IndoChina: CAMBODIA - Bridges Travel and Tours |

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Cambodia Complete, 8 days

Day 01	Siem Reap \| Arrival in Siem Reap and take the transfer to the hotel. Check in at the hotel and overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 02	Siem Reap \| Start the day with a healthy breakfast before proceeding to a sightseeing tour in Angkor. Start the day with the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT. It is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, it impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. On the way stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Discover ANGKOR THOM. The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 km2. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 03	Siem Reap \| Continue sightseeing in Angkor. Visit the BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, this is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. The small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favourite for visitors. Continue to BANTEAY SAMRE, it is a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Discover TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Proceed to the SRAS SRANG TEMPLE at sunrise. This is a basin east of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple. Finally explore PRE RUP TEMPLE. It consists of a pyramid shaped temple with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx. Enjoy overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 04	Siem Reap \| After breakfast, visit ROLUOS GROUP TEMPLES. These monuments mark the beginning of classical art, as some of the earliest great temples built by the Khmer. Continue to LOLEI, which was built on an islet by Yasovarman I, the founder of the first city of Angkor. The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are notable as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts. Discover PREAH KO. There are inscriptions in Sanskrit on the doorsteps of each temple. Proceed to BAKONG, which is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery. Continue to a PUOK SILK FARM, located in the countryside. Visitors are shown the different steps in silk production from mulberry tree planting to silk weaving, from cultivation of mulberry bushes, to the silk worms, to cocoons, to spinning, to weaving and to finished products. Afterwards continue to a BASKET WEAVING VILLAGE, which produces traditional baskets of all sizes and styles. Finally visit LES ARTISANS D’ ANGKOR, a craft shop attached to an EU-sponsored school which teaches local apprentices traditional woodcarving, stone carving, lacquer ware painting, among other crafts. Take a tour of the workshops and learn about the craft processes before browsing in the stylish gift shop. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 05	Siem Reap - Kampong Thom \| After breakfast start the tour by vehicle from Siem Reap to Kampong Thom. Visit SAMBOR PREI KUK. Located outside of Kampong Thom, it is perhaps the most important grouping of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. Explore the main central complex and gain an insight into the early architectural styles of Cambodia. Check in at the hotel and overnight in Kampong Thom.
Day 06	Kampong Thom - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh \| After breakfast, drive by vehicle from Kampong Thom to Kampong Cham. This is a lively port on the banks of the Mekong River with some good examples of colonial-era architecture. After visiting the LOCAL MARKET and exploring the town, travel in to the countryside to PHNOM PROS (Man Hill) and PHNOM SREI (Woman Hill). Continue to WAT NOKOR BAYON, a thriving modern-day monastery founded on an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine. Visit Spider Market in Skuon. This tiny crossroads town of SNOUL is famous for an unusual delicacy. Here, spider merchants sell different varieties of large, furry arachnids for locals and adventurous tourists to snack on. Later drive by vehicle from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh. Check In at the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 07	Phnom Penh \| Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras. Start the tour at WAT PHNOM, the birthplace of the capital. Continue the tour with an insight into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. In the afternoon, learn about a chapter from Cambodia’s more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM. Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime - at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Finally, explore the modernday city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s two great markets. The CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewellery and more. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 08	Phnom Penh \| Transfer to the airport for the onward flight. End of the tour.
***

