Indochina Discovery

Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and driver who will escort you to your hotel in the city center. Free time to relax and overnight in Hanoi.

Discovery of the capital Hanoi. Hanoi is a fascinating city where ancient traditions mix with modern life - We visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (not accessible on Mondays and Fridays as it is closed), Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, a simple stilt house where he lived from 1958 until his death in 1969, the One Pillar Pagoda - it is built on a single stone pillar and surrounded by a lotus pond, making it a picturesque place for visitors. - Afterwards, we will go to the "Temple of Literature: a symbol of education" - The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is a historic Confucian temple and also the first college in Vietnam. In the afternoon, Special tour with US Army Jeep with driver we drive around Hoan Kiem lake, the Opera House, Long Bien bridge which was built under French occupation, Vietnam Military History Museum OR Hoa Lo prison museum (Hanoi Hilton). We then drive around the West Lake, stop for coffee and enjoy the views. Overnight in hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh, often referred to as 'Halong Bay on land,' which enchants visitors with its stunning karst landscapes and tranquil river cruises." Continue to Tam Coc for peaceful boat rides through beautiful rice fields and high cliffs. In the afternoon, we'll explore Mua Caves, offering panoramic views of Tam Coc and the scenic countryside. Later, enjoy a leisurely bike ride through charming paths, passing lotus ponds and temples, leading to the beautiful Bich Dong Pagoda on a hillside. Return to Hanoi and overnight at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Hanoi to the world famous Halong Bay, ‘the "descending dragon", a drive of about 3.5 hours. Halong Bay is known as UNESCO World Heritage Site and captivates with its emerald green waters, thousands of limestone islands and enchanting boat rides. - You will board our junk for an unforgettable cruise. Spending a night on a boat in Halong Bay, you can drift under the stars surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the limestone karst rocks and the calm water. You can enjoy various activities such as kayaking, swimming, cave exploring and enjoying fresh seafood while taking in the breathtaking scenery - Dinner will be served with delicious local seafood on board, with other options available. Overnight stay on the junk. - Note: The cruise itinerary and schedule may change depending on the selected Cruise, weather and operating conditions.

After breakfast, continue your cruise through the breathtaking scenery of the bay. After disembarking, come back to Hanoi and flight to Siem Reap - where ancient temples meet vibrant markets, creating a mesmerizing Cambodian experience. You will meet our guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast, we go to Preah Khan Temple, a historic site near Angkor Thom. Nearby is Neak Poan, a small temple on an island in a former water reservoir. We then visit Tasom, known for its scenic spots and tree-covered entrance. Later, we explore the Akira Landmine Museum to learn about Cambodia’s recent history. We drive 35km to Banteay Srei, a small but stunning temple dedicated to Shiva. It's famous for its intricate carvings, often said to be so delicate that they must have been done by women. On our way back, we stop at Pradark Village, where locals make palm sugar and handicrafts. Lastly, we visit Banteay Samre, admired for its detailed carvings and beautiful pink sandstone walls. We end our day in Siem Reap, enriched with Cambodia’s ancient and recent stories. Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant. For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message. Overnight in Siem Reap.

We wake up early to see the beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat, a famous temple. It can get crowded, especially from December to March. After the sunrise, we explore Angkor Wat, taking lots of pictures from different angles. We also visit Ta Prohm, known for its big trees seen in the Tomb Raider movie. We'll take you to a quiet jungle temple away from the crowds for unique photos. Later, we see Bayon temple with its many towers and faces during the Golden Hour. Our day ends at one of Angkor Thom's gates to capture the sunset over the water. We stay overnight in Siem Reap.

After a leisurely breakfast, journey through the Cambodian countryside to the colonial city of Battambang (Cambodia’s second largest city.) Despite being (not too long ago) a stronghold of the erstwhile Khmer Rouge, the city still boasts a beautiful countryside and some striking French colonial architecture. The former rice bowl of Cambodia, Battambang today still holds a thriving agriculture industry with large orange and jute plantations. Drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train has been set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train in itself is very basic – one platform on 4 wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we travel the 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and rice paddies. Departure to Phnom Sampeu Mountain to catch the bats! As darkness falls, we will begin to see thousands of nocturnal bats taking flight from the surrounding caves in a massive formation of dark, black clouds. Be sure to photograph this amazing and staggering sight! Overnight in Battamang.

Depart Battambang for the overland transfer to Phnom Penh (duration 5 hours not including stops). Starting early travel first to Kampong Chhnang, known for its traditional pottery, with many kilns at work in this province. In a village near Kampong Chhnang, to see the different aspects of pottery making and also experience the production of traditional rice wine. Continue to Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia. The drive passes through many rural villages and pagodas, and you will the temple mountain with its dozens of stupas from afar. Upon arrival at Oudong enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch at a picnic hut at the foot of the hill. Before heading to Phnom Penh stop at the spectacular Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre. Your guide can explain more about the school of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) as you tour the centre, before taking part in a meditation class with one of the teachers. From here, it is not far to Phnom Penh where you will reach in the late afternoon. Check into your hotel. Phnom Penh was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and despite its turbulent history and recent development, it still retains a colonial charm. Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap. Overnight in Phnom Penh

After breakfast, we meet our guide and hop on Cyclo, an original means of transport from Phnom Penh and a fun way to explore this vibrant city. First visit Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple located in center of Phnom Penh City. It was built in 1373, and stands 27 meters above the ground. Next, we visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony. We will stop at Central Market is located in the heart of the Phnom Penh. The Khmer name of the market is Phsar Thmei, which translates to “new market”. The Central Market was built in 1937 during the French colonial period, in Art Deco style, and is painted bright ochre. We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and use your free time to explore the city center through shopping or leisure activities. When it's time to depart, our driver will take you to airport, ending your unforgettable 11-day Vietnam and Cambodia.