Exploring Mysterious Indochina

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City you'll be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Morning, we visit the Cu Chi tunnels - an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels, over 250km in length and up to three levels deep in places, played a huge part in the Viet Cong’s victory over the Americans, allowing them to control a large rural area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City. Today, some of the remaining tunnels have been opened to tourists, offering a unique insight into what underground life must have been like during the ‘American’ war. Afternoon, we come back to Saigon for visiting the city including: War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Center Post Office, City Hall, Opera house and end tour at Ben Thanh Market, you have more chance to do shopping. Back to hotel, the rest of day is free and you discover Saigon by yourself.

Morning transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel check in. After that, Our guide, will assist your exploration of the diverse architecture of old historical Hanoi and its small, less-visited streets. These sit among the famous 36 streets that make up the Old Quarter. Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the city, we will pass along the street known for its coffee, Hang Hanh, literally “coffee street” as you head toward the Catholic Church. A delightful dinner will be taken at the famous Cha Ca La Vong restaurant. This restaurant serves only one traditional delicacy: cha ca; made from firm white fish fillet marinated in turmeric, garlic and ginger, before being cooked with onions and dill. It is then served as a salad with rice noodles, peanuts, fish sauce and even more dill showcasing the simplicity and freshness of Vietnamese cuisine.

Today you will discover some of Hanoi’s classic visits and hidden gems during a full-day tour of the capital. Start the morning off with a visit to one of Hanoi’s most iconic destinations: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This grand, monumental structure houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s first president and revered leader who liberated the country from colonialism. If there is time, pay a visit to the president’s former home before visiting another of Hanoi’s most classic attractions, the Temple of Literature. The country’s first university, the Temple of Literature is known for its striking courtyards, ancient architecture and deep historical roots dating back over 1,000 years. After the visit, enjoy a delicious local meal at one of our favorite nearby restaurants, serving up classic Hanoi delicacies. After lunch, continue to the iconic Old Quarter of Hanoi. Known for its maze of alleyways and lanes, this section of the city is divided into 36 streets, each which historically sold their own unique products and specialties. Alongside our local expert, discover just what makes this part of Hanoi so unique and charming. Reenergize with a delicious Vietnamese coffee at a local cafe which overlooks the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. After sipping the famously strong brew, head to Ngoc Son Temple at the lake’s heart, a must-see site for anyone touring Hanoi. Top off the day with one of northern Vietnam’s most classic forms of entertainment: a water puppet show. Transport will be provided back to the hotel after the performance.

After breakfast you’ll be transported out to Halong Bay (3 hour ride). One of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations, Halong Bay, or the Bay of Descending Dragons, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone karsts and pristine waterways. Upon arrival into Halong Bay (around noon), you’ll be assigned to your traditional “junk” cruise ship where you’ll be spending the evening & following day.

Once on board, you’ll be served a delicious (and super-fresh) seafood lunch as the boat makes its way out into the mystical waters of the bay. In the early afternoon you will be brought to some of the region’s most famous sites including the Dinh Huong & Ga Choi Islands & Sung Sot Caves and a pristine white sand beach where you’ll have the chance to swim in the area’s placid waters (weather permitting). Back on board you’ll be able to catch an unforgettable sunset, enjoy another delicious local meal and watch the stars come out as they saturate the Halong night sky. Allow the lapping of water & the boat’s light rocking to soothe you to sleep in your private cabin.

Wake up early to catch the Halong sunrise (not to be missed!) and enjoy some Tai Chi on the top deck of the cruise boat to kick off your Day 6. Enjoy a light beverage before heading out to explore some nearby islands via rowboat. After a brief morning tour you’ll return to the junk for breakfast and have the chance to soak in some last minute limestone karsts along Bai Tu Long Bay. Before you disembark, you’ll be treated to a lovely brunch before our transport picks you up and brings you back to Hanoi. Once arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you’ll board a quick flight to the Luang Prabang, Laos. Our guide will pick you up in Luang Prabang and transport you to your hotel.

In the morning, we take you visit just a few of the 100 or more temples here. These are considered among the most beautiful in Laos. Wat Xieng Thong, or the Temple of the Royal City, is a vast sprawling collection of sacred buildings. We move on to explore Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in the city, with wooden-framed windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Wat Phou. We will then drive to the pier and embark on a traditional boat cruise up the mighty Mekong River. We will stop at a local village for you to enjoy a home-cooked lunch. After lunch, we visit the mystical caves of Pak Ou, called Tham Ting by many locals. These caves house hundreds of Buddha statuettes. The local population believe that the caves are the homes of spirits, and take their damaged and old statues of Buddha there, for good luck. Later we will cruise back to Luang Prabang while enjoying sunset over the Mekong, on deck. Your evening is free for you to possibly visit the Hmong Night Market, where Hmong, mountain ethnic people, come to sell their handmade wares.

After breakfast, We set out to Kuang Si Waterfalls, a lovely three-tiered waterfall tumbling down the rocks into turquoise pools. We’ll pay a visit to a local house to join in a Lao cooking class and eat the fruits of our labours. The hostess/chef grows all her own ingredient, and will show you round her vegetable and fruit gardens whilst giving a talk about Laotian food. We then go back to the waterfalls, where you may take a dip in the cooling waters if you wish. On the return journey, we’ll stop of at local villages to witness the making of decorative and artistic Saa paper and traditional woven textiles. Dinner is in your own time.

Early morning Luang Prabang is like no other place. Get up early to witness the sunrise and watch monks in their saffron robes silently glide through the town, collecting alms as they go in a tradition spanning hundreds of years. Please be respectful of this holy occasion. We ask that you watch them in silence without disturbing them. If you want to participate, ask your hotel for an offering like sticky rice for instance, and let the monks take it without comment. The rest of the day to mid-afternoon are free to further explore the city. Later, we fly to Siem Reap Cambodia, the gateway to the marvelous Angkor temples. Upon arrival you will enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Today you will marvel at the incredible temple that is Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site with huge carved towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs filling the walls. This extraordinary temple complex was erected in the 12th century in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. It is truly awe-inspiring and the largest religious monument in the world. The complex originally had many more buildings than those that survive to this day. The sandstone constructions have no mortar between stones, and are the subject of constant conservation efforts. We will take you by private vehicle or, if available, cattle cart to a remote, untouched temple, for a private picnic lunch. This is an astonishing  place in which to relax for awhile, whilst enjoying a soothing foot massage and contemplating the unique history of the area. In the afternoon, we visit the ancient Ta Prohm, where immense kapok trees have almost consumed the temple nickname the Jungle or Tombraider Temple. Dinner is at your leisure.

Today we pay a visit to Angkor Thom (the Great City), entering by the south gate and immediately discover the famous Bayon, built in the 12th and 13th centuries.  This temple is a perennial favourite. It is a Buddhist temple composed of 54 gigantic towers featuring no less than 216 gently smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Next it’s a short walk to the Terrace of the Elephants and the raised Terrace of the Leper King.Also built in the 12th century, it features many beautifully sculptured Apsara dancers. After some free time for lunch, we travel to Banteay Srei, to see a most impressive jewel of Khmer art. This beautiful 10th century temple was dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva. It is a small pink sandstone temple, also known as the Citadel of Women. There are some remarkably well-preserved and hand sculptured lintels. This was made famous in 1923, by André Malraux who returned the Apsara heads that he had previously removed. We then return to Siem Reap pausing at a golden silk farm.. The artisans here will demonstrate all the stages of traditional silk production, from breeding the worms to making and dyeing the silk. As evening arrives,  we will gather one final time for a farewell dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Siem Reap.

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Airport for your onward flight.