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Itinerary

• Day 1: Phnom PenhArrival Day

  Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia's traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel.

• Day 2: Phnom Penh

  This morning, you’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which will tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Then, your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Phnom – the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century – or the Royal Palace and sacred Silver Pagoda. Tonight, perhaps grab dinner with your group or wander the city and soak up the nighttime atmosphere.

• Day 3: Siem Reap

  After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel. This tropical oasis boasts three pools and an excellent restaurant with a focus on wellness. Bright and spacious rooms are in harmony with the lush grounds and feature a veranda, private garden and rain showers. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites.

• Day 4: Siem Reap

  If you choose, you can embrace a very early start today and experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (optional). After, you'll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples of Angkor. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private Angkor Wat archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight along the way. Begin at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor's temples with an entrance facing west. For lunch, visit the Sala Bai Hotel School (note: The Sala Bai opens from Monday-Friday and usually closes during public, also school vacation, so on these days an alternative restaurant will be used), where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school, then visit Angkor Thom – the 'Great Royal City' – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in at your resort.

• Day 5: Siem Reap

  After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort explore Siem Reap town, or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue exploring the site. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap .

• Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City

  Today, catch an unescorted flight to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not get out and explore the city at your own pace and perhaps enjoy a banh mi - a short baguette fill with a variety of tasty ingredients. This evening, there will be a second group meeting to meet your new group and new leader. Then head out for dinner at a restaurant that is a piece of Vietnamese history – this building was an old opium refinery station built in 1861, and nods to its past are still visible today. Here, you’ll feast on a menu bursting with classic dishes and southern Vietnamese favourites.

• Day 7: Mekong Delta

  Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta – a network of rivers and canals with floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.

• Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City

  This morning, head on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 kms) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive and you will meet with a war veteran for a first-hand account of life during the war. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what the underground life must have been like. These tunnels will be quite hot and can get claustrophobic, so there’s an option to view them from above ground if you’d like. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps pay a visit to renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

• Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An

  This morning, see Ho Chi Minh City through the eyes of a local during a bus and walking tour with your leader. Visit the Reunification Palace to learn about the end of the war and then take a sobering trip to the War Remnants Museum after stopping by the Notre Dame Cathedral. Stroll the city’s streets and notice the many French buildings along the way, including the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, modelled on Paris’s Hotel de Ville. Later this afternoon, fly to Hoi An, a riverside town in central Vietnam.

• Day 10: Hoi An

  Join your leader on a walking tour this morning to discover Hoi An’s ancient architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese assembly hall and pay a visit to a local museum to learn more about the history you’ve uncovered on the walk. After, sit down to a lunch with the group. This afternoon you’re free to make the most of Hoi An and its surrounding areas. Your leader can provide suggestions if you need inspiration!

• Day 11: Hoi An

  Once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom, Hoi An remains home to many Cham descendants today. This morning, your leader will guide you through the My Son Sanctuary – a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples and serene surroundings, experience an Apsara dance performance featuring sparkling traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. When you return to Hoi An, the afternoon is free for you to explore further – maybe visit one of the many tailor shops and get a custom outfit or relax by the pool at your hotel.

• Day 12: Hue

  Head for Hue this morning, the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam's historic past. On the way, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will provide share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war.

• Day 13: Hue

  Ready your appetite as today you’ll be diving into Hue’s culinary scene. First up, head to a street food eatery for Bun Bo Hue. This spicy noodle soup is usually made with beef and pig knuckles and is an absolute must-try in Hue. Next, meet a local chef and explore a local market where you can taste and smell all the herbs and ingredients that bring local dishes to life while learning about the culture of Vietnamese cuisine. Stop for lunch then continue to the local chef’s home and discover how to cook up dishes using the fresh ingredients from the market. Later, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery and unofficial symbol of Hue that dates back to 1601. You’ll also visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees, and the Imperial Citadel.

• Day 14: Hanoi

  Fly from Hue to Hanoi today. Settle in when you arrive and then get your bearings with a leader-led walk, where you’ll wander the ancient 36 Streets to discover shop-lined alleys that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing. In the afternoon, join your group again for a traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is a Northern Vietnamese art form that originated in the Tran Dynasty. Originally performed by blind performers, it was enjoyed by local working-class audiences until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. This style of performance is rare today, but you and your group will be taken to a private clubhouse for an exclusive performance, which is one of the few places where such artists still perform acoustically.

• Day 15: Mai Chau

  Leave Hanoi this morning in a private coach transfer to Mai Chau. This peaceful town is situated in a valley and surrounded by green mountains, making it famous for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hilltribe communities. Admire the views, fuel up over lunch and visit Vun Art – a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk scraps. Then, spend some time learning the story of the vibrant Muong ethnic group, native to this region, at the Muong Museum. Check into your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to unwind and relax.

• Day 16: Mai Chau

  Today your Leader will take you on a walk through a series of Mai Chau villages. Along the way you’ll pass terraced rice fields and traditional stilted houses, before getting an up-close view of traditional cotton textile making and hearing from a local artisan for insights into Thai garment craftsmanship. Next, you will learn how to make Ruou Can, a traditional fermented rice wine, as well as the cultural significance behind each step of the process. After lunch hosted by a local family, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. Relax at your hotel or speak with you Leader about optional activities in the area.

• Day 17: Hanoi

  Head back to Hanoi this morning for a guided half-day tour of the city with your leader, gaining insights into its history during visits to the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary. Enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills. The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Walking is a great way to explore the city, especially if you're interested in its many lakes and parks. You'll see that this northern capital can be quieter than its southern counterpart, and the West Lake, north of the main city, is an ideal place to interact with the locals and relax by its banks.

• Day 18: Halong Bay

  Today you’ll drive to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site where karsts and islets create a spectacular sight. There’s no better way to appreciate the bay’s beauty than by boat – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. Carefully designed with traditional touches and modern amenities, you can sit back in comfort as you weave through the limestone islets, karsts and caves. The sights you will visit vary, but you may stop at a vibrant fishing village to learn about local life or a cave to appreciate its interesting rock formations with you leader, then retire to the boat for a seafood lunch. In the afternoon you will have opportunities to swim, kayak, or simply relax on the beach. This evening, dine on the boat’s deck and watch the sun go down.

• Day 19: Hanoi

  In the morning, enjoy breakfast on board the boat and perhaps take part in some optional Tai Chi to start off the day. Sail back to the port, disembark and travel back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, enjoy some time to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s attractions you may have missed the first time. You can shop on Hang Gai Street or perhaps enjoy some afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, join your group and leader for a final dinner in a Hanoi restaurant, sharing stories and reflecting on the highlights of your adventure with your newfound friends.

• Day 20: Hanoi

  Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.