Gold Blue Dragon, Khmer and Siam “Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand” (SGN-BKK) with THY
Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) – Hanoi (2 nights) – Ha Long Bay cruise (1 night) – Siem Reap (2 nights) – Bangkok (3 nights)
10 nights 11 days | All city tours and entrance fees included | 7 lunches and 7 dinners included
Day 1 | Istanbul
We meet at 23:25 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal. Overnight on board.
Day 2 | Istanbul – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | [D]
After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, we fly to Ho Chi Minh City on Turkish Airlines flight TK0162 at 02:25. Arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport at 16:30 local time. After passport and baggage procedures, we depart from the airport by vehicle to the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to our hotel. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City at the 4* Northern Charm Hotel (or similar).
Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | [B, L, D]
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Cu Chi countryside for the Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Built in the 1940s, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast underground hiding system made up of interconnected tunnels. Used first against French colonial forces and then during the American War, these tunnels are said to have enabled the Vietnamese to achieve many military victories. Inside this tunnel system, which allowed silent and unseen attacks followed by sudden disappearances, there are long passageways for crawling, kitchen and rest areas, weapon depots, and clean drinking water wells. Afterward, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we proceed for a panoramic Saigon city tour. First, we will see the palace built in the 1960s by the President of South Vietnam as a symbol of independence, which later represented the fall of South Vietnam with the tank assault in 1975 (Reunification Palace). Then we will see the Opera House, City Hall, the historic Post Office from the French colonial period, and Notre Dame Cathedral, which is an exact replica of the one in Paris. After visiting the War Museum, which reveals the terrible traces of the Vietnam War, and Ben Thanh local market, we will have our dinner at a local restaurant and return to our hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City at the 4* Northern Charm Hotel (or similar).
Day 4 | Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Hanoi | [B, L, D]
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and depart for the Mekong Delta tour. Our journey begins on the Mekong River by private boat. Our first stop on the tour will be Thoi Son Island. This island is known as Vietnam’s fruit basket. Here we will have the chance to taste various interesting tropical fruits. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will have a 15-minute horseback walk along a local village road. At the end of this walk, we will reach the Chuong Duong Fruit Gardens. In this area, we will have the opportunity to taste both tropical fruits and Vietnam’s lovely green tea accompanied by local Vietnamese music. Then we will take a canal tour in Vietnamese sampan boats. After the tour, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport. After ticketing and baggage procedures, we fly to Hanoi on a local airline. After arrival at Hanoi Airport and baggage procedures, we depart from the airport by vehicle to the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to our hotel. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight in Hanoi at the 4* Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom (or similar).
Day 5 | Hanoi | [B, L, D]
After breakfast at our hotel, we start a panoramic Hanoi city tour and head toward the old square. Passing through shops among the interesting narrow streets and houses, we will learn about the city and local culture. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the mummy of Ho Chi Minh, the architect of the Vietnamese revolution and founder of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is displayed, the stilt house that served as his last residence from 1958 until his death in 1969, and the graceful One Pillar Pagoda rising from the middle of a lotus pond are among the places we will visit. In addition, the Old Quarter, consisting of 36 small streets intersecting at right angles from the French Colonial Period, Silk Street, Paper Street, Shoe Street, Bronze Street, and a pagoda are among the other places to be seen. We will have lunch at a local restaurant during the tour. At the end of this tour, we depart to watch the show of Vietnam’s world-famous Water Puppetry Theater. After the show, we will have dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Hanoi at the 4* Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom (or similar).
Day 6 | Hanoi – Ha Long Bay | [B, L, D]
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and set off for Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s natural and astonishingly beautiful wonder. Upon arrival, we board our boat. After a briefing by the boat crew, we have lunch with a rich set menu of traditional dishes and settle into our cabins. At the time announced by our guide, we depart with local rowing boats for a visit to Vung Vieng fishing village, which lasts about half an hour. Afterwards, we enjoy free time on the boat to take in the scenery and the sea. We will have dinner on board with a rich set menu of Vietnamese dishes. Overnight on the 5* Aspira Cruises (or similar) boat in Ha Long Bay.
Day 7 | Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Siem Reap | [B, L, D]
Early wake-up on the boat and, for those who wish, an opportunity to do Tai Chi with the instructor. After an aperitif breakfast around 07:00, we visit Sung Sot Cave, which is under UNESCO protection. After the tour, return to the boat. Around 10:30, after vacating the cabins, we depart for Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we head to Hanoi Airport. After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, we fly to Siem Reap on a local airline. Arrival at Siem Reap Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, we depart from the airport by vehicle to the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to our hotel. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight in Siem Reap at the 5* Lotus Blanc Hotel (or similar).
