17 Days Luxury Tour through Vietnam Laos and Cambodia Top Attractions

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Arrive in Hanoi

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi | Relax | Welcome Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you’re able to relax after the international flight. Feel free to explore the city on your own or simply relax at your hotel with accessing the hotel’s facilities.

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine as you begin your enchant journey through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll be escorted to your hotel.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi | Impressions of Vietnamese’s Capital

Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, you’ll be escorted to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you’ll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top.

Next, you’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th-century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as a divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision.
You’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Voyage to Emerald Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a short plane ride by seaplane to Tuan Chau pier, a scenic way to take in the beauty of the Red River Delta region.

Halong Bay Isles

Around noon, embark on a private charter cruise with your own crew to cater for whatever you need. Enjoy a personalized lunch while sailing through emerald covered isles between Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay. Anchor at Lom Bo Island for a private guided tour of Me Cung Cave. Continue to a pearl farm where you can kayak through the village and see how they harvest pearls. Continue to the overnight point as you enjoy sunset tapas. Then enjoy a fabulous dinner under the stars. If seasonal conditions allow, you can join the staff for some squid fishing as bio-luminescent sea-life provide an entertaining view.

Accommodation: L’Azalée Private Premium Cruise

Day 5: Hanoi | Sunrise Halong Bay | Scenic Seaplane

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise early for a gorgeous sunset over the bay. Breakfast is served. Then continue to Titov Island where you can swim at the beach or climb the steps to the top lookout point. After your exploration, return back to the pier for disembarkation.

After disembarkation, you’ll enjoy a 15-minute scenic flight by seaplane over Halong Bay to get a stunning bird’s eye view. Then continue back to Hanoi by the seaplane. Our guide will transfer you from the airport to the hotel.

Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi – Luang Prabang | Leisure | Flight to Luang Prabang

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to relax or explore the rest in the city on your own.

In the afternoon, take a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Feel free to explore the beautiful city of Luang Prabang on your own to discover night markets selling local tapestries and souvenirs.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 7: Luang Prabang | Alms Giving Ceremony | City Temples

Meals: Breakfast
In the early morning, join in the alms giving ceremony where a procession of monks pass the hotel as participants solemnly give sticky rice and other objects into their bowls. Then enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Then enjoy your leisure time to explore the town on your own or visit a spa for a massage.

In the afternoon, begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We’ll also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the forest temple of Wat Phon Phao for watching a stunning sunset over the Laos countryside. Return to the hotel for leisure time or explore the night markets.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 8: Luang Prabang | Hill Tribes and Kuang Si Waterfalls

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer in the morning to Ban Long Lao village – a Hmong and Khmu ethnic village who live simple lives off the land in a self-sustained community.

After exploring the village and mingling with the locals, you’ll begin the hike to Kuang Si Falls. Along the way are lush green forests and clear streams. Visit a cave along the way that once acted as a bomb shelter. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfall – one of the most turquoise waterfalls in the world. The afternoon can be spent swimming in the waterfall and visiting the Bear Rescue Center where several Sun Bears and Malayan Black Bears are being cared for after being rescued from bile farms and wildlife traffickers.

Then you’ll return to Luang Prabang and evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 9: Luang Prabang | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, transfer to Elephant Village – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the camp manager and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the day, you’ll take place in the following activities:

• • Riding an elephant – you’ll have the opportunity to ride directly on the neck of an elephant
  • Mahout Training – learn about the commands of how to communicate to the elephant
  • Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant
  • Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby Nam Khan River to bath your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!

Then return to your hotel for leisure time.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 10: Luang Prabang | Leisure Day

Meals: Breakfast

Spend this full day at your own leisure. You can walk around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your hotel offers.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 11: Luang Prabang | Boat Trip to Pak Ou Caves

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make Laos rice wine and rice whiskey. You’ll be able to try some and see the process they use to make it. Then we’ll reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served nearby the caves. During lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to try a local dish called “Orlam” which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, we disembark the boat to visit a traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Pak Ou Caves

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 12: Luang Prabang – Siem Reap | Leisure | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to relax or explore the town on your own.
In the afternoon, take a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 13: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom Ancient Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.

However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace.

Ta Prohm Ancient University

First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcome on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 14: Siem Reap | Kompong Phuk Floating Village | At Leisure

Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, start with an ox-cart ride through Cambodia’s green countryside where you’ll see many coconut trees, rice fields, and water buffalo. After that, continue the trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phluk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby. After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel to relax for rest of the day.

Then go to visit a small village to donate a slow sand water filtration system. You’ll have a chance to meet with the village families. The water filtration system will be able to provide potable/drinking water to the whole village. We can also arrange to have your logo or names painted on the filter ahead of time. The installation staff will instruct the villagers on how to maintain the filter.

Optional recommendation: We recommend that if you have any used children’s books in your home that you no longer need, you may bring them with to donate to the children in the village. This can impact the village children to focus on their education and provide them English reading materials not available from their school.

More information on the slow sand water filtration system provided can be found on the Center for Disease Control website here: https://www.cdc.gov/safewater/sand-filtration.html

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 15: Siem Reap | Bayon Temple by Classical Citroen Car | Angkor Wat Temple

Meals: Breakfast
For your last day in Siem Reap, you’ll experience the temple relics in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.

Angkor Wat Temple

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted by a classic 1930s fully restored Citreon. Circle around Bayon temple and stop for photos with the classic automobile if you like. Then continue back to the South Gate. (Note: Citreon will return and a standard vehicle with air conditioning will provide transportation for the rest of the tour. No camera is provided for photos. Please bring your own.) From there, you’ll go for a gondola ride through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the Romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water.

World-famous Angkor Wat Temple

Finally, be prepared today to enjoy one of the Wonders of the Ancient World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front in passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days. Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed one many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you won’t forget. Return to the hotel around noon for leisure time.

In the evening, you’ll go to visit Phare Cambodian Circus. Be amazed by stunts and choreography unique to Cambodia’s performing arts. You’ll watch as a story written by locals is acted out with an impressive stage show. Be prepared for laughter and wonder as you enjoy the performance. After the hour-long spectacle, you’ll return to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 16: Siem Reap | Leisure Day | Private Countryside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a full day leisure to relax or explore around Siem Reap town on your own.

Nearing dusk, you’ll go to a private dinner at a traditional wooden villa in the countryside surrounded by dragonfruit orchards and rice fields. Tiki torches and live traditional music will welcome you. Start with cocktails and canapes. Then enjoy an exquisite evening dinner while you chat and reflect on the fond memories you have collected over the last two weeks. Return to the hotel when you are ready.

Accommodation: Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa

Day 17: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your onward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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