Discover Indochina

Arrival at Bangkok airport. Meet your guide in Portuguese from Asiatica. Transfer to the city center and accommodation at your hotel. Free time to relax or discover the city for the first time without a guide or chauffeur. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, we discover Hanoi and the entire city on a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour. Our open tour will give you the best views of the city. On this tour, we stop at Hanoi's most iconic landmarks, including the Temple of Literature, the Vietnam Women's Museum, Hoa Lo Prison and much more. The entire tour takes 90 minutes, covering 13 stops. What better way to explore one of the oldest capitals in the world. Then we'll start discovering the old quarter for a 1.5-hour walking tour, so you'll get a deeper insight into local daily life. Next, we head to the Ngoc Son Temple, situated on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. As a short break, taste “Vietnamese egg coffee” - a typical coffee that attracts many tourists when traveling to Vietnam.

In the afternoon, then explore in depth the Temple of Literature built in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as Vietnam's first Royal National University. Afterwards, we'll visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the Museum of History), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country's 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The day ends with a typical water puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, departure for Ninh Binh, one of Vietnam's best-known sites for its historical remains and amazing limestone peaks. We will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley between limestone 'karst' hills. After the boat trip to Tam Coc, visit the Bich Dong pagoda. And the rest of the day is dedicated to the Mua Caves and learning about their interesting stories as told by our guide. From the top of the cave, you can see a majestic landscape of Tam Coc. Continue up 500 stone steps and you're at the top of the mountain where you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the countryside and the wonderful Ngo Dong River. Transfer to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, departure for Halong Bay (Vinh Ha Long) by shuttle bus without a guide. During the trip, we will have the opportunity to admire the splendid panorama of the surrounding landscape. Arrive in Vinh Ha Long in the late morning to board the boat for the cruise on the bay. While sailing, you will admire the beauty of the islands and savor the mystery of the many local legends. Delicious lunch based on fish and seafood. In the afternoon we'll change to a smaller boat to visit a famous cave or fishing village. Dinner on board. Overnight on board in a comfortable private cabin.

In the morning, after breakfast, we leave our boat and take the sampans (typical boats) out to visit the famous caves or have time for a few swims on these small, beautiful deserted beaches. Brunch on board.

Late morning return to Hanoi airport. Arrival at the hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus. Transfer to Hanoi airport by private car and flight to Hue. Meet your guide and transfer to the center and overnight at the hotel.

We will start at the authentic market with the chef to enjoy buying the ingredients we will use to cook. Then, we will take a boat to the 17th century Thien Mu Pagoda. The boat stops to visit this beautiful pagoda where we will take photos of one of the symbols of this city. We will continue towards Thuy Bieu Village where we will learn, practice and cook some typical Vietnamese dishes and after the work it will be time to enjoy a lunch we have prepared ourselves. After lunch, a short bike ride through the city, visiting the homes of local people and seeing a little of what daily life is like. You will enjoy a foot massage and immersion in a barrel with aromatic herbs. Next, we will visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is located within a pine forest, 8 km from Hue and is the best preserved of these monarchs. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

In the morning, we will visit the famous imperial citadel known as the Forbidden City, where the last imperial Nguyen dynasty reigned from 1802 to 1945, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage cultural site. Transfer along the scenic coastal road to Hoi An, about 130 km south of Hue. On the way, we first stop at the Hai Van Pass before arriving in Da Nang to admire the magnificent scenery. The stop will be in Da Nang to visit the Marble Mountains, a complex of 5 rock formations by the sea which has been a site of great spiritual and religious importance for centuries. We will have the opportunity to climb the “Water Mountain” and visit some of its caves and pagodas. Then we'll head to Hoi An and check in at the hotel once we arrive. Night at the hotel.

Check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, the tour of Hoi An begins. This beautiful city was once a thriving port and meeting point between East and West during the time of the Nguyen Lords. The essential visits are to the old part, which does not allow the use of cars or motorcycles. To access the buildings that have been declared a World Heritage Site, you will have to buy a ticket that allows you to visit five places, among which there are several private houses, temples, assemblies and museums. We will visit the Phuoc Kien pagoda, which was built by Chinese sailors in the 17th century in honor of Thien Hau Thanh Mau, considered by them to be the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors and fishermen. The Japanese covered bridge, which is 400 years old. Also the Tan Ky Old House, a typical old Vietnamese house (Phung Hung), a former merchant's house built more than two centuries ago. The rich decoration of the house is shown, which reflects Chinese and Japanese stylistic elements, along with classic local ornamentation... and the city's “Sa Huynh” History Museum. Unique experience in a traditional tea house in Vietnam: tasting of well-chosen teas and sweets from local farmers. Afternoon free to enjoy the beach, stroll through the colorful market or do some shopping. Lodging.

In the morning, transfer to the airport in Da Nang (without a guide) to take the flight to Sai Gon. Arrive at Tan San Nhat airport and meet your Asiatica guide. In the afternoon, we visit the Reunification Palace, which was the last point in the country to fall during the war, where, on April 30, 1975, the tanks entered to end the armed conflict. The tour continues with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral. This Catholic church was built between 1877-1880 at the time of French domination. Next to Notre Dame Cathedral are the post offices which were designed by Gustave Eiffel. We also visited the Jade Emperor Pagoda, also called Chua Ngoc Hoang, dedicated to the King of All Heavens, built in 1909 thanks to private donations from the city's Cantonese Buddhist community. We return to Ben Thanh market, where you can find all kinds of items at very cheap prices, from food (fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.) to clothes (ready-made fabrics, clothes and dresses, souvenir shirts, imitation brand clothes and accessories, etc...). Return to hotel. Accommodation.

Transfer from your hotel to visit Ben Tre. On arrival at Ham Luong pier. Boat trips on the Ben Tre River - one of the tributaries of the Mekong River - take you through the mangroves that grow on the banks of the waterway. Witness the city's lively market activities on land and on the waterway such as fishing boats, coconut cargo boats.

Stop at the traditional brickyard to see how bricks are made by hand. Turn on the Cai Son canal that winds through the jungle of coconut palms, visit a coconut workshop, take a look at the stages of coconut processing from husk, prize to peel by hand. Go along the small waterway and stop at the coconut candy workshop, take a look at them making candy by hand, try some candy, taste some fruit and also listen to the local music. Go by boat and disembark and a short walk to the house of the farmer who is making mattresses.

Hop on a tuk-tuk through the coconut grove, immersing yourself in the country's coconut jungle. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Relax and continue rowing on the shady palm-lined canal. Disembark at the local market or An Thanh pier. Then drive to Can Tho. Overnight in a hotel in Can Tho.

Early in the morning, we visit the Cai Rang floating market by boat on the river. The scenery before our eyes is authentic and exciting, with hundreds of sampans laden with rice, fruit and handicrafts coming together to exchange or sell their products. Getting to know the local population will lead us to discover their life and give us a closer look at the many lively local and traditional activities. We leave Can Tho and head for Chau Doc, where we'll stay at the hotel. Then off on a sampan trip to visit the tropical melaleuca forest of Tra Su. Overnight at the hotel.

The speedboat leaves Chau Doc at 7:30 am and, after an hour and a half, meets the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. There we got off the boat and in a few minutes we processed our visa for Cambodia, which costs 35USD per person and is valid for one month. We returned to the ship and in about three and a half hours we arrived in Phnom Penh, along the bank of the Tonlé Sap river, in the heart of the city. When you disembark, your Cambodian guide will wait for you and transfer you to your hotel. The first visit in the afternoon is to the National Museum, the Royal Palace, made up of a group of Khmer-style pavilions and palaces surrounded by beautiful gardens. Inside is the Silver Pagoda, named for its floor made up of 5,000 pieces of precious metal. Most of the floor is covered to protect the deteriorated silver, which can only be seen in a small corner. Within walking distance you can also visit the temple of Wat Phnom, which is erected on top of a 27-meter-high hill, the highest point in the city and you have to climb a few steps to reach the top. Return to the hotel and stay.

Note: the visa for Cambodia is paid by you

After breakfast, transfer to visit the Cheung Ek Memorial (Killing Field), the Tuol Slèng Genocide Museum, a former high school that was turned into a huge prison under the Khmer Rouge regime under the name “S21”, where thousands of prisoners were detained, tortured and killed. We'll walk to the Tuol Tumpoung market (also called the Russian market), an ideal place to buy antiques and textiles.

Next, we'll visit the central market. Cruise on the Chaktomuk River to admire the sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning departure for Siem Reap without a guide by private car. After arriving in Siem Reap, we will visit Kompong Phluk, which is about 16 km from Siem Reap. This village is built on the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake. In the rainy season, you can see the 10-meter poles on which the houses are built. During this season, people can only leave their homes by boat or by swimming. Return to Siem Reap

We start the trip with a visit to Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women), consecrated to Shiva, whose architecture and pink-grained sculptures are a masterpiece of Khmer art. We continue with a visit to the temple of Banteay Samre, a Hindu temple in the architectural style of Angkor Wat.

In the afternoon, we'll visit the temple of Pre Rup, the most beautiful temple in the Grand Circuit group. It is a temple that was built with bricks in the year 960, when Rajendravarman II ruled.

In the evening, a romantic dinner with traditional APSARA music and dance. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, visit Angkor Thom, the south gate, the spectacular temple of Bayon with its more than two hundred enigmatic faces, the temple of the legend of the king and the snake, Pimeanakas, the area where the Royal Palace was located, the splendid elephant terraces and the king of lepers.

Continue on the tuk tuk road to get a better temple than the Small Circuit group: Ta Prohm temple - the kingdom of trees. The incredible mix of trees and temples creates a particular difference with other times.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the most famous and largest monument in the complex. The temple has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with its slender towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs. Afterwards, we take the boat for a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to visit the fishing villages. We take the opportunity to visit Angkor's artisans. Afternoon free for some shopping at the local Phsar Chas market, where you can find souvenirs such as local handicrafts, silks, jewelry and much more. Return to the hotel for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport without a guide. Here you will take the flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast, we enjoy a short guided tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng, with its low roofs, which represent classic Lao architecture.

We then embark on a cruise up the Mekong River, which also offers us a panoramic view of the tranquil landscape, as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two interconnected caves filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. On the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We returned to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, then climbed to the top of Mount Phousi for a pleasant exploration of the sacred golden stupa, as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a beautiful selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people around Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to visit the National Museum in the former Royal Palace, which displays a beautiful collection of artifacts that reflect the richness of Lao culture, from the days of the first kings to the last sovereign. We visit these sights in the morning and continue towards Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way, we visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene, and then drive to the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall. Here you can take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest trails that surround the waterfall. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 20: Depart Luang PrabangAn optional early start offers the fantastic opportunity to take part in the daily morning rituals of the saffron-robed monks who collect alms offerings (usually in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation that still preserves the ritual. You can also visit the Phosi morning market, where you can see various offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill tribe weavings. Transfer to the airport. Board the plane.