Jewels of Southeast Asia

Upon arrival to Noi Bai Airport and clearing customs procedures, you will meet your local representative for your private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. You may wish to consider a traditional water puppet show at a local public theater. A uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated as a form of entertainment in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta.

Today you will explore the charming city of Ha Noi, often referred to as the Paris of the East. During your tour, you’ll visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh’s own home, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting. Later, you’ll take a ride through the Old Quarter of the city on a traditional cyclo rickshaw tour. Explore the fascinating maze of back streets for a wildly eclectic glimpse into Ha Noi life. This afternoon you have the option to take a tour of Ha Noi’s extensive selection of street foods. Street food culture is an important part of the city’s unique heritage and your guide will introduce this side of the Ha Noi to you with a stroll through the Old Quarter, lined with food venders and steaming pots. (B)

Start your day with a drive to picturesque Ha Long Bay. Upon arrival, board your cruise and enjoy lunch as your boat moves southeast through the bay. You’ll first discover the mysterious Sung Sot Cave on Bo Hon Islandm one of the finest and widest grottoes in Ha Long Bay. Next, head to Titop Island for swimming and snorkeling or, if you wish, you may embark on a short trek to the top of the island for a panoramic view of the bay. Head back to your boat to watch the sunset on deck during a cocktail reception. Tonight, enjoy authentic Vietnamese meal for dinner, then enjoy a large selection of cocktails at the bar or join of the onbaord activities like games, movies or squid fishing. (B,L,D)

Wake early this morning and join in on a Thai Chi demonstration held on the upper deck of your boat, followed by an onboard breakfast as you sail to Luon Cave. Here you have the option of either exploring the cave yourself on a kayak or in the comfort of a local bamboo boat. Following your excursion, return to your cruise for a short cooking demonstration and an early lunch. In the late afternoon, you will disembark your boat and return to Ha Noi with an en route stop at a local village for a chance to witness local life in the northern countryside. Later, take your private transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Laos (ticket included). Upon arrival in Luang Prabang and clearing customs procedures, you will meet your local representative at the main exit gait for y our private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure (B)

We recommend that you take this morning to participate in a unique and enlightening experience. You have the option to wake before dawn and take part in a living Buddhist tradition known as Tak Bat, the giving of alms to a procession of saffron-robed monks in the early morning. If you wish to make an offering, inform your guide in advance and a gift of alms can be prepared. After the procession, you may watch the town come to life and visit a bustling morning market before returning to your hotel in time for breakfast. Alternatively, you may spend your morning at leisure before meeting your guide in the afternoon for a river cruise to the famed Pak Ou Caves. Sail past typical Laotian villages along the Mekong River to the limestone grottoes, housing approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist images. Explore the caves and return by boat with an en route stop at the village of Ban Muang Keo to observe local weavers and whisky distillers working their traditional craft. (B)

This morning will be spent exploring one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights, the cascading Kuang Si Waterfall. En route to the main attraction, your guide will stop with you to visit the vibrant and bustling Phousi Market and the nearby Ock Pop Tock Weaving Center, a social enterprise working primarily in the field of textiles, handicrafts and design. Upon arrival at the electric blue Kuang Si, your guide will lead you on a leisurely hike through nature, past the Asian Bear Rescue Center. In the warmer months, swimming is possible and quite enjoyable during the less-crowded weekdays. Take some time for lunch before heading back to your hotel for the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. Tonight, you have the option to visit the Royal Ballet Theater for a performance depicting scenes from the epic Indian poem, The Ramayana. (B,L)

Today you will be transferred by private vehicle to the airport for your short flight to Siem Reap (ticket included). Upon arrival in Siem Reap and after clearing customs procedures, you will meet your local guide at the main exit gate for your private transfer to your hotel. En route, your guide will inform you of some of the history and culture of Siem Reap and will be available to answer any questions you may have about the area. The remainder of the evening will be at your leisure. (B)

This morning you will begin with a Khmer scholar-led visit to the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex. Your guide, a renowned Khmer scholar with the Angkor Temple Conservation Institution, will share with you his experience and knowledge of Khmer history, culture, archaeology and civilization. Your private tour will take you through the maze of halls and ruins of the complex and can be tailored to your specific interests. Your afternoon is at your leisure to explore, however, we recommend an optional table for dinner at the Angkor Village Aspara Theater where you can enjoy a Cambodian dinner while watching a traditional Aspara performance. (B)

Following breakfast at your hotel, take your private transfer to Ta Prohm Temple, known as the “forgotten city.” Overgrown with lush jungle, this lesser-known complex gives a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. Take your time to walk through the temple from the east entrance to the west where your transfer will be waiting to return you to your hotel. Tonight, we recommend an optional private sunset cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy a selection of beer and soft drinks as you observe the local lifestyle along the banks of the Cambodia’s Great Lake. (B)

Enjoy a final breakfast in Indochina before taking your private transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)