Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka
You'll arrive in Japan and transfer to your hotel to get settled in for three nights. This evening you'll meet your Tour Director for a welcome briefing and dinner together.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner)
- Day 2
Osaka
This morning you'll walk through Shinsaibashi-suji and Kuromon Ichiba Market to see Osaka's shopping and local food scene, then check out the Museum of History and Osaka Castle. The afternoon gives you time to relax at your own pace. Later, head up to Umeda Sky Building and take in 360-degree views from the Floating Garden Observatory before having dinner while watching the city lights.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory with 360-degree night-time views of Osaka skyline, 170 metres off the ground)
Included Activities
- Stroll through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue
- Visit Kuromon Ichiba Market
- Visit Museum of History
- Visit Osaka Castle
- Visit Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory for night-time views
- Dinner at Umeda Sky Building with skyline views
Landmarks Shinsaibashi-suji Kuromon Ichiba Market Museum of History Osaka Castle Umeda Sky Building - Day 3
Asuka - Dotonbori
You'll drive to Asuka, where Japanese civilization began, to explore ancient sites like terraced rice paddies, the Tobiishi stone bridge, and the Ishibutai tumulus. A private visit to the Sumo Museum lets you see wrestlers training in action. From there, take the Osaka Metro into Dotonbori for its lively entertainment and street energy.
Included Activities
- Wander through Inabuchi terraced rice paddies
- Visit ancient Tobiishi stone bridge
- Visit Ishibutai tumulus
- Private visit to Sumo Museum in Kehayaza with welcome ceremony
- Witness Jinku demonstration and wrestlers in action in the dohyo
- Ride on Osaka Metro to Dotonbori entertainment area
Landmarks Asuka Inabuchi terraced rice paddies Tobiishi stone bridge Ishibutai tumulus Sumo Museum Dotonbori - Day 4
Osaka to Kyoto
After driving to Kyoto, you'll ride a traditional rickshaw through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, then explore Tenryu-ji Temple and have a vegetarian meal there. You'll also see the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) before checking into your Kyoto hotel for two nights. This evening features an exclusive dinner where you'll meet and interact with a Geisha or Maiko.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious vegetarian meal at Tenryu-ji Temple), Dinner (Exclusive dinner with Geisha or Maiko hosts, rare opportunity to learn about Geisha life and traditional Japanese hospitality)
Included Activities
- Rickshaw ride through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Explore Tenryu-ji Temple
- Vegetarian meal at Tenryu-ji Temple
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Exclusive dinner with Geisha or Maiko engagement
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Tenryu-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji 
- Day 5
Fushimi Inari - Nara - Kyoto
Starting early, you'll walk among thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, then head to Nara to visit Todaiji Temple and spot wild deer roaming through Nara Park. On the way back to Kyoto, you'll stop at a sake brewery and museum. A ryokan overnight upgrade is available if you book and pay extra.
Included Activities
- Early morning visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Visit Todaiji Temple
- Explore Nara Park and spot wild deer
- Visit sake brewery and museum with sampling
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay in traditional Japanese Ryokan (additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure) - includes tatami mat flooring, futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, private facilities, breakfast and dinner
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Nara Todaiji Temple Nara Park 
- Day 6
Kyoto to Hakone
You'll take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hakone and walk through the Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum to see artworks and sculptures set in nature. After that, you'll transfer to your hotel for the night, which is included.
Included Activities
- Stroll through Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum
Landmarks Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum 
- Day 7
Hakone to Tokyo
A scenic cruise on Lake Ashinoko gives you great views of Mount Fuji, then you'll drive to Tokyo. In Asakusa, you'll explore the district and visit Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. You'll check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Optional paid dining experiences are available.
