Cambodia & Vietnam Tour with Flights

Arrive at Siem Reap airport and be transferred to the hotel.  Overnight: Siem Reap

In the afternoon, visit one of Siem Reap’s authentic floating villages. Located on the north-western tip of the Tonle Sap, Me Chhrey village allows for an authentic floating village experience. The small village is home to families who unlike other floating communities still live in wooden house boats. The village moves throughout the year, depending on the water levels of the lake. At the end of the dry season when the lake’s water levels are at its lowest, the villagers move closer to shore and live primarily from agricultural activities on land. By visiting a local home you get a better understanding of life on the lake and your guide would be more than happy to translate your questions to your hosts. Return to the port and visit the Silk Farm of Artisans d’Angkor, located a 15-minute drive away. Here people with underprivileged backgrounds are given an opportunity to improve their livelihoods by reviving the ancient crafts of making art and producing silk. A local representative accompanies you and walks you through the farm and explains all the steps necessary to produce quality silk. Return to town for a free evening.

Meals: Breakfast. Overnight: Siem Reap

This tour sometimes may be changed into the morning because of the level of water (high or low level), your guide will re-confirm the time for the tour.

We spend a full day visiting the well-known Temples of Angkor Archeological Park. Wake up early at 05:00 am to witness the beautiful Sunrise at Angkor Wat or Ta Prohm, then head back to hotel for breakfast and continue the tour to visit:

Southern Gate of Angkor Thom

Bayon, late 12th century

Baphuon, middle of 11th century

Phimeanakas, early 11th century

Northern & Southern Khleang, beginning of the 11th century

Terrace of the Elephants, late 12th century

Terrace of Leper King, late 12th century

Angkor Wat, first half of 12th century

Ta Prohm, early 13th century

Meals: Breakfast and lunch.  Overnight: Siem Reap

Enjoy a free day in Siem Reap. See your hotel tour desk to arrange a day trip or wander the town at your leisure.  Meals: Breakfast.  Overnight: Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer you to the bus station to go to Phnom Penh. The bus trip will pass through the countryside, so you can see local house during the way. Upon arrival at the bus station pick up and transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax.

Meals: Breakfasts. Overnight: Phnom Penh

The Royal Palace was built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town. The main building on the compound is the Throne Room. It was built in 1917 in the traditional Khmer style and has a tiered roof and a 59‐meter tower, which is influenced by Angkor Thom’s Bayon Temple. On the compounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The Pagoda’s steps are of Italian marble. On the inside, the floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver tiles, which together weigh nearly 6 tonnes. The pagoda houses a magnificent 17th century Emerald Buddha statue and a 90kg gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds. Right next to the palace, the National Museum of Phnom Penh was designed by French historian George Groslier also following traditional Khmer architecture. Finally visit the Wat Phnom located on a man‐made hill, 27m high. Then, have lunch. Although far from pretty, learning more about Cambodia’s recent history is essential and helps to increase one’s perception of Cambodia’s development and the people’s mentality. When on 17 April 1975 Phnom Penh fell, the Khmer Rouge evacuated the city with force leaving and left the capital as a ghost city. Pol Pot turned the former High School of Chao Ponhea Yat into the S‐21 (Tuol Sleng) prison camp where “enemies of the regime” were tortured and later killed. All of its prisoners were registered and photographed and nowadays these pictures deck the narrow halls of the Genocide Museum of Tuol Sleng. It is believed that over 17.000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng, all of them but seven known survivors, eventually found their death. Prisoners who did survive the torture of Tuol Sleng were brought to Choeung Ek, which is known as “The Killing Fields”. This seemingly peaceful area located 17km from Phnom Penh was for everyone entering the site the end of the line. Nowadays it is home to a memorial stupa containing over 5000 skulls, which allows the Khmer people to return and honour their ancestors who died by the Pol Pot regime.  Meals: Breakfast and lunch.  Overnight: Phnom Penh

Check out and make your way to the airport your departure flight to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Make your way to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast

