Ethnic Indochina

Arrival at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. Boarding formalities and departure on a flight to Hanoi. Overnight on board.

Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel (check-in permitted after 2pm). Free day. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to the city of Hanoi. Today Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, a unique Asian city with tree-lined avenues, French colonial architecture and oriental temples. The visit begins at Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnam's independence in 1945. In this complex we can see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (exterior only) and Ho Chi Minh's house, a house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969 as president. Continue with a visit to the Single Pillar Pagoda, a temple built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who reigned from 1028 to 1054, on a single pillar to represent a lotus flower. Although it was destroyed by French troops in 1954, it was later rebuilt and remains one of the symbols of Vietnam. Next, a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, and Quan Thanh, a Taoist pagoda from the 11th century, both located on Lake Tay. Finally, visit the Temple of Literature, the country's first university founded in 1076, dedicated to Confucius and which served for centuries as a teaching center and spiritual place. To this day, it is considered the symbol of Hanoi. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Ngoc Son Temple, located on an islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Afterwards, a walking tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the quarter of 36 streets, formerly classified by the 36 guilds that were established here. During the tour we can see the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and local life, with narrow streets full of stores, workshops and street food stalls. In late afternoon, visit a café considered to be a hidden gem of Hanoi, where you can learn more about Vietnamese coffee and how to prepare a fabulous coffee with eggs (ca phe trung). Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure by road through the farmlands of the Red River Delta and landscapes of rice fields and Asian buffalo to discover the mythical Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and declared one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Arrive in Halong and board the "Junco", a traditional wooden boat. During the two-day cruise, the boat will sail through the emerald waters of the bay between the many limestone islets. Lunch on board. Activities in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation on board.

Note: the cruise itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather conditions.

On the way back to the port of Halong, enjoy a magnificent brunch. Arrival and return by road to Hanoi airport. Board your flight to Siem Reap. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast. Visit to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater reservoir in Southeast Asia, whose water level has the particularity of rising several meters every year during the rainy season, quadrupling its original volume according to the flooding of the Mekong River. Boat trip to the village of Chong Kneas to get a glimpse of fishing village life in this area. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, a visit to the Roluos temples and a ride in an ox cart. Dinner with a traditional dance show in a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Note: during the dry season in Cambodia, from March to July, the water level can be very low and the village of Chong Kneas may not be accessible. If this happens, this visit will be replaced by a visit to the village of Kampong Khleang, located about 55km by car from Siem Reap, made up of authentic and original stilt houses that are exposed due to the low water level of the river.

Breakfast. Visit to the Great City of Angkor Thom, including the famous temples of Bayon and Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afterwards, visit the Ta Prohm temple, the most photographed temple, built between the middle of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13th century. This temple was left as it was found: covered in trees and roots and with parts of the temple still scattered on the ground, making it one of the most picturesque temples in the whole of Angkor. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, departure by Tuk-Tuk to visit the largest temple in the region, Angkor Wat. This temple covers more than 210 hectares and includes galleries, columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, lakes, and offers beautiful bas-reliefs that tell the story of the Ramayana and daily life at the time of Angkor's construction. Visit to the Temple of Pre Rup, known as the temple of the mountain. Accommodation.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Luang Prabang. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and accommodation. 

Breakfast. Board the "Nava Mekong" boat to enjoy a peaceful cruise on the mythical Mekong River. Leaving Luang Prabang behind, you will discover wonderful landscapes of daily rural life on the banks of the river. Arrive at the Pak Ou Caves, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. These two caves are home to more than 5,000 sacred, centuries-old Buddha images. During the Lao New Year, in mid-April, many people go to these caves on pilgrimage. Lunch on board the boat. In the afternoon, visit the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum) and Wat Mai, a temple known for its spectacular golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Phrabang (sacred Buddha image), which is normally kept in the Royal Palace Museum, is exhibited to the public in this temple. The tour continues to Wat Sensoukarahm, built in 1718 and characterized by a stunning golden façade. At the end of the day, you can climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi, where you can enjoy a wonderful view over the city and the surrounding countryside. On the way back to the hotel, stop at the hill tribe night market where a wide variety of handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs are on display. Accommodation. 

Breakfast. Visit to Wat Visoun, one of the oldest and most beloved temples in the city. The original temple was built in 1500 and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times up to the present day. Visit to Wat Aham and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are located. Then a visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xieng Thong. This temple was built in 1560 by Setthathirat, to which a library was added in 1828, and is located near the river at the tip of the peninsula. Free time for lunch (not included). Visit to the Kuang Si waterfalls, located 32km from Luang Prabang. These waterfalls form a series of turquoise pools perfect for swimming on a hot day. The jungle and dense forests surrounding the waterfalls are teeming with wildlife and you'll have the opportunity to stroll along the trails. Visit the bear sanctuary, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc, which is currently home to 23 Asiatic black bears rescued from poaching. On the way back to Luang Prabang, stop to visit villages where you can observe the traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants. If time allows, visit Ock Pop Tock, a store that works closely with local weavers to preserve traditional Lao weaving techniques and styles. Return to the hotel. Dinner in a local restaurant. Accommodation. 

Note: when bathing, travelers are asked to wear a sarong and not just a bathing suit, in order to respect local customs.

Breakfast. At a time to be arranged, transfer to the airport to board the return flight. Boarding formalities. Night on board.