Savoring Southeast Asia

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap

Arrive in Siem Reap, where you will be met by local staff and transferred to your local hotel. A pre-trip briefing is held to meet the other members of your group and discuss the trip itinerary. After the meeting, you may adjourn to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a local meal together (cost not included). The rest of the evening is free, allowing you time to enjoy a quiet drink or a stroll around Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap: Angkor Temples

Today you spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided tour. Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City,' is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. The impressive Bayon temple is the centerpiece of all this. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure. It is the only one of Angkor's temples with its entrance facing to the west (the others face east), the reason being that it was constructed as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II, where a westerly countenance is said to represent a sunset. Ta Prohm temple is an incredible sight, with large trees embedding themselves in the stone foundations of the structure, giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. End your day with a sunset view of Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng.

Day 3: Siem Reap: Angkor Area

Your ticket for the Angkor ruins enables us to spend more time exploring this memorable archaeological area. It is an early morning start as we travel out to Banteay Srei, famous for its detailed and intricate stone carvings. It is not a big temple, but has been sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’. Back at the main temple complex, Preah Khan contains a maze of vaulted corridors and is another complex that has been largely reclaimed by the jungle. We include a visit to the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills which will enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. We also enjoy a lunch prepared by students at the school.

Day 4: Siem Reap/Phnom Penh

You have a free morning before leaving Siem Reap. If you wish to stay in town, you can relax outside one of the cafes or visit the market in town, which sells some interesting artifacts and handicrafts. Another option would be to relax by the hotel pool or enjoy a massage by one of the famous blind masseuses of Siem Reap. Flying to Phnom Penh, you notice a change of pace, as you arrive in Cambodia’s bustling capital. A relaxing drink at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club is a great way to start your evening.

Day 5: Phnom Penh in Depth

A full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are therefore closed to the public; however, we are able to visit the Silver Pagoda within the palace complex, the most sacred temple in the country, and spared from destruction by the Khmer Rouge. Wat Phnom is the temple, which gave rise to the foundation of the city in the 15th century. The bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge is a painful, but unavoidable, part of Cambodia's recent history. Visits to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tell the story of this tragic legacy. (Note: These sites are a major part of sightseeing in Phnom Penh; however, if you do not wish to visit either of them, please inform your tour leader.) An ideal way to spend your last evening in Cambodia is to relax in a cafe by the riverfront.

Day 6: Border Crossing to Chau Doc

The morning you drive south along National Road 2 through the town of Takeo and on to the Cambodian-Vietnamese border point at Tinh Bien. (Please note that a Vietnamese visa must be obtained prior to joining this tour as it is impossible to obtain one at the border.) At the border crossing, goodbye to your Cambodian tour leader and meet your Vietnamese tour leader. You then continue by road around the base of Sam Mountain and on to your final destination, Chau Doc, an active trading town due to its proximity with the border. The market area runs along the riverfront and sells black market goods smuggled in from Cambodia. Being on the water allows you to see the interesting lifestyle of many of the local people. Homes are built over metal netting and inhabitants are kept busy producing enormous amounts of food to feed the thousands of fish being bred here. This afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong, where you will visit a Cham village, a mosque, and a floating fish farm, as well as witnessing a demonstration of the local handicraft of silk weaving.

Day 7: Vinh Long Village Visit

You continue your journey in the Mekong Delta towards Vinh Long. Here you will stay overnight in a local homestay, at an old French island village situated on the waterways and filled with fruit gardens. The house is basic with all beds set up in a large communal room, but the experience is unique and offers us an insight into the way the local people live.

Day 8: Floating Market/Saigon

There is an early start today to visit the bustling morning floating markets and then a cruise back to Cai Be, before we embark on the drive to Saigon. Along the way, we stop to see the fascinating local industries. Upon arrival, we have an evening to enjoy the exciting nightlife of Vietnam’s largest city.

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels

Today you head out of town to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district that covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometers) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodations, and schools, were used extensively for refuge and storage, and also were utilized as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like. We will also visit Tay Ninh, which is the headquarters of the Cao Dai religion. We will strive to arrive for the mid-day church service when the devout fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the religions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. (Please note that the church service is not held during Tet.)

Day 10: Saigon Free Day

Today is a free day to explore this vibrant and captivating city. There are many places of interest located close to the center of town – the Re-unification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market. You may choose to get around by ‘cyclo,’ which is the local version of the rickshaw. Take time out to enjoy cafes on tree-lined boulevards, or sip on a drink in the Hotel Continental, the meeting place for journalists during the Vietnam War.

Day 11: Dalat: City on a Lake

Today you begin your scenic northbound journey with the first stop being Dalat, one of Vietnam’s most charming towns. The influence of the French is prevalent, as Dalat was founded as a hill station to enable colonial settlers to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon. The city is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and rolling countryside.

