ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Siem ReapWelcome to Siem Reap, the gateway into the Angkor temples. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and drive you to the hotel to check in. Spend the rest of the day to enjoy the pool of hotel take a short walk to Old market in the center of Siem Reap City.
Meals: N/AAccommodation: Hotel in Siem ReapDay 2: Siem Reap – Angkor TemplesWake up early to be transferred for picking up the most beautiful, haunting and spiritual moment to visit magnificent Angkor Wat at dawn. This special activity is designed also to help you see “the Temple reflex on the water” when it’s much cooler and less crowded. Angkor Wat, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.
For your most convenience, a table with hot tea or coffee and breakfast box arranged by Travel Cambodia will be served right on site of Angkor Wat.
This is our way to avoid the crowd when they go back to their hotel for breakfast.
Our journey continues with visiting South Gate of Angkor Thom, with its majestic doors and artifacts. Then visit monumental temple of Bayon which is the heart of Angkor Thom. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo "Jewel of Crystal", which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate, you travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. You should not miss Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries.
Meals: Breakfast.Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 3: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake - HanoiImmerse yourself in the rich culture surrounding Siem Reap on a boat tour along Tonle Sap Lake. After breakfast at the hotel, we will take a short walk through a tranquil Siem Reap neighborhood to learn about the local way of life before driving to Tonle Sap Lake to board a local boat for a cruise through the floating villages. Return to Siem Reap for lunch then drive to Artisan D’Angkor where preserve traditional Khmer skills in silk-making, stone and wood carving, lacquering and painting. You are free to explore this interesting site before driving to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, where our driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check in.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 4: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao CaiToday we have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas; Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Our city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house); the Presidential Palace; the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Old Quarter; the Temple of Literature; West Lake; the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance - an unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture before heading to the train station to catch your night train to Lao Cai.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: On Train (Soft Sleeper Cabin with A/C)
Day 5: Lao Cai – SapaYour train arrives at the Lao Cai station in the early morning. Lao Cai is a charming hilltop town near the Chinese border. Have breakfast at Chapa Lounge then our driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Bac Ha Fair market on Sun/ Coc Ly on Tue and Can Cau on Sat). Wander through the stalls packed with hand-crafted goods peddled by the various hill tribe people who come here to buy and sell their wares. In the afternoon, continue on your way to Sapa: Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination, famous for its breathtaking views of cloud-woven mountaintops and gaping valleys.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in Sapa Day 6: Sapa – Trekking to Hill tribe villages – Night train to HanoiEnjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. You will take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. We have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Lunch at a hill tribe village and then we drive back to Lao Cai to catch your return night train to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast& LunchAccommodation: On Train (Soft Sleeper Cabin with A/C) Day 7: Hanoi – Halong bay CruiseArrive in Hanoi in the early morning. You check in Cosiana hotel - just 5-minute walking from train station. Relax and have breakfast before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour shuttle bus to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Here you will spend 24 hours on a Luxury Cruise in the amazing Halong Bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, we will cruise around some of Halong’s numerous islands. We will visit one of the most beautiful caves on Halong Bay. Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (if the weather will allow us to). Spend the night on the junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerAccommodation: On Cruise
Day 8: Halong Bay Cruise – HanoiHalong Bay Cruise – Shuttle bus to Hanoi
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi exercises on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we will navigate back to Halong City. The shuttle bus waits for you at the dock and transfer you back to hotel in Hanoi.
Meals: BrunchAccommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi DepartureEnjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: N/ANote: Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered.
All hotels are rated according to local standards.
All itineraries are flexible and can easily be altered to suit your needs and interests.
Please contact one of our travel consultants for more information.
