Vietnam and Cambodia: Through Two Worlds (New Version)

Characteristics

Private tour
in Italian
meals included (see “Price includes”)
departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability

Itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi

After immigration formalities, passport control, baggage retrieval, and customs, you will be greeted by a local guide and transferred to the hotel., rooms will be assigned starting from 14.00, the rest of the day is free,

Day 2 — Hanoi

Breakfast, Depart early to explore one of the most beautiful natural sanctuaries in Vietnam and Asia in the calm of the early morning: Trang An Nature Park, which constitutes the central and largest part of the mountain complex known to the world as "the terrestrial Halong Bay". UNESCO has indeed included it among the world heritage sites. Mighty cliffs rise from the surrounding countryside, reaching heights of up to 200 meters. They are crossed by vast waterways that over the millennia have carved a dense network of caves of various sizes and lengths, allowing navigation throughout the entire area. The exploration of the place is done by rowing small boats that, thanks to their tiny dimensions, allow access even to the narrowest caves. At the end of the navigation, lunch will be served in a local restaurant and then return to Hanoi, estimated to arrive around 2:30 pm. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and a city with a millennial history. You will visit the "Temple of Literature", an ancient religious center and "university of worship". Then you will reach the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the father of modern and unified Vietnam (which can only be admired from the outside), and then the Presidential Palace (external visit). You will then transfer to the Old Quarter and its bustling, picturesque, and exotic market. The Old Quarter surrounds the Central Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake or "Lake of the Returned Sword") on three sides, with a small island in the center where the sacred Ngoc Son Temple stands. Visit the temple and free time to enjoy the bustling and picturesque life of the neighborhood. Return to the hotel at the end of the visits., Dinner at leisure,

Car

Day 3 — Hanoi → Halong Bay

Breakfast, early morning departure to, Ha Long Bay is one of the most spectacular places in the whole of Vietnam. an estimated 1969 islands pepper Ha Long Bay itself, with a further two thousand punctuating the coast towards China. Ha Long disappointing, especially since this stretch of coast is also one of Vietnam’s more industrialized regions – a major shipping lane cuts right across the bay. The huge influx of tourism has, of course, added to the problem, not least the litter and pollution from fume-spluttering boats, but a sizeable proportion of tourist income does at least benefit the local communities. The winter weather is another factor to bear in mind; from November to March there can be chilly days of drizzly weather when the splendour and romance of the bay are harder to appreciate. Bar a clutch of gorgeous caves, conventional sights may be few on the ground, but even if you tire of the scenery there’s a lot to do in the bay – kayaking across the tranquil waters, swimming amidst the twinkles of phosphorescent plankton, or even climbing up a rocky cliff with your bare hands., I board a traditional wooden junk boat, which navigates through a myriad of islands, islets, cliffs, and rocks, within which caves open up where stalactites and stalagmites create the most extraordinary scenery. Lunch and dinner on board are based on fish and seafood.

Flight

Day 4 — Halong Bay → Hue

Day 5 — Hue

Breakfast,

Car

Day 6 — Hue → Hoi An

Breakfast,

Flight

Day 7 — Hoi An → Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Breakfast,

Car

Day 8 — Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) → Can Tho

Breakfast, Around 8 o'clock departure heading south, towards the area known as the "Mekong Delta". Here, a quarter of the entire Vietnamese population lives. After about two hours of transfer, we will reach the port of Hung Vuong, near the famous town of Ben Tre. From here, we will sail on a motorboat along one of the main branches of the Delta, until we reach a remote rural area crossed by a dense network of narrow canals covered with vegetation, where we will change boats and opt for a small rowing Sampan. The navigation continues, admiring the lush vegetation alternating with coconut palm plantations, until we reach a local homestay for lunch with local specialties. During the navigation, there will be several stops to admire local farmers and artisans at work, including those involved in coconut processing, for example. To fully explore the Ben Tre area, it will also be necessary to move around with typical tuk-tuks. Lunch and further continuation south towards the city of Can Tho, the fifth largest city in Vietnam in terms of population. While Ben Tre is located along a branch of the "Thien" (or "First"), the first major arm of the Mekong Delta that you encounter when coming from Saigon, Can Tho is instead located on the "Hau", the second major arm. Thanks to its vast size and strategic location in the heart of the Delta, Can Tho is commonly considered the "Capital of the Delta". Before reaching it, we will make a stop in Vinh Long, the capital of the homonymous province, where we can admire the lively and bustling fruit and vegetable market with frenetic customers crowding among the goods displayed on the ground, moving around on motorcycles. Arrival in Can Tho in the late afternoon., Dinner at leisure,

