Southeast Asia Senses Journey

From: 2,198 USD | 19 Days

Active level: Easy

Bangkok – Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya – Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle – Luang Prabang – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Ninh Binh – Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

Adventure

Your journey at a glance

Discover Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand in 19 days—from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Halong Bay, the wonders of Angkor, to Thailand’s floating markets. This is a multi-sensory journey of flavors, local rhythms, and unforgettable Southeast Asian memories.

Brief

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Day 2: Bangkok - City tour

Day 3: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Day 4: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai

Day 5: Chiang Mai - City tour - Khantoke Dinner

Day 6: Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle

Day 7: Chiang Rai - Fly to Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi - City tour

Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay/Peony Cruise

Day 10: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Danang - Hoi An

Day 11: Hoi An - Free and Easy

Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta/Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh city - Fly to Phnom Penh

Day 15: Phnom Penh - City tour

Day 16: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Day 17: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

Day 18: Siem Reap - Banteay Srei & Rolous

Day 19: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Departure

Important Information

  • Immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures, ancient temples, and breathtaking landscapes of three countries.
  • Experience every destination through your senses: taste, sight, sound, touch, smell, and heartfelt emotion.
  • Discover hidden stories, from the mystical limestone islands of Halong Bay to the mysterious smiles of Angkor’s stone faces.
  • Connect deeply with local life—enjoy lantern-lit nights in Hoi An, bustling markets in Bangkok, and the floating villages of Tonle Sap
  • Unlimited customization upon request
  • Instant support
  • Accommodation with breakfast in the central location and highly recommended on travel forum
  • Experienced local guide (language is upon request)
  • All entrance fees and sightseeing tickets as listed
  • Local dishes with hygiene (others are upon request)
  • Air-conditioned transfer during the whole tour
  • Complimentary water each day
  • Service charges and government taxes
  • Any extra services are upon request

This customized itinerary allows us to tailor the accommodation to your specific preferences and budgetary considerations. Our local travel experts will recommend accommodations that align with the unique requirements of your journey, ensuring comfort, convenience, and a memorable stay.

From local homestay, boutique hotels to renowned hotel chains, we prioritize collaboration with accredited and reputable accommodation providers, guaranteeing the highest possible standards of service and hospitality throughout your entire travel experience.

Detailed information about accommodation for this itinerary will be provided in the final tour proposal.

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind before your trip. Our team is here to help, so don't hesitate to reach out to us with questions.
- Visa & Passport: Check the visa requirements for your nationality well in advance. Also, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your trip.
- Health & Safety: Make sure you have suitable travel insurance and consult your healthcare provider about any vaccinations or medications you might need before you travel.
- Dress Code: Pack modest clothing, especially when you plan to visit religious sites or rural areas. Lightweight, breathable clothing is ideal due to the tropical climate.
- Travel Documents: Keep copies of important travel documents (passport, visa, and travel insurance) and store them in a separate place from the originals. It's also a good idea to have digital copies stored on your phone or in cloud storage for easy access.
For more helpful travel tips, check out our free Travel Guide. You can get your copy below:

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Bangkok – The City of Contrasts, a Symphony of Sounds
As soon as you set foot in Bangkok, you are immediately swept up in the symphony of this city that never sleeps. The hum of tuk-tuk engines echoes through the crowded streets, the lively shouts of street vendors, the gentle chimes of temple bells drifting in the wind, and the cheerful laughter and conversations along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. When night falls, the city becomes even more vibrant with lively music from riverside bars blending with the gentle sound of waves lapping at the piers. These sounds are not simply noise, but rather an invitation for you to immerse yourself in the dynamic rhythm of life, to open your heart to new things, and let all your senses gradually awaken for the journey ahead.

Day 2: Bangkok - City tour

Day 2: Bangkok - City tour

Bangkok – The Dazzling Gold of the Grand Palace
Stepping through the gates of the Grand Palace, you feel like you’ve entered a world ablaze with colors and light. The sweeping, gilded temple roofs gleam under the morning sun, the mosaic walls sparkle, and the majestic Buddha statues shine in the sacred space. Every step is an overwhelming scene, where your eyes cannot turn away from each intricate detail, each radiant hue. You will find yourself small amidst the sea of dazzling gold, overwhelmed by the perfect combination of power, artistry, and faith of the Thai people. The splendor of this place will linger in your mind, like a golden dream from which you never wish to awaken.

