Siem Reap to North Vietnam 9 days 8 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap.

Welcome to Siem Reap, the gateway into the Angkor temples of Cambodia. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Banteay Srei and the legendary Angkor Wat. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and drive you to the hotel to check in. Spend the rest of the day to enjoy the pool of hotel or take a short walk to Old Market in the center of Siem Reap City.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

 

 

 

 

  

Day 2: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples. (B)

Wake before dawn and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. Sunrise is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays. Return to the hotel for breakfast then set back again on a full day temple tour. Starting with the magnificent Angkor Wat - the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture, proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. 

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake – Hanoi. (B)

Immerse yourself in the rich culture surrounding Siem Reap on a boat tour along Tonle Sap Lake. After breakfast at the hotel, you will take a short walk through a tranquil Siem Reap neighborhood to learn about the local way of life before driving to Tonle Sap Lake to board a local boat for a cruise through the floating villages. Return to Siem Reap for lunch then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, where your driver and guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

 

 

  

 

Day 4: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao Cai (B)

Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house); the Presidential Palace; the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Old Quarter; the Temple of Literature; West Lake; the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance - an unique Vietnamese art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture before heading to the train station to catch your night train to Lao Cai.

Accommodation: on train (shared 4 soft sleeper cabin with AC).

 

 

Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa (B)

Your train arrives at the Lao Cai station in the early morning. Lao Cai is a charming hilltop town near the Chinese border. Explore downtown Lao Cai and have breakfast at a local noodle house. After breakfast your driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Bac Ha Fair market on Sun/ Coc Ly on Tue and Can Cau on Sat). Wander through the stalls packed with hand-crafted goods peddled by the various hill tribe people who come here to buy and sell their wares. In the afternoon, continue on your way to Sapa: Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination, famous for its breathtaking views of cloud-woven mountaintops and gaping valleys. 

Accommodations: Hotel in Sapa.

 

 

Day 6: Sapa – Trekking to Hill tribe villages – Night train to Hanoi (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. You will take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. You have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Lunch at a hill tribe village and then we drive back to Lao Cai to catch your return night train to Hanoi.

Accommodation: on train (shared 4 soft sleeper cabin with AC).

 

 

 

 

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise. (B, L, D)

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning. Your driver and guide will meet you at the railway station and take you for a breakfast at a local restaurant before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay - a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, you will cruise around some of Halong’s numerous islands, visit one of the most beautiful caves on Halong Bay. Stop on an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permitting). Spend the night on the junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Accommodation: on cruise.

 

 

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi exercise on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you will navigate back to Halong City. Your cruise ends at noon and our driver will meet you at Halong Pier to take you back to Hanoi.

Meals: Brunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

 

 

 

Day 9: Hanoi Departure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: N/A.

 

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