Itinerary
- Day 1
Luang Prabang
Your guide meets you at Luang Prabang airport to start exploring this World Heritage city where ornate temples sit alongside French colonial buildings. You'll check out the National Museum, then head to Wat Visoun with its impressive stupa and Wat Mai shrine. Wat Xieng Thong is next, and you'll want to spend time there since it's quite striking. Climbing Phousi Mountain takes a bit of effort but gets you to a sacred gilded stupa and views over the city and Mekong River as the sun sets. Later in the evening, you can walk through the Night Market to look at local crafts and handmade textiles before heading back to your hotel.
- Start point
- Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), Phetsarat Rd., Luangprabang, Luang Prabang, Laos (Pick Up Luang Prabang International Airport)
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum
- Explore Wat Visoun stupa
- Visit Wat Mai shrine
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong
- Climb Phousi Mountain and explore sacred gilded stupa
- Watch sunset from Phousi Mountain with views of Mekong River
- Explore Night Market for local crafts and handmade textiles
Landmarks National Museum Wat Visoun Wat Mai Wat Xieng Thong Phousi Mountain Night Market - Day 2
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, a guide takes you through Luang Prabang's oldest temples including Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene, and Wat Xiengthong. Then you board a boat heading upstream on the Mekong River through quiet countryside to reach Pak Ou Caves, which hold thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The boat stops at Ban Xanghai village so you can see how they make rice wine locally, and you'll also visit Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan villages. Wat Longkhoun is a royal temple worth seeing, and there's Sackarine Caves nearby. Back in the city, Ban Phanom shows traditional hand weaving techniques.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Wat Visoun stupa
- Visit Wat Aham shrine
- Visit Wat Mai
- Visit Wat Sene
- Visit Wat Xiengthong
- Boat cruise upstream on Mekong River
- Visit Pak Ou Caves
- Visit Ban Xanghai village - local rice wine production
- Visit Ban Xiengmene village
- Visit Ban Chan village
- Visit royal temple Wat Longkhoun
- Visit Sackarine Caves
- Visit Ban Phanom for hand weaving
Landmarks Wat Visoun Wat Aham Wat Mai Wat Sene Wat Xiengthong Pak Ou Caves Ban Xanghai Wat Longkhoun Sackarine Caves - Day 3
Luang Prabang to Hanoi
You eat breakfast at your hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Once you land and meet your guide for the ride to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free to wander through the old quarter at your own pace and get a feel for the neighborhood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
Optional Activities
- Flight LPQ-HAN (08:50-09:50) - $168/pax/ticket
- Day 4
Hanoi
This morning you'll tour Hanoi's main historical and cultural sites starting with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former stilt house residence. The One Pillar Pagoda dates back to 1049, and Tran Quoc Pagoda is the city's oldest temple. You'll walk through the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university. After grabbing lunch, the Museum of Ethnology shows the country's 54 ethnic groups. Then there's Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple on its jade islet to explore. The day finishes with a rickshaw tour winding through the Ancient Quarter's narrow lanes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside)
- Visit Ho Chi Minh former residence - stilt house
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Museum of Ethnology
- Discover Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple
- Rickshaw tour in Ancient Quarter with antique shops
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Ho Chi Minh Stilt House One Pillar Pagoda Tran Quoc Pagoda Temple of Literature Museum of Ethnology Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 5
Hanoi to Bai Tu Long Bay
The Swan shuttle bus picks you up from your hotel early morning heading northeast toward Bai Tu Long Bay. You'll board Swan Cruise, check into your deluxe cabin, and get a welcome drink with the safety briefing. While cruising, you'll have a Vietnamese set menu. Once at Cap La Island, you kayak through karst scenery, swim, and relax. Sunset brings a party on deck as the boat heads to the overnight anchorage. Later comes dinner onboard with free time for games or optional squid fishing under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Welcome drink upon boarding), Lunch (Delicious Vietnamese set menu while leisurely cruising), Dinner (Sumptuous set-dinner onboard)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Swan Cruise
- Check-in to cabin
- Welcome drink and briefing
- Cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay core area
- Kayaking through karst at Cap La Island
- Swimming at Cap La Island
- Sunset party on boat
- Overnight onboard Swan Cruise
Optional Activities
- Squid fishing from boat
Landmarks Cap La Island Bai Tu Long Bay - Day 6
Bai Tu Long Bay to Hanoi
