Join us on this unforgettable, small-group, all-inclusive journey through Bangkok, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City — an immersive exploration of Southeast Asia’s rich history, vibrant cultures, sacred landmarks, and agricultural traditions. Discover iconic temples and historic sites, connect with local farming communities, savor incredible cuisine, and enjoy seamless travel with high-end accommodations throughout the journey.
Please contact Hoa at hoa@johnshorstravel.com. We'd love to have you join this fabulous tour!
Flights from America usually arrive in Bangkok in the evening, local time.
Note: Some guests will opt to arrive on January 7, so that they can relax at the spacious hotel complex for a day before the tour officially begins. These guests will enjoy a free day, on their own, to relax on January 8
All guests will be greeted at the airport by a designated driver. Be driven to our downtown hotel, the five-star Anantara Riverside Resort.
Meet at the hotel's riverside restaurant for a welcome dinner. Enjoy drinks and wonderful local food with your host.
Meet in the lobby and depart, alongside our local guide, Grace, for a walking tour of Bangkok.
Arrive in downtown Bangkok and tour the Reclining Buddha.
Explore the nearby temple complex of Wat Pho.
Enjoy lunch at "Sala Rattanakosin Eatery & Bar", a high-ranking restaurant with views of the Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun. We'll enjoy a pre-set, multi-course meal to sample a variety of flavors.
Return to the Anantara Riverside Resort.
Guests will have free time to enjoy hotel amenities, including a pool, spa, and tennis courts.
Take the hotel’s boat across the river for a cocktail at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Enjoy dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel’s riverside Italian restaurant, Ciao Terrazza.
Meet at the hotel and transfer to Organ by Smart Nine Farm, where you'll enjoy a guided farm tour and hands-on activities while learning about sustainable farming practices.
Enjoy lunch at Organ by Smart Nine Farm restaurant
Head back to the Anantara Riverside Resort. Enjoy the rest of the day to relax, or use the hotel facilities.
Enjoy a drink at SEEN Rooftop Restaurant
Enjoy dinner in its highly-rated restaurant
Note: A smart casual dress code applies
Meet in the lobby with bags packed, and depart for Bangkok’s international airport (BKK).
Time to be finalized upon confirmation
Meet our local guide after arriving, and transfer to the five-star Sofitel hotel.
After checking in, relax in your room or enjoy the hotel facilities.
Enjoy a pre-set, multi-course meal at the Sofitel’s lovely restaurant, Mouhot’s Dream.
Meet in hotel lobby and take vans, with local guide, to Angkor Wat.
Enjoy an extensive, guided tour of the extraordinary Angkor Wat, which is considered to be one of the World’s Wonders. Enjoy all that Angkor Wat has to offer.
After Angkor Wat, we will stop by a small “Killing Fields” memorial.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
After lunch, head to the iconic Ta Prohm Temple.
Ta Prohm is a hauntingly beautiful 12th-century temple, famously wrapped in the roots of towering strangler fig and silk-cotton trees. Left largely unrestored, it offers a cinematic glimpse into how nature reclaimed the Khmer Empire.
Head back to the hotel and enjoy free time at our hotel.
Depart for dinner at Malis Restaurant
Meet in the hotel lobby and begin a scenic one-hour drive to Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Upon arrival, we will board a boat and visit a traditional fishing village, offering a glimpse into the unique way of life that has developed around the lake for generations.
We will stop at a traditional market, where guests will have the opportunity to see how local farmers sell their produce and gain a deeper appreciation for the important role agriculture plays in everyday Cambodian life.
We will enjoy lunch at Changkran Khmer Restaurant, which trains street children to enter the restaurant industry.
Relax for the rest of the day, or continue exploring the area independently.
An optional excursion to a high-end shopping destination offers the opportunity to enjoy an elegant afternoon exploring carefully curated boutiques, local craftsmanship, and premium retail offerings.
Enjoy an a la carte dinner at Sokkhak River Lounge.
After dinner, a John Shors representative will take anyone interested to get a foot massage on Pub Street.
Meet at the hotel lobby and depart for the nearby countryside via vans or individual tuk-tuks. The drive will take about 45 minutes.
Meet your farm guide after arrival, and tour the complex. Learn about the history of the 43 hectare farm, and the process of growing 30 different kinds of crops.
We will also have the opportunity to visit a nearby local village that assists with farming and production, and even pick and taste several of the farm’s produce.
Enjoy lunch at the on-site restaurant.
Relax for the rest of the day, or continue exploring the area independently.
Leave hotel for an early dinner at Butterfly Pea Restaurant, a wonderful local restaurant.
Because we are going to a special performance tonight, we will need to have an early dinner.
