Discovery Tours to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

Day 1. ARRIVAL PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

Transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport to the hotel. Explore Phnom Penh city by cyclo pedicab, the best way to enjoy the mix of beautiful colonial and post-independence modern architecture and get a feel for day to day life in the central districts of this city at the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers. Accommodation at Villa Langka boutique Hotel (Superior Room)

Day 2. PHNOM PENH (B)

Phnom Penh city tour: this morning hop on a tuktuk to visit the National Museum - the Musée des Beaux-Arts. French archaeologist and painter Georges Groslier designed it in the Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains an historical collection of Khmer art, notably sculptures. We will see the towering spires and traditional roofs of the Royal Palace built by King Norodom in 1866 and still residence of King Sihamoni, and then visit the Silver Pagoda. Located within the Royal Palace, its floor is composed of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a gold, diamond-encrusted Buddha and a smaller emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your morning with a visit to Wat Phnom temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake. Constructed on a hill (phnom) in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics. Legend has it that a woman named Penh found them washed ashore. The Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong) is bursting with fun, colorful wares, perfect for your free time this afternoon. Enjoy a joint Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Accommodation at Villa Langka boutique Hotel (Superior Room).

Day 3. PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport and depart by Cambodia Angkor Air or similar to Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Time at leisure to explore the eateries and local markets in town by tuktuk or relax poolside. Accommodation at Damrei Angkor Hotel (Superior Room)

Day 4. SIEM REAP (B, D)

Sunrise is early here, so we’ll get started for Angkor Wat before 6AM to enjoy the beauty of this experience. Continue on to Ta Prohm to visit this temple at dawn before the crowds. This ancient temple has been relatively untouched and retains much of its mystery, abandoned and enveloped by the jungle like the temples here before the French discovered them in the late 19th century. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Drive out to the Cambodian countryside and visit the 10th c. Banteay Srei temple regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art for its well-preserved relief carvings. In the afternoon, we’ll explore more of the extensive Angkor Wat complex. Visit the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the performance of a famous Hindu cosmos story, the churning of the ocean. Bayon temple sat in the centre of the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor Thom in the 12th century. Bayon is best known for the huge smiling faces of benevolent Avolokitesvara on its towers. The most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat, is a spectacular construction. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be a prime example of classical Khmer temple architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks (home of the Hindu devas), the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

Farewell dinner at local restaurant. Accommodation at Damrei Angkor Hotel (Superior Room)           

Day 5. SIEM REAP–HO CHI MINH CITY – CITY TOUR (B) VIETNAM

This morning, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling economic center of the South. Once the heart of French Indochina, the “Pearl of the Far East” was an important trading center for Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants along the Saigon River. Your sightseeing tour consists of a half day saigon city tour that includes lively Cholon (Chinatown), Thien Hau Pagoda, one of the oldest Chinese pagodas in the area, and colorful Ben Than Market. The 19th c. Notre Dame Cathedral was the spiritual and cultural heart of the French presence in the Orient. The old Post office, designed by Gustav Eiffel, resembles a grand railway station. We’ll stop for photos at the former Presidential Palace, famous for its symbolic role in the fall of Saigon in 1975 and continue on to the War Remnants Museum, which chronicles the decades of war which have ravaged the country. Accommodation at Eden Star Hotel (Deluxe room)

Day 6. HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS – HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

Visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels (70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazingly ingenious complex of underground tunnels used initially by the Vietnamese against the French and then by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. More than 200 km of tunnels comprise a main axis system with branches connecting to trapdoors, shelters, living spaces and weapons caches. Some of the underground spaces have been restored, and several tunnels widened to accommodate visitors. Crawl through the length or escape through the trapdoors placed at 20 meter intervals! Return to Saigon. This afternoon offers you leisure time to explore on your own or relax at the hotel’s fitness center, swimming pool or spa. Accommodation at Eden Star Hotel (Deluxe room)

Day 7. HO CHI MINH CITY– MEKONG DELTA TOUR/CAI BE PRINCESS (B,L)

Transfer to Cai Be, a 2.5 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Embark on the Cai Be Princess, a comfortable vessel built in the traditional sampan style. Cruise through the floating market and enjoy the endless, busy activity along the Mekong’s waterways. A delicious lunch will be served at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river. After lunch, your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Phu canal, passing several islands famous for their fruit orchards. Stops on the way can be made at An Binh Church or at Tam Ho Bonsai Garden before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. Accommodation at Eden Star Hotel (Deluxe room)

Day 8. HO CHI MINH CITY – HUE (B)

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Hue. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Visit the Hue Citadel situated on the northern bank of the Perfume River. Built by Emperor Gia Long it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel encompasses Kinh Thanh Hue the Yellow Imperial City, and the emperor’s palace - the Forbidden Purple City Tu Cam Thanh. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visit the 7-storied Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest architectural structures in Hue. Then, at the international Spiral Foundation, meet the disabled workers there, and create your own souvenir with their help. Accommodation at Midtown Hotel (Deluxe city room)

Day 9. HUE - DANANG - HOIAN (B)

The journey to Hoian will take you over the famous Hai Van Pass with its spectacular views of the green Truong Son mountain range and the East Vietnam Sea. Photo stop at the Marble Mountains, a scenic spot with caves, temples, shrines, pagodas and a great view of the surrounding area. Arrive in Hoian.Explore the charming old town of Hoi An, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating from the 15th century onwards, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia. It’s a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets, the original structure of some of these streets is still intact. Accommodation at Ancient House Village Resort (Superior room)

Day 10. HOIAN – DAY AT LEISURE (B)

Make your own plans to explore this unique heritage site on foot, by xich lo rickshaw or even take a boat trip on the Thu bon River to one of the traditional craft villages. Accommodation at Ancient House Village Resort (Superior room)

Day 11. HOIAN – DANANG – HANOI – CITY TOUR (B,D)

Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to hotel. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (seasonal) and his former residence (closed Mon. and Fri.), The One-Pillar Pagoda is an iconic symbol of Hanoi, a small wooden shrine rising from the lotus pond in a tranquil garden setting. Continue the city tour to one of the following museums: Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam National Museum of History, War Museum, Museum of Ethnology or Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Pick up at the hotel and transfer visit with a local family for dinner. Welcome! Learn a little about your host family, their history, how they live and about their home. Enjoy dinner with the family. Your host will introduce you to tonight’s dishes and explain a little about Vietnamese cuisine. The menu includes traditional stir-fried water morning glory, roasted peanuts, spring rolls, and other delicious home style food. After dinner, relax, chat with your hosts and enjoy tea and sweets. The family will explain Vietnamese tea culture and share personal memories with you. Don’t’ be afraid to ask questions! Before you bid farewell, take pictures to share. Transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation at Silk Path Boutique Hotel (Deluxe room)

* Timing is flexible and subject to change. **museums are closed Mondays

Day 12. HANOI – HAI PHONG – OVERNIGHT CRUISE (B,L,D)

Transfer from your hotel to take the highway to Dinh Vu Port (approx. 2 hours), Haiphong. A warm welcome awaits you at the Orchid Cruise lounge. Transfer by tender to the Orchid Cruise ship. On the way, you will have a chance to see the Cai Trap shipping canal. Guests are welcomed onboard to check in, enjoy a welcome drink, and receive a cruise brief and safety instructions from crew members and the Cruise Manager. We are anchored in the south of Halong Bay, an area of great natural beauty including towering limestone pillars, and thousands of small islands unchanged for centuries. We proceed to Da Chong islet, past the lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago.

We have lunch before continuing our journey via the less visited islets of Con Vit and Gia Luan, amazing limestone karst formations rising up out of the sea. Ba Trai Dao beach area of Lan Ha Bay is a separate part of Halong Bay, a quiet tourist paradise. The region is known for its pristine beaches and its 400 fascinating, forested tiny islands. Experience a fishing coracle, little round fishing boats used here for centuries. Learn how the locals go about their trade, casting their nets and navigating the waters in their tiny crafts. Enjoy the water! In the winter months, (December to March) guests may instead visit Viet Hai Village with a guide. Take a bicycle trip along the village path and go through dark tunnels of rain forests. Enjoy rural valley life through the peaceful rice fields on the way. Stop at the village and visit a traditional local house. An electric cart service option is available (additional fee applies).

Return to the ship to watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. Onboard you may join a traditional cooking class with our chef. Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by our wonderful onboard catering staff. This is a delightful meal in an intimate romantic setting. Relax and enjoy the landscape of the bay at night from the top deck. Try your hand at night squid fishing or watch a movie in the restaurant. Overnight on board - Orchid Cruise (Suite Balcony cabin). (Our tour guide will be waiting for you after your cruise returns)

Day 13. HALONG BAY – HAI PHONG – HANOI (B)

Why not rise early to see the bay at its very best? Participate in an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast explore the bay and the Toi and Sang (Day and Night) Caves by kayak. Return to the ship for check-out procedures then enjoy a delightful brunch on the cruise back to Dinh Vu port. Return to Hanoi. Visit the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built more than 1,000 years ago. Accommodation at Silk Path Boutique Hotel (Deluxe room)

DAY 14. HANOI DEPARTURE FLIGHT TO VIENTIANE (B L)

Leisure time for any last minute activities before transfer to the airport to take your departure flight to Vientiane, Laos.  Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we set our orientation short Walking Tour to Laos Capital, strolling around the city distance, and observing the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and late evening. Seeing the city lifestyle of local Laos people. Stay overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 15.  VIENTIANE CITY TOUR (B L)

Explore the major sights of the capital including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of the Luang Stupa, enjoy photographing Patuxay Monument, well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Then we will visit the Central Market call ‘Morning Market’ where we can find the antique items for collection, well handmade textile and gift items. After lunch at local authentic restaurant, we take a tour to the  Buddha Park,famous for its 200 religious statues including a huge 40-metre high reclining Buddha image

DAY 16.  VIENTIANE- LUANG PRABANG - KUANG SI WATERFALL

In the morning, we will be transferred to The Lao – China Railway Station to Luang Prabang. This  takes us to the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Your city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, we then head to the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Then we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for the panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 17.  LUANG PRABANG - PARKOUR (B/L/D)

An early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms-giving (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture. After breakfast, we depart hotel to the boat ferry, and take an excursion (a few hours) by boat, upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Lunch is served on cruise. Our next stop will be at Ban Xang Hai, a well-known village for Lao traditional handicap. Stay overnight in in Luang Prabang.

DAY 18.  DEPARTURE FLIGHT TO YOUR NEXT DESTINATION (B)

You will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to your next destination