Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Wild & wonderful Hanoi, world-heritage Halong Bay, alluring Hue & historic Ho Chi Minh; plus Phnom Penh & the breathtaking temples of Angkor Wat; optional extension to Bangkok
Overview
Style | Small Group TourTravel with a small, intimate group of no more than 16 likeminded travelers (and often much fewer), escorted by an English speaking guide and/or tour manager for some or all of your journey. (Some exceptions, including special promotional packages, may accommodate up to 30.) More of these packages
Dedicated tour escorts & guides throughout |
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Departures | February 2025 – April 2026 | Group Size | 16 travelers max |
Themes | History & Culture, Grand Tours | ||
Activity Level | Moderate | ||
What to Expect | This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Discover Vietnam and Cambodia, among the most fascinating and stunningly beautiful natural settings on earth, where ancient civilizations, welcoming people and dramatic history await. Our 16-day escorted tour of Vietnam and Cambodia includes the highlights of Vietnam from north to south: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as an overnight cruise on the picturesque Halong Bay. Then, continue to Cambodia and to the amazing Angkor temple complex and the lovely Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh. To maximize your visit to Southeast Asia, take advantage of your already-included airfare by joining our optional extension to Bangkok, Thailand.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles including taxes & fees
- All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
- 14 nights at superior & deluxe hotels
- Overnight cruise on Halong Bay aboard the Boutique Indochina Sails
- 26 Meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 5 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour director and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Optional excursions in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City
- Optional Bangkok post-tour extension
Why you'll love it
- For each traveler visiting, Friendly Planet contributes to a carbon-neutral program which supports reforestation, clean water, replenishing mangroves, and seeding coral reefs.
- Experience Hanoi’s must-see sights, including the “Hanoi Hilton” and the One Pillar Pagoda.
- Enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at KOTO, a non-profit restaurant and vocational training program for young people in Vietnam.
- Cruise along serene Halong Bay aboard the Indochina Sails Boutique and attend a Vietnamese cooking class directed by the ship's chef.
- Stop by the Reaching Out workshop, a fair-trade organization where traditional handicrafts are made by disabled craftspeople.
- Explore Angkor Wat, a 900-year-old architectural masterpiece that impresses travelers with its beauty.
- Savor a special lunch at STREETS International, an institution that teaches disadvantaged youth about the culinary arts.
- Tour the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passageways used during the Vietnam War.
- Visit Ho Chi Minh City’s Old Saigon Post Office, Reunification Hall and War Remnants Museum.
- Be inspired by the smiling faces of the workers at the L'irresistible jam factory in Phnom Penh.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 En route
- 3 Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam
- 4 Hanoi
- Optional Excursion: Water Puppet Show (purchased locally), $25
- Optional Excursion: Hanoi Culinary Tour (purchased locally), $47
- 5 Hanoi, Halong Bay & Indochina Sails Boutique Cruise
- 6 Indochina Sails Boutique Cruise, Da Nang & Hoi An
- 7 Hoi An
- Optional Excursion: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (purchased locally), $118
- Optional Excursion: Tra Que Village with lunch (purchased locally), $73
- 8 Hoi An & Hue
- 9 Hue
- 10 Hue & Ho Chi Minh City
- 11 Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels
- Optional Excursion: Saigon nights by Vintage vespa (purchased locally), $134
- 12 Mekong Delta
- 13 Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap & Angkor
- 14 Siem Reap
- 15 Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
- Optional Excursion: Phnom Penh Nightlife by Remork (purchased locally), $99
- 16 Phnom Penh
- 17 Depart Phnom Penh/Arrive USA
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Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your exotic journey to Cambodia and Vietnam begins as you check in for your wide-body jet flight bound for Hanoi, Vietnam via Taipei, Taiwan
Day 2 En route
- Cross the International Dateline and lose a day (you'll recover this day on your return trip)
Day 3 Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam
- Arrive today in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam
- Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in
- Time permitting, take an electric car ride around Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the "36 streets”
- This evening, join your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Meliá Hanoi or similar Dinner
Full Day ItineraryArrive today in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, time permitting, take an electric car ride around Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the "36 streets." This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore, with plenty of photo opportunities. Join your fellow passengers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 4 Hanoi
- View Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his residence
- See One Pillar Pagoda, a prayer here is said to bring fertility and good health
- See the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university and Hoa Lo Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton")
- Enjoy lunch at Know One Teach One "KOTO", a non-profit restaurant that trains young people
- Visit the Hidden Gem Café and try a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee
Meliá Hanoi or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThis morning discover the highlights of Hanoi. First, enjoy a view of Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, then explore his "house on stilts," where he resided during the later years of his life, one of the most important and visited sites in Vietnam. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, built on stilts over a lake in 1049 by King Ly Thai Thong. A prayer here is said to bring fertility and good health.
