BEST OF INDOCHINA 25 DAYS

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be met by your local guide and taken to your hotel, enjoying an overview of the city en route. The rest of the day, you are free to relax or explore the capital at your leisure.

Notes: We recommend wandering through the night market for a fascinating introduction to Hanoian people and culture.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, hotel.

AM: Meeting time from your hotel is at 8:30 AM. Get on the car then transfer outside of Hanoi. From here, we experience the bustling  village markets and its tradition as well as customs.

We wander and cycle along the villages, visit the local markets and some old houses, their workshipping temples, communal houses... then we join cooking desmonstratrion before our lunch with local family here.

PM: From Dong Ngac village, we cycle on the most rural lanes through surrounding villages to Lien Mac - a beautiful vegetables and flower growing area. We have chance to join the farming activities and interact with local. Back to Dong Ngac, we have a short break at the host family's home, say farawell then get on the van back Hanoi. Tour ends at your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, local bike, community development fund, hotel.

Beginning at 8:00 AM, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you 100 km (2.5 hours) to NinhBinh. On the way, you can relax and take in the stunning rural Vietnamese landscape.

Your first stop is TrangAn River. Float along the waterways in a traditional Sampan boat which gently rowed down through numerous breathtaking tunnel caves and enjoy the amazing view on the two sides of the river. During the two-hour boat trip, you might see several mountain goats leaping from one cliff to another. Lunch will thereafter be provided at a local restaurant with regional Vietnamese cuisine.

In the afternoon, we have a short transfer to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s 9th-century ancient capital. Here, your tour guide will give you an introduction to some cultural sightseeing and tales of ancient kings. Finally, return to Hanoi at around 05:00 PM.

At 8:30 AM transfer from a prearranged meeting spot to the station for your night train to Sapa. Boarding is at around 9:40 PM. You are in shared AC soft sleeper cabin to travel North to Lao Cai town.

(Our tour guide shows you the mini hotel where you have basic shower and breakfast before going on Halong bay trip).

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, local rowboat, train ticket.

The night before at 8:30 PM, we meet you at your hotel for your transfer to the Tran Quy Cap train station for boarding at 9:40 PM. You share an AC soft sleeper cabin and travel North to Lao Cai town.

Today morning at around 6:30 AM, you are welcomed by our driver at the train station to transfer to Sapa. When you arrive in Sapa, you have a time for a short rest, hot shower and some breakfast before your inspiring trek. A short transfer and we’re off. Chances to meet and talk with locals working in the fields are plentiful. Picnic lunch en route then continue trekking to Ta Phin village – home of the Red Dao people. Your Dao host family warmly welcome you to their traditional home where we share in an ethnic style dinner and stay the night.

Trekking Distance: 14 km (4-5 hours)

Trail Difficulty: 4/5

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, morning shower, entrance fee, all meals, permit, homestay.

At the first gleam of daylight, you see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join your host family in some of their morning activities like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing breakfast. After breakfast, we take a short wander around the village or spend more time enjoying the view and company at the homestay. Then, you are supported by our car / van back to Sapa (30 minutes).

Back in Sapa, check in to your hotel, shower, rest and lunch on your own. At 2:30 PM, we take an easy walk to Cat Cat village, home of Black H’mong. Take part in a traditional musical performance. Back in Sapa for dinner and the evening on your own. Overnight here.

Trekking Distance: about 5 km

Trail Difficulty: 2/5

Note: The music show in Cat Cat village is closed on Tuesday afternoon. We arrange and alternative activity.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, music show ticket, hotel.

Wake up in Sapa town, breakfast at the hotel then enjoy the morning activities in the town markets. Today your guide is available to you for the whole day, although you do have the option to enjoy the day on your own. Suggestions for today: visit the orchid gardens at Dragon Mountain or complete another day trek to a hill tribe village.

At 5:30 PM, transfer to the Lao Cai train station. Departure is at 8:15 PM on an AC soft sleeper class cabin to Hanoi.

Trekking Distance: around 6 km (optional trek)

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, train ticket, breakfast, entrance fee.

Safely back in Hanoi at 5:00 AM please find your way on foot back to a prearranged hotel near the train station. Shower, short rest and basic breakfast.

