Itinerary
- Day 1
Vientiane
You'll arrive in Laos and get transferred to your hotel for check-in. After settling in, the rest of your day is yours to walk around Vientiane at whatever pace feels right. A welcome meeting happens at 5pm at the hotel where you'll meet the group and get oriented to what's ahead.
- Day 2
Vientiane
A guided tour takes you through Vientiane starting with That Luang Stupa, then Wat Prakeo and Wat Si Saket temple. You'll head to Buddha Park next to see over 200 Hindu and Buddhist sculptures scattered throughout. The Cope Centre visit teaches about support for unexploded bomb and mine victims. As evening arrives, dinner happens beside the Mekong River where you'll catch the sunset from your table.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner beside the Mekong River with sunset views)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of That Luang Stupa
- Visit Wat Prakeo
- Visit Wat Si Saket temple
- Explore Buddha Park
- Visit Cope Centre
- Dinner beside the Mekong River
Landmarks/POIs That Luang Stupa Wat Prakeo Wat Si Saket Buddha Park Cope Centre - Day 3
Vientiane to Vang Vieng
You'll drive north through countryside to Vang Vieng on the Nam Song River. That afternoon, you cross the river on an unpaved route passing through villages and rice fields to reach a blue lagoon and Tham Pou Kham cave. The hike up the forested trail (handrails help on steeper sections) leads to the cave halfway up a limestone cliff. After exploring the chambers with stalactites and stalagmites, you'll swim in the lagoon before heading back to Vang Vieng for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Vang Vieng
- Visit blue lagoon
- Visit Tham Pou Kham cave
- Swim in blue lagoon
Optional Activities
- Tour of the caves
- Tubing (book and pay locally)
- Bike Riding (book and pay locally)
Landmarks/POIs Tham Pou Kham Cave Blue Lagoon (Vang Vieng) - Day 4
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
You start by exploring Tham Jang caves, which served as a bunker during past conflicts. Next, cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai village to learn about local life. Then it's a scenic drive north on rough roads through Kasi and Phoukhoune to reach Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed city known for temple roofs, colonial buildings and mountain views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tham Jang caves
- Visit Ban Huai Ngai village
- Drive to Luang Prabang
Landmarks/POIs Tham Jang Cave Ban Huai Ngai Village - Day 5
Luang Prabang
Early risers can see saffron-robed monks collecting alms through the streets. You'll tour the old quarter by vintage tuk tuk, visiting the busy Morning Market and the impressive Wat Xiengthong temple. The former Royal Palace, now a national museum, houses the sacred Pha Bang Buddha statue. Later you'll meet locals from ethnic minority villages like Laoloum, H'mong and Khmu communities, then head to Khouagsi waterfall where forest trails and turquoise pools await you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Vintage tuk tuk tour of old quarter
- Visit Morning Market
- Visit Wat Xiengthong temple
- Visit former Royal Palace museum
- Visit ethnic minority villages (Laoloum, H'mong, Khmu)
- Visit Khouangsi waterfall
Optional Activities
- Witness monk alms procession (early morning)
Landmarks/POIs Wat Xiengthong Royal Palace Khouangsi Waterfall - Day 6
Luang Prabang to Hanoi
You'll spend a half-day at Living Land Farm learning hands-on farming methods like rice planting and working with water buffalo. After a Laotian lunch, you transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Vietnam, a driver meets you and takes you to your hotel in the capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tasty Laotian lunch at Living Land Farm)
Included Activities
- Half-day farming experience at Living Land Farm
- Rice planting and cultivation learning
- Water buffalo ploughing experience
- Laotian lunch
Landmarks/POIs Living Land Farm - Day 7
Hanoi
Hanoi is yours to explore at your own pace today. Walk the wide tree-lined streets, check out beautiful lakes, visit ancient pagodas and wander the bustling old town, all easy on foot. Key sites include Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (closed Oct-Nov), the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's 11th-century first university. A Vietnam welcome meeting happens at 5pm to meet any tour members arriving today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Visit Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts
- Visit Temple of Literature
Landmarks/POIs Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum Presidential Palace Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts Temple of Literature - Day 8
Hanoi to Halong Bay
You transfer to Halong Bay this morning and board a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise through jade waters dotted with karst islands. Lunch happens onboard while you take in the views. Trinh Nu Cave, one of the bay's finest, features stalactites and stalagmites. Kayaking and swimming fill your afternoon. Back on deck, you'll watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before a seafood dinner. Note that weather and cruise details can change the day's flow, and the transfer uses a driver rather than a guide.