Then, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university constructed in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong, to pay tribute to education and those of high academic achievement. Today, art students sit on the grass and try to reproduce traditional Vietnamese architecture on paper while enjoying this quiet retreat's beautiful and well-preserved gardens into Vietnamese educational history.
Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, formerly the "Hanoi Hilton." This notorious prison got its nickname during the Vietnam War—which the locals call the American War. Many Vietnamese fighting against the French were held here long before Americans were imprisoned. Afterward, have lunch at Know One Teach One "KOTO" restaurant, a non-profit restaurant and vocational training program for young people in Vietnam.
End the afternoon with a stop at the Hidden Gem Café, a unique coffee shop built around sustainability and reducing the use of plastics. Take notice of the unique décor as you meet the owner and learn more about how this idea came to fruition. Watch as he shows how a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee is made, and indulge in a tasting.
Later today, you can rest at the hotel, explore more of Hanoi, or participate in an optional excursion.
Optional Excursion: Water Puppet Show (purchased locally), $25Optional Excursion: Hanoi Culinary Tour (purchased locally), $47This afternoon, take advantage of an optional culinary excursion through the streets of Hanoi. Begin your exploration at a "wet market" where a wide variety of produce is sold, from fresh tropical fruits to live fish and frogs. Sample some different dishes as you stroll through the market. Next, walk through the backstreets where makeshift smaller markets line the road. Enjoy some excellent street food: choose between "pho gad" (chicken noodle soup and Vietnam's national dish) or "bun cha" (fresh rice noodles with grilled pork and herbs) in a local style specialty restaurant where only the dish mentioned is served. Continue south to the "thieves market," where motorbike spare parts and industrial machinery are sold. The labyrinth of stalls makes for excellent photos, and the chaos is captivating. Explore the market, then wander through some back lanes to one of the 'four guardian temples' of the ancient city of Hanoi, which dates back to 1509 and overlooks a small lake. Later, return to your hotel.
Note: This optional excursion requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate and cannot be chosen with any other excursions on this day.
Day 5 Hanoi, Halong Bay & Indochina Sails Boutique Cruise
- Drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Board the Boutique Indochina Sails and enjoy a welcome drink and orientation
- During lunch you’ll cruise through Halong Bay, passing by the beautiful grottoes and islets
- Enjoy a cooking class held by the ship’s chef followed by happy hour
Indochina Sails Boutique or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay. The amazing bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is dotted with thousands of limestone karsts and isles. The mystical scenery of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes, and surrounded by colorful floating villages, is truly a breathtaking destination.
Local legend states that long ago, the gods sent dragons to defend the land when the Vietnamese were fighting Chinese invaders. The dragons spit out jewels and jade, which turned into the islands and islets of Halong, forming a great wall against the invaders.
In the late morning, board the Boutique Indochina Sails. Upon boarding, you will be greeted with a welcome drink and gather in the dining room for a comprehensive safety and boat orientation briefing followed by itinerary details. Lunch is served on board. During lunch, cruise through the most beautiful and quiet areas around Halong Bay. Stop at Sung Sot Cave, or "Surprise Cave," one of the most spectacular grottoes of Halong Bay. Walk up approximately 60 steps to reach the mouth of the grotto. Afterward, enjoy a cooking class held by the ship's chef, who will show you how to prepare traditional Vietnamese food, and guests will taste the food after the course. Later, join your fellow shipmates for happy hour before your sumptuous Vietnamese dinner. After dinner, relax in the lounge or upper deck and enjoy the second happy hour. Board games and playing cards are available onboard or take advantage of the cruise's massage services. Guests can even try their luck at squid fishing from the boat!
Day 6 Indochina Sails Boutique Cruise, Da Nang & Hoi An
- Wake up to fresh coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries
- An early morning Tai Chi lesson will be led by the ship’s Tai Chi master
- Then disembark for a walking tour of Titov Beach Island
- Once back on board, freshen up before enjoying breakfast
- Disembark, and transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang
- Continue to Hoi An by touring coach
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort or similar Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryWake up to fresh coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries. Enjoy an early morning Tai Chi lesson led by the ship’s Tai Chi master before disembarking for a walking tour of Titov Beach Island. Climb the steps to the peak for a breathtaking 360-degree view of the bay, stopping at the expansive viewing deck halfway up. Once back on board, freshen up before enjoying breakfast. After breakfast, relax in the dining room and lounge or on the deck, enjoying the last views of the bay.