Day 3: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Day 3: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi – The River Kwai and Historical Reflections
Standing on the Bridge over the River Kwai, you fall silent before the slow-moving water, as if the clinking of chains and the footsteps of prisoners from the past still echo here. The quiet space makes your heart tremble, helping you feel more deeply than ever the pain, sacrifice, and the meaning of freedom. History here is not just something to be told, but something to be absorbed, to be deeply felt and reflected upon.

Day 4: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai

Day 4: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai

Ayutthaya – Traces of Time on Ancient Ruins
Wandering among the moss-covered red brick temples, you feel as though you are touching the flow of time itself. The serene Buddha statues and soaring arches recount the golden stories of a bygone dynasty. Your eyes will forever remember the ancient red hues and the pale golden sunlight cast upon each brick, evoking feelings of both admiration and wistfulness for the glory and the passing of time.

Day 5: Chiang Mai - City tour - Khantoke Dinner

Day 5: Chiang Mai - City tour - Khantoke Dinner

Chiang Mai – Traditional Khantoke Dinner
In the cozy atmosphere of a Khantoke dinner, your taste buds are awakened by the colorful and flavorful dishes of Lanna tradition. You savor each bite of spicy curry, the sweet richness of sticky rice, and the distinctive aroma of various herbs. These flavors blend with the music, the graceful dances, creating an unforgettable night in the heart of Northern Thailand, where you not only eat with your mouth but also with your soul and memory.

Day 6: Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle

Day 6: Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle – Where Three Countries Meet
Standing atop the high point overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, you take in a strange and fascinating landscape, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. The green of the rivers, the brown of the alluvial soil, and the tiny rooftops scattered along the distant banks create a vibrant geographical painting, making you feel truly small at the crossroads of history and culture. This scene is not only beautiful but also stirs in you a sense of adventure, freedom, and a desire to explore the unknown horizons ahead.

Day 7: Chiang Rai - Fly to Hanoi

Day 7: Chiang Rai - Fly to Hanoi

Hanoi – Gateway to Indochina
Upon arriving in Hanoi, you are greeted by a very distinct scent: the earthy aroma of leaves after the rain, the smell of coffee mingling with the scent of freshly baked bread in the morning, and the faint sweetness of milkwood flowers drifting in the wind. The air here carries both the ancientness and the modern rhythm of life, making you want to breathe deeply to hold onto the scent of this thousand-year-old capital. Hanoi welcomes you with a feeling that is both familiar and new, opening a new chapter for your journey of discovery in Vietnam.

Day 8: Hanoi - City tour

Day 8: Hanoi - City tour

Hanoi – Hearing the Old Quarter’s Heartbeat from a Cyclo
Relaxing on a cyclo, you don’t just “see” the Old Quarter; you “feel” every corner. The vendors’ calls, the tinkling of cyclo bells, and the cheerful chatter create a symphony of life. Everything glides by slowly: ancient, mustard-yellow houses from the 100-year-old French colonial era, the moss-covered tiled roofs of a university nearly a millennium old, interspersed with the blue window shutters of the modern era. It’s a living film, transporting you back to a Hanoi that is both very old and full of heart, while still bearing the features of the present.

Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay/Peony Cruise

Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay/Peony Cruise

Halong Bay – Letting Your Soul Drift Among the Waves
Standing on the deck of a cruise in Halong Bay, you feel as if you’ve wandered into a mythical world. Before you, thousands of limestone islands rise and fall amidst emerald waters, shrouded in a mystical morning mist. Your eyes are transfixed by this majestic natural scene, where all worries melt away and only awe remains.

Day 10: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Danang - Hoi An

Day 10: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Danang - Hoi An

Uncovering the Mysteries within Mother Earth
Stepping through the entrance of Trung Trang Cave, a different world unfolds, one that holds Vietnamese legends: from the image of the eagle snatching the princess in the Thach Sanh fairy tale to the crane on the Dong Son bronze drum or the Black Turtle of the Goddess. You breathe in the scent of damp earth and ancient stone. The cool air envelops your body, a stark contrast to the heat outside. Under the lights, stalactites reveal their fantastical, glittering shapes. In this moment, one feels small before the grand creation of time, a sense of both awe and admiration. And instantly, you ask yourself: Could these glittering stalactites from millions of years ago hold a hidden signal from the Creator, sent to people of the present?

