Indo China, Classical Vietnam and Cambodia

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Hanoi / Halong (B/L)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and start experiencing the rich cultural and artistic traditions of Vietnam’s capital. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s former Residence and Mausoleum (the Mausoleum is closed during the entire months of October and November), the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years ago. Thereafter enjoy a one hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter past the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple to a local restaurant for lunch. Visit the History Museum and drive to Halong Bay (102 miles east of Hanoi).

Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Halong / Hanoi (B/L)

Start the day with a relaxing and wonderful four hour cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty. The picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes, of which you will visit one of the most stunning ones. During the boat trip fresh seafood finger food will be served (please let us know if you do not eat seafood). Return to Hanoi. In the evening, attend a performance of the famous water puppetry, a traditional Vietnamese art form dating back to the 11th century. Afterwards, you may have some free time to explore Hanoi.

Overnight at hotel

Day 4: Hanoi / Danang / Hoi An (B/D)

The morning is at leisure until your airport transfer for the flight to Danang in the early afternoon. From the port town of Danang, drive the short distance south past famous China Beach onto the enchanting town of Hoi An. 

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An / Danang /Hue (B/L)

After breakfast, travel to Hue, the former Imperial City of the last dynasty of Vietnam. En route visit Marble Mountain, a scenic spot with caves, temples, shrines, pagodas and a great view of the surrounding area. The caves can be reached by climbing steep steps.

In Danang, visit the Cham Museum, which houses the finest collection of Champa sculptures; some may date back to as early as 7th century. Have lunch at a local restaurant and continue the journey to Hue over the spectacular Hai Van Pass.

Take a short stop on top of the pass—once regarded as the prime mountain pass on the North-South national road. Arrive at Hue—a charming town set on the banks of the Perfume River. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 6: Hue /Ho Chi Minh-Cambodia (B/L)

This morning, enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady Pagoda, situated 2.5 miles upstream on the banks of the Perfume River. After the boat trip visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue with the Purple Forbidden City. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River. Today you will visit one of the most beautiful mausoleums.

Later, transfer to Phu Bai airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Ho Chi Min / Cu Chi / Ho Chi Minh (B/L)

After breakfast, drive to Cu Chi district (46 miles) to visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon our walking tour will take you from the Saigon River past the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office to visit the Reunification Palace (museum). Finish the tour at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs.

The evening is free at leisure. You are welcome to join our optional dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh / Phnom Penh (B/L)

Morning at leisure or you may join an interesting optional excursion in and around Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your departure flight to Phnom Penh. (Airfare is quoted separately).

Met on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until afternoon). Lunch at hotel.

Phnom Penh city tour visiting the Independence Monument and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. End your afternoon with a visit to the Wat Phnom temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (B/L)

After breakfast transfer from hotel to Phnom Penh International airport. Departure to Siem Reap by Cambodia Angkor Air or similar airline. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon).

This morning visit Victory Gate, the twin temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, Takeo and Ta Prohm. The latter is one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Continue your tour at Banteay Kdei, surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang, (“the Pool of Ablutions”) undoubtedly used in the past for ritual bathing and Prasat Kravan temple with its unique brick sculptures. Lunch at hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the North Gate of Angkor Thom and continue to Preah Khan temple, built by the King Jayavarman VII and like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Visit Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, Ta Som, Mebon Oriental, guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation, and the “Mountain Temple” of Pre Rup until sunset.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Siem Reap (B/L)

For early birds: Sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of the two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and the surrounding plain. Or sunrise at Srah Srang. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the morning, visit the most famous of all temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodia flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy a relaxing 1 hour Reflexology Massage by Body Tune, followed by lunch at hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap / Departure (B)

After breakfast at hotel transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight.