Indochina round trip Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia

Your arrival marks the start of a dream holiday for you. From now on, we will provide an excellent full service and take care of your wishes and concerns with passion.

Today you will be taken directly to your hotel. Luang Prabang is a very special city with its many temples and its enchanting location on the Mekong, surrounded by chains of hills, for which it has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage title.

Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

Explore the city by tuk tuk, a motorised rickshaw that first came to Laos from Japan in 1934 and has been a kind of symbol of the country ever since. The "classic" tuk tuk has a metal body with a roof that rests on three wheels. It is the most commonly used form of transport in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia and therefore the perfect vehicle for an "open air" tour in Luang Prabang.

After leaving the hotel at around 8.30 a.m., we take a tuk tuk to the morning market in the old town. There are only a few supermarkets in the city, instead food is grown by farming families in the surrounding area and then brought to Luang Prabang. Your guide will explain the common seasonal fruits and vegetables and select some as a snack for later. Just a stone's throw from the morning market are Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham ("New Monastery"), National Museum (Royal Palace) and Hor Phra Bang. After visiting the museum, continue by tuk tuk through the picturesque town to Wat Visounnalath and then on to Heuan Chan Luang Prabang to learn how to wrap banana leaves around flowers used for Buddhist ceremonies.

Another short tuk tuk ride along the Nam Khan River then takes you to the temple Wat Xieng Thong. The ascent to the sacred Phousi Hill ends the day's tour.

Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

By boat to the Pak Ou caves and by car to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall. On the way, you will stop in Hmong and Khamu villages. Hmong and Khamu have different traditions and lifestyles and you will learn a lot about the differences between Lao, Hmong and Khamu culture.

One of the most prestigious sacred sites in Laos, the Pak Ou Caves have a history dating back thousands of years. The caves, shrines to river spirits and the Buddha, are adorned with over 4000 Buddha statues and are located in an impressive limestone cliff at the point where the Nam Ou River flows into the Mekong. There are two caves to visit, the lower cave called Tham Ting and the upper one called Tham Theung, both decorated with small Buddhist statues, mostly made of wood. 

The Kuang Si waterfall is the largest in the Luang Prabang area. Three levels lead to a 50 metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The natural pools are a favourite with tourists and locals alike. Visit the bear sanctuary at the waterfall (entrance ticket not included).

300 metres from the Kuang Si waterfall is the Kuang Si Butterfly Park, which was founded in 2014 by two passionate Dutchmen. Their aim was to create a centre where research is carried out on butterflies native to Laos and the plants they prefer, with the aim of conserving them. A small café by the pond ends the visit with a good cup of coffee and delicious sandwiches in pleasant surroundings.

Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

On Airport from Hanoi your tour guide will be waiting to welcome you and chauffeur you to your hotel. Vietnam's capital is a city full of lakes, shady boulevards and public parks. Especially the "Lake of the Returned Sword" (Hoan Kiem Lake), surrounded by beautiful trees, old colonial buildings and parts of the old town, is a favourite place for Hanoians of all ages.

Discover the capital of Vietnam on your own the next day.

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

A day full of discoveries awaits you. Today you will travel to Ba Dinh Square to visit the Presidential Palace. Of course, a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake and the Jade Mountain Temple (Ngoc Son) with its striking dragon heads is a must. In the evening, you should definitely pay a visit to the historic old town and be enchanted by its impressive charm. 

Overnight stay in Hanoi.

On the way to Bai Tu Long Bay

Over the next few days, you will experience Bai Tu Long Bay with its tiny jungle islands and white sandy bays.

It is just as beautiful as the neighbouring Halong Bay, but less well-known, which is why it attracts fewer tourists and offers a more relaxed atmosphere.

 Enjoy the phenomenal backdrop of passing limestone cliffs and paradise islands from your lunch table. Visit the magical caves of the limestone cliffs and be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature.

This is an ideal opportunity to relax in the sea and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Dinner with fresh seafood is prepared by our experienced chef and served on board.

This is followed by a great night on the junk in your private cabin.

Start a new day with Tai Chi on the sun deck & a morning view of the landscape. Experience the absolute tranquillity of Bai Tu Long Bay. Explore well-hidden caves and dock at small islands where you can relax on a white sandy beach, swim or kayak. Visit the fishing village of Vung Vieng on a rustic rowing boat.

Overnight stay in your enchanting private cabin.

Start the day with a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy your breakfast in the fresh air. Today you make your way to the harbour and marvel at the enchanting landscape along the way.

Around midday, you will leave the ship and travel to the village of Yen Duc in Dong Trieu province and take a short break in this typical Vietnamese farming village, which is rich in culture and traditions.

Enjoy a water puppet show performed by local artists.

 In the evening, you will fly on to Phong Nha to spend the day there tomorrow.

Overnight stay in Phong Nha.

The day begins with a visit to the spectacular Paradise Cave, the most spectacular cave in the national park, where you will be amazed by the huge cave system and impressive formations.

It is fascinating that this is only a short section of the Hang Vom cave system, which stretches over 30 kilometres further through the national park. The highlight of the day is Hang Tra Ang. This cave was opened to the public in August 2016 and is untouched by any development. You will reach it after a short walk through the jungle, where you will have lunch prepared by the porters before swimming into this cave (optional) to explore with a helmet, a headlamp and a life jacket.

Overnight stay in Phong Nha.

Today you can use the bicycles provided free of charge (or transfer by car on request) and cycle to the Phong Nha Cave boat station. There you can take part in a boat trip to Phong Nha Cave. Phong Nha Cave is a majestic river cave and was the first cave in the area to be opened to tourists in 1997.

The second cave above Phong Nha Cave is called Tien Son. It is a smaller cave. Thanks to the 400 steps that lead you to the cave, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding area and plenty of peace and quiet.

Before you set off, you will be given an information talk in English about the sights in the cave and the surrounding area. With a little historical knowledge, this excursion is doubly worthwhile.

Overnight stay in Phung Nha.

After a hearty breakfast, you make your way to Hue.

On the way, you will visit the demilitarised zone that separated North and South Vietnam after 1954. Here you can visit the famous Vinh Moc tunnel system and get a vivid impression of the Vietnam War. In the tunnels, local residents found refuge and a place to hide during the war. Bunkers and military cemeteries are memorials to the former battles. 

Overnight stay in Hue.

After a delicious breakfast, explore Hue.

In Hue, we visit the Imperial Citadel - the legacy of Vietnam's last imperial dynasty, a moat-walled fortress built in the early 19th century. Within these walls is the Forbidden Purple City and the former residence of the royal family.

Later, you will explore the magnificent mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, which consists of 40 buildings and houses, including palaces, temples and pavilions.

Overnight stay in Hue.

Today you will experience a fascinating train journey over the Cloud Pass to Da Nang. The so-called Cloud Pass, with a height of 496 metres and a length of 20 kilometres, offers one of the most breathtaking views in the whole country: On the right, the land slopes down to the sea, while on the left, the mountains rise up to 1,000 metres into the sky, forming the weather divide in central Vietnam. On the way, you will stop in Da Nang, where you will be picked up and continue to Hoi An.

✓ Optionally bookable: Visit to the famous Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Bright yellow houses decorated with flowers, shining silk lanterns, traditionally dressed women with pointed straw hats, colourful markets. Hoi An was an important trading harbour in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its architecture and laid-back lifestyle have changed little over the years, making it a charming little town. The wealthy merchants built beautiful houses and donated temples and pagodas. The silting up of the harbour later favoured the rise of Da Nang to become a leading port city - the idyllic Hoi An will enchant you.

You can organise this day entirely according to your personal interests and preferences.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

This afternoon you will experience the archaic city centre in the company of your tour guide.

Marvel at the Japanese Bridge and the Chinese assembly halls and temples. Stroll through the small, winding alleyways and let yourself be transported to a fascinating world of times long past. Stroll through the many colourful markets and enjoy the many culinary delights of the port city.

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

This morning you will visit the Cham temple town of My Son, the ruins of which lie around 50 kilometres south-east of Hoi An. My Son was the religious centre and thus one of the most important places of the Champa kingdom in Vietnam. The Cham construction method of laying bricks on top of each other without mortar and the marvellous decorations are unique in Southeast Asia.

The temples of My Son have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. You will then have time to explore the ruins in a beautiful, green landscape of hills and rivers. 

Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Today you can spend the day as you wish in Vietnam.

Hoi An is an ideal place for some relaxation and at the same time offers the opportunity for all kinds of explorations. So you can decide individually and flexibly on the spot whether and what you would like to do.

Relax on the beach or by the pool at your hotel and recharge your batteries. Enjoy moments of freedom and feel how time seems to stand still. You should definitely try the local cuisine!

Overnight stays in Hoi An.

On the 17th day in the evening flight to Can Tho (Mekong Delta).

Our tip: Additional excursion to Cham An Pier

✓ Optionally bookable:

After breakfast, we cycle to Cam An Pier. Then we take the boat to the Cua Dai beach dunewhere you will observe set net fishing. Here you will learn how to cast the net. Continue to the Cam Thanh villagewhich is known for its water coconut palms. A short time to introduce the local history before taking a boat trip along the canal in the unique round basket boat. The experienced fishermen will show you how to catch crabs. Around noon, enjoy lunch with local specialities. Back to Hoi An in the afternoon. Free time at leisure.

Discover the unspoilt landscape of the Unseen Mekong Delta and immerse yourself in the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Marvel at the houseboats under which the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta breed fish and immerse yourself in life on the water. 

Today is all about immersing yourself in the life of the locals, experiencing amazing moments and gaining unforgettable experiences.

Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Wake up early and jump on your boat for a boat trip to the world-famous floating market of the mighty Mekong Delta. Then it's off to a local rice noodle workshop where you'll see how the hủ tiếu noodles are made from tapioca and rice flour, which are then steamed, dried and cut. And off we go in the rowing boat to explore the small canals.

Then continue by car to Chau Doc to visit the famous temples and experience the daily life of the locals.

Then it's off to your hotel in Chau Doc, where you will enjoy the marvellous view of the endless rice farms at sunset on the way.

After breakfast, a comfortable speedboat will take you directly to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. On arrival, you will be picked up and taken directly to your hotel to freshen up and prepare for your Cambodian adventure.

Visit the Royal Palace built by King Norodom in 1866 and the Silver Pagoda with its over 5000 silver tiles. You can then visit the shops and boutiques in the city or Wat Phnom and learn how the city got its name.

Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

Transfer from Phnom Penh to Siam Reap. Arrive in Siam Reap, meet your guide and we start exploring the ancient temples and ruins located next to the town of Roluos.

In the late afternoon, we then drive to Phnom Bakheng to climb the temple on the hill and enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunset over Angkor Wat and the landscape of Siam Reap.

They get up early and leave at 8am for the enigmatic and enchanting Bayon Temple. Starting our tour here allows us to avoid the crowds and see the temple at its quietest. This temple in the centre of Angkor Thom is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's most famous king. Its 54 towers are each crowned by the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), who bears more than a passing resemblance to the king himself. These colossal heads stare down from all sides, exuding power and control with a touch of compassion - just the right mix to rule such a vast empire.

You continue your exploration in the centre of the walled city of Angkor Thom, the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. After the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress in the heart of his kingdom. The causeway is lined with an ornate bridge depicting the upheaval of the ocean of milk from Hindu mythology, in which devas (gods) and asuras (devils) fight with a naga (seven-headed serpent) for the elixir of immortality.

Inside Angkor Thom, our next stop is the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue, originally thought to represent the leper king, is now believed to be Yama, the god of death. Continue along the Elephant Terrace, which originally served as a viewing platform from which the king could watch parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end is the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples of Angkor, which was built during the reign of Uditayavarman in the 11th century. It has been extensively renovated and can now be visited again.

Then it's on to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, probably the largest religious building in the world. This temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and fills all Khmers with great pride. We begin by unravelling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell stories of Hindu mythology and the glory of the Khmer empire. These intricate carvings stretch for almost a kilometre and are a contender for the longest uninterrupted work of art in the world. Following in the footsteps of the Pious and the Destroyers, we continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctum.

The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, just as pilgrims in ancient times had to stoop on their journey to the gods. Finally, we reach the summit and the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that there are few moments that can rival it.

We then take a break for a late lunch at a local restaurant before travelling on to our last temple - Banteay Kdei. The name means 'citadel of chambers' and as the temple exists on one level, it is easy to thoroughly explore the towers and corridors as well as the beautiful carvings. The construction of the temple has been altered several times since its original plans, resulting in a slight lack of consistency in its design. Nevertheless, the end result of the temple is magnificent. As it is far less visited than the neighbouring main sites, Banteay Kdei offers a quiet and peaceful end to our exploration. After the visit, we will take you back to your hotel.

There are fantastic photo opportunities here of trees sprouting from the towers, walls covered in thick green moss and tree roots caught in the crumbling structure.

After breakfast at 8am, we leave the beaten track and drive to the place where it all began. Phnom Kulen is the place steeped in history where the "Age of Angkor" began and one of only two places in Cambodia where Buddha is said to have set foot.

Firstly, we visit a picturesque waterfall and the giant reclining Buddha. We continue our journey and explore kilometres of winding paths, deep jungle trails and hidden temples, including the impressive and coveted stone elephant and lion statues.
Lunch at a local restaurant near the waterfall.

After the tour of Kulen Mountain, we will take you to Banteay Srey Temple, which has arguably some of the best preserved and most intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple. Banteay Srey is also known as the "Citadel of Women". It is one of the smaller temples, but also one of the most intricately and beautifully carved.

Built from sandstone, the ornately designed temple conveys a fairy-tale atmosphere during a tour. This red sandstone temple is one of the most important buildings in Angkor, as its walls are decorated with ornate carvings that are in an amazing state of preservation. You can learn a lot about the civilisation of Angkor from the remarkable carvings. As you explore the beautiful surroundings, your guide will tell you Hindu stories through the various carvings.

The afternoon can be spent at leisure. Discover Siam Reap on your own.

Your round trip adventure - Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia comes to an end today.

We will take you to the airport in Siam Reap. From there you will start your journey home to Europe (Germany). 

Good to know: If you would like to spend even more time in Vietnam or Cambodia, we can extend your stay at your desired locations or add further places and regions of Vietnam to your itinerary. Feel free to contact us with your wishes and ideas!