Day 12: Dalat Free Day

You have a free day to enjoy the sights in and around Dalat. A pleasant way to get around is by bicycle. This is also a great place for sitting in cafes, relaxing, and soaking up the atmosphere. Close to Dalat are local Lat and Chill tribal villages, which you sometimes have the option to visit (this depends on the government restrictions at the time). However, you must purchase special permits, which your tour leader can help you obtain.

Day 13: Nha Trang Beaches

Make your way to the coast for some ‘R & R’ on the beaches of Nha Trang. Along the way, pass stunning Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, home to the oldest primordial forest in the Central Highlands. On arrival in Nha Trang, we check into our hotel, which is close to the beach.

Day 14: Islands of the South China Sea

A highlight of any visit to Nha Trang is a day trip out on a boat exploring the islands of the South China Sea. Spend a day on the water enjoying swimming, snorkeling, lying on the beach, and feasting on a seafood lunch.

Day 15: Journey North via Quy Nhon

This is a very long traveling day. Departing Nha Trang, we drive past the colorful fishing port before making our way north, traveling along the coast. While the drive is long, the views are fantastic and we can make stops as we please, including a stop at the impressive Po Nagar Cham tower. Part of the pleasure of traveling in Vietnam is the simple joy of seeing green rice fields dotted with conical hats and the smiling faces of the people. We arrive in Quy Nhon in the evening for an overnight stop to break our long journey in a town that sees very few tourists.

Day 16: Quan Ngai / Hoi An

This morning you depart for Quang Ngai early and make a stop around lunchtime at the site of the My Lai Massacre. The area and the people are now at peace, and along the old road to the memorial and museum site, you can stop to take a walk through the colorful roadside country markets. You arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon and settle in for a two-night stay in this historical ‘oasis’. Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced through the centuries by myriad traders from various cultures, and now has a distinctly Chinese appearance, with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by, before the river silted up. Today it is a delightful backwater town with an air of liveliness about it. The tranquility and charm of Hoi An, coupled with its low tiled houses, makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. It is a constant favorite of travelers and our staff. A walking tour takes us to see a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall, and a museum.

Day 17: Hoi An Free Day

Today is a free day to explore Hoi An and its surrounding areas. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made up into fine garments within a day's time. Close to town there is a nice beach which can be reached easily by bicycle.

Day 18: Marble Mountain/Dananh/Hue

Leaving Hoi An, you continue north for further sightseeing. China Beach, enjoyed as an 'R & R' spot during the Vietnam War, lies against a backdrop of the sensational Marble Mountains. The five peaks, which are actually limestone with marble outcrops, are also believed to epitomize the five elements: fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. The history of the mountains is a rich one. They were once used by the Chams for religious purposes, but in more recent times became a haven for the Viet Cong, with their clear view of the Danang air base, at one time the busiest airport in the world. Good footwear is essential, as the path between the rocks is sometimes slippery.

Day 19: Hue/Overnight Train to Hanoi

Hue was once the capital of Vietnam. The royal mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda are not to be missed, and you will see them on your guided cruise on the Perfume River, which also gives you a taste of the tranquil countryside. In the evening, you will have an early dinner before boarding the train for your overnight journey to Hanoi. The train is very basic; we travel in 'soft sleeper' class which is a compartment for up to four people, a communal environment. The beds onboard come with a pillow and sheets, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity). Also, breakfast tomorrow is not the best food you will find in Vietnam, so it is recommended that you purchase some snacks before boarding in Hue. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real’ Vietnam.

Day 20: Hanoi

Hanoi is one of Asia's most enchanting cities, a northern capital that is a quiet contradiction of its southern counterpart. Its relaxed ambience is a joy, with exploration best on foot or bicycle. The shopping is fun, and the many lakes and parks provide enjoyable escapes. You have time this afternoon to explore the Old Quarter streets named after the goods once offered for sale there, including Silk Street, Rice Street, and Jewelers Street. In the evening, there is an option to enjoy a performance of the unique Water Puppets.

Day 21: Hanoi

Today you take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda, then paying homage to Vietnam's most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. We also include lunch at the KOTO café – an amazing project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry for underprivileged young people. All the staff you meet at this café have come from poor backgrounds. The remainder of the day is free to further explore Hanoi or catch up on some shopping in Hang Gai Street.

Day 22: Halong Bay

Leave your luggage behind at our Hanoi hotel and pack an overnight bag for a three-hour drive to your tour and overnight on Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. You will travel to Bai Chay (Halong City West), where you board a boat for an exploration of the bay, enjoying a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available), as well as spending a night on board. We visit a cave in the area and, in the warmer months, there is a chance to enjoy a swim. Conditions are more communal than staying in a hotel; however, it is a wonderful experience to be spending a night on the bay. Weather permitting, the views at sunset are incredible. Bedding and towels are provided. All boats used by Peregrine have twin-share cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. There may also be the chance to do some kayaking (optional and extra cost involved) on Halong Bay.

Day 23: Halong Bay/Hanoi

In the morning we sail back to the port, where we disembark and drive back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, we have free time to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s other attractions. Perhaps afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel?

Day 24: Hanoi/Onward

The tour ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.