Trip Highlights

• Day 1: Arrival In Hanoi    
• Day 2: Hanoi Highlights  
• Day 3: Hanoi- Halong Bay Cruise   
• Day 4: Halong Bay- Hanoi Departure- Luang Prabang   
• Day 5: Luang Prabang- Pak Ou Caves- Ban Xang Hai        
• Day 6: Luang prabang- Khouang Si Waterfalls   
• Day 7: Elephant Village Discovery- Ethnic Fashion Show  
• Day 8: Luang Prabang- Vientiane  
• Day 9: Vientiane Highlights- Siem Reap   
• Day 10: Explore The Secrets Of Angkor      
• Day 11: Tonle Sap Lake- Banteay Srei 
• Day 12: Siem Reap- Ho Chi Minh City  
• Day 13: Ho Chi Minh Highlights-Cu Chi Tunnels  
• Day 14: Ho Chi Minh Departure

Day 1: Arrival In Hanoi    

Welcome to Vietnam, the Land of the Ascending Dragon. Upon arrival to Hanoi, your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own. An irresistible balance of big city and cultural charm, this lively city is the heart and soul of Vietnam.

Day 2: Hanoi Highlights  

After breakfast, you will enjoy a lovely morning touring around Hanoi city. You will begin with a visit to The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and Museum. Then, you will discover the One Pillar Pagoda, a temple which rises from the centre of one pillar and is said to be have been built in the shape of a lotus. Finish your day with a stroll around the Fine Arts Museum; showcasing pieces from a range of historical periods.

Following a delicious local lunch, your afternoon will be spent at the fascinating Ethnologic Museum, where you can learn a bit about the many different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. After this, you'll be taken to visit the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake, where you will learn about the interesting mythology that surrounds it. Today’s tour ends with a special tour where you may discover the picturesque Old Quarter by cyclo or rickshaw.Return to your hotel to freshen up and relax. This evening, enjoy a cultural treat! You will be attending a famous Water Puppet Show at the theatre.

Day 3: Hanoi- Halong Bay Cruise           

Today, you will be whisked away early in the morning to Halong Bay where you will board your Bhaya Cruise!  Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking day-long journey. After a brief check-in and orientation, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as we set sail into the mystical Halong Bay.

You will be given a buffet lunch as the boat cruises southeast, passing by Trong Mai Islet and Titov Island. You will then transfer to a small local sampan boat to discover the floating village of Vung Vieng. Once returning to the ship, if weather permits, you will be given kayaks to further explore the surrounding area.

Next, you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. The bar opens at 17:30 with a “buy one get one free” happy hour. A set menu dinner will be served in the restaurant. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, watch a movie in the restaurant, or enjoy a 30% discount at the bar. Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay.

Day 4: Halong Bay- Hanoi Departure- Luang Prabang    

Today, you will begin your early morning with some spiritual and relaxing Tai Chi on the sundeck. Complimentary tea and coffee will be served as your ship cruises through the mysterious and majestic caves of Trong, Trinh Nu, Me Cung, and Sung Sot, along with the islet of Coc Ngoi.

A buffet brunch will be served on board as the ship cruises back towards the harbour. You will disembark at Tuan Chau Marina where you will be transferred back to the airport to continue your journey onto Luang Prabang, a sleepy blend of red-roofed Buddhist temples and French-colonial architecture nestled in the lofty green mountains. Upon arrival, a friendly local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to soak in the mystique of this former mountain kingdom.

Day 5: Luang Prabang- Pak Ou Caves- Ban Xang Hai   

This morning, your journey of discovery begins with a serene cruise down the Mekong, idling past scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular mountain scenery until you reach the Pak Ou Caves. Nestled among the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and and Nam OU rivers meet, the caves are split into two: one called Tham Ting; and the other Tham Theung. Both are filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over the centuries.

A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves, we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai, which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays, the village also specialises in producing a wide range of ‘Lao Lao’ whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head back down to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

After your trip to the caves, enjoy private tour of the city, calling in at Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang’s stunning Golden City Temple, Wat Aham, with its depictions of Buddha’s life painted on the walls, and the Royal Palace Museum, where you’ll have the chance to learn more about Lao history and culture. In the evening, you’re free to relax, or do a little exploring on your own.  

Day 6: Luang prabang- Khouang Si Waterfalls   

You’ll start the day by observing the early-morning alms ritual of the saffron-robed monks that call this city home, perhaps even receiving a blessing. After breakfast at your hotel, you will head to explore more of Laos’ natural beauty at the stunning Khouang Si Waterfalls. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a variety of Lao Minority Group villages, learning about their unique traditions and cultures, experiencing a totally different way of life. Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, or venture out on your own.

Day 7: Elephant Village Discovery & Ethnic Fashion Show  

After breakfast in your hotel, your guide will drive you to the Elephant Village outside of town. Laos isn’t called the Land of One Million Elephants for no reason; and while there sadly aren’t as many animals as was once the case, they can still be seen here. Upon arrival at the village, you’ll be welcomed by the camp manager before participating in a quick briefing. Next it’s time to tick something off the bucket list! Enjoy an hour-long elephant ride on a Howdah (elephant seat), after which you’ll take a return boat trip to the Sae Waterfall and, if you would like, spend some time swimming in the crystal-clear water at its base. Once you return to the Elephant Village, you’ll sit down to a local lunch and relax before driving back to Luang Prabang.