Leave Hanoi after breakfast for a 2.5-hour transfer to Halong City with a 15-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at Tuan Chau towards noon then proceed with check-in formalities. Welcome aboard, followed by lunch while cruising towards the bay. Spend the afternoon enjoying some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or relaxing onboard with panoramic views of the karst limestone formation. Complete the evening with dinner served onboard.

Overnight on Lan Ha Bay.

*Notes: The itinerary may be different between the cruises.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide on boat, morning shower, entrance fee, kayak, boat / junk, all meals, permits.

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the bay and have breakfast (brunch on some boats) while leisurely immersing in the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. Proceed to checkout as the cruise arrives towards port.  Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. Arrive at your hotel around 15:30 PM.

Please note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Inclusion: Transfers, guide on boat, entrance fee, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, train ticket.

Today is your free day in the Hanoi capital with all of its fascinating historical charm. Spend your day relaxing or shopping. Some suggestions include waking up early (about 6:00 AM) and joining in the some exercising around Hoan Kiem Lake, or visiting the numerous markets, shopping, and trying all of the street side traditional foods.

At 6:00 PM, we pick you up from our office or your hotel for the night train to Hue. Boarding is at 7:30 PM. You are in a shared AC soft sleeper cabin.

Inclusion: Transfer drop off, guide drop off, breakfast, train ticket.

Arrival in Hue at around 09:00 AM. Station pick up then transfer to a prearranged hotel. Shower, short rest and breakfast.

Departure from your hotel for our morning explorations to visit the Imperial city to learn all about the royal kingdom here in the past. We then visit Thien Mu pagoda.

Our afternoon start with biking to visit the flower village of Tien Non, it’s just lovely to be among different types of flowers, then cycle a bit more to visit Thanh Tien paper flower making village, you can try to make one by yourself. After that, we will visit village where they make traditional folk painting, more ride through the beautiful and peaceful countryside of Hue before hitting the road back to your hotel for about 5:00 PM.

Cycling Distance: 14 km

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, morning shower, breakfast, lunch, bike & helmet, hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 AM, we go on a relaxing 1 hour Vietnam cyclo ride to visit Dong Ba market then explore the Royal Tombs, choosing only to visit the best ones, as we have lots to do today. Visit Ming Mang and Khai Dinh Royal Tombs.

After it is time to begin our transfer to Hoian (about 4 hours). There is fabulous sightseeing en route and we may make stops at: Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Cham Museum, and the Marble Mountains depending on time. Hoian in the evening. Overnight here.

Tip: This is a very good chance for you to get great tailor-made clothes at reasonable prices. Hoian is well known for its tailoring.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, Vietnam cyclo, hotel.

At 8.00 AM, we meet at your hotel for a very short transfer to the boat docks, we boat to a fishing village where you see & experience the life of a fisherman here, activities from preparing the fishing tools to go fishing. Followed by a short basket boat row along the village of water coconut before our lunch.

We then cycle along the country road through the paddy fields of rice, coconut or corn heading to the main town of Hoian.

Our afternoon is continued with sightseeing to the famous cultural sites around Hoian, we end our trip at around 5:00 PM at your hotel.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, local bike, local boat & basket, breakfast, lunch, water & snack, hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport in Da Nang for a noon- flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, aiport pick up then transfer to your hotel. Free to chill out on the beautiful white sand beach.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, domestic flight ticket, breakfast, hotel

Morning pick up at around 8:00 AM from hotel and transfer to the boat station (about 15’). Hop on the private boat and begin a day on the water. The first stop is Tri Nguyen Aquarium. Then we cruise to Mot Island. This is one of the best places for snorkeling in Nha Trang. Hold your breath for as long as you can and dive deep into this colorful world of fish and coral. Next stop, Coral Island for sun bathing and relaxing on the off shore beach. Lunch is served with a selection of fresh seafood.

After lunch, cruise to Tranh Island for more swimming and relaxing then boat back to Nha Trang city for around 5:00 PM. Free time in the evening and overnight at your hotel.

We take an early flight this morning at 7:50 AM, arriving to HCM City at 8:45 AM. Transfer downtown and check-in at our hotel before our city tour of bustling HCM City starts. Visit the Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon; stopover at Thien Hau, a 150-year-old Chinese Temple; then visit a Lacquer-wares workshop as well as the Jade Emperor Pagoda. In the afternoon visit the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. We drop you off at your hotel around 5:30 PM.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, domestic flight ticket , hotel

Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 08:00 in the morning for the drive to Tay Ninh. Observe the scenery as it changes from a city view to rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical of southern Vietnam. Visit the Cao Dai great temple at Tay Ninh, with its flamboyant architecture, where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious mosaic.

