Experience Overview
Southeast Asia is calling your name, and where better to start than with a deep dive into Cambodia and Vietnam? On this 23-day journey, you’ll see Wat’s up in Angkor with a full day pass into the ancient temple complex, laugh with the locals in Banteay Chhmar during a unique homestay experience, explore the markets in Siem Reap with a street food breakfast and see where the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers collide in Phnom Penh on a cruise at sunset. Hop over to Vietnam and see how the locals live, discover the rich history in Hoi An and taste some amazing food in Hue. Drift on the emerald waters around Cat Ba Island and go for a snoop through some of Hanoi's many markets. Enjoy unique homestays, explore national parks, eat your weight in fresh street eats and cycle through the countryside – what more could you ask for?
Highlights
- Take a sunset cruise on the Mekong River of Phnom Penh and raise a glass (the drink is included) to one of the most serene settings in the country. Maybe keep the vibes going at a hip rooftop bar!
- See the sunrise over the incredible Angkor complex and take a guided Tuk-tuk tour of all the best sites (including Angkor Wat and jungle-covered Ta Prohm) with a company focused on employing local women in the community.
- Bliss out on a luxurious homestay in the National Park of Pu Luong – wake up to the serenity of quiet, terraced rice paddy fields, trek the local land to take in the scenery and meet some local tribes to learn about their culture.
- See limestone karsts, blue-green waters, mysterious caves and ancient jungle on Cat Ba Island – this place feels a lot like paradise, and you’ll be kayaking your way through its hidden bays.
- Tick Hanoi off your bucket list – walk the picturesque streets, try the famous banh mi and egg coffee and maybe even take a seat at a rooftop bar and order a pho cocktail. You'll have loads of free time to discover this place at your own pace, too!
Trip Details
Product Code: 2727
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Boat,Overnight sleeper train,Public bus,Private minibus,Remork (Tuk-tuk)
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: TKYMC
Starts: Bangkok, Cambodia
Finishes: Hanoi, Cambodia
Duration: 23 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (4), Dinner (5)Accommodation: Hostel (3 nights),Guesthouse (1 night),Homestay (3 nights),Hotel (13 nights),Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1827 (CAD 79 /day)
Itinerary
Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Bangkok with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bangkok has so much going on, so if you've got time to explore this Southeast Asian hub, why not hit the canals for a riverboat trip to Chinatown? Maybe visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or indulge in a pre-adventure massage. Tonight, maybe opt to get together with your new fellow travellers and head out for a green curry or tom yum goong (spicy seafood soup) for dinner.
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
- Bangkok - Wat Pho (300 THB)
- Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)
- Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure (2900 THB)
- Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure (1960 THB)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise 'n' shine early this morning to leave Thailand and head into Cambodia! Your first destination on your Cambodian journey is Banteay Chhmar, which translates as Citadel of the Cat. This charming little village is far off the tourist trail and dotted with several temples. Take the chance to stretch your legs as you leader takes you on a walk to explore the village. Tonight, you'll experience traditional hospitality from a local family in a Khmer house set on wooden stilts – this homestay experience is the perfect way to get to know the locals and immerse yourself in their culture. As the day comes to an end, sit down to a delicious Khmer dinner by torchlight in the grounds of the temple or at a local community centre (depending on the weather).
Included Activities:
- Banteay Chmar - Village Walk
- Banteay Chhmar - Homestay
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
After a peaceful night, you’ll visit the temple in the middle of Banteay Chhmar this morning. Similar to many Khmer temples in Cambodia, this temple is surrounded by water, which often represents the ocean surrounding the Temple Mountain (an architectural representation of the Hindu god’s home Mount Meru). After, you’ll take a private vehicle to Siem Reap – a popular city where you’ll spend the next couple of days. When you arrive, maybe spend some time looking around the central markets and pick up some delicious food for dinner.
