Grand Loop of Southeast Asia – 21 Days

General Information

Tour Highlights

• An opportunity to experience the tradition and culture of the three Southeast Asia countries
• Enjoy the splendid natural scenery of Thailand – Laos – Vietnam
• Learn about the historical story of ancient attractions in the three countries.
• Bump into the locals and learn about their daily life

Tour Details

Duration: 21 Days/ 20 Nights
Start/ End: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Chiang Mai – Thaton – Chiang Khong – Houayxai – Pak Beng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Ha Noi – Halong Bay – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh
Tour Type: Tailor-made tour
Tour Customizable: Definitely! Tell us your interest
Vehicle: private air-conditioned vehicle and licensed driver
Guide Service: private English-speaking guide
Tour Departure: No fixed departure. Anytime you wish!

Brief Itinerary

Thailand
Day 01: Bangkok Arrival
Day 02: City & Khlong Tours
Day 03: Bangkok to Ayutthaya
Day 04: Chiang Mai City Tour
Day 05: Elephant & Reforestation Day Care
Day 06: Chiang Mai to Thaton – Chiang Rai
Day 07: Sightseeing Day Trip
Day 08: Drive to Chiang Khong – Houayxai | Cruise to Pak Beng – Laos

Laos
Day 09: Pak Beng to Pak Ou – Luang Prabang
Day 10: City Tours in Luang Prabang
Day 11: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Day 12: Explore Vang Vieng
Day 13: Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Day 14: Vientiane City Tour – Flight to Vietnam

Vietnam
Day 15: City Tour in Hanoi
Day 16: Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Day 17: Halong Bay to Hue
Day 18: City Tour in Hue – Drive to Da Nang-Hoi An
Day 19: Hoi An City Tour
Day 20: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 21: Ho Chi Minh Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 01: Bangkok Arrival

Upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, our representative in Thailand will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to your hotel.
Once you’ve settled in the hotel, the rest of the day will be yours. Freely relax and explore the city your way. You are highly recommended to experience the vibrant nightlife and shopping areas.
Overnight at the Nouvo City Hotel.

Day 02: City & Khlong Tours (B)

Having breakfast, we head to Wat Pho – the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. We should visit the Wat Pho early to listen to the chants of the monks in the morning. The temple has a huge statue of reclining Buddha. After that, make our way to the Grand Complex encompassing Wat Phra Kaeo – one of the most sacred shrines which is home to the statue of Emerald Buddha entirely made from Jade.
Later, in the afternoon, take a pretty tuk-tuk drive to the Tha Chang Pier to board a classic longtail boat for a stunning view of Bangkok. Once enjoying it, we will have a great impression of the locals’ daily life revolves around the river and its network of Khlong canal.
Overnight at the Nouvo City Hotel.

Day 03: Bangkok to Ayuthaya (B – L)

Early wake up and we will be picked up at 7:00 am at your hotel for a day excursion to witness the ancient Ayutthaya capital. On reaching Ayutthaya, head to the old royal summer residence – Bang Pa-In. Once there, we take a fascinating trip on a longtail boat to the capital city – Ayutthaya and visit Wat Phanachoeng, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Baan Hollanda, and Wat Mahathat – the beautiful ruin of Ayuttaya.
Later, come back & check into the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Optional Activities: Opening-hour of Baan Hollanda – Wed to Sun.

Day 04: Chiang Mai Day Tour (B – L)

As you arrive at Chiang Mai train station, your guide will escort you to the riverfront Warorot market to enjoy the traditional Thai breakfast with the real local ambiance in the morning.
Once in the market, we take a pretty ride in a samlor (a three-wheeled rickshaw) along the Thapae Road down through the city wall, important residential, and the buildings of government surrounding.
We head to the two most sacred Buddhist Temples and Shrines of Chiang Mai consisting of Wat U mong – a forest monastery where you will have an opportunity to bump into local monks; and Wat Phra Singh.

