After breakfast, drive to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometers constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale.

Overnight in Saigon.

After breakfast, we leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Arrive in Cai Be at around 11:00 AM and start our tour of the delta with a private cruise to visit Cai Be floating market, passing by a beautiful cathedral. Proceed to local cottage industries, home factories to see how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the longan fruit drying process. Sail along some of the Mekong’s innumerable branches and creeks and visit local orchards and an ancient house over 170 years old built by the French. Then cross Tien Giang River, one of the two large “arms” of the Mekong, by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Your driver will be waiting for you on the other side of the river to take you on a 45 minute journey to the largest city in the Mekong: Can Tho, a buzzing town with a lively waterfront and a colorful mix of narrow back streets that make for some rewarding exploration. Rest of the day, you are at leisure.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorboat. Experience the daily life of the Mekong River Delta as vendors from around the region gather to sell fresh fruits, local delicacies and handmade goods. Proceed your discovery of the region with a tour of the cottage industries to see people making coconut candies and rice paper.

Continue to Chau Doc where a sunset journey up Sam Mountain provides sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. We visit Lady Xu and Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple if time permits.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

After breakfast, we transfer to boat pier for departure to Phnom Penh by speedboat (leave 7:00am arrive Phnom Penh around 12:00). Meet our guide & driver and transfer to the hotel.

After check in, we visit to Choeung Ek Killing Field sit just outside Phnom Penh, the best known of the “killing fields” where the Khmer Rouge executed over a million innocent Cambodians. A memorial stupa contains the skulls of around 8,000 victims; bracelets decorate killing sites; and a museum documents the atrocities.
Continue our visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum, the memorial site of the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, it preserves a tragic period in history with the aim to encourage visitors to be messengers of peace.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's vibrant capital city, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and architectural marvels. A Phnom Penh city tour allows you to delve into the city's heart, exploring its iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and vibrant local life.

Morning Delights:

• Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda: Be mesmerized by the grandeur of the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Cambodian King. Marvel at the intricate architecture and learn about Cambodian royalty. Next door, explore the Silver Pagoda, adorned with a gleaming silver floor and housing priceless Buddha statues.
• National Museum: Immerse yourself in Cambodian history and art at the National Museum. Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing artifacts from the Angkor era and other periods, providing insights into the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia.

Afternoon Exploration:

• Central Market (Phsar Thmey): Indulge in your senses at the bustling Central Market, a shopper's paradise. Wander through the labyrinthine alleys filled with stalls overflowing with local crafts, souvenirs, clothing, and Cambodian delicacies. Be sure to try your bargaining skills!
• Next, we head to visit Wat Phnom: Ascend the scenic Phnom Penh Hill, where Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple with a long history, sits atop. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and experience the tranquillity of the temple grounds.
• We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Today we travel by road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On route you will have a chance to stop on the way to take photo and witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to/from school.

We may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spider vile’ due to the deep-fried tarantula that is the local delicacy, are you adventurous enough to try one?

Arrive in Kampong Thom, we visit Sambor Prei Kuk, which is dotted with hundred Pre-Angkor styled temples. The site, part of the Chenla Kingdom, includes an area of nearly 1000 acres enclosed by double walls, and hundreds of temples and towers; its construction predates Angkor Wat by several centuries. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery, with a mixture of temples and forest makes the hardship all worthwhile.

On route you may wish to stop off in Kampong Kdei, to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge.
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will check-in to your hotel after which you are free at leisure for the rest of the evening.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February and March.

After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

Next destination will be the Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's ``floating village`` with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the ``village`` move from place to place following water levels and current. We will go to local pagoda, where you should change to clothes, we can get wet in as here we will experience the ceremony “Srouch Teok”, which roughly translates into “Water blessing”. A monk will chant in ancient Pali as he splashes water over us, washing away our sins and bad luck so we can start fresh and by being a good person can increase our good luck.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang, we met our driver and transfer to hotel for check in.

Overnight at Luang Prabang.

We embark on a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to see the production of and to sample the local rice wine. Upon leaving this village we pass through stunning mountain landscape to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These two linked caves are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers.

Then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

Breakfast, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. We enjoy a short tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art. Later we’ll visit the impressive Wat Visoun, the oldest temple that houses many Buddha images. Next is Wat Aham, the ‘Monastery of the Blossomed Heart’ exudes serenity, and Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in this city.

Transfer to Luang Prabang airport for departure to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, met our guide and transfer to hotel for check in.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi is a green city with its stylish French villas; it still exudes that old French charm and style. Its tree-lined boulevards, romantic lakes and French architecture allow us to step back in time to a quieter, more relaxed Vietnam. We visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and Ho’s simple, yet impressive house on stilts, set in beautiful gardens. Then we view the One Pillar Pagoda and the ancient Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. In the afternoon we visit the Ethnological Museum, one of the most interesting in Hanoi and then take an hour cyclo tour to discover the heart of Hanoi – the bustling Old Quarter – where the narrow streets buzz and bustle with the life of city. It is a shopper’s delight, with beautiful silks, linen, and Vietnamese artifacts. To finish off the day, we attend the performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppetry.

Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning, we leave Hanoi by road for Ha Long Bay by shuttle bus from the cruise, enjoying the timeless scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and daily life of the countryside. On arrival in Ha Long, we board a beautifully appointed wooden junk. A seafood lunch will be served as we cruise among the hundreds of islets in the Bay. Our cruise takes us to Sung Sot cave to witness a splendid sunset.

Overnight on boat.

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. We continue exploring magnificent Ha Long Bay. Change to a small motor or rowing boat to see the floating village. When we return to the junk, a sumptuous meal, combining Vietnamese and Western cuisine will be served. On leaving the cruise, we depart back to Hanoi by shuttle bus from the cruise.

Overnight at Hotel in Hanoi.

Transfer to Hanoi airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.