Cambodia Vietnam Laos Tour 23 days: Deep dive Indochina

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, meet and transfer by the local guide to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in is NOT included and is subject to the hotel’s availability).

Welcome to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is a sleepy backwater serving as a gateway to the ancient capital of Angkor. It is hard to believe that at its peak in the 12th century, this was one of the most advanced civilizations in the world and home to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Take a Siem Reap Orientation Tour, starting with Preah Ang Check Preah Ang Chom which is the biggest local shrine in the city center. Locals throng here to pray for luck, especially newlyweds, and it is an atmospheric place to visit in the late morning or late afternoon, as the incense smoke swirls around. Then we continue to walk along the Siem Reap riverside to visit the Wat Preah Prom Rath, it is a functioning Buddhist monastery featuring a typical Khmer-style pagoda, a courtyard with statues depicting different Buddhist beliefs, and a hall surrounded by hand-painted picture walls containing a giant statue of seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha. Return to hotel for refreshment

Late afternoon, our guide and driver will meet you again to take you on to walk through the street foot hall where all the locals come for a picnic and drinks after work. You are invited to taste some snacks, drinks, and fruits as much as you can before we go to one of the local restaurants for dinner along with the Khmer Classic Live Band (black forest).

Meals included: Welcome dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Start to tour to visit Angkor Wat Temple, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. And then, continue to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling. Return to hotel for relaxation

Lunch at the local restaurant

After lunch, we will visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece; the Bayon temple. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex. Next, we drive to West Baray to get the nicest spot to view the sunset over this manmade lake, and enjoy the snacks and drinks (local beers and snacks) while the sunset is setting down.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning, we drive to Kbal Spean (60 minutes), which translates to “Bridge Head”. From the entrance, it is an easy 3km hike up to the hill passing through a nice forest offering beautiful views over the surrounding plains. On top, you will find a river with many rocks under the surface holding inscriptions and Hindu statues referred to as the Lingas which date back to the 11th century. There is also a waterfall on top that drops significant amounts of water during the wet season but dries up entirely during the height of the dry season (March/April). In the rainy season the route may be slippery and good footwear is advised. Hike down the hill back to the car and drive to have lunch at the local restaurant, after lunch, we will visit Banteay Srei Temple. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. Drive back to your hotel in Siem Reap to relax. Dinner is on your own

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out from the hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and drive about 45 minutes to the countryside, stopping en route to visit a local village. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 1.5-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake (Kampong Phluk Stilt House Village), also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Find out how communities live and work on the lake; see the schools, markets, pagodas, and police stations, among others; and observe their daily lives. Ride the boat back to the pier and proceed to Phnom Pen, we will stop for lunch at the local restaurant on the way, also making a few more stops to visit the ancient bridge and spider market. On arrival at Phnom Penh Hotel, check-in and free at leisure. Meet the local guide in Phnom Penh, he/she will ride you by tuk-tuk to discover Phnom Penh after dark through the riverfront where the walking area is, and the main road of Norodom Boulevard (Around the Independent Monument) before having dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at the hotel, visits Toul Sleng, which was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era, and today it is a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of being part of Cambodia’s turbulent past. The stories of the victims are documented and some torture devices are on display for visitors to learn about the suffering the people endured. Photographs were taken of each prisoner passing through the prison and hundreds of the haunting black and white photos are now on display in the museum. While this experience may be depressing, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country, and visit the Russian Market. Enjoy the buffet lunch at Tonle Basak Restaurant, or the Khmer Set Menu at another local restaurant, or walk the central market and eat as locals in the foot hall area (you can taste any kind of food, fruits, drinks, and snacks as your lunch).

Afternoon, visit The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda two of the most striking buildings in the capital and are considered some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. They were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni. The neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The floor consists of 5,329 solid silver tiles to which the building owes its name. The building houses many golds and jeweled Buddha statues including the highly prized 17th-century baccarat crystal Buddha. Other important buildings that can be found within the compound include Wat Preah Keo Morokat, where Royal ceremonies are performed, and stupas such as King Ang Doung Stupa – the burial site of former King Norodom.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for your next flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, get transfer by our driver to your hotel.

In the afternoon, we pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and depart for Ben Tre. On arrival in Hàm Luông pier. Cruise on BenTre river exploring the lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring...see  brick making in  handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits and tea.

 Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on realy life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house.

Afternoon - riding a sampan along canal, before boat back to Ham Luông pier. Transfer back to Saigon for your overnight.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accomodation: Hotel in Saigon

In the morning, get transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, get transfer to check-in at the hotel in Hoian. We will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Meals included: Breakfast

Accomodation: Hotel in Hoian

Stay away from the hustle and bustle of life; your peaceful and beautiful day will begin with a bike ride to Cam Kim village, where you will discover the secrets of making handicrafts such as wood carving, boat building, mosaics, weaving mats, weaving basket boats, etc.

