Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam tour 17 days

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival (D, G)

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not ready until the afternoon)

Visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor.

In the afternoon, continue your temple tour. See the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan, the Srah Srang reservoir (known as “The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 2: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

Lunch at restaurant.

Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

An early bird special:

Transfer to the archaeological site for the sunrise from the Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat Or sunrise at Srah Srang

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the areas most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

Lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.

Day 4: Siem Reap/Bangkok (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel.

Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Visit to “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and time at leisure at a local market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to Bangkok. On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, you’ll be free to stroll around the city as you wish. You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 5: Bangkok City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Po houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 6: Bangkok/Koh Samet (B, G)

After breakfast, you will be picked up to transfer to Ban Pe pier for ferry across to Koh Samet. On arrival at Koh Samet check into beach resort and free at own leisure.

Day 7 to Day 9: Koh Samet free day (B)

Breakfast at hotel and free at own leisure on beach with accommodation.

Day 10: Koh Samet/Bangkok/Hanoi (B, G)

Breakfast at hotel. Free until checkout time at 12:00 hrs. Transfer to Bangkok airport for flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi (B, L, G)

An all day city tour, possibly including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th C), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ethnology Museum and the centre of Hanoi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the northern Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Tam Coc/Van Long 1 day (B, L, G)

In the morning you’ll be picked up to travel to Van Long. On arrival you’ll ride an ox cart to visit the Old House and the Old Pagoda and then board a boat to visit the Van Long Natural Reserve. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Tam Coc – being rowed through paddies and into three caves in a peaceful valley. In the afternoon you’ll return to Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower.

Day 14: Ha Long/Hanoi/Lao Cai (B, G)

Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for an overnight train to Lao Cai. You’ll spend the night on the train.

Day 15: Lao Cai/Sapa ethnic market (B, L, G)

You’ll be met at the Lao Cai station and taken by a Jeep or a Land Cruiser to visit an ethnic market. After a picnic lunch, you’ll return to Lao Cai and continue your journey into the mountains to Sapa, a small town perched on the mountainside opposite Mt. Fan Si Pan, Vietnam’s highest peak.

The trips to ethnic markets are a fascinating experience but must be on Tuesday (Coc Ly Market), Saturday (Can Cau) or Sunday (Bac Ha or Muong Hum Markets). Picnic lunch will be prepared in the morning from Sapa. You’ll arrive in Sapa in the late afternoon, with time to relax before dinner.

Day 16: Sapa villages/Lao Cai/Hanoi (B, L, G)

Morning stroll to the town busy market and then easy trek to ethnic villages of H’mong in a scenic valley. After stream-side picnic lunch, you’ll be picked up to visit other ethnic villages of the H’mong, Day and Red Dao people. Return to Sapa and then back to Lao Cai station for an overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 17: Hanoi departure (B, G)

Arriving in Hanoi early in the morning, you’ll be picked up to your hotel. Later on, escorted departure from Noi Bai airport.