cambodia Tours Inspiring Indochina

Itinerary:

Day 1 Siem Reap, Cambodia
Arrive into Siem Reap and transfer to your elegant hotel, once home to royalty. Spend the afternoon at leisure to perhaps explore the grounds or take advantage of the spa before joining your fellow travellers and travelling concierge for a welcome dinner in a traditional wooden Khmer house.

Day 2 Angkor Wat
Accompanied by a renowned archaeologist, explore Angkor Archaeological Park. Visit Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, a perfect example of how nature has reclaimed the land after the fall of the empire. Finish the day watching a spectacular sunset fall behind Angkor Wat, the symbol of Cambodia. This evening, attend a performance of the Phare Circus before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Cambodian cuisine.

Day 3 Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and check in to your central hotel before meeting your fellow travellers for dinner this evening in a busy rooftop restaurant overlooking the lights of Saigon.

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City & the Cu Chi Tunnels
Travel from the city's glittering skyscrapers to the green paddy fields by speedboat on the Saigon River. Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, dug in 1948 for guerillas to hide during the Vietnam War and meet a Viet Cong veteran who will give an insight into life in the tunnels. Back in the city, embark on an orientation walk to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, before enjoying a cup of Vietnamese coffee in a street-side cafe.

Day 5 Mekong Delta
Board a private charter to the Mekong Delta. Along the way, see coconut production and enjoy a taste of the fresh produce, watch locals use a centuries-old technique to make bricks, take a ride on a tri-motorcycle to a rice noodle factory and continue your cruise to Mango Home for a tasty lunch of Delta specialties. Later, visit the home of Mr Sau Tong, a former soldier who fought the Khmer Rouge who will explain how Vietnam life has evolved since that dire time.

Day 6 Ho Chi Minh City to Hue
Fly to Hue and enjoy a cyclo ride to Phu Mong village to take in traditional garden houses of the serene life here upon arrival. This evening, visit a special venue for dinner, the Ben Xuan Garden House Theatre. Meet with the owner, a celebrated painter and singer with royal ancestry for an intimate, hosted meal accompanied by local musicians playing traditional instruments.

Day 7 Hue
Rise early for a private VIP visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Imperial Citadel before it opens to the public. Explore with a renowned local historian through the towering main gates to the majestic architecture and splendid gardens of the royal court. Return to the hotel for breakfast, before visiting the tomb of Ming Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant on the Perfume River and meet the headmaster of the Vietnamese Royal Martial Arts Academy to learn of the ancient training activities this afternoon.

Day 8 Hue to Hoi An
Enjoy a scenic drive of the Hai Van Mountain pass to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An. Explore the ancient town with a local guide seeing former merchant homes, colourful communal halls, traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. This evening, choose between three local restaurants specialising in traditional to modern Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 9 Hoi An
Visit the beautiful Cam Thanh Village with its dense coconut jungles that were once shelters for the local people during the Vietnam War. Step into a traditional bamboo basket boat and glide across the river to Thanh Dong village to learn how the villagers cultivate and harvest vegetables and continue your voyage to a riverside restaurant overlooking the rice fields. Enjoy traditional Vietnamese folk games and join a hands-on cooking class for lunch.

Day 10 Hoi An to Hanoi
Catch a flight to Hanoi this morning and enjoy a ride aboard an electric cart upon arrival to see the historic Opera House, French mansions, Sword Lake and the 18th Century Jade Mountain Temple. Join a local foodie of an exploration of Hanoi's food culture in the Old Quarter as you learn what locals love to eat and taste dishes such as rice paper rolls, crab spring rolls, beef noodle soup, com cake and other delights. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 11 Hanoi to Halong Bay
Known as the bay of a thousand islands, step aboard a deluxe junk for a memorable cruise on Halong Bay. Visit the mysterious Tien Ong Cave and explore the Cua Van area, before perhaps joining a cooking class with the on-board chef this evening or simply relaxing on deck as the sun gently dips below the horizon.

Day 12 Halong Bay to Hanoi
Start the day with a session of Tai Chi on the upper deck, or enjoy an early morning swim before returning to Hanoi where the evening is at leisure.

Day 13 Hanoi
Visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1076 as the first university for the sons of mandarins. Meet a scholar to learn of this famous institution and Hanoian culture, before exploring the temple grounds. This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner.

Day 14 Hanoi o Luang Prabang, Laos
Fly to the centre of Laos culture and once the seat of the Lane Xang Kingdom, Luang Prabang. Transfer to your hilltop luxury hotel upon arrival, with the afternoon at leisure and dinner served at the hotel.

Day 15 Luang Prabang
After breakfast, walk to the top of Mount Phousi to admire spectacular views of the Mekong and Khan rivers and surrounding mountain ranges. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before enjoying some free time this afternoon. Later, Visit the Temple of the Golden City before joining a private sunset cruise on the mighty Mekong River to toast your Indochina journey.

Day 16 Luang Prabang
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast where you will be transferred to the airport for your onward travels. - Insight USA & Canada booking conditions 2014.pdf

Additional Options:

- Insight USA & Canada booking conditions 2014.pdf

Optional Excursions:

Insight USA & Canada booking conditions 2014.pdf

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Departs:

- Insight USA & Canada booking conditions 2014.pdf