Grand Indochina Classic, 18 days

Vietna-Cambocha-Caos

Day 1 - Sunday

Hanoi – Welcome to Vietnam

After going through immigration and luggage collection, you are greeted by your driver only and then escorted to your hotel in the city centre. Your hotel is ideally located in the Western part of the old quarter, the more authentic and quaint one. 

The rooms are available from 14.00 but it is possible to book an early check-in with a surcharge. Make yourself comfortable, and take the time to refresh and rest. In the late afternoon, gather with the rest of the group and meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Follow him on a short walk to a nearby bia hoi, the local street pub, the perfect spot to get acquainted with your travel companions while sipping a traditional beer of Hanoi. Dinner and the rest of the evening will be at leisure.

Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 45 minutes/ Hanoi Airport - Hotel: 25 km

Meal included:

None

Day 2 - Monday

Hanoi – urban micro-adventure

09:00 

This morning, meet your guide at 9.00 in the hotel lobby and get ready for an exciting walking adventure. A few kilometres to see some of the best things Hanoi has to offers: large tree-bordered avenues, narrow pathways, lively street markets, busy crossroads… you will also walk along the famous Hanoi railway and visit a reputable tea house to taste the traditional lotus tea. The morning ends with the visit of the Temple of Literature and a lunch at a very nice social enterprise restaurant.

Afternoon

After lunch, hop on an open-air electric buggy and go for a pleasant sightseeing ride. You will pass in front of the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, along the citadel and the most beautiful avenue of Hanoi, Phan Dinh Phung, before entering back the Old Quarter and driving across to the Hoan Kiem Lake. You will be back at the hotel in the mid-afternoon. Time to rest, refresh and eventually head out and keep exploring on your own. 

Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi

Meal included:

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 3 - Tuesday

Hanoi – Halong Bay and overnight cruise – Shuttle transfer

Pick up at hotel in Hanoi for a join in transfer to Ha Long City.

12:30 

Board the Bhaya Cruises and settle in to your cabin before heading to the restaurant for a safety briefing. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet the Cruise Manager and the crew. A delicious buffet lunch of Vietnamese dishes is served as the boat cruises towards the southeast of Ha Long Bay, passing picturesque Trong Mai Islet, Ngon Tay Islet, Con Coc Islet and Cua Van Floating Culture Centre.

In the afternoon, kayak to Trinh Nu Cave - one of the most beautiful sunlight-filled caves in Ha Long Bay replete with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Trinh Nu Cave is an exclusive destination for Bhaya Cruises’ passengers. Learn about the folklore and heritage associated with the cave and why this remains a site of important archaeological discoveries. There is time to take a swim or sunbathe on Trinh Nu Cave’s beautiful private beach before a return to the boat to freshen up for the evening’s activities.

The bar onboard provides a relaxing ambience, and there is the chance to join the exciting Master Chef “Ha Long Bay Edition” competition and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck (or in the restaurant, depending on the weather). Try your hand at creating authentic Vietnamese dishes, with the winner of the competition awarded some gifts. As the day draws to a close, admire the sunset over enchanting Ha Long Bay as the boat anchors for an overnight stay.

Finally, savour the delicious set-menu dinner in the restaurant and then stop for a drink at the bar or stargaze on the sundeck before retiring for the night.

Accommodation on board the overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 2.5 hours/ Hanoi – Ha Long: 152 km

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Lunch 

Dinner 

Day 4 - Wednesday

Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue

06:15 

Start the day with a sunrise Tai Chi lesson as complimentary tea and coffee is served. A light breakfast is taken in the restaurant while you enjoy the views on the cruise to the centre of Ha Long Bay.

The boat stops to explore Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave inside Ha Long Bay which holds thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Wander through the spectacular grotto on a 500-metre paved passageway. Afterwards, return to the boat and enjoy the brunch buffet as the boat cruises back to the port, passing scenic Lom Bo Island, Trong Mai Islet and Ba Hang Fishermen Village on the way.

