Welcome the city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a place that combines serenity and energy with ease. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and soon you are settled into your accommodation within the center of the city. The French Colonial influence is apparent within the buildings of the Old City, and in its wide streets which allow waves of motorbikes to pass in consortium with bicycles carrying large, shallow baskets filled with vibrant fruit. Full of a millennium worth of history, the cityscape brings both modern luxury and tradition to the forefront of understanding, whether within the elegant architecture of the Opera House or on the tranquil shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Within the three-story halls of Hang Da Market you will find a diverse collection of culture and industry, where imported wine stores mix with local flower shops, and second-hand clothing stores stand next to textile stalls. The exterior is a remarkable multi-perforated façade colored in opulent white and is often filled with the aroma of freshly cooked snacks rising from the first floor. Paper lanterns glow superior hues in many shops, illuminating the goods and the walkway. You can hear the exotic birds chirping all the way from the store on the north corner. If something strikes your eye remember that haggling isn’t just encouraged but expected.
The morning brings with it the fresh aroma of Vietnamese coffee, filled with rich dark roast that fills you with flavorful energy and has you looking forward to your exploration of the day. Your guide brings you out into the city that brims with excitement, from the floral scents of the Hang Da Market to the opulent architecture that acts as a reminder of the French Colonial past. The peaceful quarters of Hoan Kiem Lake offer you a sample of the local getaway within the dangling greenery that almost blocks the remaining city.
Constructed in the 18th century, Ngoc Son Temple stands along the lake’s edge at the center of Jade Island. Ripples form on the water stemming from the endangered soft shell turtles that swim in the lake, often making a home near the Turtle Tower’s base. The scarlet bridge that leads to the temple gracefully arches over the water. Throughout the day you will find Hanoi’s history brimming within the modern streets, from the Opera House to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, but along the water of Hoan Kiem Lake you have found the heart of the city and it beats with quiet pride.
Transfer from Hanoi. After meeting at Heritage Line’s welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina, we take a quick speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home before starting our unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba. The first highlight of the cruise is lunch, which we serve in Ylang’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded, elegant restaurant. Enjoy a fine menu of tasty local, international or vegetarian dishes freshly prepared by our culinary team.
Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy Ylang’s vast wellness and spa facilities. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or choose your favourite treatment from an extensive spa menu.
As we reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, we hop on bicycles (electric cart transfers are also available) for a tour along small paved roads towards Viet Hai village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by working the farms, fishing, or collecting rain water for drinking. Here you have the unique and authentic opportunity to meet the local inhabitants, learn about the fruits and vegetables grown in the valley, have a glimpse of the local households and try some homemade liquors.
Back on board, there is time for you to partake in our activities offered while we set sail to a tranquil place for an overnight mooring nearby. A tea tasting class is held in the Ylang Restaurant where you may learn about Vietnam’s traditional herbal teas and gain insight into their health benefits. Alternatively, let us pamper you with a spa treatment, opt for a foot massage in the privacy of your suite or gaze upon the beauty of the bay during sunset from the terrace deck.
For dinner, choose from a diverse selection of dishes on the menu as our chef prepares a delectable multiple course meal. Afterwards, we offer in the Wellness Studio a guided “singing bowl meditation”, an ancient Tibetan ritual which invokes a deep state of relaxation, alleviates stress, and promotes a better night of sleep. Also available in the dining room is a movie screening, or you can join our team and have some fun fishing for squid. Let’s see if you can bring in a big catch!
One of the best ways to spend the evening is to take a seat under the stars on the terrace deck or on your private balcony to embrace the serenity of this surreal landscape. And if you would like to fully immerse yourself in relaxation, our spa is open until late.
Wake up early and join our Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Then re-energize yourself from our wide selection healthy or hearty breakfast offerings.
Ylang sails towards the southern tip of Cat Ba Island. We board a tender and visit one of a few remaining authentic floating fishing villages near Ben Beo. This fishing village is home to 300 families living in floating houses and earning a living from fishing and aquaculture, much like their ancestors. Get a close view of how the villagers live and work on the water in this unique community.
We then continue on tender towards Ben Beo Pier, where we come ashore and travel a short distance along scenic island roads to Cat Ba National Park. A leisurely and mindful hiking tour brings you closer to the elements of this lush, jungle-like national park. Cat Ba National Park is designated as a biosphere reserve and hosts over 1,500 plant species, 78 avian, 20 reptilian and 32 mammalian species including deer, macaques and civets.
