Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights 14 Days

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our local representative and transferred to your hotel in this UNESCO World Heritage town. Nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang enchants visitors with its golden temples, French colonial architecture, and peaceful atmosphere.

The remainder of your day is free to settle in and begin exploring at your own pace. You might stroll along the riverfront, visit nearby temples, or simply relax and absorb the tranquil ambiance of this former royal capital.

Meals: None
Guide: Airport transfer only

After breakfast, embark on a scenic boat journey up the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These sacred limestone grottos house thousands of Buddha statues of varying sizes and styles, accumulated over centuries by devoted pilgrims. The journey itself offers stunning views of riverside villages and lush countryside.

Along the way, stop at Ban Muangkham village to observe the traditional production of Mekong riverweed, a local delicacy prepared with sesame seeds and dried in the sun.

In the afternoon, venture to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall, stopping at ethnic minority villages en route. The multi-tiered turquoise cascades tumbling through tropical jungle create a magical setting. Take a refreshing swim in the natural pools, walk along forest trails, or visit the nearby bear rescue center that provides sanctuary for endangered Asiatic black bears.

Optional Evening Activity (at your own expense): Visit the Garavek Storytelling Theater in a converted colonial house, where Lao folktales and legends come alive through traditional music and performance. This intimate 30-seat theater offers a unique cultural immersion with English-language presentations of local myths and humor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Guide: English-speaking guide

Today is entirely yours to explore Luang Prabang according to your interests and pace. Rise early if you wish to witness the enchanting alms-giving ceremony, where hundreds of saffron-robed monks silently collect offerings from locals along the streets at dawn – a centuries-old tradition that remains deeply meaningful.

Spend your day wandering among golden temples such as Wat Xieng Thong with its stunning mosaics, discovering hidden corners of the old town, shopping for handicrafts at the night market, or relaxing at a riverside café.

Optional Activities (at your own expense):

Elephant Camp Visit: Connect with rescued elephants in an ethical sanctuary where you can observe these gentle giants, learn about conservation efforts, and perhaps participate in bathing activities.

Bamboo Experience Workshop: Learn traditional Lao crafting techniques in a hands-on workshop that reveals how bamboo has shaped local life for generations.

Cycling or Walking Tours: Venture beyond tourist areas with a local guide to discover hidden temples, village workshops, family-run silk weavers, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. These guided explorations offer authentic insights into daily life in this ancient royal capital.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: None

Enjoy breakfast and some final moments in Luang Prabang before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital that beautifully blends ancient traditions with contemporary energy.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your Vietnamese guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is free for you to begin discovering Hanoi’s charms. Take a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at the city center, explore the atmospheric narrow streets of the Old Quarter where each street traditionally specialized in a particular trade, or sample your first taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine from countless restaurants and street food vendors.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: Airport transfers with English-speaking guide

Today’s comprehensive city tour reveals Hanoi’s fascinating layers of history and culture. Begin at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you’ll view the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior), stroll through the Presidential Palace grounds, and visit Ho Chi Minh’s humble stilt house where the revolutionary leader chose to live rather than in the grand palace. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, an iconic 11th-century Buddhist temple designed to resemble a lotus blossom rising from a pond.

Next, explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university established in 1070. This beautiful complex of courtyards, pavilions, and gateways honors Confucian scholars and educational traditions that shaped Vietnamese culture for centuries. Stone stelae mounted on turtle backs list the names of successful doctoral candidates – a UNESCO Memory of the World heritage.

After enjoying authentic Vietnamese lunch, your afternoon might include the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing the incredible diversity of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through fascinating exhibits and outdoor displays of traditional dwellings from across the country.

Optional Evening Activity (at your own expense): Join a street food walking tour through the Old Quarter’s maze-like streets with a local expert guide. Sample Hanoi’s most delicious specialties: from steaming bowls of pho and crispy banh xeo pancakes to sweet egg coffee and other local delicacies while gaining cultural insights into Vietnamese food traditions and daily life.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Guide: English-speaking guide

After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion to Ninh Binh, often called “Halong Bay on land” for its spectacular karst landscape. The drive takes approximately 2 hours through the Red River Delta’s countryside.