Overland from Koh Kong, 9 days

Day 01	Koh Kong - Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| Arrival in Koh Kong. Start the trip by vehicle from Koh Kong to Kampong Som. It is Cambodia’s premier beach town, sporting miles of white sand beaches, picturesque islands and warm tropical water. Enjoy a visit of a local market a fishing village and Ochheuteal beach which is the most popular beach in Sihanoukville. After that relax at Sokha beach with fine off-white sand perfectly groomed these days, but fairly quiet by comparison to nearby Ochheuteal beach. Check in at the hotel and overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 02	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| After breakfast, start an excursion to the Ream National Park area by boat to Koh Sompouch. From Kampong Som, travel to Preak Tuk Sap, visiting a pepper- and a durian plantation and a crocodile farm en route. Continue by boat downriver, past tropical forests and mangrove swamps. Many different kinds of birds and animals make their home in this area. On the way, visit fishing villages and try at bird-watching or dolphin-spotting. Continue to the offshore island of Koh Sampouch before returning to the vehicle. Enjoy overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 03	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) – Phnom Penh \| Travel by vehicle from Kampong Som, which is located on the Gulf of Thailand and Cambodia’s most popular seaside resort and also the major coastal Cambodian port. Check in at the hotel and overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 04	Phnom Penh \| Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras. Start the tour into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE, and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. In the afternoon, learn about a chapter from Cambodia’s more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime - at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Finally explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s two great markets. The CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewellery and more. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 05	Phnom Penh \| After breakfast, start an excursion northeast from Phnom Penh to OUDONG, the former capital of Cambodia between 1618 and 1866. The twin ridges of Phnom Oudong feature several stupas containing the ashes of former Khmer kings. On the larger hill are the remains of Vihear Preah Ath Roes. After exploring the temples, enjoy the panoramic views of the Cambodian countryside. En route, stop at an ethnic CHAM VILLAGE and KOMPONG LUONG, a silversmith village. Enjoy a brief tour of a local workshop, assisted by the Cambodian Craft Cooperation before returning to Phnom Penh. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 06	Phnom Penh - Siem Reap \| Travel by vehicle from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Start with sightseeing in Angkor. The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 km2. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs. Watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 07	Siem Reap \| After breakfast, continue the sightseeing tour in Angkor. Visit PREAH KHAN that covers a very large area, but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters. Proceed to NEAK PEAN TEMPLE. It is a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. Discover TA SOM, which was built in the late 12th century. Continue to the EAST MEBON, which is located in the north of Pre Rup. It is an ancient Angkor ruin. Both are similar in many aspects like plan, construction and decoration. Later, follows the highlight of Angkor. The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, it impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. On the way stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Finally discover TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Retire back to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 08	Siem Reap \| After breakfast, start another day in Angkor. Visit PRASAT KRAVAN, the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls. Proceed to the BANTEAY KDEI TEMPLE. A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, it is surrounded by four concentric walls. Continue to SRAS SRANG, a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple. Later, visit TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor, as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Visit TA KEO. It was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers. Explore THOMMANON. Visit CHAU SAY TEVODA, just opposite of Thommanon. Discover the ROLUOS GROUP TEMPLE. These monuments mark the beginning of classical art, as some of the earliest great temples built by the Khmer. Continue further to LOLE. The sandstone carvings in the niches of the temples are notable as are the Sanskrit inscriptions on the doorposts. Visit PREAH KO erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century in dedication to his defied ancestors in 880. Finally discover BAKONG. It is the largest and most interesting of the Roluos Group temples and still has an active Buddhist monastery. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 09	Siem Reap \| Transfer out. End of the tour.
***

Cambodia Odyssey, 15 days

Day 01	Koh Kong – Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| Arrival before 12 pm at Koh Kong and then take a journey by vehicle across the east coastal provinces of Koh Kong to Kampong Som. Check in at the hotel and overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 02	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| Spend all day at leisure. Retire back to the hotel. Enjoy overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 03	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) – Kep \| After breakfast, start the tour by vehicle from Kampong Som to Kampot. The caves and mountains of limestone around Kampot and Kep are riddled with CAVE FORMATIONS, many of which are revered as sacred shrines. Explore the various chimneys, passageways and rock formations. Visit the small pagodas and shrines erected over the years. Travel by vehicle from Kampot to Kep. Enjoy overnight in Kep.
Day 04	Kep – Phnom Penh \| After breakfast travel southwest by vehicle from Kep to Phnom Penh. Visit the TONLE BATI, a lake south of Phnom Penh, with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm. Proceed to ANGKOR BOREI, a 6th century monument, built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 05	Phnom Penh \| Explore Phnom Penh, a chaotic energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras. Start the tour into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Proceed to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Continue to TUOL SLENG (S-21). Learn about a chapter from Cambodia’s more recent, tragic past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM. Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime - at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewellery and more. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 06	Phnom Penh – Kratie \| Start the day with a journey by vehicle from Phnom Penh to KRATIE. Enjoy sightseeing the provincial capital which is a peasant, small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the Dolphin Observation Park located just north of town and enjoy an hour- long boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the river. On the way back, stop at WAT PHNOM SAMBOK. Overnight in Kratie.
Day 07	Kratie – Banlung \| Travel by vehicle from Kratie to BANLUNG. Enjoy an excursion to the YEAK LOAM LAKE. It is a beautiful crater lake lying in the remains of a volcano that erupted over 4000 years ago. Nearby is a display of local handicrafts and information on local tribal life. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 08	Banlung \| Continue further with an excursion by vehicle from Banlung to TA VEANG and visit many of the different minority villages in the area. Groups include the Jarai, Tumpoun, Krueng, Kra Chok and Kavet. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 09	Banlung \| Proceed further to VEUN SAI, a Toumpoun village with a particularly impressive cemetary. After exploring the village, continue by local ferry boat across the river to a nearby Lao and Chinese village. Time permitting visit a Kreung village before returning to Banlung. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 10	Banlung \| After breakfast, enjoy the trip from Banlung to the village of ANDOUNG MEAS and embark on a boat to PHOUM DAL or another Jarai village. The Jarai are an ethnic minority who dwell in traditional stilt houses. Their beliefs are polytheistic and they follow elaborate funerary customs, carving fascinating funerary totems out of wood. After exploring the village, enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks and return to Banlung by boat and vehicle. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 11	Banlung - Kampong Cham \| Continue further by vehicle from Banlung to Kampong Cham. Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Day 12	Kampong Cham - Siem Reap \| Enjoy the trip from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap. En route visit the SAMBOR PREI KUK, also known as Isanapure. It is an ancient Chenla capital dating from the 6th century and is one of the most impressive group of pre-9th century monuments in Cambodia. Enjoy Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13	Siem Reap \| Start the day with a healthy breakfast before proceeding to a sightseeing tour in Angkor. Begin the day with the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, it impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Continue sightseeing with a visit of TA PROHM. It is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. Continue to visit BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples it is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer, art. Because of its small size, fairy like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favourite with visitors. Discover BANTEAY SAMRE a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Finally, discover PRE RUP, consisting of a pyramid shaped temple with the upper-most of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14	Siem Reap \| Continue further today and visit ANGKOR THOM. Its fortified city covers an area of 10 km2. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. This temple is one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor. In the afternoon enjoy an excursion to the KAMPONG KLEANG. It is located about 50 km from Siem Reap town, northwest shore on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. Continue to visit the LES CHANTIERS ECOLES (Artisans d Angkor) a vocational centre trains 650 apprentices a year including 160 in fine arts and crafts trades united in the Artisan d Angkor production network. Watch the artisan at work. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 15	Siem Reap \| Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
***