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise of Lake Ashinoko with Mount Fuji views
- Explore Asakusa district
- Visit Sensoji Buddhist temple
Optional Activities
- Dine at Gonpachi Nishiazabu, made famous in the film 'Kill Bill' (extra expense)
- Immerse yourself in traditional Japanese Izakaya evening bar scene, enjoying Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director (extra expense)
Landmarks Lake Ashinoko Mount Fuji Asakusa Sensoji Temple 
- Day 8
Tokyo
You'll start at the top of Tokyo Sky Tree for views across the entire city. A local chef will teach you how to make sushi for lunch, and then you'll wander through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens. When evening arrives, you'll experience Shinjuku's entertainment district with its bright signs and busy energy.
- Meals
- Lunch (Sushi lunch prepared by you with instruction from local chef)
Included Activities
- Visit Tokyo Sky Tree observation deck
- Learn to make sushi lunch with local chef
- Wander through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens
- Explore Shinjuku entertainment district at dusk
Landmarks Tokyo Sky Tree Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens Shinjuku - Day 9
Tokyo
You'll visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine and cross the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world at Shibuya. The afternoon is free for shopping in Shibuya. That evening, you'll board a traditional-style houseboat on Tokyo Bay for a farewell dinner cruise with free-flow drinks and Tokyo's lights all around you.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay aboard yakatabune (traditional-style houseboat) with free-flow drinks and bright lights of Tokyo)
Included Activities
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Cross Shibuya pedestrian crossing
- Farewell dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay aboard yakatabune (traditional-style houseboat) with free-flow drinks
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping in Shibuya (afternoon)
Landmarks Meiji Shrine Shibuya Crossing Shibuya - Day 10
Tokyo to Ho Chi Minh City
You'll fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and transfer to your hotel in downtown District 1 for two nights. After checking in, you have time to explore the city before meeting your Tour Director for a welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant)
Landmarks Ho Chi Minh City - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
Driving north through rice paddies and villages, you'll reach the Cu Chi Tunnels where a local guide will show you around this historic site for a couple of hours. You'll return to the city for traditional Pho lunch, then the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you like. Optional activities are available if interested.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Pho (noodle soup) lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels with local guide
- Traditional Pho lunch
Optional Activities
- Evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense)
- One Night in Saigon (extra expense)
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City to Emerald Harmony
After checkout, you'll take an orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and Town Hall. You'll see the Reunification Palace before heading to the port to board Emerald Harmony. After lunch on board, you'll sail down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal. Your first dinner happens this evening, followed by a port talk about upcoming activities.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board Emerald Harmony), Dinner (First dinner on board with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Town Hall
- Visit Reunification Palace
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Opera House Town Hall Reunification Palace - Day 13
Cho Gao - Mekong River - Sa Đéc
You'll sail through the busy Cho Gao canal watching commercial traffic navigate this important waterway with about 1,800 vessels daily. Once on the Mekong River, you'll visit Tan My Floating community and ride through local plantations stopping at a mushroom farm, fruit farm with sampling, and honey farm. You'll return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Sa Đéc.
Included Activities
- Sail through Cho Gao canal with observation of commercial traffic
- Visit Tan My Floating community
- Ride through local plantations
- Visit mushroom farm
- Visit fruit farm with sampling
- Visit honey farm with local sweets
- Visit Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities
Landmarks Cho Gao canal Mekong River Tan My Floating community Thoi Binh hamlet Sa Đéc - Day 14
Sa Đéc - My An Hung Island
A short sampan ride takes you to Sa Đéc for a walking tour around town. You'll visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant, and walk through the central market. After returning to Emerald Harmony by sampan, you'll sail to My An Hung Island where you can see red-hot chilli and pepper farms and hear local folk singing.
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Sa Đéc
- Walking tour of Sa Đéc town
- Visit home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le
- Walk through Sa Đéc central market
- Sampan ride returning to Emerald Harmony
- Visit My An Hung Island village
- Visit Monkey Bridge on My An Hung Island
- Local folk singing at My An Hung
Landmarks Sa Đéc My An Hung Island - Day 15
Cu Lao Gieng Island
You'll visit Cu Lao Gieng, or 'Mango Island,' a small scenic spot on the upper Mekong River that hasn't seen much tourism yet. Local motorcycle rickshaws take you through villages to see mango farming, boat building, and incense stick production. The afternoon is free to relax on board or join a DiscoverMORE excursion to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. A traditional Lion Dance performance happens on board this evening.
