Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll arrive at your hostel this afternoon and meet your Adventure Leader along with the rest of your group. After getting briefed on what's ahead for the tour, everyone gathers for a group dinner. If you're interested, head out into Hanoi's nightlife scene with your new friends to get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Evening bar crawl in Hanoi
- Day 2
Hanoi
Start at Hoa Lo Prison to learn about Vietnam's past, then walk over to Hoan Kiem Lake where you can check out the central temple. Spend some time strolling around the lake watching locals, and wander through the French colonial architecture in Hanoi's historical center before grabbing lunch at Old Quarter Street. The afternoon is free, so you can explore the narrow streets at your own pace. If you want something special, catch a Water Puppet Show to see this unique cultural form.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hoa Lo Prison visit
- Hoan Kiem Lake visit and central temple
Optional Activities
- Water Puppet Show
Landmarks/POIs Hoa Lo Prison Hoan Kiem Lake - Day 3
Halong Bay
Today you'll travel to Halong Bay and board a boat cruise departing from Lan Ha. Jump in and swim in the waters while taking in the limestone islands around you, and you can even leap off the boat if you're up for it. The day wraps up with a buffet dinner served right on the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Buffet dinner on cruise)
Included Activities
- Boat tour in Halong Bay
- Swimming in Halong Bay
- Buffet dinner on cruise
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Lan Ha - Day 4
Halong Bay to Phong Nha
Start early with a kayak tour paddling through Halong Bay's waters past the limestone islands. After lunch with the group, you'll head back to Hanoi and board an overnight bus heading to Phong Nha, so settle in for the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Kayak tour on Halong Bay
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 5
Phong Nha
You'll roll in around 4 am, so rest up in the morning at your hostel. Later on, take a bike ride out to Bong Lai village and stop by the 'Pub With Cold Beer' for a drink. Play some volleyball and have a meal there. Ask your Adventure Leader about options for checking out Phong Nha's nightlife scene if you're still up for it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike to Bong Lai Village
Optional Activities
- Phong Nha nightlife activities
Landmarks/POIs Bong Lai Village - Day 6
Phong Nha
You've got two choices today. Either explore Phong Nha's cave systems including Paradise Cave and Dark Cave, or hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail where you might see wildlife like tigers, bears, and elephants if you're lucky. After dinner, board a sleeper bus heading to Hoi An for the night.
Optional Activities
- Paradise Cave and Dark Cave exploration
- Ho Chi Minh Trail hiking adventure
Landmarks/POIs Paradise Cave Dark Cave Ho Chi Minh Trail - Day 7
Hoi An
You'll arrive in Hoi An at 4 am, so take the morning to rest at your accommodation. In the afternoon, you'll participate in a lantern-making workshop, then go on a guided tour of the ancient town and riverfront. Learn about its history as a major trading post with Japanese and Vietnamese influences. There's an optional group dinner if you want to join everyone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lantern making experience
- Ancient town tour
- Guided riverfront tour
Optional Activities
- Group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Ancient Town - Day 8
Hoi An
Explore Hoi An on your own, or pick from optional activities like taking the world's longest cable car to Ba Na Hills to see Le Jardin, old wineries, French villa remains, and Linh Ung Pagoda. You could also visit a local farm or bike out to one of the beaches near Hoi An. Try the local food or nightlife, and if interested, catch the Hoi An Memories Show, which tells the town's 400-year history through performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ba Na Hills day tour via cable car
- Local farm exploration
- Bike ride to Hoi An beaches
- Hoi An Memories Show
- Exploration and nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Ba Na Hills Linh Ung Pagoda - Day 9
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Start with an optional experience on traditional coconut basket boats, and then visit a local farm. Later, head to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Once you arrive, enjoy dinner in this vibrant city and take in the nighttime views from a rooftop bar. There's an optional bar crawl if you want to keep the energy going.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Coconut basket boat experience
- Local farm visit
- Bar crawl
- Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City
Begin with a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City checking out the landmarks around the city. Grab lunch with your group at a local restaurant, then the afternoon is yours to do what you want. You can optionally visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about Vietnam War history, and in the evening, head to a bustling night market to try local food and snacks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Saigon city orientation walking tour
