Inside Indochina

Sunday. Welcome to Laos! Airport arrival transfer from Vientiane airport and hotel check in. The rest of the day is free to relax and spend at leisure.

After breakfast we explore the charming capital of Laos on a city tour. Highlights include Wat Si Saket - the oldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country, the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, Pha That Luang monument and the Buddha Park with its incredible array of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. We also visit to the COPE Centre, a charity working with victims of unexploded bombs and mines. End the day with a spectacular sunset dinner beside the Mekong River.

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. We leave the capital early and journey north through lush countryside to Vang Vieng, peaceful village of Vang Vieng, situated on a curve of the Nam Song River. In the afternoon, we cross the Nam Song River and venture to the other side, traversing a picturesque, unpaved route that winds through the Vang Vieng countryside, passing small villages and rice fields. This journey leads us to the blue lagoon and the Tham Pou Kham cave. The striking landscape, with its towering karst rock formations between Vang Vieng and the blue lagoon, is a sight to behold and makes the trip truly worthwhile. Inside the cave, we find a maze of chambers, galleries, and crevices adorned with stalagmites and stalactites, and the air inside is cool and damp. Following our exploration of the cave, we descend to the Blue Lagoon, where you can relax, swim, or simply unwind in the refreshing waters.

Returning to Vang Vieng, we continue our sightseeing with a visit to the famous Tham Jang caves, once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. From here, we journey to Ban Na Khae village, home to both the Hmong and Kamu communities. As we explore the village, we gain a fascinating insight into the daily lives, traditions, and culture of the locals.

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang. After breakfast we take a short transfer to the station for our one-hour express train to Luang Prabang. With its gleaming temple roofs, graceful colonial architecture, and stunning mountain backdrop, this charming town has been recognised by UNESCO as the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The streets are quiet and relaxed, where orange-robed monks carrying umbrellas drift peacefully between temples.

We arrive in Luang Prabang in the early afternoon, and the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace.

Consider rising early this morning to view the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks and their procession down the streets of Luang Prabang collecting alms from the residents. Then we hop on a vintage Tuk-tuk to explore the old quarter of Luang Prabang, visiting the bustling Morning Market, magnificent Wat Xiengthong temple and the former Royal Palace, which is now a national museum.

This afternoon we visit the beautiful Khouangsi waterfall, stopping en route to visit some ethnic minority villages, meeting the locals and gaining a fascinating insight into the local culture.

Luang Prabang - Hanoi (Vietnam). We head out of town to a local farm to learn about rice production. After lunch we cruise up the Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou caves crammed with Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, stopping Ban Xanghai village en route to sample local rice wine. Returning to Luang Prabang we stop at Ban Phanom village - known for its hand weaving, before boarding our evening flight to Hanoi. Day 7 offers free time for you to explore Vietnam’s capital, or better still, why not opt to get off the beaten track and explore Hanoi with us on our optional Back Streets of Hanoi add-on which explores the quaint districts of Cho Buoi, Hoang Hoa Tham and Vinh Phuc, and also includes an exhilarating local experience - riding pillion, on taxi-motorbikes through a maze of tiny streets and along the shore of beautiful Ho Tay Lake.

Hanoi – Halong Bay. After breakfast we enjoy an exhilarating cyclo (rickshaw) ride around the maze of streets in Hanoi's French Quarter, taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To Park. After the cyclo ride we transfer to heavenly Halong Bay, the jewel in Vietnam's scenic crown. We explore the pristine jade waters, studded with karst islands, aboard a traditional junk boat. Our cruise starts with a tasty lunch onboard, soaking up the views.

This afternoon we visit Trinh Nu Cave, one of the finest caves in Halong Bay, covering an area of 2,000m² with a stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites. There's also the opportunity to go kayaking and enjoy a refreshing swim. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage. Before heading back to port this morning, we explore the beautiful Sung Sot cave (Surprise Grotto), which is 10,000m² and consists of two major chambers which are spectacular and spacious enough to hold thousands of people.

Arriving back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk around the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street, from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops.

Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.

Arriving to Hue we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings and here we’ll view the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. As the sun sets take an optional cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night or enjoy some retail therapy at Dong Ba Market.

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today we take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route we stop for a walk along China beach and visit peaks of the Marble Mountain. Reaching the summit of Thuy Son Mountain (Mountain of Water), we enter the naturally formed grottoes-cum- Buddhist sanctuaries. The enormous cathedral like Huyen Khrong cave is illuminated by shards of light and the towering seated Buddha carved from the rock face is spectacular.

