Itinerary
- Day 1
Phnom Penh
You'll arrive in Phnom Penh and head to your hotel for check-in. After lunch and some downtime, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the city's royal heritage and cultural sites. Walk through the Royal Palace with its intricate architecture, then visit the Silver Pagoda to see its collection of Buddha statues. From there, you can see the Independence Monument, stop by the National Museum to learn about Cambodian art and history, and climb sacred Phnom Daun Penh Hill for city views. Central Market offers local handicrafts and souvenirs before the evening is yours to relax or wander on your own.
Optional Activities
- Visit Royal Palace Complex
- Explore Silver Pagoda (Emerald Buddha Temple)
- View Independence Monument
- Tour National Museum
- Ascend Phnom Daun Penh Hill and pagoda
- Browse Central Market (Psar Thmei)
Landmarks/POIs Royal Palace Silver Pagoda (Emerald Buddha Temple) Independence Monument National Museum Phnom Daun Penh Hill Central Market (Psar Thmei) - Day 2
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
You'll start by visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to understand Cambodia's recent history. Next, spend time browsing Russia Market for crafts and souvenirs. After that, you'll head to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Once you arrive and check in to your hotel, the rest of the day is flexible. You can walk Pub Street for dining and entertainment, sample local dishes, or simply relax after traveling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison)
- Browse Russia Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along Pub Street
- Dine at local restaurant
- Relax by hotel pool
Landmarks/POIs Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Russia Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) - Day 3
Siem Reap
Your day focuses on two of Angkor's most significant temple complexes. You'll explore Angkor Thom in the morning, walking through the South Gate and checking out the Bayon Temple with its distinctive carved stone faces. The Terrace of the Elephants, Baphuon Temple, Phimeanakas, and Terrace of the Leper King are all part of this vast site. After lunch, you'll head to Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world. Wander through its intricate architecture and detailed bas-reliefs. By evening, you can visit Angkor Night Market or return to Pub Street for dinner and entertainment.
- Meals
- Lunch (Cambodian flavors at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Angkor Thom complex
- Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
- Explore Bayon Temple
- Walk Terrace of the Elephants
- Visit Baphuon Temple
- Explore Phimeanakas
- View Terrace of the Leper King
- Guided tour of Angkor Wat
- Lunch at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Shop at Angkor Night Market
- Visit Pub Street
- Dine at restaurants (own expense)
- Enjoy rooftop bar cocktails
- Browse handicrafts and souvenirs
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Thom South Gate of Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Terrace of the Elephants Baphuon Temple Phimeanakas Terrace of the Leper King Angkor Wat - Day 4
Siem Reap
This is a full temple day covering two circuits around Angkor. In the morning, you'll explore the Small Circuit sites, starting with Ta Prohm, famous for its ancient trees growing through the temple walls. You'll also see the brick temple Prasat Kravan, the sandstone monastery Banteay Kdei, the Royal Bathing Pool at Srah Srang, the unfinished Takeo pyramid, and the twin temples Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. After lunch, the afternoon takes you through the Grand Circuit's major temples, including the vast monastic complex Preah Khan, the island temple Neak Pean, the atmospheric Ta Som, the 10th-century East Mebon, and Pre Rup, known for sunset viewing. Later, you can explore Pub Street and night markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Cambodian flavors)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Small Circuit temples
- Visit Ta Prohm
- Explore Prasat Kravan
- Tour Banteay Kdei
- Visit Srah Srang
- Explore Takeo
- Visit Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda
- Guided tour of Grand Circuit temples
- Visit Preah Khan
- Explore Neak Pean
- Visit Ta Som
- Tour East Mebon
- Visit Pre Rup
- Lunch at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Pub Street
- Browse night markets
- Dinner at local eatery (own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Ta Prohm Prasat Kravan Banteay Kdei Srah Srang Takeo Thommanon Chau Say Tevoda Preah Khan Neak Pean Ta Som East Mebon Pre Rup - Day 5
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll transfer to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Your driver will be waiting when you land and will take you directly to your hotel for check-in and settling in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 6