Optional Activities
- War Remnants Museum visit
- Night market exploration
Landmarks/POIs War Remnants Museum - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
There's an optional visit to Cu Chi tunnels, an intricate network used during the civil war that you can explore. In the afternoon, you might take part in a coffee workshop to learn about and taste Vietnamese coffee in a local setting. For your last night, join the group at a karaoke bar if singing is your thing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Karaoke
Optional Activities
- Cu Chi tunnels exploration
- Vietnamese coffee workshop
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Cross the border into Cambodia as you travel toward Phnom Penh. After checking in at your hostel, take a city walk to see the sights around you. In the evening, you can optionally join the group for dinner and drinks at Bassac Lane.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour
Optional Activities
- Dinner and drinks at Bassac Lane
Landmarks/POIs Bassac Lane - Day 13
Phnom Penh
Your Adventure Leader will give you a proper introduction to Cambodia. After that, you'll visit S21 Prison and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek for a guided tour of Cambodia's difficult history. In the late afternoon, you can optionally join a sunset cruise or explore the vibrant night market to sample regional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- S21 prison & Killing Fields tour
Optional Activities
- Sunset cruise
- Phnom Penh night market exploration
Landmarks/POIs S21 Prison Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - Day 14
Koh Rong Sanloem Island
Travel to Sihanoukville and board a ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem island with its sandy beaches and clear waters. Spend a relaxed afternoon on the beach or join an optional kayaking adventure. At a cliffside bar, have drinks while watching the sunset, then wade into the water to see the bioluminescent plankton glow at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem
- Swimming with the plankton
Optional Activities
- Kayaking adventure
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Koh Rong Sanloem - Day 15
Koh Rong Sanloem Island
Start with a buffet breakfast at your accommodation. Visit a traditional fishing village to see local culture firsthand, then enjoy leisure time on the beach. Snorkel in the coral reef at a nearby island. Later, clean up and grab dinner before heading to the beach with camping gear to spend the night under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Delectable buffet breakfast), Lunch (BBQ lunch on the beach), Dinner
Included Activities
- Island day trip with Clearwater Bay trek
- BBQ Lunch on the beach
- Island camping
Landmarks/POIs Koh Rong Sanloem - Day 16
Koh Rong Sanloem to Siem Reap
The morning offers optional activities: scuba diving with SSI certified instructors and a divemaster, a beach cleanup to help with marine plastic, or just relaxing on the sand. Have a BBQ lunch on the beach, then head to the mainland and catch the sleeper bus to Siem Reap for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (BBQ lunch on the beach)
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving session
- Beach clean-up
- Beach relaxation
- Day 17
Siem Reap
You'll arrive early and check in for a few hours of rest. Late morning, take a walking tour along the riverside, through the Royal Gardens, and the Made in Cambodia market, plus receive a blessing at Wat Prum Rat Temple for safe travels. The afternoon has optional spa time if you want it. In the evening, you can optionally see the Phare Circus, a social organization offering free education and arts training with an acrobatics show telling a Cambodian story.
Included Activities
- City walking tour
Optional Activities
- Spa session
- Phare Circus performance
Landmarks/POIs Wat Prum Rat Temple Made in Cambodia Market - Day 18
Siem Reap
Wake up early to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend a few hours exploring temples of Angkor including Ta Prohm, the temple famous from the Lara Croft movie. In the afternoon, you can optionally take the Apopo Hero Rats Tour via tuk-tuk to learn how rats help with demining work. The evening offers a 1.5-hour pedal-pub car tour (drink included) or local Cambodian food sampling.
Included Activities
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Optional Activities
- Apopo Hero Rats Tour via tuk-tuk
- Pedal-pub car tour with drink
- Local Cambodian cuisine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Ta Prohm - Day 19
Siem Reap
Do a half-day cycling tour through lotus fields and a typical Cambodian village with various stops to see genuine village life, visit a duck farm, and learn about rice cultivation. Try local palm wine along the way. In the afternoon, you can optionally head to Cambodia Wake Park for watersports like inflatable courses and wakeboarding. End with a farewell dinner with your group to talk about the best moments from the tour.
Included Activities
- Cycle through Lotus Fields
Optional Activities
- Cambodia Wake Park watersports
- Day 20
Departure
After 20 days of exploring landscapes throughout Vietnam and Cambodia, it's time to say goodbye to your group and head home. Safe travels on your journey back.