After disembarkation, board your touring coach and drive to the airport for your short flight to the coastal city of Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s most important ports. During the Vietnam War, Da Nang was home to a vast U.S. Air Force base. Continue to Hoi An on the banks of the Thu Bon River. The colorful market town of Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a major Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, with ships arriving from all over the world to obtain silk and other fabrics, sugar, tea, and ceramics. Hoi An’s traditional Vietnamese architecture has been preserved, and there are many historic temples and pagodas in the area. Check in to your centrally located hotel and enjoy dinner.
Day 7 Hoi An
- Enjoy today at leisure in Hoi An to explore on your own
Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy today at leisure to explore on your own. You might want to take advantage of Hoi An's world-famous tailors during your stay here. Anything you might want to wear can be made for you in Hoi An, all at bargain prices and with expert artistry.
Optional Excursion: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (purchased locally), $118Depart early this morning for Ba Na Hills, perched 1,500m high on a mountain. Spend time visiting this mountainous theme park that foreigners and locals enjoy. The French first developed the site in the 1920s, who escaped the summer heat for its cool mountain air. Ascend one of the world's longest and highest cable car rides while taking in breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Once on top of the mountain, visit the Lin Ung Pagoda, Loc Uyen Garden, and the Quan Am Pavilion. Then, the guide will take you to the Monkey Garden and finally to God Mountain, the highest peak in central Vietnam. Next, amid the misty hills of the mountains, bask in awe at the Golden Bridge, held by two hands that seemingly protrude out of the Earth to hold it up. Get your camera ready to take incredible pictures of the bridge, the neighboring hills, and the distant ocean. Afterward, head into Fantasy Park to enjoy some fun and games. Spend the rest of the day leisurely before transferring back to Hoi An.
Note: This optional excursion requires a minimum of 3 passengers to operate and cannot be chosen with any other excursions on this day.
Optional Excursion: Tra Que Village with lunch (purchased locally), $73Escape from Hoi An's bustling town center and transfer to a local farm in Tra Que herb village for an insightful morning in the countryside. Explore the vegetable garden, learn about the local produce grown there, and hear the history of Tra Que.
Assist the farmers as they work in the garden. Depending on the time of year, this may include tilling the land, fertilizing the garden with seaweed, or picking ripe vegetables. Throughout the experience, learn more about their daily lives and the rich culture in the Vietnamese countryside.
Afterward, enjoy an herbal foot massage to revitalize tired muscles. As midday approaches, join a local family to prepare lunch. Learn the secrets behind some of Hoi An's most famous traditional dishes. Using vegetables and herbs straight from the garden, cook tam huu, prawns, pork mixed with lots of herbs, and banh xeo, a savory pancake served inside thin sheets of rice paper. Then, sit down and enjoy this home-cooked meal, wrapping up a memorable day in the countryside.
Take advantage of an optional excursion and travel to Tra Que Village via bicycle.
Note: This optional excursion requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate and cannot be chosen with any other excursions on this day.
Day 8 Hoi An & Hue
- Enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An
- Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and a beautiful Chinese Assembly Hall
- Visit the Central Market and visit the Reaching Out workshop, a fair trade organization featuring handicrafts made by disabled craftspeople in Vietnam
- Enjoy lunch in Hoi An at STREETS International
- Continuing your journey to Hue with a stop at the Cham Museum en route
Senna Hue Hotel or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An. Along the way, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, featuring a Buddhist pagoda attached to one side, and the town's most famous landmark, a beautiful Chinese Assembly Hall built in 1740 as a meeting place for all Chinese residents of the town. The hall is lavishly decorated with murals and a replica of a Chinese ship, and Phuoc Kien Pagoda, also called Kim Son Pagoda, was built in 1697 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants at Hoi An. Conclude your tour at the Central Market, where you will find everything from fruit and flowers to tailor-made clothes and silk lanterns, whose flexible bamboo frames are designed to collapse so they're easily transported home as souvenirs.
