal driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to Ha Long Bay in a comfortable car. Enjoy the views of rice paddies along the scenic route. The drive will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise Ha Long Bay
Group tour · 6 hours
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the three-hour drive to the coast and Ha Long Bay. Located on the Gulf of Tonkin, over 1,500 karst islets rise above jade waters and resemble the spine of some mythological creature ("ha long" actually translates to "descending dragon"). The unique beauty of this region is unlike anywhere else and thus has been bestowed with UNESCO World Heritage status.
Upon arrival at the marina, you'll board a multi-level cruise ship for an overnight tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After settling into your cabin, head up to the deck, where a delicious seafood lunch awaits. Then you can spend hours relaxing on the sun deck as the ship sails across glassy emerald waters to the most secluded corners of the bay. Later that afternoon, you'll stop at a secret cove for a swim and a kayak trip to explore hidden beaches and grottoes.
Day 15: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi, Departure Hanoi (B/L)
Small group · 4.5 hours
Wake up early and head to the deck to catch the sunrise. Then sit down and enjoy breakfast in the open air, as you cruise around towering islets. The rest of the morning is yours to enjoy, so relax and take in the views, or join an optional activity like kayaking around Ha Long's floating villages. Sit down for an early lunch before disembarking at the marina and transfer back to Hanoi.
Transfer from Halong Bay to Noi Bai International Airport by private car
Private transfer · 3.5 hours
Transfer from the harbor to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi for your departure flight.
The tour ends here!
Thank you and see you in other tours
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THINGS INCLUDED
Accommodation
Your specialist has not yet selected any hotels for you.
Please ask your specialist to select hotels with availability for your travel dates.
Flights
From Chiang Mai (CNX) to Dong Hoi (VDH)
Flight from Dong Hoi to Hanoi
Guide
Experienced English-speaking guide
French/German/Spanish/ Russian/ Chinese speaking guides are available upon request. The surcharge will be applied
