The Essence of Indochina: A Memorable 16-Day Journey

Your journey begins in Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest after the flight or ease into the surroundings at your own pace. Stay in comfortable 4–5 star accommodation, carefully selected to give you a smooth start to the trip.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, you will set out for a full day exploring the remarkable Angkor complex. The day begins with Angkor Thom, where you will visit the famous Bayon Temple, known for its many serene stone faces, before continuing to Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric temples in the area, where ancient ruins and giant tree roots have become part of the same landscape.

There will be time for a lunch break inside the archaeological park before you continue to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic sites.

Later in the day, you will head to Phnom Bakheng for sunset, where the elevated viewpoint offers wide views across the jungle and temple surroundings. It is a fitting way to end a day filled with some of Cambodia’s most important cultural landmarks.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today you will travel through the countryside to Phnom Kulen, a sacred mountain with both historical and spiritual importance in Cambodia. The drive itself offers changing rural scenery, with villages, schools, pagodas, rice fields, palm trees, and local farms along the way.

Once there, you will visit the River of a Thousand Lingas, where carvings in the riverbed reflect an important Hindu tradition connected to Shiva worship. You will also see the Reclining Buddha, one of the best-known sacred sites on the mountain, and enjoy views over the surrounding forest and hills. The natural setting here adds another dimension to the journey, especially with the waterfall that has long made Phnom Kulen a popular destination for local visitors as well.

After the visit, you will return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

You will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure, giving you time to relax or settle in before the next stage of the journey begins in Vietnam.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, you will leave Ho Chi Minh City and drive through the countryside toward My Tho, one of the main gateways to the Mekong Delta. This region offers a very different rhythm of life, shaped by waterways, orchards, and riverside communities.

Your excursion begins with a scenic boat ride on the Mekong River, passing the well-known islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, and Phoenix. During the day, you will visit Unicorn Island, where the experience includes a rowing boat ride through natural canals, a stop at a coconut candy workshop, and a visit to a local bee farm. You will also enjoy fresh tropical fruits while listening to traditional Southern Vietnamese music, adding a more local and personal feel to the day.

On the way back to the city, you will stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most significant temples in the Mekong Delta, admired for its blend of Vietnamese, Khmer, and Chinese architectural influences.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today you will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free, allowing you to rest or enjoy a quiet evening before continuing with the experiences in Central Vietnam.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Today combines local life, hands-on activities, and the historical charm of Hoi An. Your first stop is Cam Thanh fishing village, where you will explore the water coconut forest on a traditional bamboo basket boat. The experience includes local fishing demonstrations, learning how to paddle the basket boat, and a chance to enjoy the light-hearted atmosphere of this riverside area.

Later, you will continue to Hoi An Ancient Town, one of Vietnam’s most beloved heritage destinations. Here, your guide will lead you through sites such as the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, the Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House, and the iconic Japanese Bridge. As you walk through the old streets, you will see the blend of architecture, trade history, and cultural influences that have shaped Hoi An over centuries.

In the evening, the atmosphere becomes especially memorable with a boat ride and flower lantern release, a simple tradition that adds a beautiful and reflective ending to the day.

Overnight in Da Nang.

After breakfast, you will travel to Ba Na Hills, one of the best-known attractions in Central Vietnam. The journey begins with a cable car ride up to the mountaintop resort, offering expansive views over the hills and surrounding landscape.

At the top, you will visit the Golden Bridge, famous for its striking design supported by giant stone hands. You will also have time to explore the French Village, enjoy the attractions at Fantasy Park, and visit Linh Ung Pagoda. The setting here combines mountain scenery, architectural landmarks, and leisure attractions in one destination.

A shared buffet lunch is included during the day before you return to Da Nang in the afternoon.

Overnight in Da Nang.

This half-day city tour introduces some of Da Nang’s most well-known landmarks. You will begin with Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone and marble hills associated with the five elements. Here, you can explore caves, pagodas, and viewpoints that look out over the city and coast.

The journey continues to Linh Ung Pagoda on Son Tra Peninsula, home to the impressive Lady Buddha statue overlooking the sea. After that, you will stop at Dragon Bridge, one of Da Nang’s modern symbols, before ending the tour at Han Market, where local shopping and everyday city life come together.

After the tour, you will return to your hotel.

Overnight in Da Nang.

You will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will begin a half-day city tour of the capital. The visit starts at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from the outside, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda.

After that, you will continue to Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where the narrow streets, historic atmosphere, and daily local activity reveal a different side of the city. You will also see Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower, and Ngoc Son Temple from the outside before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today begins early as you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic natural destinations. Once you arrive, you will check in and board our carefully selected 5-star Halong Bay Day Cruise for a full day on the water.

As the cruise moves through Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, you will pass thousands of limestone islets rising dramatically from the sea. The itinerary includes visits to Sung Sot Cave, known for its impressive stalactites, and Titov Island, where you can take in panoramic views of the bay. Later, you will visit Luon Cave, with the option of kayaking or taking a bamboo boat ride.

A premium lunch is served onboard, and the afternoon also includes time to relax with live music or join a cooking demonstration. The day is well-balanced between sightseeing and onboard comfort before you disembark and return to Hanoi in the evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will head to Ninh Binh, a region known for its striking limestone landscapes and historical significance. Your first stop is Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, where you will visit the temples of King Dinh and King Le and learn more about this important early chapter in Vietnamese history.

Afterward, you will continue to Trang An, a UNESCO-listed landscape celebrated for its river caves, limestone mountains, and tranquil natural setting. The boat trip here is one of the highlights of the day, allowing you to take in the scenery at a slower pace as you pass through caves and along calm waterways.

In the afternoon, you will return to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free, giving you time to rest or enjoy a gentle start to your stay in this charming Lao town.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the COPE Center, where you will gain insight into important support work for people with mobility-related disabilities, including UXO survivors. After that, you will continue to Buddha Park, a site known for its many unusual statues in varying shapes and sizes.

From there, you will continue to Vang Vieng. On arrival, you will spend time discovering this riverside town and visiting some of its best-known natural attractions, including Tham Chang Cave, Tham Phou Kham, and Blue Lagoon. These sites combine cave landscapes, local scenery, and time in nature.

The day concludes with a sunset along the Nam Song River, bringing a calm finish to a full day of travel and sightseeing.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning, you will board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, enjoying views of the countryside as you make your way to Pak Ou Caves. These caves are known for housing thousands of Buddha images and remain one of the region’s most significant spiritual sites. Along the way, you will also stop at villages such as Ban Xanghai, where local rice wine is produced, and Ban Xang Khong, known for traditional Saa paper making.

In the afternoon, you will travel outside Luang Prabang to visit Kuang Si Waterfall, where a series of turquoise pools and cascading falls create one of the most beautiful natural settings in Laos. The visit also includes the Bear Rescue Center. On the return journey, you will observe the local village of Ban Na Ouan and learn more about Hmong life.

Later in the day, you will climb Mount Phousi for sunset views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River, before ending the evening at the Night Market, where handmade textiles and local crafts are on display.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, you will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

As your journey comes to an end, we wish you a pleasant trip ahead and hope the experiences gathered across Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos remain with you long after you leave.