A Private Asia Tour –  Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Bangkok, Phuket

Day 1 Hong Kong
Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel for your next 3 nights’ accommodations.

**Note: Airport transfers in Hong Kong include driver only (no separate guide).

Day 2 Hong Kong
Enjoy a morning private walking tour via public transportation to explore Hong Kong’s Central and Western Districts. Starting with a ride on the Star Ferry, we visit Central District, the business and financial hub of Hong Kong – a glittering show of mirrored towers, multi-million dollar high-rises and designer shops. Take a tram ride up to Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong’s must-sees, offering panoramic views of the Hong Kong Harbor. Afterwards, visit a local wet market and take a ride on the historic double-decker Tramway (time permitting) before returning to your hotel by subway (MTR). Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 3 Hong Kong
Full day free at leisure to shop and explore Hong Kong on your own. (B)

Day 4 Hong Kong / Beijing
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B)

**Note: Airport transfers in Hong Kong includes driver only (no separate guide)

Day 5 Beijing
Today’s full-day tour includes the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square, with lunch at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Day 6 Beijing
Today, visit the spectacular and less crowded Mutianyu section of the Great Wall with cable car ride. After lunch, return to the city and tour Beijing’s Old Quarters (Hutongs) by rickshaw, visiting a local family’s residence and the Bell & Drum Towers. This evening, enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner at the highly acclaimed Dadong Restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Beijing / Shanghai
Transfer to the train station and board a High Speed Train for Shanghai. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to shop, relax and explore Shanghai on your own. (B)

Day 8 Shanghai
Full-day city sightseeing of Shanghai features the Old Town and its Yu Garden, Urban Planning & Exhibition Center, the Bund, Shanghai Museum and the art district of Tianzifang, famed for its Old Shanghai Shikumen houses in a laid back atmosphere with cobbled streets lined with art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Enjoy a western lunch at one of Shanghai’s exclusive restaurants located on the Bund. This evening, enjoy a breathtaking ERA Acrobatics Performance. (B,L)

Day 9 Shanghai / Hanoi 
Transfer for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a night foodies tour for which Hanoi is known. We’ll start with a walk through the maze of bustling streets of the city’s famed Old Quarter. Join the locals and pull up a plastic stool at a pavement stall to try Vietnamese snacks starting with famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon, followed by two barbeque stalls featuring meat, vegetable, and bread specialties grilled over hot coals.  Then, it’s time for dessert. Venture down a small alley try a cup of fresh fruit smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk. Continue on to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, for a cup of coffee (or a beer) overlooking the city. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,D)

Day 10 Hanoi
Today’s tour hits the highlights of the Vietnamese capital. A city of lakes, parks and colonial mansions, Hanoi retains much of its historical charm and, with an eclectic mix of Asian tempo and French refinement, tantalizing foods and a great place to observe typical Vietnamese life. We’ll visit the 11th century Temple of Literature Vietnam’s first university; One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic Buddhist temple known for its unique architectural design featuring a single pillar rising from a lotus pond; Visit Hoa Lo Prison (a.k.a. ‘Hanoi Hilton’), where the late John McCain spent 5 years in captivity during the Vietnam War, followed by a cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the city’s Old Quarter that boats a labyrinth of quaint streets and alleyways lined with shops of all trades. Afterwards, enjoy a simple lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a local hole-in-the-wall joint made famous by President Obama and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s dinner outing in 2016. 

