Arrival in Hanoi | Welcome to the Land of Ascending Dragon

Upon your arrival at Hanoi Airport, the driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Once you check in, the remaining day is yours to enjoy on your own. You can visit Hoan Kiem Lake, which is a symbol of Hanoi and is also called Sword Lake. Explore the Ngoc Son temple and the Huc Bridge, which are located on the same premises. You can also marvel at the beautiful interior of St. Joseph's Cathedral.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up to embark on your Hanoi City exploration. Our first destination is Tran Quoc Pagoda, situated on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. This ancient pagoda, dating back to the 6th century, is Hanoi's oldest. Take in its splendid architecture and delve into the rich history and culture that envelops this significant landmark.
Next, we'll visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, offering you the opportunity to view the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh. Stroll leisurely through the garden and explore the two houses where he resided and worked from 1954 to 1969. Our journey continues to the One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and renowned as one of the world's most unique pagodas.
Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. If your tour coincides with either of these days, we will arrange an alternative itinerary for you.
Afterward, we'll proceed to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, where you'll gain insights into the diverse cultures of the 54 ethnic groups residing in Vietnam. In case your tour falls on a Monday, when the museum is closed, we will take you to the Women’s Museum instead.
Indulge in a delightful lunch at our restaurant, where you can savor some of the finest Vietnamese cuisine.
After lunch, our journey continues with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's inaugural university established in the 11th century. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient educational system of Vietnam.
The city tour will culminate with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, originally used by French colonists in Indochina for political detainees and later by North Vietnam to incarcerate U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. In this later period, American POWs came to know it as the "Hanoi Hilton."
After an enriching day of exploring Hanoi City, we will transfer you back to your hotel for check-in. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, and you will spend the night in Hanoi.

Following a delightful breakfast at your hotel, our private mini-van/bus will be at your service, picking you up between 8:30 am and 9:00 am to commence your journey to Halong City. During the 3.5-hour drive, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the picturesque countryside and witness the tranquil rhythms of rice paddy life along the way.

Upon arrival at the port, you'll step aboard your private vessel—an authentic Chinese Junk—and embark on an extraordinary cruise through the breathtaking Halong Bay, a designated World Heritage Site. Your onboard lunch will feature a delectable selection of the freshest seafood.

Throughout the cruise, we'll make a captivating visit to "the Amazing cave" and then indulge in a swim in the serene emerald waters of Halong Bay. We'll continue our journey into a tranquil area, dropping anchor for the night. Here, you'll relish a delicious dinner and unwind as the sun gracefully sets over the bay. Subsequently, you are free to take a dip in the phosphorescent waters, retire to your cabin, or even fall asleep under the twinkling stars on the upper deck, surrounded by the enchantment of Halong. You'll spend the night on the boat, reveling in the mesmerizing beauty of the bay.

Morning
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, hop on a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves admiring the glittering stone walls.

Back to the Junk boat. Check out of the cabin and then enjoy a full brunch buffet as you cruise back to port. Disembark around midday for your return drive to Hanoi.

Afternoon
From Hanoi, you will be transferred to the airport to catch the flight to Da Nang, in the central of Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Da Nang airport, you will be picked up by your private guide & driver and taken to your hotel in Hoi An, the UNESCO heritage town. Hoi An has a pick of two beaches just 5kms (3 miles) away with so many beautiful beach resorts so please advise us if you prefer to stay on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An

