01/
Arrive in Bangkok +
1/2 Day City Tour
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Morning arrival. Check-in at lodging and/or drop bags
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1/2 Day City Tour
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Golden Buddha Image
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China Town
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Sampheng Lane
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Pahurat Market (Little India)
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02/
Bangkok City Tour
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Morning:
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Royal Grand Palace
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Royal Temple
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Wat Pho
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Afternoon:
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Wat Arun;
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Canal tour by long boat
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Pak Klong Talad (Flowers & Vegetables Market
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03/
Day Trip from Bangkok
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Early morning start (7:00 a.m.)
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Maeklong Railway Market
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Damnern Saduak Floating Market with private boat ride
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Ayutthaya Historical Park
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Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit
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Wat Mahathat
04/
Fly to Chiang Mai +
1/2 Day Chiang Mai City
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Early flight to Chiang Mai (70 minutes)
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Check-in/drop bags
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Self-guided Walking Tour
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Wat Phra Singh
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Wat Phan Tao
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Wat Inthakhin Saduemuang
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Lanna Folklife Museum
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Wat Chian Man
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TIP: If you can, add a day here and rest up before you start your City Tour.
TIP: Private guides are worth every penny in this bustling City ($360/4 person private tour). We recommend Thai Tour Guide (Our guide, Joy, photo below).
05/
Day Trip from Chiang Mai-
Mae Wang Area Hike
Chan Trekking all day private hiking tour (8:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m.)
Mae Wang area, Southwest of Chiang Mai. Mountain forest and rice terraces.
Local Karen tribe cultural experience
06/
Day Trip from Chiang Mai-
Elephant Legend
Full day with rescued elephants at Elephant Legend.
Unforgettable day with these amazing animals.
07/
Chiang Mai Cooking Class
+ Fly to Bangkok
All day Thai Cooking experience at Thai Secret Cooking School.
Open market shopping
Thai gardening
Multi-course cooking
Fly to Bangkok in the evening.
08/
Fly to Hanoi +
Hanoi City
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Ho Chi Minh complex, including, the Mausoleum, Stilt house and garden.
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Tran Quoc, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi.
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Temple of literature
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Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
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Vietnam Military Museum
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Hoa Lo prison, aka "Hanoi Hilton"
09/
Ha Long Bay - Day 1
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Two-Day Cruise on Ha Long Bay with Swan Cruises
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Vung Vieng floating fishing village
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Kayaking on the Bay
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Swimming in the Bay
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10/
Ha Long Bay - Day 2
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Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot Cave)
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Time on the Bay
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Return to Hanoi
11/
Day Trip from Hanoi-
Ninh Binh
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Day trip with small group tour operator: Hoa Lu - Mua Cave - Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Biking and Boat
12/
Travel to Sapa +
1/2 Day Sapa Hike
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Early departure - travel to Sapa (6 hours)
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1/2 day hike with Ethos Spirit Adventure (Taste of Muong Hoa option)
13/
Sapa Hike / Hmong Tribe
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Full Day with Ethos Spirit Adventure (Spirit Tree option)
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Sapa Markets
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Make lunch with Hmong Tribe
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Challenging hike to breathtaking views
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14/
Sapa City + Travel to Hanoi
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Enjoy a quiet morning in downtown Sapa. Walk the shops, people watch, enjoy a cup of coffee.
15/
Travel Day - Home
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Travel day
TIP: Depending when you go, it could rain. We packed large ponchos that fit over our day packs and were all set when it rained for an hour that day.
TIP: Elephant tourism is rightfully controversial. Elephant Legend and others in the area (we heard) house rescued Elephants and from what we could tell, they were well-cared for and well-loved animals.
TIP: If you can get a direct flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi, that is much better.
TIP: Driving in this City is basically impossible.
Private guides are also worth every penny. Our guide, Funny Travel, even picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel to check-in. Cost, with tour, was $315/family of 4.
TIP: At $550/family of 4, this moderate-range cruise felt high-end. Nice quality meals are included (alcohol was not). Two rooms were provided with tubs and private balconies.
TIP: This area is heavy with tourists but get past that fact and enjoy the beauty - it's worth it. Average price was $50 per person for a full day excursion. Most tour operators offer the same product, even stopping at the same lunch spot.
TIP: If you have time, add a day here and take the train instead. The drive to Sapa was the only time we felt unsafe.
TIP: Use Ethos Spirit Adventure, specifically. They create an unforgettable experience and simultaneously help combat human trafficking, support women empowerment, and preserve the culture and environment of the Sapa area.
