ESSENTIAL VIETNAM & SIEM REAP IN 19 DAYS

Day 1: Arrival – Ha Noi

Our driver will meet you in Ha Noi and transfer you to your hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi. After check in you will have free time to take a rest or start exploring the area around the hotel and take a walk around the famous Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Ha Noi City Tour – Sa pa (B/L)

0800h: Guide will meet you at your hotel & you will depart to visit:

Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum.

Next stop is a visit to the Temple of Literature.

1200h: A delicious set menu lunch will be provided for you in a local restaurant.

1300h: Your tour recommences with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology which is widely acknowledged as the best in Vietnam and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples.

Then it is on to the Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake

The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses and street vendors, selling a wide variety of goods. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ were related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street and you will enjoy exploring the area while riding in a traditional cyclo.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

1700h: Back to your hotel

2030h: your driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Hanoi railway station where you board an evening train to Lao Cai.

Overnight on train in soft sleeper cabin.

Day 3: Lao Chai – Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Ta Van (B/L/D)

0600h: Arrive at Lao Cai railway station where you will be met and transferred by shuttle bus to the township of Sapa which takes approx one hour.

0800h: After breakfast, a morning shower and leaving your main luggage at the hotel, we will walk from Sapa towards Muong Hoa valley. Here you will discover the wonderful scenery of the Hoang Lien mountain range and meet people of the Black H’mong tribes before Trekking through terraced rice paddies and minority villages along the Muong Hoa River.

We then cross the suspension bridge towards the Zay village, arriving at Ta Van, where we have dinner cooked on a wood fire and enjoy the hospitality of a local Zay family.

Overnight in Home stay accommodation.

Day 4: Ta Van Village – Lao Chai – Ha Noi (B/L/D)

Enjoy views of the magnificent landscape with your sunrise coffee and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Once we have said our goodbyes, we will set off to trek through bamboo forests towards Giang Ta Chai waterfall, cross over a rattan suspension bridge and enter Giang Ta Chai village which is inhabited by the Red Zao minorities.

Here we will experience daily life before crossing over Muong Hoa River up walk up the mountain to visit Supan village, the home of the H’mong people. We then board the bus back to Sapa where you can take shower in the hotel and have dinner before transferring to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Ha Noi.

2115h: Train departs. Overnight is in a soft sleeper cabin on board the train.

Day 5: Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

0500h: Arrive at Hanoi train station and transfer to the hotel where you can have a shower and enjoy breakfast.

0745h-0830h: Your transport will pick you up at your hotel and you will depart for |Ha Long Bay. You will stop for a short break at the Humanity center situated approximately half way on to the bay and enjoy local specialties.

12.00: Arrive Ha Long Bay and transfer by tender to your luxury Junk where the captain will welcome you on board the boat.

A delicious lunch will be served for you as the boat passes through many of the thousands of islands and islets within Ha Long Bay.

1530h: You will have the opportunity to explore what is commonly thought to be the biggest and most amazing cave in Halong Bay, the Surprise Cave.

1700h: Kayaking for an hour around the fishing village and observe the daily life of the local community there. Then back to boat for Sunset Party.

1930h: Enjoy a dinner of local or western food and spend a romantic night on board the Junk.

Day 6: Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi – Hue (B/L)

Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations.

Cruise check-out and transfer to Hanoi

1700h: Arrive Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi airport to board flight to Hue.

Arrive Hue and transfer to your hotel for check in.

Day 7: Hue City day tour  (B/L)

0800h: Your day of discovering the wonders of Hue will begin when your English speaking meets you at the Hotel.

As part of your Hue city tour you will visit the impressive complex of the Imperial Citadel. Built in the 19th Century and surrounded by high stone walls and moat, the Citadel was once the exclusive home of the Nguyen Imperial Family. It is similar to the famous Forbidden City in Beijing and is not to be missed.

1200h: A delicious set menu lunch will be served at a local restaurant and after lunch you will take a cruise on the famous Perfume River and visit Tu Duc and Minh Mang tombs.

Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most beautifully designed tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. Embedded in a lush pine forest, the tomb is the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc (1848-83) who had the longest reign of all emperors of the Nguyen dynasty.

Return to your hotel at approximately 1630h.

Day 8: Hue – Hai Van Pass – Da Nang – Marble Mountains – Hoi An (B/L)

0830h: Your guide will meet you at the hotel and travel with you in an air conditioned private vehicle from Hue to Hoi An driving over Hai Van pass. The scenery from the top of Hai Van pass is spectacular and offers some great photo opportunities.

You will arrive in Da Nang at approximately 1130h and after having lunch at a local restaurant you will visit the Cham Sculpture Museum. Next stop will be at the Marble Mountains and Non Nuoc village where you will ride the new twin glass elevators to the main area for a visit before continuing onto Hoi An.

1400h: After checking into your hotel .

