Summary
Enjoy this fascinating Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary (14 days) from Hanoi to Siem Reap and visit 2 countries during the same trip. You will discover wonderful cities, villages, temples, valleys, caves, islands and mountains. In Vietnam, you will enjoy a guided tour in Ninh Binh Province. You will discover Tam Coc town (meaning three caves in Vietnamese and part of the Trang An landscape complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will take the sampan boat down the Ngo Dong river through the rice fields to the sacred caves. You will also visit Hoa Lu town (the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries under 3 dynasties: Dinh, Le and Ly). You will also enjoy trekking through various villages where people belonging to Dzao Rojo and Black H'mong ethnic minorities live and discover the natural landscape, rice terraces and the hospitable local people of the Muong Hoa Valley. One of the most exciting moments will be the cruise around the incredible Halong Bay, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and since 2011, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In Cambodia, you will visit Kompong Kleang floating village, located almost 50 km from Siem Reap, and the Beng Mealea Temple, hidden in the middle of the jungle. You will also discover several temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park covering an area of about 400 square kilometres, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992 and includes a number of undisputable artistic masterpieces such as Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Bayon, Baphuon and Angkor Wat temples.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour
Alfonso
Local travel expert in Vietnam
More than 10 years living and working in tourism in Southeast Asia. Based in Hanoi, but living for work periods in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. In love with Asian culture and the wonders that I do not stop discovering in these amazing countries. They certainly do not stop surprising me with something daily.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city. At the hotel, you will be given a brief introduction of your trip and any last-minute doubts will be clarified.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
On this day, you will enjoy a private guided tour in Ninh Binh Province, where you will visit Hoa Lu (the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries under 3 dynasties: Dinh, Le and Ly), Mua Cave, offering panoramic views from the peak above and Tam Coc (meaning three caves in Vietnamese and part of the Trang An landscape complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) where you will take the sampan boat down the Ngo Dong river through the rice fields to the sacred caves.
Accommodation in Hanoi.
On this day, you will have the possibility to discover Hanoi on your own.
In the evening, you will be transferred to the station to take the night train to Lao Cai (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in the night train.
Upon arrival in Lao Cai, you will be transferred to the hotel in Sapa to take a shower, relax and have breakfast.
The day will begin with a soft trekking to Y Linh Ho village, where the Black H'mong ethnic minority live.
Lunch at a local house.
After lunch, you will continue your trekking to Lao Chai village, surrounded by impressive rice terraces. Next, you will visit the village of Ta Van, where people belonging to the Dzay ethnic minority live. The small, narrow road leading to Ta Van is beautiful with terraces on either side. The simple beauty of the stilt houses of the village will also amaze you.
Upon arrival in Ta Van, you will enjoy a relaxing evening between rice paddies and a family dinner.
Overnight in Ta Van village.
After breakfast, you will continue your trekking itinerary through the villages of Giang Ta Chai y Su Pan, where people belonging to Dzao Rojo and Black H'mong ethnic minorities live. You will cross the Ra Tan Bridge, before returning to Sapa.
Lunch and free time in Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 6
Trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority
Sapa - Suoi Ho - Ma Tra - Hanoi
In the morning, you will enjoy a private tour with an English speaking guide to Suoi Ho, a quiet village near the city of Sapa where its inhabitants preserve the traditional way of life. You will start a two-hour trekking through various villages of the Hmong ethnic minority arriving at Ma Tra village.
Next, you will be transferred to the train station to take the night train to Hanoi (4-berth shared cabin).
Overnight in Hanoi.
In the morning, you will be transferred to Halong Bay where you will enjoy a cruise including reception with a welcome drink. Halong Bay is a 1,553 square kilometre extension of water that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994 and since November 11, 2011 is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. You will have lunch on board while enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
After lunch, you will have time to enjoy kayaking and relax.
Next, you will sail to Ho Dong Tien Cave (Fairy Lake Cave), one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, where you will anchor for the night. You will enjoy dinner on board and have free time for a drink on the upper deck.
Overnight on board.
