Crossing Cambodia to Vietnam

Breakfast at the hotel – This morning, we will explore wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, then continue to Preah Khan was built in 1191 during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. He was a warrior king celebrated for reconstructing the Khmer Empire after a period of fragmentation. Jayavarman first made a name for himself in 1165, when news of a rebellion reached his ears. Rushing home from the Cham Kingdom, where he resided, he arrived too late to stop the usurper Tribhuvanadityavarman from crowning himself King of the Khmers. Afternoon, we will visit the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Later this afternoon, we will complete our temple tours to the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with Colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple.

Breakfast at hotel, Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends.

Afternoon, we will drive to the floating village of Kampong Phluk, where you will take the boat to visit the way of life Cambodian poor people along with schools, restaurants, hospitals and much more floating on the great lake of Tonle sap. You many even see enterprising children floating in buckets selling soft drinks and floating pig pen. Early evening, you will be taken by Tuk Tuk, a small open-sided taxi common in Cambodia, to cruise around the suburb of Siem Reap town and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey.

Morning free to do your own exploring.

Afternoon, your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight. On arrival, you will be picked up and taken you the hotel. Late afternoon will enjoy Sunset Cruise on the Mekong River. Short river cruises and sunset cruises along the Phnom Penh riverfront are easy to arrange and offer an interesting view of the city.

Begin your half-day tour with a visit to the Royal Palace overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Built in 1866 by King Norodom, the palace is now home to the reigning monarch. Within the palace grounds you will find the Silver Pagoda, its floor covered by 5,000 silver tiles each weighing 1kg. But that’s not all, there is a beautiful emerald and crystal Buddha sitting on top of a gilded pedestal, and life-sized Buddha made from solid gold weighing 90kgs and encrusted with 9,584 diamonds, the largest weighing in at 25 carats!

Next you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against both their political enemies and many thousands of everyday Cambodians. In 1975 this former high school was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and converted into Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest detention and torture centre in the country. Please note that the images on display are quite graphic and unsettling.

End you day on a lighter note at the city’s art deco inspired Central Market. This main market sells everything from fresh fish to flowers. You can buy gold jewellery, precious gems, silk, t-shirts, souvenirs and more!

After breakfast, you will board a speedboat for the 5-hour journey (depart approx 01:30pm) to Chau Doc. On arrival,you will meet the Vietnamese guide and transfer to the hotel. The rest of day will be your own for strolling the city.

Today, you take a walk around the town and see the bustling local market, then continue to Sam Mountain with its breathtaking views over the rice paddies to the Cambodian border. Transfer to visit Tra Su forest: the 850-hectare Tra Su Forest is an ecosystem of cajuput trees that line dusty dirt paths and a flooded mangrove forest that is a stunning backdrop for the paradisiacal park’s plants and animals. Home to 140 types of flora, 70 species of birds, 11 types of animals, 25 species of reptiles, and 23 kinds of fish, the forest is a nature lover’s dream. We explore the area on a day trip in what turns out to be one of our most magical destinations in all of the Mekong Delta. Late afternoon, you will then be transferred to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho city.

This morning we make an early rise to be captivated by Vietnam’s most legendary floating markets, ‘Cai Rang’. We board our boat and commence our journey along the Mekong River, observing ‘true life on the river’, the hustle and bustle of families carrying out their morning chores and the locals heading our way to the markets to pick up their daily supplies.

We weave in and out of the masses of floating boats selling all kinds of fascinating wares and produce and side with them to test our skills in bargaining, ‘the local way’, picking up some amazing fresh fruits to snack on whilst we sit and observe. A short stop to visit rice husking mill and walk around the village. See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Disembark at Ninh Kieu and transfer back to HCMC. On the way, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is one of Vietnamese popular destinations. Finish tour at your hotel.

This morning, we will visit the former Vietcong tunnels 25 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival the visit starts with a short video documentary before spending the next couple of hours exploring the Ben Dinh section of the tunnels where you will learn more about the history and the incredible tenacity and ingenuity of the Cu Chi inhabitants. The more adventurous you will have the opportunity to crawl through the tunnels and to fire off some rounds from AK47 or M16 assault riffles at the shooting range.

Taste typical boiled tapioca and hot tea before return to Ho Chi Minh for a late lunch, and then enjoy a tour of the highlights of the city. You will begin with a visit to the Reunification Palace, a 1960s award-winning building that was the South Vietnamese Presidential Palace and headquarters for the Saigon Government during the Vietnam/American War. Now preserved as a museum, the tour will also include the underground communications bunkers. Continue to the History Museum, housing an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese.

You will then visit the 19th century Post Office and the ‘Hotel de Ville’ or City Hall. End of the day with walking along Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as Rue Catinat, which has some excellent shopping.

After breakfast, you will be free until our driver arrives to take you back to the airport for a flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by tour guide and driver and transferred to the hotel in Hoi An. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, you will this charming town on foot with several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice.

Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tam Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. After that, taking in the stunning riverside scenery along the Thu Bon River.

Day at leisure. Take a short boat trip to visit local handicraft villages or experience a cooking class in a beautiful villa on the banks of the river, relax on the beach or take advantage of the many tailor shops.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Tonight your guide will take you on a culinary adventure, sampling street food in the Old Quarter. It’s a great opportunity to try all those weird and wonderful foods you see but just aren’t sure what they are! Start your Hanoi Street Eats tour at Bia Hoi corner to try the local brew, a draft beer that traces its roots to Eastern Europe. Do as the locals do and pull up a stool and enjoy a drink while watching the world go by.

Continue through the old quarter’s narrow streets as your guide points out a range of tasty noodles, breads and snacks. At night the sidewalks are packed with locals perched on stools, amongst sizzling woks and bubbling pots. These small pop up restaurants are a nightly feature that all but disappear during the day. Sit down and enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers. End the night with dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour.

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage area of Halong Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery of Halong Bay where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes and surrounded by colorful floating villages is a truly a breathtaking destination.

Following breakfast, you will leave Hanoi for a 3 hr 30 mins drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at your jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome on board, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, you will explore the bay by kayak as you discover sea caves and secluded bays. Visit a local fish farm and dine on fresh seafood before retiring to your cabin for the night.

Enjoy a new day with complimentary tea and coffee served for light breakfast on board. Then you’ll have free time while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, free time at your own leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight departure.