Our journey continues to head to the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai – Wat Prathat Doi Suthep located at the 5.000-foot-high Doi Suthep Mountain giving an impressive panorama of the city. You can opt to take a 300-step staircase flanked by Nagas or enjoy the cable car up. Your effort will be rewarded by the cooling air and majestic sunset sceneries.
After experiencing all the vibrant attractions, we head back to the hotel and the rest of the days will be yours.
Overnight at the Ban Thai Village.
Optional Activities: There is Chiang Mai’s showy Night Market situated not far from your hotel. It is worth to spend your nights visiting there.

Day 05: Elephant & Reforestation Day Care (B – L)

After breakfast, we take a local truck drive at 9:30 am to the pergola market and pay for your own tree for the reforestation program.
On the way reaching to the camp, get ready to enjoy the gorgeous views of temples, villages, and breathtaking vistas of mountains and farms around the countryside of Chiang Mai.
Before getting into a short walk into the forest (close to the Karen village) to afforest, we visit a waterfall. Stroll around the village and learn about the simple life of the locals. Then, we drive to the camp. The drive will absolutely be full of the smile with the hospitable Karen tribe staff. You will be given the background and several general information about elephants. Once there, we learn how to make herbs and make them on your own to feed your elephant at the camp. Picnic lunch at the Elephant Camp.

After lunch, meet your elephants and mahouts. You then feed to your elephants and enjoy a basic training course offered by your mahout. Enjoy the beautiful trail in the forest for about 45 minutes. Furthermore, enjoy bamboo rafting along Mae Wang river (40 minutes) and head back to Chiang Mai.
Overnight at the Ban Thai Village.

Day 06: Chiang Mai to Thaton – Chiang Rai (B – L)

Today, we move to Thaton. En route, we visit the Thaton Temple – known as the temple of crystal pagoda. Then, we stop for lunch with the stunning scenery of the Kok river before keeping enjoying our journey by longtail boat along the river. We participate in the natural vista for 1.30 hours before you meet your driver again to drive to the hotel in Chiang Rai.
The rest of the day will be yours. Leisurely enjoy the day.
Overnight at the Laluna Hotel & Resort.

Day 07: Chiang Rai Sightseeing Day Trip (B – L)

After breakfast, we head to the Blue temple, the White Temple, and Baan Dam. These three sites are good examples showing how much the locals have been influenced by the Northern artists.
Our journey continues to the Golden Triangle where the three countries meet (Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar). Enjoy the longtail boat to marvel at the area with the stopover Don Sao (Laos side) for a while then, moving on to the Hal of Opium.
Later, return to the hotel and relax at your own leisure.
Overnight at the Laluna Hotel & Resort.

Day 08: Drive to Chiang Khong – Houayxai | Cruise to Pak Beng – Laos (B – L – D)

This morning, we transfer to Chiang Khong Border Checkpoint. Once there, after immigration procedures, we receive the bus ticket from a guide including 1 baggage ticket. Get on the bus and cross the border to Laos where there will be a guide that will be waiting to warmly welcome you.
Upon arrive at Laos – Thai border, your guide will meet you and escort you to the pier at Houy Xai. Board on the boat and downstream on the Mekong River to Pak Beng
.En route, we stop for a visit to a local hill tribe village. We wander around the village and enjoy a firsthand look at the traditional daily life of the rural people. Then, enjoy lunch served on board.
Later, we reach Pak Beng for the evening. Pak Beng is a great spot to enjoy slow boats on our way to Luang Prabang. The town is built followed the wooden designed houses along a steep street on the hillside owning a peaceful ambiance. Enjoy a relaxing moment with the sunset along the Mekong River.
Dinner and overnight at the Sanctuary Pak Beng Hotel.

