Arrival in Hanoi. Flight to Luang Prabang Meal: Not included | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang Upon arrival in Hanoi, we will take an overnight flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, we will be met by our guide and driver for a short transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Luang Prabang – City Tour – Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang We begin today’s tour with a visit to the picturesque Royal Palace Museum, which provides an excellent overview of the culture and history of this ancient city. We then stroll through the quiet alleyways to the beautiful and historic Heuan Chan Heritage House, taking in its history and architectural delights as you learn about its connection to the Royal Palace. After a refreshing iced tea in the gardens, we continue our walk along the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. With a roof that extends all the way to the ground, this temple’s architecture best represents the classical style of Luang Prabang. We stroll through the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili, where the temple’s charming traditional library building houses a historic photographic exhibition of Buddhist heritage. Our final visit this morning is to the excellent ‘Centre for Traditional Arts and Ethnology’, which gives us an excellent insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural mix of Laos. In the early afternoon we will board a private boat for a cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy the tranquil scenery until we reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two caves set in a limestone cliff overlooking the Mekong River, filled with thousands of Buddha Statues of various shapes and sizes. We will then return downstream, stopping at Wat Done Khoun, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong. We continue downstream as the sun sets behind the mountains. We enjoy the scenery before returning to Luang Prabang after sunset.

Luang Prabang – Rice Farming Experience (Shared) Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang Transfer by car at 8:15 am to Living Lands Organic Farm, where we meet our local agricultural guide. We are invited to interact and experience each stage of the rice harvest, learning how rice is traditionally cultivated in a very interactive way. The tour ends around 1 pm, with a tasting of traditional rice-based foods. We will have a new perspective on rice and admiration for the Lao people who to this day continue to harvest rice without modern machinery. Returning to Luang Prabang, we have the option of stopping at Ock Pop Tock, where the entire silk weaving process is explained.

Luang Prabang – Tak Bat – Kuang Si Waterfall - Flight Luang Prabang to Hanoi Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi We can ask our guide to start early in the morning (5:30 am) to witness and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks. This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals of Luang Prabang. We can also visit the local fresh produce market to see how the locals shop, before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will leave the city which takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall, where we have the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Near the waterfalls there is a Bear Rescue Center, which does an excellent job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We will return to Luang Prabang by noon. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Meeting at Noi Bai airport and transfer to the hotel in the center by our tour guide and driver.

Hanoi City Tour Meal: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi In the morning, we head to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ba Dinh Square, which provides valuable insights into the life and times of one of the 20th century’s most successful leaders; as well as the Old Pillar Pagoda. After that, we visit the historic Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1070. In the afternoon, we head to the excellent Museum of Ethnology for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups and enjoy a performance of traditional Water Puppetry, an art form unique to northern Vietnam, in the museum’s open-air stage (a good and lively introduction to rural culture). Returning to the Old Quarter, we will take a bike tour through the colonial and old quarters to discover the city's architectural mix of French colonial style, social realism (mainly public buildings - designed or influenced by the USSR), pagodas and communal houses with many Chinese features, merchants' residences, 'tubular' dwellings, modern buildings and traditional houses. Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Halong Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Treasure Junk This morning, from 8:00 to 8:30, we will depart from the hotel and set off on a 3.5-hour journey to Halong City. Upon arrival, we will board the Treasure Junk and begin cruising towards the edge of Halong Bay while being served a delicious lunch of fresh seafood (vegetarian and children's menus available). Relax and unwind after lunch. Hundreds of emerging limestone rock formations will parade around us for about 2 hours before our first stop. We will then arrive at the perfect spot where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long lap and undulate together. We will prepare to take a closer look at the water and explore the bay in depth on our own kayak. We will return to the vessel before sunset, where we can enjoy drinks on board as we cruise to the anchorage where we will spend the night at sea. Dinner will be served indoors or outdoors on deck, depending on the weather conditions. Overnight on board in our cozy air-conditioned cabin with private bathroom.

Halong - Ninh Binh Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Overnight: Ninh Binh Wake gently as you witness the silence of the misty bay. Coffee, tea and pastries will be served from 6:30am. You will be free to join a 30-minute Tai Chi session at first light, led by your onboard Tai Chi master, to energise your body, mind and soul, although if you prefer, you can simply enjoy a sunbath with a cup of coffee. Later, you will board a bamboo boat to visit a secluded floating village surrounded by mountains. You will make your way among the many floating houses and small rowing boats that are used in everyday life as vehicles, mobile shops, fishing vessels and sometimes as overnight shelters. You will be back at your Treasure Junk before 9am to begin your cruise back to the pier. Brunch will be served from 9:30 am. We will observe for the last time the emerging rocks, immobile like the eternal guardians of a kingdom, we are about to arrive at the pier. 11:30 am – Transfer from Halong to Ninh Binh. The trip takes about 5 hours, we will arrive in Tam Coc at the end of the afternoon.

