DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 • Depart San Francisco for Bangkok
Fly transpacific aboard United Airlines.

THAILAND

Day 2 • Arrive Bangkok

Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the hotel.
Shangri-La Hotel

Day 3 • Bangkok

Morning sightseeing highlight is a visit to the lavishly decorated Royal Grand Palace, official home of the Thai royal family. Wat Phra Kaeo, in contrast, awes guests with the sight and aura of the priceless Emerald Buddha. The rest of the day is free. Enjoy a classical Thai dance performance with your sumptuous dinner this evening.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Dinner Show

Day 4 • Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Bangkok

Full day tour takes you to Thailand's ancient capital, Ayutthaya. Depart from the hotel by coach to Ayutthaya, visiting the ancient city and temple ruins. Continue on to visit Bang Pa In, the summer palace, before boarding a relaxing cruise down the Chao Phraya River back to Bangkok. Lunch is served during the cruise.
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch

VIETNAM

Day 5 • Bangkok/Hanoi, Vietnam

After a morning flight arrive in Hanoi. Our full day of sightseeing includes a visit to Ho Chi Minh's House, built on stilts in a traditional Vietnamese style. Continue on to visit One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius; and the former “Hanoi Hilton” prison, so named by American POWs during the war. After lunch, explore the fascinating maze of back streets on a pedicab ride through the Old Quarter. After dinner at a local restaurant, enjoy an entertaining performance at the Water Puppet Theater, an art form that originated in northern Vietnam over 1000 years ago.
Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi
MEALS: American Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 • Hanoi/Halong Bay

This morning visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before departing Hanoi by motor coach to Halong Bay, known as the “Bay of the Descending Dragon.” Tonight enjoy dinner at Tau Hong Ngoc Restaurant in Halong.
Heritage Halong Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 • Halong Bay/Hanoi

In a traditional Chinese junk, cruise on magnificent Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. With the bay's 3,000 islets as a backdrop, enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh seafood on board. This afternoon, explore the fantastic caves of Hang Dau Go, Bo Nau and Thien Cung. Return to Hanoi by motor coach later today. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Hilton Hanoi Opera
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 • Hanoi/Danang

Fly to Danang. Visit the Cham Museum, which houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. Later, an excursion features the Marble Mountains, consisting of five hillocks, each made entirely of marble; China Beach; and the former trading port of Hoi An, south of Danang. A walking tour of Hoi An includes such sights as Quan Cong temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Trading Ceramics Museum, and centuries-old pagodas. Return to Danang, where dinner is at a local restaurant.
Furama Resort Danang Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 • Danang/Hue

This morning, drive to Hue, the old imperial capital. Cross over Hai Van Pass with its spectacular views. From Hue, cruise on the fabled Perfume River. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture. Back in Hue, visit the Imperial City in the Citadel. Within its walls are palaces and temples such as Thai Hoa Palace, Halls of the Mandarins, and Forbidden Purple City.
Hotel Saigon-Morin Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 • Hue/Ho Chi Minh City

Take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon and Vietnam's largest city. Tour includes Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market. To the west of the city is the Chinese sector called Cholon, which means “Big Market.” Visit Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda. This evening, enjoy dinner at a French restaurant, Le Camargue, housed in a stunning restored villa.
New World Hotel Saigon
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 • Ho Chi Minh City (Cu Chi excursion)

Today we will visit Cu Chi, which was an important base during the war because of its strategic location. The incredible Cu Chi Tunnels, a hidden, 200km long network of tunnels used for storage, shelter, command posts, and hospitals were completely dug by hand tools over a 25-year period, to defend against both French and American troops. Continue on to the town of Tay Ninh, headquarters of one of Vietnam's most interesting religions, Caodism, an eclectic fusion of Eastern and Western religious philosophies. Visit the Caodai Great Temple, a rococo extravagance built between 1933 and 1955. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

CAMBODIA

Day 12 • Ho Chi Minh City/Siem Reap (Angkor), Cambodia

This morning, fly to Siem Reap, gateway to Cambodia's most famous landmark, Angkor Wat. Capital of the Khmers from 802 to 1441 AD, Angkor's religious citadel is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, containing exquisite examples of Khmer and Hindu art. You will also visit the site of Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom, a fortified Royal City with its intriguing Bayon temple.
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 • Angkor

Today's sightseeing continues your exploration of Angkor's magnificent Hindu temples such as Banteay Srei and Ta Keo, both dedicated to Shiva, and Pre Rup, a pyramid-shaped 10th century temple.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 • Angkor (Siem Reap)/Bangkok, Thailand

Transfer to the airport at Siem Reap for your flight to Bangkok.
Shangri-La Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast

Day 15 • Depart Bangkok for San Francisco.

CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS:
BANGKOK: 4 Nights Shangri-La Hotel
Royal Grand Palace • Wat Phra Kaeo’s Emerald Buddha • Classical Thai Dance Performance

AYUTTHAYA: Day Tour
Bang Pa In, ruins at Ayutthaya • Luncheon Cruise on Chao Phraya River

HANOI: 2 Nights Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh House • One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) • “Hanoi Hilton”
Prison • Old Quarter tour by pedicab • Water Puppet Show • Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

HALONG BAY: 1 Night Heritage Halong Hotel
Luncheon Cruise to Caves at Hang Dau Go, Bo Nau and Thien Cung

DANANG: 1 Night Furama Resort Danang
Cham Museum • Marble Mountain • China Beach • Excursion to Hoi An

HUE: 1 Nights Hotel Saigon-Morin
Cruise on Perfume River • Thien Mu Pagoda • Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang • Citadel’s Imperial
City, including Thai Hoa Palace • Halls of the Mandarins • Forbidden Purple City

HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon): 2 Nights Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa
City tour including Notre Dame Cathedral • City Hall,War Remnants Museum • Ben Thanh Market • Binh Tay Market • Thien Hau Pagoda • Day Tour to Cu Chi Tunnels • Tay Ninh • Caodai Great Temple

SIEM REAP: 2 Nights Le Meriden Angkor Hotel
Angkor Wat, including Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom’s Bayon temple • Hindu temples