Car

Day 9 — Can Tho → Chau Doc

Breakfast, At 06:20 departure for the day's visits. The commercial heart of the entire Delta is the Cai Rang market, on the outskirts of Can Tho, which will be visited by boat. Here, the products of the crops that cover the areas around the Delta are traded, easily transported by waterway. In Cai Rang, everything happens on boats. The best time to visit the market is in the early morning. This is, in fact, the most important time for negotiations thanks to the presence of a large number of farmers and traders. The junks, loaded with tropical fruits such as mango, rambutan, lychee, pineapple, mangosteen, as well as rice, vegetables, spices, roots, and other typical products of the area, are scattered in disorder, occupying more than a kilometer of the busy river. The fresh market, on the other hand, is on the river banks. We will cross it, savoring its smells and colors, before continuing our journey that will take us today towards the nearby border with Cambodia. A few kilometers from the border, we come across a place of unparalleled natural beauty: the Tra Su Nature Reserve, a gigantic swamp covered by a dense and impenetrable cajuput forest. Among these trees, about 70 species of large endangered water birds live, and Tra Su is one of the few places where they can still be easily spotted. We will have to move silently and motionless, on small rowing boats. The final destination of the day is Chau Doc, the capital of the border province, where the Vinh Te canal meets the Hau River. The Vinh Te Canal was dug by the French during colonial times to mark the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. We will explore the canal by boat, with rudimentary houses on high stilts lining both banks. Here, fish farmers live and build large cages mounted under their floating houses! Feeding the fish is easy and fast for them: they can do it comfortably from their living room, throwing the feed between the nets placed along the floor! Accommodation in a hotel near Chau Doc at the end of the visits., dinner at the hotel,

Car

Day 10 — Chau Doc → Phnom Penh

Breakfast, At 07:30 transfer to the border, completion of immigration procedures and meeting with the Cambodian guide for the transfer to Phnom Penh (140km, about 3 hours). Phnom Penh is known as "the city of the 4 rivers". It is here that the Thien and Hau, the two main branches of the Delta, originate. A third branch goes north: it is the Tonle Sap, which feeds the homonymous large lake that occupies the central heart of Cambodia. Around 1 pm (depending on traffic) arrival in Phnom Penh and lunch in a local restaurant on the banks of the Tonle Sap River near its branch. In the afternoon, visit to the most important places in the city. The Royal Palace symbolically overlooks the point where the "4 rivers" of Phnom Penh branch out. It is still today the residence of the King of Cambodia, whose private apartments are separated from the visitable part. Inside there is also the Silver Pagoda, the name given by Westerners to the Royal Temple for its splendid floor entirely made of silver tiles! Not far away is the National Museum where artifacts from the Angkorian and pre-Angkorian periods of Khmer history are exhibited. The last stop is at Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple connected to the foundation of the city of Phnom Penh in the 14th century. Arrival at the hotel., Dinner at leisure,

Car

Day 11 — Phnom Penh → Siem Reap (Angkor)

Breakfast, Around 8 o'clock departure heading north along the state road no. 6 that runs along the eastern side of the large Tonle Sap lake. The green and unspoiled rural landscape is the abundant and undisputed protagonist of the day until reaching the capital city of Kompong Thom after about three hours of travel. Lunch on the banks of the Stung Sen river before taking a detour of about 30 km that stretches out into the open countryside. Soon you will arrive at the archaeological site now known as Sambor Prei Khuk, which coincides with the ancient pre-Angkorian city of Ishanapura. The visit will take place by walking along a path of about 2 km to admire the pre-Angkorian ruins dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Some buildings have a unique and original octagonal shape. During the last stretch of the transfer to Siem Reap, another important stop will be made to admire the bridges built at the end of the 12th century by the great King Jayavarman VII, who undertook the construction of a dense road network to connect the various provinces of the Empire. Arrival in Siem Reap is expected in the late afternoon. Accommodation in a hotel., Dinner at leisure,

Day 12 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Breakfast, Early in the morning departure for the famous historical site of Angkor. The day will begin with the so-called "Grand Tour" of Angkor. First stop at Prasat Kravan, one of the oldest constructions in Angkor, consisting of 5 aligned towers. A short stop at Srah Srang (the "royal pools") before reaching the area of the immense artificial basin Yasodharatataka (modern name East Baray). A little further south stands the majestic five towers of the State Temple of King Rajendravarman II: Pre Rup, a colossal "mountain temple" with imperial proportions. About 20km further north we find one of the most refined and precious artistic masterpieces that the ancient Khmer have handed down to us. It is a small temple entirely covered with beautiful bas-reliefs. Today the temple is known as Banteay Srei, the "citadel of women". Typical Khmer lunch in a local farmhouse immersed in the Cambodian countryside. The entire afternoon will be dedicated to the wonder par excellence of Angkor, the place that since its rediscovery has sparked the imagination and desire of the Western world: the mythical Angkor Wat. Considered today as one of the most sensational wonders of our planet, this colossal construction holds several records, including the prestige of being the largest religious complex in the world!, Dinner at leisure,

