Say hello to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh - Fly to Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA

Welcome to Cambodia. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, obtain your Cambodia visa, and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport arrival gate to meet the local guide outside. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it.

Meet your English-speaking guide for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and driver. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm.

Settle in and enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

History In Phnom Penh & fly to Siem Reap

Royal Palace - Today, meet your personal guide and driver and drive to visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden. Visit the Silver Pagoda named because of its floor which is comprised of 5,000 silver tiles. A gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th-century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha are also housed here.

National Museum - Next, you’ll visit the National Museum. Built in 1917 it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces.

Wat Phnom - Next, continue to visit the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Enjoy our Khmer lunch at a typical Restaurant, included with our tour price.

After lunch, you’ll continue to visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest such center of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek to be executed; detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves on the prison grounds. Room after room the museum displays photographs of men, women, and children covering the walls from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later killed.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center - You’ll then, drive to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children, and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8,000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988.

Later this afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap - Board a flight from Phnom Penh with direct service to Siem Reap. Approximate flight time is 50 minutes.

Flight: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap 18.15 - 19.10

Welcome to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it.

From the airport, you will be privately transferred to an archaeological park. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire.

Settle in and enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

The Wonders of Angkor

Angkor Thom South Gate - Spend the morning visiting the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). This huge walled complex was the center of the world’s largest city in 1200. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, King Jayavarman VII decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality. Its vast walls, some 6m wide, 8m high and 13km in length contain many monuments.

Bayon Temple - Next, visit Bayon temple surrounded by faces on all sides, visitors never forget the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire.

Unlike his predecessors who had worshipped the Hindu deities of Shiva and Vishnu, Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the fount of royal divinity. This sets the Bayon apart from many other Angkorian monuments. The bas-reliefs here depict intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and offer a wonderful snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

Baphuon Temple - You’ll then continue to visit Baphuon. It is located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built-in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Terrace of the Elephants - Stroll to the Terrace of the Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom. The terrace was used by Angkor’s king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. It was attached to the palace of Phimeanakas, of which only a few ruins remain.

Terrace of the Leper King - We also visit, Terrace of the Leper King is located in the northwest corner of the Royal Square of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. It was built in the Bayon style under Jayavarman VII, though its modern name derives from a 15th-century sculpture discovered at the site. The statue depicts the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.

Phimeanakas - Next, visit Phimeanakas or Vimeanakas, is a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century, during the reign of Rajendravarman, and then completed by Suryavarman I in the shape of a three-tier pyramid as a Hindu temple.

Ta Prohm - Next, you’ll continue to Ta Phrom this temple is perhaps the most atmospheric of all Angkor’s treasures. The temple was a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. Ta Prohm has been left to the destructive power of nature by archaeologists to demonstrate the awesome power of nature.

It has been largely consumed by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. At every turn you expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft step out from behind a fallen pillar. It is one of the most regularly visited temples, with visitors often arriving during the middle of the day to take advantage of the protective forest canopy above the ruined temple. Ta Prohm looks as many of the monuments did when European explorers first laid eyes on them. This was one of the settings for Lara Croft’s adventures in “Tomb Raider”.

Afterward, enjoy your lunch at a delicious local restaurant.

Angkor Wat - Take a break for lunch at local restaurant and afterwards, you’ll be dazzled by what you see this afternoon at the vast, 12th-century Angkor Wat temple; the bas-reliefs and many devatas (guardian spirits) that cover its walls inspire awe and admiration. This example of classical Khmer architecture has been a significant religious center for Hindus and then Buddhists through the ages.

Khmer Temples & a Tonle Sap Lake cruise, Say hello to Hanoi, VIETNAM

Banteay Srei - This morning, journey north to visit Banteay Srei. This jewel of Angkor was built by a Brahman in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The famous pink sandstone structure bears a series of exquisite sculptures, lintels, and friezes. These, it is said, must have been carved by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. This gives the origin of the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. While it may be a small temple complex, the beauty of Banteay Srei is found not in the scale, but in the detail. Many believe intricate carving is the best example of Khmer classical art in existence. Stop at a local village to visit families who are producing palm sugar.

