Gems of Southeast Asia

Fly overnight to Bangkok, Thailand's energetic capital city. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is free for you to begin immersing yourself in the local culture.

Discover Bangkok's vibrant mix of historic temples, bustling streets and charming riverside life. Visit the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, continue to Wat Pho to see the famous Reclining Buddha, then explore the lively atmosphere of Chinatown. Later, enjoy a scenic long-tail boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River as the sun sets, offering a unique perspective of the city.

Travel north to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam, visiting Wat Chaiwatthanaram, noted for its Khmer-style architecture, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet with its distinctive trio of stupas. Continue to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a former royal retreat, before returning to Bangkok for an afternoon flight to Chiang Mai.

Visit Wat Pha Lat, a peaceful forest temple set among jungle greenery and waterfalls, before continuing up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most sacred temple with sweeping views over the city. This evening, enjoy a hosted dinner in a local home.

Spend the morning at Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary, where a local guide will walk you through the forest to observe elephants grazing and socializing in their natural habitat. You will also get to learn about their diet, and help prepare their food. After lunch, visit the Karen Cultural Centre, before transferring to your hilltribe lodge.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or start exploring your surroundings.

Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and the UNESCO-listed Thang Long Imperial Citadel, before driving past the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake. After lunch, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, relax with a Vietnamese coffee by the lake, and end the day with a traditional water puppet performance.

Travel to Chuong Village, known for its traditional Nón Lá craftsmanship, and join local artisans for a hands-on introduction to conical hat making. After lunch, continue to Bat Trang Ceramic Village, with over 500 years of pottery tradition. Watch artisans at work and take part in a guided potter's wheel session to create your own ceramic piece.

Drive to Halong Bay to board your overnight cruise, enjoying lunch as you sail into the bay's dramatic limestone scenery. Activities may include cave visits, island viewpoints or kayaking, depending on conditions, followed by sunset on deck and dinner on board.

Join a Tai Chi session at sunrise before cruising back to port. Enjoy brunch on board before returning to Hanoi for your flight to Danang. Transfer from the airport to Hoi An via coach and upon arrival, enjoy free time before dinner.

Explore Hoi An's historic streets, including the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and a 200-year-old merchant home still occupied by descendants. In the afternoon, join a hands-on silk lantern workshop, starting with a traditional tea and an introduction to the history of Hoi An's iconic lanterns. Follow the step-by-step process to create your own silk lantern to take home.

Venture into Hoi An's countryside to visit an organic farming community, strolling through gardens and observing local farmers at work. Try your hand at farming techniques, then learn to prepare regional dishes and enjoy them for lunch.

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's energetic southern metropolis. Begin your city tour on arrival, visiting Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.

Drive two and a half hours for a day exploring the Mekong Delta, known as the Rice Basket of Vietnam. Cruise along wide waterways, visit local workshops, paddle through narrow canals and ride by electric cart through lush orchards. Enjoy a traditional lunch before returning to Saigon this afternoon.

Enjoy a free morning in Saigon before transferring to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Explore the Angkor complex, the former Khmer Empire capital that once housed over 1,000 temples. Begin at Angkor Thom, including Bayon Temple with its stone faces and the Elephant Terrace, then visit Ta Prohm where trees entwine with ancient ruins. After lunch, see Angkor Wat, Cambodia's largest and most iconic temple, and finish the day with a serene boat ride on the Angkor moat at sunset.

Spend the morning at leisure before visiting Trei Nohar, a traditional rural Cambodian village. Meet local villagers and the Village Head, explore the village on foot, visit local homes and a community project, and learn about traditional basket weaving. As the afternoon fades, enjoy a village-style farewell dinner made with fresh local ingredients, accompanied by traditional music.

Transfer from your hotel to Siem Reap Airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Any time before your flight is at leisure. Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.