Expedition to the South, 7 days

Day 01	Phnom Penh – Kep \| Drive by vehicle from Phnom Penh to Kep with sightseeing in TAKEO. It is a province south of Phnom Penh with several interesting historical sites including Angkor Borei. Continue to visit the TONLE BATI, a lake south of Phnom Penh with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of TA PROHM, on the site of a 6th century Khmer shrine. Proceed with a visit to PHNOM CHISOR, the main temple on this hill is constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone. The inscriptions found here date back to the 11th century and the wooden doors to the sanctuary are decorated with interesting carvings. Discover ANGKOR BOREI, a 6th century monument. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan. Finally explore PHNOM DA, a hill south of Angkor Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines. Enjoy overnight in Kep.
Day 02	Kep \| After breakfast, start an excursion to the caves of Phnom Ta’aun, Phnom Sia and Kampong Trach. Around Kampot are a variety of caves worth exploring. PHNOM TA-AUN and PHNOM SIA form part of a limestone formation with chimneys and intriguing rock formations, some of which are revered as shrines. Around Kampong Trach is a series of limestone caves carved into the side of the mountain, adorned with pagodas and shrines. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Kep.
Day 03	Kep \| Enjoy an excursion by boat to Rabbit Island also called KOH TONSAY. It is commonly known as lovely and truly idyllic little island that sits offshore. It is located about half an hour by boat from Kep, with several pleasant beaches and a small community of fishermen families. The sea here is shallow and has a long slope, making Koh Tonsay excellent for walking and swimming. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Kep.
Day 04	Kep - Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| By vehicle from Kep to Kampong Som with sightseeing at REAM NATIONAL PARK. From Kep, travel to PREAK TUK SAP, visiting a pepper plantation, a durian plantation and a crocodile farm en route. Continue by boat downriver, past tropical forests and mangrove swamps. Many different kinds of birds and animals make their home in this area, located near Ream National Park. On the way visit fishing villages and try your hand at bird-watching or dolphin-spotting. Discover the offshore island of Koh Sampouch before arriving in Kampong Som. Overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 05	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| All day at leisure. Stay at the hotel or explore the countryside. Enjoy overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 06	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| Enjoy all day at leisure. Overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 07	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| By vehicle from Kampong Som to Phnom Penh. End of the tour.
***

Arts & Crafts, 6 days

Day 01	Phnom Penh \| Arrival in Phnom Penh - a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Enjoy an excursion to the CENTRAL MARKET, a covered market distinguished by its central dome built in 1937. It is filled with shops selling jewellery, fabrics and all kinds of souvenirs. Continue to SAMDECH SOTHEAROS BLVD, an area that is known for its rattan workshops including those that produce rattan furniture for domestic consumption and export. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong aboard a Sereyrath boat. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 02	Phnom Penh \| Start the day with an excursion to KOH DACH. Travel by boat to an island that is known for its production of fine silk. Travellers will also stop at local villages along the way to observe life along the mother of all waters, the Mekong River. Visit the RUSSIAN MARKET. The sprawling market is a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, antiques, foodstuffs and more. Continue to visit WAT PHNOM, the birthplace of the capital. According to legend, Phnom Penh was founded here when a woman named Penh found four Buddha statues and built the temple to house them. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 03	Phnom Penh – Siem Reap \| After breakfast, flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Enjoy an excursion to a silk farm and traditional craft workshops. Siem Reap and surrounding communities are rich in diversity and culture. This half day tour will introduce the visitor to the traditional Khmer skills of carving, basket weaving and silk production. Start at the PUOK SILK FARM, located in the countryside. Visitors are shown the different steps in silk production from mulberry tree planting to silk weaving, from cultivation of mulberry bushes to the silk worms, turning into cocoons and spinning to weaving. Afterwards, continue to a BASKET WEAVING VILLAGE, which produces traditional baskets of all sizes and styles. Finally, visit LES ARTISANS D’ANGKOR, a craft shop attached to an EU-sponsored school which teaches local apprentices traditional woodcarving, stone carving, lacquer ware painting, among other crafts. Take a tour of the workshops and learn about the craft processes before browsing in the stylish gift shop. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 04	Siem Reap \| Start the day with a healthy breakfast before proceeding to a sightseeing tour in Angkor. ANGKOR WAT which is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, it impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. The next temple is ANGKOR THOM. Its fortified city covers an area of 10 km2. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS former space for public ceremonies and adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. This temple is one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor. Continue to TA PROHM, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Visit SRAS SRANG, a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple. Proceed to the BANTEAY KOLEI TEMPLE, a massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century. Watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 05	Siem Reap - Phnom Penh \| Take transfer to the airport and take a flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Start the Sightseeing tour in Phnom Penh, with a visit to the APSARA ARTS ASSOCIATION and PRAYUVONG BUDDHA FACTORIES. Today’s tour focuses on the Cambodia’s rich artistic traditions. Foremost among these is the KHMER APSARA DANCE, a sophisticated art form that takes years of training to master, starting from a very early age. Visit the Apsara Arts Association and observe how young apprentice Apsara dancers train to achieve the agility and grace needed to be star ballerinas. Continue to the PRAYUVONG BUDDHA FACTORY. Watch the restoration of Buddha statuary and ritual objects destroyed by the Khmer Rouge and the creation of modern masterpieces for devotional use. In the afternoon deepen your insight into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE, the adjacent SILVER PAGODA, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha and the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 06	Phnom Penh \| Transfer to the Airport for departure. End of the tour.
***