Included Activities:
- Banteay Chhmar - Banteay Chhmar Temple visit
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
Early this morning, you’ll visit the mighty Angkor complex at sunrise – this is the largest religious structure in the world, and it’s pretty special to see the dawn rise over the temples. Get the camera ready because these 400 acres are full of picturesque settings. You’ll take a guided tour of the complex on a Tuk-tuk with a local social enterprise that focuses on providing employment opportunities for women in the community – and see the larger-than-life Angkor Wat, the grand Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some buildings are over a thousand years old from the Khmer Empire – these beauties were known to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. If you like, try to catch the majesty of the temples at sunset, too – you can even head back to your accommodation after your guided tour for a nap and then re-enter the site in the late afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a traditional homemade dinner in a local family's home.
Included Activities:
- Siem Reap - One day Angkor Pass
- Siem Reap - Home cooked dinner
- Siem Reap - Angkor Wat Sunrise
- Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour by TukTuk
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you can take up an awesome street food breakfast in Siem Reap’s local market. Then, today is free for you to experience the city however you want. If you're all templed out, you can opt for an Angkor zip-line course, which will have you soaring like an eagle over the rainforest. Your leader will know all the best things to do, so ask them if you’re stuck.
Included Activities:
- Siem Reap - Street food breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Siem Reap - Phare Circus Ticket (18 USD)
- Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass (62 USD)
- Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Silver Tour (54 USD)
- Siem Reap - Landmine Museum (5 USD)
- Siem Reap - Full day remork transport to Angkor complex (20 USD)
- Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Gold Tour (87 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
Time to head to Cambodia’s capital – Phnom Penh. Take a public bus through the Cambodian countryside until you reach the bustling city. Phnom Penh sits at the junction of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers and used to be known as Krong Chaktomuk (the City of Four Faces) – this river junction forms an X crossing, representing four geographic ‘faces’ of the city and surrounding area. The main centre of the city sits on the Western bank of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. In the evening, you’ll head out with your group for a sunset river cruise and enjoy an included drink as you sail along the water and see the city from a different perspective. Then, you might like to hit up a rooftop bar with some amazing views of the city – there are tonnes of options to choose from, so just ask your leader and they’ll point you in the right direction!
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Sunset River Cruise
Optional Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom (2 USD)
- Phnom Penh - National Museum (10 USD)
- Phnom Penh - Khmer massage (8 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll have the chance to learn more about the country's sobering history and the Khmer Rouge atrocities at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The rest of the day is free to explore the city. If you're in the mood for some shopping, maybe check out the Psar Thmei (Central Market), located in an old French colonial building. Maybe stop by the temple of Wat Phnom, the National Museum or the French Quarter. A popular activity here is to jump in a cyclo with a local – sunset is the best time to explore the busy streets, in search of some beautiful scenery and pretty incredible views.
Included Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
- Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
Optional Activities:
- Phnom Penh - Cyclo Tour (4 USD)
- Phnom Penh - Khmer massage (8 USD)
- Phnom Penh - National Museum (10 USD)
- Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom (2 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel by public bus to Ho Chi Minh City this morning – this is a long drive but there will be stops for lunch and to stretch your legs. Your leader knows the drill, so they'll assist you with border crossing procedures. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and get your first taste of this fast-paced, fun city. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is quite the hub of markets, stalls and Vietnamese history, and much of city life happens on the streets. You'll see it's a combo of all kinds of flavours, old and new, East and West. Try a French baguette, get your pho fix and caffeine hit with some Vietnamese coffee, best shared with the locals.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today is free to explore the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh at your own pace. Much of city life takes place on the busy streets lined with shops, stalls and vendors, who have their wares spread out on the footpath and sell everything from soup to sophisticated electronics. You’ll have another meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet some new members of the group. After, why not head into the Ben Thanh night market for a serving of pho or bun with your fellow travellers?
Optional Activities:
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum (40000 VND)
- Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace (40000 VND)
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure (45 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, head down to the Mekong Delta and visit Ben Tre, where the humble coconut is everything and anything. The fertile delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits and flowers as well as boating along the canals. When you arrive, board a private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways to visit some cottage industries, where you’ll have the chance to interact with the locals of the area. In the evening, head to a guesthouse along the water and enjoy some time to relax among the soothing sounds of the river.