Location: Hoi An
Distance: 10km cycling
HIGHLIGHT:
• Cycling
• Discover local life
• Basket boat, Fishing, Gardening activities
• Cooking class and lunch
• Relaxing foot with medicinal herbs water
• More depending on the activities performed that day.
DETAIL:
8h30 Joined a group tour in Hoi An start cycling to Coconut Forest
09h00 On the way you will make stops at the Ba Le local market, rice fields, cemetery, school...
10h00 Upon reaching the village you are welcome by a family on the edge of the river. Anglers will then take you in basket boats to learn their traditional fishing techniques within the water coconut forest trees.
11h00 Continuation of Cycling through rice fields on peaceful paths, well away from the tourist trails, you will arrive at vegetable village
11:30 You will be warmly greeted by Mr.Minh family, a welcome drink "basil juice", stroll through the village and meet local people who work in the garden.
12h30 The local farmer will teach you all about cultivation methods and how to protect developing vegetable from the insects as well as join the farmers in preparing gardening activities such as raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, transplanting and tending greens.
13:30 Then You will cook, learn how to make “Tam Huu” spring roll, “Xeo” pancake. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including “Tam Huu” spring roll, “Banh Xeo” or local pancake of people in Centre of Viet Nam.
14h30 After lunch enjoy a foot bath with medicinal herbs, traditional therapeutic practice and Prepare lunch with a local family,
15h30 Take a bit rest before returning to your hotel. End tour.

Morning: After a satisfying breakfast, your private guide will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to Da Nang Railway station to catch the day train. You'll travel in comfort with soft seats and air conditioning on this 3-hour journey. The train route offers picturesque countryside views, takes you up and over the stunning Hai Van Pass (Sea Cloudy Pass), and then follows the coastline, affording breathtaking vistas.
Throughout the ride, you'll have the opportunity to interact with friendly locals onboard, forging new friendships along the way.
Upon arrival at the Hue Train Station, you'll be transferred to your hotel.

Check in at your hotel and have some free time to explore the imperial city. Overnight in Hue.

Following a delightful breakfast at your hotel, embark on a charming boat excursion along the enchanting Perfume River. Your destination is Thien Mu Pagoda, an ancient and revered site in Hue. As you glide along the river, revel in the picturesque views of the waterway and the lush, verdant surroundings. Your knowledgeable guide will provide insights into the pagoda's rich history and cultural significance. Thien Mu Pagoda is a testament to the spiritual and historical heritage of Hue.

Next on your itinerary are the mausoleums of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, two iconic and historically significant landmarks in Hue. Explore their grand architecture and learn about their historical importance.

Pause for a delectable lunch at a local restaurant, where you can savor traditional Vietnamese cuisine and immerse yourself in the local dining culture.

In the afternoon, your Hue sightseeing adventure continues with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the opulence and sophistication of the Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the intriguing history and architectural marvels of the Purple Forbidden City, once exclusively reserved for the emperors and their royal family.

Next, venture to Thuy Xuan incense-making village, where you can witness the traditional process of crafting incense and gain an understanding of its cultural significance in Vietnam.

Finally, make your way to Dong Ba market, the largest and liveliest market in Hue. Here, you can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and local specialties, providing the perfect opportunity to bring home a piece of Hue's vibrant culture.

After a fulfilling day of exploration, return to your hotel for a restful overnight stay in Hue. Prepare for more exciting adventures awaiting you tomorrow!

Morning
After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Hue Airport for a short flight heading south to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. It is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, you will be met by a new private driver and English-speaking guide who will drive you to the hotel in the city centre for check-in.

Afternoon
Spend the rest of the day visiting some of Ho Chi Minh City’s key highlights. We’ll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House, the historic Rex Hotel, the Central Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

Later stop at the Reunification Palace and the moving War Remnants Museum to for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnam’s military history and turbulent past.

Proceed to the atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda before finishing the day in fine style with a sundowner at the top of the Bitexco Tower, the tallest building in Vietnam.

Overnight in HCM City
Meals: (B/_/_)

Morning
After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh Province.

On arrival, set out to explore the sacred temple and learn more about the fascinating Cao Dai religion, which borrows elements from Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism. You will then take part in the midday mass, admiring the monks in their colorful robes and listening to the mesmerizing chants.

