2024 “Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam” departing 2 May “Sold Out”

Fly from Brisbane and other cities on Singapore Airlines for Siem Reap

Arrive Siem Reap and transfer to our hotel located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat Temples.  Balance of day is free to relax and enjoy the surrounds.

Prasat Kravan with unique brick sculptures and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight.  There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

After breakfast, a highlight as we visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in the world and covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1,300 metres x 1,500 metres.  Next we visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to his father.  It is a huge monastic complex and served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1,000 monks.  Tonight enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with the elegant Aspara dance show.

After breakfast we visit the floating village of Kompong Phhluk of Tonle Lake, where we enjoy a boat tour around the village and soak in the culture of living life on the water.  In the afternoon we visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, built from the late 12^th century to the early 13^th century by King Jayavarman VII which consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

The morning is free before our departure to the airport for our flight to Laos.  On our arrival we will transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax or explore.

An early morning today as we wake to experience the morning alms offering to monks and then back to the hotel for breakfast.  Next we’ll drive to Kuang Si Waterfall which though not very high is spectacular.  Defined by its green aura, the waterfall’s gentle cascades flow into turquoise pools, among the surrounding mists and create a surreal impression.  En route we’ll stop to visit a fresh produce market of Talad Phosy and then continue to Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe ethnic Hmong people, the best-known minority group in Laos.  We’ll also visit the village of Ban Tha Pane, home to the K’mu tribe.  Lunch will be served at the village and there will be plenty of time for relaxing and swimming in the cool water before we head back to Luang Prabang.

This morning we’ll travel on a long-tailed boat on the Mekong River.  En route we’ll pass by quaint Laotian villages barely visible behind a screen of riverside foliage, as slender canoes bob by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps.  We’ll visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves which contain thousands of Buddha images in various sizes, shapes and colours.  On our way back to Luang Prabang we will stop at the village of Ban Zangkhong which is known for it’s wood paper making and silk weavings with natural dyes.

This morning we enjoy a private city tour including visits to the Royal Palace Museum and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong which with its roof sweeping low to the ground, represent classical Laotian architectural style.  We’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai before transferring to the airport for our flight to Hanoi in Vietnam.

We start our visit with the most important attractions of Hanoi City.  We’ll explore the complex of cultural and historic sites of Ba Dinh Square, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.  A break for lunch and some relaxation before a visit to Hanoi ‘Hilton’ and then a cyclo tour along the lake and around the Old Quarter before enjoying a Water Puppet Show in the evening and dinner at the famous (and delicious) Cha Ca La Vong restaurant.

Today is a free day to relax and explore this busy and bustling city.

We leave Hanoi today and head towards one of the main highlights of the tour, Halong Bay where we will spend 2 nights cruising this stunning destination with its imposing cliffs and beautiful waters visiting the Light and Dark Cave.  After dinner you might like to try your hand at squid fishing , karaoke or relaxing.

Another day in paradise as we visit Viet Hai fishing village nestled between jungle and limestone towers and Ba Trai Dao Beach for swimming.

Greet the new day on the sundeck with a tai chi session or enjoy the bay while you sip an early morning cuppa on deck.  We disembark after an early lunch and transfer to the airport for our flight to Hue (Wway).  On arrival we’ll transfer to our hotel located in a tranquil area of Thua Thien Hue and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

This morning you will have a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda as well as the mausoleum of former Emperor Minh Mang.  In the afternoon, visit to the Imperial Citadel complex and Dong Ba market.

After breakfast we check out and leave Hue for Hoi An.  On the way we will stop for sightseeing and to take photos at the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co lagoon and then drive over the Pass of Ocean Clouds passing Da Nang city to Hoi An ancient town – a major Asian trading port in the 17^th and 18^th centuries with a relaxed lifestyle that has changed little over the years.  Don’t forget this is a town that is famous for its great tailors.  In the afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town through the narrow streets where we’ll visit a home of a former merchant, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the ancient house and the exotic local market.

A fun day today as we gather early for our cooking class.  We’ll visit the colourful market and experience the sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market.  We will board the Red Bridge Boat for a leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School.  This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is ready.  On arrival we explore the school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes.  After the lesson we sit down and eat what we have cooked.  After our transfer back to the hotel the afternoon is free.

Another highlight today as we enjoy a half day food tour of Hoi An with ‘A Taste of Hoi An’.  The afternoon is free for some retail therapy or rest, the choice is yours.

The highlights just keep coming as we set off today towards Ba Na Hills in Da nang to take a funicular up to the Golden Bridge, supported by the hands of “God”.  The surreal, glistening bridge dangles dramatically over the foggy mountainside reaching towards the sky.  You can have your lunch in Ba Na Hills or back at Hoi An.  The rest of the day is at leisure.

Some free time this morning before our transfer to Da Nang airport for our short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.  Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and transfer to our hotel where the afternoon will be free.

We leave the city and head towards the Cu Chi tunnels, the infamous underground network from which North Vietnamese forces operated during the American War in Vietnam.  On our return to the city we will visit the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Opera House.  We’ll finish with a leisurely stroll down Rue Catinat of Graham Greene’s ‘The Quiet American’ to reveal more colonial classics and through the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

This full day excursion begins with a two hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho.  The first stop is to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in Tien Giang Province.  The pagoda is an ancient Southern gem with the combination of Asian and European architecture including Renaissance period and Romanesque.  Next, continue a drive to My Tho City to take a boat trip on the mighty Mekong River.  View the fishing port, the traditional stilt houses, boat building workshops and islands including Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn and Tortoise.  After lunch on one of the beautiful islands, ride a horse or take a carriage around villages to see the local life; taste tropical fruits and honey tea at a bee-keeping farm; listen to traditional music and visit a local coconut candy manufacturer.  Roam on village paths with fruit orchards and bonsai gardens.  Meet the locals to get a deeper understanding and appreciation of their daily life in the watery area.  Back to Ho Chi Minh city late in the afternoon after an amazing day in rural Vietnam.

A free day today to explore the city and pick up those last-minute souvenirs before our farewell dinner cruise on Saigon River for our last night in Vietnam.

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you may have some free time for individual exploration of the city before our private transfer to the airport according to your home departure flight.

Arrive in your destination city after a wonderful adventure.