Highlights of South East Asia

A visit to the Royal Grand Palace - the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand, with the enclosed and dazzling Wat Phra Keo with its revered Emerald Buddha, the Golden Chedi, the Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and the Eight Coloured Towers is a must. It is considered by many to be a living example of classical Siamese Court, being the former residence of the kings of Thailand. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple served to educate people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and is considered to be the home of Thai traditional massage. Here, you will enjoy a 30-minute Thai massage as an excellent break after a morning sightseeing. Experience an afternoon trip along the bustling Chao Phya River and the quiet Klongs (canals) in a long tail boat enjoy scenes of life by water. You'll be introduced to a serene, more traditional way of living, away from the high-rise and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre, as you gently pass Thonburi residential areas. A stop will be made at the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun). Finally, a visit to the Flower and vegetable market will round off the day. Located close to the Chao Phraya River, this part of Bangkok brings you to a rural piece of Bangkok where you'll find a vast selection of all kinds of flowers, especially orchids and tropical flowers and see how the merchants create very special flower garlands. The end of this Bangkok day ends at the Golden Mountain.  Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.

A private vehicle with English-speaking guide and driver will transfer you between the airport and your hotel. The driving time is roughly 45 minutes.

Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Bangkok Air.

You will be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide and transferred by private car between the airport and your hotel.

Visit the most sacred temple in the North of Thailand; the Wat Prathat Doi Suthep is the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai containing a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. Tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters (3520 feet), the temple is reached using a Naga (7- headed dragon head serpent) railing rising along both sides. The temple compound – reachable via a 300-step staircase - offers an exhilarating view of Chiangmai city and surrounding countryside. Drive back down to the city centre to visit some of the other impressive temples of Chiangmai. Wat Suan Dok is one of them, which dates back to the 14th century when it served as the pleasure gardens to the Thai monarchy. Nowadays it houses several white Chedi’s, containing the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal family. This temple also houses one of the most famous Monk Schools in the whole of Chiang Mai and the Wat Jedyod, also known as The Temple of Seven Spires. Please dress respectfully by not wearing sleeveless T–shirts, shorts or strapless sandals, when visiting the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.

The Elephant is Thailand’s working pride and one of this country’s national symbols. Current estimates of wild elephants left in Thailand were between 3000-4000 animals. Although logging is being banned in this Kingdom, they remain a very important mode of jungle transport as it beats any other animal or machine for its ability to move through a forest with minimum damage. For centuries these animals were trained to use their skills by moving lumber and served as a mode of transport within the jungle area. Over the past decade, with the reduction in lumbering, these giants of the forest have been protected in various conservation camps. An interesting journey through the scenic countryside brings you to Chiang Dao Elephant Conservation Camp. Here you to see elephants at work during a half-hour presentation. There is also an opportunity to watch the elephants as they take their morning bath. During your visit to the camp, you’ll have an opportunity to ride on elephant back during a one hour trek into the surrounding forest. After a Thai set lunch at the camp, the afternoon is reserved for a leisurely cruise on board a bamboo raft.

Crisp mountain air and hill tribes are must-sees for visitors to Chiang Rai, as well the infamous Golden Triangle area. Leave for Chiang Rai by road, crossing mountains and valleys that are typical for this region of Thailand. Enjoy picturesque landscapes, a rich source of forestry where you can enjoy its beauty scenery and atmosphere. First stop is Wiang Pa Pao, one of famous areas to find a Hot Spring. On the way, make another stop to visit Mae Chan where Yao and Akha hill tribe villages are situated. After that, continuing to Mae Sai the furthest northern trading border town between Thailand and Myanmar. It is a busy trading town where you spend times to shop for your souvenirs from Chiang Rai Trip. A local lunch will be provided. After a delicious and much-needed Thai style Lunch, tour will take you to the Golden Triangle area, where the border of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Then, visit Chiang Saen (A.D. 1260), the ancient city of Chiang Rai, on the steep banks of Mae Khong River, opposite Laos. Witness some magnificent, ancient ruins and temples. Return to Chiang Mai, across the same mountainous route. Arrive back at your hotel in the early evening.

You will be greeted at the airport by an English speaking guide and transferred by private car between the airport and your hotel.

Fly from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang via Bangkok.

Airport transfer with private guide, driver and vehicle.

Explore Luang Prabang by bicycle. Visit former royal temples, Wat Visun where you can see the Biggest Buddha statue, Wat Xieng Thong the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with its mosaic decoration and the former royal carriage. Visit the Museum (former king's palace), then climb up Mt Phousi overlooking the city of Luang Prabang. Time permitting, take a ride around the outskirts of town.

Take a traditional wooden boat upstream to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou. The caves are perched on the sheer face of the cliff, offering impressive and stunning views of the Mekong and surrounding mountains. Inside the cave, there are more than one hundred Buddha images which have been attracting local people since the early 14th century when the cave was discovered. On the way, a short stop at Ban Xanghai, enjoy the taste of the local rice wine. Distilling rice wine and weaving are important economic activities for the majority of people in the village.