Northeast Highlands, 7 days

Day 01	Phnom Penh - Kratie \| Start the day with travelling by vehicle from Phnom Penh to Kratie. Enjoy sightseeing in Kratie. The provincial capital is a pleasant, small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the dolphin observation park located just north of town and enjoy an hour-long boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit this stretch of the river. On the way back, stop at WAT PHNOM SAMBOK. Overnight in Kratie.
Day 02	Kratie – Banlung \| Travel by vehicle from Kratie to Banlung, the provincial capital of Rattanakiri. It is the home of many ethnic hill tribes. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 03	Banlung \| Start the day with an excursion by vehicle from Banlung to TA VEANG and visit many of the different minority villages in the area. Groups include the Jarai, Tumpoun, Krueng, Kra Chok and Kavet. After that continue by local ferry boat across the river. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 04	Banlung \| Travel by vehicle to VEUN SAI, a Toumpoun village with a particularly impressive cemetery. After exploring the village, continue by local ferry boat across the river to a nearby Lao and Chinese village. Time permitting, visit a Kreung village before returning to Banlung. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 05	Banlung \| Drive by vehicle from Banlung to the village of ANDOUNG MEAS and embark on a boat to PHOUM DAL or another Jarai village. The Jarai are an ethnic minority who dwell in traditional stilt houses. Their beliefs are polytheistic and they follow elaborate funerary customs, carving fascinating funerary totems out of wood. After exploring the village, enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks and return to Banlung by boat and vehicle. Overnight in Banlung.
Day 06	Banlung - Kampong Cham \| Start the tour by vehicle from Banlung to Kampong Cham. Travel southwards via Chhlong. En route stop to visit Rubber and Pepper Plantations. Timedependent visit PRASAT PREY NOKOR or PRASAT KNONG PRASAT KRAEAW. Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Day 07	Kampong Cham \| Start the day with sightseeing in Kampong Cham, a lively port on the banks of the Mekong River with some good examples of colonial-era architecture. After visting the LOCAL MARKET and exploring the town, travel in to the countryside to PHNOM PROS and PHNOM SREI. According to local tradition, two teams of men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn. Continue further to WAT NOKOR BAYON, a thriving modern-day monastery. Travel by vehicle from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh. End of the tour.
***

Cambodian Circuit, 7 days

Day 01	Phnom Penh \| Arrival in Phnom Penh and transfer to the hotel. Explore Phnom Penh a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city with graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras. Start the tour into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s two great markets. The CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewellery and more. Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 02	Phnom Penh \| After breakfast, start an excursion to Takeo Province. It is located south of Phnom Penh with several interesting historical sites including Angkor Borei. Discover TONLE BATI, a lake south of Phnom Penh with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm. Proceed to PHNOM CHISOR; the main temple on this hill is constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone. Explore ANGKOR BOREI, a 6th century monument which is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan. Afterwards visit PHNOM DA, a hill south of Angkor Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines. On top of the hill is a square laterite tower. Retire back to the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 03	Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom \| After breakfast, travel by vehicle from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham. Discover this lively port on the banks of the Mekong River with some good examples of colonial-era architecture. After visiting the LOCAL MARKET and exploring the town, travel into the countryside to PHNOM PROS (Man Hill) and PHNOM SREI (Woman Hill). According to local tradition, two teams of men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn. Continue to visit WAT NOKOR BAYON, a thriving modern-day monastery founded on a 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine. Proceed by vehicle to Kampong Thom. Visit PHNOM SANTUK by climbing up the 980 steps of the holy mountain. Enjoy the colourful shrine at the peak as well as lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Retire back to the hotel. Overnight in Kampong Thom.
Day 04	Kampong Thom – Siem Reap \| After breakfast, start a sightseeing tour around Kampong Thom. Travel just outside the city to see key archaeological sites, starting with SAMBOR PREI KUK, perhaps the most important grouping of pre- Angkorian monuments in Cambodia. Explore the main central complex and gain an insight into the early architectural styles of Cambodia. Afterwards, continue to the modern-day shrines of WAT ANDRI, a thriving monastery. Proceed by vehicle from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 05	Siem Reap \| Start the day with a healthy breakfast before proceeding to a sightseeing tour in Angkor. Start with the crowning jewel of Khmer architecture. ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, it impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. On the way stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface with some 1,700 Apsaras or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones. Visit ANGKOR THOM. The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 km2. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. It’s one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary and find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle. Continue to TA PROHM. It is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor. Watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple. Retire back to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 06	Siem Reap \| Start the tour with a visit of BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE. Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples it is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Because of its small size, fairy like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favourite with visitors. Discover BANTEAY SAMRE a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Proceed with an excursion to the KAMPONG KLEANG by boat. The place is situated on the north shore of Tonle Sap Lake. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 07	Siem Reap \| After breakfast, start the day with a sightseeing tour in Angkor. Visit PREAH KHAN, covering a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters. Continue to the NEAK PEAN TEMPLE, a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. Afterwards, visit the PRE RUP TEMPLE. It consists of a pyramid shaped temple with the uppermost of the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx. Continue to TA SOM. It was built in the late 12th century. In the afternoon, visit the EASTERN MEBON, which is located on a former islet in the centre of the Eastern Baray. The base of the temple is guarded at its corners by stone figures of harnessed elephants. Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.
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Cambodian Coastal Experience, 6 days