Included Activities
- Motorcycle rickshaw tour through Cu Lao Gieng Island villages
- Visit families working in mango farming
- Visit families working in boat building
- Visit families working in incense stick production
- Lion Dance performance on board
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)
Landmarks Cu Lao Gieng Island Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary - Day 16
Evergreen Island - Tan Chau - Vietnam-Cambodia Border
You'll ride a sampan to Evergreen Island and walk through a local village to see how farming families live. After returning to Tan Chau, you'll visit the local Cao Dai Temple to learn about this unique syncretic religion founded in 1926. A cyclo (Xe Loi) ride takes you back to your sampan and Emerald Harmony, then you'll sail toward the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
Included Activities
- Sampan ride to Evergreen Island
- Walk through local village on Evergreen Island
- Sampan ride returning to Tan Chau
- Visit local Cao Dai Temple in Tan Chau
- Xe Loi (cyclo) ride back to sampan
Landmarks Evergreen Island Tan Chau Cao Dai Temple - Day 17
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
You'll wake up in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, known as the 'Pearl of Asia.' You'll learn about Cambodia's difficult history through visits to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The afternoon gives you time to explore optional excursions or visit the Central Market. This evening, a remork (local tuk-tuk) tour takes you through Phnom Penh to see the city lit up.
Included Activities
- Visit Killing Fields at Choeung Ek
- Visit memorial at Killing Fields
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)
- Remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh at night
Optional Activities
- Explore Central Market (afternoon)
- Visit silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)
- Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)
- Samai Distillery visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Killing Fields at Choeung Ek Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Central Market - Day 18
Oudong - Phnom Penh
You'll travel north to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital until 1866. At Oudong Monastery and Temples, you'll see burial sites of Khmer kings and religious artifacts over a century old. A traditional Buddhist blessing from resident monks is included. The afternoon takes you to the Royal Palace with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. You'll return to Emerald Harmony for a cultural performance, then sail to Prek K'Dam.
Included Activities
- Visit Oudong Monastery and Temples
- Receive traditional Buddhist monk blessing
- Visit Royal Palace
- Explore Royal Palace gardens
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Cambodian Student and Children's Organisation cultural performance on board
Landmarks Oudong Oudong Monastery Royal Palace Silver Pagoda - Day 19
Siem Reap
You'll leave Emerald Harmony and travel by road to Siem Reap for a three-night stay at a deluxe boutique property designed with environmental care and traditional local aesthetics in mind. This evening, you'll attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where acrobatics, music, and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Optional dinner at the circus is available.
Included Activities
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus performance
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Phare Circus (extra expense)
Landmarks Phare, The Cambodian Circus - Day 20
Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm
You'll start at Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire and a remarkable royal city from the Angkor Period. Walking through this fortified city, you'll see where priests, officials, military, and administrators once worked. The Temple of Ta Prohm shows how jungle roots have reclaimed the spiritual site, creating a powerful contrast between human creation and nature. The evening is free to visit Pub Street or explore optional activities.
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom
- Visit Ta Prohm Temple
Optional Activities
- Visit Pub Street (evening)
- Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)
- Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Thom Ta Prohm Temple - Day 21
Angkor Wat - Siem Reap
You'll watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, then walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site known for its intricate carvings and detailed stonework. The afternoon gives you time to explore the town or join an optional excursion. This evening, you'll have a farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with an Apsara dance performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre with Apsara dance performance)
Included Activities
- Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat
- Walk through Angkor Wat
- Apsara dance performance and dinner show at Satcha Handicraft Centre
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration of town
- Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)
- Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)
- Tonlé Sap (extra expense, July to February)
- Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)
- Senteurs d'Angkor Workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Angkor Wat Satcha Handicraft Centre - Day 22
Siem Reap
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Siem Reap airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. The tour ends here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
