15Day Essential Vietnam and Cambodia
Small group tour - Departure dates - 19 Oct 2022, 02, Nov 2022, 23 Nov 2022, 08 Feb 2023, 29 Feb 2023, 28 Mar 2023 and 25 April 2023
Price from $5879 per person on twin sharing basis including domestic flight tickets
This tour is inspired by the many sights, sounds and flavours of these wonderful countries. Visit the sparkling turquoise waters of Halong Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the northern capital, Hanoi visits the lively Old Quarter and the impressive Presidential Palace. Discover Hue, once Vietnam’s Imperial capital, and the delightful ancient town of Hoi An. Explore the colonial architecture of Ho Chi Minh City, and the fascinating markets and daily life on the Mekong Delta. Cross the border into Cambodia for the world famous Angkor Temples in Siem Reap and the old world charms of the capital city Phnom Penh.
Day 1 Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met by your tour guide and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after your fight, or explore the local area.
Day 2 Hanoi City Tour
Experience the rich culture of Hanoi. Spend time at the Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and visit the Vietnam History Museum and the Hanoi Opera House. Stroll around the Old Quarter and end the day by watching a performance of a traditional Water Puppet Show.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 Halong Bay
In the morning, journey through the rich farmlands passing workers in the rice fields. Arrive in Halong City and board the traditional wooden junk boat for your overnight journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay cruising past beautiful rock formations. Visit the Surprise Cave and enjoy swimming or hiking on Titov Island. Optional activities include a cookery class, massage, kayaking and swimming.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Drive, Cruise
Day 4 To Hue
Start the day with Tai Chi on the sundeck before breakfast, then explore the Dark and Bright Caves and enjoy a tasty brunch as the boat winds through the limestone rocks. Disembark and take the shuttle bus back to Hanoi, where you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you will be met by your local tour guide and transferred to the Hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch
Transport: Cruise, Drive, Airplane
Day 5 Hue
Hue was once Vietnam’s imperial capital and today you can experience its historic significance first hand. Cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, visit the Citadel and ornate tombs of former emperors and experience a local market.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 To Hoi An
A three-hour drive takes you through some stunning rural and coastal landscapes, including the dramatic Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. On arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a short walking tour to explore the city on foot.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Drive
Day 7 Hoi An
Day at leisure to discover the ancient town of Hoi An. Your options include a cooking class or cycle ride to the local beach.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 To Ho Chi Minh City
This morning is free until your guide and driver transfer you to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch head to Danang Airport, stopping en route to visit Marble Mountain and the Cham Museum. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and check in at your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Airplane
Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Cu Chi
Today, experience the very best of Ho Chi Minh City on a half-day city tour. Soak up the history of Dong Khoi Street on a walking tour; visit the Reuni cation Palace and War Remnants Museum, and the city’s biggest wholesale market in Chinatown. This afternoon, discover the Cu Chi Tunnels situated on the city’s outskirts.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Mekong Delta
A morning transfer takes you through the beautiful countryside of My Tho and Ben Tre province. On arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, board a boat to sail along the Ben Tre River – one of the tributaries of the Mekong – through scenic mangroves leading into the heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop at a traditional brickworks to see how bricks are made by hand, and to My Long Village to see rice paper making and to try some rice cake. Continuing along the canals, visit a coconut workshop and stop at a bee garden for local fruits with a cup of honey tea accompanied by traditional music. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, and visit a vibrant market, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Cruise
Day 11 To Siem Reap, Cambodia
Spend the morning at leisure. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Upon arrival, the guide will meet you and take you to the hotel to check in. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Airplane
Day 12 Angkor Temples
Visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire. Enter the impressive South Gate flanked by stone elephants and giants. In the afternoon visit the famous Angkor Wat – the largest and best-preserved temple at the site, and marvel at the spectacular sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13 Tonle Sap Lake
In the morning relax on a boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, to see the villages. Continue to see the Roluos Group Monuments. Visit the workshops of Artisan’s d’Angkor where traditional wood and stone carving techniques are taught. Transfer to the airport for the fight to Phnom Penh.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Airplane
Day 14 Phnom Penh
Starting at the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda where 5,000 silver tiles cover the floor, continue to the National Museum built in traditional Khmer style. In the afternoon tour Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields – a reminder of the Khmer Rouge regime giving an insight
into how the country has developed.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 Fly to New Zealand
Transfer to the airport for your flight home
Meals included: Breakfast
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, domestic flights, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned vehicle car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
Prices quoted are valid only for the group departure dates. Cost above is indicative and in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.