INDOCHINA TOUR

(12days/11nights)

Day 1. Arrive Ho Chi Minh City  

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome and transfer to the hotel. After check-in, set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, the War Museum and the ethnic Chinese district of Cholon. Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. HCM City - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho

Morning departure by private vehicle for Cai Be, where you will board a boat to the Mekong Delta city of Vinh Long. Discover the languid charm of the fabled Mekong River as you explore the quaint byways and floating markets, and be sure to sample fresh-picked exotic fruits from the many orchards. On the way, stop off for lunch in the orchid garden of local artist Nguyen Thanh Giao. Pick-up upon arrival in Vinh Long for transfer to the Victoria Hotel in the sleepy riverside city of Can Tho.

Day 3. Can Tho  

In the morning, departure by private car to visit the lively market in Phung Hiep. Board a traditional motor boat to visit the floating market. Then proceed by car to Soc Trang to visit Chau Doi and Dat Set pagodas. Lunch en route. Back to Can Tho during the afternoon to set out on a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4. Chau Doc  

After breakfast, board the boat for a cruise to the city of Chau Doc deep in the Mekong Delta. Observe the tranquil rhythms of life in Cham fishing villages before heading to the Victoria Chau Doc for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the floating houses, the Cham villages and the floating market of Chau Doc. If time permits, you will visit Sam Mountain and the numerous places of worship that make Nui Sam a famous pilgrimage destination (including Ba Chau Xu Temple, Tay An Pagoda and the Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb). Dinner and overnight at Victoria Chau Doc hotel.

Day 5. Chau Doc - Phnom Penh  

Depart Chau Doc on the boat and start cruising toward the Cambodian border. When you arrive at the border, you will go through customs formalities on both sides-something that always seems to cause a lot of excitement, so be sure to wave back at the local children. Continue the cruise to Phnom Penh, where you arrive at about noon for transfer to the hotel and lunch. An afternoon city tour of Phnom Penh takes in the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, the Central Market and the faded elegance of the streets of Phnom Penh City. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. Phnom Penh - Kompong Cham - Kompong Thom  

Departure to Kampong Cham by the road. On arrival, you will visit the colonial quarter of the city and the 12th century Wat Nokhor temple. Then you will continue to Kampong Thom with a stop to check out the architecture of the 11^th century Wat Kohear Nokor and Phum Prasat. Arrival in Kompong Thom for dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7. Kompong Thom - Phnom Penh  

Departure for Sambor Prei Kuk to visit the ancient capital of Chenla and its 100 temples dating from the Pre-Angkorian period. In the afternoon, enjoy the bright palette of the countryside as you drive back to Phnom Penh. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 8. Phnom Penh - Siem Reap  

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Siem Reap. Welcome at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the biggest and most famous temple in the complex: Angkor Wat. Climb to the top of Phnom Bakheng hill to watch the sun set over Ton Le Sap Lake and reflect its glow onto the temples. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9. Siem Reap  

In the morning, marvel at the famous south gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch, you will visit the Roluos group: Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei temples Dinner with a show of traditional Apsara dancing. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10. Siem Reap  

In the morning, visit the Kravan, Pre Rup, Mebon Oriental, Ta Som, Neak Pean and Preah Khan temples. After lunch, visit the Angkor Artisans workshop, a non-profit organization, set up to rehabilitate artistic traditions in Siem Reap. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11. Siem Reap  

Departure in the morning for a 90-minute drive and 45-minute walk to Kbal Spean, the Thousand Linga River. Admire the sculptures carved right into the riverbank, and if the water is high enough, enjoy a swim under the waterfall. Continue on to visit the splendid Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12. Depart Siem Reap

Day free until your transfer to the airport for your flight out.