Day 1: Siem Reap arrival
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met and transferred to your hotel
Day 2: Siem Reap Full Day Temple Tour
In the morning visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and best-preserved temple in the complex. This visually spectacular massive three-tired pyramid has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its flag. Admire the grandeur of its architecture and its extensive decoration of bas-relief friezes.
After lunch visit Bayon, a richly decorated temple. Its most distinctive feature is the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais.
Continue to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle give the temple a truly magical feel.
Day 3: Tonle Sap Lake Tour
Take a short 15-kilometer drive to Tonle Sap Lake, located south of Siem Reap. Here embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on stilts. The community has about 3,000 residents who farm fish and vegetables on the floating platforms.
Admire the floating village with a Buddhist monastery right in the middle.The cruise will also take you through the flooded forests that surround the village, a unique ecosystem where millions of fish come to spawn each season, attracting a myriad of water birds. Enjoy the views and keep an eye out for wildlife, especially birds and crab-eating macaques.
Day 4: Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen Mountain and a 1000 lingas tour
Considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen is a mountain range about a two-hour drive from Siem Reap. The mountain is considered sacred, the site where King Jayavarman proclaimed independence from Java in 802 and where the cult of the linga began. The mountain is also a favorite of locals who come to admire the waterfalls and swim in the cool pools. Visit the river of 1,000 Lingas and a reclining Buddha built in the 16th century. Take a break for a picnic lunch and a chance to swim at the waterfall. On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a local village to admire the picturesque rice paddies and traditional houses.
Day 5: Siem Reap - fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Fly to Ho Chi Minh city today. Check in your hotel and relax. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City Full Day Tour
Start the tour with a visit to the Reunification Palace, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received. Then, continue to the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, and take a moment to send a postcard! Just behind the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, an iconic Saigon landmark built in neo-Romanesque style by the French between 1863 and 1880. Today it’s a favored backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs.Next, stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene’s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American, as Rue Catinat.
At around 5 pm, you will be picked up and transferred to the magnificent Saigon Opera House to see the A O Show which is a spectacular showcase of Vietnamese culture and performance art, and combines in beautiful precision elements of both old and new.Featuring Vietnam’s most talented performance artists, traditional musicians and circus-like choreography, A O Show explores the lives of the Vietnamese people through its ensemble creations. Using props made of little more than bamboo and wood, performers recreate the peaceful serenity of the Vietnamese countryside, the ebb and flow of the coastal waves or the frenetic traffic in Hanoi and Saigon.
With a cast made up of the most talented local circus performers, dancers, athletes and artists, A O Show is one of the most memorable experiences to be had in the city. After the hour long show, take a short walk through the wide Boulevards of central Saigon to Hoa Tuc Restaurant - a real culinary and architectural gem, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of District 1. Renowned for its combination of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine and authentic French colonial architecture, Hoa Tuc is the perfect end to a memorable night in Saigon. Eat Al Fresco or in the elegantly white washed walls of this one time Opium Refinery. Afterwards transfer back to your hotel.* Estimated pick-up time : 05.00PM - Estimated duration: 4hrs
Day 7: Mekong Delta Full Day Tour
Begin your story of Hoi An, a former port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today it is renowned for its old quarter lined with two-storey Chinese shops, with elaborate carved wooden facades and terracotta tile roofs. And not forgetting expert tailor shops and delicious food! The tour includes stops at several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice. Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshan Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tam Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. After a Vietnamese lunch, take a short boat trip down the river and visit a craft village where local artisans make ceramics. End your afternoon with a visit to the docks and see traditional fishing boats and the unusual round basket boats that ply the water.
Day 8: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Half Day Tour
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight Upon arrival, your guide or drive will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Start the tour with a visit to the Reunification Palace, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received. Then,continue to the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, and take a moment to send a postcard! Just behind the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, an iconic Saigon landmark built in neo-Romanesque style by the French between 1863 and 1880. Today it’s a favoured backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs.
