Head back to Hanoi to catch a morning flight to Hoi An. In the afternoon, enjoy a private walking tour in the Old Town, famous for its classic immigrant architecture and thriving artist colony. Today a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Hoi An’s charming Old Town is filled with small pedestrian streets, shops, markets and cafes which make for excellent exploring. Visit the local market, Tan Ky house, Fukien Assembly Hall and the 400-year old Japanese covered bridge. Travelers can see local residents raising silkworms to produce silk for Hoi An’s burgeoning textile industry. Tailors also abound if you are interested in having clothes made.

Spend a half-day leisurely cycling though the scenic countryside of Vietnam, far from traffic and motor scooters. Cycle past water buffalos, lush rice paddies, fishing farms and local villages. Cross the islands on the Song Thu river delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridges.

Stop at a nearby village to see how bricks and traditional wooden river boats are made. Learn the secret of weaving the colorful straw “Hoi An” sleeping mats at a local residence. Then, swing by a local school (if open), and stop for tea and treats with a resident. After, cycle back to Hoi An.

You have the day free to explore Hoi An on your own.

After a flight from Hoi An to Can Tho, drive through lush countryside to Tram Chim National Park. This area is well known for its birds. Board a private, motorized boat for a one-hour circuit around the scenic waterways. Be on the lookout for the many species that call Tram Chim home – or use it as a stopover during migration. Asian Openbill, Double-crested Cormorants, and Gray-headed Swamphens are just a few of the over 198 species that have been spotted here.

Later, check into your resort for the evening.

Explore the Can Tho floating market early this morning by boat. Here, larger boats anchor in the middle of the river and display their wares, while smaller vessels “shop” from boat to boat. Vegetables and fruit make up the majority of transactions, and the most active hours are the early morning ones. After shopping and exploring, return to the hotel for breakfast before departing for the boat docks and boarding the Jayavarman.

Named after the legendary Angkorian monarch, Heritage Line’s Jayavarman merges wonderful French-Colonial ambiance with Khmer art throughout its interiors. 27 elegant staterooms and suites, all with private balconies, are spread over two decks. Luxury public facilities include the Club 1930 Funnel Bar and the ship’s elevated sun deck with pool, both prime open-air venues to kick back with wonderful river views.

Cruise down the Mekong River past fascinating sites in Vietnam and Cambodia with places that are rarely visited, such as Tan Chau, My An Hung, Sa Dec, Binh Thanh Island, Cai Be, and My Tho.

Disembark the cruise in Phnom Penh, then catch a flight to Siem Reap. Check into your hotel and have the day at your leisure.

Explore Preah Khan, “The Sacred Sword” temple dedicated by Jayavarman VII to his father and Neak Pean, the temple built as a sort of healing center, with pools representing water, earth, wind, and fire. Finish the day at Ta Prohm and experience the feeling of a modern day “Indiana Jones” in this temple which is slowly being swallowed up by the jungle.

Begin the morning with a tour of Angkor Thom. royal city of the 12th c. god-king Jayavarman VII, including Bayon with its 54 symmetric towers topped by giant stone faces and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon rest at the hotel during the heat of the day. Then, continue your temple exploration with the jewel of Cambodia: Angkor Wat, whose temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. This 12th century masterpiece is considered the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture, and combines Buddhist and Hindu imagery on a vast scale.

Board a flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Upon arrival and after settling into your hotel, board a traditional longtail boat to explore the city’s crisscrossing khlongs (canals), passing temples and communities along the water’s edge. Stop to visit Baan Silapin Artists’ House, located in a traditional teak family home, to see the photography and artwork within.

Continue to Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, one of the best-known temples in Thailand, and bid farewell to your longtail. Stroll the pavilions, ascend one of the iconic prangs (towers), and learn about the influence of Buddhism on everyday life. Board a local ferry for the short crossing to the far bank and a local restaurant, where you can enjoy a Thai cocktail and soak up the sunset with a view across the River of Kings.

An early start this morning allows us to discover the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market. Traveling first by car, and then by longtail boat, cruise the maze of canals and observe vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, souvenirs and more. Continue on foot to nearby Lao Tuk Lak market, a smaller, more traditional community market. Stop for a traditional Thai iced coffee before heading to the fascinating Maeklong Train Market, where you can walk along the tracks and listen for the arrival of the train.

Watch as the stall holders rush to remove their goods from the track, only to replace them as soon as the train passes by.

