17-Day World Heritage Sites in Style

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, be met and greeted by the guide for a transfer to the hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, explore this impressive complex of temples, palaces, pavilions and museums. One must-see attraction is the enchanting Emerald Buddha, which, according to legend, is almost 2000 years old.

After the Grand Palace, the tour continues to nearby Wat Pho - Bangkok’s oldest temple and arguably it’s most impressive. Home to the magnificent 45-meter-long reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is also a place of learning, having served as Thailand's first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:

Drink at Sirocco Sky Bar, Lebua State Tower. Sirocco Sky Bar Lebua has several reasons to turn minutes into timeless moments. Suspended in the sky on the 63rd floor of The Dome at State Tower, the sky bat is one of the world’s highest open air bars, overlooking a panoramic view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river. With such an enthralling ambience coupled with a seductive selection of the finest vintages, beverages, cocktails and appetizers in Bangkok, the Sirocco Sky Bar soars as one of the prized destination in the city. Note: Smart Casual code required. (Exo Travel make the table reservation only, extra cost paid directly by guest).

Overnight in Bangkok.

Depart from the hotel in Bangkok and drive directly to Bang Pa-In, the summer palace built by Rama IV. There, see the contrasting palace buildings and surrounding temples inspired by European, Chinese and Thai designs. Also visit Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, the gothic inspired temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. 

After the visit, board the Thanatharee rice barge at Wat Kasatra pier, and enjoy a private lunch cruise on the Chao Phraya River. En route,  enjoy beautiful views of Wat Phanan Choeng, the Elephant Kraal Pavilion and local lifestyle on the riverside. 

Ayutthaya, surrounded by river and canal, flourished as the capital of Siam from 1350 until it was attacked by the Burmese in 1767. The remains of the temples and ruins of this great city have now been declared a World Heritage Site. 

Disembark at Wat Kasatra pier and visit the most important of the ruined temples in Ayutthaya historical park: Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mahathat and Wat Chai Wattanaram. Return to Bangkok by car.

Overnight in Bangkok.

This morning after breakfast meet with Exo Travel guide and walk to Talad Noi is a great little neighborhood that’s been doing its thing on the riverside for a few hundred years. The place is very lived-in, with a cool mix of old family houses, leftover buildings from glory days past, markets, churches and enough engine grease to fix a fleet of cars. Visit the art street as well as the culture street to get a real feel for this hidden treasure of Bangkok, getting immersed in the daily goings on of some of the locals living and working in this area.

In the afternoon, transfer to Bangkok Airport to take an afternoon flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Siem Reap, the charming gateway to the famed Temples of Angkor. Be greeted by the local English speaking guide and be accompanied to the hotel for check-in. Settle in and enjoy some time at leisure to refresh.

This afternoon, begin exploring the Angkorian ruins by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake. Continue to the Bayon Temple in the center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.

In the late afternoon enjoy a relaxing cruise in a gondola paddle boat at the moat of Angkor Thom compound while hopefully watching a spectacular sunset at Prasat Chroung temple. Cocktails, champagne, canapés and a soft drink will be available on the boat, as the boat paddles slowly along the ancient moat.

Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight at the incredible Chanrey Tree. One of the best fine dining restaurants in town, Chanrey Tree offers traditional Khmer cuisine in a lush contemporary setting. Located on the riverside in heart of Siem Reap, the Chanrey Tree combines the amazing taste of only seasonal traditional Khmer ingredients, with a relaxed but lavish environment to provide a unique Cambodian dining experience.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Take a drive through the countryside to the Rolous Group on this half day Siem Reap temple tour. Located amid rice paddy fields and sugar palm tree plantations, the setting is quintessentially Cambodian.

Upon reaching the entrance, leave the car behind and travel on foot to appreciate the beauty of the land and the pagodas. Admire the three monuments of the Rolous Group from afar while the guide provides a brief introduction of their history. Dating back to the 8th and 9th centuries these are the oldest ruins in the region and, yet, are still remarkably well preserved.