Next, stroll down Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene’s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American, as Rue Catinat. The walk ends at the Saigon Opera House. From a bomb shelter to housing the parliamentary Lower House, the Opera House has had an interesting history.
Day 9: Mekong Delta Full Day Tour
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Depart from your hotel at 8am and drive about 2 hours from Saigon to the township of Cai Be to board the Cai Be Princess. The crew welcomes you aboard with cold towels and are freshing drink as the Cai Be Princess Sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the busy waterways of the Mekong Delta. On the river, all sorts of boats ply the water, from small fishing boats to cargo barges loaded with fruit and vegetables. Observe a little of river life as it plays out on the banks - noting the people and the stunning landscapes - while your attentive crew serves you tea and seasonal fruit. At Tan Phong Islet board a little rowing boat to explore the canal’s hidden mangroves. Return to yoursampan to visit an ancient house built in the 19th century. Make stops along the way to provide glimpses of local cottage industries, including factories for the production of coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of popcorn), products that provide a living for the river people. Your cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villaset in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit trees, giving you a sense of life during the Indochina of yesteryear. After lunch, take a short walk along a small canal, towards the Ba Bon Bridge where your personal vehicle awaits to drive you to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An - evening Hoi An Memories Show
Today fly to Danang. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Rest of the day is at leisure.
In the evening take a boat ride from Bach Dang pier to see Hoi An Memories Show, perhaps Vietnam's most impressive art show. With 500 performers taking over the outdoor stage in their traditional ao dai costumes and modern staging techniques, the show is one spectacular visual performance that showcases the rich history, culture and identity of Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An Full Day Tour
Begin your story of Hoi An, a former port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today it is renowned for its old quarter lined with two-storey Chinese shops, with elaborate carved wooden facades and terracotta tile roofs. And not forgetting expert tailor shops and delicious food!The tour includes stops at several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice. Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tam Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An.After a Vietnamese lunch, take a short boat trip down the river and visit a craft village where local artisans make ceramics. End your afternoon with a visit to the docks and see traditional fishing boats and the unusual round basket boats that ply the water.
Day 12: Hoi An - drive to Hue
Day 12: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake Tour
Free morning in Hoi An.
Today you will be transferred to Hue over the scenic Hai Van Pass, probably the most scenic stretch of coastal road in Vietnam.You will visit Cham museum which houses the largest exhibition of Cham sculpture in the world with almost 300 terracotta and stone works of art ranging from the 7th to the 15th centuries.
The tour continues with a visit to the Marble Mountains which are a group of five limestone and marble hills in Ngu Hanh Son District. The mountains sheer porous limestone is punctuated by caves and tunnels which are fitted with spectacular Buddhist and Hindu shrines.Upon arrival in Hue check in your hotel and relax.
Day 13: Hue Full Day Tour
Day 12: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake Tour
Start your tour with the ancient walled Citadel, which was closely modelled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Then visit Khai Dinh tomb, admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Khai Dinh was the Nguyen Dynasty’s most eccentric and unusual king, who reportedly embraced French colonialism. Much like his father, Khai Dinh favoured imported luxuries, spent huge sums of money on his tomb, and was the subject of ridicule by nationalist leaders.Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.In afternoon you’ll have a tour of Thien Mu pagoda, one of iconic sights in Hue and An Hien garden house.An Hien garden house contains many large and small architectures built according to the traditional architecture style of Vietnam in general and Hue in particular. The garden house is strongly influenced by fengshui. The main architecture of An Hien garden house is a 3-room 2-gable house with wooden structure and beautifully sculpted patterns. Over a century of existence, An Hien remains almost intact both in landscape and architecture
Day 14: Hue fly to Hanoi, afternoon city tour with cyclo ride and water puppet show
Today fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon enjoy a half day city tour.Start with the Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best in the country, with an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority people. Take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares. Next, sip a strong Vietnamese coffee in a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol in Vietnamese folklore. End your day with a delightful water puppet show, a traditional art that is still being performed today.