Take vans to Phare, The Cambodian Circus (this is more of a Cirque du Soleil than a traditional circus). We will all have good seats for this dynamic performance.
Meet at the hotel lobby and head to the Angkor National Museum.
Return to the hotel and check out of rooms.
Have a late lunch at the hotel.
Enjoy a few hours independently before we head to our next destination.
Meet in the hotel lobby, with bags packed, and take vans to the Siem Reap International Airport.
Time to be finalized upon confirmation
Meet our local guide at the airport, take small bus, with local guide, to The Hotel Majestic Saigon, an old French luxury hotel in the best part of town.
The Hotel Majestic Saigon is located on the famous Dong Khoi Street, which is close to the Saigon River. While this hotel is has seen the passing of a century, it’s still John’s favorite hotel in the city.
Check in and order room service if needed.
Meet at the hotel lobby and leave in vans, with local guide, for a tour of the impressive Independence Palace.
After the palace, take vans to the Central Post office, as well as Notre Dame Cathedral.
Enjoy lunch at RuNam d’Or, a beautifully set French-Vietnamese restaurant.
The group will split into direct directions to explore. A JST representative will accompany one van with guests, while another rep goes in the other van with guests.
Options include:
Visiting the War Remnants Museum (please note that many of this museum’s exhibits are graphic and potentially upsetting).
Approximate return to hotel: 4 p.m.
Visiting the Ben Thanh Market and then watching a traditional water puppet show at Golden Dragon Theater.
Approximate return to hotel: 6 p.m.
Shopping on Don Khoi Street, which is near our hotel.
Returning to our hotel and enjoy free time.
Meet in the hotel lobby and head a nearby restaurant called LuLis Kitchen. A sweet mother daughter duo serving up traditional home-made Vietnamese food.
We will be having a long day tomorrow.
Meet our guide at the hotel lobby and transfer to the pier, where you'll board a speedboat for an approximately two-hour scenic journey into the lush Mekong Delta. As you cruise along the Saigon River and its winding tributaries, you'll enjoy ever-changing views of bustling riverfront communities, tranquil countryside landscapes, and local life unfolding along the waterways. This unique journey offers a fascinating perspective of southern Vietnam before arriving in Ben Tre, the heart of the Delta.
In the morning, we will cruise the Mekong Delta aboard a river boat, and visit traditional riverside workshops to learn about local life.
We will see fisheries, traditional brick makers, coconut processing, and a family that makes sleep mats. We will be able to converse with the locals and learn about their life outside the city center.
Afterwards, we will take tuk-tuks to lunch. On the way, we will pass by rice fields and vegetable plantations. We will also get to talk to some other locals and discuss how they grow and maintain their farms.
Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, a beautiful setting for our farewell meal together.
After lunch, we will take row-boats back to the Ben Tre Pier, passing through a water palm creek.
This drive will take about 2 hours by speedboat.
Enjoy some free time before our farewell dinner.
Meet at the hotel lobby and enjoy a farewell dinner at the Residence Eleven, located at the top of the nearby Hilton Hotel.
Transportation provided to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport.
(*This is an all-inclusive tour with the exception of alcoholic beverages and hotel incidentals such as laundry, room service, etc.)
PRICE OF TOUR:
$8,095 per person, based on double occupancy
$10,695 per person, based on single occupancy
PRICE INCLUDES:
Accommodations at high-end hotels
All transportation, including flights, within SE Asia
All meals and non-alcoholic drinks
Fees (temples, tours, guides, etc.)
Excursions (cooking class, museums, etc.)
All tips
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare to Bangkok and returning from Ho Chi Minh City
Alcoholic drinks
Activities during free times such as golf, spa, etc.
Hotel incidentals such as room service, mini bar, phone charges, laundry, etc.
Visa to Vietnam (it’s fairly inexpensive, but guests will order online)
Charges incurred if guests arrive a day early or decide to remain in Asia after the tour ends
To reserve a spot for this tour, a $2,000 deposit, per person, is due to John Shors Travel.
John Shors will accompany the group for the entire trip. The maximum size for any group is 16 guests, plus guides
Hotels, depending on availability, may end up being different than those listed above, but will still be in the same hotel class
Restaurants, depending on availability, may end up being different than those listed above, but will be excellent
Exact tour details may differ slightly from what is listed above, depending on recommendations from local guides
Before booking your slot, please ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to travel fully unassisted. This includes being able to:
Walk two or more miles per day, including on uneven surfaces
Go up and down steps and inclines
Stand for periods of time
Carry personal bags and luggage independently
Have a look at our full “Traveler Expectations and Disclaimer” page here.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip. For your convenience, you can explore options from our trusted travel insurance partner here.