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll get picked up between 6:45 and 7:00 AM for a 90-minute drive to Cu Chi Tunnels. Once there, you'll explore the 250km underground network built by Viet Cong fighters during the war. You can crawl through sections that have been widened for visitors, check out hidden trapdoors and old workshops, and try steamed cassava with pandan tea. Lunch follows at a riverside restaurant, then you'll cruise the Tien River, passing the Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islands. Later, a sampan takes you through palm-lined canals where you'll visit a coconut candy workshop and sample tropical fruits with honey tea while listening to folk music. You'll return to Ho Chi Minh City by 7:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vietnamese meal at local riverside restaurant)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Watch introductory video about Viet Cong history
- Explore tunnel sections including trapdoors, kitchens, hospitals, and weapon workshops
- Taste war-time snack: steamed cassava with pandan tea
- Boat cruise on Tien River
- Sampan ride through palm-lined canals
- Visit coconut candy workshop
- Sample fresh tropical fruits and honey tea
- Lunch at local riverside restaurant
Optional Activities
- Cycle through countryside (optional)
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels Mekong Delta Tien River - Day 7
Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang
You have free time throughout the day in Ho Chi Minh City to explore or rest as you like. Your driver will pick you up and transport you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight to Da Nang. After landing, another driver will meet you and take you to your hotel, where check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 8
Da Nang
You'll be picked up at 8:00 AM for a comprehensive day exploring Da Nang. First, climb Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain) to 693 meters for panoramic ocean views and visit the 67-meter Goddess of Mercy statue at Linh Ung Pagoda. You'll spot wild monkeys in the area. Next, you'll explore the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave with its Buddhist shrines, then visit Non-Nuoc Stone Carving Village. After authentic Vietnamese lunch, you'll cruise through the serene Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle, row basket boats, and see traditional fishing methods. Later, you'll walk through Hoi An Ancient Town, seeing the colorful Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung Ancient House, and Central Market. The day ends with a sunset boat ride on Hoai River where you can release flower lanterns and wander the lantern-lit streets and night markets. You'll return to Da Nang by 6:45 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Vietnamese meal at local restaurant), Dinner (Hoi An specialties including cao lầu, white rose dumplings, and banh mi Hoi An)
Included Activities
- Visit Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)
- View Linh Ung Pagoda and Goddess of Mercy statue
- Spot wild monkeys
- Explore Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave
- Visit Non-Nuoc Stone Carving Village
- Cruise Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle
- Row basket boats and experience traditional fishing
- Walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town
- Visit Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
- Explore Japanese Covered Bridge
- Tour Phung Hung Ancient House
- Browse Hoi An Central Market
- Sunset boat ride on Hoai River
- Release flower lanterns
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain) Linh Ung Pagoda Marble Mountains Am Phu Cave Non-Nuoc Stone Carving Village Cam Thanh Coconut Jungle Hoi An Ancient Town Phuc Kien Assembly Hall Japanese Covered Bridge Phung Hung Ancient House Hoi An Central Market Hoai River - Day 9
Da Nang
You'll be picked up between 7:30 and 7:45 AM for a mountain adventure. You'll board the world-record cable car for a 5.7-kilometer ride with views that pierce through the clouds. Walking across the Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands is next, followed by time in the romantic Le Jardin D'Amour flower garden. You'll visit Linh Ung Pagoda to see Vietnam's tallest Buddha statue. Lunch is a buffet at a mountain restaurant with expansive views. After eating, you'll stroll through charming French Square, a European-style town area, and visit Fantasy Park for entertainment and games. The cable car brings you back down, and you'll arrive at your Da Nang hotel between 4:00 and 5:00 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet lunch at mountain-top restaurant with panoramic views)
Included Activities
- Cable car experience (5.7km ride)
- Walk across Golden Bridge
- Explore Le Jardin D'Amour flower garden