Spend the evening enjoying an Ethnic Fashion Show, in which twenty Lao models parade down the catwalk in 95 different outfits, many with intricate designs, including traditional wear and ceremonial outfits from the different ethnicities. THe last segment includes a collection by Phaeng Mai Gallery (Laos’ top silk designer). The remainder of the evening is yours to relax in your hotel.

Day 8: Luang Prabang- Vientiane  

This morning can be spent at your leisure, until your tour guide collects you and takes you to the airport for your flight to Vientiane, a charming backwater capital of smiling locals and steaming noodle stalls. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to soak in the city’s rich delights.

Day 9: Vientiane Highlights- Siem Reap   

After breakfast at your hotel, your journey of discovery starts with a fantastic city tour, beginning with the fascinating National Museum, where you’ll have a chance to gain a foundation understanding of Lao history that will help you get the best of the sights you’ll see later on the trip. After the museum, it’s on to Wat Sisaket, the oldest wat (temple) in Vientiane serving as home to a host of gorgeous murals and a beautifully ornate ceiling. The final stop of the morning is Wat Prakeo, housing some of the country’s finest sculptures.

After lunch, you’ll be driven the short journey northeast of the city to Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos. This beautiful golden temple sits at the centre of a high-walled  cloister with tiny windows and is said to enclose a piece of Buddha’s breastbone. After the Lao national icon, you’ll call in on a more recent monument, erected after Laos claimed independence from France, as you make your way back to the city. You’ll round off the day with a trip to Wat Si Muang, famed for its supernatural powers.This evening, you will be whisked away on a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the enigmatic jungle temples of Angkor. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to explore this quaint yet bustling town, a hidden gem of word-class wining and dining, kind locals, and charming markets.

Day 10: Explore The Secrets Of Angkor

After breakfast at your hotel, your awe-inspiring tour of Angkor begins. Entering through the grand South Gate, you’ll explore Angkor Thom, the last capital of the once great Khmer Empire, with the 216 enigmatic faces of The Bayon at its centre. Still within the ancient city walls, you’ll marvel at the view from the summit of Baphuon, the enormous temple mountain, affording unspoiled views over the surrounding ruins. You’ll round off the morning poring over the intricate bas-relief of the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King, before having lunch at a local restaurant. Next, you will witness the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Angkor Wat, in all its glory. This incredible twelfth century monument stands testament to the dedication and skill of the ancient Khmer people and is truly a wonder of the world.

In the afternoon, you’ll venture deeper into the jungle to the crumbling ruins of Ta Prohm. Here you’ll witness the monstrous jungle vines and sprawling tree roots that seem intent on claiming the ruins as their own. We cap off our day of adventuring with a delicious welcome dinner at a traditional Apsara dance performance at Angkor Village Resort.

Day 11: Tonle Sap Lake- Banteay Srei

After breakfast you’ll head for the Tonlé Sap, dominating the map of Cambodia as the largest freshwater lake in southeast asia. While here, you’ll observe life on the lake for the fishermen and their families who make their homes on the stilt-housing in the water. Once back on dry land, you’ll have the chance to stroll through Psar Chas, a bustling old market, where you’ll find your pick of souvenirs to treat loved-ones back at home.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll savour the remote peace of Banteay Srei, or the ‘Citadel of Beauty,’ some 20 km away. This less-frequented woodland temple is beautifully preserved and is incomparable with any other in Angkor. En route to your hotel, we stop at a rural Khmer village to give you insight into the everyday lives of the friendly local people. The evening is yours to explore Siem Reap some more.

Day 12: Siem Reap- Ho Chi Minh City  

Enjoy your last morning in Siem Reap, possibly wandering around a local market or sampling some fine Khmer cuisine.Now it’s time to go the airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel for check-in. Experience Ho Chi Minh City with its pulsating energy and fascinating culture! This dazzling city boasts French colonial charm from its architecture to its food. A chaotic whirlwind of traffic and disarray, visitors cannot help but be captivated from this region from moment they arrive. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and do a little exploring on your own.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh Highlights- Cu Chi Tunnels  

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your day with a fascinating tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast network of tunnels made by the Viet Cong during the war. These mysterious tunnels functioned as underground cities, complete with living quarters, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens and supply routes. On the way back to the city, you will join a traditional Vietnamese cooking class, including a charming trip to a local market where you can pick your own ingredients. At the end of the lesson, you may sit down to enjoy your delicious meal!

After lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh and enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing, which will include admiring the architecture of the Central Post Office, a taste of a local marketplace at the Binh Tay Market, learning more about the wars of Vietnam and their effects on the country at the War Remnants Museum and finally visiting the impressive French colonial-style City Hall. The evening is yours to explore the city and sample some of the world's favourite food.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh Departure  

This morning is your last chance to wander around the city and soak up the thriving atmosphere.When the time comes, your guide will take you to the airport to continue your onward journey. Vietnam is a unique cultural experience and hopefully you will have a newfound appreciation for this incredible country and it's people.
End of tour services!