Afternoon
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred to Cu Chi, a small community located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, known for its network of deep tunnels that provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Vietcong during the later years of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video from the period before exploring the tunnels, the most famous battlegrounds in the world. The hidden network of Viet Cong tunnels is believed to stretch to “hundreds of miles,” in total length, housed living quarters, storage rooms, makeshift hospitals, and kitchens…etc. Although originally very narrow, some parts have been widened for the tourists and you have the opportunity to explore parts of the system.

Please note that these tunnels will be hot and can get claustrophobic, so there is an option if you’d like to view from above ground.

Try some of the main food of the Viet Cong Soldiers with a cassava tasting served with tangy tea. After experiencing the Cu Chi Tunnels, return to Ho Chi Minh City where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight in HCM City
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Morning
After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you out of HCM City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Ben Tre Town in the Mekong Delta, famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways, and beautiful landscapes. Known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, this region produces most of Vietnam’s fruit, rice, sugar cane, and coconuts.

After the two-hour drive through the lush farming land, you will arrive in Ben Tre where you will set out on a motorized boat trip on narrow channels winding through the coconut forest. During the boat ride, you will stop at the local cottage industries to see how the local people make bricks and weave sleeping mats by hand. Learn about their craft handed down through generations.

Take a leisure walk along the village lanes, visiting the local homes to try fresh fruits, taste delicious honey tea while enjoying a local Tai Tu music show. Continue to visit another workshop where the local delicacy of coconut candy is produced and a wide range of coconut husk and fiber products are skillfully handcrafted.

Next, take a small sampan through palm-fringed back canals, gliding peacefully along the hidden waterways surrounded by an immense variety of tropical plants. The quiet, rural setting is a welcome and restorative retreat to the frenetic buzz of HCM City which seems far, far away.

Enjoy sitting in the back a Motor Cart (xe lôi) passing local hamlets, rice fields, coconut groves, and lush orchard farms while meeting with local people.

Afternoon
After finishing your sightseeing tour your guide will take you to a riverside restaurant for lunch with local specialties then return to the pier and drive back HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat airport to catch a short flight to Siem Reap, as your travel itinerary takes you from Vietnam to Cambodia.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, your Cambodian private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be free at your leisure.

Please note: You must have both a passport and a visa to enter Cambodia. And your passport must also have at least six months’ validity remaining beyond the date that you enter Cambodia. You can get a visa on arrival in Cambodia. Make sure you have two passport-sizes photographs.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: (B/L/_)

Today with the help of your private and driver you will embark on a full day’s sightseeing around the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretches over some 400 square kilometres, including forested area. The park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the great Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries.

Morning
Begin your day with an early visit (avoid the crowds) to the 13th-century Ta Prohm, a hauntingly beautiful temple where the roots of giant banyans and strangler figs enfold much of the stonework, creating scenes little changed since the French Adventurer Henri Mouhot re-discovered Angkor in the 1850s. This temple makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.

Continue your explorations by visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall drawing a perfect square. You will enter the city from the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path, a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.

Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat.

Afternoon
Your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”), a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Sra Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. From here, move onto the Bayon Temple in the exact centre of the ancient city. This 12th-century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.

You will also visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Stroll through the grounds of the former Royal Palace to discover some small hidden temples that are rarely visited.

Finish your day sightseeing with a leisurely gondola boat ride through the moats of Angkor Thom. In the tranquil solitude, visualize the royal city when it ruled over two million people nearly 800 years ago. As the sun approaches the horizon, make your way to Prasat Chrung, a small temple built in the style of Bayon, and climb an iron staircase to a quiet spot for excellent sunset views over the ruins.

Evening
Your tour guide and driver will transfer you to a local village on the outskirt of Siem Reap where you will enjoy a home-hosted dinner. Experience the simple Khmer village life, relaxing in a swaying hammock, or helping the local family to prepare dinner, picking fresh produce from their organic gardens. In this amiable and informal setting, feel free to ask the village elders about Khmer traditions and daily life in this community.