Afterward, you will have the unique opportunity to visit the Reaching Out workshop. This fair trade organization features high-quality handicrafts made by disabled craftspeople in Vietnam. This social business, operating according to Fair Trade principles, is located in one of the ancient buildings in the center of the old town. Handicrafts are made either on-site in our workshop or perhaps in their homes or other workshops across many provinces of Vietnam.
Join your fellow travelers for a special lunch at a unique local restaurant. STREETS International is much more than your typical restaurant; it is an innovative vocational training program for underprivileged children to learn hospitality management, entrepreneurship skills, and the culinary arts. With food inspired by chefs from around the world, the menus feature the highest standards of carefully selected contemporary Vietnamese and International cuisine. Support the program and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the students.
Afterward, continue your journey by motor coach to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam and the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty that ruled Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. En route, stop at the Cham Museum, home of the world's finest collection of Cham sculptures.
Day 9 Hue
- Visit An Dinh Palace, the former residence of Vietnam Emperor Khai Dinh
- Explore the Tran Dinh Son Museum and the walled Citadel containing the Imperial City
- Explore the Thien Mu Pagoda religious site
- End the day by boat with a visit to the popular Dong Ba Market
Senna Hue Hotel or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryStart your day with a visit to the magnificent An Dinh Palace, the private residence of Khai Dinh, Vietnam's penultimate emperor. Built in 1917 with French architectural styles in mind, the palace was seriously damaged during the war and recently restored as part of a German Government aid project. Get an overview of the life of this Royal family through the bedroom, entertainment rooms, and book room.
Next, hop on a cyclo for a short ride to Tran Dinh Son Museum, the first private museum in Hue, once a residence of Emperor Minh Mang. Admire the now-preserved antique bowls, dishes, and teapots used by the kings. Then, go to the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers and the scars of many years of turmoil but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.
Continue to Hue's best-known religious site, the Thien Mu Pagoda. According to legend, an elderly woman appeared on the hill where the pagoda now sits and predicted that a great leader would one day build a pagoda in that spot to bring peace to the country. Lord Nguyen Hoang visited the area in 1601, and upon hearing the legend, he ordered the pagoda to be built, naming it Chua Thien Mu, the Heavenly Lady Pagoda.
End the day by boat with a visit to the famous Dong Ba Market, one of the must-see sites in Hue, where fruit, vegetables, fish, rice, and other staples of the traditional Vietnamese diet are sold along with foods made from these ingredients.
Day 10 Hue & Ho Chi Minh City
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant
- Depart for a half-day tour of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Hall, the Saigon Post Office and more
- See the Jade Emperor Pagoda
Pullman Saigon Centre or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
Take a stroll around and admire the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House, and City Hall. Next, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, depart for a half-day tour of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by many locals). Your program includes the War Remnants Museum, where exhibition halls display imagery of the French and American wars. Continue to the Reunification Hall. Formerly the Presidential Palace, it was towards this building that North Vietnamese tanks stormed on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history that is still fresh in the minds of many.
Later, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, located on the fringe of District 1. Built in 1909 by Cantonese Buddhists, this quiet oasis was designed using feng shui principles and showcases ornate statues and effigies.
Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels
- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Return to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon for the balance of the day at leisure
Pullman Saigon Centre or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road, and other scenes typical of southern Vietnam. Arrive at Cu Chi Tunnels, begun by the Viet Minh in the 1940s, which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start the visit with the tunnel's Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections. Here, you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla, complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47s on display.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon for the balance of the day at leisure, or join an optional excursion this evening.
Optional Excursion: Saigon nights by Vintage vespa (purchased locally), $134Starting in the early evening, delve into Vietnam’s nightlife and culinary culture with a fun Ho Chi Minh City Vespa tour. Climb aboard the back of this classic motorbike and zip off through the city’s buzzing streets. See the city come to life as the sun sets and offices close for the day.
The first stop of the evening is a rooftop bar, where you can take in the views of the streets below while enjoying snacks and refreshments.
Kick off the mobile aspect of the evening by visiting a series of local restaurants and street stalls. The food-loving host will explain each of the items on offer and purchase a selection of sweet and savory dishes to sample. During the tour, sample a range of dishes from simple satays to more exotic yet highly popular treats. Raise a glass and toast the night out alongside local diners.
Indulge in a moment of tranquility at a hidden, serene café. Immerse yourself in a musical performance that will transport you back in time. Savor the performance with a refreshing drink and a delightful ice cream before bidding the night farewell and returning to your hotel feeling rejuvenated and content.