Included Activities:
- Mekong Delta - Homestay and Boat Cruise
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise early to the sounds of the delta coming alive and enjoy a simple breakfast before catching a bus back to Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy some free time in Ho Chi Minh City to check out a few more sites or some tasty street food snacks. There will be a leader-led orientation walk around the city, where you might choose to try the iconic Saigon café’s sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) as your leader shares stories about local life. Late this evening, board an overnight train bound for Hoi An – a historical town on the central coast. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are all part of the experience and the best way to travel long distances with the locals.
Included Activities:
- Ho Chi Minh City - Orientation Walk
Accommodation:
- Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
Arrive in Danang in the early afternoon and travel by minibus to Hoi An. Recently declared a World Heritage-listed site, Hoi An is beautifully restored and preserved. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South-East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of Hoi An look exactly as they did over a century ago. Among the feeling of decades past, it's also a shopping mecca! You can choose from original paintings, hand-crafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns, and so much more if you’re after a good deal or some souvenirs. Hoi An has also become famous for its tailoring, with many tailors and fabrics to choose from. Bring your favourite piece of clothing or even just a picture, and you can have it copied. When you arrive, head out on a walking tour of the Old Town. After, you’re free to explore Hoi An at your own pace.
Included Activities:
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There's no better way to explore the peaceful countryside of Hoi An than by bike. For a true insight into country living in Vietnam, join your leader in cycling past green rice paddies, over small creeks and through rural villages. Later in the day, you may like to cycle or catch a local bus to Cua Dai Beach near Hoi An centre for an afternoon on the stunning Eastern Sea. If you would like to see more of the Vietnamese countryside and visit some temples, you could book yourself into a My Son Cham day trip. The afternoon is yours to do as you please – you might like to wander to streets with your camera and discover all the colourful buildings lit up by lanterns as the sun goes down.
Included Activities:
- Hoi An - Countryside bicycle tour
Optional Activities:
- Hoi An - My Son Cham tour (entrance fee, guide and transport included) (45 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Departing Hoi An, you’ll cross the dramatic Hai Van Pass this morning, with a quick stop and photo opportunity before continuing to Hue. As the former imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of Vietnam's royal past and is a curious mix of bustling streets and tranquil settings. Your afternoon is free to go exploring. The Dong Ba market, which sells everything imaginable, is a great place to spend some time. See the Imperial Citadel, including a visit to the Forbidden Purple City, which was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive. In the evening, sit back, relax and enjoy a traditional dinner in a local home. These experiences off the beaten track are the ones you’ll remember.
Included Activities:
- Hue - Home cooked dinner
Optional Activities:
- Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour (69 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
You’ve got the whole day to explore stunning Hue today. Head out with your group on a street food experience in the morning to pick up a delicious market breakfast and pass by all the local traders. Later, you may like to take a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River and visit Thien Mu Pagoda – considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. It's an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. One of the most poignant displays is a car belonging to a former monk who in 1963 drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Otherwise, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an optional motorbike tour, riding with a local guide around the sights.
Included Activities:
- Hue - Street food breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Hue - Perfume River cruise & Thien Mu Pagoda (220000 VND)
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (150000 VND)
- Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (without lunch) (23 USD)
- Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (with lunch) (28 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Jump on the bus and make your way to Quang Tri. If you’re keen, it’s just a small fee to visit the Hien Luong Bridge and Vinh Moc tunnels. Hien Luong Bridge separated the North from the South during the war. The tunnels at Vinh Moc are an expansive network of limestone tunnels that locals used as shelters from the bombing. Travel on to Phong Nha and spend the afternoon exploring your surroundings. You'll stay just outside Phong Nha Town, near Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – an amazing landscape full of caves and underground rivers.
Optional Activities:
- Quang Tri - Hien Luong Bridge (40000 VND)
- Quang Tri - Vinh Moc Tunnels (40000 VND)
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free day to explore Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park – at 400 million years old, this World Heritage Site is the oldest karst mountain range in Asia. You might like to take a boat through Phong Nha Cave or check out the spectacular Paradise Cave. If caves aren’t your thing, chat with your leader about a kayaking adventure in Suoi Mooc. Otherwise, chill out with a coffee and soak in the river views. Later today, you'll head back to Dong Hoi and hop back on a sleeper train – you'll be a pro at this by now.