Preah Khan - Next, continue to visit Preah Khan, built in the same style as Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is in a much better state of preservation. Meaning The Sacred Sword, this temple was also built by Jayavarman VII and is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Look out for the curious two-story structure that is almost Grecian in inspiration. This is one of the few temples originally dedicated to both Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other cardinal points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. After visiting the temples, you will receive a monk’s blessing for good luck and good health.

Afterward, enjoy your lunch at a delicious local restaurant in town.

Kampong Phluk Floating Village - After lunch, you’ll continue for a tour of the surrounding countryside and take an ox-cart ride through the villages and the rice fields. At the end of your ride, have a fresh coconut drink with the family, and do not hesitate to talk with the local people to get to know more about their lives. Later, you may wish to join us for the drive to the fishing village of Kompong Pluk near Siem Reap and board a private boat. Visit Kompong Pluk village with its houses standing on stilts and board a pirogue to discover the seasonally flooded forest. Visit the floating village and discover the centuries-old lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake.

After a leisurely afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Hanoi.

Hanoi - Board a flight from Siem Reap with direct service to Hanoi. Approximate flight time is one hour and 50 minutes.

Flight: Siem Reap – Hanoi 18.20 - 20.10

Welcome to VIETNAM. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa, and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport arrival gate to meet the local guide outside. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it.

Meet your English-speaking guide for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and driver. Vietnam’s capital city. Hanoi, originally named Thang Long or “City of the Ascending Dragon” was the first capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010. Situated in the Centre North of Vietnam, the city is known as one of the most attractive and interesting places for visitors.

Settle in and enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

A palace, a prison, pagodas & more in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - This morning you’ll head out with your guide and begin with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials, and pagodas, and includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Travel back in time to the nearby simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his humble beginnings as a revolutionary. Walk a few blocks out of the Ho Chi Minh Complex to the 11th-century Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda, an elegant construction rising from the center of a square-shaped lotus pond on a solitary pillar.

Temple of Literature & National University - Next, visit Temple of Literature a temple dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi, northern Vietnam. The temple also hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. It is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - You’ll continue to Visit the Museum of Ethnology. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting a historical perspective of the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Hanoi Opera House - After lunch at a favorite local restaurant, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Hanoi Opera House or the Grand Opera House is an opera house in central Hanoi, Vietnam. It was erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911.

Hoa Lo Prison - Next, you’ll go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned.

Chua Tran Quoc - Next, you’ll continue to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda is located beside the dazzling West Lake, on Thanh Nien Road, Hanoi. Particularly, it is seated on an island linked by a bridge to the causeway between the two most romantic lakes of Hanoi: West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.

Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center - Take a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace and be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors.

Thang Long Water Puppet - Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance, a uniquely North Vietnamese art form celebrating rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.

Cruising on Bai Tu Long Bay and Thien Canh Son Cave

Halong Bay - After breakfast, depart on a journey northeast of Hanoi to the famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Upon arrival, begin our one-night cruise on Ha Long Bay aboard the Dragon Legend Cruise. (A junk is an ancient-style sailboat, with a design still in use today).
11:20 - 11:50: Arrival and check-in at the Waiting Lounge in Indochina Junk Ha Long.

12:00 - 12:15: Transfer to the port by Electric car.

12:30 - 13:15: Cruise begins with a welcome drink and safety briefing.

13:30 - 15:00: Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating formations on the way.

15:15 - 15:40: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

15:45 - 18:00: Enjoy relaxing on a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island and kayaking.

18:00 - 19:00: Back to junk for refreshing before having dinner on board.

20:00 - 21:00: Relax, enjoy fresh air & overnight on board.

From the Bay to Hoi An via Da Nang

Halong Bay - 07:30 - 08:00: Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

08:30 - 09:30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic rowboat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms.

10:00: Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor

10:30: Enjoy a buffet while cruising towards the harbor.

11:30 - 12:00: Disembark. The crew will bid you farewell and you disembark.

Your guide will meet you as you disembark and will transfer you back to return to Hanoi to catch your flight to the city of Da Nang on the South China Sea.

Later this afternoon board a flight from Hanoi with direct service to Danang. Approximate flight time is one hour and 15 minutes.

