Travelsphere: A Journey through Southeast Asia

• Return flights from Heathrow with Vietnam Airlines and Thai Airways and internal flights
• 18 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, plus overnight cruise and 2 nights in flight
• 43 meals: 19 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 9 dinners
• Travelsphere Tour Manager and Local Guides
• Overseas transfers and other transportation
• Porterage
• Audio Guide

• Tours of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
• Bicycle rickshaw ride around Hanoi’s Ancient Quarter
• Vietnamese coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake
• Traditional water puppet show with backstage visit
• Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
• Boat trip along the Perfume River
• Travel the scenic Hai Van Pass
• Lifestar Foundation with Lantern-making workshop
• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
• Dinner cruise on the Saigon River
• Explore Cambodia’s Angkor Temple complex
• Chansar village and an ox cart ride
• Receive a blessing from a monk
• Visit a Khmer family
• Visit a village built on stilts in Tonle Sap Lake
• Luang Prabang tour
• Cruise the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves
• Kuang Si Waterfalls visit
• Experience an alms-giving ceremony
• Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand including Wat Doi Suthep

Day 1: UK – Hanoi

Depart on your overnight flight to Hanoi today.

Day 2: Hanoi

Upon arrival in Vietnam’s capital city, transfer you to your hotel, where a two-night stay gives you plenty of time to explore.

Day 3: Hanoi

Get to grips with Hanoi’s many highlights on a full day of exploration, which starts at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Day 4: Halong Bay

A wonderful treat is in store today as you not only admire the stunning beauty of Halong Bay but also spend the night cruising its waters. Reach this UNESCO-listed site on a lovely journey by road through a patchwork of green paddy fields.

Day 5: Hue

Wake up to glorious views of Halong Bay as you enjoy tea, coffee and cookies. Weather conditions allowing, there will be numerous activities on offer this morning including kayaking, Tai Chi and swimming or maybe you’d rather visit a market or peer into some of the nearby caves.

Day 6: Hue

A full day in Hue will give you a real flavour of Vietnam’s former capital. We’ll start with a relaxing cruise on the Perfume River and a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda.

Day 7: Hoi An

A scenic drive via the Hai Van Pass this morning takes you to Hoi An, an enchanting ancient riverside town. After checking into our hotel and enjoying lunch we’ll head off on a tour of its highlights.

Day 8: Hoi An

This morning you’ll get to mix with the locals at the Lifestart Foundation, a project supported by Travelsphere Cares. Here you’ll discover the art of silk lantern-making as you watch an expert at work then you’ll get to make our own.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is your destination today.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City

You’ll spend this morning discovering the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnels. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. A wonderful way to end the day is with a dinner cruise on the Saigon River, with traditional dishes and live entertainment on the menu.

Day 11: Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap in neighbouring Cambodia today, where on arrival you’ll begin your discovery of the iconic temples of Angkor.

Day 12: Siem Reap

An exciting day of experiences begins with a visit to the small village of Chansar, which is supported by our Travelsphere Cares project. You can see the work taking place here, including the building of a kindergarten.

Day 13: Siem Reap

Today’s discoveries begin at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, whose entrance is lined by statues. We’ll also uncover the Bayon, decorated by impressive bas reliefs depicting everyday life as well as great battles.

Day 14: Luang Prabang

Our journey by road this morning takes us to Kompong Khleang, a village built on stilts whose residents earn a living by fishing on the Tonle Sap Lake.

Day 15: Luang Prabang

Today we’ll discover the highlights of the former royal capital of Luang Prabang on a tour. Admire the ornate Wat Xieng Thong and the Wat Mai, with its beautiful gilded façade. Then we head to the former Royal Palace, now a museum housing many religious and cultural artefacts.

Day 16: Luang Prabang

We start early today as we rise to the sound of the temple gong and witness a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony. Later, we head to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, so grab your swimsuit and take a dip in the turquoise waters if you wish.

Day 17: Mekong River to Pakbeng

You’ll spend the day cruising the Mekong River to Pakbeng, for an overnight stay at a riverside hotel. Sit back and relax as you enjoy the views of local life and lunch on board.

Day 18: Mekong River to Chiang Rai

We’ll set sail once more after breakfast, cruising the river to Huay Xai. Look out for wildlife along the way – if you’re lucky you might spot elephants from a nearby sanctuary bathing in the waters. We’ll stretch our legs in a traditional village, then cross the border into Thailand and make our way to Chiang Rai.

Day 19: Chiang Rai

Let’s get to know Chiang Rai with a morning sightseeing tour. We then make our way to Chiang Mai, visiting the Hall of Opium, a museum charting the history of the opium trade, on the way. We’ll also stop off at the glistening White Temple.

Day 20: Chiang Mai

Thailand’s holiest shrine, the mountain-top Wat Doin Suthep, is the first highlight our full-day tour. Its centrepiece is a lavish gold pagoda said to house relics of Lord Buddha. After time to explore we’ll travel along a road known as ‘handicraft highway’, where you can shop for traditional souvenirs.

Day 21: Chiang Mai – UK

You can enjoy some time at leisure before we transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK via Bangkok.

Day 22: UK

You will arrive back in the UK today.

• Seaplane flight over Halong Bay

At the end of your holiday, visit one of Thailand’s most infamous sights, the “Bridge over the River Kwai”. This add-on includes 2 nights’ accommodation in Bangkok on a bed-and-breakfast basis, plus one lunch. Enjoy a half-day tour of Bangkok, and a full-day excursion to the world-famous “Bridge over the River Kwai”.

From Just: £1199

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.