Upon arrival, board a traditional sampan boat rowed by local boatmen (often using their feet!) for a peaceful journey through the Tam Coc grottoes. Float along the Ngo Dong River beneath towering limestone cliffs, passing through three caves adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, while rice paddies stretch to the horizon on both sides.

After lunch, challenge yourself with a climb up Mua Cave mountain (approximately 500 steps). The effort is rewarded with one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking panoramic views: the Tam Coc valley with its winding river, emerald rice fields, and dramatic karst peaks extending in every direction.

Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, which served as Vietnam’s political center in the 10th and 11th centuries. Explore temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties, built within the ancient citadel walls and surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon, arriving at your hotel in the early evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Guide: English-speaking guide

Your driver will collect you from your hotel around 8:00-8:30 AM for the scenic journey to Halong Bay through the countryside and coastal lowlands.

Arrive at the international harbor around midday where you’ll board a luxury cruise ship. After a welcome drink and safety briefing, settle into your comfortable cabin before enjoying lunch as the vessel begins cruising through the spectacular Bai Tu Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay, less crowded alternatives to the main Halong Bay area.

Spend your afternoon immersed in the bay’s natural beauty. Activities typically include kayaking through hidden lagoons and caves, swimming in crystal-clear emerald waters, or relaxing on pristine beaches accessible only by boat. The limestone karsts rising from the sea create an otherworldly landscape that has inspired artists and poets for centuries.

As the sun begins to set, join the sunset party on deck with complimentary cocktails during happy hour. The cruise anchors in a tranquil spot for the night, where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, often a BBQ on the sundeck if weather permits, followed by evening activities such as squid fishing, board games, or simply stargazing from the deck with a drink in hand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Guide: English-speaking guide

Rise early to witness the magical sunrise over the bay, consider joining a Tai Chi session on the sundeck to greet the day in this serene setting. After a light breakfast, the morning activity typically includes visiting a traditional floating fishing village by bamboo boat or kayak, offering insights into the lives of communities who have made these waters their home for generations.

Return to the main vessel to freshen up and enjoy brunch while cruising back to the harbor, with final views of Halong Bay’s majestic limestone formations. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi (approximately 3-4 hours), arriving in time for your evening flight to Danang in central Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Danang International Airport, your guide will meet you and transfer you approximately 30 minutes to Hoi An, a UNESCO-protected ancient trading port that beautifully preserves centuries of architectural heritage blending Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Guide: English-speaking guide

Today is yours to discover Hoi An’s enchanting atmosphere at your own pace. This compact ancient town is perfect for wandering on foot or by bicycle, with its narrow streets lined with wooden-fronted shophouses, colorful lanterns suspended overhead, centuries-old temples, assembly halls, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Browse boutiques and tailor shops offering custom clothing at excellent prices, visit art galleries showcasing local talent, or simply relax at a riverside café watching daily life unfold. As evening approaches, the town transforms as hundreds of silk lanterns illuminate the streets and reflect in the Thu Bon River, creating one of Southeast Asia’s most romantic settings.

Optional Activities (at your own expense):

My Son Sanctuary Half-Day Trip: Explore the ancient spiritual center of the Champa Kingdom, where partially ruined Hindu temples dating from the 4th to 14th centuries nestle in a lush valley setting. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers fascinating insights into the Cham civilization that once flourished in central Vietnam.

Vietnamese Cooking Class: Join a cooking class that begins with a market tour to select fresh ingredients, then learn to prepare traditional dishes like fresh spring rolls, pho, or cao lau under expert guidance. Enjoy the fruits of your labor for lunch.

Tra Que Organic Village Cycling Tour: Pedal through scenic countryside to Tra Que Village, where generations of farmers have used traditional methods and seaweed from nearby lagoons as natural fertilizer to grow aromatic herbs and vegetables. Participate in farming activities and enjoy a meal prepared with the freshest produce.