Hoi An Ancient Town - Fly Hanoi to Da Nang, departing 17:35, arriving 18:50

Welcome to Danang & Hoi An. Upon arrival at the Danang Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport arrival gate to meet the local guide outside. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it.

Meet your English-speaking guide for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and driver. From there, you’ll travel a short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Hoi An, known to early Western merchants, was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

The past preserved in centuries-old Hoi An

Japanese Covered Bridge - Today, discover how the traditions of the past are treasured in the present in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, a key international trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved, centuries-old streets, dwellings, temples and pagodas, touring Hoi An’s historic highlights via cyclo with your guide. Highlights of your walking tour through its charming streets, visit 17th century Japanese Covered Bridge, construction on this covered bridge began in the Year of the Monkey (1593) and was finished in the Year of the Dog (1595), hence the Monkey and dog sculptures at either end.

The Old House of Phun Hung - Next, your cyclo will ride to Phung Hung old house was built over 100 years ago during the development of the city of Hoi An. the owner named the house Phung Hung which means.

Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) - You’ll continue to visit the Fukien Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien), Hoi An was established in the year 1697. It is a great example of Chinese architecture. The Chinese merchants of the Fukien Province are believed to have built this huge assembly hall. However, some changes have been made to this Fukien Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) in the course of time.

Old House of Tan Ky - We also visit the Tan Ky House is a small unrestored five generation family home in the old quarters. It was built in the late 1890’s and is laid out to show you what living.

Hoi An Riverside - Then climb aboard a riverboat along the Thu Bon River to see the city from a different vantage point and visit a quaint boat-building village.

After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore Hoi An on your own. The cobblestone streets in the Old French Quarter are a delight to roam with many cafés, art galleries and handicraft shops.

Hoi An Memories Land - This evening, your guide and driver picked you up from your hotel. The Hoi An Memories Show conveys the most authentic cultural and historical values for visitors, deeply imprinted for every visitor watching the show thanks to the scale and the extremely elaborate investment in quality. Hoi An Memories Show has 5 impressive performances and a picture of a girl wearing Ao Dai is sitting with hand weaving throughout the show.

World Heritage Site of Hué

Tomb of Tu Duc - No Vietnam travel experience would be complete without a visit to Hué, Vietnam’s most beautiful city, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This morning drive in the scenery along the Vietnamese coast and Hai Van Mountain during a drive to Hue via Da Nang and the 18-mile-long “China Beach” – made famous by the 1980s TV show of the same name and now a popular Vietnam travel destination. Upon arrival, visit the tomb of 19th-century emperor Tu Duc, surrounded by vast, well-tended botanical gardens and beautiful open-air pavilions. Some emperors were so concerned about their graves being violated that, upon completion of the tomb, all of the thousands of workers who built them were put to death so as not to divulge the exact location of the body.

Tomb of Khai Dinh - Next, continue to the Tomb of Khai Dinh, hidden in Chau Chu Mountain. Built for the Nguyen emperor Khai Dinh between 1920 and 31, it is an impressive structure combining Western and eastern architecture, guarded by statues of soldiers and animals.

Hue Imperial City (The Citadel) - After lunch, ride your private, pedal-powered cyclo to explore Hué’s Citadel – which housed the Imperial City for the emperor’s official functions, and the Forbidden Purple City for his personal time – then settle in to your beautiful accommodations.

Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Thien Mu Pagoda - This morning explores Hué’s tranquil setting as you admire Thien Mu Pagoda (“Heavenly Lady”) Pagoda, a seven-story octagonal tower built in 1844, and cruise along the Perfume River; view the boats that continue to serve as complete family homes for many residents of Hué.

Tomb of Minh Mang - Next, you’ll visit Minh Mang Royal’s tomb, set amidst a lush pine hill by the river and considered to be one of the most beautiful mausoleums. Each ruler of the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign.

Later this afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Board a flight from Hue with direct service to Ho Chi Minh City. Approximate flight time is one hour and 30 minutes.

Ho Chi Minh City - Fly Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, departing 13:45, arriving 15:15

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival at the Ho Chi Minh City Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport arrival gate to meet the local guide outside. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it.

Meet your English-speaking guide for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and driver. Formerly known as Saigon, today’s Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who travelled along the Saigon River.