Day 11 Hanoi / Halong Bay 
Morning transfer by road to Halong Bay (approx. 2.5 hours) for an unforgettable cruise around Halong Bay. Visit Dark and Bright Caves, the ideal place for you to get up and close to Ha Long Bay by bamboo boat or kayak, before continuing to Lan Ha Bay* where you can jump into the bay for a refreshing dip. Lunch and dinner are served on board. (B,L,D)

*Lan Ha Bay is subject to itinerary specific to the cruiseline 

Day 12 Halong Bay / Bangkok 
For the early risers, join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee and assorted pastries are served. Afterwards, enjoy kayaking activities followed by brunch on board before disembarking your cruise at around 11am. Transfer to Hanoi airport for late afternoon flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to the city center for your next 3 nights’ accommodations. (B) 

Day 13 Bangkok (Grand Palace & Temples)
This morning’s tour features several of the Thai Kingdom’s most revered sites. Visits include the Royal Grand Palace and its Emerald Buddha, Wat Trimit (Golden Buddha) and Wat Po (Reclining Buddha). Afternoon free at leisure.  Optional evening activities (night markets, street food tour, Muay Thai Boxing, dinner cruise, etc.) are available upon request. (B)

Day 14 Bangkok (Floating Market)
This morning, travel outside Bangkok’s hustle and bustle to the countryside visiting the world renowned Floating Market where for over a hundred years, villagers transport their agricultural products by canals to the center of trading at Damnoen Saduak. This incredible network is a labyrinth of almost two hundreds branched canals lined with ancient Thai wooden houses and colorfully decorated by small wooden boats that contain fresh fruits and vegetables. Afterwards, visit the interesting Train Market where local vendors and patrons line the train tracks, quickly disperse and reassemble as the train comes and goes. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 15 Bangkok / Phuket
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your resort. Balance of the day at leisure. (B)

Day 16 Phuket (Sea & Land Excursions)
Enjoy a full day boat trip to your choice of the following:

Option 1: Phi Phi Islands by Speed Catamaran – Today, we’ll spend another day at sea to the famous Phi Phi Islands. Cruising on board a speed catamaran, explore the famous “Maya Bay” surrounded by gigantic limestone cliffs and coral reefs and snorkeling in beautiful crystal-clear water. Enjoy time on the water until sunset at Maiton Island. (B,L)

Option 2: Phang Nga Bay by Sea Kayak (Active Option) – enjoy a fascinating excursion to beautiful Phang Nga Bay. Kayak through the “Hongs”, or tidal caves and washouts that are part of the incredible limestone karst formations that have made the area a backdrop for countless international movies. Later enjoy time to swim, relax, or even make a Loy Krathong (decorative floats). Buffet lunch and dinner are served on board. (B,L,D) 

Option 3: Phang Nga Bay by Luxury Catamaran –Today, enjoy a spectacular day at sea with a cruise of Phang Nga Bay. James Bond Island is visited by many boat tours but ours let you experience it just like Bond: luxuriously. Experience the iconic Phang Nga Bay on a luxury cruise equipped with a full bar, day beds, DJ, and dance floor. As you set sail aboard a catamaran, enjoy a welcome drink and delicious buffet lunch. Visit James Bond Island and explore the sea caves of Hong Island by kayak. Enjoy a beautiful sunset ocean panorama while having dinner onboard. (B,L,D) 

Option 4: This morning, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Elephant Experience at the Green Elephant Sanctuary. Located near Surin Beach, the park is right in the middle of the gorgeous jungle stretching over an enormous area of 40,000m² where an idyllic stream flows into a small lake. In addition to the park, Green Elephant Sanctuary also supports medical care for elephants via its Green Elephant Clinic to treat ill and weak elephants. Here, we’ll get close up and personal with these gentle giants in the most natural way – learn their daily life and interact with the elephants during their feeding or bathing time. Enjoy lunch at the sanctuary before returning to your resort for time to relax and enjoy the beach. (B,L)

**Today’s excursions provided on shared/join basis (non-private) 

Day 17 Phuket
Full day free at leisure in Paradise. (B)

Day 18 Return Home
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (B)

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• Price includes all entrance fees, domestic air taxes, hotel taxes & service charges
• Price excludes personal expenses, beverages, gratuities to guides and drivers
• Holiday surcharges, minimum stays, compulsory dinners and other restrictions apply for stays during Dec. 20th – Jan. 5th. Contact us for details.
• Visas are required for China and Vietnam. Not included in package. 
• All flights, hotels and land services are subject to availability at time of reservation