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Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi

Tour begins: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at 6:00 PM. Transfers are included from Hanoi Int'l Airport to Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

PORTOFCALL : Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 2 Highlights of Hanoi, Old and New

Leave your preconceived images behind as you become acquainted with gracious Hanoi, ranking among the world's most attractive and interesting cities. Walk and take a buggy ride through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"), where Senator John McCain and Douglas "Pete" Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue on to Da Ba Dinh Square to view Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Attend a traditional water puppet performance this evening before dinner on your own. Please note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex is closed each year for annual renovations from September to December; Ho Chi Minh's stilt house and the One-Pillar Pagoda are still open for viewing.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

PORTOFCALL : Hanoi, Vietnam

Day 3 An overnight Cruise on Ha Long Bay

Head north to Ha Long Bay for an extraordinary glimpse of rural life by land and sea. See villagers working in rice paddies, water buffaloes grazing in the open and ancient temples standing as testaments to history. Limestone islets, some 3,000 of them, line Ha Long Bay on the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Board the Paradise Elegance, combining traditional oriental design and modern amenities, for an overnight cruise among the limestone islands. After lunch onboard ship and more sightseeing on the bay, enjoy some free time to go swimming or kayaking, followed by a cooking demonstration before dinner onboard this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Paradise Elegance

PORTOFCALL : Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Day 4 From the bay to Hoi An via Da Nang

After spending part of the morning cruising on Ha Long Bay, disembark Paradise Elegance and return to Hanoi to catch your flight to the city of Da Nang on the South China Sea. From there, you'll travel a short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, where you'll spend the next two nights in Grand Deluxe rooms in your MGallery Collection hotel, the Hotel Royal Hoi An.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hotel Royal Hoi An

PORTOFCALL : Hoi An, Vietnam

Day 5 Exploring Hoi An, a World Heritage Site

A busy international trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is known for having preserved the traditional streets, temples and housing that reflect its multicultural heritage. Highlights include an 18th-century Japanese-style bridge with its own pagoda, the Phung Hung House and a riverside street market. After touring Hoi An's historic highlights via cyclo, spend the rest of the day and evening exploring this living museum as you wish, or simply relaxing at your hotel.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Royal Hoi An

PORTOFCALL : Hoi An, Vietnam

Day 6 To Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City this morning; upon arrival, head to the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ben Duoc for a close-up look at the Vietnam War. Stretching out in a 120-mile underground network of meeting rooms, triage centers and kitchens, Cu Chi offers a unique look at the wartime life of Viet Cong guerillas and peasant soldiers. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : InterContinental Asiana Saigon

PORTOFCALL : Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Day 7 Discovering Ho Chi Minh City

You may remember this former French colonial city as Saigon; today, Ho Chi Minh City bustles with forward-looking energy in glittering skyscapes, street vendors and open-air cafés. See vestiges of its past on a sightseeing tour that includes Reunification Hall, formerly the presidential palace of South Vietnam, the Post Office and the Cathedral. After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring as you please in Ho Chi Minh City.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : InterContinental Asiana Saigon

PORTOFCALL : Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Day 8 Life in the Mekong Delta

From Ho Chi Minh City, drive to the Mekong River town of Cai Be and board a motorized sampan to cruise through small villages along the banks and floating markets for an authentic look at daily life along the river and the Mekong Delta. Stop at a local rice paper workshop and a fish sauce factory to sample their wares. Lunch at a local farmer's home provides a look at daily life before you return by land to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : InterContinental Asiana Saigon

PORTOFCALL : Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Day 9 Fly to Phnom Penh

Take a morning flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon, visit the Apsara Arts Association, dedicated to the preservation of traditional Cambodian dance and culture. Dine in style this evening at one of the city's top restaurants for fine French cuisine. Your home for the next two nights is the landmark Raffles Hotel Le Royal, where French colonial ambiance has been welcoming royalty, celebrities and jetsetters for over eighty years.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Raffles Hotel Le Royal

PORTOFCALL : Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 10 The Many Faces of Phnom Penh