Day 01	Phnom Penh \| Arrive in Phnom Penh in the early morning and transfer to the Hotel. Explore PHNOM PENH by Cyclo, a chaotic energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras. Start the tour at WAT PHNOM, the birthplace of the capital. Continue the tour with an insight into Cambodia’s cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh’s two great markets. The CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building or the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more. In the evening, sit back and relax on a sunset cruise on the Mekong passing tropical scenery. Retire back to the hotel and enjoy overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 02	Phnom Penh – Kampot \| Journey southwest to the province of Kampot with a stop at the TONLE BATI. The lake lies south of Phnom Penh with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm. After that visit ANGKOR BOREI, a 6th century monument, built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan (a kingdom influenced by India and thought to have spread as far as southern Burma and Indonesia). Overnight in Kampot.
Day 03	Kampot - Kep \| In the morning, begin cycling to the former colonial seaside resort at Kep, stopping for a visit at the SOR SOEA CAVES and PHNOM CHHNORK. The Limestone Mountains in this area are riddled with cave formations, many of which are revered as sacred shrines. Explore the various chimneys, passageways and rock formations, and visit the small pagodas and shrines erected over the years. After exploring the caves and the town of Kep, enjoy lunch and spent the afternoon at leisure on the beach or discovering more of the area. Total distance cycled is approximately 35-40 km. Overnight in Kep.
Day 04	Kep – Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| Enjoy an excursion by boat to Rabbit Island also called KOH TONSAY. It is commonly known as lovely and truly idyllic little island that sits offshore. It is located about half an hour by boat from Kep, with several pleasant beaches and a small community of fishermen families. The sea here is shallow and has a long slope, making Koh Tonsay excellent for walking and swimming. After that journey one of the most scenic roads in Cambodia, crossing two rivers and travelling between the Dombrey Mountains on the right side and the Gulf of Thailand on the left to Kampong Som. Overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 05	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) \| The morning is reserved for a Cooking Class at Khmer cookery located just outside downtown. Enjoy a fruit tasting, before starting to cook the 4 dishes on the menu which are traditional Khmer recipes. The afternoon is free at leisure. Overnight in Kampong Som.
Day 06	Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) – Phnom Penh \| Drive back to Phnom Penh by vehicle and transfer to the airport for onward destination. End of the tour.
***