Day 13 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Breakfast, Around 8 o'clock departure for a new day of visits to Angkor. The day will begin at Angkor Thom, the gigantic fortified city which will be accessed through the most famous gate: the "South Gate". Inside, there are the "Terrace of the Elephants" and the "Terrace of the Leper King", entirely carved with beautiful bas-reliefs. At the geometric center of Angkor Thom is the famous "Bayon", known worldwide for its countless towers on which giant stone faces are carved. These stunning ruins will be the perfect prelude to the visit of Ta Phrom, famous among international tourists for its wild appearance. Even today, giant trees support themselves on the monastery walls and their mighty roots creep into the gaps between the massive sandstone blocks, creating a mystical combination of art, history, and nature. Lunch at a restaurant in Siem Reap. In the afternoon, the second colossal monastery, known as Preah Khan, will be visited. Its symbolic importance is emphasized by the construction, along its longitudinal axis, of the large artificial basin in the center of which the "baths" were placed, now known as Neak Pean. Return to the hotel at the end of the visits., Dinner at leisure,

Day 14 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Breakfast, meet your guide at the agreed time for your transfer to the airport, end of the tour,

Characteristics

Private tour
in Italian
meals included (see “Price includes”)
departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability

Itinerary

Day 1 — Hanoi

Day 2 — Hanoi

Car

Day 3 — Hanoi → Halong Bay

Flight

Day 4 — Halong Bay → Hue

Day 5 — Hue

Breakfast,

Car

Day 6 — Hue → Hoi An

Breakfast,

Flight

Day 7 — Hoi An → Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Breakfast,

Car

Day 8 — Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) → Can Tho

Car

Day 9 — Can Tho → Chau Doc

Car

Day 10 — Chau Doc → Phnom Penh

Car

Day 11 — Phnom Penh → Siem Reap (Angkor)

Day 12 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Day 13 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Day 14 — Siem Reap (Angkor)

Breakfast, meet your guide at the agreed time for your transfer to the airport, end of the tour,

Notes

ROOMS: Triple rooms are double rooms plus an extra bed, typically smaller than the other two. Triple rooms are subject to availability at the time of reservation. Special requests for smoking, communicating, adjoining, high floor, low floor rooms etc. are always upon request and the service is never to be intended as guaranteed.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: before the start of the tour, all the participants must make sure they possess the required documents to enter the destination countries, and that such documents are comprehensive and valid.
FINAL HOTEL LIST: as in the travel documents
HOTEL, CHECK-IN: rooms are usually assigned starting from 3pm. Earlier check-in is at the hotel’s discretion. If you request earlier assignation, you must book an extra night at the beginning of your stay.
HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: rooms must be left in the morning (the exact time will be provided by the hotel). Supplements for late check-out amount to 50% of an extra night if you check-out by 6pm, and to a full extra night if you check-out after that
HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The Organizing Body reserves the right to substitute the itinerary and/or the hotels to alternative of a similar or superior category in the event of unplanned circumstances, and if the safe and normal proceeding of the tour is threatened. Furthermore, when in the impossibility for all of the travellers to stay at the same hotel, the group will be split amidst several hotels of the same category.
TIMETABLES: departure times are indicative, depending on the number of hotel pick-ups per day. Tourists are kindly asked to be in the lobby at the indicated time. Depending on which hotel you are staying at, you may have to wait 15 minutes or more. The return times are indicative and subject to change depending on a number of factors, including traffic and duration of the visits.
PUNCTUALITY: you are advised to be punctual. No refund is issued to passengers failing to meet at designated time.
TIPS: not included; at your discretion
MEALS: not included when not specified
REFUNDS: If the tour or any part thereof cannot be conducted due to Force Majeure or Vis Majeure, the Company shall not be responsible to give any refund; also, no refund will be given for any portions of the tour unused by the traveler
TRANSFERS: not included when not specified. When included, transfers operate only from/to the hotels included in the tour, and only on the first and last day of the tour. A supplement is charged for transfers from/to different hotels; in the event of a longer stay; and in the event of arrival/departure at/from other airports. A supplement is always charged to individual passengers. Requests for unscheduled transfers from/to different hotels must be issued at least 3 weeks before departure; otherwise, an additional urgency surcharge will be applied.,

Vietnam and Cambodia: Through Two Worlds (New Version)

Characteristics

Itinerary

Characteristics

Itinerary

Notes

Starts from

Meals

Price includes

Price does not include

Important notes