DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PHNOM PENH

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia! Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be welcomed and picked up by our tour guide and driver, then transferred to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and get acquainted with the city.

DAY 2: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

This morning, gain some insight into Cambodia’s recent dark history on a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Taken over by the Khmer Rouge, this former high school was converted into a detention and torture center known as ‘S-21’. Equally as harrowing are the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Both are grim, but important visits that allow one to dig below the surface and understand present-day Cambodia better. After learning about some of Cambodia’s tragic past, getting back to the city and go to visit the hilltop Wat Phnom Temple, the founding place of the city. Lunch is served at a nice restaurant around noon. After lunch, embark on a cyclo tour through the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh. Begin first with a visit to the Royal Palace, followed by the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the temple is known for its collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Continue on to the National Museum, housing the world's foremost collection (over 5,000 pieces) of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Wrap up the tour with a boat ride for the late-afternoon refreshment. Along the ride, you will enjoy great views of the confluence of the Upper Mekong, Lower Mekong, Bassac, and Tonle Sap rivers. Get back to your hotel after the sunset. Dinner on our own account.

DAY 3:PHNOM PENH > SIEM REAP (ANGKOR THOM VISIT)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

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After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, meet with the local guide and head to the hotel for check-in. The afternoon starts with a visit to Angkor. First, visit the incredible temple of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 meter-tall wall, drawing a perfect square around its perimeter. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive carved stone gate. From here, continue to Bayon Temple, in the exact center of the city. This temple is extremely distinct, with 54 towers, each with four faces representing the 54 provinces of the then Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. After an incredible first encounter with the historical wonders of Angkor, return to the hotel.

DAY 4: ANGKOR TEMPLES DISCOVERY (TA PROM, BANTEAY KDEI, ANGKOR WAT)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

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After breakfast, explore the temples of the Small Circuit by ‘remork’(similar to Thai Tuk Tuk). Begin the day with a visit to Ta Prohm Temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. The visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. Lunch is served at a restaurant in town. In the afternoon, continue on with a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed to symbolize Mount Meru, home of the gods. The divine residence of Vishnu, the King himself was to reside here after his death. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Moreover, Angkor Wat is well-known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor to complete. After touring this incredible temple, return to the hotel.

DAY 5: SIEMREAP - HO CHI MINH - VISIT TO CU CHI TUNNELS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

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After breakfast at the hotel, take it easy until getting transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival, drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Located approximately 70 km northwest of Saigon. This is a beautiful green land with fruit gardens, rice paddies and plantations. Cu Chi Tunnels are like a spider web in the soil of Cu Chi District. It consists of more than 200km of narrow underground tunnels that connecting half or total covered hideouts, shelters, fighting bunkers, hospital, school, living rooms and so on… All was built and used by Viet Cong for resistance against their enemy during the French and American war. You will return to the city after the tunnels. Check in your hotel in the downtown. Overnight in Saigon

DAY 6: TOUR OF SAIGON

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

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Start the day tour from your hotel at 8:30 AM. Make for Cholon, the city’s Chinatown district, and a visit to the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the sea. Followed by driving back to the city center for the War Remnants and the former Presidential Palace. Thence, strolling to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. End of the tour, you can visit the Ben Thanh market. Get back to the hotel.

DAY 7: MEKONG DELTA EXCURSION

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

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At 8:30 AM head south of the city for the morning drive to the delta town of Ben Tre, nestled deep within the rice bowl of Vietnam – the Mekong Delta. Ben Tre is seen as a peaceful retreat that offers enchanting scenery. Upon arrival, you will embark on a motorized boat trip around the scenic Ham Luong River (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces to give you a picture of how the local economy works, including a brickworks, where bricks are still painstakingly made by hand; a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other products; and a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven using a handloom – if you want, you can even have a go at weaving yourself! The boat will then stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life, before boarding your xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) and traveling into the village where you can visit fruit orchards before stopping at a riverside restaurant for a delicious and filling lunch, featuring such local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp, washed down with some cold drinks or beers. Followed by a short sampan for a gentle ride along narrow creeks. You will then return to the dock where you will disembark and take the return drive to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 8: HO CHI MINH - HOI AN

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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After breakfast, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang, transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose charming architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit the former merchants’ homes, a Chinese Assembly, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colorful market. Afterward, spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Relax at the hotel or enjoy the scenic ambiance of Hoi An with its abundant flickering lanterns along the riverside boardwalk.

DAY 9: HOI AN - HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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This morning is free for you to do your own things (relaxing on the beach/ Joining a cooking class/ shopping in the Old town). At 2:00 PM in the afternoon, meet your guide and driver again and make your way to Hue, the last capital of Vietnam. On the way to Hue, you will call at The Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang where you will learn about the amazing works left behind by the Cham people centuries ago. Another stop is on Hai Van Pass with beautiful scenery of Danang city and Lang Co beach. Upon arrival in Hue, check-in your hotel and overnight in Hue.

DAY 10: HUE - HA NOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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Hue city is one of the most cultural and historical territories of the country, once ruled by Emperors of Nguyen dynasty. To start the day, you will embark a dragon boat at a little dock by the bank of the poetic Perfume River for a short cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda, constructed in 1601; the 21-meter stupa tower is the masterpiece of this charming pagoda. Thence getting back to your private vehicle and drive out of the city to visit Minh Mang King’s tomb. This imperial tomb is without doubt the best-combined natural landscape and architectural complex. It was designed on a symmetric axis. Visiting the tomb, you will be impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. After that, you will enjoy a beautiful lunch at a nice garden restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be visiting the Royal Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The Imperial City is located in the center of the Citadel where established highest offices of Vietnam's feudalism and sanctums honoring the cult of decreased Emperors. Have an early dinner before transferring to the airport for the evening flight to Hanoi in the North of Vietnam. Getting picked up on arrival, then check into your Hanoi hotel for the night.

DAY 11: HANOI CITY TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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This day tour to learn about the capital city of Vietnam occupies your whole day with featured sites, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university for the morning. Your lunch today is served at a restaurant in town with local tastes. In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to one of the following museums (you can pick the one you like): the Ethnology Museum, Army Museum, National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Hilton prison or Vietnam Women Museum). Followed by a short walk or a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter. End the day tour with a traditional Water Puppet show. Spend your second night in Hanoi.

DAY 12: HANOI - HA LONG BAY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on boat

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After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up for the morning drive overland to Halong City, your entry point to the Bay of the World Heritage by UNESCO. Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay and, to further their beauty, intricate cave systems naturally exist throughout these limestone karst formations. The traditionally styled junk will cruise in between the towering islands, visit a limestone cave in the afternoon and do some kayaking and swimming (depending on the weather) Your accommodation tonight is a truly special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts.

DAY 13: HA LONG BAY - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Wake up early in the morning for sunrise and a view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. After the soft breakfast, the crews pull up the anchor for a further cruise to other parts of the bay and visit a fishing village by a sampan boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms. After that, start cruising towards the harbor while an A la cart brunch is served. Disembark at noontime, meet the driver and drive back to Hanoi.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE FROM HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Not available

Today is your last day of the trip, you are free at leisure or go out for some last shopping (if time permits) until getting picked up and take the private transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of service.