Then head towards Cam Thanh village by boat on the Thu Bon River, where you can discover the beauty of Bay Mau Coconut Forest and learn how to fish like a local on a short basket boat tour in Hoi An.

In the heart of green trees, in harmony with the melodious rhythm of the basket boat, you will experience wonderful moments!

This signature basket boat is called Thuyen Thung! It is made of woven bamboo.

Then it's cooking class time by preparing your own lunch with local guidelines. You will be introduced to some Vietnamese dishes that you will then taste with the locals.

This friendly family get-together will end with a Hoi An herbal foot massage.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

08:00 Departure for Ba Na Hill

09:00 Arrive in Bana and take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hill station

Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Old wine tunnel, Orchid Garden…And especially visit the famous Golden Bridge

11:30 Lunch will be served in Ba Na

13:00 Afternoon: Free for joining games in Fantasy Park – the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam with series of interesting games: skiver, the death race, dinosaur park… (2 hours) (Excluded)

14:00 Pick up and transfer you back to your hotel in Hoian for your overnight. The reaming time would be your own explorer

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Start your tour today with the 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son, which is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, located in a beautiful green valley surrounded by impressive mountains. While a small site, the ruins at My Son are the largest and most intact remaining in Vietnam. It is also the home to the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people through their elaborate sculptures and carvings. The passable road ends about 1.5 miles from the actual site. At this point you have the option of taking a 4WD jeep or hiking the remainder of the distance to the ruins. Return to Hoian for lunch (on your own account). Afternoon, transfer to Danang airport for flight to Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accomodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, our guide will pick you up and show you around Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, home to his mausoleum, garden, house on stilts and a museum which traces his life and work.

 Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.

The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.

Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.

We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

Next, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, ironically nicknamed "the Hanoi Hilton." Built by the French colonists and used as house for Vietnamese political prisoners, it was later used to keep captured American POWs during the war. Then continue to the Huu Tiep neighborhood to see an American B-52 that was shot down during the Christmas bombing of Hanoi in 1968.

Afternoon, have a little leisure time to back your hotel, then tour around the city's Old Quarter by a bicycle rickshaw, called a cyclo. In this part of town, each colorful street is devoted to a particular craft or ware. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along Shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few), ending at the historic Hoan Kiem Lake - the social center of Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.

Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.

Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Onboard on Halong bay cruise

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor where our private vehicle waiting for you for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, have free time until transfer to your next flight to Luang Prabang.

Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport and meet your guide, then transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is between 13h30-14h00. Time for resting at hotel

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao.  Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the rice culture and farming experience with some hands-on activities along the way. Be welcomed by the hospitable farmers who will show you how rice is grown and harvested. You can plant rice in the rice paddy together with the farmers while seeing the buffalos plough the rice paddies. Discover what rice can be used to produce different products

This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre. Enjoy spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

This morning, drive to Nong Khiew. Stop to visit Nam Bak market and Ban Nayang village. Arrival in Nong Khiew. Lunch on your own. Then embark on long tail boat for a relaxing cruise (~1h40mns) on Nam Ou river to Ban Sojam village where you learn about local life and culture. Then continue your cruise to Muong Ngoy.  Arrival and check-in guesthouse in Muong Ngoy.

Meals on your own. Overnight in guesthouse (Simple comfort)

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Guesthouse in Muang Ngoy

After breakfast, embarking on boat to cruise back Nong Khiew. On the way, stop to visit an authentic village Houi Hoy, located on the bank of Nam Ou river.

Drive from Nong Khiew to Luang Prabang. On the way, wisit Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Heading to Luang Prabang by van. Arrive and check in hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Transfer to Luang Prabang airport for flight to Pakse. Welcomed by local guide in Pakse, then transfer to visit Boloven Plateau. As soon as you leave Pakse the road climbs in elevation as you ascend onto the Plateau. The area of Volcanic Rock makes for suburb tea and coffee plantations which thrive on the rich soil and the cooler climate. Visit Tad Fane Waterfall. A further 2km from Tad Fane which makes for a pleasant walk or drive through the coffee plantations is Tad Yuang Waterfall. Transfer back to Pakse after visiting Tad Yuang in the afternoon.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

After breakfast, depart to Champassak and visit the temple ruins of Wat Phou. Next, heading to 4000 islands area to visit Khone Phabeng waterfall.

Then drive to Don Khong island. Spend your time to discovery the largest island located in the Mekong River, southern Laos.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong

After breakfast, transfer to Ban Nakasang village where you start your cruise on long tail boat to Khone Island. Arrival and begin re-tracing the French colonial times here as many remnants (old pier, stream railway, French buildings) stand still. Continue to visit the gorgeous Liphi waterfall, which is a must-see for waterfall-lovers. Cruise back Nakasang village and en route to your hotel in Pakse.

Meals on your own. Overnight in the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: None