Senses of Vietnam, 15 days

Day 01	Saigon \| Arrival in Saigon. The vibrant metropolis Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion where traditional life meets modern life. The emerging modern skylines stand cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Begin the tour into modern history with a visit to the REUNIFICATION PALACE which formerly was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president. The 60s-style building was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam and has been preserved in its original state. Proceed the tour with a quick visit to the neo-romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL as well as the CENTRAL POST OFFICE and pass by the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE) and the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from outside). Continue to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive documentation of the long Vietnam- American War. The tour continues with a visit to the historic center. The EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA is one of Saigon’s most interesting pagodas. After lunch, visit the first Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO): FITO Museum displays more than 3,000 objects, which are arranged in different topics, different materials and age – the oldest being from the 6th century. Visitors can practice grinding medicine, watch a documentary about the history of Vietnamese traditional medicine and taste a cup of linh chi tea before leaving the museum. Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast variety of traditional goods and handicrafts. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 02	Saigon – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Can Tho \| Start the morning at 7 am with a Tai Chi class with Saigon Tai Chi club in the park. The Thai Chi Master will introduce the importance of Tai Chi before practicing the lesson of around 30-40 minutes. After that, proceed by car from Saigon to Cai Be for a cruise trip around the Mekong Delta. Embark around 10 am on the sampan from the pier in Phu An hamlet. The crew welcomes the passengers and the cruise begins with a visit to local home factories. Followed by the colorful Cai Be floating market and then continue to Vinh Long and S Dec, cruising upstream on the Tien Giang River, one of the two large arms of the Mekong. After that, cruise on a small beautiful canal and disembark to take a small rowing boat along a narrow canal passing by local tiny villages and fruit plantations. Finally, Sa Dec town appears like a little “Venice” where guests disembark to take a tour at the local market, walk along the narrow streets with French old houses and Chinese Temples. After lunch in an ancient house from 1890, continue cruising down to Can Tho with stops on the banks to experience the local life and visit a Cao Dai temple. Before sunset, stop at “Nha Co” – an ancient house from the 19th century, where a unique candle light dinner will be served. After that, cruise a little further until Can Tho where the sampan stops for overnight on the Mekong River.
Day 03	Can Tho - Saigon \| The sampan will continue cruising around 6 am, guests can enjoy the breakfast on board around 7 am. Be prepared for the Cai Rang floating market, the largest in the whole Mekong Delta. Around 10 am reach Ninh Kieu pier, disembark and before leaving for Saigon, visit Can Tho local market. Before returning to the hotel, stop by at China Town – a bustling area with thousands of stalls. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 04	Saigon – Dalat \| Early morning flight to Dalat and then start the sightseeing tour in DALAT itself which is a charming former colonial hill station with lots of colorful parks, lakes, gardens and waterfalls. Begin at the XUAN HUONG LAKE located in the heart of Dalat. Continue to the whimsical HANG NGA ART GALLERY, nicknamed the CRAZY HOUSE. This guesthouse and art gallery reflects the unique style of the architect Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. Then walk around the FRENCH DISTRICT, whose atmosphere reminds of a provincal town in France and visit the DALAT CATHEDRAL. Visit the FLOWER GARDEN where flowers rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnam can be found. In the afternoon, the tour continues at the BAO DAI’s SUMMER PALACE to get an insight into the daily life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family. Follow to the TRUC LAM ZEN MONASTERY -the largest Zen Monastery of Vietnam. Finally, end the day at the DALAT WINERY FACTORY - The most famous Wine factory in Dalat. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 05	Dalat – Lak Lake \| Transfer to Lak Lake with sightseeing at a Tea & Coffee Plantation en route. The Central Highlands region of Vietnam, famous for its coffee, is one of the few places in the world to produce ‘weasel coffee’, a special kind of coffee made from beans that have been swallowed and digested by weasels. In Buon Me Thuot city, Dak Lak province, Trung Nguyen Coffee is Vietnam’s largest coffee producer and has produced its unique weasel coffee, Legendee. Guests can try it themselves to find out the real taste of Weasel Coffee which create the branding, prestige and uniqueness of its product. After arriving in Lak Lake, take short sightseeing tour. LAK LAKE is a tranquil area where inhabitants still follow a traditional rural lifestyle. Enjoy a BOAT TRIP by dugout canoe to various MNONG VILLAGES on the lake. Those matrilineal tribes pass name and inheritance through the female line, and generally live in longhouses. Overnight at Lak Lake Resort.
Day 06	Lak Lake – Buon Ma Thuot – Da Nang – Hoi An \| Transfer to Buon Ma Thuot city for sightseeing. The capital of Dak Lak province, BUON MA THUOT is a prosperous town in a region known for coffee plantations and diverse Montagnard population. Visit the town highlights by starting with the ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM, which provides a comprehensive insight into the many distinct ethnic groups of the province, which include the Ede and M’nong, among others. Continue to the KHAI DOAN PAGODA, the LAC GIAO TEMPLE and the local CATHOLIC CHURCH. Visit Dray Sap & Gia Long waterfall complex before return to the airport for flight to Danang. Pick up at Danang airport and transfer to Hoi An town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 07	Hoi An \| Start the morning with sightseeing in Hoi An – this picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The walking tour includes: The JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA is the first bridge on this site and was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Continue the walk to the SA HUYNH MUSEUM which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history and visit the TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL. The family, who donated to build this house, has its origins in China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. Then visit the PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL which was built around 1690, then restored and enlarged in 1900 is typical for the Chinese clans settled in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). Finish the tour with a visit to the LANTERN WORKSHOP in Hoi An. The framework of lantern will be made by the industry itself and clients can observe locals making silk cloth on the lantern. In the afternoon, discover the magic of Vietnamese organics by visiting Tra Que vegetable village. After a short drive through the local countryside arrive at Tra Que Village, and the home of the host Mr Tuan. A welcome drink of freshly picked fruits is waiting, before taking a walk around the village and learn about the history and customs of this charming village where no electrical machinery is used. Return to the home of Mr Tuan, and this is where the real fun begins. Everyone is given a farming instruments and Guests are joining the farmers in preparing the land for sewing and getting an inside to local farming methods. Learn to prepare the village specialty named “Tam Huu” spring rools – using local herbs and vegetables. Sit down with the villagers and enjoy a lovely local meal. Return to Hoi An and enjoy a nice dinner at the famous local restaurant “Le Ba Truyen”. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 08	Hoi An - Beach relaxation & Wellness treatment \| Optional: Enjoy a stay in the awarded best Heritage Resort in Vietnam – Life Heritage Resort with it’s signature wellness treatments, such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Neuromuscular Integrative Action, Walking Meditation, Massage Demonstration, or Healing Massage Treatments. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 09	Hoi An - Beach relaxation & Wellness treatment \| Optional: Enjoy a stay in the awarded best Heritage Resort in Vietnam – Life Heritage Resort with it’s signature wellness treatments, such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Neuromuscular Integrative Action, Walking Meditation, Massage Demonstration, or Healing Massage Treatments. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10	Hoi An – Danang – Hue \| Drive by vehicle from Hoi An to Hue with sightseeing in Cham Museum in Danang which has probably the best collection of Cham art to be found anywhere in the world. Upon arrival in Hue, start the sightseeing and visit the Imperial Citadel, the Tu Duc Royal Tomp, a conical hat & incense making village. After the city tour, visit Vinh Tu garden house and have dinner with royal cuisines there. Overnight in Hue.
Day 11	Hue- Hanoi \| Start the day with a boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER with a stop at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA which is an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower and Hue’s most widely recognized monument. Continue the boat ride and stop to visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG which is a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples. After sightseeing Minh Mang Tomb, get on the vehicle and transfer to Phu Bai airport for flight to Hanoi. Transfer from the airport to Hanoi downtown to get a first glimpse of the city by a cyclo tour to Hanoi Old Quarter. Passing by Hang Ma Street, then Lan Ong Traditional medicine store where the owner will briefly introduce the use and application of Chinese herb medicine (Thuoc Bac) to clients (in 1-hour). In the evening, enjoy the most famous traditional Water Puppet Performance. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12	Hanoi \| In the morning, sightseeing in Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of Literature, a glance of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Have lunch at Cha Ca La Vong – a Culinary specialty of Hanoi. In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda on the West Lake, Dong Xuan market before attending the cooking class at Mrs. Le Anh Tuyet’s restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter. Anh Tuyet is a famous cook in Hanoi and she is trying to preserve Hanoi’s unique traditional gastronomy. Learn the tricks & secrets of Hanoi’s traditional cooking with an expert before indulging in the taste. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 13	Hanoi – Halong \| Drive by vehicle from Hanoi to Halong. Unwind your body by taking an overnight cruise with the Paradise Cruise. Board the cruise around 12 noon and enjoy a welcome cocktail while the crew briefs the passengers. The cruise sets sail and there will be plenty of opportunity to discover the famous Halong Bay with the local village life and the natural wonders around. Dinner is served on board. Enjoy the evening with music, games or movies. Overnight on board.
Day 14	Halong – Hanoi \| Start the morning with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck and other morning activities such as swimming or kayaking. Enjoy cruising through the Halong Bay, before arriving back to the pier. After coming back from Halong, enjoy Ca Tru – a Vietnamese folk music recognized by UNESCO as the World intangible heritage and performed by Master Pham Thi Hue.
Day 15	Departure \| Free at leisure until departure time for the scheduled flight. End of the tour.
***

