Indochina Explorer
Highlights Tour from Hanoi to Siem Reap
Highlights
Itinerary
Welcome to Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Known for its centuries old architecture and delectable cuisine, Hanoi is not only rich in history and culture, but also a buzzing city and a connecting hub to other parts of the country and region. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai), you will be transferred to your hotel and relax before taking a tour of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, West Lake and the Temple of Literature. At the end of the tour, enjoy a live performance at Hanoi’s unique water puppet theater. Dinner and overnight will be in Hanoi.
(L, D)
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel to go to Cat Hai Harbor, where you will embark on a two day cruise trip to Ha Long Bay. Enjoy your lunch on board, then take a bamboo boat ride to visit a cave and go swimming afterward. Back to your cruise, you can relax at the bar while watching the sunset or book a massage and spa session on board. In the evening, have dinner on the cruise in the middle of the bay and experience squid fishing afterwards. You will spend the night on board.
(B, L, D)
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Hue
Start the day with a Tai Chi session followed by a hearty breakfast. Today you can explore the bay by kayak and visit a fishing village. Back on board from the morning excursion, you can watch a cooking demonstration by the cruise chefs before enjoying a lunch buffet. In the meantime, the boat will head back to the harbor where you will disembark and be transferred to Hanoi airport to fly to Hue. Upon your arrival at Hue, our driver will take you to your hotel in the city center.
(B,L)
Hue City Tour
After breakfast, start your day with a cyclo city tour. You will visit the Imperial Citadel, Tinh Tam Lake, and other attractions of Hue. Have a short lunch break before taking a boat trip on the Perfume River with a stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Ming Mang Tomb. After the boat trip, your driver and guide will take you to visit the Tu Duc tomb on the way back to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
(B, L)
Hue – Hoi An
Leave Hue in the morning and enjoy your private car ride over the scenic Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach to Hoi An, where you will check in to your hotel. Take a lunch break before going on a tour of Hoi An in the afternoon. Your guide will walk you through the Hoi An Museum, old houses, Chinese boardrooms, various craft shops and the Japanese Bridge. Afterwards, visit a lantern workshop where you will learn about the traditional art of making lanterns and have a chance to create one of your own. After the tour, you will be taken back to the hotel and spend the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
(B, L)
Hoi An Leisure
Today is your free day in Hoi An. You can relax on the beach, enjoy the sun and the sea, or explore Hoi An by foot or by bike, visit its numerous restaurants, cafes, and cute shops. If you wish, a cooking class can be arranged. In the evening, we recommend you stroll through the old town and take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River. Don’t forget to visit the night market, where you can taste authentic local specialities. You will spend the night in Hoi An.
(B)
Hoi An– Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will take a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Upon your arrival, your local driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel to check in and get ready for your afternoon sightseeing tour. You will visit the War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Thien Hau Pagoda. After the tour, return to your hotel and spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B, L)
Cu Chi Tunnels
Today you will take a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels - an extensive network of underground tunnels used in the Vietnam War. You will learn about the history of the tunnels and will have a chance to actually traverse and navigate through them. Afterwards, have some typical wartime food with hot tea before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
(B, L)
Day Trip to the Mekong Delta
After breakfast, you will head to Mekong Delta by car. Once there, board a motorboat to get to the floating market. Then transfer to a small rowboat to cruise through the small channels until you arrive at a large orchard, where many fresh local fruits are available for you to taste. You will also get to sample coconut sweets, crispy rice cakes, and see unique pottery products made by the locals. Continue on with a cooking class on the island of Tan Phong and enjoy your homemade meal in a garden overlooking the river. Afterwards, you can bike through a village to visit some rural shops, or alternatively, just relax in a hammock. After the tour, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City to rest and spend the night there.
(B, L)
Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap
After breakfast, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport to fly to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free. You will spend the night in Siem Reap.
(B)
Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake
Today you will explore Siem Reap and Tonle Sap Lake. You will visit Artisans D 'Angkor, an artisan workshop that provides job opportunities for young people in rural areas while reviving traditional Khmer craftsmanship. Here you will have the opportunity to observe the craftsmen at work. Leaving Artisan D’Angkor, you will be heading to Tonle Sap Lake to visit a floating village. Take a boat trip to see floating houses, floating schools, floating markets, and fish farms including a crocodile farm. Return to Siem Reap after the tour to spend the night.
(B, L, D)
Siem Reap - Remote Temples
Today, you will explore a group of temples outside the main Angkor Archaeology Park. About 8 miles (12 km) east of Siem Reap is what’s left of the ancient city Hariharalaya, the first Angkor capital, which flourished in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. All that remains today of the city are the ruins of several oldest Angkor royal temples, including Lo Lei, Preah Koh and Bakhong temples, each with its unique and interesting characteristic, which you will get to experience in person today. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Banteay Srei, a 10th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva and considered the birthplace of Khmer architecture, to admire its beautifully preserved red sandstone walls and strikingly intricate decorative carvings. On the way back to Siem Reap, visit the Banteay Samre temple, which is adorned with impressive relics depicting scenes of Vishnu and Krishna legends. You will spend the night in Siem Reap.
(B, L, D)
Siem Reap - Angkor Temple
Start early today, at 7AM, to explore the famous Angkor Archaeology Park. You will first visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, which has almost disappeared and overgrown by the jungle. The magnificent tree roots crawling over and swallowing the huge stone blocks of the temple will surely be a sight to be remembered. But be prepared for even more mesmerizing sights at your next stop - Angkor Wat - the majestic world's largest religion monument and the jewel of all Angkor temples. At lunchtime, you will be served in a local restaurant inside the archaeology park. After lunch, continue on to explore the ancient royal capital city of Angkor Thom and the Bayon temple with its hundreds of giant smiling stone faces peering at you. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Siem Reap to spend the night.
(B, L, D)
Siem Reap Departure
Today, after breakfast, you will go to the airport and fly home.
(B)
Route
From Hanoi we go via Ho Chi Minh to Cambodia
Destination
Cambodia, VietnamDeparture
Hanoi / Siem ReapDeparture Time
dailyIncluded
Accommodation as described in programDomestic flightsEnglish speaking private tour guideEntrance fees & excursions as per tour programMeals as specified in tour program (B,L,D)Mineral water during excursionsprivate transfer in air conditioned carTravel insuranceNot Included
Intl. flightsVisa feesOptional
Additional tours & activitiesprivate tour guide in other languages on request