Grand Tour of Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia 15 nights from £5,540 per person
ABOUT THIS ITINERARY
Seeing the wonders of Southeast Asia in 16 days and staying in some of the most unique hotels from the early 20th century, this holiday is bound to live long in the memory of the most seasoned traveller.
Starting with visits to Luang Prabang in Laos, this tour will seamlessly glide you across colourful patchwork of villages, temples and cultures all the way through. Visits to Vietnam’s bustling Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh is sandwiched between a magical day sailing in Halong Bay, bringing the laidback theme to proceedings. The last leg of the journey discovering Cambodia starts with a few days in Phnom Penh including a street food extravaganza with your own chef for the evening! But the best is saved for last, few stylish days at the Raffles in Siem Reap discovering the magnificent Angkor Wat will no doubt be the highlight of this adventure across three amazing destinations in the Far East.
Price Includes
International flights
Domestic flights
Private transfers
Activities and tours as mentioned
All accommodation
24/7 support while you're away
UK airport transfers (conditions apply)
DAY 1-3
LUANG PRABANG
Upon your arrival, you will be met by a Tailored Journeys respresentative and accompanied to the elegant Sofitel Hotel, a colonial mansion set in beautiful gardens close to the historical sites in Luang Prabang.
During your 3 night stay here, you will visit Kuang Si Falls, some stunning waterfalls just outside of Luang Prabang, with the chance to go for a swim too.
Your own guide will accompany you on a tour of this heritage city. Sites include the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong.
After lunch at one of the local restaurants, you will visit the sacred gilded stupa on Phousi Hill and the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum.
You'll also embark on a boat excursion along the Mekong River to enjoy the beautiful tranquil countryside. Brief stops will be made to see Pak Ou Caves and its gold lacquered Buddha statues. Further stops will be made to see local rice wine making techniques in the village of Ban Xang Hai and weaving in the village of Ban Phanom.
Accommodation: Sofitel Luang Prabang
DAY 4-5
HANOI
After breakfast you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your short flight to Hanoi.
You will be met on arrival in Hanoi and transferred to your central hotel. The Sofitel Legend Metropole is the place to stay in Hanoi, located steps from the Opera House in Hanoi’s French Quarter.
Enjoy a tour around the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, with French colonial architecture, especially the recently restored Opera House and the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 which later became Vietnam's first university.
Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. Later visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence.
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, it will be time to take to the street on a cyclo for a tour of the Ancient Quarter followed by a visit to the local theatre, where the ancient art form of Water Puppetry is practised.
Accommodation: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
DAY 6
HALONG BAY
This morning after breakfast you will travel to Halong Bay and arrive around noon. There, you will embark on an overnight junk boat cruise.
This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks. This scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994.
You will be served lunch and dinner aboard with excellent and freshly caught seafood from the bay and at the end of the day, you will have the chance to enjoy a night fishing session on the boat.
Accommodation: Violet Heritage Line
DAY 7-8
HOI AN
Wake up to enjoy sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay before breakfast. The cruise will then tour around the bay until you disembark late morning. You will be met by your driver and will be transferred to Hanoi airport for your short flight down to Danang. Once you have arrived in Danang you will be welcomed by your local guide and driver who will transfer you to your hotel for check in.
Enjoy a countryside vespa tour of Hoi An for a real insight to local life. Setting off from Café Zoom in Hoi An, ride over the bridge to Cam Kim island and along the riverside into the beautiful rural countryside. First stops include an Ancestral House and a traditional boatbuilders yard before you set off to explore the sleepy island villages. Zig-zag through the breathtaking scenery of rice paddies & farmland and enjoy the cooling breeze. Next, learn from friendly local families the art of mat weaving, farming, and how to make (and eat) the perfect Banh Dap rice crackers.
Accommodation: Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa
DAY 9-11
HO CHI MINH CITY
You will be transferred from your hotel in Hoi An to Da Nang Airport where you will catch a short 1 hour 20 minute flight down to Ho Chi Minh City.
Visit the unique Cu Chi tunnel network. This incredible system, covering almost 250km in length was shelter to over 16,000 Vietcong guerrillas during the wars.
Explore Ben Tre in the Mekong delta, also known as the “Green Venice” of Vietnam. After visiting a brick factory in Phong Nam where bricks are still hand-made, step onto a boat for a cruise along the Chet Say river (one of the Mekong’s arms). You will make several stops along the way to discover different local workshops, allowing you to understand the specialities of the local economy.
Accommodation: Park Hyatt Saigon
DAY 12-13
PHNOM PENH
You will be met at the hotel and transferred to Ho Chi Minh airport for your short flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
You will be met on arrival and transferred to the central Raffles Le Royal Hotel. A grand historic hotel offering a lush tropical oasis in a bustling city.
Discover Phnom Penh City, the capital of Cambodia located at the meeting point of four branches of the Mekong river Chaktomuk. You will visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 and see the Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace compound.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the National Museum built in 1917-1918 which is exclusively dedicated to Khmer arts followed by Wat Phnom, an ancient pagoda standing atop a hill, built by a wealthy Khmer woman named Penh in 1372 to house sacred relics.
Embark on a street food tour in Phnom Penh. Street Food always was - and still is - an essential part of Phnom Penh’s daily life and its culture. This private tour will be led by a local chef, Mr. Nara, who will give you the chance to experience the rich diversity of traditional Khmer cuisine. You will taste a variety of very unusual dishes, gain a deeper knowledge of the local life and spend time with an amazing host!
Accommodation: Raffles Hotel Le Royal
DAY 14-16
SIEM REAP
You will be accompanied to the local airport for your short flight to Siem Reap. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
You will visit the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, starting off with Angkor Thom “the big city”. Magically emerging from nowhere, admire the massive curious smiling faces carved in stone - the Bayon Temple, built around the 12th - 13th century. This amazing building is surrounded by 54 towers, each of them adorned with 4 faces. After visiting the Bayon temple, you will travel to the Baphuon, a temple mountain built in the 11th century. Then, admire the Terrace of the Elephants, which with its length of 350 meters, was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies. Continue your visit to the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century, covered by magnificent Apsara sculptings.
After exploring the temples you will have the chance to enjoy a private and relaxing picnic lunch in a charming Khmer village timber house, away from the busy crowds.
In the afternoon, visit the most famous temple: Angkor Wat. Starting by the central aisle, you will realise soon how huge is it. You will finish the day by visiting Ta Prohm, a temple which has been eaten by the tropical nature, made famous from the Tomb Raider film.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence d'Angkor
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