Start your day with a tour of Hanoi during which you’ll stop at some of the city's well-known sites; most notably Hoa Lo Prison where POWs were detained during the Vietnam War. Afterward, you’ll have some free time to do as you wish.

This evening, hop on the back of a motorbike and get ready to eat your way through Hanoi! The street food scene is thriving here and it is a fun way to explore the city. It is also a great way to get a feel for how the locals live and eat. During the food tour, you’ll sample some local specialties in the never-ending hidden alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

After sampling some of Hanoi's street treats, head to one of the local watering holes on the street serving bia hoi (fresh beer), a small batch of homemade beer that is brewed fresh every day. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect after a hot and steamy day in Hanoi. It is delivered daily and sold for around 30 cents per glass. Even if you are not a beer drinker, it is still fun to experience this very typical Hanoi scene. You'll be immersed in local life next to workers who like to come here after a hard day’s work for some cheap drinks and good company.

Included:

• Activities: Hanoi city tour; Free time; Street food tour by motorbike
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (street food tour)
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Halong Bay is a beautiful turquoise bay with more than 3,000 islands in all shapes and sizes. It is most known for its iconic limestone cliffs covered in green vegetation protruding from the water's surface. Halong means “descending dragon”, a suitable metaphor to describe the thousands of islands with bizarre rock formations found within the bay. Halong Bay offers a much more tranquil setting than the clamor of Hanoi. Upon arrival, you’ll board a premium junk boat to start cruising.

Enjoy lunch on board the boat as you set sail to the less-visited area of Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island followed by time for swimming. You can also just hang out on the boat and take in the scenery if you prefer. Almost all activities on the boat are optional but included in the cost.

Before dinner, there will be a cooking demonstration on the sundeck as well as a happy hour before you dine. This is a sunset you do not want to miss. If you would rather relax, there's a masseuse on board and you can book a massage. After dinner, you’ll have the option to do some nighttime fishing for squid with the boat crew.

*NOTE: We recommend bringing an overnight bag to Halong Bay rather than lugging a bulky suitcase with you on the cruise. Your main luggage will be safely stored at the Hanoi hotel. You can collect it when you return to Hanoi on Day 5.

Included:

• Transfers: Hanoi - Halong Bay by van (approx. 3 hrs)
• Activities: Sunrise tai chi; Trung Trung Cave; Cat Ba Island; Swimming; Cooking demonstration; Free time on boat; Squid fishing
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Premium cruise ship
• Optional Activities: Happy hour; Massage

If you're an early bird, you'll have the option of joining a sunrise Tai Chi session on board the boat followed by breakfast. You'll then disembark and head to Viet Hai village by bicycle* to explore the local flora and daily life on these islands.

Return to the boat for lunch and then visit Ba Trai Dao (3 Peaches Islets) for kayaking or a little sunbathing on a secluded beach.

Once back on board the boat, there will be another cooking demonstration and happy hour. Another tasty dinner will be served as you cruise followed by some time to relax and enjoy some more squid fishing if you so wish.

*NOTE: If you do not wish to ride a bike to Viet Hai village, you can pay more to go by motorized vehicle. This can be arranged on board the boat.

Included:

• Activities: Sunrise tai chi; Viet Hai village visit & bike ride; Ba Trai Dao kayaking/beach time; Cooking demonstration; Free time on boat; Squid fishing
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Premium cruise ship
• Optional Activities: Happy hour; Massage

This morning, you have one last chance to rise early and witness the bay at its best during a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck followed by breakfast and some kayaking at Ao Ech Lagoon. If you're not an early bird, you can wake up at your leisure and soak in a bubble bath as you take in the views of the bay from the large windows in your cabin. After this, you'll sail back to the mainland as you enjoy brunch on the boat.

After returning to land, you'll transfer back to Hanoi where you'll have the rest of the day free to grab a coffee on Train Street, go out for another round of bia hoi, or just relax at the hotel.

Included:

• Transfers: Halong Bay - Hanoi by van (approx. 3 hrs)
• Activities: Tai Chi class; Ao Ech Lagoon kayaking; Hanoi free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Your journey continues to Hoi An whose maritime importance dates back as early as the 2nd century BC. It has seen occupation by the Chinese, Japanese, and Europeans. Their influences are visible throughout the old town, especially in the temples and houses built by merchants who ended up settling down here. Towards the end of the 18th century, the river slowly silted up which led to the end of trade but the town's charm is still well-preserved.

Arrival in Hoi An will be in the afternoon and then, you'll have some free time. The hotel is situated in the old town so you can easily walk around Hoi An to familiarize yourself with this charming town.

Included:

• Transfers: Hanoi - Hoi An by plane & van (approx. 2.5 hrs)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Discover the city this morning and visit a local market in Hoi An full of seasonal fruits, noodles, herbs, vegetables, meat, and fish. Talk to the vendors and get some tips from your local trip leader on how to bargain. You'll also have the chance to meet a local Cham family and hear about their way of life as well as the traditions that have been passed down through the generations. Then, cruise down the Thu Bon River in bamboo basket boats and paddle through the water coconut palms. You will also have the option of learning how to fish like a local with a fishing net, listening to traditional folk songs, and shopping for handmade souvenirs made of palm leaves. Afterward, get a hands-on lesson in Vietnamese cooking after which you'll dine on your culinary creations for lunch.

Later in the day, try your hand at making lanterns like the ones you see covering the buildings of the old town. After the class, you'll have the rest of the day free to relax at the hotel or explore the town's endless hidden alleys and passages.

