Ultimate Indochine Luxury Explorer 

The crown jewels of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand travel in the most swoon-worthy lodgings 

Shoehorned within a land area smaller than Alaska, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos offer a tableau of extraordinary experiences. The region is sewn tightly together, connected by rail, river, and a network of short-haul flights. It’s only a problem in that your next adventure in a new country is just a 90-minute flight away. And the varied possibilities are endless. Hop from a megacity capital to a sleepy river village to ancient ruins and then a beach—a configuration that can be achieved in each of the four countries (save for Laos). 

 If you’re vexed by indecision, we have the antidote: Ultimate Luxury Indochine Explorer. In the span of three weeks, we will introduce you to the crown jewels of Southeast Asia. You’ll visit seven places that embody the natural beauty, spirituality, history, culture, and benevolent hospitality of this special region. If it sounds like a lot, know that we’ve taken pains to pace it at a tempo that doesn’t feel like a checklist. You’ll slumber in some of the chicest luxury hotels and resorts—destinations unto themselves—located in the heart of each destination. But more importantly, we’ve curated a collection of experiences that won’t feel like a dizzying parade of temples. Instead, we use every opportunity to connect you to locals who have unique gifts to share—both remarkable and humble. These aren’t ticketed tours or hotel-based cooking classes; these are privileged invitations into the personal spaces and hearts of the people who call these places home. A little bit of everything and everywhere, you’ll return home buzzing from this whirlwind trip that hit all the high notes.  

