Upon arrival Siem Reap international airport you will meet our driver and guild then transfer you to hotel check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap

Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy. We journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art. Following in the footsteps of the devout and the destructive before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old were to stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that few moments will measure up. In the afternoon, we visit the immense walled city Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is simply staggering and we are immediately overwhelmed by the audacity of Jayavarman on arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined by an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology in which the devas (gods) and asuras (devils) play tug of war with a naga (seven-headed serpent) to obtain the elixir of immortality. We begin our visit at the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century. It has undergone a massive renovation by the French and is now once again open for viewing. Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon. At the exact centre of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from every side, exuding power and control with a hint of compassion, just the mix required to keep a hold on such a vast empire. Before clambering upwards, we unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period. Overnight at Siem Reap (Meals: breakfast) Read more

Overnight at Siem Reap

We leave Siem Reap and travel southeast on National Highway 6. We continue to the provincial capital of Kompong Thom, We then continue towards the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. En route, there is the chance to pause at Skuon, affectionately known as 'Spiderville', where it is possible to sample the local delicacy of deep fried tarantula. We arrive in Phnom Penh and check into our hotel. In the afternoon we explore the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. We begin amid the beautiful royal gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and studded with gleaming spires. We enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king's coronation took place. We then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19th century. We continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 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 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. There is also a delicate emerald Buddha made of baccarat crystal, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). We 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. We concentrate on the incredible sandstone sculpture from Angkor, as well as the intricate bronzes. We then make for Wat Phnom, a symbol of the city. Located on one of the few hills in this pancake-flat capital, the first pagoda was originally built in 1373 to house Buddha statues discovered in the Mekong by a woman named Penh. This gives us the modern name of the city, Phnom Penh or Hill of Penh. Cambodians come to the shrine to pray for luck in love and life, employment and exams, so there it is always a bustling place. Overnight at Phnom Penh (Meals: breakfast) Read more

Overnight at Phnom Penh

We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng was a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. Today it is a museum of torture and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. 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. Enemies of the revolution were killed here, as well as many Khmer Rouge loyalists, denounced by an ever more paranoid political party. It became a production line for killing, as those that worked within its walls were unwaveringly loyal to Pol Pot. The party did not make mistakes, so those sent here had to be guilty. The role of the prison was not to prove innocence but to confirm guilt. 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. We then travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. Prisoners from Tuol Sleng followed this same route to their fate. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeng Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 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. We travel to the Russian Market, one of the premier shopping destinations in the Cambodian capital. Known as Psar Tuol Tom Pong, it earned its nickname in the 1980s, when Russians were the only tourists in Cambodia. A rambling place, it is bursting with bargains, including handicrafts, carvings, silk and textiles, clothing and footwear, and lots of pirated software, CDs and DVDs, not forgetting enough motorcycle parts to assemble a homemade moped. After some time here to browse or buy, we travel to the impressive Central Market, one of the city landmarks. Originally completed by the French in 1937, this striking structure is known as Psar Thmei in Khmer or New Market. The huge dome is wonderfully ventilated, a testament to the design, and this market is loaded with anything and everything available in Cambodia. Buy with caution, as this market has a reputation for overcharging or 'shaving your head' as Cambodians like to call it. Overnight at Phnom Penh (Meals: breakfast) Read more

Overnight at Phnom Penh

Have breakfast at the hotel, and around 11 am you will be transferred to the port where your boat departs. At 12:00 PM the speed boat will depart from Sisowath Quay – Kh Daun Penh – Phnompenh – Cambodia (International floating port) to Chau Doc. You would cross the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. Around 05:30 PM the speed boat arrives to Chau Doc, you will be transferred to your hotel. Staying overnight in Chau Doc (Meals: breakfast Read more

overnight in Chau Doc

06:00 AM Have breakfast at hotel and check out the room. You will take a bus to Cai Be where you will board on your cruise boat and have some rest in your cabin. The boat will cruise through branches and canals of Mekong river, you could enjoy the amazing view of surrounding landscapeas and the diverse life of local people in the Mekong Delta. Have lunch on the boat. In the afternoon you will have guided land excursions around small villages surrounded by rice fields and orchards. You could watch the locals build their boats or how food is processed in local family workshops. Then you will get back on boat and have free time, enjoy the sunset on the top dec. The dinner would be served on the boat. Overnight on boat (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner) Read more

Overnight on boat

Get up early as cruise starts with the sunrise, just when the Delta comes back to life, the breakfast will be served at 6:30 AM. Check out your cabin and get to your next destination – Cai Rang where you will get by sampan. Cai Rang Floating Market is the biggest and most colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta’s region. In the very early morning, the river becomes a busy commercial site where hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables and plants line along the river and are ready for trading. Sellers will hang samples of what they are selling on the top of a long pole on their boats so the buyers can see their products from a distance. Enjoy your shopping and then visit the workshop where local family produces noodles. Afterward you will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh, check in hotel and have some free time for rest. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: breakfast, lunch) Read more

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Enjoy your free day in Ho Chi Minh – Vietnamese metropolis which has amazing bustling streets, fantastic restaurants and thriving trees. Spend this day with sightseing and shopping. We recommend you to visit Notre Dame cathedral, Reunification hall, The War Remmunts museum and Chinatown, in the evening you could enjoy a drink and amazing view from one of the rooftop bars or take an evening cruise over Saigon river. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: breakfast) Read more

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to the airport to fly to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Danang our driver will meet you and transfer to Hoi An. Upon arrival to Hoi An you will check in to hotel, and have some free time to explore surrounding area. Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: breakfast)