After breakfast on board, you will visit Sung Sot Cave, better known as the Cave of Surprises, discovered by the French in 1901 and originally called “Grotte des Surprises”. It is a limestone karst cave, the largest in Halong Bay, which can be reached after a hard climb to Bo Hon Island. At approximately 25 metres above sea level, the cave covers a total area of about 10,000 square metres and is made up of two chambers. The first, known as the waiting room, is about 30 metres high and offers a grand entrance to the second largest chamber where you will discover a spectacle with a diverse number of flowstones, stalagmites, stalactites and columns formed over millions of years. As you enter the second chamber, you will understand why the cave is called the Cave of Surprises.
Then, during the cruise, you will pass by iconic islets such as the fighting cocks or the stone dog islet.
In more the afternoon, you will enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board before arriving in port and brunch on board.
After brunch, you will be transferred to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
On this day, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport to take the domestic flight to Hoi An.
Upon arrival in Hoi An, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city.
Overnight in Hoi An.
You will enjoy a free day in Hoi An to visit the old town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
On this day, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport to take the flight to Siem Reap.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
You will start the day with a visit to the great temple of Beng Mealea, which is located 70 km from Siem Reap and is a temple from the Angkor Wat period. Tucked away in the middle of the jungle, the temple is a must-see for anyone coming to Cambodia. Surrounded by mysteries since its construction, abandoned and devoured by the jungle for hundreds of years, and devastated by the recent wars in Cambodia, the temple represents an icon of the power of the Khmer Empire.
Lunch at a basic local restaurant.
Then, you will visit Banteay Srei, a stunningly beautiful little 10th century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is mostly built of red sandstone, and although it is a much smaller temple than the others, it is definitely a must-see within Angkor. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, especially when measured by Angkorian building standards, which has made the more temple extremely popular among tourists and has led to it being praised as a “precious gem” or “jewel of Khmer art”. The modern name of the temple, Banteay Srei (citadel of women or citadel of beauty), is probably related to the complexity of the bas-reliefs found on the walls and the small dimensions of the buildings themselves.
Next, you will visit Kompong Kleang floating village, located almost 50 km from Siem Reap, in the most remote and least touristy area. It is the largest floating village in Siem Reap province and is home to more than 10,000 people. There you will learn about the daily life of the village fishermen who live in houses on stilts, elevated 10 to 12 metres above the lake.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
On this day, you will discover several temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park covering an area of about 400 square kilometres, which represents the full range of Khmer art from the 9th to the 15th century, includes a number of undisputable artistic masterpieces, and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
In the morning, you will travel to the outskirts of Siem Reap, 35 km from the city to begin your tour. You will discover the Ta Prohm Temple of the Angkor complex, built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university and originally called Rajavihara (“royal monastery”). Unlike most temples in Angkor, Ta Prohm is in more or less the same conditions in which it was founded: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing in the ruins and the surrounding jungle have made it one of the most more popular temples in Angkor among visitors. The temple is known to be part of the scenes from the movie Tomb Raider.
Next, you will visit the Bayon and Baphuon Temples, of the Angkor complex, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
After lunch, you will visit the majestic Angkor Wat Temple, considered the largest religious monument in the world by land area, and one of the most important archaeological treasures in the world. It is also the largest and best preserved Hindu temple of those that make up the Angkor settlement. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and was dedicated to the god Vishnu. Angkor Wat has become a symbol of Cambodia and is featured on the country's flag.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap Airport to take your departure flight.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1551€
1370€
1302€
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1593€
1412€
1344€
Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1658€
1476€
1407€
Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1760€
1579€
1511€
Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
1880€
1699€
1632€
Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
1991€
1810€
1742€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1551€ | 1370€ | 1302€ |
| Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1593€ | 1412€ | 1344€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1658€ | 1476€ | 1407€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1760€ | 1579€ | 1511€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 1880€ | 1699€ | 1632€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 1991€ | 1810€ | 1742€ | |
What's Included
- 9 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard, Superior or Luxury category hotels, 2 nights in the night train, 1 night basic accommodation in Ta Van village, 1 night on board the cruise ship;
- Breakfast at the hotels / on board the cruise ship;
- Lunch on day 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 of the itinerary;
- Brunch on board on day 8 of the itinerary;
- Dinner on day 4, 7 of the itinerary;
- Excursions with English speaking guides according to the itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Vietnamese cooking class by the chef on board
- Road and boat transportation according to the itinerary;
- Night train Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi, 4-berth shared cabin;
- Domestic and international flights: Hanoi - Da Nang / Da Nang - Siem Reap;
- Local SIM card with data package included.