Ultimate Indochine Luxury Explorer: 21 days / 20 nights

Ultimate Indochine Luxury Explorer Trip Highlights

Touch-down in Hanoi to kick off this three-week odyssey through Southeast Asia. A VIP visa fast-track will expedite you through customs. A private driver will whisk you away to Capella Hanoi, one of Vietnam’s best hotels, located in the city’s leafy French Quarter. The rest of the day is at leisure.  
Spend a day experiencing Hanoi like a local. Rise to greet the day with tai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake. Get a caffeine buzz while sipping a delicious egg coffee—unique to the north—and sample bánh mì, Vietnam’s beloved baguette sandwich. Next, venture into the fray of Hanoi’s Old Quarter for insight that touches on Indochine architecture and Vietnam War history—or rather, the “Resistance War Against America.” For lunch, slurp bún chả—your new favorite dish—then learn about Confucian traditions at the Temple of Literature. End your day with a visit to Hanoi’s railway tracks, a unique part of the city where homes sit just a few nerve-wracking feet from the tracks. Close out the day with a Bia Hoi (fresh brewed local draft beer) at a low table on the sidewalk—a quintessential Hanoi experience—toasting to a splendid day in Vietnam. 
Depart for Hanoi via a direct flight to Da Nang. After a private transfer, check in and unwind in your private villa at the beachy Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An—the region’s most luxurious lodging. We strategically situated you here, close enough to Hoi An but away from the fray of its Old Town crowds. Spend the rest of your day at the resort’s immaculate, white sand beach.  
Dedicate a full day to Hoi An, a darling, lantern-lit UNESCO destination. It’s no hidden gem, which is why we get you to Old Town early. Watch the morning shoppers sift through fresh produce in the Central Market, weave through handsome streets lined by colorful facades, nip into artist workshops, and cross the jaw-dropping Japanese Covered Bridge. Next, you're invited into the home of a local family who will teach you how to craft your own handmade lantern—a meaningful souvenir of your time in Hoi An. You’ll lunch in a romantic restaurant where we recommend cao lau, a signature noodle dish. The afternoon is at your leisure.   
A second day in Hoi An brings you to the “real Vietnam” in Go Noi Village. Mr. Phap—a farmer—and his family are your gracious hosts, serving tea and homemade bánh xèo (crispy rice pancakes). From here, cycle along pastoral roads amid rice paddies, nary a Westerner in sight. Return greetings from villagers and schoolchildren with a jubilant, “Sin chao!” Visit local artists to appreciate the skill required to produce intricate wood carvings, then return to Mr. Phap’s home for an authentic lunch spread.  
Depart Vietnam on day six. Fly from Da Nang to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s charming gateway to Angkor. You’ll enjoy a VIP vista fast-track and then transfer to the incomparable Zannier Phum Baitang. The rest of your day is at leisure. Don’t feel guilty if you don’t leave this dreamy, luxe property.  Busy bodies might nip into central Siem Reap to wander its charming streets or to peruse the Old Market.    
Alongside an expert, discover one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world: Angkor Archaeological Park. Depart in the morning to journey back to the ninth-century Khmer Empire, visiting the complex’s most iconic temples with an insider who will bring history to life. Witness in sublime wonder how the ruins of the Khmer Empire endure even as nature tries to reclaim the land. End this unforgettable day with a sunset at Pre Rup temple or the "Royal Bath" of Srah Srang before returning to Zannier Phum Baitang.   
Dedicate a full second day to Angkor's less-visited treasures and the Cambodian countryside. Take a seat in an open-air Jeep to rumble along forest tracks and pastoral roads. First, call on Kna Por, a quintessential Khmer village. Meet different families who will open their doors to show you specific trades including rice wine distillation, mat weaving, and traditional broom making. Next, you’ll seek out our favorite secret temple. With crumbling structures that tangle with overgrown trees, these elusive ruins aren’t included on the Angkor tourist ticket, so most visitors are entirely unaware it exists. This an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a temple without others milling around—a stark contrast to your buzzy Angkor Wat experience. Tonight, we’ve reserved you a table at a very special dining experience: Cuisine Wat Damnak. Housed in a traditional Cambodian wooden house in the heart of Siem Reap's Wat Damnak village, Cuisine Wat Damnak brings together authentic regional flavors and French culinary flair. You’ll savor dishes that are true to their Cambodian roots yet remain wholly unique.   
Depart Cambodia for northern Laos. A direct flight brings you to Luang Prabang, the country’s spiritual heart. A representative will greet you and fast-track you through the visa process. A driver transfers you to Rosewood Luang Prabang, an exclusive hideaway with a design flair that nods to Indochina’s golden age of travel. Unpack and relax into your private pool villa overlooking a waterfall. The rest of your day is at leisure. We highly recommend cocktails at The Elephant Bar or in a poolside cabana.  