Day 12 Mekong Delta
- Depart this morning for Cai Be, deep in the heart of the Mekong Delta
- Visit a local home factory that produces rice paste, rice popcorn, and coconut candies
- Transfer to smaller boats for a ride through beautiful canals
- Enjoy lunch at Ut Kiet Mandarin Home before slowly cruising back Cai Be
- On your return, stop at Cao Dai Temple then continue back to Ho Chi Minh City
Pullman Saigon Centre or similar Breakfast & lunch
Full Day ItineraryDepart this morning for Cai Be, deep in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Embark on a private cruise to the colorful Cai Be floating market. Your tour continues with a visit to a local home factory that produces rice paste, rice popcorn, and coconut candies. Transfer to smaller boats for a ride through the beautiful canals of Tan Phuong Island (weather permitting). Then, enjoy lunch at Ut Kiet Mandarin Home before boarding the junk again and slowly cruise back to Cai Be as you take in the beautiful landscapes and observe typical rural life on the Mekong Delta. On your return, stop at Cao Dai Temple and its unique architectural style. Return to Ho Chi Minh City later today.
Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap & Angkor
- Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in
- Set off for the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore mysterious Angkor Thom as well as Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace
- Ride in a Remork, a Cambodian style "Tuk Tuk"
- Dine at Spoons Cafe, a restaurant that aims to provide hospitality training to Cambodian youth
FCC Angkor by Avani or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Set off for the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains the ruins of more than a thousand stone temples. The temples are the remnants of a grand religious, social, and administrative metropolis whose other buildings were built of wood and are long since decayed and gone. Built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, the temples and the great city surrounding them are some of mankind's most astonishing architectural achievements.
Angkor is thought to be the largest preindustrial city in the world, with an urban sprawl of 3000 square kilometers and supporting a population of up to one million people. Mysteriously abandoned in the 15th century, the site remained largely cloaked by the forest until the late 19th century, when archaeologists began clearing the forest away and embarked on a lengthy restoration process. This vast complex includes Angkor Thom, the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace area, from which the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal.
Begin your explorations at the mysterious royal-walled city of Angkor Thom. Its temple is an incredible and surreal sight that most visitors never forget. Atop each of its 52 towers, staring out in the direction of the four points of the compass, are four giant, barely smiling faces depicting Khmer royal rulers as Buddhist deities. You are engulfed by those faces' silent, heavy, enigmatic gaze, staring out through half-closed eyes from a remote time in history. Later, as time permits, visit the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace.
Tonight, travel to dinner in a Remork, a Cambodian style Tuk Tuk, and enjoy dinner at Spoons Cafe, an extension of the Everything is Gonna Be Ok Foundation, where Cambodian students gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in future hospitality careers.
Day 14 Siem Reap
- Depart for your exploration of the temples of the Small Circuit
- Visit Preah Khan, originally known as "the city of victorious royal fortune"
- Depart by local Tuk-Tuk to visit the intricately carved ruins at Angkor Wat
- Visit the Lake Tonle Sap where you will learn about life on the lake
- Board a boat and visit the floating village of Chong Kneah
FCC Angkor by Avani or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter an early morning breakfast, explore the temples of the Small Circuit, including the most famous, the Ta Prohm temple. Shrouded in the jungle and left untouched among twisted banyan trees and stone pillars, it has the most mysterious atmosphere of the temples in the Angkor area. Visit Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the 12th century, and Srah Srang, also known as the "pool of ablutions," as well as the twin towers of Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.
Next, visit Preah Khan, originally known as "the city of victorious royal fortune." Built in the late 12th century in honor of the great King Jayavarman VII's father, this massive temple complex originally had a population of 97,840 in its service. Less frequently visited than its counterpart, Ta Prohm (which was built for the king's mother), Preah Khan is similar in design but is larger, more complex, and features numerous unique structures and carvings. Enjoy the sounds of exotic wildlife that now make the forested compound their home as you venture into the crumbling corridors of the labyrinthine complex in search of hidden features.
This afternoon, depart by local Tuk-Tuk to visit the intricately carved ruins at Angkor Wat, built by Suryavarman II during the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god Vishnu. Consisting of an enormous temple symbolizing the mythic Mt. Meru, its rectangular walls and moats represent chains of mountains and the cosmic ocean. Hundreds of delicate carvings and scenes from Hindu mythology can still be viewed here.
Continue to visit Lake Tonle Sap and learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, and its size varies greatly depending on the season. Board a boat and visit the Chong Kneah village to see floating houses, farms, and even a floating hospital.