Overnight in Hoi An

Enjoy your free day in UNESCO World herittage town. Once known as Fairo Hoi An was an influental port along the Silk Road, for over 500 years, merchants from China, Japan, France and Portugal settled in the prosperious town resulting in distinctive blend of culture, cuisune, religions and architecture. We recommend you to visit a former trading port, Chua Ong Pagoda, a stunning Chinese-style structure built in 1653, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, famouse for the Jinshan Temple dedicated to the goddness of the sea and Japanese Covered Bridge. You also could visit one of the tailor shops (tailoring is a big industry in Hoi An) and get clothes, shoes and bags done within a day. After the dark, the Old Town in Hoi An transforms into a mystical row of lights and lanterns. In fact, Hoi An is a big centre for paper lantern manufacturers and merchants. Every shop or establishment will have a few lanterns outside, but the real sight is the lantern market. Here you’ll be able to see how these lanterns are made and will have a plethora of choices should you wish to take some home with you. After a stroll through the market, check out the outdoor traditional theatre. You will have a chance to see Vietnamese folk dancers and musicians perform traditional pieces. The theatre runs from 9pm to 10pm at the square on Nguyen Thai Hoc street. It is completely free and open to the public so it’s interesting to see, even if it’s just for a few minutes as you pass by. Before you retire to your hotel, be sure to light a candle box and set it in the water. Many kids sit along the banks of the channel and offer candles to you – remember to make a wish. Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: breakfast) Read more

Overnight in Hoi An

Free at your leisure time in Hoi An. Afternoon, transfer to Da Nang airport to fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival a private vehicle will be waiting for you for transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hanoi (Meals: breakfast)

Overnight at Hanoi

You will be picked up form hotel at 07:30 and transferred to Ba Vi. You will visit 3 villages, at each village the local host will show you Vietnamese countryside life. You will be welcomed by Mr Duoc – a veteran, listen to his stories about his life during and after Vietnam War. He also is an expert on handling the raw tea leaves and making it into the products to sell on the market Then you will visit a tea village with 30-years old tea trees. There besides walking and helping local people to harvest the tea leaves, you will know how to pick the best part of the tea tree to make the most wonderful beverage in the world. Then heading to Mrs Chin’s house for a cooking lesson and have lunch with in the garden. After the lunch have some rest and your host will take you around her village and you will visit the local workshops. You will learn how to make tofu, unshell the rice and will see the workshop of local hammerer who is working there for 70 years. Cycling through the rice fields then you will arrive to the house of your next host Mr Chau, have your feet soaking in warm water with herb leaves following the recipes of Muong ethnic minorities. Continue the boat trip along the Da river and viewing the stunning scenery and discover the life of local people alongside the river. Drive back to Hanoi in the evening, end your Bavi Eco Tour at the hotel around 18:30. Note: In the case of bad weather, we will have those replacement of the boat trip & tea fields by: * Morning: Visiting local market, farming at Chau’s house and cooking class * Afternoon: Visiting K9 – K9 was a venue where President Ho Chi Minh, Politburo and Party Central Committee members decided the country’s crucial issues during the anti-American war. It was also chosen to preserve the body of the late President from 1969-1975. Please note that the HCM Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays. Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: breakfast, lunch) Read more

Overnight in Hanoi

09:00 – 09:30: Your air-conditioned transfer vehicle will collect you from your hotel in Hanoi and convey you to Hai Phong. 12:00: You will be taken on the tender from wharf and make your way out onto the bay to board the luxurious crafte. You will be welcome aboard and greeted with a complimentary drink. The Crew will conduct a compulsory safety procedures session and then you are free to check into your cabin for freshen up. Take some time to have a look around the vessel or watch the magical landscape go by. 13:15: A special lunch of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites will be served. Dining on a luxury junk with fine food and drinks doesn’t come much better than this. We set sail for Lan Ha Bay passing to Da Chong islet where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. 15:00: When lunch is about to finish, it is just nice that the Cruise complete its entry through Cua Van area to Lan Ha Bay (as part of Halong Bay). The area is surrounding of a lot extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. Guests can start their journey to explore Ba Trai Dao beach, doing the kayak to immersed in the crystal clear waters of the bay and/or enjoy swimming. 17:00: Back to main boat, and cruising to a place for staying overnight. 17:30 – 18:30: Happy hour with special drink menu (Buy one get another one for free). 18:00: Vietnamese cooking demonstration is a great way to learn how to prepare delicious appetizers. 19:15: You can spoil yourself with a unique Signature Dinner in distinctive restaurant. 20:45 – 12:00: Your free time to relax with an exotic cocktail or whatever takes your fancy. Order a Spa service or take any activities on boat cruise such as watching movies, squid fishing or simply relax on our roof top deck under the cover of a star filled sky. Overnight on boat (Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner) Read more

Overnight on boat

06:30: The nicest time of the day on Lan Ha Bay is the morning. Head to the upper deck to participate in Tai Chi sessions. Relax with an early morning cup of tea, coffee or juice anywhere you wish on the boat and watch the never ending miraculous scenery unfold before you. 07:00: Light breakfast will be served (pastries, tea, coffee) 7:30 – 9:15: Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage. Back to our main board afterwards. 09:30: Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. After a final early brunch and a last goodbye from crew at 11:30, you will board the tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi. 12:10-12:30: Get on luxury van and get back to Hanoi. Arrive at hotel in Hanoi around 3:30 pm. The trip ends. Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: breakfast, lunch) Read more

Overnight in Hanoi

Depending on your flight time, you will have leisure time which is arranged by yourself for the last waking, cycling around, shopping souvenirs or handicraft products or having local coffee for the last time before we take you to the airport for your flight. End of the service at the airport. Goodbye and safe travel! (Meals: breakfast Read more