Spend the morning at leisure or, join the optional half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. In the afternoon, participate in a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market - where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and briefing by your Tour Manager on the exciting journey that lies ahead. Remainder of the evening is at leisure. Be sure to check out the diversified dining scene in this culinary rich city
Optional: Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels (AM) 
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh  Meals: Breakfast

Depart Ho Chi Minh on your flight to Da Nang, one of Vietnam's major ports on the coast of the South China Sea. Travel south to the picturesque town of Hoi An, where people still wear the "ao dais", Vietnam’s traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Its past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes in the town's Old Quarter. Walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its centuries-old architecture includes gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400 year old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge and the Ancient House. Afterwards, continue to dinner at a local restaurant 
Overnight: Hoi An  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend a full day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hoi An independently. Walk through the Old City, stopping at one of the city's many museums, or see artisans using age-old techniques to fashion a variety of crafts. Of special interest are the colourful and elaborate paper lanterns created by lantern artisans for which Hoi An is well known. Or, join the optional boat trip on the Thu Bon River visiting the Organic Village, including lunch. The boat trip begins at a local pier in the Old Town. You'll cruise down streams and past many fishing areas before arriving in Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat building. Return to the mainland and drive to the Traque Organic Village for lunch. Here, you’ll learn about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. After a Vietnamese culinary lesson and tasting, return to Hoi An 
Optional: Boat Trip on the Thu Bon River & Organic Village with Lunch 
Overnight: Hoi An Meals: Breakfast

This morning, travel to Da Nang, with stunning views of bowl-shaped Da Nang Bay. Drive by Marble Mountain, a village well-known for its sophisticated hand-made marble products. Journey over the towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries and museums. Afternoon tour of this former Imperial capital, modelled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Tonight, spend time at leisure to explore on your own or join the optional Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel. Enjoy a panoramic view of both the daily life and the architecture of Hue with a Trishaw (Cyclo) Tour. Later arrive at a family run restaurant within the Citadel and savour a multi-course dinner replica of the Royal Feast
Optional: Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel
Overnight: Hue Meals: Breakfast

Today is at leisure to explore Hue independently. Or, participate in the not-to-be-missed optional boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, which explores the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. The river, with its shimmering blue colour is dotted with a poetic landscape of boats, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples. The tour continues to the legendary Thien Mu Pagoda, on the north bank of the Perfume River, built in seven successive tiers. Then, a drive to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, final resting place of Vietnam's longest reigning emperor and to Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Here, a vegetarian lunch will be prepared by Buddhist nuns of the Dong Thien Pagoda. Return to Hue 
Optional: Perfume River Boat Trip and Lunch at Dong Thien Pagoda 
Overnight: Hue Meals: Breakfast

Depart Hue on the flight* to sparkling Hanoi, cultural centre of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight 
*On some departures, the flight Hue-Hanoi may be changed to depart from Da Nang-Hanoi. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager 
Overnight: Halong Bay  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Incredible views await you today! Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage sites and declared recently as one of the "New Seven Natural Wonders of the World".

There are over 3000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit to one of the caves. Afterwards, drive to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital and check in to your hotel. This city's history is tied to French colonialism - its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence 
Overnight: Hanoi  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, visit the Museum of Ethnology, centre for the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage for over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the evening, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water 
Overnight: Hanoi  Meals: Breakfast

Spend the next two days at leisure discovering Hanoi on your own, or, take the optional tour to the stunning Thay Pagoda and So Village, including lunch, also known as the "Pagoda of the Master". Nestled against the hillside in Sai Go Village, it shares its compound with the smaller Ca pagoda. Here, you'll also see Thuy Dinh Stage, a water palace on Long Tri Pond, where the ancient form of water puppetry is performed. Continue to So Village, a well-preserved ancient village. Walking tour around the village with its traditional layout and small alleyways in-between the houses. Stop at one of the communal houses to meet villagers who earn their living from making noodles. Tonight, your journey to Vietnam ends with many lasting memories. Farewell dinner with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager 
Optional: Thay Pagoda & So Village with lunch (AM) 
Overnight: Hanoi Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to the airport for your departure flight. The journey comes to the end, but the precious memories are just beginning!
Meals: Breakfast