Day 15 Siem Reap & Phnom Penh
- Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Phnom Penh
- Visit the National Museum containing over 5,000 statues and artifacts
- Visit the Royal Palace complex and the Silver Pagoda
- Spend the evening at leisure, or partake in an optional excursion
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, transfer to the airport to fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's fascinating, bustling capital city, on the banks of three rivers: the Mekong, the Tonle Sap, and the Tonle Bassac. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and check into your hotel.
This afternoon, visit the National Museum, built in 1917. Over 5,000 statues, lingas, and other artifacts are arranged according to Cambodia's history, which includes pre-Angkor and post-Angkor periods. Next, continue to the Royal Palace complex, dating back to the French colonial period of the 1860s. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 silver tiles covering its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple, admire a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
Tonight, explore Phnom Penh further on your own or participate in an optional excursion.
Optional Excursion: Phnom Penh Nightlife by Remork (purchased locally), $99Tonight, discover the capital city of Cambodia in a Tuk-Tuk and visit various nighttime venues, sampling Cambodia's nightlife and exotic cuisine, all of which feature an abundance of fresh and local ingredients. Khmer herbs and spices light up the flavors of striking Cambodian dishes, while the city's bright lights offer unique photo opportunities at some of Phnom Penh's most renowned landmarks. This remarkable city exploration provides a fun, exotic, and unique Cambodian culinary experience.
Day 16 Phnom Penh
- Pay a respectful visit to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields
- Be inspired by the smiling faces of the workers at the L'irresistible jam factory
- Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Discover the hilltop site of Wat Phnom
- Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full Day ItineraryThis morning, pay a respectful visit to Choeung Ek Killing Fields. This rural compound was used as an execution site and burial ground for some of the millions killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Here, you will learn about the atrocities and brutal killings at this site through an informative audio-headset tour complemented by the information provided by your local guide.
The next stop is in one of Phnom Penh's most impoverished neighborhoods; however, there are seeds of hope producing fruitful results. L'irrestistible is more than just a factory producing fruit jams and flavored syrups; it is the living and working space for sixteen intellectually disabled Cambodians. These individuals have been given jobs and are taught life skills by a handful of caring Khmer and French staff and volunteers from the Action Cambodge Handicap Foundation. The all-natural jams and simple syrups, made from local ingredients such as pumpkin and coconut, are genuinely delectable, and the warm welcome you'll receive from the workers will surely brighten your day.
After lunch, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a Khmer Rouge prison and torture chamber from which only seven out of 30,000 inmates survived. Take a sobering tour of the site, learn about the prison's history, and hear the stories of the people held within its walls.
Later, visit the historical site of Wat Phnom and its Buddhist temple on the hilltop. Named after Lady Penh, who discovered the five statues — one Vishnu statue and four Buddha statues — Wat Phnom stands at 150 feet tall.
End the day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow travelers.
Day 17 Depart Phnom Penh/Arrive USA
- Transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Bangkok Independent Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already included international airfare and add three days in exotic Bangkok, bustling capital of Thailand? Your extension includes airfare from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, three nights at a deluxe hotel, half day city tour, breakfast daily, and all group transfers!
Day 17 Depart Phnom Penh/Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
- Transfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand
- Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally located hotel
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, Montien Hotel Surawong or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryTransfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand, situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. You'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally-located hotel upon arrival. Your hotel boasts a prime location within walking distance of many attractions.
Note: Starting 10/7/25 and beyond, all passengers will stay at Montien Hotel Surawong.
Day 18 Bangkok
- Enjoy an included half-day sightseeing tour of Bangkok
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, Montien Hotel Surawong or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryAfter breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of the major landmarks of Bangkok. Visit the Grand Palace, which, for 150 years, functioned as the home of the King, his court, and the entire administrative seat of government. Within its grounds, see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), built to house a large Buddha image carved from a solid piece of green jadeite (jasper). Continue to Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, regarded as Thailand's first University, home to the magnificent reclining Buddha and the first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage.
Note: Starting 10/7/25 and beyond, all passengers will stay at Montien Hotel Surawong.
Day 19 Bangkok
- Enjoy a full day at leisure in Bangkok
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, Montien Hotel Surawong or similar Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryNote: Starting 10/7/25 and beyond, all passengers will stay at Montien Hotel Surawong.
Day 20 Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA via Taipei, Taiwan
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
Reviews & Photos
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about Cambodia? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Thailand? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
- What should I know about Vietnam? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.