The day starts early with Tai Chi on the sundeck at 6:30 AM followed by breakfast mixing Western and Vietnamese traditional dishes. A guide takes you through Thien Canh Son Cave explaining the history of Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bay. By 9:30 you return to freshen up, then at 10:30 there's a Vietnamese cooking demonstration in the kitchen. After a traditional lunch, you disembark at Hon Gai pier at noon and head back to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel around 5:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Western style with Vietnamese traditional food), Lunch (Traditional Vietnamese lunch)
Included Activities
- Tai Chi on Sundeck
- Explore Thien Canh Son Cave
- Vietnamese cooking demonstration on boat
- Return cruise to Hanoi
Landmarks Thien Canh Son Cave Hon Gai Pier - Day 7
Hanoi to Hoi An
Following breakfast, you transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your short flight to Danang in central Vietnam. Your guides meet you and take you straight to the Cham Museum, which holds the world's best collection of Cham sculptures, while porters handle your luggage. From there, you head to the historic town of Hoi An for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon includes a walking tour through the ancient town covering the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Phung Hung Old Merchant House.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Tam Tam restaurant, typical local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Cham Museum
- Walking tour of Hoi An ancient town
- Visit Japanese Bridge
- Visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
- Visit Phung Hung Old Merchant House
Optional Activities
- Flight HAN-DAD (09:30-10:50) by VN airline - $85/pax/ticket
Landmarks Cham Museum Japanese Bridge Phuc Kien Assembly Hall Phung Hung Old Merchant House - Day 8
Hoi An to Hue
After eating breakfast, you have free time before your coach departs for Hue, traveling over the spectacular Pass of Ocean Clouds. Hue was the imperial capital ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1804 to 1945. There's the Flag Tower, South Door, Edict Pavilion, Supreme Harmony Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City all on the World Heritage sites list to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Transfer over Pass of Ocean Clouds
- Visit Imperial Citadel
- Visit Flag Tower
- Visit South Door
- Visit Edict Pavilion
- Visit Supreme Harmony Palace
- Visit Forbidden Purple City
Landmarks Pass of Ocean Clouds Imperial Citadel Flag Tower Supreme Harmony Palace Forbidden Purple City - Day 9
Hue
Your hotel picks you up after breakfast for a boat cruise on the gentle Huong River where you'll see Thien Mu Pagoda built in 1601. Then you head to quiet Thuy Bieu village 6.5 km from the city, which is known for growing Thanh Tra fruit. Walking and biking around lets you visit garden houses, an old communal house, and ancient ancestral temples. There's also an incense-making family showing their daily work. At a restaurant in Thuy Bieu, you can soak your feet in medicinal herb water and get a massage from blind practitioners. In the afternoon, Emperor Minh Mang's tomb with its ponds and gardens comes next, built during his reign from 1820 to 1841 and completed in 1843.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Thuy Bieu restaurant)
Included Activities
- Boat cruise on Huong River
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Visit Thuy Bieu village
- Walk and bike around Thuy Bieu village
- Visit old communal house
- Visit ancient ancestral temples
- Visit incense-making family
- Medicinal herb water foot soak - traditional therapeutic practice
- Massage by blind people
- Visit Emperor Minh Mang's tomb
Optional Activities
- Join local activities in Thuy Bieu village - gardening, talking and drinking tea
Landmarks Huong River Thien Mu Pagoda Thuy Bieu Village Emperor Minh Mang's Tomb - Day 10
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, you transfer to Hue Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you tour Cho Lon visiting Binh Tay Market and a lacquer ware factory before lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon takes you through the Old Colonial Residential Quarter with the Hotel de Ville, Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral built in the 19th century, the French-style post office, and the Reunification Palace (viewed from outside). Your evening is free for a walk around your hotel neighborhood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a restaurant)
Included Activities
- Tour of Cho Lon
- Visit Binh Tay Market
- Visit lacquer ware factory
- Tour of Old Colonial Residential Quarter
- Visit Hotel de Ville
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Visit French-style post office
- View Reunification Palace (outside)
Optional Activities
- Flight HUI-SGN (07:45-09:10) by VN airline - $85/pax/ticket
Landmarks Cho Lon Binh Tay Market Hotel de Ville Opera House Notre-Dame Cathedral Saigon Central Post Office Reunification Palace - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
You fly to Siem Reap after breakfast and transfer to your hotel for check-in. An orientation visit takes you to Preah Ang Chheck/Chhom temple, the local main shrine. Later in the afternoon, you drive to southern Siem Reap for a short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia's largest natural water body. You'll pass floating villages, see children in small boats, and watch fishermen working the water.