Ninh Binh - Dong Hoi - Phong Nha Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Chay Lap Today is a busy day. After breakfast, we head to Hang Mua (Mua Cave) for an adventure of 500 steps to a spectacular viewpoint. It’s best to arrive early to get a good spot, and once at the top, we’ll enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding rivers, rice paddies and villages. Back in Tam Coc, we’ll set off on a leisurely bike ride to a local pier to board a rowing sampan for about an hour, sailing along the less busy canals of the region, whose beauty is incomparable to the busier ones. We will cruise through caves and along the Thung Nham marshland, part of the spectacular Trang An landscape complex. After the boat ride, we will stop en route to visit the famous Bich Dong Pagoda in the Ngu Nhac Mountains, exploring the unique cave pagodas that date back to the 15th century. We will then continue our cycling route through the picturesque countryside of Tam Coc, having the opportunity to see more of the rural village life. We will return to our hotel for check-out. A late lunch will be served in one of the village houses. We will then depart for Hoa Lu – the former imperial capital. We will learn some of the history of Vietnam before heading to Phong Nha. It is a long journey ahead, but in a comfortable private van, for 6 to 6.5 hours. The first journey from Ninh Binh to Nghe An (3 hours) will be by expressway. The remaining part of the route will follow the coastal road at times, taking us from Nghe An to Dong Hoi, to our destination in Phong Nha. Some suggested places for a short break and dinner:

Explore Phong Nha Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Accommodation: Chay Lap hotel After breakfast, we will start with a light walk to its botanical garden. Located in the center of the park, the garden is home to Gio Waterfall, Vang Anh Lake, a prototype exhibition house. The 3km walk along a natural path allows you to get a closer look at the park's plant nursery and areas of precious and rare plants. In the afternoon, we will board a small motorboat to Phong Nha Cave. It takes about 20 minutes on the river to reach the pristine and beautiful site. We will turn off the boat's engine upon entering the cave. We will also have the opportunity to get off the boat and walk around. We will then return to another pier and head towards the national park on a quiet country road to Chay Lap village. Dinner and overnight at Chay Lap Farmstay.

Explore Phong Nha Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Accommodation: Hotel in Chay Lap In the morning, weather permitting, we have about 1 hour to explore the Chay Lap area by bike or kayak. At 9:30 am - we head down a small winding road to Paradise Cave. Discovered in 2005, it is 31 km long and 100 to 150 meters high. Impressive. The amount of walking will depend on the group's preference; we just make sure to provide enough to give the group an impressive sense of grandeur. We then head back to the car and head to a local restaurant for some cool drinks and some local specialties: roast chicken and vegetables. After lunch, time is at leisure. Weather permitting, we can try some fun activities in the Dark Cave area (ticket included) or just relax by the Chay River. Around 3pm - the car takes us to Chay Lap Farmstay to spend the night there.

Phong Nha - Hue Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hue 8:00 am – we leave Chay Lap for Hue city. On the way, we will make a short stop at the Vinh Moc tunnels. A miniature underground village that is also the largest historical tunnel in Vietnam’s DMZ. The Vinh Moc tunnel complex was built to house the population of Son Trung and Son Ha communes in Vinh Linh county, Quang Tri province. The complex grew to consist of wells, kitchens, rooms for each family and clinics. About 60 families lived in the tunnels; about 17 children were born inside the tunnels and no villagers lost their lives as a result. We continue on to Hue after the tour. We arrive at the Hue hotel around 1:00 pm/2:00 pm. After this long journey, we suggest a free afternoon, to rest or stroll at your own pace, to recover your energy and make the most of the rest of the trip. Overnight in Hue. NOTE: The Vinh Moc Tunnels are an extensive network of tunnels and underground chambers located near the coast in Quang Tri province. The tunnels are located in a picturesque coastal area, adding to the overall experience. There are beautiful views of the South China Sea and you can also visit the nearby beaches. Basically, it takes about 4 hours from Hue to Hoi An and if you want to stop at the tunnels on the way, it only takes another hour.