Explore Phnom Penh's Royal Palace complex this morning, where you'll find solid silver tiles on the floor of the Silver Pagoda, which today serves as a repository for religious and cultural treasures; the architecture of the various buildings in the complex is extraordinary. Visit the National Museum, housing the world's premier collection of Khmer art, including bronzes, ceramics and sculpture, and chronicling Cambodia's history and culture. After lunch, join us for a poignant, optional trip to the infamous "Killing Fields" of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Museum, memorializing the victims of the infamous "S-21" prison operated at the site.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Raffles Hotel Le Royal

PORTOFCALL : Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 11 Fly to Siem Reap & visit Angkor Wat

Drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. More than 1,000 archeological sites have been identified at what were the ancient Khmer metropolitan areas. Begin exploring some of them today on a guided visit to Angkor Wat, said to be the largest temple ruins in the world; the bas-reliefs that adorn the massive temple are among the finest examples of 12th-century Khmer art. Dine at your hotel, Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

PORTOFCALL : Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 12 Ancient Temples of Angkor

View amazing sculpted monuments celebrating the ancient Khmer Empire on a guided tour that takes you to the root-shrouded Temple of Ta Prohm, imperial Angkor Thom, elaborate Elephant Terrace and the incomparable Bayon Temple. After lunch at a popular local restaurant, the rest of the day is free to spend as you please; dine at your hotel tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

PORTOFCALL : Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 13 Fly to Colorful Luang Prabang in Laos

The beguiling Laotian city of Luang Prabang captivates with gold-leafed monasteries, French architecture, fragrant flowers and flavorful spices. Enjoy dinner at your luxurious hotel after settling in for a three-night stay.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : The Luang Say Residence

PORTOFCALL : Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 14 Alms in Luang Prabang & local rural life

Shortly after dawn in Luang Prabang, a gong announces the end of morning prayers and the beginning of a procession of monks emerging from the temples to seek alms; rise early this morning to experience this extraordinary ritual. After breakfast, explore the National Museum, preserved from its days as a royal residence at the turn of the 20th century and depicting day-to-day life for the rich and royal; visit the Wat Mai temple; and take an orientation tour of the city. Then, a scenic drive through the countryside leads to the multi-tiered cascades of the Tad Kouang Si waterfalls, tumbling over limestone formations to create turquoise-colored pools; the wildlife-rich jungle surrounding the falls entices with natural footpaths perfect for hiking. Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang for an evening spent at as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The Luang Say Residence

PORTOFCALL : Luang Prabang, Laos

Day 15 Waterfalls, visit to a special village and a traditional Lao Baci ceremony

Morning sightseeing takes you to picture-perfect Tad Kouang Si waterfalls. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang, then join us this afternoon for a visit to an elephant village for an educational opportunity - and time spent interacting with the elephants! Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner that is highlighted by a special Lao welcome and a traditional Lao Baci well-wishing ceremony, complete with music and dance.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : The Luang Say Residence

PORTOFCALL : Luang Prabang, Laos

Day 16 Life in the Laotian countryside & journey home

Spend the morning on a community based living rice farm in the countryside, surrounded by mountains and rice paddies. You'll have an opportunity to experience the life of local rice farmers and try your hand at some of their daily activities, or view them from the comfort of a traditional Lao rice house balcony, surrounded by rice terraces and an organic vegetable farm. There will also be time to visit local handicraft workshops featuring crafts including bamboo weaving, blacksmithing, and sugar cane processing, and a tour of an organic garden offers insights on how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine. Return to your hotel for lunch, then a late-day flight brings you back to Hanoi. Tour ends: Hanoi. Fly to Hanoi International Airport to connect with your flight home, arriving early evening; international flights should depart no earlier than 9 PM. Allow three hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B, L

PORTOFCALL : Luang Prabang, Laos

Day 1 Phnom Penh

Arrive and welcome at Phnom Penh Airport. Check in at the hotel. The balance of day is at your leisure. Phnom Penh awaits you with a rich history, bustling markets, and stunning architecture.