Included:

• Activities: Hoi An city tour; Morning market; Cham family visit; Bamboo basket boat ride; Cooking class; Lantern making class
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (cooking class)
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

The best way to discover Hoi An is to simply wander. Temples, museums, and preserved houses are plentiful in the maze of streets that wind throughout the town. There are hundreds of historic buildings and the best way to get a feel for the town is to stroll through the small alleys. As with everywhere in this country, the real Vietnam is to be found in unexpected places such as a hidden back street, an unexpected alley, or talking in broken English to an old lady selling Chinese scrolls. In hidden nooks and crannies, you'll stumble upon art galleries, gastronomic gems, and shops filled with lanterns and silk for which the town is famed, woodworkers and carvers, artists at work, and handicrafts galore.

You have the day to do as you would like and your trip leader will be there to recommend optional activities!

Included:

• Activities: Free day (optional activities at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Say goodbye to Vietnam as you make your way to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siem Reap is a busy little town thanks to its prime location next to the Angkor temple complex. There are a plethora of local cafes, street food stalls, and restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines if you'd like to mix it up. Pub Street comes alive at night and it is the spot to get a fish spa pedicure, grab a drink, or get your groove on!

Upon arrival at the Siem Reap airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel. There'll be a quick briefing with your local trip leader about the schedule in the days to come. You'll then have a little free time to relax and take in your new surroundings.

Included:

• Transfers: Hoi An - Siem Reap by van & plane (approx. 3.5 hrs)
• Activities: Meet with trip leader; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today is all about temples as you delve into the remnants of the Khmer Empire's former glory. Stepping foot on these sacred grounds is to step back in time. First up is the main temple of Angkor Wat, the best preserved of all the temples in the complex which is nearly 1,000 years old! Your trip leader will walk you through the temple and explain the fascinating history of this bucket list site. Up next is Bayon, one of the most richly decorated temples in the area. You could get lost and wander its many passages for hours as you admire the many stone-carved murals depicting ancient life. As always, your trip leader will be there to provide you with all the important information about this popular temple.

After a morning of temples, you're welcome to explore more temples on your own and catch a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. Or you can head back with the trip leader and take a dip in the hotel pool after a hot day under the Cambodian sun.

This evening, you'll have front-row seats at a show with Cambodian theater, acrobatics, traditional dance, and more! Phare Circus is a local arts and culture project that started in the city of Battambang and gives Cambodians from difficult backgrounds the opportunity to receive education in the arts. Arrive at the circus grounds in time for happy hour. Then, the big top will open its doors and it's time for the main event!

Included:

• Activities: Angkor Wat & Bayon Temple; Free time; Phare circus
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

This morning, you'll head to the Landmine Museum of Banteay Srey on the outskirts of Siem Reap and the Angkor complex. Learn about the devastating effects of landmines and UXOs in Cambodia as well as the efforts being made to demine the country. The stories of the founder, Aki Ra, and those affected by these horrible devices are heartbreaking but an integral part of Khmer society, past and present.

Then, stop at a local village where they produce palm sugar, a staple in Khmer cooking. Your tour leader will explain how they make it by hand and how it is used.

For lunch, you'll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School where underprivileged local youths learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Here, you will enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school. After lunch, you have some free time to take a dip in the hotel's pool or take a leisurely walk by the river.

Reunite this evening to discover Siem Reap's street food scene. Your trip leader will recommend dishes and you'll eat like a local for dinner. Thereafter, we suggest a night out on Pub Street to see Siem Reap's nightlife and how it likes to get down once the sun sets!

Included:

• Activities: Landmine Museum; Local palm sugar village visit; Lunch at a training restaurant; Free time; Street food tour; Pub Street (optional)
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (street food tour)
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Head to Angkor once again this morning as it is impossible, not to mention exhausting, to try to squeeze everything into one day. Today, you'll visit the temple of Ta Prohm which became famous thanks to its appearance in one of the Tomb Raider films. Here, the sight of the jungle devouring the ruins of the temple is one to surely amaze. You'll have lunch together at a local training restaurant whose goal is to train young underprivileged Cambodians in the hospitality industry, free of charge. Over 1,850 students have been trained here and found jobs in one of Cambodia's fastest-growing economic sectors, enabling them to achieve economic independence and improve the living conditions of their families.

After the temple, visit an ancient monastery where you’ll meet a Buddhist monk and take part in a ritual that has survived for thousands of years. Sit on the floor as the monk chants and sprinkles holy water over you before tying a sacred thread around your wrist, ensuring protection and good luck for the rest of your journey.

The afternoon is free to relax or do some sightseeing and souvenir shopping around town if you'd like.

Tonight, meet for a special dinner with an apsara show (traditional Khmer dance) at a beautiful theater. Dancers in gorgeous costumes will bring to life epic tales accompanied by traditional music.

Included:

• Activities: Ta Prohm Temple; Monk blessing; Free time; Apsara show + dinner
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Today is a free day to do as you'd like. Siem Reap is chalked full of things to do and see.  If you're interested in exploring the vast Angkor complex some more, your local trip leader can help you hire a tuk-tuk and a guide. We recommend the Apopo Landmine project where rats are trained to sniff out landmines. You could also try your hand at Khmer cuisine at a cooking class including a morning market visit. Another option is a tour of the Sombai distillery where you’ll learn how this Cambodian liqueur is made along with a Khmer cocktail tasting. You could also go for a boat ride around Kampong Phluk floating village and see stilted houses over a lake. It's up to you! Your trip leader will be there to point you in the right direction based on your interests.

In the evening, meet again for one last dinner with your new friends to wrap up this great adventure!

Included:

• Activities: Free time (optional activities at your own expense); Farewell dinner
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Boutique hotel

Bid farewell to Southeast Asia and all of its treasures! Depending on your flight time, you will have free time on your own before catching your flight back home.

Included:

• Activities: Departure (at your own expense); Free time
• Meals: Breakfast

*Itinerary is subject to change.