Grand Tour of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos – 15 Days

Your Indochina journey begins in Siem Reap. Your private driver will meet you at the airport with a name sign and take you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. Explore at your own pace or relax at the hotel after your flight.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Example accommodation: Hari Residence, Somadevi Angkor Hotel or Angkor Miracle, or similar, depending on your selected category.

After breakfast, explore the Angkor complex, beginning at Angkor Thom’s South Gate with its 12th-century stonework. Continue to Bayon, the royal enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Visit Ta Prohm, where trees grow through the ruins and scenes from Lara Croft: Tomb Raider were filmed.

After lunch, visit the temples of Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Keo. Continue to Angkor Wat, part of the UNESCO-listed Angkor site, to admire its architecture and extensive bas-reliefs along the outer galleries, depicting stories from Hindu mythology.

Climb Bakheng Hill for sunset. One of the earliest temples in the Angkor area, Phnom Bakheng offers wide views towards Tonle Sap and Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Example accommodation: Hari Residence, Somadevi Angkor Hotel or Angkor Miracle, or similar, depending on your selected category.

After breakfast, travel to Phnom Penh by air-conditioned bus. Check in to your hotel and take some time to rest.

In the afternoon, your guide collects you for a city tour. Visit the Royal Palace, home to Cambodia’s royal family, and the Silver Pagoda, which houses important cultural treasures, including a gold Buddha decorated with diamonds. Finish at Wat Phnom, one of the city’s most significant pagodas, traditionally associated with Daun Penh and the founding of Phnom Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Example accommodation: LCS Hotel, Anik Palace Hotel or Sokha Phnom Penh, or similar, depending on your selected category.

After breakfast, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum at the former S-21 prison. Once a school, the buildings were turned into a detention centre by the Khmer Rouge; many prisoners were later killed at Choeung Ek. Continue to the Russian Market, also known as Toul Tumpong, to browse clothing, Buddha images, woodcarvings, silk, silver jewellery and traditional musical instruments. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Your driver meets you on arrival and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Example accommodation: Acnos Hotel, Alagon Hotel or The Myst Dong Khoi, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Leave busy Ho Chi Minh City behind and travel to My Tho on the Mekong. Visit the 19th-century Vinh Trang Pagoda, then board a sampan and cruise past Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

On Unicorn Island, walk along village paths and through orchards, sample tropical fruit and listen to traditional music performed by local residents. Visit a fruit plantation.

Travel by hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son Canal and enjoy the scenery. Visit a family-run business and a beekeeping farm, taste honey tea and see a coconut-sweet workshop.

After lunch at a local restaurant and a short break, cycle through Tan Thach village to meet residents and learn about daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you prefer not to cycle, relax in a hammock and enjoy the breeze. Return to Ho Chi Minh City afterwards.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Example accommodation: Acnos Hotel, Alagon Hotel or The Myst Dong Khoi, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Starts at 08:00 and finishes at approximately 14:30.

The Cu Chi Tunnels form an extensive underground network stretching over 220 km. This historical site offers an insight into the Vietnam War and the resistance to US forces.

The tunnels are around 60 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Depart from your hotel in District 1 at 08:00, travelling past green rice fields, ducks and water buffalo. The peaceful landscape today gives little hint of the bombing and mines that devastated this wartime free-fire zone.

At the site, explore some of the tunnel sections and concealed spaces to understand everyday life underground. See the low-smoke cooking systems used during the war and try some of the food eaten by the soldiers. An optional AK-47 shooting activity is available under the conditions and charges set by the on-site operator.

Return to the city in the afternoon, with the excursion ending at around 14:30.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Example accommodation: Acnos Hotel, Alagon Hotel or The Myst Dong Khoi, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Enjoy your remaining time in Ho Chi Minh City before your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Your driver will meet you at Noi Bai International Airport and take you to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Example accommodation: San Premium Hotel, Tirant Hotel or Apricot Hotel, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Location: Moc village, Ba Vi District, around 68 kilometres from central Hanoi, approximately 1.5 hours by car.

Highlights: pick tea leaves on a traditional 30-year-old plantation; cook with a local host; visit village workshops; cycle through rice fields and villages; relax with a traditional Muong herbal foot bath.

8:00 am: Your private guide and driver collect you from your hotel or accommodation.

9:30 am: Arrive in Ri village and enjoy a welcome drink at your host’s home. Mr Duoc, a Vietnam War veteran and tea farmer, shares stories from his life.

10:00 am: Join Mr Duoc on his peaceful tea farm to learn how to pick tea leaves. Help with the harvest and discover which leaves are selected for traditional Vietnamese tea. Afterwards, see the largely handmade processing methods in his small workshop.

11:15 am: A short drive of around ten minutes takes you to another host family in Moc village. Mrs Chin introduces you to Vietnamese cooking in a hands-on class, followed by a shared lunch of the dishes you have prepared.

1:30 pm: Walk through the village and visit local families to learn about rural life and the making of tofu, conical hats and other local products.

2:45 pm: Cycle through rice fields, with opportunities to meet local farmers.

3:30 pm: Relax after your ride with a warm herbal foot bath prepared using traditional Muong recipes.

4:00 pm: Return to your hotel or accommodation in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Example accommodation: San Premium Hotel, Tirant Hotel or Apricot Hotel, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Discover UNESCO-listed Halong Bay, with its limestone scenery, time to unwind on board and a choice of cruise activities.

After breakfast, check out and travel from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The cruise team will collect you from the hotel lobby between 8:00 and 9:00 am; we will confirm the exact time the day before.

Around midday, arrive at the pier and take a transfer boat to your cruise ship. After a welcome and check-in, lunch is served as you sail past the bay’s many small islands.

In the afternoon, activities may include swimming, kayaking or a cave visit, depending on your cruise itinerary. You are also welcome to relax on board.

Towards evening, the boat anchors in a scenic spot for the night. Enjoy the sunset before dinner.

Overnight on board.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Please note: poor weather may lead to changes or cancellation if boats are unable to leave port. Your travel consultant will arrange an alternative in this case.

Example cruise: Le Journey Cruise, La Pandora Cruise or Doris Cruise, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Enjoy the morning light over Halong Bay as breakfast is served during the return to the harbour. Have an early lunch before disembarking, then transfer to Hanoi. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: breakfast and lunch.

Example accommodation: San Premium Hotel, Tirant Hotel or Apricot Hotel, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Enjoy your remaining time in Hanoi before your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight to Vientiane, Laos.

On arrival at Vientiane Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. If time allows, visit Wat Sisaket, known for its thousands of small Buddha statues, and the former royal temple Wat Phra Keo, which once housed the Emerald Buddha. You also visit That Luang, a national symbol of Laos, and stop for photographs at Patuxai, Vientiane's triumphal arch.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Example accommodation: Orchid Hotel, Lao Poet Hotel or Crowne Plaza Hotel, or similar, depending on your selected category.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the station. The planned C92 high-speed train departs at 10:20 and reaches Vang Vieng at 11:32; the final timetable will be confirmed. Your guide will meet you and take you to your hotel, with early check-in subject to availability. Vang Vieng sits beside a bend in the Nam Song River.

This afternoon, explore Tham Jang Cave, once used by local residents as a refuge, then visit the Blue Lagoon. Depending on the local operators, swimming, kayaking, tubing and ziplining are available at your own expense. An optional climb to Pha Nam Xay viewpoint offers wide views over Vang Vieng. The itinerary recommends visiting the viewpoint before 15:30 for safety.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Example accommodation: Silver Naga, Inthira Vang Vieng or Riverside Boutique Resort, or similar, depending on your selected category. The highest tour category includes a Deluxe Room at Riverside Boutique Resort in this itinerary; a five-star property is not guaranteed here.

This morning, leave Vang Vieng and transfer to the station. The planned C92 high-speed train runs from 11:32 to 12:24 to Luang Prabang; the final timetable will be confirmed. Your guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you to your hotel.

After a short break, visit the National Museum in the former Royal Palace. Its collection introduces Lao culture and the history of the monarchy. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, whose sweeping, low roofs are a beautiful example of traditional Lao temple architecture.

Continue to Wat Visoun, one of the city's most revered temples. It was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Black Flag invasion in 1887. Its courtyard contains the rounded Watermelon Stupa. You then visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Lao crafts and textiles.

In the evening, you can explore the night market independently.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Example accommodation: Villa Chitdara, Souphattra Hotel or Satri House, or similar, depending on your selected category.

After breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and visit Phousi Market. Browse its varied local produce and goods, from dried buffalo skin, regional tea and saltpetre to chickens, vegetables and textiles made by upland communities.

Discover some of Laos's traditional crafts with visits to Ban Ouray, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, a Lao Loum village, and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. Continue to Kuang Si Falls, where you can swim in the permitted pools or stroll along forest paths, before returning to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Example accommodation: Villa Chitdara, Souphattra Hotel or Satri House, or similar, depending on your selected category.

Enjoy breakfast on the final day of your Indochina journey. After checking out, there may be time to browse local markets for souvenirs before your private driver takes you to the airport for your flight home. Your journey ends here.