From Ha Long Bay to Angkor Wat

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to begin your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board.

Important note: The cruise operator will choose ONE itinerary to either Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations. There will be no guide on board.

Early risers are invited to participate in a Tai Chi demonstration on the upper bridge. Afterwards a light breakfast will be served, and later, a splendid brunch aboard the boat as you continue to navigate through the myriad of islands and islets, paying a visit to the most notable of them. By midday, we bid farewell to the fascinating panorama of Halong Bay and head back to Hanoi.

On arrival, transfer to the Hanoi airport for your flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Immediately transfer to your hotel when you land. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a full-day tour to soak up the rich tapestry of history and culture in Ho Chi Minh City. Visits Dong Khoi Street, home to many of the city's most important sites from the French colonial period, when the city became known as the 'Paris of the Orient'. Appreciate the restored Opera House, based on the Petit Palace in Paris and visit the Grand Hotel de Ville, now formally re-branded as the People's Committee Hall. Be amazed by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the impressive Central Post Office, designed by the architect Gustav Eiffel. In District 5 visit China Town and the iconic Thien Hau Temple, built in honour of the goddess of the sea. Conclude your day discovery at the bustling Ben Thanh market. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure! If you want to learn more about Vietnam’s military history, join our optional excursion to Cu Chi* for a fascinating look at this complex network of tunnels.

*Optional half-day excursion to Cu Chi: This memorable half-day excursion will give another insight into the history of the country. During the visit, explore the famous Cu Chi tunnels, located 70 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (an hour and a half by car). This is an underground city, built in 1948 by the Viet Minh to fight the French, you will find living rooms, kitchen, warehouses, armories, hospitals, command centers. During the War against the United States, the entire Cu Chi area was declared one of the battlefields and heavily bombed. It is such an interesting place and a must visit for those who are interested in learning about the history of the Vietnamese during such difficult times.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the day to explore at your leisure, or, why not take part in our optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta.* Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

*Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you say goodbye to Vietnam and head by road to Cambodia! After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh on the Mekong Express and Giant Ibis bus. The journey takes you through the country, so sit back and enjoy the ride. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the evening, transfer to your hotel for check-in and take the rest of the evening to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

*The Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is 230 km long and will take approximately 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take an optional flight (approximately 1-hour flight time). This can be purchased in the next step of the booking process.

Note: The visa to enter Cambodia can be done both in advance online or on site at the border. Even if you do it online, the bus will stop for a lunch break at the border and a customs agent will handle all Visa process on site for those who haven't done it online. See Important Notes and the "Not included" sections for more information about the Cambodian visa. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a poignant excursion to The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, for a moving insight into the bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. Realise the horror and tragedy of this period in Cambodian history at the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and visit the notorious Killing Fields. The rest of the day is at your leisure. We recommend an optional city tour to get to know Phnom Penh's most emblematic sights*. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh. 

*Optional Phnom Penh City Tour: Explore Cambodia’s capital and its major landmarks including the fascinating Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda. We then will take one hour boat cruise on the Mekong River.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, catch the Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus* from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap for check-in. Enjoy exploring this vibrant city at your own pace as the rest of the day is your free time at leisure. We recommend heading out to discover the well-known night market and Pub Street. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

*The Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is 320 km long and will take approximately 6 hours. Alternatively, you can take an optional flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap with Cambodia Angkor Air (approximately 1-hour flight time). This can be purchased in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a captivating journey to explore the mystical world of ancient temples. Start your adventure near Angkor Thom. Discover the Bayon temple, a masterpiece adorned with 54 towers that bear 200 serene faces of Avolokitesvara, evoking a sense of divine calm. Journey onward to the Baphuon temple, a testament to the grandeur of Jayavarman I's reign.

Explore the Phimeanakas, where tales of royalty echo through time. Wander the terraces of the leper king and elephants. History and intrigue steep each spot. Our next stop is Ta Prohm. The temple is mesmerizing and wrapped in nature's embrace. Ancient stones mix with towering roots to keep its enigmatic allure.

In the afternoon, we unveil the crown jewel of Angkor: the revered Angkor Wat. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for its great architecture and spiritual meaning. As the day ends, bask in the sunset's ethereal glow over Angkor Wat. Head back to Siem Reap for the evening, where you can take part in an optional tuk-tuk tour* to check out the vibrant street food scene. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

*Optional Tuk-Tuk Street Food tour (night tour): Enjoy an exciting ride on a Tuk Tuk to a local night market and immerse yourself in local culture. Look out for all the different types of local street food, snacks, fruits, knickknacks and clothes. Stroll around the market, why not be brave and try some of the Cambodian-specialty fried snacks, like grasshoppers, spiders, cockroaches, crickets and baby frogs... These are all Cambodian favorites! To end this exciting excursion, head to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional dinner, cooked by locals in true Cambodian style.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take advantage of another free day to relax or make new discoveries in Siem Reap. For those interested in discovering ancient temples, come along on an optional excursion to the Citadel of Women* on the city’s outskirts. After a fun day, return to the hotel for your overnight stay in Siem Reap.

*Optional excursion to the Citadel of Women: Visit Banteay Srei, translates to “the Citadel of the Women.” Originally constructed in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures. Its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings that have been remarkably well preserved. These magnificent ruins offer a great insight into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs.  Drive back to downtown Siem Reap, stopping along the way to visit Banteay Samre, the 12th-century Hindu temple often called a “mini Angkor Wat.”

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the lively city center. We recommend enjoying an optional excursion to a Blessing Ceremony at the pagoda and visit to Tonle Sap Lake*. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

*Optional Excursion to a Blessing Ceremony at the pagoda and visit to Tonle Sap Lake: Located in the heart of the city of Siem Reap, Wat Damnak is one of the most beautiful pagodas with French colonial architecture and a garden full of large statues. Bring candles and incense sticks to the pagoda to participate in a private blessing ceremony, conducted by the local monks living in the pagoda. Sit on the mat while the monks sing the blessings and pour holy water on you – a traditional practice by which the gods are believed to bring you good luck. Then, the monks will put a sacred thread around your wrist to protect you from evil spirits. Before continuing your journey, you will receive a small souvenir from the monks to remember this special moment. Next, journey to the outskirts of Siem Reap where you will take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, that can grow by ten fold during the rainy season. Sail along the lake until you reach the floating village, witness floating pig farms, schools, gardens and spirit houses.

Breakfast at the hotel*. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board. 

* If your return flight departs early in the morning, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.