- Meals
- Lunch (Tasty lunch onboard junk boat), Dinner (Sumptuous seafood dinner onboard)
Included Activities
- Traditional junk boat cruise in Halong Bay
- Lunch onboard junk boat
- Visit Trinh Nu Cave
- Kayaking opportunity
- Swimming opportunity
- Vietnamese cooking demonstration
- Seafood dinner onboard
Landmarks/POIs Trinh Nu Cave - Day 9
Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hue
The morning offers an early option for Tai Chi on the sundeck or a massage. Before heading to port, you'll explore Sung Sot cave, a massive 10,000 square meter space with two spectacular chambers. By mid-afternoon you're back in Hanoi for a cyclo rickshaw ride through the French Quarter past the Opera house and Ly Thai To Park. Later you'll walk the '36 streets of the old quarter', named after the guilds that once operated there. Then board the Reunification Express train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) to Hue, or choose to fly instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Sung Sot cave (Surprise Grotto)
- Cyclo ride through French Quarter
- Walk through '36 streets of the old quarter'
- Overnight sleeper train to Hue
Optional Activities
- Tai Chi class on sundeck (early morning)
- Traditional massage
- Fly from Hanoi to Hue instead of train
Landmarks/POIs Sung Sot Cave Opera House (Hanoi) Ly Thai To Park - Day 10
Hue
You arrive in Hue and transfer to your hotel. A guided tour covers this 19th-century Nguyen empire capital, starting with Thien Mu Pagoda and its oldest monastery, then the impressive citadel. Inside you'll see the Imperial Purple Palace (modeled after Beijing's Forbidden City) with its ramparts, moats and imperial palaces, some now in ruins. In the countryside, the Royal Tombs of Nguyen kings await, including Emperor Tu Duc's elaborate mausoleum. As sunset arrives, an optional long boat cruise on the Perfume River lets you see the city illuminated from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Guided sightseeing tour of Hue
- Visit Citadel
- Explore Imperial Purple Palace
- Visit Royal Tombs of Nguyen kings
- View Emperor Tu Duc mausoleum
Optional Activities
- Sunset long boat cruise on Perfume River
Landmarks/POIs Thien Mu Pagoda Citadel of Hue Imperial Purple Palace Royal Tombs of Nguyen Kings Emperor Tu Duc Mausoleum - Day 11
Hue to Hoi An
You transfer to Hoi An this morning, crossing the scenic Hai Van Pass with views of beaches and lush hills below. A stop at China Beach, famous from 'Apocalypse Now', lets you walk along the sand and swim. Then you continue south to charming Hoi An where the rest of your day is free. This old trading port has cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses full of boutique restaurants, hip cafes, craft shops and Asia's best affordable bespoke tailors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel via Hai Van Pass
- Stop at China Beach
Optional Activities
- Hoi An Street Eats add-on - vintage Vespa tour exploring local food haunts (book early, numbers limited)
Landmarks/POIs Hai Van Pass China Beach - Day 12
Hoi An
A local guide leads you on a leisurely bike ride through countryside to Tra Que village (or alternative transport is available if you prefer not to cycle). You'll learn age-old farming practices and traditional medicine, then put on a conical hat to help tend fields and gardens. After watching a cooking demonstration and helping prepare lunch, you cycle back to Hoi An. Later, a short walking tour covers highlights like Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky house and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tasty lunch prepared at Tra Que village)
Included Activities
- Bike ride to Tra Que village
- Visit Tra Que village
- Learn about traditional farming practices
- Learn about traditional medicine
- Cooking demonstration at Tra Que
- Lunch at Tra Que
- Walking tour of Hoi An
- Visit Chua Ong Pagoda
- Visit Chinese Assembly Hall
- Visit Tam Ky house
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
Optional Activities
- Alternative transportation instead of bike ride (no extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Tra Que Village Chua Ong Pagoda Chinese Assembly Hall Tam Ky House Japanese Covered Bridge - Day 13
Hoi An
Your day is completely free. You could take a relaxing rowboat journey down the river, spend time at the beach or by the hotel pool, or choose an optional excursion. Options include the UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary or a day trip to Ba Na Hills mountain resort with its world's second-longest cable car and the striking Golden Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rowboat journey along the river
- Day trip to UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary
- Day trip to Ba Na Hills mountain resort with cable car ride and Golden Bridge (book and pay locally)
Landmarks/POIs My Son Sanctuary Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge - Day 14
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta
An early morning flight takes you from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City. A local guide meets you and you head onward to the Mekong Delta, often called Vietnam's 'rice bowl'. You'll board a sampan at Cai Be and cruise through waterways watching daily river life, passing colorful trading boats and houseboats. Stops let you visit cottage industries making popcorn, coco candies and paper. At Tan Phong Islet, a small rowboat explores hidden mangroves. Lunch happens in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island and you'll spend the night in Can Tho.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island)
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Sampan boat cruise from Cai Be
- Visit local cottage industries
- Row boat exploration at Tan Phong Islet
- Lunch in traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island