Hue - Heritage, Nature and People Meal: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Hue Around 9:30am – we start a visit to the citadel for an introduction to the history of Vietnam, its emperors, mandarins and feudal system. A past heritage that is reinvented by the person we will visit next. This artist has taken the tradition of using bamboo for paper production to a whole new level with his innovative techniques. Our morning ends with a leisurely visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Vietnam that was built in the early 17th century. We cross the Perfume River on a local boat and arrive at the village of Thuy Bieu for lunch in a local home. The village is a veritable maze of narrow alleys that lead to old garden houses, each more beautiful than the last. But the real treasure of this village is its people, descendants of the mandarins. We will take a gentle walk and stop at some houses to meet the villagers and taste some of their fruits. On the way back to the city center, we visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and climb a small hill to get a panoramic view of the Perfume River. Overnight in Hué.

Hue - Hoi An by motorbike. Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An 8:00 - 8:30: Check out from hotel. Are you ready for an Easy Rider adventure? Once on our motorbikes, we’ll head to a fishing farm and then to Mo Waterfall. As we head towards Hoi An, we’ll cruise past the stunning Tam Giang Lagoon, which offers a glimpse of its tranquil beauty. We’ll also have the opportunity to relax on Lang Co Beach, with its pristine white sand and crystal clear waters. We’ll have lunch at a seafood restaurant on the beach of Lang Co Lagoon. We’ll be amazed as we conquer the majestic Hai Van Pass, known for its panoramic views of the mountains, valleys and coastline. This iconic route is a favourite among Easy Rider enthusiasts and provides an exhilarating experience as we navigate its winding roads. Along the way, we will stop at notable landmarks such as the mythical Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), with their intriguing caves, tombs and pagodas carved into ancient rock formations. Overnight in Hoi An. NOTE: From Hue to Hoi An there is a support vehicle for your luggage.

Sunset River Cruise and Bike Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An After a leisurely morning at leisure, at 2:30pm/3:00pm we will depart from our hotel by bike and cross the river to Cam Kim Island, enjoying a gentle ride through rice fields, coconut groves and villages of traditional local crafts. The route takes us to Duy Vinh – a hidden village famous for its reed mattress weaving. After about 1.5 hours cycling we will arrive at the village pier, where we will find a traditional boat waiting to take us back to the Ancient Town, in time to watch the sunset over the river and the ancient architecture. Later today we will enjoy a fun ride on the “basket boats”. In the past, when the French arrived in Vietnam they began to charge taxes on boat ownership. Most of the poor Vietnamese fishermen who could not afford to pay taxes and had no other choice, created a new type of boat: the “Thung Chai”. The basket boat is made of bamboo and shaped like a basket. Therefore, it could not be considered a boat.

Cooking class in Hoi An. Fly to Siem Reap Meals: Breakfast, lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap We start the day (8:15am) with a drink at Hai Scout Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Tel: 054.3863210) – our meeting point. We visit the colourful Hoi An market and experience the incredible sights, sounds and smells of this bustling market. We will have the opportunity to interact with local vendors and purchase some of the ingredients to use later in the cooking class. We will board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is an opportunity to see local river life, so make sure you have your camera handy. On arrival, we will explore the cooking school’s vegetable and herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s most famous dishes. The cooking class lasts about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge School chefs before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decorating). After the class, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked. Based on the flight schedule, we are taken on the evening flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, we will be met and transferred to our hotel.

Siem Reap - Sunrise and Angkor Wat Tours Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Siem Reap hotel Rising at dawn, we travel to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Considered the largest religious building in the world, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength for all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is Angkor’s most famous temple. We stay at Angkor Wat to enjoy a picnic breakfast. As the crowds return to their hotels, we venture into Angkor Wat to enjoy its magnificence in peace and quiet. We begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell stories of Hindu mythology and the glories of the Khmer empire. Stretching for almost a kilometre, these intricate carvings are a contender for the world’s longest uninterrupted work of art. Following in the footsteps of the devotees who stand before us, we then continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are the steepest of all, as pilgrims of old bowed down on their pilgrimage to meet the Gods. Finally the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry so perfect that it takes a few moments to absorb the space. Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century): the South Gate with its enormous statues representing the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Dinner not included and overnight stay at the hotel.

Siem Reap - Shiva Valley - Banteay Srey Temples Meal: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the region. Ta Prohm has remained relatively untouched since its discovery and retains much of its mystery, being the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor Plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th-century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. After lunch and a snack at the hotel, you will enjoy the wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Hill. Dinner not included and overnight at the hotel.

Tonle Sap Lake in Kampong Phluk village. Departure from Siem Reap Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Not included In the morning we will take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake in Kampong Phluk village. This is the largest freshwater lake in South-West Asia which flows into the Tonle Sap River, which then joins the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. We will see a “floating village” of fishermen with floating schools, floating police station, etc. The same as a large village, but floating on the lake from one place to another, following the water levels and currents. Lunch is not included. Depending on our departure time, we will be transferred to Siem Reap airport for our flight home.