Onward to Hoi An. The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

During your stay in Hoi An, we offer a unique optional Hoi An Street Eats add-on, which explores the city’s most popular local haunts. Cruise the city the way the locals do, by vintage Vespa and enjoy lots of tasty Vietnamese Cuisine. Book early with your reservation consultant, as numbers are limited.

A scenic bicycle ride into the countryside leads us to Tra Que village this morning (we can arrange alternative transportation at no extra cost for those who don't wish to cycle). Here we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s a fun, hands on experience today where we’ll don conical hats and assist with tending the fields. Then we'll enjoy an entertaining cooking demonstration and help to cook a tasty lunch.

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. You may wish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along the river or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotel pool. Alternatively you can opt for an excursion to the UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary or enjoy a day trip to the popular Ba Na Hills mountain resort, where you will ride the second longest cable car in the world and walk along the striking Golden Bridge (book and pay locally).

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon). Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking our sampan from Cai Be we’ll cruise through the maze of waterways visiting local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Early today we visit the ever lively Cai Rang floating market. Watch as melons, pineapples, fresh greens, sacks of rice and children's toys get tossed from one sampan to another at great heights and speed before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. On a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City we will see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post office before visiting the sobering War Remnants Museum. Evening at leisure.

Please note: Itinerary change from 28 June 2026 onwards - the visit to Cai Rang floating market will be replaced with a visit to Con Son Islet floating fish farm. After breakfast we take a short cruise to Con Son Islet, where we visit the fascinating floating fish farm, set on the Hau River. Here, local families raise a wide variety of fish species that thrive in the region’s rich waterways. Stroll along the floating bridges and see these unique fish up close. Watch fish leaping from the water during feeding time and for a fun experience, dip your feet into the water for a fish massage!

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh. This morning we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a sprawling underground network of tunnels and living quarters used by the Viet Cong during the war. Then we drive to the Cambodian border (crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet) and continue on to the capital of Phnom Penh. Today the nation’s capital offers a bustling mix of Asia’s past and present, a city quickly taking its place amongst the trendy capitals of the region with superb restaurants and a number of attractions.

Today we’ll enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh. The National Museum of Fine Arts, a graceful terracotta building of traditional design, houses the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. We continue with the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, famed for its lavish decorations – the floors are paved with silver tiles and statues of Buddha are encrusted with thousands of diamonds.

We later come face to face with the horrors of the Pol Pot regime as we visit Tuol Sleng (Security Prison - S21), a school that was gruesomely transformed into a torture chamber under the Khmer Rouge, and visit the Killing Fields where over 10,000 people were executed.

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap. This morning, check out and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Siem Reap.

After freshening up, our touring will start with a visit to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. This monumental fortified city is encircled by a 100m wide moat and is famed for the huge statue heads that glare down from every angle. In Angkor Thom we will see the fabulous Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the royal enclosure, and the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. Last but not least is atmospheric Tra Prohm Temple where vast muscular tree roots envelop the crumbling towers and walls whilst the trees’ foliage dapples the temple in shade.

This evening we attend the wonderful Phare Cambodian Circus. The Phare NGO circus project trains street kids to become talented circus artists and the popular show blends circus skills with interpretations of modern life and issues in Cambodian society.

Early this morning, there's an optional sunrise visit to Angkor Wat to marvel at this magnificent temple bathed in the golden light, before our tour of Angkor Wat after breakfast. This awe-inspiring monument to man’s devotion to his gods is believed to be the largest religious building in the world, adorned with thousands of intricate wall carvings and extensive bas-reliefs. There are countless opportunities to capture stunning photographs at this iconic site.

From Angkor Wat we travel to the village of Preak Dak, where each member of the group has the opportunity to plant mango or jackfruit saplings as part of our tree-planting initiative, operated in partnership with this local community. Then we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the beautiful Angkor temple of Banteay Srei. Cut from pink-hued sandstone, this Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva features lavishly decorated libraries and magnificent reliefs of divine figures.

Later this afternoon we drive to Kampong Phluk, a cluster of three stilted villages within the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake. Here, you’ll see homes perched high above the water and, depending on the season, the hauntingly beautiful petrified trees of the flooded forest. While here, there is an opportunity to take a boat ride on the lake.

Friday. Today marks the end of our holiday. Lap up the hotel facilities this morning before hotel check out and included departure transfer to the airport.