Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery

Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam

Our Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery tour will begin in Hanoi, a city whose history is almost tangible. From its colonial buildings to its Buddhist temples and ultra-modern skyscrapers, you cant fail to be captivated by the Vietnamese capitals intoxicating blend of old and new. This evening, well get to know the group over our first taste of local cuisine at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that gives disadvantaged young people the chance to learn cooking and hospitality skills.

Day 2 Hanoi

This morning well visit the impressive, marble-clad Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the picturesque pagoda complex of the Temple of Literature. After lunch, well take to three wheels (that is, traditional Vietnamese cyclos) and embark on a leisurely tour of the French colonial architecture in Hanois Old Quarter. And this afternoon? Well meet a family that produces traditional papier-mch masks and hear of their efforts to preserve their colourful craft for future generations to enjoy. After transferring back to the hotel, the evening will be yours to spend as you please.

Day 3 Hanoi – Halong Bay

After one more breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi, well make tracks to one of Vietnams most unforgettable World Heritage centres: the spectacular Halong Bay, where a traditional junk boat cruise awaits us. From towering limestone karsts topped with rainforest to intricate caves brimming with stalagmites and stalactites, the day will see us exploring some of the bays most picturesque nooks and crannies.* Later on, well round off the evening in style: with a dinner under the stars on board the boat.
*Please note: Our exact cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on season and weather conditions.

Day 4 Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An

Tea, coffee and pastries will be available to snack on before we begin the days activities. After seeing some more of Halong Bays enchanting sights, well make our way to Halong City, where well transfer to the airport for the next leg of our tour. After a brief stop in Da Nang, well move on to the final destination of the day: the beguiling city of Hoi An.

Day 5 Hoi An

This morning will be yours to spend at your leisure before we gather together for a walking tour of Hoi Ans atmospheric Old Town. After exploring the areas Japanese Covered Bridge, fascinating museums and historic assembly halls, well take some time to try the local street food including Vietnamese baguettes, cao lau noodles and a Hoi An specialty: chicken rice. Be sure to save some room though; you wont want to miss out on tonights included dinner.

Day 6 Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City

Today our journey will take us to vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where well hit the ground running on an afternoon tour of the largest Chinatown district in Vietnam. After stopping off at the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Independence Palace, well visit a craft beer brewery where, following a tour, well have the chance to raise a glass (or two). Thirsts quenched, well return to the hotel for some well-earned rest and relaxation time.

Day 7 Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, its time to roll up your sleeves: a cooking class at KOTO restaurant is on the agenda! During the class, a talented local chef will let us in on the secrets behind some authentic local recipes before encouraging us to try them out for ourselves. This afternoon, youll have some free time to explore the city or unwind at the hotel before tomorrows flight to Cambodia.

Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh

Mesmerising Phnom Penh is next. After touching down in Cambodias bustling capital, well transfer to our hotel on the edge of the citys vibrant art district where youll be free to pull up a sun lounger at the pool or savour a glass of wine at the rooftop bar.

Day 9 Phnom Penh

After tucking into breakfast, our first order of business will be a Phnom Penh city tour. Well pay a morning visit to the magnificent Royal Palace and extravagant Silver Pagoda before moving on to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields: a sobering and poignant reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. Well then stop off at the Art Deco-styled Central Market before transferring back to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure time.

Day 10 Phnom Penh – Tonle Sap Lake – Siem Reap

After a short drive to the edge of Tonl Sap Lake (the largest lake in Southeast Asia), well continue our journey to Siem Reap: the gateway to Cambodias world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

Day 11 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Siem Reap

Prepare to make some lifelong memories today: were off to explore the otherworldly temples of Angkor Wat with a leading stone conservation expert, wholl uncover the mysteries behind how the sites remarkable religious structures were carved and designed. After lunch, well move on to the delightfully overgrown Ta Prohm temple an atmospheric ruin filled with crumbling towers and wayward jungle tree roots. Our final evening together in this bewitching area will be spent aboard a magical sunset cruise along the moat of Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer empire.

Day 12 Siem Reap

After breakfast, we will say farewell and go our separate ways.