10:30

Disembark at Tuan Chau International Passenger Port. Pick up for a join in transfer back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, drop off at hotel.

Transfer without guide to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Hue (expected flight VN1545 16.35-17.55)

Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your hotel located right at the heart of Hue’s Citadel.

Accommodation at hotel in Hue

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 2.5 hours/ Ha Long – Hanoi airport: 170 km

About 40 minutes/ Hue Airport – Hotel: 20 km

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Day 5 - Thursday

Rickshaw ride, coastal show and alighting in Hoi An

09:00 

Your morning starts with a walk across the Purple Forbidden City, the former residence of the Emperors. A little over 1 hour to explore Vietnam’s feudal past and have a better understanding of the lifestyle in a not-so-long-ago royal past. The visit starts at the southern gate to end at the northern one. Time to sit at a nice little café to sip a refreshment. 

The fun continues with a traditional rickshaw ride around the streets of the Imperial City. While many think of the citadel as the Forbidden City only, it is actually way vaster. The walls of the citadel surround a town inside the town with its monuments, lakes, avenues and smaller roads, shops and residents. Let’s sit back and watch le local daily life passing by. The ride takes you outside the walls to the nearby Kim Long village. An ancient village where the Mandarins of the Emperors used to live. 

Around midday, you will sample the iconic banh of Hue, some sorts of traditional dumplings. You are welcomed by a friendly family who runs for generations a small home-based eatery in their garden house. The place is simple but the food is really good.  

13:00

After the collation, take an approximate 3-hour drive to Danang and enjoy spectacular views over the sea as you ascend the Hai Van Pass, voted one of the most beautiful coastal road in the world. 

Accommodation at hotel in Hoi An.

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 3.5 hours/Hue – Hoi An: 140 km

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Lunch 

Day 6 - Friday

Walking and cooking fun in Hoi An

09:00 

Start your day with a nice orientation walk around Hoi An old town. Let the guide point out the different landmarks of interest along the photogenic streets bordered with yellow-walled houses. You reach the market, and meet the chef who will lead your upcoming cookery session. He will take you through the colorful stalls and show the different herbs and spices that shape Vietnamese food’s flavors. Exiting the market, hop on a boat for a cruise transfer to a little farm tucked away on an island of the Thu Bon River. Enjoy a hands-on cooking session and dine on the courses you’ve prepared. After that, return to the hotel by boat. The rest of the day is at leisure for an outing to the beach or in the ancient town. 

Accommodation at hotel in Hoi An

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Lunch 

Day 7 - Saturday

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City - The Saigon’s colonial landmarks trail

Transfer without guide to Danang in the mid-morning for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City around midday (expected flight VN117 10.45-12.25). 

Afternoon

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you are greeted and transferred the District 1. The vehicle will take the luggage to the hotel, while you have the choice to hop off the car beforehand to take a 2-kilometer guided walk around the iconic colonial landmarks of Saigon such as the Central Post Office, the Continental Hotel, the Opera or the City Hall.

The walk ends at the hotel, check-in, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the end of the day at leisure. 

Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 40 minutes/ Hoi An – Danang Airport: 30 km

About 30 minutes/ Tan Son Nhat Airport – Hotel: 10km 

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Day 8 - Sunday

On the less travelled routes of the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, is famous for its vast rice fields, innumerable waterways and beautiful landscape. 

08:00 

Get ready for a start from your hotel at 8.00. Leave the metropolis behind to reach after about 2 and a half-hour a less travelled region of the delta, about 30 kilometres away from the mouth of the mighty river. 

There you hop on a private boat and start exploring. The program of today is packed with fun and exciting activities, you will meet people, learn more about their daily lives and navigate the Mekong. After visiting a local factory, the boat reaches a small and rather uncharted island for lunch at a local guesthouse.

In the afternoon, visit a honey-bee farm before getting on bikes and cycling narrow pathways across the island. A stop at a local farm will allow you to unveil the secret of Sâm jelly and sample it. Continue across orchards and transfer onto a small sampan to explore a stretch of thick mangrove.