Take an excursion by car to Kuang Si Waterfall, 32 kms to the south of Luang Prabang. On the way, visit a pineapple plantation and visit Ban Longlao (Hmong village). Walk through the forest to the waterfall. After enjoying the scenery, take a swim in one of the nearby clear pools. Below the tiered limestone pools lies the Khmu village Ban Thapene. Khmu men are especially good basket weavers and can sometimes be watched crafting. Return to Luang Prabang by car.

Airport transfer with private guide, driver and vehicle.

Fly one way from Luang Prabang, Laos to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Welcome to Vietnam! Please be sure that your visa has been pre-arranged, or that your visa-on-arrival letter is in your carry on luggage. These documents will be presented to customs at your first point of entry into the country.

You will be transferred between downtown Hanoi and the International Airport by private car and driver.

You will be picked up at your hotel by private car with an English speaking guide and taken to visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and his former residence, One pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. After lunch, continue your city tour to one of Hanoi's many museums featuring Fine Art, History, Revolutionary, War, Ethnology of your choice, then head to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple and experience a 1 hour cyclo tour. Finish your day off at the Thang Long Opera Theatre for a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. For lunch, enjoy a lovely meal at a local restaurant.

Transfer this morning from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The drive is roughly 3 hours.

Your heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard the ship’s luxury facilities in stunning surroundings.

Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon like fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.

While onboard, at your leisure you can take advantage of the Spa, Beauty and the Massage services provided. You will also have the opportunity to attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking. Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for lunch and dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

In the morning, early risers can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colourful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights.

The Paradise Luxury Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30am and 11.00am. From here you will drive back to Hanoi.

You will be transferred between downtown Hanoi and the International Airport by private car and driver.

Fly one way from Hanoi to Danang.

Airport transfer between Danang airport and Hoi An with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. (40 mins)

You will be picked up at your hotel by private car with an English speaking guide and taken on a city tour to visit the ancient architecture of Hoi An. The city is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market.

In the morning, you will be met by your English speaking guide at your hotel and taken to visit My Son, Vietnam's most important Cham’s site. My Son became a religious center in the late 4th century and lasted until the 13th century, the longest period of development of any monument in Southeast Asia. My Son is considered to be Champa’s counterpart to the grand cities of Southeast Asia’s other Indian – influenced civilizations such as Angkor (Cambodia), Ayuthaya (Thailand) or Borobudur (Java).

Airport transfer between Danang airport and Hoi An with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. (40 mins)

Fly one way from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City.

You will be picked up by a private car with an English-speaking guide and transferred between Ho Chi Minh City airport and your hotel.

At 6:30pm the private transport with the guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby and you will experience the cyclo tour to the Dang Pier River. After that you will have dinner at the boat of Sai Gon Cruise Restaurant and enjoy the food, classic music and panoramic view of the city lights.

In the morning, you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels which is 70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Here you will find an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam war. The residents of Cu Chi took their war underground, literally, developing a network of tunnels that, at its height, stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens, and triage area. In the afternoon, return to the city for a tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and the former Presidential Palace. Next, continue onto visit the War Museum. Afterwards, enjoy a lovely Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant before exploring the China Town area and visiting Thien Mu Pagoda. Towards the end of the day, you will be able to visit and experience Ben Thanh Market.

You will be picked up by a private car with an English-speaking guide and transferred between Ho Chi Minh City airport and your hotel.

Fly one way from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Transfer between the airport and your hotel by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide.

Tonight you will enjoy a traditional Khmer dance show and dinner.

Meet at the hotel or airport and transfer for sightseeing. Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple complex, as well as Takeo and Ta Prohm temples. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue with a visit to the Angkor Wat temple complex and enjoy watching the sunset on Phnom Bakheng before returning to your hotel.

You will be picked up at the Airport or at the Hotel and transferred to the floating village of Kampong Khleang, one of the largest settlements on the Tonle Sap Lake. You will board a local boat and visit a floating house where a catered lunch is set up for you. You can observe the local houses as well as talk to your hosts about the difficulties they face living on the water. After lunch you will explore the small island, which is a home for a bustling market, pagoda, school and a health centre. While coming back to Siem Reap you will make a stop at the ruins of Roulous, which are the oldest Khmer monuments in the area. Late in the afternoon you will be transferred back to the hotel or airport.

Transfer between the airport and your hotel by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide.

Fly one way from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Koh Samui, Thailand via Bangkok.

You will be transferred by private vehicle with an English speaking guide between the airport and your hotel.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

You will be transferred by private vehicle with an English speaking guide between the airport and your hotel.

Fly between Koh Samui and Bangkok.