Sights of the South, 9 days

Day 01	Saigon \| Arrival in Saigon. The vibrant metropolis Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion where traditional life meets modern life. The emerging modern skylines stand cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Begin the tour into modern history with a visit to the REUNIFICATION PALACE which formerly was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president. The 60s-style building was stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam and has been preserved in its original state. Proceed the tour with a quick visit to the neo-romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL as well as the CENTRAL POST OFFICE and pass by the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE) and the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from outside). Continue to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive documentation of the long Vietnam-American War. The tour continues with a visit to the historic center. The EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA is one of Saigon’s most interesting pagodas. After lunch, visit the first Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO): FITO Museum displays more than 3,000 objects, which are arranged in different topics, different materials and age – the oldest being from the 6th century. Visitors can practice grinding medicine, watch a documentary about the history of Vietnamese traditional medicine and taste a cup of linh chi tea before leaving the museum. Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast variety of traditional goods and handicrafts. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 02	Saigon \| During today’s sightseeing tour a visit to TAY NINH will take place. This is the birthplace of the unique Cao Dai religion which is a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Every day at noon there is the opportunity to respectfully watch the worshippers dressed in colourful robes flock to the CAO DAI GREAT TEMPLE where they participate in the daily prayer session. Continue to the CU CHI TUNNELS which was never discovered by American forces. These tunnels are stretching over 200 km and were an important Vietcong base during the American war. This underground network, dug by hand, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 03	Saigon \| Journey through Ben Luc and Tan An. Take a boat trip on the Mekong River through the Vam Xep canal to Ben Tre where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are produced. Observe the local life and take a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Continue the tour on a small sampan boat through the canals and stop for a stroll. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 04	Saigon - Dalat \| Travel by vehicle from Saigon to Dalat and take the opportunity to visit coffee and tea plantations on the way. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 05	Dalat \| Take a trip to the nine hamlets of the LAT VILLAGE and visit the home of the LAO, Chil, Ma and Koho minorities. The villages are situated at the base of the LANG BIAN MOUNTAIN which is known for its five volcanic peaks. Start the trekking tour up to the Lang BIAN mountain where a spectacular view on the top can be enjoyed. The total distance is 7 km and can also be done by cable car. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 06	Dalat – Phan Thiet \| Dalat is filled with gardens, parks, lakes and waterfalls, while the region is famous for its vegetable and flower production owing to the ever temperate climate. In the past years, artists have come to Dalat, making it one of Vietnam’s most vibrant art colonies. Begin the tour at the XUAN HUONG LAKE located at the heart of Dalat. Then stroll around the FRENCH DISTRICT whose atmosphere reminds of a provincial town in France and visit the DALAT CATHEDRAL. Continue to the whimsical HANG NGA ART GALLERY, nicknamed the CRAZY HOUSE. This guesthouse and art gallery reflects the unique style of the architect Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. The tour ends at the BAO DAI’s SUMMER PALACE to get an insight into the daily life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family. Visit the FLOWER GARDEN where flowers rarely seen elsewhere in Vietnam can be found. Travel by vehicle from Dalat to Phan Thiet. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 07	Phan Thiet \| Spend all day at leisure with no local guide. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 08	Phan Thiet \| Spend all day at leisure with no local guide. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
Day 09	Phan Thiet \| Travel by vehicle from Phan Thiet to Saigon. End of the tour.
***