You then catch up with your driver to return Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: depending on the timing, the exact timeline of the tour might need to be adjusted and some of the mentioned activities can be done in the morning or in the afternoon.

Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 4 hours/ Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh City: 190 km

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Lunch 

Day 9 - Monday

Navigate the maze of Saigon’s districts – Depart to Phnom Penh    

08:00 

Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby at 8.00am and off you go for an original morning to explore the less travelled trails of this fascinating city. Prepare to travel back in time as you first head to District 3, where you visit the oldest café in town which was opened in 1938. Enjoy a refreshment drink, before immersing yourselves in some genuine Saigon popular culture. Walk through a massive street market, gently elbow your way between conical hats and mobile street food sellers to exit at Chung Cu. Here you will find yourself in the heart of Saigon’s working class, which remains mostly unchanged since the 1960s. Marvel at the size of these old residential buildings as you walk through and into the Ho Thi Ky quarter. A place known for its spectacular flower market, and its maze of quiet narrow streets. A place also surprisingly famous for its Khmer delicacies since the 1990s. Try a snack and continue deeper into District 10, a fantastic destination where every street corner holds a surprise and a chance to amaze you. Your urban adventure ends at one of the most famous street-food streets in the city, time for lunch!

13.00

Transfer to the airport for a mid-afternoon flight to Phnom Penh.

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 30 minutes/ Hotel – Tan Son Nhat Airport: 10 km

Meal included:

Breakfast 

Lunch 

6 days Cambodia: from Day 9 (Monday) to Day 13 (Saturday)

Day 9 – Monday

Phnom Penh – Arrival  

Arrive at bus station or Phnom Penh International Airport (expected flight VN920 15.45-16.40).  Transfer to your hotel (rooms may be available from 14:00 only).

Accommodation at the hotel in Phnom Penh

Meal included:

None

Day 10 – Tuesday

Phnom Penh – Sightseeing and a Khmer Cooking Class

08:00

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your sightseeing tour at the Royal Palace, one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements. Gleaming in gold, the Royal Palace was built in 1866 by His Majesty Preah Bat Norodom, great-grandfather to the current King, on the site of the old town. The place was explicitly chosen by a Commission of Royal Ministers and Astrologers because it had great geographical significance concerning the King, who was regarded as a direct descendant of the gods and whose role was to live and govern on earth under the influence of heaven.

Explore the spectacular buildings, including the Throne Hall with a 59-meter tower, The Royal Treasury, the Napoleon II Villa, and the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha with steps crafted from Italian marble and the regal floor made of more than 500 solid silver blocks. The magnificent 17th-century emerald Buddha statue is made of jade. Another treasure is the life-sized solid gold Maitreya Buddha which weighs 90 kilograms and is adorned with 9,584 diamonds.

Continue to the National Museum, an exceptional example of traditional architecture devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here, including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces.

End your morning tour with a visit to Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh’s namesake. 

Wat Phnom is the only hill in town, set on top of a tree-covered knoll 27m high. According to the legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 to house four statues of Buddha washed ashore by the waters of the Mekong and discovered by a woman name Mrs. Penh. West of the vihara is an enormous stupa containing the ashes of King Ponhea Yat (reigned 1405 to 1463). Today, many people come here to pray for good luck and success and return to give offerings (such as a garland of jasmine flowers or bananas, of which the spirits are said to be especially fond) promised when their prayers have been answered.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

15:00

You are picked-up at your hotel and depart without guide to the cooking class place. This afternoon, you will learn to cook traditional Khmer food under the expert guidance of a local chef.  Start by exploring a local market where you will experience the hustle and bustle and absorb the flavor of a typical Cambodian market. You will have time to walk around, take pictures and observe vendors selling their wares. You will learn about local fruits, vegetables, and herbs and procure the freshest ingredients for the day's lesson. Next, head to the kitchen, where the experienced chef will guide you through tried-and-true Khmer cooking techniques.

