Rivers, Beaches and Lakes of Indochina

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Day 2 -5 Luang Prabang, Laos    

Your guide will meet you on arrival in Luang Prabang for the short transfer to your hotel. The first evening is free for you to relax and take in the peaceful setting. The effect of Luang Prabang's ornate Buddhist temples and Indochinese architecture set against a jungle backdrop is spellbinding. During your stay in Luang Prabang, you’ll spend time with your guide getting a feel for the magical town itself as well as the surrounding countryside, Mekong riverside villages, and caves. A highlight will be the early morning visit to Kuang Sii Waterfalls, where a special permit will allow you to enjoy a gourmet breakfast there before the crowds arrive.

There will be free time too, to absorb the scenery, explore the sleepy backstreets of the UNESCO town, take in the picturesque night markets and perhaps play a game of petanque with the locals (a popular sport here: a legacy of the French!)

Day 6-10 southern Laos and the 4000 islands, Laos

After a flight south to Pakse, you’ll join your guide for a short drive and boat cruise to Don Daeng Island where you stay for two nights. There will be plenty of time for relaxing in this riverine archipelago and also for a full day tour of this unique island discovering abandoned railways, colonial mansions and beautiful waterfalls, and searching for rare freshwater dolphins in the surrounding waters.

Following your time on Don Daeng, you’ll transfer to River Resort near Champasak (exploring the impressive Khmer ruins of Wat Phou Temple en route). With a sandy river beach and infinity pool, this is an excellent spot in which to kick back in comfortable surroundings.

Day 11-13 Siem Reap, Cambodia       

Southern Laos and Siem Reap are geographically very close, so it's just a one-hour flight from Pakse to the Angkor Temple gateway, surely Indochina’s most remarkable archaeological site. You’ll spend three days here taking in Angkor Wat itself (we recommend beginning your tour in the moonlight for an almost fairytale experience). Other highlights include the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom, amongst quieter, less well-known temples. Our tours here are carefully timed and constructed to ensure you get the most out of your visit and enjoy some relaxation time too.

Beyond the temples, Siem Reap has some lovely restaurants to enjoy, and you’ll also have a chance to visit the villages on the lake of Tonle Sap.

day 14-16 otres beach, Cambodia     

Next, it's down to Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s sleepy south coast, specifically Otres Beach, where you’ll spend three days enjoying the white sand shores and clear waters.

Day 17 & 18 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam   

The last stop on this holiday itinerary is Vietnam, specifically Ho Chi Minh City (commonly known as Saigon), where you’ll spend two days exploring the city (and two days aboard a boat on the Mekong River).

During your time in the city, you’ll go exploring with your guide, including on a tour of both the commercial and traditional districts. This flexible tour is a great way to get a sense of Vietnam’s past and present and feel how both its traditions and the pace of development compare to those of its sleepier Indochinese neighbours.

Day 19 & 20 The Mekong Delta, Vietnam    

You will leave Ho Chi Minh City today and drive into the Mekong Delta region, where you board the Bassac Cruise for a fantastic two-day journey through some of the smaller canals of the Mekong between Cai Be and Can Tho. Pass small villages, rice fields, and local boats and stop at a farmer's house for fresh fruit. Accommodation is on board the converted rice barge in a deluxe cabin, and all meals (delicious!) are included. On the afternoon of Day 20, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City for a final night and meal.

Day 21 Fly Home

Depart Vietnam on your flight back to the UK.