During lunch, Heritage Line Ylang resumes sailing northeast through the stony labyrinth of Lan Ha Bay, eventually reaching a secluded spot in the bay. We head to a natural island beach via tender for kayaking, swimming and optional guided meditation session (snacks and juices are provided). Otherwise, kick back on board and treat yourself from our wide selection of wellness offerings.
In the early evening, a food carving demonstration is held in the Ylang Restaurant, where our chef demonstrates the Asian art of shaping and transforming fruits and vegetables into a myriad of decorative items, some which are served during your meals. After dinner, soothe your body and mind and bring your day to a gentle close with another guided Singing Bowl Meditation ceremony, or simply unwind on your private balcony while taking in the tranquility of Lan Ha Bay.
Start the day early again with another open-air session of Tai Chi before having a light snack to go with your tasty, traditional Vietnamese coffee. This morning, Ylang moors in another quiet spot to offer you one last chance to go kayaking or take a refreshing early morning swim - conveniently from the ship’s platform. Enjoy these final moments to fully take in the senses of the bay.
While we pass back through Lan Ha and Halong Bay towards her mid-bay anchoring spot, we serve breakfast and leave you some time to savour the moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.
Afternoon transfer to Hanoi.
Free at leisure until transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.
Sabaidee! Welcome to Luang Prabang. Meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel.
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Laos' highlights. It exudes old world charm, with beautiful colonial architecture, glistening temples and streets lined with high end boutiques, museums and restaurants. It's cooler than the capital Vientiane as it sits at a higher altitude and is surrounded by lofty green hills and two flowing rivers. It's easily one of the most charming towns in southeast Asia and deservedly protected by UNESCO.
This evening marvel at the riot of colour and abundance of handicrafts on display at the lively Luang Prabang evening market. Savour Laos cuisine in one of the best restaurants of Luang Prabang.
The morning mist covers the surrounding mountains within the cool early hours. You hear gentle bells tolling in the distance. Before breakfast you find a procession of monks walking through the streets as people stand beside the road, many on their knees, offering rice, money and cookies in their daily act of contributions to the monks. The monks’ orange robes seem to shine brighter as they offer prayer in exchange for alms. The mist dissipates with the sunlight, as do the monks. Soon you will venture out of the city and onto the Ou River where the remarkable landscape is filled with more than just natural magnificence.
The calm water sits at the base of a limestone cliff towering over the riverbank. You see the open mouth of a cave as you come closer to the stairs that rise to greet it. The Pak Ou Caves have a history that date back millennia, filled with thousands of Buddha icons within the dramatic cliff side. Rising around 50 feet above the water you can find the glistening figures of Buddha, mostly made from wood, blessing the cave and surrounded by limestone while incense filters through the scent of ancient earth.
Begin your day by enjoying breakfast at your hotel after which you will be met by your friendly professional guide and board the awaiting transport for the short transfer to Long laow village about 40 km outside of Luang Prabang, a Hmong hill tribe village set in a valley between many large karst limestone mountains. From here we start our trekking by following a nice walking trail to Kuang Si waterfall!
Lunch will be served as picnic lunch in the midst of the jungle. After lunch we continue on to Kuang Si waterfall, this stunning waterfall is fed by several natural springs meaning that the waterfall remains greatly impressive and crystal clear all year round unlike many other waterfalls which completely dry up in the dry season. The afternoon is spent relaxing around the waterfall, an excellent place for swimming and relaxing. Towards the end of the afternoon we will visit the nearby bear sanctuary which is home to many different species of bears which have been saved from the wildlife trade.
You will return back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and be taken directly to your hotel leaving you the remainder of the day free to enjoy as you please.
After breakfast transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
On arrival to Siem Reap, meet and greet by English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon Tour to Preah Khan, Neak Poan and Pre Rup: This afternoon, we travel to the mighty temple of Preah Khan or 'Sacred Sword', built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Sister temple to Ta Prohm, the cruciform corridors here are impressive and there are some wonderful carvings adorning the walls, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Look out for the curious two-storey structure that is almost Grecian in inspiration. This is one of the few temples originally dedicated to Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other cardinal points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
We then continue on to the elegant curves of Neak Poan. This petite temple is the ultimate ornamental fountain, its series of elaborate spouts including the heads of lions and elephants. Originally Neak Poan was on an island at the centre of vast baray (reservoir), known as Jayatataka or reservoir of Jaya.
We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.
Visa information: Cambodian Visa can be applied on arrival Siem Reap International Airport at $30. Be sure to bring two passport photos and your valid passport at least 6 months before departure Cambodia and has at least 2 blank pages available for stamp the visa.
