Flight: VN3851 Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh 08.30 - 09.30

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, you will be welcomed to Cambodia by your guide and transferred to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day will be free at leisure for you to settle into your hotel and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Penh House Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Phnom Penh: Start your tour of Cambodia's capital at the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. Here you will see beautiful gardens landscaped with tropical plants and the Throne Hall, where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian King's coronation took place. Continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5,000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9,584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. Leave the Royal Palace and continue to the nearby National Museum, home to the world's finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. The exquisite building was completed between 1917 and 1920 and features a lush courtyard garden surrounded by collections from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods.

You will then have the option to learn of the Khmer Rouge's horrific crimes at Tuol Sleng, a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. The Khmer Rouge were meticulous in their record keeping, photographing all the prisoners and many of these haunting black and white images are on display in the cells. Tuol Sleng is a profoundly moving experience and not everyone will want to visit. However, it is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since. 

Finish your tour at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8,985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Penh House Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, via Lake Tonle Sap: This morning depart the capital and head north west to Siem Reap, a road journey of just over 300km. A straight journey would take around 5 hours in good traffic, but this will be become a full-day drive with stops for rest and sightseeing enroute.

This journey can be taken as a flight, if you prefer not to travel overland.

Afternoon visit to Kompong Khleang: Just before getting to Siem Reap stop off at one of the largest villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, which has a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from fishing. You can explore the canals (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this incredible town. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers. You will visit one of the pagodas here, built on the site of an ancient temple, and see the wall paintings before continuing to Siem Reap by road.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Montra Nivesha (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & The Bayon: Probably the best time to visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous of the Angkor temples, is early in the morning, when the light is good and it is relatively quiet. Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. At the apex of Khmer political and military dominance in the region, Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of a massive 'temple-mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Angkor Wat is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall and the walls of the temple are covered inside and out with bas-reliefs and carvings. Nearly 2,000 distinctively rendered apsara carvings adorn the walls throughout the temple and represent some of the finest examples of apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Angkor Thom (Big Angkor) is a walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire. After Jayavarman VII recaptured the badly damaged Angkorian capital from the Cham invaders in 1181, he began a massive building campaign across the empire, constructing Angkor Thom as his new capital city. He began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas and built a grand enclosed city around them, adding the outer wall and some of Angkor's greatest temples including his state-temple, Bayon, set at the centre of the city. There are five entrances (gates) to the city, one for each cardinal point, and the victory gate leading to the Royal Palace area. Each gate, as well as much of Jayavarman VII's architecture is crowned with four giant faces. The giant stone faces of Bayon have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. There are 37 standing towers, most sporting four carved faces oriented toward the cardinal points.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Montra Nivesha (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Ta Phrom & Banteay Srei: This morning's tour of the temples starts with a visit to Ta Prohm. This fairly large temple is hugely atmospheric due to the fact that it has been left untouched rather than being restored. The jungle has reclaimed the temple, with huge tree trunks and vines snaking around the centuries-old stone work. Here you can get a feeling of how the first European explorers would have found the ruins. Later, continue to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery. This petite pink temple is the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man. Originally believed to date from the latter part of the Angkor period, inscriptions at the site suggest it was built by a Brahman in 967. However, some architectural historians have suggested that the inscriptions may date from an earlier structure on this site and the temple is in fact later, marking a high-water mark in Khmer sculpture.

Private transfer: Later this afternoon, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Luang Prabang.

Flight: VN930 Siem Reap - Luang Prabang 16.55 - 19.05

Private transfer: On arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be welcomed to Laos by your local guide and transferred to the Villa Chitdara in a chauffeur driven car for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Chitdara (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning walking tour of Luang Prabang: Your morning tour starts with a visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history and features a guided audio tour. Afterwards, begin your walking tour, taking in some of Luang Prabang's hidden secrets, including a stroll down the quiet back lanes. Along the way, stop at Wat Chomkhong, which is known for its decorative carvings. This area contains a mix of beautiful old French colonial buildings, and traditional old Lao houses, which you will have time to admire, along with a stop at the small but charming Wat Phapai. Your final visit of the morning is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style.

Afternoon at leisure: The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this picturesque & atmospheric ancient capital independently. A side trip to Kuangsi Falls is recommended and can be arranged either in advance or through your guide. Staying within the city, there are a number of excellent cooking classes, plus great shopping opportunities in local craft centres.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Chitdara (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning boat cruise to the Pak Ou Caves: After breakfast this morning, you will be taken to the local pier to board a private traditional boat for the journey upstream on the Mekong River to visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves. After around an hour cruising up the Mekong, disembark your boat at  the village of Ban Muangkeo, where you can get a glimpse of daily life in rural Laos. From here, set off on foot for the revered religious site of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. After your visit to the caves, return to Luang Prabang by boat, stopping off at Ban Nongxai artisan village en route.

Private transfer: Later this afternoon, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Hanoi.

Flight: QV313 Luang Prabang - Hanoi 17.10 - 18.10

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Hanoi: After breakfast, start your tour of Hanoi with a visit to the 900 year old Temple of Literature, Vietnam's principal Confucian sanctuary and its historical centre of learning. Made up of five courtyards, this is one of the few remnants of the original city. Continue to the Soviet style Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read out the declaration of the nation's independence in 1945. After a look around the square, your guide will take you through the Museum there, which is dedicated to Ho Chi Minh.

Afternoon at leisure: You have an afternoon at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, take in a water puppet show, go shopping in the Old Quarter, or sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Premium Hang Be (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: This morning, you will be met at your hotel and driven for approximately 2 hours through the Red River delta to the coast and the Gulf of Tonkin, where the quieter waters of Lan Ha Bay are found.

Overnight Lan Ha Bay cruise: On arrival at Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong, you will be transferred to  the Peony Cruise boat on a smaller boat up the Cai Trap Canal. On arrival, board the main boat and enjoy a welcome drink while a safety briefing is conducted on-board before settling into your cabins and being served lunch on-board. This afternoon, the cruise will set off through Lan Ha Bay, stopping at a number of interesting islands including Da Chong, where you can see an old French colonial lighthouse. In the mid-afternoon, the boat will moor up at Ba Trai Dao beach in Lan Ha Bay and you will have time to kayak, swim in the ocean or just relax on the beach. Back on board this evening, there is a happy hour at the bar, followed by a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the Peony Cruise (Deluxe Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Lan Ha Bay cruise: After further optional activities and brunch on-board, you will disembark back at Dinh Vu Port at around midday and meet up again with your driver and guide.

Road journey from Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi: Upon arrival at the quay, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to Hanoi Airport. Depending on time, en route you may have an opportunity to stop off at the Phu Lang ‘ceramic village’, where the villagers have been practicing this traditional craft for generations.

Flight: VN1545 Hanoi - Hue 18.30 - 19.40

Private transfer: On arrival in Hue, you will be met by your guide & driver and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Moonlight Hotel Hue (Superior Room)

Meals: Brunch

Morning Perfume River Cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda & Imperial Citadel: Take a morning cruise on the Perfume River, named after the tree resins and blossoms it carries on its way to the Pacific. Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda sitting on the riverbank outside the city, this octagonal seven tier stupa has long been regarded as the symbol of Hué and was founded in 1601. It is still a site of Buddhist worship and its huge bell is said to be audible from the city. Continue to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing by the Nguyen emperors in the early 19th century, the city was badly damaged during the war but the imposing city walls surrounded by a large moat, afford good views of Hué. The palace retains a feeling of its past scale and importance, with detailed stonework and pavilions and it is at the moment in the process of being restored to its former magnificence. 

Road journey from Hue to Hoi An: This afternoon, you will be driven south, along Highway 1, to Hoi An, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Soon the highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam's turbulent history and from the top, there are views of the curve of Danang Bay. En route pass through the port city of Danang with the option of stopping to see the famous 'Danang Beach' before continuing south to Hoi An, where you will check-in to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Hoi An Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today you have time to relax. Alternatively, there are opportunities to visit the beach, cycle in some beautiful countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An or see a tailor to get some clothes made.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the La Siesta Hoi An Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Balcony Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After a leisurely morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight: VN129 Danang - Ho Chi Minh City 16.00 - 17.25

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City airport, you will be welcomed by your guide, and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Silverland Yen (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Ho Chi Minh City: This morning, visit some of Saigon's historic landmarks, including the 1880's General Post Office and the former Presidential Palace which was once headquarters for the Saigon Government during the "American War". Next, visit the late 19th century Notre Dame Cathedral, located in a peaceful part of the city, and the War Remnants Museum.

Private transfer: This evening, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your onward flight. A late check-out from your hotel can be arranged, subject to availability and additional cost.

Meals: Breakfast