Vietnam Golf Trail, 8 days

Day 01	Hanoi \| Arrival in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour in Hanoi that starts with a visit to the ONE PILLAR PAGODA - which was built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong – before proceeding to the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE. Next stop will be the HOAN KIEM LAKE, which is in the heart of Hanoi and contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. Last stop is the OPERA HOUSE, built in 1911. After dinner, join optionally a showcase of one of the world famous Water Puppetries. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 02	Hanoi – Halong Bay - Golf at Phoenix Golf Resort \| On the way between Hanoi and Halong Bay lies an area known as the DRY HALONG BAY. Impressive Limestone Mountains seem to be growing out of the ground and cater for a truly magnificent backdrop for a round of golf at PHOENIX GOLF RESORT. Choose 18 of the total 54 holes that were designed by USA, Korean and Japanese international golf course designers giving characteristics of each country. After finishing the game continue the journey to HALONG BAY. Overnight in Halong Bay.
Day 03	Halong Bay – Hoi An \| In the morning we take a four hours boat trip through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong bay. Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Later travel back directly to Hanoi Airport where the flight to Danang is waiting. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 04	Hoi An - Golf at Montgomerie Links \| Either get up early in the morning for a round of golf and rest in the afternoon or sleep in to enjoy the merits of the beach resort before hitting the links after lunch. The sandy soil, wind-blown dunes and indigenous vegetation of MONTGOMERIE LINKS GOLF COURSE combine in an exceptional harmony creating the framework for a very strong and challenging links-style golf course along the South China Sea. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 05	Dalat \| Take a trip to the nine hamlets of the LAT VILLAGE and visit the home of the LAO, Chil, Ma and Koho minorities. The villages are situated at the base of the LANG BIAN MOUNTAIN which is known for its five volcanic peaks. Start the trekking tour up to the Lang BIAN mountain where a spectacular view on the top can be enjoyed. The total distance is 7 km and can also be done by cable car. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 06	Dalat – Phan Thiet \| Dalat is filled with gardens, parks, lakes and waterfalls, while the region is famous for its vegetable and flower production owing to the ever temperate climate. In the past years, artists have come to Dalat, making it one of Vietnam’s most vibrant art colonies. Begin the tour at the XUAN HUONG LAKE located at the heart of Dalat. Then stroll around the FRENCH DISTRICT whose atmosphere reminds of a provincial town in France and visit the DALAT CATHEDRAL. Continue to the whimsical HANG NGA ART GALLERY, nicknamed the CRAZY HOUSE. This guesthouse and art gallery reflects the unique style of the architect Mrs. Dang Viet Nga. The tour ends at the BAO DAI’s SUMMER PALACE to get an insight into the daily life of the last Vietnamese emperor and his family.
Day 06	Saigon - Golf at Vietnam Golf & Country Club \| In the morning, wind ourselves out of the busy roads of Saigon and head to VIETNAM GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, just outside the city. The two great golf courses have been carved out of the existing woodland with minimal land movement. The West Course hosted the Vietnam Open in 1995/1997 and winds its way through the trees offering challenging tee shots to the tree lined fairways before playing to the softly contoured greens. The East Course offers more generous fairways than the West Course but is protected by well-positioned bunkers, water hazards and undulating greens. In the afternoon optionally indulge yourself in a soothing Spa treatment or enjoy an extensive shopping tour along DONG KHOI STREET. In the evening, relax and discuss today’s game with a Bonsai Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 07	Saigon \| Learn more of Saigon’s history today. It’s time to visit the most important landmarks of this bustling city, including NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, MAIN POST BUILDING, Opera House and THE REUNIFICATION PALACE. In the afternoon visit the famous CU CHI TUNNELS – a 200 km tunnel system that was used by the Viet Cong to insurge American operations in the South during the war area. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 08	Saigon \| Transfer to the Airport for to take the return flight or onward flight. Extension is also possible. End of the tour.
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