After breakfast, we will head out for an iconic experience, the basket boats of Vietnam.

These basket boats came about for the local Vietnamese to avoid the

colonial French taxes for traditional boats! Genius. Nowadays though, you'll

have a local guide to manage the steering, don't worry, it's a little tricky.

The afternoon, we'll explore the charming village of Hoi An by foot, and all

it's nooks and crannies. Including a visit to the hottest spot for Vietnamese

egg coffee (it's an acquired taste!).

Your evening will be free for you to do as you please, or just relax!

Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we make our way to Hue (that joke works better when said

out loud - they're pronounced the same, trust us!). Hue is the former

imperial capital, and to this day retains the same majesty.

Once we make it here, we'll settle in, and have a LIGHT lunch. 

Keep it light- because late afternoon and evening, we're going to start eating our

way through Vietnam on our local walking street food. A local expert with

be bringing us throughout the town until Pho and Banh Mih is coming out

of ears. 

He'll leave us in the nightmarket where we can continue exploring

the local drinks and flavours, if we can still manage it!

Included meals: breakfast,  late Lunch/early dinner (food tour)

Hue is renowned for its imperial cuisine, so let's see what we remember

from our food tour yesterday. But this time round, we're cooking it.

Complete with a visit to a local market, we'll learn all about the processes

involved that make Vietnamese food oh so delicious. And yes, we'll be

eating all of what we produce. 

This afternoon, we support a local NGO which employs the visually

impaired. Here we can have a blind massage, or simply enjoy your

downtime before the adventure this evening. Our night sleeper train to

Hanoi.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Riding a night train half the length of Vietnam is truly something special

but wakey wakey, we're in Hanoi! And it's waiting to be explored.

We'll hit up a specialist drip coffee spot to reignite those night train bones,

and then we're off to explore Hanoi in all its glory, particularly the legacy of

the Vietnam war and Old Hanoi, where you'll feel transported back in time

with the alleys and local markets. Just try to watch out for those scooters

when you cross the road. 

This evening we have a date at the famous Thang Long Water Puppet

Theatre, across the street from the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake. The

puppets and folk legends will tell the stories of the Vietnam of old.

Included meals: Breakfast

Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. 2 places you may not have heard of. But boy do we

have a treat for you. Rice fields, karst limestone cliffs, rivers and tunnels.

Tam Coc is one of Vietnam's most beautiful spots. Yet few people make it

here. 

We'll hop in our private row boats (with a rower, don't worry!)' we'll make

our way through the tunnels, cliffs and rivers with scenery, unlike anything

you've seen before. Something between Avatar and Jurassic Park!

We'll also visit some local handicraft stores where the rower's wives make

their handmade embroideries—a great chance to support the local

community and pick up some great gifts.

Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we're heading to one of the most beautiful spots on the plant, but

we're doing it with that extra touch of luxury.

We leave Hanoi and drive to the east coast of Vietnam, to the South China

Sea. Here, we'll board our luxury boat for the next 2 days and venture into

the ocean.

We'll visit countless untouched islands, some epic caves, opportunities to

kayak, and even more to drink wine and cocktails as the sun sets on our

evening on the ocean.

Included meals: Breakfast

Sunrise in paradise. You'll be cooked up a feast on deck, while the sun pops

up above the 1000 islands.

Your morning can be as chill, or as action-packed as you'd like. Hit the

hammock, a spot of yoga, or go get wet in the untouched seas off the

Vietnamese coast. Around lunch we make our way back to the port. And

then onwards to Hanoi for our last dinner together in Vietnam.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

It's time for a new country! 

Today we're making our way to neighboring Laos. With a short afternoon flight, we'll be transported into the beautiful and historic city of Luang Prabang. 

We'll arrive just in time to put out bags away, take a hot shower and check out the local night markets.

Included Meals: Breakfast

For our early risers, we'll meet the monks on their morning alms

ceremony,. Here you'll have the chance to learn a little of the Buddhist

religion here and donate personally to the monks on their morning

pilgrimage.

After breakfast, we'll make our way to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Not quite

like waterfalls anywhere else, here the harmony between the blue of crystal

water and the green of verdant jungle paints a picturesque landscape of

swimming pools in the sky. 

In the evening we'll board a cozy boat to watch the sun dip down and reflect off the Mekong River.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast soak up a bit more of the charm of this ancient Capital city.

Some of the temples here, such as Wat Xieng Thong date back to the 16th

century. 

In the afternoon we will board the train to Vang Vieng, where many a

heart has been stolen to this charming riverside town deep in the jungles of

Laos. 

While it used to be known for it's off-the-wall river parties, those days

have passed and the pristine nature, darling town and outdoor activities

have taken center stage. This part of Laos offers so much to anyone

adventurous enough to get off the beaten path.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Get ready to check an item off your bucket list!

If you were stunned by the beauty of Vang Vieng from ground level, just wait until this morning. Climb into and drift up 2000 feet in a hot air balloon to see this place in all its glory. Limestone mountains, gushing waterfalls, rice paddies and untouched villages. And that's all before you've had your brekkie! The hot air balloon option is available as an add-on for $130. 

With the GLT team, you can either take a slow meander down the river in a

tube or kayak, or a little hike to some very epic viewpoints with the smell of

sweet lemongrass passing by.

Dinner and drinks on the river for our weary legs this evening to finish us

off in this spectacular place.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Last day?! How did that happen? 

After morning breakfast we will take the train to the City of Vientiane where we'll call it a wrap on our travels... unless you still have room for more Southeast Asian Adventure, then we'll see you in Siem Reap!

Included Meals: Breakfast