After lunch in a local restaurant visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel.

Here, imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s on display. In the late afternoon journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Driving distance: 100km ~ 2hrs

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, breakfast, hotel.

Depart HCM City at 8:00 AM from your hotel. Head south to Cai Be. Upon arrival at around 10:30 AM, board a boat for a journey through the Mekong's floating markets. See how river life goes on here, watch the trading between merchant ships and local farmers. Alive and exciting! Cruise through the secluded canals and cross the Mighty Mekong to an island where we stop to enjoy fresh seasonal fruit before boating to Vinh Long. Back on the bus for our trip to Can Tho to overnight.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, hotel.

An early start at 6:30 AM for a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market. We have some distance to cover to reach Phong Dien so take the time to enjoy the scenery. We take a short cruise followed by a walk on a quiet country road getting a little bit closer local life here.

In the afternoon, we head back to Chau Doc. Pause to visit the Stork Garden near Thot Not and an incense factory. We arrive late afternoon in Chau Doc where we conquer Sam Mountain (about 3km) with a rewarding hike. From the top, the panorama views over reach into Cambodia. Check into the hotel and stay the night.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, entrance fee, local boat, breakfast, hotel.

After breakfast, we transfer to the boat pier for our departure to Phnom Penh. We board a speedboat at 8:00 AM and arrive in Phnom Penh at about 1:00 PM.

Your local guide greets you and takes you to the town center for lunch on your own before starting our half-day city tour.

We visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Independence Monument and National Museum. Pass by the river front park and capture photographs of Watt Phnom, Watt Phnom Daun and Penh pagoda. Tour ends at your hotel around 6:00 PM.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, entrance fee, speedboat, breakfast, hotel.

Tip: Visa on arrival at Cambodia border costs ~ 35 USD. Remember to bring your passport photo (3x4 cm).

Breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to Siem Reap.

Arrival in Siem Reap greeted by your local guide. Transfer to your hotel, check in, then journey to the mother of all temples: Angkor Watt. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12^th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at the Angkor complex. 6:30 PM welcome dinner and Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant. Back to hotel to catch up on some rest in preparation for tomorrow.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, entrance fee, domestic flight ticket, breakfast, dinner, hotel.

Today at 8:30 AM we hop on our bikes to explore the Angkor’s World Heritage and splendid temples.

You visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom, Angkor Thom, South Gate, Bayon Temple, and Baphuon Temple. Also included today are visits to the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

We then continue on to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of the enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Bear witness to some of the measures being taken to preserve the temple while at the same time allowing nature reclaim the area.

Enjoy our one hour foot massage before transfer back to your hotel at around 6:30 PM.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, entrance fee, one hour foot massage, breakfast, hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel then 8:00 AM we start the day with a visit to Banteay Srei: nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its small stature, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carvings. Next is Banteay Samre’s rose-coloured sandstone walls decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs.

Finally, we visit Artisan d’Angkor and a local silk farm. Tour of the classes and workshops to get a glimpse into the unique vocational training programs teaching young artists the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian artistry.

Transfer and catch your afternoon flight from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang. Airport pick upon arrival.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, hotel.

Morning at your own leisure then in the afternoon at around 1:30 PM, meet with your local guide for a city tour to visit the tranquil and charming town of Luang Prabang.

Visit the National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, the impressive Stupa of Watt Visoun and the shrine of Watt Aham at Watt Mai. Next, we ascent up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa with a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong river

From there we explore the night market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local Hmong people. Back to the hotel, free time to relax, dinner and retire for the night.

Inclusion:  Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, hotel.

Today we leave hotel at 8:00 AM and enjoy a short-guided tour with visits to the city’s oldest temples: Watt Sene and the magnificent Watt Xiengthong. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, offering us breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside. Our destination is the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. A set of two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims.

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where local rice wine is produced. On the way back, we take a short drive to another small village, Ban Phanom, which has become famous for its hand weaving. Stay overnight at your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fees, hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight you may have some more time for shopping. Then we transfer you to the airport for your flight home. Farewell, and hope to see you again soon!

Inclusion: Transfer, breakfast.