Vietnam & Angkor Wat

Enjoy a private car ride to the airport. Travellers departing from the Toronto airport are assisted with their check-in. Meet your dedicated Group Guru and fellow travellers and fly to Hanoi. It’s a long way to Hanoi – but don’t worry, in-flight entertainment (and Group Guru entertainment) helps time fly by! Upon arrival in the evening, our luxury coach will be ready to bring you to your hotel. Settle in, enjoy a nice shower and join us for a welcome cocktail and light snack. A restful night of sleep awaits! (D)

Enjoy a leisurely start and lunch at your hotel. In the afternoon, you will stretch your legs with a walking tour of the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of the Jade Mountain, as well as the Temple of Literature, which housed Vietnam’s first national university. Enjoy a traditional water puppet show in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)

Explore Hanoi’s many landmarks, such as the West Lake and its 1,500-year-old Buddhist temple, the Trân Quôc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda, President Palace and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology before returning to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi (B,L,D)

Bring your camera, you’re in for an amazing day trip! Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu where you will discover Ninh Binh, also referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land”. It features a network of waterways punctuated by spectacular limestone formations rising from rice paddy fields. You will also visit the temples of Kings Dinh and Le before setting off on a row boat for an unforgettable ride through the spectacular landscapes hidden throughout the Van Long Reserve. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)

Take in the lush scenery and rich farmland of the Red River Delta on your way to Ha Long Bay. Once there, board a traditional boat (colloquially referred to as a “Junk Boat”, but there is nothing “junky” about it!) and sail the tranquil emerald waters to discover an enchanting landscape with nearly 3,000 islands, islets and karst reefs full of caves. You will also explore the Sung Sot Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. After watching a splendid sunset over Ha Long, you will set anchor for the night aboard the traditional boat. (B,L,D)

Rise and shine to a morning stretching session with a Tai Chi class directly on the boat. Join your new friends on a guided rowboat tour to explore the picturesque Luon Cave, surrounded by lush trees and high stone walls. Return to Hanoi for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Morning pedicab ride to explore Hanoi’s old neighborhoods, each specialized in a particular craft (such as textiles, shoes and confectionery). After our mid-day flight to Huê, you will visit Emperor Tu Duc’s mausoleum, considered one of the most beautiful and grandiose works of architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. End the afternoon with a stop at a village where locals weave Vietnam’s iconic conical reed hats. Overnight in Huê. (B,L,D)

Begin your day by exploring the Imperial City, home to the country’s last royal dynasty. You will discover many of the Nguyen Dynasty’s historical monuments, such as the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, and the Forbidden Purple City. Take in an afternoon float on the Perfume River to reach the oldest pagoda in the city, the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. Stroll through the Dong Ba market where a vast selection of Huê specialties are sold. End the day with traditional songs while cruising on the Perfume River. Overnight in Huê. (B,L,D)

Enjoy magnificent villages and coastal views while driving through the Ocean Cloud Pass on your way to Hôi An. Once in Hôi An, stretch your legs during a guided walking tour and explore the historic town that was once a prosperous seaport in the 16^th to 18^th century. Thanks to its rich heritage, more than 844 historical buildings have been certified as a UNESCO world heritage site. You will visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight stay in Hôi An. (B,L,D)

We’ll make our way to the village of Tra Que, then enjoy a short bike ride to a village farm, where you will learn about the history of the village, the cultivation of certain local vegetables and their use in traditional Vietnamese medicine. Get your hands dirty with local villagers as they prepare their land for cultivating, followed by a private cooking lesson with a local chef renowned for their traditional spring rolls (don’t forget to wash your hands in between!). In the afternoon, opt for free time or join us for an exciting optional excursion (at no additional cost). Return to Hôi An for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

Ease into the day with a late morning flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will discover the vibrant and effervescent city known as Saigon prior to 1975. Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Cho Lon (Chinatown) where you will visit the Thiên Hâu Pagoda, the lively Bình Tây market, and a typical lacquer factory. End the afternoon with a tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office as well as the Reunification Palace (previously known as the Norodom Palace). Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay. (B,L,D)

History buffs will be treated today. Enjoy a unique guided excursion in the Cu Chi tunnels system, an impressive network of narrow tunnels and cavities developed during the Vietnam War. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. Feeling adventurous? You can even explore the deeper second, and even third level tunnels! For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a guided tour of the War Museum that chronicles the historical events leading up to, during and following the Vietnam War. In the evening, dinner cruise with traditional music. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L,D)

Take the scenic route to My Tho, with a stop to visit the colourful Cao Đài Temple as well as the Vinh Tràng Pagoda, the largest pagoda in the Mekong Delta. Cruise on the Mekong Delta where you will get a glimpse of the peaceful way of living of the local community. Visit a floating market, with many small boats filled with fruits, vegetables and fresh fish. Stop on a nearby island to visit a local honey bee farm and taste traditional teas made with their honey. Once on the island of Ben Tre, satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to a coconut candy factory. The highlight of your day will be the horse-drawn carriage ride through a local village. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the night. (B,L,D)

Ease into the day with free time in the morning to enjoy your last few hours in Vietnam at your own pace or join our Group Guru for a visit to the local markets before catching your afternoon flight to Siem Reap (translated as Defeat of Siam), the historic capital of the Khmer Empire. Settle in at the hotel and meet our Cambodian guide. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)

Your day will be fully dedicated to discovering Siem Reap – a city rife with colonial and Chinese architecture, where artisan shops, sericultural (silk) farms and rice paddies coexist. Make your way to Angkor Thom, where you will explore the ruins of the great royal city built in the 12^th century by the Buddhist king of the Khmer Empire. In that location, you will visit fascinating areas such the Bayon Temple, the Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants as well as the Terrace of the Leper King. Your tour will end with a visit to the Neak Pean and Ta Prohm temples. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)

Morning visit of the famous temple of Angkor Wat, an impressive example of the classical style of 12^th- century Khmer architecture. Your guided tour will then take you to the Banteay Srei Temple, a magnificent 10^th-century Hindu sanctuary carved in pink sandstone and located in the heart of a forest. Enjoy some free time to explore the Siem Reap Market and to pick up any last-minute souvenirs from your Cambodian adventure. As our awesome experience together is nearing its end, we will host a farewell dinner in the evening, complete with Apsara dancers. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)

Your final morning excursion will take you to the Tonle Sap Lake, a vast fresh water reservoir lake where you will visit an impressive floating village and meet the locals who live there. Still in awe, we will make our way to the airport for our return flights to Canada, arriving the next day. Your driver will meet you at the airport to help you with your luggage and drive you home. (B,L)