Landmarks/POIs Cai Be Tan Phong Islet Dong Hoa Hiep Island - Day 15
Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City
Early morning takes you to the lively Cai Rang floating market where melons, pineapples, greens and rice sacks get tossed between sampans at impressive speeds. You drive back to Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), once called the Pearl of the Orient. This modern metropolis mixes sleek skyscrapers with ancient pagodas and colonial landmarks. A walking tour shows the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and the sobering War Remnants Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cai Rang floating market
- Walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Old Post Office
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Landmarks/POIs Cai Rang Floating Market Notre Dame Cathedral Old Post Office War Remnants Museum - Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
You visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels to see how Vietnamese soldiers lived underground during the war. Walking bush trails, you'll see trapdoors, booby traps, living areas, weapon factories and kitchens. You can safely crawl through widened tunnel sections and fire era weapons on the range, including M16s and AK47s. Then you transfer to the Cambodian border at Moc Bai/Bavet, meet your guide and head to Phnom Penh. Dinner happens at a local restaurant in Cambodia's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
- Walk bush trails with tunnel features
- Crawl through widened tunnel sections
- Firing range experience
- Border crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 17
Phnom Penh
A full day with a local guide covers Phnom Penh's key sites. You visit the National Museum of Arts, Cambodia's largest archaeological museum holding the world's finest Khmer sculpture collection. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda follow, featuring diamond-encrusted Buddha statues and a floor paved with five tons of gleaming silver. Tuol Seng (Security Prison S-21) shows where a school became a torture chamber under the Khmer Rouge. Your day ends at the Killing Fields where over 10,000 people were executed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum of Arts
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Visit Tuol Seng (Security Prison S-21)
- Visit Killing Fields
Landmarks/POIs National Museum of Arts Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Tuol Seng (Security Prison S-21) Killing Fields - Day 18
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
You check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. A local guide meets you for sightseeing after you freshen up. The Angkor National Museum houses relics from the ancient Angkor Empire dating 9th-14th centuries. This afternoon, you head to the Angkor Complex to explore Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. This vast three-tiered structure features five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters high.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Siem Reap
- Visit Angkor National Museum
- Visit Angkor Wat
Landmarks/POIs Angkor National Museum Angkor Wat - Day 19
Siem Reap
Early risers can return to Angkor Wat for sunrise. You drive to Banteay Srei temple with stops at an exotic butterfly sanctuary and to help with tree planting in Preak Dak village. Back at the Angkor Temple Complex, you explore Angkor Thom, the ancient capital featuring Bayon Temple, Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King, and the Baphuon royal enclosure. Ta Prohm Temple, the 'Tomb Raider Temple' from Angelina Jolie's film, shows jungle claiming the ruins. Tonight you attend the Phare Cambodian Circus, an NGO training street children in performance arts.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Banteay Srei
- Visit butterfly sanctuary
- Community tree planting at Preak Dak village
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Bayon Temple
- Visit Terraces of Elephants and Leper King
- Visit Baphuon royal enclosure
- Visit Ta Prohm Temple
- Attend Phare Cambodian Circus
Optional Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Angkor Wat (book and pay locally)
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Banteay Srei Preak Dak Village Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Terraces of Elephants and Leper King Baphuon Ta Prohm Temple - Day 20
Siem Reap to Bangkok
You say goodbye to Cambodia and transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, a transfer takes you to your hotel in Thailand's bustling capital city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Bangkok
- Days 21 - 22
Bangkok
A guided tour reveals Bangkok's highlights starting at the Bangkok Flower Market where restaurants and florists get fresh blooms daily. The beautiful Grand Palace, Thailand's religious and royal heart, comes next. An exhilarating tuk tuk ride takes you to Wat Pho with its famous reclining Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant, you board a longtail boat to explore the klongs or canals crisscrossing the city. Your tour ends at famous Khao San Road with its street stalls, restaurants and bars. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free. On day 23, your Indochina adventure ends with checkout and an included transfer to the airport, though you can extend your stay to see more of Thailand if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Bangkok Flower Market
- Visit Grand Palace
- Tuk tuk ride to Wat Pho
- Visit Wat Pho reclining Buddha
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Longtail boat exploration of canals
- Visit Khao San Road
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Thailand
Landmarks/POIs Bangkok Flower Market Grand Palace Wat Pho Khao San Road