Return to Bangkok in the early afternoon, stopping en route at a family-operated coconut palm sugar factory. Watch the production process unfold and taste some of the tantalizing snacks made from palm sugar. Have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Set out for a morning tour to discover a little known neighborhood of Bangkok: Bang Rak. Embark on foot for an exploration of the local restaurants, historical buildings and street snacks that make up this little neighborhood. Cool down with a Thai Iced Coffee or fresh fruit shake before visiting the quaint Bangkokian Museum which examines Bangkok through the ages. Complete your walking tour with a visit to the Neilson Hays Library, founded in 1869 and housing approximately 20,000 books within an elegant neoclassical building.

Afterwards, head to the airport to board your quick flight to Chiang Mai.

Depart from your hotel early in order to arrive at Chiang Mai Gate Market, a traditional fresh-foods market. Sample some typical Thai snacks with the assistance of your guide. You will also see the monks making their alms rounds. Return to your hotel for a relaxed breakfast before taking a “songtaew” to the riverfront (and much larger) Worarot Market. From the market, head to Thapae Gate, one of the four original city gates, and continue to Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Suan Dok where you can meet an English-speaking monk.

In the evening, set off on an exciting food adventure, traveling to a number of bustling neighborhood markets with your local expert foodie to indulge in a feast of Northern Thai street foods. Learn how to order food and uncover the ingredients behind recipes, some passed through generations.

Enjoy a morning tour of the city and its temples, including Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, then visit the local market in Chiang Mai. After lunch, head to the White Hmong tribal village of Khun Chang Kien, located in the vicinity of Doi (which means Mountain) Suthep. Here, see the Hmong in their colorful costumes selling a wide range of antiques, decorative ornaments, and fabrics. The villagers now earn their living by planting vegetables and growing fruit, both of which have replaced their traditional cash crop – the opium poppy.

Drive to the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located 1,056 meters above sea level. To reach the temple itself requires a climb up a Naga staircase of 290 steps or a funicular cable-car ride to the top. On clear days, the views of the surrounding area are a rewarding sight. Finally, visit a Hmong village in Chang Khien and its local Coffee Research Project.

Today, step back in time to visit Lampang and Sukhothai. First stop at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, considered the most magnificent temple in northern Thailand. Lampang is the only place in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as public transport.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Si Satchanalai historical park, located just north of Sukhothai. A 12th century Khmer outpost, Si Satch became a royal residence of the Sukhothai period and an important pottery-producing center.

Visit highlights of the historical park including Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo—a mausoleum built to enshrine the remains of the ruling families, and Wat Chang Lom—one of the largest and best-preserved temples in the area. Continue to your hotel in Sukhothai and enjoy the remaining of the day at leisure.

Sukhothai offers the perfect environment for cycling – flat, quiet roads that link various historical zones together. Today’s cycling tour starts at Ban Khuai, a village on Sukhothai’s outskirts. Passing rice paddies with scenic mountain views, the route includes a visit to a wood furniture factory and travels along small irrigation canals through rural villages.

At the Eastern Gate, explore ancient ruins like Wat Chang Lom, Wat Si Chum, and Wat Mahathat, showcasing exquisite Buddhist and Hindu architecture from Thailand’s Golden Era. This experience delves into Sukhothai’s history, architecture, and Buddhism. After a delightful local lunch, your ride continues to the southern area of Sukhothai before returning to the hotel.

Travel like a local, boarding the train to travel from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya. More than a hundred years have passed since Thailand’s inaugural train line was built, from Bangkok to the former royal capital of Ayutthaya. Since then, rail lines have been expanded across the country and have become an integral form of transportation for Thai residents. In our opinion, scenic railway routes remain one of the best ways to see the country.

Transfer to the station for your three-hour train journey through the countryside, arriving in Ayutthaya in time to see some of the main temple sites with your expert guide. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO Heritage Site and exploring both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya gives you an in depth understanding of Thailand’s impressive history. Transfer to your riverside hotel and relax over sunset views of the historical park.

Transfer back to Bangkok and board a flight to Khao Sok. From here, transfer to your accommodation for the next two nights, located on a stunning emerald bay surrounded by spectacular limestone cliffs.

Enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the lake, followed by breakfast and some down tiem. Afterwards, set out on a jungle trek to the emerald lagoon where you will board a bamboo boat to Prakarang cave to view the stunning stalactites and stalagmites shaped like coral. Flora and fauna abound. Return and enjoy free time.

Say goodbye to Thailand as your check out of your hotel and transfer back to Bangkok to catch your onward flight.