World Heritages of Indochina – 15 Days

Visit Angkor Thom, built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century, surrounded by an 8-meter wall and moat once guarded by crocodiles. Enter through its monumental gates adorned with stone elephant trunks and 54 god statues. Explore Bayon Temple’s gothic towers and 1,200 meters of bas-reliefs depicting 12th-century Khmer life. Continue to Phimeanakas in the old Royal Palace area, the Terrace of Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Visit Ta Prohm, famed for its jungle-entwined ruins and “Tomb Raider” fame. After lunch at a local restaurant, tour Angkor Wat, a 12th-century Vishnu temple with intricate bas-reliefs and iconic towers. Note: Itinerary is flexible; discuss adjustments with your guide. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Optional: Wake early for an Angkor Wat sunrise. Drive 2 hours northeast to Koh Ker, a 10th-century capital with 96 detected temples. Explore Prasat Thom, featuring a Mayan-like pyramid. Enjoy lunch, then transfer to Siem Reap airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, your guide and driver transfer you to a hotel for check-in. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, bike or walk through Luang Prabang’s ancient town. Visit the Royal Palace Museum, showcasing royal artifacts, and Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th-century temple with a low-sweeping roof. Explore Wat Visoun’s stupa and Wat Aham’s shrine. Stop at Phousi Market to see local specialties like dried buffalo skin and saltpeter. Drive to Kuang Si Waterfall, swim in topaz pools, walk forest trails, and visit the Bear Sanctuary. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the falls. Return to town and explore the night market or relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Visit Living Land Farm, 5 km from town, to learn about rice farming. Participate in plowing, planting, or harvesting, and collect vegetables or fish for a healthy lunch. Return to Luang Prabang to visit the UXO Laos Information Centre, detailing the Indochina War’s legacy. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, your guide transfers you to a hotel for check-in and relaxation. Overnight in Hanoi.

Tour Hanoi’s landmarks: Thang Long Citadel, a UNESCO site and ancient imperial fortress; Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; One-Pillar Pagoda; Museum of Ethnology, showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups; Temple of Literature; and Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk or ride a cyclo through the Old Quarter, sampling street food or buying souvenirs. Watch a traditional water puppet show at Bong Sen Theater. In the evening, dine with a Vietnamese family, cooking a home-style meal, chatting about local life, and trying traditional instruments. Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO site with 1,600 limestone islands. Board a modern yacht for a cruise, enjoying a seafood lunch. Visit a secluded beach for swimming or sunbathing, then explore a fishing village to meet locals. Kayak or row a bamboo boat through water tunnels and coral reefs. Watch the sunset with cocktails, followed by dinner. Note: Itinerary is flexible; discuss options with your guide. Overnight on the yacht.

After breakfast, explore a limestone cave with stunning stalactites. Return to the yacht for a final view of Halong Bay’s beauty, then disembark and drive back to Hanoi. Check into a hotel and spend the evening exploring Hanoi’s nightlife or relaxing. Overnight in Hanoi.

Fly to Dong Hoi to visit Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide transfers you to a hotel for check-in. Spend the day at leisure, optionally cycling around the area to explore its rural charm. Enjoy lunch and relax. Overnight in Dong Hoi.

After breakfast, cruise upstream to Phong Nha Cave, a 2003 UNESCO site. Explore 600 meters of its stalactite and stalagmite formations by sampan boat. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Thien Duong (Paradise) Cave, known for 30–50 cm stalactites resembling Buddha statues or Central Highlands communal houses. Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight in Dong Hoi.

Drive to Hue, stopping at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). Visit Hien Luong Bridge, Vinh Moc Tunnels, and Quang Tri Citadel Museum, key sites from the Vietnam War. Arrive in Hue, check into a hotel, and relax. Optionally visit Dong Ba Market or walk along the Perfume River at sunset. Overnight in Hue.

Drive to Thanh Toan Village to explore its market, small museum, and ancient Thanh Toan Covered Bridge, reflecting rural life. Cruise the Perfume River on a dragon boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, famed for its seven-story tower. Visit Hue’s Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, and enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a Buddhist monastery. Tour the tombs of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the Hue Royal Fine Arts Museum. Return to the hotel and relax. Overnight in Hue.

Drive to Hoi An, enjoying Hai Van Pass’s scenic views and Lang Co fishing village. In Danang, visit Non-Nuoc Beach, the Cham Museum’s extensive sculpture collection, and Marble Mountain’s Buddhist shrines. Check into a Hoi An hotel and enjoy lunch. Walk the Ancient Quarter, visiting Tan Ky House, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Chaozhou Assembly Hall, and markets. Take a boat to Thanh Ha and Kim Bong villages to see pottery and woodworking. Relax in the evening. Overnight in Hoi An.

Visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-listed Champa temple complex with ancient ruins in a forested valley. Admire its diverse architectural styles and enjoy traditional dance and music performances. Return to Hoi An and spend the day relaxing or exploring. Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy free time or join an optional Farming Life Tour with fishing activities. Transfer to Danang airport for flights to Danang, Saigon, or Hanoi to connect with your international departure, concluding your 15-day journey.