Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive in Thailand and get settled in for the beginning of your trip. Take some time to adjust to the time zone and get oriented with your surroundings before your adventure kicks off.
- Day 2
Bangkok
A guided boat ride through Bangkok's klongs (canals) starts your day, then you'll head to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After that, it's on to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which holds over 1,000 Buddha images including a remarkable 49-foot-high, 151-foot-long Reclining Buddha. The rest of the day is yours to wander around at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing boat ride on the klongs (Bangkok's famous canals)
- Visit Grand Palace featuring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Landmarks Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Temple of the Reclining Buddha - Day 3
Bangkok
You have the full day to explore Bangkok however you'd like. Walk through neighborhoods, check out local markets, grab food wherever looks good, or just wander around and see what catches your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 4
Bangkok to Siem Reap
You'll fly to Siem Reap, which serves as your base for visiting Angkor. The temples here are considered some of the most important architectural ruins you can see anywhere, and you'll spend the next couple days exploring them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Siem Reap
Choose between a tuk-tuk or bike to explore the Angkor temples. Start at Angkor Wat with its five iconic towers, then move on to Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple, which features 200 carved faces across 54 towers. Later you'll have time to shop for local crafts in Siem Reap, and this evening you'll watch a private Apsara Dance Performance that brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music and dance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Angkor Wat by tuk-tuk
- Guided Excursion to Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple
- Private Apsara Dance Performance
Optional Activities
- Explore Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple by bike (alternative to tuk-tuk)
- Shopping for local artisan crafts in Siem Reap
Landmarks Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Bayon Temple - Day 6
Siem Reap
Continue to Ta Prohm where tree roots cover the ruins, giving you that sense of discovery early explorers felt. Next you'll see Banteay Srei, a smaller temple built from red sandstone carved like wood. On the way, stop at a village where locals make Khmer noodles by hand. The afternoon is free for you to do whatever you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour to Ta Prohm temple
- Visit Banteay Srei temple
- Stop at village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand
Landmarks Ta Prohm Banteay Srei - Day 7
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
After flying to Phnom Penh, you'll head to the port where your ship is waiting. Get to know the crew and the ship, relax a bit, then join the welcome reception. By evening you'll begin cruising toward Wat Hanchey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Embark on cruise ship with welcome reception
- Day 8
Wat Hanchey
You'll visit Wat Hanchey, an 8th-century temple on a hilltop. Either climb or take a ride up top to see the views and participate in a traditional water blessing from local monks. After lunch, walk through the rural village of Angkor Ban, step inside a traditional Khmer house, and visit a local school to interact with children. Later you'll cruise toward Kampong Tralach.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Hanchey hilltop temple with water blessing from monks
- Walking Tour through rural village of Angkor Ban
- Visit traditional Khmer house
- Interact with children at local school
Optional Activities
- Climb or drive to top of Wat Hanchey temple
Landmarks Wat Hanchey - Day 9
Kampong Tralach to Phnom Penh
Start with an ox cart ride through the Cambodian countryside where you'll meet a local farmer and learn about their daily life. Stop at Konpong Louang's silversmith village to watch craftsmen using traditional techniques to work with pure silver. Later you'll sail to Phnom Penh. Choose between visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields or exploring the Central Market with its Art Deco design by tuk-tuk. Tonight, wander the city freely or head to the riverfront promenade to visit the Foreign Correspondents Club.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Ox Cart Ride through Cambodian countryside in Kampong Tralach
- Meet local farmer and learn about daily life
- Visit silversmith village in Konpong Louang
- River cruise to Phnom Penh
Optional Activities
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields
- Visit Central Market with Art Deco design by tuk-tuk
- Evening exploration of Phnom Penh including Foreign Correspondents Club
Landmarks Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Central Market - Day 10
Phnom Penh
A private cyclo tour of Phnom Penh takes you to the Royal Palace with its spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum showing outstanding Khmer artifacts. Spend the rest of the day on your own. Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage perform songs and dances. Later this evening, you'll cruise toward the Vietnam/Cambodia border.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Phnom Penh by private cyclo
- Visit Royal Palace with Silver Pagoda
- Visit National Museum
- Performance by children from local orphanage
Landmarks Royal Palace Silver Pagoda National Museum - Day 11
Chau Doc, Vietnam
Walk through Chau Doc market in the morning to see locals buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, take a guided trip down the Mekong backwaters where you'll see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, and dried goods markets. By evening you'll cruise to Long Khanh A.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Village Walk through Chau Doc market
- Guided Excursion down the Mekong backwaters
Landmarks Chau Doc Market - Day 12