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An Ancient Town – Spa Treatment (B)

0900h: Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a two hour walking tour of Hoi An Old Town. Famous for it’s quant mixture of Chinese, Japanese and European architecture, the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. You will visit, the Japanese bridge built in the 16th century and famous for being the only covered bridge known to incorporate a Buddhist pagoda, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, museum of trade ceramics and several other historical sites.

You will then have free time to continue exploring the old town or continue shopping for those special items.

1600h: A taxi will come to pick you up at your hotel and take you to a nearby spa where you can select a 90min treatment from your package.

1730h: Taxi will take you back to your hotel where you can enjoy free time in the evening to relax or walk through old town at night.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 10: Hoi An Countryside – River Cruise – Free Day (B/L)

0830h: We will meet you at your hotel and depart on a Hoi An Backstreets & Village tour. The tour takes you by air conditioned vehicle down the quiet backstreets and through small villages where the locals live so you can see Vietnamese life up close.

Along the way we will take a break at a village café for a coffee, soft drink or a beer before getting on board a private boat at the nearby ferry terminal for a slow and enjoyable cruise on the Thu Bon River. At the end of the cruise you will arrive at a local restaurant on the banks of the river for a delicious set menu seafood lunch.

Arrive back to your hotel at 2 pm and enjoy free time for walking in town or shopping.

Overnight in Hoi An .

Day 11: Hoi An – Da Nang = Flight to  Ho Chi Minh (B)

Free time for you to finish your shopping or try on the new clothes you have had made. After you have checked out of your hotel we will transport you to the airport flight to Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi minh

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B/L)

Begin our urban experience in bustling HCMC , the country’s commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace , the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the moving War Remnants Museum.

Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street , the city’s main shopping boulevard with shops selling clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. The urban modern Ho Chi Minh City with its numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars.

Overnight in HCMC

Day 13: Cao Dai Temple And Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)

0800h: Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will drive to Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh. Cao Dai Temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion with the Divine Eye – official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. During your visit you will have the chance observe the midday service.

Following lunch it is another drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels.

Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War.

Overnight in HCMC.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh – My Tho – Can Tho / Mekong Delta (B/L)

0730h: Check out of your hotel and depart for My Tho where you will begin your cruise on the mighty Mekong River . Travelling through the green vegetation of the canals to a local orchard, where you will be treated to a delicious lunch in a restaurant in the heart of the Mekong complete with tropical fruits. There is also a visit to the Dong Tam snake farm where snakes are bred for snake wine and a variety of other uses. Visit VinhTrang pagoda, built in 1849 is a combination of Asian and European architecture before travelling to Can Tho city in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 15: Mekong – Ho Chi Minh(B/L)

0700h: After enjoying breakfast, your guide will take you by boat to the Cai Rang floating market which is one of the busiest floating markets in Mekong Delta. Be amazed by hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space to sell their goods and experience the Mekong rural lifestyle. After sampling local fruits, your guide will escort you back to the hotel through a myriad of interesting canals.

Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in HCMC.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap (B)

Free day until time to checked out of your hotel and transfer to the airport to board your flight to Siem Reap

Upon arrival at Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by your English speaking tour guide at the airport and then transfer to your hotel for check in.

Stay overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 17: Full Day Tour Of Siem Reap And Angkor Wat (B/L)

After breakfast, you will visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom or Great City which was the last city of the Khmer Empire. The site covers an area of 9 sq Kms and was occupied until the decline of the Khmer Kingdom and abandoned sometime prior to 1609.

Lunch at local restaurant

In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodia flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Also visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng Hills.

Stay overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

Day 18: Koh Ker Day Tour (B)

After an Early Breakfast, depart from Siem Reap and drive to Koh Ker which is approximately 130 km northeast of Siem Reap.

Abandoned to the forests of the north for centuries, Koh Ker, capital of the Angkorian Empire from 928 to 944, was long one of Cambodia’s most remote and inaccessible temple complexes. However, the opening of a toll road from Dam Dek (via Beng Mealea) puts Koh Ker within day-tripping distance of Siem Reap. Koh Ker is one of the least studied temple areas from the Angkorian period.

Prasat Krahom (Red Temple), named for the bricks from which it is constructed, was once known for its’ impressive carved Lions but unfortunately none of them remain. However, there’s still plenty of other carvings to see and impressive stone carvings grace lintels, doorposts and window columns.

Prasat Thom, the principal monument at Koh Ker, is a 55m-wide, 40m-high sandstone-faced pyramid with seven tiers. It is a striking structure which looks more Mayan than Khmer and offers spectacular views across the forest from its summit. Look out for the giant Garuda (half-man, half-bird creatures) under the collapsed chamber at the top of vertigo inducing stairs. Some 40 inscriptions, dating from 932 to 1010, have been found at Prasat Thom.

On the way back, visit Beng Mealea temple which has only recently opened to visitors and is still half immersed in the jungle. It is a large temple and thought to be a forerunner (blueprint) for Angkor Wat. It gives a sense for what the temples were like on their rediscovery by the French in the mid 19th century.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 19: Departure (B)

Free day for you until time to check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport or train station where your time with us will sadly come to an end.