Beach Time: Hoi An’s nearby beaches – An Bang and Cua Dai offer white sand, gentle waves, and excellent seafood restaurants for a relaxing day by the sea.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: None

Enjoy another full day at leisure in this captivating ancient town. This second free day allows you to revisit favorite spots, explore areas you might have missed, indulge in more shopping or tailoring experiences, take a cooking class, or simply relax by the beach or pool.

Consider renting a bicycle to explore the surrounding countryside, where you’ll discover rice paddies, water buffalo, traditional villages, and friendly locals. Hoi An’s relatively flat terrain and light traffic make cycling particularly enjoyable and safe.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: None

After breakfast, enjoy some final moments in Hoi An before your transfer to Danang International Airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The flight typically takes about 1.5 hours.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, your Cambodian guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Siem Reap has evolved from a sleepy village to a bustling tourist hub serving as the gateway to the legendary Angkor temples, yet it retains considerable charm with its French colonial architecture, riverside dining, and vibrant markets.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax after your journey or begin exploring. Stroll through the Old Market, visit Pub Street for its lively atmosphere, or discover the Angkor National Museum for historical context before visiting the temples.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: English-speaking guide

Today you’ll explore the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire spanning the 9th to 15th centuries. Begin your journey at Angkor Thom, the last great capital city built by King Jayavarman VII. Enter through the impressive South Gate, flanked by rows of stone gods and demons lining the bridge.

At the city center stands the enigmatic Bayon Temple with its 216 serene giant stone faces gazing out from 54 towers – one of Angkor’s most photographed monuments. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants, a platform where the king once viewed public ceremonies and military processions, and the Terrace of the Leper King adorned with intricate carvings.

Visit Ta Prohm, the atmospheric temple left largely as it was discovered, where massive tree roots embrace ancient stones in a powerful display of nature reclaiming human creation. This temple gained fame as a filming location for “Tomb Raider.”

After lunch, approach the crown jewel: Angkor Wat itself. Built in the early 12th century as a state temple and capital city dedicated to Vishnu, this massive structure is the world’s largest religious monument. Its five towers symbolize the sacred Mount Meru in Hindu cosmology. Explore the extensive grounds, intricate galleries decorated with bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and historical scenes, and climb to upper levels for panoramic views.

If time and energy permit, conclude your day watching the sunset from one of the temple mountains such as Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng, offering spectacular views over the jungle canopy and distant temples.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Guide: English-speaking guide

Today is yours to continue exploring the Siem Reap area according to your interests. You might revisit Angkor temples at sunrise, explore the town’s markets and museums, enjoy hotel facilities, or participate in one of several optional excursions.

Optional Activities (at your own expense):

Banteay Srei – The “Citadel of Women”: Visit this exquisite 10th-century temple renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings considered the finest in Cambodia. The detailed decorative work covering nearly every surface is remarkably well-preserved.

Beng Mealea Jungle Temple: Venture approximately 60km from Siem Reap to this largely unrestored temple complex swallowed by jungle, offering an adventure-filled exploration reminiscent of early explorers’ discoveries. The journey through rural countryside provides authentic glimpses of Cambodian village life.

Ox Cart Experience in Countryside: Take a traditional ox cart ride through Antong Village or similar rural communities, visiting local homes, learning about daily subsistence activities, helping with vegetable gardening, and enjoying seasonal fruits while gaining genuine insights into Cambodian countryside life.

Tonle Sap Lake Floating Villages: Take a boat trip on Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake to witness remarkable floating villages where entire communities live in houses on stilts or floating platforms. The lake’s ecosystem and the resilient lifestyle of its inhabitants offer fascinating perspectives on human adaptation.

Preah Vihear Temple: For the adventurous, take a full-day excursion to this spectacular mountaintop temple complex perched on a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains near the Thai border. The temple offers breathtaking views and a chance to visit the remote Koh Ker temple complex en route.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: None

Enjoy breakfast and some final leisure time for last-minute shopping, temple visits, or relaxation until your scheduled transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight.

As you bid farewell to Southeast Asia, you’ll carry with you unforgettable memories of ancient temples and sacred caves, bustling cities and tranquil countryside, stunning natural landscapes, and the warm hospitality of the people of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Meals: Breakfast
Guide: Airport transfer only