Included Activities
- Visit Preah Ang Chheck/Chhom temple
- Short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake
- Observe floating village
- See fishermen at work
Optional Activities
- Flight SGN-REP (08:10-09:20) by Cambodia Angkor Air - $206/pax/ticket
Landmarks Preah Ang Chheck/Chhom Temple Tonle Sap Lake 
- Day 12
Angkor
Very early, you head to Ta Prohm temple where the jungle nearly swallowed the structure and tree roots push through stone blocks in striking ways. Next comes the finely carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat, one of the world's most impressive temple ruins with detailed Apsara carvings. You return to your hotel for breakfast and rest during the heat of midday. At 3 PM, you explore the Royal City Angkor Thom with its 54-tower temple Bayon. The complex's surroundings include Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace, and Royal Palace area. Preah Khan temple from the 12th century comes last, built in a similar style to Ta Prohm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local family house)
Included Activities
- Early morning visit to Ta Prohm temple
- Visit Angkor Wat
- Return to hotel breakfast
- Explore Royal City Angkor Thom
- Visit Bayon temple
- Visit Baphou
- Visit Elephant Terraces
- Visit Leper King Terrace
- Visit Royal Palace area
- Visit Preah Khan temple
Landmarks Ta Prohm Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Bayon Baphou Elephant Terraces Leper King Terrace Preah Khan - Day 13
Angkor
Early morning you take a tuk-tuk to watch sunrise in front of Angkor Wat temple, then return to your hotel for breakfast. After eating, you continue to the South Gate of Angkor Thom City and explore the Royal City with Bayon's 50-tower temple. The complex's surroundings including Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace, and Royal Enclosure area are on the agenda. Lunch at a local restaurant follows. Late afternoon brings Ta Prohm temple with its magnificent tree roots embracing ancient stones. Then you visit the finely carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat. Tonight you'll have dinner with an Apsara Dance Show performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner with Apsara Dance Show)
Included Activities
- Tuk-Tuk ride to Angkor Wat for sunrise
- Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
- Explore Angkor Thom
- Visit Bayon temple
- Visit Baphoun
- Visit Elephant Terraces
- Visit Leper King Terrace
- Visit Royal Enclosure area
- Visit Ta Prohm temple
- Visit Angkor Wat
- Dinner with Apsara Dance Show
Landmarks Angkor Wat South Gate of Angkor Thom Angkor Thom Bayon Baphoun Elephant Terraces Leper King Terrace Ta Prohm - Day 14
Siem Reap to Bangkok
You transfer to Kampong Phluk Village after breakfast, a permanent floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. Boarding a local boat, you cruise the waterways watching the authentic and diverse lifestyle of people living on water. You'll see stilt houses, flooded forest, and fishermen while learning about daily life from locals you meet. Back on shore, Artisans D'Angkor and the Old Market are next. Then you transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok, concluding your tour.
- End point
- Siem Reap International Airport (REP), Airport Rd., Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Drop off Siem Reap International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Kampong Phluk Village
- Local boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake
- Visit floating village
- Observe stilt houses
- Observe flooded forest
- Visit Artisans D'Angkor
- Visit Old Market
Landmarks Kampong Phluk Village Tonle Sap Lake Artisans D'Angkor Old Market