Begin your day at a walking pace, exploring central Luang Prabang’s charming streets alongside a local guide. Weave through side streets while making every excuse to stop for any craving or curiosity that begs closer inspection. Visit 500-year-old Wat Xieng Thong with its whimsical nested and winged roofs—perhaps the finest example of Luang Prabang architecture.  You’ll finish at the National Museum—housed in a former palace—where all manner of vintage objects and royal relics are on display. A delicious lunch is served in a century-old, restored UNESCO-designated heritage building. Relax for the afternoon before a special evening invitation to a private baci ceremony. (An ethnic Lao ritual — “a calling to the soul” — honoring visitors with tidings of good fortune.) Afterward, at a temple rarely visited by foreigners, meet monks who will teach you the fundamentals of meditation. Chanting closes out this unique cultural exchange; join in, if you feel called to.  
Rise at daybreak to watch queues of barefoot, saffron-robed monks as they weave single-file through the city streets, collecting rice (alms). It’s a sacred, time-honored ritual in Laos and we’ll situate you in a spot far from the tourist crowds where you can offer alms in a way that feels genuine. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Mid-morning, set out with a guide and driver on a scenic drive along tranquil country roads. Park the car and set off on foot, hiking to Hmong, Khmu, and Lowland Lao villages to see how their unique lifestyles, traditions and religious practices differ. Continue onward to the ethereal, jungle-wrapped Kuang Si waterfalls. A hike brings you to a top-of-the-waterfall viewpoint and you’ll savor a secluded wilderness picnic of Lao specialties. If it’s hot, take a refreshing dip in a nearby natural pool (rather than the busier pools at the falls’ foot).   
Depart Laos for Thailand, touching down in Bangkok. VIP visa fast-tracking expedites your airport arrival. A private driver receives you for a transfer to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok—one of the most famous hotels in the world. Later, step aboard a private Hacker-Craft boat, a luxurious mahogany motorboat, to cruise the Chao Phraya River in style. Observe life along this storied river in utmost comfort with a glass of Champagne in hand, taking in the diverse sights and sounds and learning about the role of the river in Bangkok’s history and development. Drift past wooden houses, historic temples, and iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, all cast against the city skyline. 
On day 13, spend the morning discovering Bangkok’s most revered and sacred sites, including the country’s largest reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After a delicious family-style Thai lunch, board a longtail boat for a cruise down the city’s ancient canals, gliding past floating wooden shopfronts, weathered teak homes, and Buddhist temples. Stop at the Artist’s House (Baan Silapin), a beautifully restored centuries-old teak house turned art gallery. Return to the Chao Phraya Riverfront and end your day with a visit to Wat Arun, the iconic Temple of Dawn. Stroll its ornate pavilions, ascend one of the striking prangs (towers), and learn about Buddhism’s influence on Thai culture. Close out the day with a riverside sundowner.  
Depart in the morning to fly north to Chiang Mai. Settle into your suite at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai then set out on a privately guided exploration of this leafy city. This joyful excursion is a freewheeling one—you’ll be riding in a samlor, a three-wheeled bicycle taxi. Along the way, visit iconic temples (Wat Loi Kroh and Wat Ket Karam Temple), and snack your way through San Pakoy Market and Kad Luang Market. Visits to Ancient Lanna House, the iconic Iron Bridge, and Tha Phae Gate are a fascinating introduction to Chiang Mai’s layered history.  
Rise the next morning, hungry for a cultural experience. Immerse yourself in Lanna tradition, a legacy of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, on a culinary experience in the serene village of Bandoo. Meet a local family in their beautiful private residence, which has been passed down through generations and is a lovely example of traditional Lanna architecture. Gain a unique glimpse into Thai domestic life, handpicking ingredients from the family orchards before learning how to prepare a northern Thai dish, all while surrounded by the family’s personal stories and warm hospitality. The rest of your day is at leisure.  
Dedicate a heartwarming day to Thailand’s elephants. Visit an ethical sanctuary where you’ll walk alongside these gentle, majestic creatures through the forest and watch as they care for one another. Learn fascinating insights about Asian elephants and the ongoing conservation efforts here, and then watch them at play in a mud pit while enjoying a drink. You’ll end the experience with a riverside vegetarian lunch while observing the elephants enjoying their own treats.   
Depart Chiang Mai for the southern beaches of Krabi. A private driver will whisk you to the five-star Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve for four paradisical nights in an ocean view pavillion.  
The balance of your days is mostly unscheduled for total relaxation. Pick your pace. Rise early with the sun for beach yoga or sleep in; spar with a muay Thai instructor or feel your muscles melt under the firm pressure of a Thai masseuse; relax in the shade of a parasol next to the pool or hike Dragon’s Crest Trail for panoramic sea views. When you’re stirring for adventure, set out for a full day on the water. Board a private speedboat with the compass set to Phi Phi Island—one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Feel awestruck by the beauty of Pileh Cove, Monkey Beach, and Viking Cave where dramatic limestone formations and towering cliffs meet azure waters. After lunch, disembark to swim the crystalline shallows of Bamboo Island before returning to Phulay Bay.  
On the last day of Ultimate Luxury Indochine Explorer, board a flight back to Bangkok to begin your international flight home. 

Price

Starting at $20,600 per person sharing in 2025 

Ultimate Indochine Luxury Explorer On a Map