Overnight in Siem Reap
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Today, you’ll continue to experience the temple relics but in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.

Morning
As first light dawns, you will be at the most important religious monument in the country, admiring the extraordinary Temple of Angkor Wat across a reflecting moat.

When the sun rises behind the triple towers, the crowds will thin out as most people return to bed or a hotel breakfast. We will make use of the cool temperatures and soft morning light to explore Angkor Wat in a more peaceful atmosphere.

After enjoying your takeaway breakfast (prepared by your guide) near the temple, you will start exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front of passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.

Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the rest of the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed one of many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you will never forget.

Leaving Angkor Wat behind you will travel to the countryside to see the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best-preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srey is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.

Continue your day by driving up north to Kbal Spean, one of the earliest Hindu pilgrimage sites in Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will take a short trek up the hill through dense jungle with excellent views over the plains and the Kulen hills. At the top, be surprised about the “River of 1000 Lingas” with some remarkable stone carvings of Hindu gods, animals, and other symbols in the river bed.

Afternoon
After enjoying a picnic lunch you can take a refreshing bath in the nearby waterfall, which is extremely popular with the local families.

On the way back to Siem Reap, make a quick stop at the Land Mine Museum which promotes mine awareness. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. The museum serves also as a rescue centre for a number of land mine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought off Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.

Evening
Your guide and driver will take you out to watch Phare – the Cambodian Circus, an amazing blend of traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatic, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: (B/L/_)

Morning
After breakfast, embark on a half-day adventure and soak up the scenery as you drive through the rice paddies and rural villages to reach the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake – Tonle Sap Lake.

Upon arrival, you will firstly enjoy a fun ox cart ride through the countryside. After that take a leisurely boat trip along the Tonle Sap river, which flows through the heart of Kompong Phluk Village. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful lake view and mangrove forest on the lake. Get a glimpse of local life as you glide past the stilted houses, pagodas, markets, and watch locals going about their everyday lives.

Later, you will be transferred to a smaller boat to paddle through the flooded forest of Kompong Phluk to discover the fascinating daily lives of the local people who leave on the water.

End the tour around midday. Return to the wharf where your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

Afternoon
You will be driven to Siem Reap airport for a short flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Upon arrival, your Thai private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the City Centre for check-in. The rest of the afternoon will be free at your leisure.

Evening
Head out for a luxury barge journey into Thai culture and the Thai hearts. Enjoy fine dining, traditional and culture tour on the only original antique teakwood rice barge on the river in Bangkok. Experience first-class Thai hospitality and delicious food from around Thailand in the comfort and tranquility of the luxury, open-air cruise.

Overnight in Bangkok
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Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and driver again and head to the historic center of Bangkok and start your day at Wat Suthat. A few visitors come to this temple early, so much the better to enjoy the monks’ melodic chanting ritual. It’s an incredible sensory experience. Then, a short walk to Wat Pho (famous for its 141-foot-long reclining Buddha) will take you through small alleys with wooden houses, guardian spirit signs, and lively fruit and flower markets.

Make a stop at Lak Muang, Bangkok’s city pillar, well worth a five-minute detour before continuing onto the site the Thai people consider the most sacred in the Kingdom: The Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. This is one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Thai court, with several grand halls in the same compound.

Enjoy a delightful Thai lunch and take in the scenic views at the Deck by Arun Residence restaurant and experience the mid-day bustling atmosphere of the lively Chao River.

Afternoon
Take the public ferry to visit the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), which you will probably recognize from its famous silhouette. The local story goes that the shards of pottery decorating its 79 m tall spire came from a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago.

Continue to explore the Khlongs by a Long Tail Boat and be amazed by the constantly changing sights, from Thai wooden houses on stilts to the many boats with sellers offering everything from fruit to souvenirs.

