Japan & Southeast Asia Grand Tour

For a deeper understanding of Japan's history and traditions, your Tokyo journey begins at Meiji Jingu Shrine to learn about the role of Shinto in Japanese life. Stroll through the forested grounds and observe locals making offerings and prayers, offering a glimpse into traditions that remain part of everyday life in Japan.

Continue to Tsukiji Outer Market, where you can browse shops and stalls selling fresh seafood, Japanese ingredients, snacks, and other local specialties.

In the afternoon, visit Senso-ji Temple. Enter through Kaminarimon Gate and stroll along Nakamise-dori, a shopping street lined with shops selling Japanese souvenirs, snacks, and sweets. Take some time to ramble around the temple grounds before returning to the hotel at the end of the day.

Take a day trip from Tokyo to the Mt. Fuji area, about a two-hour drive from the city. Take in the countryside around its northern foothills and see the mountain from different perspectives.

Begin at Oshino Hakkai, a group of eight spring-fed ponds surrounded by traditional houses, shops, and walking paths.

Continue to Arakurayama Sengen Park, where the Chureito Pagoda offers another view of Mt. Fuji. Your guide can introduce the history of the shrine and help you make the most of the different viewpoints around the park.

End the day with a leisurely cruise on Lake Kawaguchiko, offering a chance to see Mt. Fuji from the water and relax before returning to Tokyo.

Begin at Nijo Castle, built by the Tokugawa shoguns in the early 17th century. Pass the castle grounds and see its ornate rooms, gardens, gates, and defensive features while discovering the role of the shogunate and the castle in Japan's history.

Continue to Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates stretching along the forested hillside. Walk through part of the torii-lined path and discover the shrine's connection to Inari, the Shinto deity associated with rice and prosperity.

Later, be dressed in an elegant kimono and join the tea ceremony, where matcha is prepared and served according to established customs and etiquette. Take time to observe the gestures and movements that form part of the ceremony.

Today is free for you to explore Kyoto at your own pace. If you prefer to have a private guide accompany you, this can be arranged upon request.

One option is to head to Arashiyama to walk through the bamboo grove, visit Tenryu-ji Temple and its gardens, and cross Togetsukyo Bridge along the Katsura River. The area offers a chance to see a different side of Kyoto away from the city center.

Alternatively, take a day trip to Nara and visit Nara Park, where deer roam freely around the park. You can also visit nearby temples and shrines before returning to Kyoto.

Discover Hanoi's history, culture, and local life through a mix of historic sites with your private guide.

Begin with a view of the exterior of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Continue to the Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts, where you can see the simple home and working space where Ho Chi Minh lived. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, known for its lotus-shaped design, before continuing to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university.

After lunch, take part in a shared egg coffee experience at a workshop. Learn how this Hanoi specialty was created during a period of milk shortages, then try making the drink by whisking egg yolks with condensed milk.

Then, board a cyclo (rickshaw) for a leisurely ride through the Old Quarter. Pass through its narrow streets and busy local scenes before finishing at Hoan Kiem Lake, a popular gathering place for locals.

This morning, take a private transfer of about three hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise. Sail through the bay and take in its limestone islands and surrounding landscapes.

Cruise past limestone pillars rising from the water and visit Sung Sot Cave, known for its stalactites and stalagmites. You may also have time to swim at Ti Top Beach before watching the sunset from the deck.

In the evening, join the onboard activities at your leisure. Options may include cooking demonstrations, squid fishing, movie screenings, or a massage.

Start your morning with a Tai Chi session on the cruise deck before enjoying more time on the bay. You may visit Luon Cave by kayak or take a traditional bamboo boat rowed by a local boatman.

Return to the harbor and disembark after brunch, then take a private transfer back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Spend the morning exploring Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Ancient Town on a walking tour, where well-preserved architecture reflects the town's multicultural trading history.

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and the ornate Chinese Assembly Hall, each showcasing the cultural influences that shaped Hoi An over the centuries. Continue to the Museum of Folk Culture to learn about local traditions and customs, then visit a well-preserved old house, a fine example of traditional merchant architecture. If time permits, visit the lively Central Market, where you can see fresh produce, local products, and the daily rhythm of the town.

