Day 1 | HanoiThis holiday to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand begins in Vietnam.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. The meeting will be followed by an optional group dinner.
Please note that your group leader will collect part of your local payment in cash at the group meeting on day 1. Please bring new US$ bills/notes in large denominations only. The second part of your local payment will be collected on day 10.
Our hotel in Hanoi is centrally located near the historic Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter, and has twin and double rooms with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
Days 2-3 | Halong BayAfter a buffet breakfast at the inspirational KOTO restaurant, dedicated to training disadvantaged street children in hospitality, we drive to Halong Bay (approx. 4 hours) and board our private boat. We enjoy lunch while cruising past some of the thousands of limestone karsts within this World Heritage site. You'll have an opportunity to swim in the bay's emerald waters, explore caves with incredible formations of stalactites and stalagmites or simply kick back and enjoy the tranquility of this bay of wonders. We spend a peaceful night on board our boat.
Our Halong Bay overnight accommodation is on a sailing junk with twin bed cabins that have air-conditioning and private facilities. There is also a dining room and bar where we enjoy a scrumptious lunch and dinner.
On the morning of day 3 we may be able to visit the Dong Trieu ceramic village as we make our way back to the capital (approx. 3.5 hours). Once back in Hanoi, there's a chance for more exploration. Why not head back to the Old Quarter, stroll the city's tree-lined boulevards or enjoy the tranquillity of the lakes over a traditional Vietnamese coffee? Otherwise, stock up on freshly baked baguettes and bottled water for the trip ahead.
In the evening, we climb aboard the Reunification Express bound for Hue. We use 4-berth soft-sleeper compartments for the overnight journey which are simple but comfortable.
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Days 4-5 | HueArriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, we have two full days to enjoy the many sights and slower pace of this tranquil city. We'll visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen emperors' tombs and also enjoy a dragonboat cruise on the Perfume River. Hue, known as the centre of Buddhism and education in Vietnam, has a wealth of pagodas and monasteries to discover. You'll also find many a student here willing to be your personal guide and to show you the many secrets of this regal city. Don't miss the busy Dong Ba Market while you're here - it offers a vast array of goods and foods to see and sample, including traditional Hue specialties such as banh khoai, a delicious stuffed pancake.
Our lovely hotel in Hue is located in a quiet part of town, and has ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
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Days 6-7 | Hoi AnLeaving Hue, our bus journey (approx. 4 hours) takes us south through rural countryside and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co before ascending the dramatic Hai Van Pass. We arrive at the newly declared World Heritage Site of Hoi An and take an orientation tour of the ancient town.
Once a thriving river port, the town's architecture has been mostly preserved and restored. This small town is a favourite with Intrepid travellers and leaders alike, and wandering the streets and narrow alleyways brings hours of pleasure and discovery. Hoi An's citizens today trade in ceramics, wood-ware, painting and tailoring so there is something here for everyone and it's the perfect place to pick up gifts for those at home. There are options here for a visit to the ancient Cham city of My Son, boating, or simply lazing the day away on a nearby beach.
Our accommodation in Hoi An is located near all the attractions of Hoi An Ancient Town and has lovely twin and double rooms with private facilities and air conditioning. The hotel also has a restaurant, bar and a pool.
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Days 8-10 | Ho Chi Minh CityA short flight takes us to the emerging economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 1 hour). Our hotel is located close to Ben Thanh Market and the city's main shopping district, so there is much for you to explore and discover. In the afternoon, we take a cyclo tour of the city and also visit the War Remnants Museum.
Starting early in the morning of day 9, we take a day trip to My Tho where we board our private boat for a cruise to the four beautiful Islets (Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix) on the Mekong River. We continue our journey from here by rowboat and stop in on a local family of beekeepers who make honey from longan flowers. Later, walk through an off-the-beaten-track village and stop at some local houses to experience the everyday life of Mekong locals, usually hidden from the outside world. Here, you'll also have a chance to try some local specialties for lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon of last-minute shopping and sightseeing.
Our nights in Ho Chi Minh City are spent in a 2 star hotel conveniently located near the Ben Thanh Market and all the sights of District 1.
Day 10 is free for your own explorations but please be at the 6:00pm meeting where you'll get to meet your new travelling companions for the Cambodian leg of your journey. At this group meeting your leader will collect the second part of your local payment.
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Days 11-12 | Phnom PenhFrom Ho Chi Minh City we travel by public bus through rural Vietnam and Cambodia (approx. 5-6 hours) to Phnom Penh. We confront Cambodia's tragic past here, paying a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. We also drive out to Choueng Ek Memorial, a grisly monument made up of some 8,000 human skulls, which marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. To discover a brighter period in the country's history, take an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. There is also free time to explore the Russian Market and National Museum. Why not take a stroll along the river's famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many cafes while observing the bustling river traffic?
Our hotel in Phnom Penh is located right on the riverfront, and features spacious twin and double rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning.
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Days 13-15 | Siem Reap/Angkor WatOn day 13 we leave Phnom Penh on our private bus to Siem Reap (driving time approx. 5 hours). A great opportunity to look at the 'real' Cambodia, we will make several stops at points of interest along the way, including an opportunity to sample the local cuisine of deep fried spiders.
On days 14 and 15 we temple-hop from sunrise to sunset to make the most of our visit to the world-famous Angkor complex with our local guide. These temples were built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer Empire was the pre-eminent influence in South-East Asia. The temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photographic opportunities at any time of day. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap so we will have plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.
While in Siem Reap we stay in a comfortable 2 star hotel with restaurant and swimming pool.
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Day 16 | BattambangLeaving Siem Reap we travel by private boat to Battambang (approx 5 hours) via the Tonle Sap Lake. (During the dry season, the water levels fall too low so we will travel by bus instead).
Battambang, Cambodia's second-largest city, is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture. There is time to explore the town and to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Depending on group wishes there is the chance to take a mouth-watering cooking class, a leisurely walk along the river, or explore the local life and surrounding countryside. Please note that due to safety concerns, Intrepid can no longer offer, or recommend the bamboo train as an optional activity.
Our hotel in Battambang is located in a quiet part of town, and has simple but clean rooms with air conditioning.
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Day 17-18 | BangkokThis morning, we travel by private bus to Bangkok (approx. 6 hours in the dry season, possibly longer in the wet season depending on road conditions).
Important note: on entry to Thailand you must provide proof of ongoing travel out of Thailand, such as flight tickets or bus tickets. You may be refused entry if you can not provide this information at the port of entry.
Time permitting on arrival in Bangkok, your leader can help you to organise some activities, perhaps a visit the opulent Grand Palace, a boat ride down the famous Bangkok khlongs or a trip to the shopping districts in downtown Bangkok - your options are endless.
Tonight, you leader will organise an optional final dinner together.
Tonight we stay in a conveniently located 2 star hotel which has comfortable rooms with private facilities and airconditioning. The hotel also has a pool and roof top restaurant where you can take in the views of this wonderful city.
There are no activities planned for day 18 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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