Your sightseeing tour ends with a visit Wat Triamit, one of the most famous temples in Bangkok and is known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha (the statue of Buddha is made from solid gold weighting 5.5 tons). Then get back to your hotel for a short rest and some shower before taking the fantastic evening food tour by Tuk Tuk, a very popular means of transport in Thailand.

Evening
Your Tuk Tuk food journey begins at Sam Yan MRT subway station where you are met by your expert guide and Tuk Tuk Drivers. A short ride brings you to the first stop, a Northeastern Thai restaurant. Here you will sample famous dishes from the region like spicy raw papaya salad, deep-fried crispy catfish meat with spicy sauce, spicy pork salad, and spicy pork meatballs. Your next stop is chicken crispy noodle, with a choice of runny or well-cooked eggs.

Then, take a digestion break by visiting the flower market where you might have small snacks and pause at the temple of Wat Pho to see a totally different scene at night. Continue onto Bangkok’s best Pad Thai. You will skip the long queue and go right in.

The final stop is at a local rooftop bar (beer or soft drink included) where you can enjoy the stunning views of the over the Chao Phraya River by night. After that the Tuk Tuk will drop you off at your hotel for your good night’s sleep.

Overnight in Bangkok
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Morning
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up for a drive to the Historical Park of Ayutthaya, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues. Ayutthaya is the former capital of the Kingdom of Thailand and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767.

Upon arrival you will visit:
– Wat Phu Khao Thong– Originally built in 1387 by the second king of the Ayutthaya kingdom; this is an impressive monument in the north-western part of Ayutthaya. When the Burmese took over Ayutthaya in 1569, the Burmese king built a mon-style chedi (or pyramid) on top of the former temple to celebrate his victory over Ayutthaya and the Siamese.
– Wat Phra Sri Sanphet – Once a royal temple located next to the Grand Palace, it was once the most significant temple during the Ayutthaya period.
– Viharn Phra Mongkolbopit, an impressive building that houses a large seated bronze Buddha. Its rebuilt pristine hall was believed to be a replica of the old Assembly Hall of Ayutthaya.

Afternoon
After lunch, continue to visit;
– Wat Lokaya Sutha, the largest reclining Buddha of Ayutthaya at 8 meters high and 42 meters long. This Buddha is made of brick and covered with plaster.
– Wat Mahathat, a classic temple ruins of Ayutthaya and famous for the picturesque Buddha head engulfed by the Bodhi tree roots. The foundation size, remaining prangs, and towers attest to its significance during its time.

Finish the tour and wind your way back to Bangkok where the rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok
Meals: (B/L/_)

Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Bangkok International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.

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PHUKET BEACH BREAK 5 DAYS/ 4 NIGHTS

Day 1: Bangkok – Flight to Phuket
At the airport in Bangkok, take a short connecting flight to Phuket.

Upon arrival at Phuket airport, your private driver will take you to your hotel in Phuket for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Phuket
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Day 2: Day trip to Phang Nga Bay by Sea Canoe
Morning
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up for a drive to Phang Nga Bay, famous for its limestone “Sea Mountains”. You will discover the flora of this amazing landscape at Koh Panak and Koh Hong while learning more about the bay. On the way to Koh Tapu, you will also visit Pinggan Island.

You will board a boat to explore Tapu Island, also known as the “James Bond Island” from the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”, where it was partially filmed. Lunch will be served on your boat.

Afternoon
A leisurely afternoon awaits you to enjoy the sea and weather onboard. In the late afternoon, you will be taken back to your hotel in Phuket and the rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Phuket
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 3: Phuket – Free Day
Spend the day on the beach sunbathing or swimming in the ocean.

Overnight in Phuket
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Day 4: Phuket – Free Day
Another day at your leisure.

Overnight in Phuket
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Day 5: Phuket – Flight back to Bangkok – Departure
After breakfast and a leisurely morning on your own, you will check out by midday and your private driver will pick you up and take you to the Phuket airport for your flight to Bangkok, and from there, your connecting flight home.

Meals: (B/_/_)