Return to your hotel after the tour, with the afternoon free.

Today, explore the countryside around Hoi An with a visit to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a farming community known for its fresh herbs and vegetables.

Ride a bike through quiet rural roads and past rice paddies, lotus ponds, and local farms, with opportunities to see water buffalo, farmers working in the fields, and rural life beyond the Ancient Town. Upon arrival, meet local farmers and walk through the vegetable gardens to see the herbs and vegetables grown here. With guidance from the farmers, try your hand at traditional farming activities such as preparing the soil, planting, watering, and harvesting vegetables.

End the experience with a hands-on cooking class at a local home, where you will learn to prepare Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savory pancake, along with several other local dishes. Sit down to enjoy the dishes you have prepared for lunch.

Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure.

Visit the temples of Angkor, beginning with Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Enter through the South Gate, where rows of stone figures representing gods and demons line the causeway in a depiction of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Continue to Bayon Temple, known for the large carved faces on its towers, before visiting the Terrace of the Elephants, once used for royal ceremonies and public events.

Continue to Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Explore its galleries and courtyards, taking in the detailed bas-reliefs and stone carvings depicting scenes from Khmer history and Hindu mythology.

End the day with sunset at Bakheng Hill or Pre Rup Temple, depending on the day's schedule and conditions, before returning to your hotel.

If weather and visibility permit, start early with a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. Watch the temple complex emerge in the morning light, then have breakfast at your hotel or take a breakfast box with you before continuing the day's exploration.

Travel through the countryside to Banteay Srei, passing local villages and rice fields along the way. This smaller temple is known for its detailed carvings and pink sandstone, with scenes from Hindu mythology carved into its walls and doorways. Continue to Ta Prohm, where trees and roots have grown around parts of the temple structures, giving the site a distinctive appearance. Afterward, visit Ta Keo, an unfinished temple built in the 10th century. Walk around its stone terraces and towers while your guide explains its history and construction.

Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon with some free time to relax or explore at your own pace.

Explore some of Bangkok's most important royal and Buddhist landmarks, beginning in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Visit the Grand Palace, the former residence of the Thai royal family, and explore Wat Phra Kaew within the palace complex, home to the revered Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest temples, known for its large reclining Buddha and long tradition of Thai massage.

Return to your hotel after the tour, with the rest of the day free to relax or explore on your own.

In the evening, consider taking the optional foodie tour to dive into Bangkok's enchanting nightlife. Savor Isaan food, the best Pad Thai, and delicious Thai snacks while riding through the old town's landmarks by tuk-tuk, soaking in the city's laid-back charm around you.

Start the day early and head out of Bangkok to visit two of Thailand's best-known local markets.

Begin at Maeklong Railway Market, where fresh produce, seafood, and local food stalls line the railway tracks. When the train approaches, vendors quickly move their awnings and goods away from the tracks, allowing the train to pass through the middle of the market before the stalls return to normal.

Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and board a local boat to explore the canals and see vendors selling food, fruit, and other goods from their boats. The experience offers a glimpse into the role waterways have played in everyday life in this part of Thailand.

Return to Bangkok after the market visits, with the rest of the day free. You may spend the afternoon exploring Bangkok's shopping malls, such as Siam Paragon, or simply relax at your hotel.

Today is free for you to relax or explore Phuket at your own pace. You may spend the day at the beach, explore the local area, or choose an optional excursion to see more of the surrounding islands and coastline.

We suggest the James Bond Island & Nature Canoe adventure (shared tour). Paddle your own canoe around Hong Island, passing limestone cliffs and exploring hidden caves in Phang Nga Bay. After a Thai lunch, continue to Khao Tapu, the limestone pinnacle made famous by its appearance in a James Bond film, before returning to Phuket.

Spend the day at leisure in Phuket. Relax on the beach, take a swim in the hotel pool, or choose from a range of water activities. You may also explore the local area or simply take time to unwind.

For a different experience, consider a half-day visit to an Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Learn about the elephants and their care, then take part in activities such as feeding them, preparing food, and helping with a mud bath. A Thai buffet lunch is also included.