Note that some nationalities are required to get visa in advance at Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Cambodia in their country like Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Nigeria.
Recommendations: Visit the artisan center of Angkor, have a coffee or a drink in Pub Street or visit the night market.
Early Morning Visit Ta Prohm (07:00am) and Walking Tour from Ta Nei to Preah Khan:: We rise early morning to travel to Ta Prohm temple. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy. We contiunue our walk tour to visit a little temple of Ta Nei to one of Angkor’s most impressive sights and offers a real insight into the size and scale of Angkor. We begin our walk at Ta Nei, a beautiful and very atmospheric temple set in the forest. After Ta Nei, we continue our tour to the mighty temple of Preah Khan or 'Sacred Sword', built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Sister temple to Ta Prohm, the cruciform corridors here are impressive and there are some wonderful carvings adorning the walls, including the spectacular hall of dancers. Look out for the curious two-storey structure that is almost Grecian in inspiration. This is one of the few temples originally dedicated to Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other cardinal points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Lunch at Sala Kdei : Enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch menu at Sala Kdei, an intimate location to eat and rest in the middle of the day while exploring the temples. Breakfast, sunset cocktails or a Khmer cooking class are also available at this gorgeous traditional wooden home on the banks of the Royal bathing pool at Sra Srang.
Afternoon visit Angkor Thom & The Bayon: Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the badly damaged Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the centre of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate, as well as much of Jayavarman VII's architecture is crowned with four giant faces. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.
Evening Visit Phare Modern Circus Shows: In the evening we head out to the home of the innovative circus performers from Phare Ponleu Selpak. Their regular modern circus show under the Big Top is proving very popular in Siem Reap and in each show they display a variety of disciplines including acrobatics, choreography, juggling, clowning, live music and much more. A pre-show dinner can also be arranged.
Guided tour to Angkor Wat sunrise, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre and Landmine Museum,: Rising at the crack of dawn, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art. After Angkor Wat we head to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture. Later we visit the 12th century temple of Banteay Samre. Built by King Suryavarman II, the genius behind Angkor Wat, this temple has been extensively restored. The temple is unique in that over-quarrying of sandstone led to the use of laterite for the roofed corridors. The pediments above the inner doors here include some of the most accomplished carving from the Angkor period.
Landmine Museum: On the way back to Siem Reap, we visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum to learn more about the scourge of landmines and the shadow they cast over rural communities in Cambodia with a visit to this flagship museum promoting mine awareness and education.
Flight to Sihanoukville on the southern coast of Cambodia. Transfer to boat jetty and resorts private ferry Koh Rong Island. Settle in to Cambodias premier beach resort Royal Sands Beach Resort. Rest of the day is for enjoying the paradise islands powdery white sand beaches, warm waters and impeccable service of Royal Sands.
Beach time at Koh Rong and Royal Sands Resort. The resort can arrange snorkelling and other activities on request.
Beach time at Koh Rong and Royal Sands Resort. The resort can arrange snorkelling and other activities on request.
Boat transfer to Sihanoukville and by car to Phnom Penh (2.5hrs), capital of Cambodia. Connect to your flight to Bangkok.
Arrival in Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is a city of sharp contrasts, the gleaming skyscrapers juxtaposed with vibrant open-air markets and men pushing wooden pushcarts. Royal palaces and ancient pagodas are surrounded by the vivid colors of daily street life, and it's impossible to go a few meters without a new photo opportunity. Land at Bangkok International Airport and today is free for you to explore the city. Shoppers can have endless fun in the traditional markets and throbbing malls. Watch classical Thai music concerts or find some of the funky bars that the city is famous for. Have your senses engaged and elevated just by wandering around, the city that exudes exotic smells and sounds.
Bangkok rises outward and skyward, a bustling city that's not always pleasing on the eye. It's the crossroads of Asia, as important now as it was in the middle part of the last millennium.. A specialist guide provides the narrative on Bangkok's enigmatic attractions. Start in the Grand Palace and its glorious throne halls, each filled with a regal opulence that blurs power and religion. Then Wat Phra Kaew, a shimmering pagoda that entices you inwards to the home of the Emerald Buddha, a strikingly carved element of sacredness. Next, it's Wat Po, Bangkok's oldest temple, filled with the grand scale of the Reclining Buddha. From here the Chao Phraya River awaits, a private cruise taking you along the banks of the city's history.
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Bangkok airport for your departure flight.