Hotel: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Day 2 Phnom Penh

Today's highlights Visit Tuol Sleng - one the most tragic places in the history of Cambodia

Today start your journey with a trip to the Royal Palace. After that, travel to the countryside of Takeo to see ancient temples. Visit Ta Prohm and Yeay Peou, both built in the 12th century. Tuol Sleng, your last stop, houses a place that was once a torture center under the Khmer Rouge where thousands were imprisoned and then executed. This will be a sad but unforgettable visit.

Hotel: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Phnom Penh

Today's highlights Visiting Silk Island by bicycle

Be ready for a day of activities. Take a ferry across the Mekong River to Diamond Island, pedaling through the peaceful islands with stops to visit Buddhist pagodas, local villages, and plantations. Ride your bike to Koh Dach or Silk Island. Enjoy a Cambodian lunch before cycling through the farmlands and visiting a weaving house. Here, learn how to make silk in traditional ways and about the Cambodian Krama scarf.

Hotel: Palace Gate Hotel & Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Kompong Thom

Today's highlights Spider market and UNESCO heritage site of Sambor Prei Kuk

Leaving Phnom Penh for Kampong Thom, a town near the Stung Saen River. En route, stop at the notorious Skuon market, aka “Spiderville.” Buy or check out fried insects - popular snacks for all Cambodians. Tarantulas are the most common. The Sambor Prei Kuk will be your next stop. Take a walk in the serene atmosphere between more than 100 brick temples. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before being transferred to the hotel.

Hotel: Sambor Village Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Preah Vihear

Today's highlights The famous Preah Vihear temple at the border of 3 countries

Drive to Preah Vihear today to visit Prasat Preah Vihear Temple. Dating back to the 11th century, this magnificent structure is one of the best-preserved examples of Khmer architecture from the Angkor civilization. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. 

Around early afternoon, you'll arrive at the temple. Climbing a series of steps to reach the very top of the beautiful, crumbling ruin, and look out across the mesmerizing land of Cambodia and Thailand. Later, get transferred to Preah Vihear Jaya Hotel and spend the night.

Hotel: Preah Vihear Jaya

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Siem Reap

Today, you’ll drive to Siem Reap. Along the way, you’ll explore ruins that are shrouded in mystery. The first one is Koh Ker, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then, continue to Beng Mealea Temple. Many parts of Beng Mealea are consumed by jungles but hidden among the foliage are impressive carvings with scenes from Hindu mythology.

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Siem Reap

Today's highlights Riding your bike through the small roads of Angkor complex

Hop on your bicycle and ride on roads shaded by century-old trees until you see the majestic stone gate of Angkor Thom. See Bayon Temple with its four giant stone faces, the Baphuon - a mountain temple and the Terrace of Elephant. See also the ancient Terrace of Leper King. After lunch, visit the world-famous Angkor Wat for its breathtaking architecture and stone carvings. Finish your temple visit at Ta Prohm.

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Siem Reap

Today's highlights Explore the lesser known villages of Siem Reap by Jeep

Enjoy your morning at leisure. This afternoon, bring your curiosity as your guide will take you to the lesser-known Siem Reap on a Jeep tour. Travel the places that not many visitors know and enjoy a unique mix of local culture, village life, and lush landscapes. Your tour will end at a perfect spot in the middle of a rice field where you enjoy a cold drink as the sun sets over the paddy.

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Siem Reap

This morning, drive to Phnom Kulen National Park. Your curious soul will be in awe with the 'River of a 1000 Lingas' carved out of the river bed as a tribute to Lord Shiva. Next, visit a Buddha monastery that houses a large reclining sandstone Buddha and a beautiful 65.6-feet waterfall. Continue your hike on a jungle trail where and learn about the rich flora and fauna of the area. After lunch, take your time to enjoy the surrounding nature. 

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 Siem Reap

Today is free until the right time, your guide will escort you to the airport for your departure flight back home.

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort

Meals: Breakfast