Take a closer look at the temples, named Lolei, Bakong and Preah Ko, with a three-kilometre walking tour. Step inside one of these ancient monuments for a special blessing ceremony. Seated in front of a Buddhist monk, receive wishes of good luck and good health while gaining a deeper understanding of Khmer culture and customs.

Following this special ceremony, climb into an ox cart for a short ride around the area. Soak up the beauty of the surroundings and enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside as the cart slowly makes its way through the fields. See typical scenes of rural farming life set amid Cambodia’s iconic sugar palm trees.
Savour one last look at the remarkable Rolous group and scenic countryside before returning to Siem Reap at the end of the tour.

After returning back to Siem Reap to escape the midday heat, spend some time at leisure.

End the day with a tour to the temples of Angkor by remork (a Cambodian tuk tuk). First up: Ta Prohm. Built between the late-12th to early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.  The visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the ‘pool of ablutions’. Note: As Ta Prohm temple has become increasingly popular, there is an option to visit Preah Khan, a larger temple built by the same king in honour of his father (Ta Prohm was built for his mother).

Less well known and therefore less frequently visited, Preah Khan is more grand in scale and yet provides a more intimate experience because of fewer visitors and it’s many collapsing and crumbling corridors. Note: Speak to the guide in the morning of the visit. Depending on the season there is a chance to visit a different temple to avoid the crowds as Ta Prohm is very crowded during peak periods.

Optional: Dining for a Cause: Social Enterprise Restaurants of Siem Reap Foodie Tour

Pick up from the hotel by remork (a local form of open-air transportation) and drive to the first restaurant. Here, order any drink from the menu (they make some excellent cocktails and mocktails using local ingredients) and any one appetizer (try different ones and share with each other) while learning all about the organisation’s efforts and accomplishments to aid local Cambodian youth.

Enjoy a family-style dinner of various Khmer classic dishes at a restaurant that follows a different business model, directing their profits both to employees and to various organisations. Learn about its efforts while dining. Along with food, order a soft drink, beer, or glass of house wine.

After dinner, go to a tropical garden restaurant run by an organization that operates a hospitality training school where all the restaurant workers learned (or are currently learning) their trade. Learn about how the program runs and its achievements while enjoying a creative cocktail, a glass of wine, beer, or coffee.

The final stop of the evening is an education social enterprise set up by a not-for-profit NGO with the mission of Breaking the Poverty Cycle Through Education and operated by the students who are served by the program. Self-service to 200g of fro-yo with toppings and then head upstairs to talk with some students about how the program has changed their lives.

This morning, head out to the countryside to see the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.

Continue north to Kbal Spean, one of the earliest Hindu pilgrimage sites in Cambodia. A short 3 km trek up the hill through dense jungle and be rewarded with a remarkable sight of the ‘River of 1,000 Lingas’,  where there are some remarkable stone carvings of Hindu gods, animals and other symbols in the river bed. During the rainy season, enjoy a refreshing bath in the waterfall, which is extremely popular with the local families. Please note the trek is fairly easy going but as the walk s up hill and on uneven ground it is really only suitable for clients with a good level of fitness and not suitable for clients with mobility problems.

On return from the trek, be welcomed with a succulent Khmer picnic lunch.

On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at the Landmine Museum which promotes mine awareness. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. The museum serves also as a rescue center for a number of landmine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought off Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.

On arrival back in Siem Reap continue exploring the Angkorian temples. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Today’s visit will coincide with the golden hour of the evening to catch the Apsaras gleaming in their best light.

Finally, the night ends with an incredible performance of ‘Phare, the Cambodian Circus’. Starting at 8pm, professional artists of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) will perform an inspiring show suitable for people of all ages. Set up in Battambang in 1994 by young returnee Cambodians from the refugee camps who learned about using art as a means of coping with trauma, PPS has played an influential role in promoting and developing Khmer culture over the years after the Khmer Rouge genocide.