Day 09: Pak Beng to Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (B – L)

Check out the hotel at around 8:30 am. Cruising along the Mekong and then, we stop at Ban Baw village to see how the process of producing traditional rice alcohol (Lao Lao) is run. Enjoy lunch on the boat.
On reaching Luang Prabang, visit Pak Ou Caves converging thousands of gold lacquered Buddha Statues (with varied sizes ranging from a few centimeters tall to the size of a human) into two caves which are carved out of a high limestone cliff.
After exploring the caves, head back the cruise to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the Sala Prabang Hotel.

Day 10: City Tours in Luang Prabang (B – L)

Having breakfast and we head to the National Museum which is housed in the former Royal Palace which was uninhabited since the Royal family was deposed in 1975. The museum is a showcase of many treasures of the Royal in Laos and visitors are allowed to glimpse the Lao royalty’s private and public quarters.
We then head to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center where you will get an insight into an ethnic group in Laos, especially minorities around the country.

In the afternoon, make our way to the west and visit Khuangsi Waterfalls. Once there, we walk through the lush dense forest to reach the waterfalls where we will indulge in a picnic lunch amidst an impressive vista surrounding and we also have a chance to swim in a pool nearby. Next, we pay a visit to the Asian Black Bear Rescue Center, a preservation center where rescues animals from the wildlife trade.
Later, head back to the hotel and relax
Overnight at the Sala Prabang Hotel.

Day 11: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (B – L)

In the morning, you are free to do what you want.
After lunch, we travel to Vang Vieng by road offering a stunning landscape of steep terraced fields and small hill villages. We will stop at some villages and you will have an opportunity to interact with the adorable and friendly Hmong and Khmu people.
Once reaching Van Vieng, we take a break and board a local longtail boat and make our way upstream on the Nam Song river (1 hour) to admire the splendid view and observe the daily life of the local.
Overnight at the Silver Naga Hotel.

Day 12: Explore Vang Vieng (B – L)

Our journey, today, start with a visit to the famous Tham Jang Caves, a destination used as a hideout from the Chinese invaders. With beautiful colors of blue and green water, the lagoon in the cave is perfect for a dip after the stiff climbing.
There is a Thai bronze reclining Buddha in the main cave chamber where the deep galleries branch off into the mountain. In order to get there, we have to travel on a scenic yet the unpaved road to the Ban Na Thong village.
Later, back to the hotel and leisurely enjoy the rest of the day.
Overnight at the Silver Naga hotel.

Day 13: Vang Vieng to Vientiane (B)

Tell Vang Vieng goodbye and we drive to Vientiane – the capital, also the largest city of Laos. Today will be full of smiles and excite as we will go to the riverbank of the Mekong for a great beer party. We also watch the sunset in Thailand at the other bank.
Overnight at the Chanthaphanya Hotel.
Optional Activities: Evening walk along the Mekong river. Visit Night Market and tasty street food.

Day 14: Vientiane City Tour – Flight to Vietnam (B – L)

This morning, we visit the COPE Educational Center which is a sensational place giving us an insight into Laos’ Hidden War. Then, we move to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple of the city, houses thousands of Buddha objects from many countries. Explore the Wat Parker, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, which was built in 1565 and now, it houses to the Emerald Buddha image along with Buddhist sculptures displayed along the perimeter wall.
We fly to Vietnam in the afternoon.
Upon arrival at the Noi Bai Airport, our representative will greet you and escort you to the hotel. The rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the Hanoi Boutique Hotel.

Day 15: City Tour in Hanoi (B – L)

Today, you won’t enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Your guide will meet you and take you away to enjoy the local breakfast & coffee. The best time to enjoy the authentic Hanoi is in the early morning when the locals are getting a hurry to catch up with the day before the official time at 8:30 am. This morning, we stroll around the iconic Hoan Kiem lake, located at the heart of the city, and learn about the historical story.