Day 15: Hanoi Cooking Class
For your authentic culinary experience, we partner with Rose Kitchen, the no.1 cooking class provider in Hanoi. Today you will be picked up at your hotel by shared transfer. Head straight to a local market to purchase ingredients for the class and learn about produce integral to Vietnamese cuisine. Learn to cook in a local luxurious villa of 500m2 with a local chef. In the kitchen, you’ll prepare and cook authentic dishes, such as spring rolls, a salad of banana flowers, and barbecue pork with noodles and fish sauce.
Once you’ve finished cooking, you’ll sit down to feast on the fruit of your labors, accompanied by free and unlimited local wine tasting. You will then be dropped off at your hotel.
Day 15: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay
Depart from Hanoi and travel by road to the Tuan Chau Island pier in Halong Bay.
Set off on Heritage Cruise, where you’ll be pampered in style and comfort whilst meandering through the towering limestone cliffs and emerald green waters of Ha long Bay. Stop in Tra Bau, a secret hideaway in Lan Ha Bay that has beaches, caves and coves.
You can try kayaking or simply swim in the clear waters of the bay. Back to your boat, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.In late afternoon part in a professional cooking demonstration before indulging in a luxurious dinner in the dining hall. Spend the rest of the evening as you’d like: watch a movie in the dining area, relax on the deck with a cocktail, or go squid fishing under the cover of night.
Day 15: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - fly to Luang Prabang
Rise with the sun and practice Vivonam on the sundeck while taking in majestic views of the surrounding bay and the cool sea breeze.Wrap up your experience with a bamboo boat trip to visit Dark and Bright Cave before cruising back to Tuan Chau Marina. Your guide and driver will take you to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 16: Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour
Enjoy a half-day tour around the town of Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, one of Luang Prabang’s most impressive monasteries and one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos. Continue on to the National Museum, the former Royal Palace, where relics from Laos’ royal past remain. Then climb the 328 steps up Phousi Hill for panoramic views of Luang Prabang city. Note: The National Museum is closed every Tuesday.
Day 17: Alm Giving and Kuang Si Water Fall
Rise early to the sound of the temple gong to witness Luang Prabang’s mystical ritual. Walk downtown to watch the daily procession of about three hundred young monks who silently walk and collect sticky rice and other food in their bronze bowls. The ritual is linked to a Buddhist tradition where monks beg for their daily food as a way to demonstrate humility. If you would like to be involved in the offering of food, your guide will be more than happy to show you the respectful way to interact with monks. Feel free to take photos, however please use discretion and refrain from using your flash. Enjoy the rest of your morning with a stroll through Luang Prabang’s morning market where you will see the locals haggling for fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables.
From here, travel south to the Kuang Si Waterfall. Admire the crystal water cascading into idyllic turquoise pools. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim. Return back to Luang Prabang in the early afternoon. Note: Kuang Si Waterfall has less water from February to May.
Day 18: Half Day Join in Living Land Tour
Travel from Luang Prabang to the Living Land Farm, a community project in Pong Van Village. In response to the destructive use of chemicals and pesticides, several farming families combined their land and adopted alternative methods to grow organic rice, vegetable, and herbs.
The farm now sells their produce to restaurants and hotels, and also supports the local community through a range of projects, including education for underprivileged children.Spend the morning in the beautiful rice fields where farmers plough, plant, and harvest without the aid of machinery. Get knee deep in the mud to help plant rice and to help steer a water buffalo to plough the field. Pick fragrant herbs and colorful vegetables and learn to husk rice the traditional way. There is plenty to do on a farm, so the local farmers always appreciate the help.
However, it is not compulsory to join in the fields. If you would prefer, relax on the veranda and watch from afar.The farm is also home to a basket-weaving workshop, a blacksmith, and a traditional wooden sugar cane juicer. Watch these crafts while sipping on a refreshing drink before heading to the farm’s restaurant. Enjoy a delicious lunch, reaping the benefits of the day’s hard work, and taste a selection of fresh Lao dishes.
Day 19: Luang Prabang Departure
At leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
