Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam

Day 1 – Depart the UK

Depart the UK.

Day 2 – Siem Reap

You will be met by your guide when you arrive at the airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at leisure.

Day 3 – Siem Reap

Today you will start your exploration of the Temples of Angkor. Leave the hotel early to arrive at Angkor Wat for sunrise. After breakfast, you will visit the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom, including the impressive Bayon temple mountain. Other highlights today include the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimean Akas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Finally, you can enjoy the sunset over Phnom Bakheng Temple.

Day 4 – Siem Reap

You will continue to discover the magnificent Temples of Angkor today by visiting some of the lesser know sites. Your first stop will be the giant pyramid of Takeo, then the Sras Srang and the Prasat Kravan temples. In the afternoon you will visit one of the main highlights of the Angkor region which is Preah Khan or Sacred Sword, with huge corridors extending in every direction. Sunset today will be enjoyed at the 10^th century temple Pre Rup, surrounded by beautiful Cambodian rice fields.

Day 5 – Luang Prabang

Fly to Luang Prabang, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at leisure.

Day 6 – Luang Prabang

Today you can enjoy a tour of Luang Prabang with your private guide, visiting the quaint Royal Palace Museum, local temples and the Arts and Ethnology Centre for a fascinating insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. Finish the day by climbing Mount Phousi which has panoramic views of Luang Prabang and the Mekong River, and is a spectacular spot to watch the sun set.

Day 7 – Luang Prabang

Today you will take a private cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the village of Ban Muangkeo, where you start a short trek to the reack the mysterious caves of Pak Ou. Return to Luang Prabang by boat stopping en route at the artisan village of Ban Nongxai.

In the afternoon drive out of town to visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails.

Day 8 – Hanoi

Fly to Hanoi, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city.

Day 9 – Hanoi

Today your guide will take you on a tour of the highlights of Hanoi, including Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter. Lunch will be included at one of Hanoi’s superb local restaurants.

In the evening you will experience a unique and traditionally Vietnamese performance art – water puppetry. Marvel at the craftsmenship of the coloful puppets and the skillful manouvering skills of the artists as they control the puppets behind a “water stage”.

Day 10 – Halong Bay

You will transfer to Halong Bay by road and board your junk boat that will take you out into the beautiful archipelago made up of 1969 islands that is famed for its picturesque ocean karst topography. Cruise past craggy peaks and small, beach-fringed islands and visit glittering stalactite caves. Dinner will be served on board where you can sit back, relax and watch the sun set behind the karst peaks of the bay.

Day 11 – Hue

After visiting a small fishing village in the morning, you will return back to Halong Bay harbour and be met by your guide, then transferred back to Hanoi.

You will then fly to Hue, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 12 – Hue

Combine a relaxing Perfume River Cruise with some of Vietnam’s most important historical sites, including the ancient Imperial Citadel and the serene Thien Mu Pagoda. In the afternoon you will also have the chance to visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh’s tombs.

Day 13 – Hoi An

Travel overland to Hoi An via the Hai Van “Cloudy Pass”, a spectacular three-hour coastal drive with stunning views of the azure ocean and dazzling coastline of central Vietnam. En route you will visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains for a photo stop.

Day 14 – Hoi An

Enjoy an enchanting look at rural life from the leisurely pace of a bicycle ride.  The small lanes are paved and flat and you travel through small farming communities rice paddy fields.

Day 15 & 16 – Hoi An

Enjoy two days at leisure in charming Hoi An, where you can explore the Old Town and weather permitting, relax on the beach or by the pool.

Day 17 – Ho Chi Minh City

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

Day 18 – Ho Chi Minh City

This morning you will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City including visits to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame cathedral, the fascinating History Museum and the former Presidential Palace, where you can explore the underground communication tunnels.

After lunch you will head out of the city to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network of tunnels used by the Vietcong during the American War.

Day 19 – Mekong Delta

A full day trip to the Mekong Delta region will include a transfer to Cai Be, which is known for its large floating market. Smaller sampan boats will take you on an exploration of smaller tributaries and local villages, where you can sample some local fruits.

Day 20 – Fly Home

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight home.

 

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK