Best of Cambodia & Vietnam

DAY 1: PHNOM PENH – ARRIVAL.

Arrival in Phnom Penh. We welcome and transfer you to hotel. Rest of the day is your leisure time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 2: PHNOM PENH (B,L)

Morning, visit the notorious Choeung Ek Killing Fields, 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (From 1975–1979). Continue your visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, take some minutes at Independent Monument for photo taking. We then visit the opulent Royal Place, home to Cambodia’s Royal family. The Royal Palace is built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town. Continue at the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. Leaving the Royal Palce, you will visit at The National Museum with its superb collection of Khmer art. The last place to visit today is Wat Phnome, the most famous buddhist temple in Phnom Penh. Wat Phnom was built in 1373, and stands 27 metres above the ground. It is the tallest religious structure in the city. The pagoda was given the name of Wat Preah Chedey Borapaut. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

DAY 3: PHNOM PENH – KAMPONG CHAM – KAMPONG THOM (B,L)

The overland expedition begins as we departure for the town and pass through Cambodia’s biggest growing rubber area to Kampong Cham. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. On arrival in Kampong Cham we visit the beautiful French colonial architecture and Wat Nokhor containing the ancient temple and modern style pagoda. The following destination of our trip is Kangpong Thom. Along the way we make a stop at Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, two hills whose names were translated as the “man hill” and the “woman hill”. Then continue the road to Kampong Thom. After checking into hotel we visit some nearby villages and climb 980 steps to the top of Phnom Santuk for an impressive sunset view over the surrounding areas. Overnight at hotel in Kompong Thom.

DAY 4: KAMPONG THOM – SIEM REAP (B,L)

Leaving Kampong Thom for Sambor Prei Kuk. Sambor Prei Kuk, 30 kms north of town, is a jungle-enclosed temple complex that receives very few tourists due to its remote location. However, a visit to these Pre-Angkorian ruins should not be missed. As you travel through the ruins on bike and foot, you will be awe-struck at the melding of architecture and nature, as the brick structures here blend seemlessly with the nature surrounding them. You will have the chance to visit and contribute to the sustainability of the people’s livelihood as the local community will prepare a simple but tasty lunch for you near the temples. After lunch, continue our journey towards Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, check in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 5: SIEM REAP – Explore Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom (B,L,D)

The first part of the day will be spent exploring some of the most iconic temple complexes in Angkor, Cambodia. The morning begins with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. Here, you can explore some of the most significant structures, including the Bayon Temple, the Baphuon, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Afterward, you will continue your visit to Ta Prohm, a temple complex that is famous for its unique architecture and the way that trees and vegetation have grown around and through its structures. This temple complex provides a stunning visual experience and is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Angkor.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy some of the local cuisine.

In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. This massive temple complex is one of the largest religious monuments in the world and is famous for its intricate architecture and stunning beauty. Here, you can explore the central temple, the outer walls, and the surrounding moat.

In the evening, you will enjoy a buffet dinner and watch a Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a local restaurant. This is an excellent opportunity to experience some of the local culture and enjoy some traditional entertainment while dining on local cuisine.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

DAY 6: SIEM REAP – Beang Mealea(B,L)

At 8.00am, we drive out of the city to go to Koh Ker. Abandoned to the forests of the north, Koh Ker, capital of the Angkorian empire from AD 928 to AD 944, is 127km northeast of Siem Reap. It takes about 1.5 hour to reach Koh Ker.

Koh Ker is a 10th-century temple complex in the north Cambodian jungle. A former capital of the Khmer Empire, the site is now remote and heavily forested. The main structure, Koh Ker Temple, is a stepped 7-tiered pyramid. The large rectangular tank, Rahal Baray, supplied water to the complex. The Prasat Krahom, meaning "red temple," is known for its sandstone carvings, while Prasat Pram is covered in strangler figs.

9.30am, We start at Prasat Krahom where impressive stone carvings grace lintels, doorposts and slender window columns. The principal monument is Mayan-looking Prasat Thom, a 55m-wide, 40m-high sandstone-faced pyramid whose seven tiers offer spectacular views across the forest.

10.30am, we drive back to Siem Reap. On the way back, we stop at two famous temples: Prasat Neang Khmaw & Prasat Pram. We proceed our way back and stop at a local restaurant near Beng Mealea temple. Enjoy your lunch.

1.30pm, we visit Beng Mealea temple. Enjoy a short walk through the dense jungle and discover the wonders of an overgrown temple, Beng Mealea, which lay undiscovered for centuries.

A spectacular sight to behold, Beng Mealea, located about 55km northeast of Siem Reap, is one of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, as nature has well and truly run riot. Exploring this titanic of temples, built to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat, is the ultimate Indiana Jones experience. Built in the 12th century under Suryavarman II, Beng Mealea is enclosed by a massive moat measuring 1.2km by 900m.

3.30pm, we leave Beng Mealea and drive to the last one that we visit today, Banteay Srey.

4.30pm, Arrival at the temple. You now have chance to see the “gem” of the Angkor area. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art.

Considered by many to be the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is cut from stone of a pinkish hue and includes some of the finest stone carving anywhere on Earth. Begun in AD 967, it is one of the smallest sites at Angkor, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in stature. The art gallery of Angkor, Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, is wonderfully well preserved and many of its carvings are three-dimensional.

Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L)

DAY 7: SIEM REAP – Famous temples and Tonle Sap lake (B,L)

Morning, visit some famous temples in Siem Reap including: East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Panan, Preah Khan, Pre Rup.

• The East Mebon is a 10th Century temple at Angkor, Cambodia. Built during the reign of King Rajendravarman, it stands on what was an artificial island at the center of the now dry East Baray reservoir.
• Ta Som is a small temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built at the end of the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. It is located north east of Angkor Thom and just east of Neak Pean.
• Neak Pean at Angkor, Cambodia is an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Preah Khan Baray built during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It is the “Mebon” of the Preah Khan baray.
• Preah Khan is a temple at Angkor, built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. However, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.
• Pre Rup is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman and dedicated in 961 or early 962. It is a temple mountain of combined brick, laterite and sandstone construction.

Afternoon, enjoy breakfast at hotel. Visit Angkor National Museum at 7.30am.

Angkor National Museum is an archaeological museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts, also to provides information and education about art and culture of Khmer civilization, with collections mainly dated from Khmer Empire’s Angkor period circa 9th to 14th-century. Most of the artifacts are discovered in and around the Angkor archaeological sites nearby. The museum is located in Vithei Charles de Gaulle No. 968, Siem Reap, Cambodia, on the way between downtown Siem Reap to northern road leading to Angkor ancient city.

After that, take a boat trip for sight-seeing on Tonle Sap Lake, the Great Lake of Cambodia. It is one of the largest lakes in Asia. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals. Leave the lake and head to downtown to visit Artisan’s D’angkor, the caving art school. Continue your visit to Wat Thmei. Wat Thmei near Charles de Gaulle Boulevard in Siem Reap, Cambodia where you will find a small memorial stupa which contains the skulls and bones of victims killed during the regime of the Khmer Rouge during 1975 – 1979. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

DAY 8: Siem Reap – Hanoi (B)

Morning, spend your leisure time in Siem Reap, relaxation or go shopping. Afternoon, our drive picks you up at hotel and transfer you to airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon your arrival, we transfer you to hotel in Hanoi. Take your time to explore the city yourself. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 9: Hanoi – City tour (B,L)

Morning, you will start the tour by visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-palace. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live in the past. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, built by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam’s first University constructed in 1070. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Have lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum. After that we will take you to Hoan Kiem Lake, see the peaceful water, and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Take an hour cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter to see the ordinary life in Hanoi. Read more about these attractions / Watch video At 18.00, Back to your hotel. It’s your free time now to have dinner and a short while to explore the streets of Hanoi. Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi – Halong bay (B,L,D)

Around 8.00am, Our guide Pick you up at your hotel and go to Halong bay on a shuttle bus. Take a rest at Humanity center and enjoy local specialties after 2h. Arrival in Halong at 11.45. The captain and crew welcome you aboard. Savor the delicious lunch as boat pass through thousands of Islands and Islets with different shapes. After the lunch, explore the biggest and the most amazing cave in Halong Bay - Surprise Cave. Then Kayaking for an hour around the fishing village and discover the life of community there. Then back to boat for Sunset Party, get to calm, clean water place for swimming. Enjoy delicious and romantic dinner with some barbecue courses. In the evening, free time for entertainment with the funny plays such as squid fishing, karaoke program, stars watching on sundeck… Spend romantic night aboard. Stay overnight on boat in Halong bay.

Day 11: Halong bay – Hanoi (B,L)

In the morning, breakfast, fruits, coffee and tea are served on board. Cruise further and stop-over at a pearl farm to sea real peace cultivated by local fisherman. After that, we continue cruising further, go throught many islands and islets to discover the hidden charm of the bay. Join a cooking class opened right on the cruise for all the people are interested in cooking, especially cooking Vietnamese food. Cruise back to the prier while having lunch. Say goodbye to the crew and disembark. Get on bus to go back to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi around 04.30pm. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi – Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Your leisure time in Hanoi to explore the city on your own until we transfer you to airport for your departure flight.