Long Khanh A to Cu Lao Gieng Island
A sampan takes you to Long Khanh A village to watch a cotton-weaving demonstration. In the afternoon, travel by sampan and local motor cart around Cu Lao Gieng Island. Your tour includes a stop at one of Vietnam's oldest Catholic churches, then a home where a family makes Vietnamese conical hats from palm leaves and bamboo. Last stop is a workshop where a family hand-crafts sampan boats. Tonight you'll cruise to Vinh Long.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cotton-Weaving Demonstration in Long Khanh A
- Guided Excursion on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and motor cart
- Visit one of Vietnam's oldest Catholic churches
- Visit local family making Vietnamese conical hats (Non la)
- Visit local workshop hand-crafting sampan boats
Landmarks Cu Lao Gieng Island - Day 13
Vinh Long to Ho Chi Minh City
Board a sampan to visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where they make rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies. You'll spend the afternoon on the ship as it sails toward Ho Chi Minh City. As evening arrives, you'll cruise toward Ho Chi Minh City.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit local workshop in Vinh Long for rice paper, rice wine, and candy making
- Day 14
Ho Chi Minh City
A walking tour takes you through Ho Chi Minh City's historic sites, including the Rex Hotel rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held press briefings during the war. You'll visit the War Remnants Museum and Ben Thanh Market. For lunch, you'll participate in a hands-on cooking class learning to prepare local dishes and eating what you make. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore independently, and if you're interested, visit the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class with sample of prepared dishes)
Included Activities
- Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City historic landmarks
- Stop at Rex Hotel rooftop bar
- Visit War Remnants Museum
- Visit Ben Thanh Market
- Hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class for lunch
Optional Activities
- Visit rooftop bar at Caravelle Hotel
Landmarks Rex Hotel War Remnants Museum Ben Thanh Market Caravelle Hotel - Day 15
Ho Chi Minh City
Drive out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary network stretching more than 120 miles that the Viet Cong used as a hideout and secret village. You'll have time to explore the city further in the afternoon. This evening, join your group for a special dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Special dinner in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided Visit to Cu Chi Tunnels
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of Ho Chi Minh City
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
Transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. When you arrive, head to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 17
Hanoi
Visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and the humble cottage where he ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. See the One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace, and the 'Hanoi Hilton' prison. Stop at the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, Hanoi's first university. Lunch is at Koto, a non-profit restaurant teaching local children restaurant skills. After lunch, take an electric cart through the Old Quarter with its 36 ancient streets where merchants trade as they have for centuries. Before dinner, you'll watch water puppets, a traditional 11th-century art form.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Koto, non-profit restaurant and hospitality program), Dinner (Early dinner followed by water puppet performance)
Included Activities
- Guided Visit of Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and cottage
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Visit Hanoi Hilton
- Visit Temple of Literature (900-year-old temple and Hanoi's first university)
- Lunch at Koto non-profit restaurant
- Electric Cart Ride through Old Quarter
- Live Performance of traditional water puppets
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum One Pillar Pagoda Presidential Palace Hanoi Hilton Temple of Literature Old Quarter - Day 18
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Travel from Hanoi through the countryside to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO site with over 3,000 limestone islands carved into unusual shapes. Board the Paradise Elegance for a 2-night cruise. Visit the Cua Van Floating Village by bamboo raft or kayak. Spend the rest of the day sailing before anchoring for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Ha Long Bay
- Board Paradise Elegance cruise ship
Optional Activities
- Visit Cua Van Floating Village by bamboo raft
- Visit Cua Van Floating Village by kayak
Landmarks Ha Long Bay Cua Van Floating Village - Day 19
Ha Long Bay
Head to Ti Top Island for a guided excursion where you can swim or climb 400 steps to the top for views. Visit Luon Cave by boat and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, or use kayak instead. Later, consider getting a spa treatment or relax with happy hour before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ti Top Island with swimming
- Visit Luon Cave by boat
- Explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft
Optional Activities
- Climb 400 steps to top of Ti Top Island for views
- Explore Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave by kayak
- Spa treatment
- Happy hour relaxation
Landmarks Ti Top Island Luon Cave Dark & Bright Cave - Day 20
Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
This morning you can relax on the ship or visit Sung Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in the area with impressive rock formations. After that, return to Hanoi and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Optional visit to Sung Sot Cave
Optional Activities
- Relax onboard ship
- Visit Sung Sot Cave
Landmarks Sung Sot Cave - Day 21
Departure
Your trip concludes with breakfast this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