We then move to the Temple of Literature where is dedicated to Confucious. This site was built in the 11th century and known as the first university in Vietnam. Once there, you’ll find yourself a peaceful atmosphere tinged with the smell of incense smoke.
From Van Mieu Street (where our tour operator situated), we make our way to the park nearby where the 3 iconic of Hanoi standing next together.
One is the park where you can see the Lenin Statue. The statue is a reminder of the Communist past of Vietnam. In the opposite side, it is the Hanoi Flag Tower, a rare architecture survived after the destruction of French colonies in the Imperial Citadel. Next to the Hanoi Flag Tower is the Vietnam Military History Museum, also called the Army Museum which is home to an extensive collection of weapons used throughout the war-filled history of Vietnam.

We have lunch with Bun Cha – a significant meal of Ha Noi at the local restaurant. After that, head back to your hotel and the rest of the day will be yours.
Overnight at the Hanoi Boutique hotel

Day 16: Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay (B – L – D)

Having breakfast then we check out the hotel to drive to Halong Bay, one of the most superb natural wonders of Vietnam giving you an impressive blend of harmonious transition between the sea and the mountains.
As reaching the destination, board a traditional junk and we head to the Gulf of Tonkin amongst the emerald waters and the huge limestone outcrops.
In the afternoon, we visit the fish village or a cave; it is also the time to relax on a beach.
We then back to the boat and spend the rest of the day on it, around the myriad of tiny islands.
Overnight on Halong Cruise.

Day 17: Halong Bay to Hue (L)

Continue the cruise. Lunch is served while the boat sails back to port. Before noon, you will reach the pier and be escorted to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and freely enjoy the rest of the day.
Overnight at the Cherish hotel.

Day 18: City Tour in Hue – Drive to Da Nang-Hoi An (B)

Having breakfast at the hotel and enjoy a calm and slow visit to the city. Our trip starts with the visit of the Imperial City where you can witness the ravages of time and war on things that were carefully designed capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. We then take a boat ride up the splendid and romantic Perfume River. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and ambiance until you reach the Thien Mu Pagoda. This is a 7-story octagonal tower which is known as a symbol of Hue.

After exploring the Thien Mu Pagoda, we leave Hue in the afternoon and move to Hoi An. The route leads us through the coast before climbing Hai Van Pass. We will stop and enjoy the view of Lang Co Beach and Da Nang City. After that, continue our journey along My Khe beach to Hoi An.
Overnight at the Vinh Hung Riverside Resort

Day 19: Hoi An City Tour (B – L)

Enjoy a short cycling trip to a local farm in Tra Que Village – a small village known for supplying many restaurants and hotels in Hoi An with tasty fresh herbs and veggies. Enjoy a walk through the gardens and witness how the locals work the land as well as learn about the history of the village and how important the herbs are in Vietnamese medicine and cuisine.
Then, enjoy a trip to Hoi An’s ancient streets with the unique architecture that is well displayed in wooden houses.
The rest of the day will be yours, enjoy the nightlife in Hoi An.
Overnight at Vinh Hung Riverside Resort.

Day 20: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City (B – L)

This morning, we escort you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. As you arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be escorted to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam playing an essential role in the economy and culture of the country.
Today, we visit the War Remnants Museum converging myriad artifacts and photographs which graphically represent the American War and the devastating impacts it caused. Next, we pay a visit to the Saigon’s Neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral – a major center of Catholicism in Vietnam constructed between 1877 and 1883. Also, we head to the Saigon Post Office – a classic French colonial building that still functions as a post office today.
The rest of the day you can do what you are interested in. Joyfully enjoy the last night in Vietnam.

Day 21: Ho Chi Minh Departure

Time to say goodbye and our Southeast Asia tour. Enjoy your last moment in Vietnam with breakfast at your hotel and then, stroll around, go shopping, or just simply relax at the hotel/ a coffee shop till we meet and escort you to the airport. The trip ends. Hope you have a memorable trip and wish that we can serve you next time when it comes to other multi country Asia tour packages.