- Visit Linh Ung Pagoda
- Buffet lunch at mountain-top restaurant
- Stroll through French Square
- Visit Fantasy Park
Landmarks/POIs Golden Bridge Le Jardin D'Amour Linh Ung Pagoda French Square Fantasy Park - Day 10
Da Nang to Hanoi
You'll have free time in Da Nang during the day to do as you please. Your driver will arrive to pick you up and take you to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. Upon landing, your driver will transfer you to your hotel, where room check-in is available from 2:00 PM onward.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 11
Hanoi
Your guide will pick you up between 8:00 and 8:30 AM for a comprehensive Hanoi city tour. You'll visit the historic Tran Quoc Pagoda, built in the 6th century and located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, Hanoi's oldest pagoda. Next, the Ho Chi Minh Complex shows his final resting place and residences from 1954 to 1969. You'll see the One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. The Vietnam Ethnology Museum teaches about the country's 54 ethnic groups (or the Vietnamese Women's Museum if the other is closed). After lunch with Vietnamese and vegetarian options, you'll explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university founded in 1070. Later, Hoa Lo Prison, built by the French from 1886 to 1901 and now a war museum, provides historical context. You'll return to your hotel by 4:30 PM, with dinner on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vietnamese cuisine with vegetarian options available)
Included Activities
- Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda
- Tour Ho Chi Minh Complex
- View Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body
- Walk Ho Chi Minh residence gardens
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Tour Vietnam Ethnology Museum
- Lunch at restaurant
- Explore Temple of Literature
- Tour Hoa Lo Prison
Landmarks/POIs Tran Quoc Pagoda Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Vietnam Ethnology Museum Temple of Literature Hoa Lo Prison - Day 12
Hanoi to Ninh Binh
You'll be picked up at 7:00 AM for a 120-kilometer drive to Ninh Binh province. Around 9:00 AM, you'll take a 20-minute break before arriving at Hoa Lu, Vietnam's original ancient capital. You'll see temples built in the 17th century dedicated to King Dinh and King Le while learning about the capital's history. After noon lunch, you'll head to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for filming the 2016 'Skull Island' movie. A boat trip through the tunnel cave system reveals several caves including Sang Cave (Light Cave), Toi Cave (Dark Cave), and Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine Cave), along with green rivers and natural scenery. You'll return to Hanoi by 7:30 PM, arriving at your hotel by 9:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Hoa Lu ancient capital
- Tour King Dinh temple
- Tour King Le temple
- Boat trip to Trang An UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore Sang Cave (Light Cave)
- Explore Toi Cave (Dark Cave)
- Explore Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine)
- Lunch
Landmarks/POIs Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Trang An Sang Cave Toi Cave Nau Ruou Cave - Day 13
Hanoi to Halong Bay
You'll be picked up between 7:30 and 8:00 AM from Ha Noi Old Quarter for a drive via expressway to Halong Bay. You'll take a 20-minute break around 10:30 AM before arriving at Tuan Chau Harbor by 12:00 to 12:30 PM. Boarding the Cozy Bay Premium Cruise, you'll begin a 5 to 6-hour journey on a 2-day sleeper boat. You'll visit Surprising Cave to see stalagmites and stalactites shaped like sea creatures, then explore Titop Island's sandy beach and limestone mountain, climbing to the peak for panoramic views. You can kayak or ride a bamboo boat through Luon Cave's lagoon. By 5:00 to 5:30 PM, you'll head back to Tuan Chau Harbor, enjoying a sunset party with tea, cakes, and music. After boarding a bus for the return to Hanoi via expressway (with a 20 to 30-minute break), you'll arrive at your Ha Noi Old Quarter hotel by 9:00 to 9:30 PM. Dinner is on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on boat)
Included Activities
- Boat cruise to Halong Bay
- Visit Surprising Cave
- Explore Titop Island
- Climb Titop Peak
- Kayaking in Luon Cave
- Bamboo boat ride in Luon Cave
- Sunset party on boat
- Lunch on boat
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Titop Island (seasonal)
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay Surprising Cave Titop Island Titop Peak Luon Cave - Day 14
Hanoi to Home
You'll enjoy complimentary breakfast and have free time to relax at your hotel. Your driver will come to pick you up and take you to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight home. Meals for the rest of the day are on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