The hour long show mixes traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society. Student performances can still be seen twice weekly in Battambang but now the circus has arrived in Siem Reap!

Overnight in Siem Reap

This morning embark on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, where there is an opportunity to learn about life on the lake. The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and officially designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, covering an area of around 250,000 hectares in the dry season. Due to a unique phenomenon, when the monsoon begins, the swollen waters of the Mekong River force the Tonle Sap River to reverse its flow northwards, feeding the Great Lake and spreading over the surrounding flood plain.

Board a local boat and visit the village of Kampong Kleang, where only few tourists venture. Embark on a boat ride through the village where the fisherman and their families live in stilted houses among the petrified mangrove forests and waterways. Enjoy the fascinating scenery of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. (Note: during the months Apr-Sep the water level may be too low for a visit by boat. However the village is still fascinating and can be visited by car. Quite dramatic to see how the stilted houses are exposed from lake when water levels are low!)

Return back to Siem Reap for an early afternoon at leisure to explore some of Siem Reap’s colourful markets before transferring to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang.

Welcome to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Upon arrival, be greeted by the guide and transferred to the hotel.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Start this morning with a visit to one of Lao’s most picturesque temples, Wat Xieng Thong. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong River, this temple was erected in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is deeply revered by the Lao people.

Walk to the boat pier, near the temple, to board the Nava Mekong, a beautiful wooden river boat for a cruise up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves (depart around 10.30). The journey takes around 2 hours and along the way, be surrounded by spectacular views, pass by small villages on the riverbanks and witness fishermen out for their daily catch.

Upon reaching Pak Ou, disembark to explore the caves. Here, see thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff.

The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the size of a human, and the view from the mouth of the cave provides sweeping views of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The caves are as well a destination for local pilgrimages, especially during the Lao New Year period of Pii Mai. 

Back onboard the Nava Mekong, cruise around the waters to a quiet location set amid limestone cliffs where the boat will moor for lunch. A selection of freshly prepared Lao dishes will be served before returning downstream to Luang Prabang.

This afternoon, have a chance to learn more about this culturally and historically rich city with a guided tour. The city tour begins with a visit to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum to explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Evening performance at the Royal Ballet Theater

Founded in 2002 in cooperation with the Institute of Cultural Research, the Ballet aims to preserve this important aspect of Lao cultural heritage. Watching the spectacular performances of the Royal Ballet, including scenes from the Lao-Ramayana, Lao folk dances and tribal dances will provide a unique and unforgettable experience. The show starts at 6:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Please note that the Royal Ballet Theater is normally closed from June to September.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, enjoy a historical and cultural insight into the rich architectural history of the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang with an expert who lives in Laos for more than 20 years.

This morning go on a city tour with Francis Engelmann and learn about four different types of buildings categorised by UNESCO. The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts. The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French. The third is the traditional French colonial building that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia. The last form of architecture is an old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

Enjoy a selection of local favourites at one of the best Lao restaurants in town, Tamarind (Note: closed on Sundays).

Then be driven through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way, drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River.

Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. Have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The jungle and dense woods surrounding the falls is perfect for exploring on foot. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await.

These waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming in on a hot day (Note: when bathing please be respectful, wear a sarong and be careful not to show too much skin).

Before leaving, there is an option to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic Black Bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. Read about their habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park to visit the beautiful garden filled with hundreds of Laos’s butterflies! (Note: closed on Tuesday)

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.  It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast spend some time at leisure. Be met by the guide and private car at the hotel for a transfer to the airport for the departing flight.
Suggested flight:

Luang Prabang – Hanoi QV 313, 1710-1830, subject to change without prior notice from the airline.

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel in town (note that hotel check-in time is 2pm).

