Upon arrival in Siem Reap you will be met by your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 100 temples are spread over a vast area and the site easily lives up to its status as one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world.
Siem Reap has expanded at a phenomenal rate in recent years, with another hotel seemingly opening every other month. However, the old town retains much of its original charm and there are a number of sites of interest such as museums, galleries and the local market. The town also has a wide choice of restaurants and bars, with something to suit every taste.
During any visit to the Angkor temples, we ensure your day(s) remain both flexible and personal. Having met with your guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples. Whilst some wish to explore as many temples as they can during their stay, others like to travel at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Departing after breakfast accompanied by your guide, your day will be spent travelling through a number of relatively untouched villages and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local people. This is a world away from Siem Reap, and provides you with the perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’ and gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with an insight into traditional Khmer culture; something which few visitors are lucky enough to experience.
Your first stop is the village of Krabei Real, where there is time to explore the local market and to purchase some supplies for your lunch. Continue on, this time without the benefit of air-conditioning, using a more typical method of transportation for this region. The (almost!) pollution free ox and cart is still widely used throughout Cambodia, and allows you to travel at a gentle, almost hypnotic pace along the narrow, sandy, village roads. Winding your way through the rice fields, you’ll pass houses, schools and pagodas. Many of the families in this area are skilled rattan weavers, using techniques passed down through the generations to create a wide variety of crafts and day-to-day items to sell in the markets of the nearby towns.
After around an hour, arrive at the home of a local family who have been carefully chosen by our team. Having been welcomed by your hosts, there will be plenty of time to relax and chat with the family as they prepare lunch using the produce selected at the market (with your guide acting as interpreter). If you wish to assist then you are very welcome to do so, and this is also a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of typical Khmer cuisine. This is likely to be very different from the dishes you may have sampled in the more westerner-orientated restaurants of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh!
Having enjoyed your lunch, there is time to explore the village before returning to Siem Reap. En route, stop to visit the workshops of the Angkor Artwork - all products sold are produced using long forgotten traditional methods and the quality of craftmanship is outstanding. If time permits, make a stop at Siem Reap’s market before arriving back at your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
With the crowds at the most famous Angkor temple sites often being counted in their 1000’s, many visitors are unaware that there are further lying temples where there’s more of a tranquil ambiance and less jostling for photo opportunities.
After an early breakfast head out of Siem Reap to the massive jungle temple of Beng Mealea, the size and scale of Angkor Wat but utterly swallowed by the jungle. Thanks to the distance from Siem Reap the number of visitors here is much lower than it's more famous counterparts, but word is getting out, so by visiting early in the morning you’ll be ahead of the pack. Clambering about this titan of temples it’s easy to imagine what it must have been like for early explorers.
After some time exploring, continue on to the 10th century capital of Koh Ker. Whilst there are known to be over 200 temples within the boundaries of this ancient city, only 96 have been discovered thus far and in fact most of your time is likely to be spent at just one; Prasat Thom, much of which is partially buried. Whilst the visitor numbers vary from one day to another they are always low, and it is not uncommon for you to have the site to yourself. At the far end of Prasat Thom there is towering pyramid, somewhat reminiscent of the Mayan or Inca architecture.
Having seen more of the surrounding temples, return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
Your day is at leisure until your afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Once known as Faifo, the UNESCO designated World Heritage town of Hoi An was one of the Orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. The town is one of the highlights of any visit to Vietnam with its laid-back atmosphere and fine Colonial architecture lining cobbled streets offering a glimpse of times gone-by. Explore the former merchants’ homes, the 450 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge adorned with lanterns by night and the colourful market.
Hoi An is one of the best places in Asia to shop for silks, handicrafts, antiques and art. Also, the local tailors are famous for their high standards of work and can create anything to order in just 24 hours.
A short distance from the town centre is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. The town is also famed throughout Vietnam for its fine cuisine and there are a number of sensational restaurants and cafes to choose from.
In more recent years Hoi An has unfortunately lost a little of its previous charm, due to the huge development work around the nearby city of Danang and along the beach road linking the two, increasing the number of day trippers and group tours to the town. We would however still unquestionably recommend it to any first time visitor to Vietnam.
