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Day 1
Arrive Bangkok
Check-in to your hotel and head straight out to explore the massive, buzzing city of Bangkok.
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Day 2
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
First stop this morning is Bangkok’s incrediable Royal Palace. It’s 61 acres of stunning buildings, gleaming spires and multi-coloured murals. You’ll learn about Thai beliefs and the Royal Family’s lifestyle at Bangkok’s most famous site and spiritual hot spot.
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Day 3
Chiang Mai
Wake up in chilled-out Chiang Mai, Thailand’s pretty, second largest city.
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Day 4
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai
Travel through a landscape of rice paddies to Chiang Rai, a quiet town that is the gateway to trekking in the surrounding hills.
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Day 5
Chiang Rai to Pakbeng
Today, cross the border into laid-back Laos, South East Asia’s only land-locked country. Having recently opened its doors to foreigners, Laos has pretty much kept its traditional lifestyle alive with lots of untouched nature and really friendly locals.
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Day 6
Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
Back on board the boat this morning, we continue cruising down the Mekong, past thick forests and mountains.
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Day 7
Luang Prabang
There’s a chance to get up close to the world’s largest land-based mammals as part of our Only Contiki rainforest elephant ride. Ride an elephant through thick, green jungle, beside the Nam Khan River. You can feel good about doing it, as all funds from this activity go back into the local community.
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Day 8
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Start the day by getting into the spirit of the town and wake up early for the monks’ procession and ritual giving of alms. The combination of first morning light and the monks’ orange robes is great for photos & is a truly unique experience before you farewell Luang Prabang.
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Day 9
Vang Vieng
Today, get hold of a map and take off at your own pace to explore the surrounding countryside. Cover more on a bike (your Tour Manager can organise one for you). There are a whole lot of limestone caves, swimming holes, tunnels and bunkers once used against invaders to discover.
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Day 10
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
This morning it’s on to Vientiane. Compact, cosmopolitan and the nation’s capital, Vientiane shows influences of old Chinese and Vietnamese merchant family traditions, French colonialism, expat lifestyle and socialism.
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Day 11
Vientiane to Phnom Penh
Travel by plane into Cambodia this morning, a country with fantastic food, mind-blowing ancient temples and a complex history.
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Day 12
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Catch a flight this morning and land in small-town Siem Reap, where cafes, bars and restaurants spill out of French style shophouses.
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Day 13
Siem Reap
Get ready for an incredible day with a visit to the jaw-droppingly beautiful Ankor Wat Temples. Start early with a visit to watch the sun rise over Ankor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. The heart-stopping combo of soft light, lily-filled waterways and an intricately carved temple will give you goose bumps.
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Day 14
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
There’s free time before our afternoon flight, so you could visit a local community project that supports families in crisis where you can interact with the kids and find out how social work operates here.
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Day 15
Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
For the next two days, we journey into the Mekong Delta. In your time here, cruise the Delta on a traditional boat and take in Vietnam’s major rice producing area. See local fruit farms, floating markets and everyday life on Vietnam’s waterways.
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Day 16
Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City
It’s an early breakfast before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City
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Day 17
Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
Today you’ll hear Vietnam’s history in a nutshell on a city tour that starts from colonial times.
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Day 18
Nha Trang
A free day gives you time to sink into the laid-back beach lifestyle. Snack on fresh pineapple or other tropical fruits from the area. Try a massage and soak up the sun or cool off in the South China Sea.
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Day 19
Nha Trang to Hoi An
After a short flight to Danang this morning, we drive on to Hoi An.
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Day 20
Hoi An
It’s a free day today, so explore more of Hoi An and its surrounds.
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Day 21
Hoi An to Hue
Back on the coach we travel through the “Pass of the Ocean Clouds”, on to the former imperial city of Hue. Keep your camera handy for the incredible coastal views and rolling green hills along the way.
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Day 22
Hue to Hanoi
After a short flight, we land in the Northern capital of Hanoi. Hanoi is completely different to its southern counterpart, Ho Chi Minh City. It combines French flair, Chinese culture and Vietnamese vitality. This town is a romantic living timeline and open-air museum.
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Day 23
Hanoi to Halong Bay
First up this morning is a visit to the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh – former president of Vietnam. Be part of the solemn procession of onlookers paying their respects to the leader who fought for the country’s independence (seasonal).
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Day 24
Halong Bay to Hanoi
After a relaxed breakfast we take a local boat to explore a small, hidden grotto and perhaps see some of the locals (monkeys!) that live there.
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Day 25
Depart Hanoi
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast and some free time, so say goodbye to your crew and Tour Manager.
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