Day 11: Hoi An - Free and Easy

Day 11: Hoi An - Free and Easy

Hoi An – Colors and Traditional Flavors
Hoi An is known for its rows of turmeric-yellow ancient houses, where red Rangoon creepers or pink, orange, and white bougainvillea bloom in every alley. Not only vibrant by day, Hoi An at night is also brilliantly shimmering with lanterns on the river and along the streets. Sitting in a round basket boat, you feel its bobbing and listen to the delightful sound of the paddles stirring the water. Sunlight filters through the coconut fronds, creating dancing patterns on the river’s surface. The boatman sings a folk song or gives you a small gift woven from a coconut leaf. It’s a moment of pure, joyful peace, completely detached from the noisy world, as if you’ve drifted into a riverside fairytale.

Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

Day 12: Hoi An - Danang - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

Touching a Slice of Saigon’s History
Visiting the Reunification Palace is more than just sightseeing. As you walk through the state rooms, the president’s office, and down into the command bunker, a special sensation takes over. Everything feels untouched, as if its occupants just left for a moment. You can feel the weight of the events that took place here, touching a living slice of modern history, perfectly preserved from 50 years ago.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta/Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta/Cai Be - Ho Chi Minh

Cai Be – The Sweetness of the Waterways
On a small boat weaving through the canals, you stop at a coconut candy workshop and taste a piece of warm, freshly made candy, sweet and fragrant with fresh coconut. That sweetness seeps into all your senses, blending with the sound of flowing water and the laughter of the Mekong Delta’s warm-hearted people. Each piece of candy is a fragment of this fertile land, where nature and people together create unforgettable flavors.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh city - Fly to Phnom Penh

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh city - Fly to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh – The Intersection of Indochina
Arriving in Phnom Penh, you are captivated by the blend of stately French colonial architecture and dazzling golden pagodas. As the afternoon sun descends, it bathes the city in hues that are both somber and radiant, making you want to pause and take in the unique beauty of this crossroads of Indochina. Your eyes will remember forever the images of curving temple roofs, broad boulevards shaded by ancient trees, creating a unique cultural tapestry in the land of temples.

Day 15: Phnom Penh - City tour

Day 15: Phnom Penh - City tour

Silent Remembrance of Painful Memories
Standing in the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, you listen in silence to the wind rustling through the trees, feeling the sorrow and loss that still lingers in the air. Your heart grows heavy as you quietly remember those who perished here, deepening your appreciation for peace. The space makes you reflect deeply on human history, on the brutality of war, and on the indomitable will to live.

Day 16: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Day 16: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Siem Reap – The Revival of Khmer Art
Visiting Les Artisans d’Angkor, you watch skilled hands breathe new life into traditional Khmer beauty, carving intricate designs into wood and stone. Your eyes follow each delicate line, feeling the vitality and pride being revived in every masterpiece. The workshop feels like a living museum, where past and present meet, inspiring you with the perseverance and endless creativity of the people.

Day 17: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

Day 17: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

Bayon Temple – Mysterious Smiles Amidst Stone Faces
Lost among the hundreds of giant stone faces at Bayon Temple, you are drawn in by the mysterious smiles and gazes of the ancient deities. Your eyes will forever remember the overwhelming, enchanting sensation of standing in this sacred space, where stone and spirit are intertwined. Each gaze, each smile seems to tell you a thousand-year-old story, leaving a deep impression of the mystery and grandeur of the Angkor civilization.

Day 18: Siem Reap - Banteay Srei & Rolous

Day 18: Siem Reap - Banteay Srei & Rolous

Banteay Srei – The Jewel of Khmer Art
Touching the pink sandstone reliefs of Banteay Srei, you feel their miraculous softness and exquisite detail. Every carved line seems to hold the soul of ancient artisans, leaving an immortal mark for generations to come. The coolness of the stone, the smoothness of each carved detail makes you feel as if you are holding a piece of time’s memory, appreciating even more the value of art and human hands.

Day 19: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Departure

Day 19: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Departure

Tonle Sap Lake – Living with the Rhythm of Water
Gliding by boat through the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, you listen to the rhythmic splash of water against the hull, the laughter of children, and the steady beat of paddles. These sounds tell you a story of resilience and remarkable adaptability, echoing the vibrant life that flourishes on the water. Each paddle stroke, each call across the water is a testament to a unique culture, where people and nature together create a distinct, enduring rhythm of life through generations.

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