Explore, relax and enjoy the sand....
Explore, relax and enjoy the sand....
Explore, relax and enjoy the sand....
Morning transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, ranks amongst the world's most attractive and interesting cities. It was first the capital of Vietnam in AD 1010 and, although the nation's capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city continued to flourish after the French took control in 1888. In 1954, after the French departed, Hanoi was declared Vietnam's capital once again. The remnants of over 1,000 years of history are still visible here, with that of the past few hundred years marvellously preserved.
The rest of your day is at leisure until 6pm when you commence your evening tour with a difference. Riding pillion on a Vespa, you’ll enjoy a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine and get to see where the locals hang out of an evening, whilst taking in the sights of Hanoi by night.
Begin your evening with a beer at a vintage bike themed café where there will be a short briefing, before you head off into the night. The first stop of the evening is a local restaurant close to West Lake that is known for its Pho Cuon – fresh spring rolls filled with rice noodles and beef. After sampling some spring rolls, back on the Vespa you’ll drive along Thanh Nien Road that separates Truc Bach Lake and West Lake. Arguably the most picturesque (and most romantic) street in Hanoi, its wide, tree lined sidewalks are popular with couples who stroll along the street as the sun sets over the lakes. Drive past Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest temple and onto your next stop: a restaurant specialising in Cha Ca. This dish is a Hanoi institution and comprises of grilled fish served with rice noodles, herbs and peanuts, generally served up on a skillet at the table.
After eating, continue on to Ba Dinh square where there will be an opportunity to stretch your legs and witness the changing of the guard and the ceremony of lowering of the national flag at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, before finishing the evening with a drink at one the city’s night bars, where you can also enjoy some live music.
Enjoy a full day tour of Hanoi. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however we would recommend sites such as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. For many the Temple of Literature is a highlight worth lingering over. Built in 1070, this complex of atmospheric halls, pavilions and courtyards is dedicated to Confucius and scholars. Of special note are the 82 remaining steles of stone shaped like turtles which are elaborately carved with the names of candidates that sat the Royal examinations. A walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods. After lunch, consider visiting the very popular Ethnology Museum or the central Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American POW's during the war. Alternatively your guide will be happy to discuss alternative places of interest that you may wish to consider.
In the evening we recommend staying in and around the Old Quarter where there is a large selection of excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from. There is also the amazing 'street-food' such as Pho to be found on every corner!
After an early breakfast it’s a three hour drive from the city to Halong Bay, passing through a number of typical North Vietnamese towns and villages. Upon arrival you will be welcomed aboard your traditional junk; the same style that have sailed the bay for 100’s of years.
A natural wonder of the world and one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the creation of Halong Bay is shrouded in myth. Local legend tells us how the gods sent a family of dragons to defend the country from the invading Chinese. The dragons spat out gemstones that turned into islands, linking together to create a wall against the enemy. The truth is almost as evocative as the legend and upon setting out into the bay you are met by one of the most beguiling natural scenes you will ever witness.
Lunch is served as you depart port. You will soon leave the mainland far behind, navigating amongst the jagged limestone islands and karsts emerging from the emerald waters. Whilst some islands are no more than large rocks others are far more substantial in size.
During your cruise there will be opportunities to disembark, often using smaller boats, or possibly kayaks, to venture into hidden grottos and caves. You will also make stops to explore points of interest such as floating fishing villages and picturesque lookout points.
The cuisine throughout your cruise is both plentiful and of a very high standard. Lovers of fresh seafood will be particularly happy. The dining cabin and bar create a very social atmosphere for those that wish to mix with other guests; whilst cabins, many with a private balcony, are all ensuite and spacious.
Each junk operates a slightly different itinerary (although en-route stops will be the same) and on board facilities vary. Your consultant will be very happy to discuss each option with you.
After an early breakfast drive to Halong Bay, passing by a number of typical North Vietnamese towns and villages. It’s possible to break the journey en-route if you wish: the best options for a refreshment break are large souvenir shops popular with tour groups, however there is no obligation to stop and you should not feel under pressure to make any purchases if you do stop.