Unlock ancient secrets of Khmer cooking through this authentic culinary experience. After the demonstration and with our chef's assistance, you will discover new tastes and textures as you learn to prepare traditional dishes, which will be enjoyed for dinner. The recipes are yours to keep so you can recreate the Cambodian culinary experience in the comfort of your home and impress your friends and family. 

Accommodation at the hotel in Phnom Penh

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Dinner with the cooking class

Day 11 – Wednesday

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap by private vehicle

Morning free and easy (no car and no guide provided)

07:45 Optional tour to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & Russian market

In the morning, we visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.  Afterwards, visit the Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tompong), a lively outdoor market selling antiquities, silver and gold jewelry, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs.

11:45 am: pick up from the hotel 

Pick up from the hotel and transfer with driver only (no guide) to the bus station for a shuttle transfer to Siem Reap. Upon arrival meet and transfer with driver only (no guide) to your hotel.

Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap

Estimated driving time/distance:

About 6 hours/ Phnom Penh – Siem Reap: 320 km

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 12 – Thursday

Siem Reap – Rolous Group – Angkor Thom temple compound – Ta Prohm temple

08:00

Meet your guide at the hotel. The morning is dedicated to exploring Khmer temples from the early Angkorian period. Visit the Roluos group of temples dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, including the Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei Temples. 

Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

14:00 

This afternoon, you visit the last capital of the Khmer Empire: Angkor Thom, built in the 12th century and deserted most likely during the 16th century, including the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon, a pyramidal representation of Mount Meru, the Terrace of the Elephants, used by Jayavarman VII to watch his victorious army return the Terrace of the Leper King, who’s statue was formerly thought to represent a legendary “leper king,” but is now considered to represent Yama – the Lord of the Dead and believed the terrace itself might have functioned as a royal cremation platform.  

Continue towards the famous Ta Prohm, a beautiful jungle temple that nature seems to have taken over; it has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retained much of its mystery.

Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 13 – Friday

Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre – Angkor Wat temple  

8:00

After breakfast, head to the North of Siem Reap for a visit of the graceful 11th-century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre Temple.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

14:00 

Continue visiting the most famous temples: Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument named UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1992. The 12th-century temple complex spreads over 81 hectares. Its five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks, the enclosed wall representing the mountains at the world's edge and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond until sunset. 

Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a local restaurant

Day 14 – Saturday

Siem Reap – Departure 

Breakfast at the hotel and a full morning at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the town on your own.

08:00 Optional Tour to the Tonle Sap Lake   

Transfer from your hotel to the famous Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. You will then take a memorable boat cruise to a nearby floating village and glimpse the everyday life of the locals who dwell in floating shacks. For most of the year, the lake is relatively small, approximately only one meter deep, with an area of 2,700 square km. However, during the monsoon season, the water is pushed up from the Mekong River into the lake, resulting in an increased area of 16,000 square km and a depth of up to nine meters, ultimately flooding nearby fields and forests. The floodplain provides a perfect breeding ground for fish. The livelihood of most of the local community depends mainly on fishing, and Tonle Sap accounts for 75% of Cambodia's annual inland fish catch. Return to the hotel afterwards.

Transfer out from your hotel to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to the next destination.

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

5 days Laos: from Day 14 (Saturday) to Day 18 (Wednesday)

Day 14 – Saturday

Luang Prabang – Arrival

You are met by your tour guide at the airport and transferred you to your hotel. Check-in might be available from 14:00 only. Spend the rest of your day relaxing or going for a first immersion on your own in the old town. 

Accommodation at hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal included:

None

Day 15 – Sunday 

Luang Prabang – City Tour By Tuk Tuk (Local Transportation)

08:00 

Embark on a Tuk Tuk for a day packed with visits and fun. The day start with a visit to the Morning Fresh market, where local people gather daily to buy and sell vegetables, fruits, food and all sorts of goods. 

Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artefacts of the Royal Family. Climb Wat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. 

Visit Wat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple. The sim of the Wat represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-metre high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of the Royal Family. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Also look out for the “tree of life” montage on the rear temple wall. 

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon hop on Tuk Tuk again to the pier for a cruise to Ban Chan Village, which is on the other bank of the Mekong river. The village is specialized in the production of a variety of clay pottery, including vases, flower pots, figurines and urns. You can also experience to join the potters to make your own pieces out of natural clay.

Return to your hotel with a last stop en route at Wat Phrabat Tai for a nice sunset on the Mekong River.

Accommodation at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch

Day 16 – Monday

Luang Prabang – Lunch Cruise to Pak Ou Cave (Join-In cruise)

09:15 

Transfer to Nava Mekong boat pier. 

10:00 

Cruise leaving Luang Prabang at 10:00 on Mekong River upstream to the Pak Ou caves. Visit Ban Xang Hai Village, the village is famous for the distillation of traditional rice alcohol. It used to be more famous for the big jars it is stored in, which they've been making there for over 2000 years. Visit of the Pak Ou Caves, housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. Lunch on board in front of Pha Enn Cliff. 

14:30

Return to Luang Prabang. Pick up at the pier and transfer to visit Ban Phanom village, a Lue ethnic minority village, where people preserved for generations traditional cotton and silk weaving techniques.

Then drive to local house, where you will start your Baci ceremony. Baci (also spelt basi) is a special and unique ceremony in Laos practiced for hundreds of years. The term commonly used is “sou khuan” which means “spirit enhancing or spirit calling”. The ceremony involves the tying of white cotton strings around the guest's wrists and prayers for the well-wishing of the guest.

Return to your hotel, end of the day at leisure. 

Accommodation at hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch on board

Day 17 – Tuesday

Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall 

08:30 

Ignite your day with a visit of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre/ TAEC (Closed every Monday). It is a museum dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Laos. The Centre is housed in a heritage building, and exhibits ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artefacts, and handicrafts, with information in English and Lao languages. The objective is to help locals and foreigners learn about the different ethnic groups of northern Laos.

Next, visit Ock Pop Tock weaving Centre, which is a Laos based social enterprise working primarily in the field of textiles, handicrafts and design. Meaning “east meets west”, Ock Pop Tok brings the fascinating world of traditional Lao handicrafts alive for visitors. Their beautiful Living Crafts Centre overlooking the Mekong is the heart of Ock Pop Tok. Set in a tropical Mekong garden it serves as a resource center for learning about textiles, crafts and culture. 

Drive to visit Kuang Si Waterfalls (Approx. 1 hour/30 kilometres), on the way,stop at Ban Na Ouan, the Hmong minority village and spend time walking around to discover the daily lifestyle of these people.

Lunch is served at a restaurant situated 150 meters before Kuang Si Waterfalls to indulge in a culinary delight amidst a magical atmosphere. You can taste excellent dishes, western or Lao, prepared by a young French chef. After your lunch, you can enjoy the natural pool or relax with a massage in an idyllic setting at the base of the Kuang Si waterfalls.

After lunch, spend time discovering the Kuang Si waterfalls and surrounds. Firstly, stop at the "Bear Lao" Bear Sanctuary on the path up to the pools of the waterfall and see the bears, which are rescued from bear bile farms and illegal private zoos, in their rehabilitation enclosures. 

Afterwards stroll along Kuang Si Waterfalls where you can admire the clear blue water pools. Unwind and allow yourself to be carried away by the serenity of the landscape. If you bring your swimsuit (changing rooms are available) take a dip and if you are feeling brave, climb up to the top of the falls by a path to the left of the falls. 

Then return to Luang Prabang, the rest of the day free at leisure.

Accommodation at hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch 

Day 18 –Wednesday

Luang Prabang –  Departure 

Today free at leisure until transfer to the Luang Prabang airport for your next destination.

Meal included:

Breakfast at hotel