Settle in and enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Discover Ho Chi Minh City & the Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels - Today, set off to the battlefield memorial site of Ben Duoc, northwest of the city, where you’ll explore an underground world of tunnels and chambers three stories deep at Cu Chi Tunnels with your local guides. The hundreds of miles of underground tunnels in this area confounded first the French and then the American troops during the Vietnam War. Sections are open to visitors where you can climb in and get a feel for the terrible conditions faced by the tenacious Vietnamese who lived and fought in these tunnels, defending their land against invaders who possessed vastly superior technology. This excursion provides amazing insight into how the Vietnamese won the “American War” (as it is known in Vietnam). Many traps and weapons were made merely of bamboo and netting, yet the American forces, equipped with modern supplies, proved no match for these primitive, yet effective, armaments over the long haul.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - After lunch at a favorite local restaurant, continue to discover Saigon’s historic landmarks visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, where French colonial presence is immediately felt. The Neo-Romanesque Catholic Basilica was constructed from 1877 to 1833 entirely of imported French building materials.

Central Post Office - Next, head across the street to the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning architectural marvel with rich Gothic, Renaissance and French influences as well.

The Independence Palace - Next, visit the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975 during the Fall of Saigon. It was here that the Vietnam War ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates and led to the formal reunification of the two sides.

War Remnants Museum - Continue to the War Remnants Museum, intended as a call for peace with the hopes that the horrors of that war will never be repeated. The museum features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons and photos of the Vietnamese side of the war, and includes a moving tribute to the journalists, civilians and soldiers lost during the war.

Ben Thanh Market - Afterward, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market, a great place to shop for souvenirs, and bustling activity.

Ho Chi Minh Squares - You’ll then stroll the Ho Chi Minh Squares this historic area is bordered by City Hall, the beautiful Rex Hotel and numerous French and Vietnamese restaurants.

Riverside Life in the Mekong Delta

My Tho - The mighty Mekong River is the lifeblood of Vietnam and its neighbors. Originating high up in the Tibetan plateau in China, it winds across Southeast Asia for over 2700 miles and reaches its Delta on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong Delta is a veritable biological treasure trove of unique species found nowhere else; the area is also integral to agricultural production in southern Vietnam.

Cai Be - This morning, meet your guide and transfer to the Cai Be jetty together. Your crew welcomes you with cold towels and a refreshing drink while your Cai Be Princess Sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the busy waterways. On the river, boat traffic is endless and the activity never ceases. From the comfort of your sampan observe life as it plays out on the riverbanks - the people, the stunning landscapes – while your attentive crew serves you tea and seasonal fruit. We’ll make stops along the way to provide glimpses of local micro industries: coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of popcorn), products that provide a living for the river people.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)/ Home or extend

Ho Chi Minh City - Tour ends: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). A transfer from Mai House Saigon Hotel to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport is included. Please allow 3 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.

Fly home or begin a wonderful customized private extension.

• Private transportation by modern air-conditioned vehicle with experienced safe driver
• Domestic flight tickets: Hanoi to Danang on Economy Class
• Stay 1 night onboard the Dragon Legend Cruise - Deluxe Cabin (or similar)
• Lunch, Dinner, and Daily Breakfast included
• All entrance fees at places listed above
• Domestic flight tickets: Hue to Ho Chi Minh City on Economy Class
• Stay 2 nights at the La Siesta Hotel - Deluxe Room (or similar)
• VAT and all taxes and service charge
• Stay 1 night at the La Rose Suites - Junior Suite Room (or similar)
• Domestic flight tickets: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on Economy Class
• Stay 1 night at the Azerai La Residence Hue - Superior River View (or similar)
• International flight tickets: Siem Reap to Hanoi on Economy Class
• Stay 2 nights at the La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa - Deluxe Balcony (or similar)
• Professional Licensed English-Speaking guide
• 3 bottles of mineral water per person per day
• Stay 3 nights at the Mai House Saigon Hotel - Deluxe Room (or similar)
• Boat cruise as specified above
• Stay 2 nights at the Golden Temple Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar

• Meals other than specified as included
• Drinks other personal expenses or travel and health insurance
• Tips or gratuities to guide, driver and others are not included in price