Day 8 | Siem Reap | [B, L, D]
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Angkor tour, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and was the capital of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Our first stop will be Angkor Thom and the South Gate. We will then visit Bayon Temple, Baphuon Temple, and Ta Prohm Temple, and see the Leper King Terrace and Elephant Terrace. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will spend the rest of the day exploring the legendary temple-city Angkor Wat, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest religious structure in the world. Angkor Wat, the largest, best-preserved, and most important temple among the Angkor temples, served first as a Hindu and later as a Buddhist temple, and has always been an important religious center. After dinner at a local restaurant, we will have a short free time for shopping at the evening market before returning to our hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap at the 5* Lotus Blanc Hotel (or similar).
Day 9 | Siem Reap – Bangkok | [B, L]
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and depart for the Tonle Lake tour. Tonle Sap Lake (Tonle Lake) is Cambodia’s largest lake and one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater sources. Its most important feature is its “reverse flow” system, in which it expands when the Mekong River flows backward during the rainy season and shrinks again in winter. Thanks to this natural cycle, the lake becomes one of the region’s most productive fishing areas. After seeing the floating villages, communities living on the water, and rich ecosystem around Tonle Sap, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to Siem Reap Airport. After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, we fly to Bangkok on a local airline. Arrival at Bangkok Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, we transfer from the airport to our hotel. We complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight in Bangkok at the 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar).
Day 10 | Bangkok | [B]
After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the Bangkok temples and city tour. Our city tour includes the Golden Buddha Temple (Wat Traimit), the Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Pho), the Flower Market, Chinatown, the Parliament Building, and the Democracy Monument. Return to the hotel after the tour. Guests who wish may join the optional Bangkok canals tour organized by our guide. Overnight in Bangkok at the 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar).
→ Bangkok canals tour | 35 EUR adult – 25 EUR child (04-11.99 years)
For this tour, we will leave Bangkok. First, we will visit a coconut plantation. At the farm, we will learn how the Thai people make use of the coconut tree and see souvenirs made from this tree. After that, following a short journey, we will arrive at the pier where local boats depart. From the pier, we will board boats and take a pleasant half-hour journey through exotic Thai scenery to reach the famous Floating Market. Floating markets are part of Thailand’s and the local people’s way of life. Wherever there is a floating market, there is food. Eating by the river is an integral part of this lifestyle. We will see the open market established on canoes on the river and have the opportunity to shop. After this unique experience, return to Bangkok and to our hotel.
Day 11 | Bangkok | [B]
After breakfast at our hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Floating Market tour organized by our guide. In the evening, guests who wish may join the optional dinner tour to Baiyoke Sky and Asiatique Riverfront. Overnight in Bangkok at the 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar).
→ Floating Market tour | 45 EUR adult – 25 EUR child (04-11.99 years)
For this tour, we will leave Bangkok. First, we will visit a coconut farm. At the farm, we will learn where the Thai people use the coconut tree and see souvenirs made from it. After that, with a short journey, we will arrive at the pier where local boats depart. From the pier, we will board the boats and, amid exotic Thai scenery, take an enjoyable half-hour ride to the famous Floating Market. Floating markets are part of Thailand’s and the local people’s lifestyle. Wherever there is a floating market, there is food. Eating along the river is an inseparable part of this way of life. We will see the open market set up on canoes on the river and have the chance to shop. After this unique experience, return to Bangkok and to our hotel.
→ Dinner tour to Baiyoke Sky and Asiatique Riverfront | 55 EUR adult – 40 EUR child (04-11.99 years)
On this tour, we will first go to Baiyoke Sky, the tallest building in Thailand with 85 floors and a height of 309 meters. From the observation deck on the 77th floor, we will be able to see all of Bangkok in 360 degrees. Then we will have our open-buffet dinner on the 78th floor of the building with this magnificent view. Afterwards, we will go to Asiatique, Bangkok’s newest entertainment and shopping center, which was built on the former warehouses of the East Asiatic Company during the period when trade between European countries and Thailand first began at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, blending history and modern renovation, and featuring more than 1,500 shops and restaurants. At the end of our free time for sightseeing and shopping, return to our hotel.
Day 12 | Bangkok – Istanbul | [B]
After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and, at the transfer time announced by our guide, depart for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. After ticketing, baggage, and passport procedures, we fly to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK0065 at 10:10. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 16:45 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell, hoping to meet again on another distinguished and enjoyable journey.
Abbreviations: [B] = Breakfast, [L] = Lunch, [D] = Dinner