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart the hotel to visit the Temple of Literature, or Quoc Tu Giam. Built in 1076, The Temple of Literature was Vietnam's first university and was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Next we visit Hanoi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The Citadel was constructed on a Chinese fortress dating back from the 7th century and re-built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty. The historical site and remains reflect a unique South-East Asian culture between influences from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.

We also visit The One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary (Viewed from the outside; closed Mondays & Fridays and from Oct.-Nov.)

Afterwards we continue to Hanoi’s picturesque West Lake area and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

Next, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’ area. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Depart the hotel this morning at 08:00 for the 2.5-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers.

After visiting Hoa Lu if time and energy levels permit, choose to take a half-hour walk up one of the surrounding limestone karst hills, the climb is rewarding with spectacular views.

In the late morning depart for Tam Coc Town for a Vietnamese lunch, along the way stop to take pictures of local villages and stunning landscapes.
After lunch, visit Trang An Landscape Complex which was listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014. ake a relaxing boat ride on a peaceful river passing through a series of caves (one which takes 15-minutes to pass through in darkness).

Trang An is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. As the boat gently slices through the water, notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields giving rise to other name, ‘Halong on Land’. An ‘eco-tourism’ area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river.

If feeling adventurous climb up to Bich Dong Pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain, dating back to 1428 and comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in ascending order.  After that, take a boat trip back by sampan to Tam Coc town.

Transfer to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Following an early breakfast leave Ninh Binh for a 4-hour (approximately) drive to Halong Bay, perhaps Vietnam’s most popular UNESCO World Heritage site! The name ‘Ha Long’ means the dragon descending into the sea and owes its origins to a Vietnamese myth. The towering limestone karsts represent the dragon’s back, surrounded by jade green water creating an unforgettable site. There are more than 1600 limestones of islands and islets with different shapes jutting out from the sea.. Most of them are still intact from human activities thanks to their uninhabited and uncultivated characters.

Arrive at the Halong Bay jetty around noon and proceed with check-in formalities before boarding a boat for an unforgettable overnight cruise on Halong bay. After welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on board the boat in Halong Bay (private cabin on-board the join-in boat cruise).

The sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (also brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong airport 

On arrival, be welcomed by the guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in Hue

Traditional craft and Innovative paper art scene

Bamboo is engraved in Vietnamese culture and daily life, providing protection and representing resiliency. In the countryside, bamboo is used for everything- from daily used items to musical instruments to ornaments. Drive 20-min north of the Citadel to visit a lesser-known village Bao La where locals still keep the traditional craft from bamboo down generations.

Then head to a workshop in the city and meet with an artisan who has integrated bamboo with traditional handicrafts to create revolutionary new art in Vietnam, that’s so-called Truc Chi art. Truc means bamboo and Chi means paper.  Learn how the artisans use Truc Chi to create handicraft items with the cultural characteristics of Hue. 

Hue city tour and private artifact museum

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Then, hop on a 15-min cyclo ride to Tran Dinh Son museum, the first private museum in Hue, right at a “nha ruong” - traditional Royal house, once belonged to the Mandarin of King Minh Mang to contemplate his grandson’s valued collection of daily used items.

Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and then take a 14:30 transfer to Hue via Hai Van Pass. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the center of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday.

Hoi An city tour

A walking tour is the best way to see this marvelous town. Visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Take a walk through the ancient town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war.

The tour today is more than a visual impression. Hoi An people is well-known for skilled tailors and leather craftsmen.

Overnight in Hoi An 

Paper mask & lantern making with artist

Begin with a walk through Hoi An Ancient Town to meet a paper mask artist at his workshop. His craft is steadily disappearing as newer forms of entertainment have gradually taken over. Learn how this artist contributes to the effort of preserving his craft for future generations.

Next, enjoy the process of making lanterns in the cozy atmosphere.  This hands-on experience offers a fun time together to gain knowledge and also get in touch with making a traditional Vietnamese lantern as a souvenir to bring home.

Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore hidden corners of the ancient town independently.

Overnight in Hoi An

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight