Special Asia Trips

10-Day Vietnam & Cambodia

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Siem Reap

Welcome to Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our immigration official representative as you exit the plane and quickly processed via VIP fast track visa service. You will meet your private Cambodian driver and guide before transferring to your hotel.

DAY 2 Seim Reap – Biking Angkor Wat at Sunrise & Dinner Under the Stars at Villa Chandara

Experience an unforgettable dawn bicycle ride on the back trails of Angkor Wat, avoiding the crowds. The sun rises up behind Angkor Wat creates a stunning silhouette. Take an unforgettable walk through the temple, where the soft light and cool temperatures present Angkor at its best. A short pedal away a delicious breakfast awaits. Then ride around the Angkor Kingdom’s hidden backtrails to visit some of its best kept secrets as well as its most iconic temples like the Bayon, Ta Prom and The Elephant Terrace. As the day heats up, we lunch with a view of Sra Srang Lake and then return to your hotel by vehicle around 2pm.

Experience a fabulous late afternoon and evening in the Cambodian countryside on this unique excursion.

Dinner at Villa Chandara, located on the edge of Kouk Tnout, is much more than just dinner, it’s a magical experience in the beautiful Cambodian countryside with the perfect balance of authenticity and luxury.

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to and from the dining experience in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking host. Welcomed with a glass of Prosecco, this half day countryside experience takes guests by road, via a pagoda, then by boat across an ancient reservoir and then on foot through the village and to the villa. Enjoy free flow drinks (wines, beers, cocktails and soft drinks) at sunset and taste a five course Khmer or western set menu with live tradition Khmer music in a gorgeous and intimate setting overlooking the rice paddies.

Note: Visiting temples or other religious sites in Cambodia, visitors are advised to follow a dress code consisting of long trousers or skirt which covers the knees as well as covered shoulders. Skirts, short shorts, tank tops and revealing clothing are culturally insensitive and not allowed.

DAY 3 Siem Reap – Banteay Srey - Danang

This Morning at 8am visit Banteay Srey, the Citadel of Woman, which was off limits for many years due to its remoteness and Khmer Rouge activity. Built in the late 10th century and dedicated to Shiva, Banteay Srey's pink limestone walls contain the best bas reliefs of any temple at Angkor.

If you are interested, you may choose to visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum, Prevention and Rehabilitation Center. It is estimated that more than 110 million land mines are buried throughout the world. Buried within Afghanistan, Angola, Iraq, Kuwait and Cambodia are the largest concentrations of land mines. In Cambodia, efforts at clearing mines around Angkor Wat and the major tourist sites have been successful. However, millions of mines remain buried and significantly impact the lives of the Cambodian people. Learn about the center's efforts and work on this visit.

Return to Siem Reap and lunch at Malis restaurant before transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Danang.

Vietnam Segment

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Danang Airport your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An. Check-in and enjoy the evening at leisure.

DAY 4 Son Tra “Monkey Mountain” Nature Reserve

This lush mountain peninsula surrounded by tropical sea is the last protected habitat of the colorful and critically endangered Red-shanked Douc Langur monkey. Son Tra is also home to 36 species of mammals including Sunda pangolin (scaly anteater) the world’s most poached mammal. A birdwatcher’s paradise, it boast 118 species including Green-eared Barbet, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Crimson Sunbird, Olive Back Sunbird, Crested Serpent Eagle and more.

Our wildlife-specialty guide knows the Son Tra reserve and its wildlife extremely well. While most travelers just visit Ban Na Hill, we will bypass the crowds and focus on the wildlife and beauty of the reserve.

DAY 5 Hue, The Forbidden Purple City (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – Emperor’s Royal Banquet

Transfer to Hue to visit the Forbidden Purple City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was reserved for royalty, just like China’s Forbidden City. Under the Nguyen dynasty Hue was Vietnam’s political, cultural and religious capital from 1802-1945. Explore Hue’s cultural sites including Thien Mu Pagoda and a boat trip on the Perfume River.

Emperor’s Royal Banquet

After learning how the royal family lived, tonight we’ll dine just like them! Since the Forbidden Purple City was reserved for royalty, it became famous for its very specific style of cuisine for the Royal Family. Tonight we’ll enjoy an “Emperor’s Royal Banquet” in this unique culinary style, with a descendant of the last royal family of Vietnam, in her own home. Learn about her family’s past and taste the authentic dishes that were once served only to royalty.

DAY 6 Hue / Hanoi – Street Food Tour with “The Vietnamese God”

Morning flight to Hanoi. This afternoon enjoy an extraordinary street food tour, personally guided by one of Vietnam’s leading street food experts, Van Cong Tu, the author of the blogs ‘Vietnamese God’ and ‘Sticky’. Enjoy little-known culinary gems, local favorites and famous foodie stops that will delight your tastebuds. Walk in the Old Quarter, Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan markets, Hang Than Street and “food alley” while sampling amazing delicacies, strange food items, specially prepared fruits, traditional Vietnamese coffees and mouth-watering French-influenced desserts, all while enjoying the “Vietnamese God’s” lively explanation of Vietnamese food culture. These busy, eclectic streets are alive with the sights and sounds of Hanoi and are the essence of Vietnamese culture.

DAY 7 Hanoi – Explore Hanoi like a local, Dinner at the Famous Anh Tuyet Restaurant

Morning Tai Chi with locals at Hoan Kiem Lake, a very authentic part of Vietnamese culture. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter and marvel at it’s French architecture, and discover ‘B-52 lake’. Then visit the gardens and well-preserved architecture of the ancient Temple of Literature, built in 1076 to educate Vietnam’s royalty, and active for 700 years. Walk Hanoi’s famous railway tracks, located just a few feet away from residential houses, and end at a local Vietnamese brewery.

Tonight we’ll enjoy a gourmet dinner at Anh Tuyet Restaurant in the Old Quarter. Culinary artist Pham Thi Anh Tuyet is an award-winning celebrity in Vietnamese culinary circles, and her restaurant is a favorite for gourmands and cooks from all over the world including Anthony Bourdan, Eckart Witzigmann and more.

DAY 8 Hanoi / Artisan Yacht Cruise: Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island

Transfer to the famous Ha Long Bay. Embark on our gorgeous, 10-Suite luxury yacht, artisan-designed with a flair of ancient Indochina. We’ll cruise through stunning Ha Long Bay to the exclusive and secluded Lan Ha Bay. Relax, swim or kayak at a beautiful island beach. Close your day with a Singing Bowl Meditation ceremony or relax under the stars on the terrace deck or on your private balcony to embrace the serenity of this world-famous limestone karst landscape.

DAY 9 Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island Biosphere Reserve

Enjoy Tai Chi on the terrace deck as the first rays of the sun touch the water. Disembark to hike Cat Ba Island Biosphere Reserve, a lush, jungle wildlife paradise with 78 bird, 20 reptilian and 32 mammal species including primates and civet cats.

Later sail northeast through the stony labyrinth of Lan Ha Bay, eventually reaching a secluded spot in the bay. We’ll disembark once more to enjoy an exceptional, secluded island beach for kayaking, swimming and relaxing. After another delicious dinner, relax on your private balcony amidst the tranquil, jaw-dropping beauty of Lan Ha Bay.

DAY 10 Lan Ha Bay / Hanoi / Luang Prabang, Laos

Enjoy another open-air session of Tai Chi then take in the beauty of the bay a final time with a chance to kayak, swim or simply relax on the yacht surrounded by world-famous views. Transfer to Hanoi for eve flight home or overnight at additional cost.