Optional Activities:
- Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - Paradise Cave (250000 VND)
- Suoi Mooc - Kayaking and Swimming (180000 VND)
- Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park - Phong Nha Cave (150000 VND)
Accommodation:
- Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
Arrive in Hanoi very early this morning and transfer to your hotel, leaving your luggage and setting out to discover the city. Hanoi is known for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, lush public parks and thriving Old Quarter – an architectural museum with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a 1930s provincial French town. As Vietnam develops to compete with other South-East Asian countries, the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake reflects the contrasts of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and the tangle of ancient streets on its still surface. Take a walking tour of the Old Quarter and the French Quarter with your leader, visiting the Dong Xuan market (the biggest wholesale market in northern Vietnam). Stroll through the ancient '36 streets' where you can discover an amazing selection of shops selling everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing and beautifully embroidered tablecloths. Your leader will point out some of the unique architecture around Hoan Kiem Lake and the myths and legends of the lake, and you’ll sit down for a banh mi lunch.
Included Activities:
- Hanoi - Old Quarter & French Quarter Walking Tour
- Hanoi - Banh Mi Lunch
Optional Activities:
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex (80000 VND)
- Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum (30000 VND)
- Hanoi - Army Museum (20000 VND)
- Hanoi - Women's Museum (30000 VND)
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature (70000 VND)
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison (50000 VND)
- Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology (40000 VND)
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (40 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Leave Hanoi this morning and travel to Pu Luong – one of the most beautiful sites in rural Vietnam with expansive rice paddy fields surrounded by the National Park. When you arrive, you’ll check in to your unique homestay accommodation, with rooms boasting views of the rice fields. Have a quick lunch then head out for a trek in the middle of this natural paradise. You’ll see the impressive water wheel in the village, locals working in the fields, and you’ll visit a few local tribes, giving you the opportunity to learn about their culture and customs firsthand.
Included Activities:
- Pu Luong - Homestay and Village Walk
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then make your way back to Hanoi. Today, you’ll visit The Intrepid Foundation partner Vun Art – a local organisation empowering people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing job training and employment opportunities. See how they produce tote bags and art pieces from the discarded silk that comes from Van Phuc Silk Village. Vun Art also aims to reduce climate impact by reusing these scraps and in the process, keeping traditional art alive. First, the fabric is cut into mosaics, then gathered and glued individually and finally, it’s pressed in the heat press machine. Tonight, you’re free to find the perfect spot (or street food) for dinner. After, maybe head out to explore the bars and discover the streets after sundown.
Included Activities:
- Hanoi - Vun Art Visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island – the largest island in the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay area. With thousands of limestone islands and formations scattered around, this is one of the quintessential Vietnamese scenes where bright green water is dotted with traditional junk boats. Take a boat around Lan Ha Bay, then get up close and personal with this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Stay overnight on Cat Ba Island and enjoy a dip at one of the beaches (and maybe a cold beer).
Included Activities:
- Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
- Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Wake up in paradise, and maybe start your morning with a refreshing swim. Ensure you soak up as much sun and sand as possible, as it's back to Hanoi later in the afternoon via ferry and bus. Being such a large city, Hanoi has so much to explore. This afternoon, you could head to the French Quarter to see the European influences on parts of Hanoi’s architecture, or otherwise, get the gang together and stake out a roadside stall for some chargrilled meats or pho cuon (rice noodle rolls).
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned for today, and you can depart the accommodation at any time. With so much to see and do in Hanoi, why not book an Urban Adventure? Hanoi Street Food Experience is a good pick – a 3-hour tour where you’ll get to sample some amazing eats from markets, street cafes, food carts and other secret spots. If you would like to spend some more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent.
Optional Activities:
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (40 USD)
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Eleanor - Traveled, April 2023
Fantastic experience for my first time in both Cambodia and Vietnam! Incredible food, activities, tour guides and people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/30/2023
Mark - Traveled, October 2023
Amazing trip! The tour guides are fantastic at what they do, providing an in-depth knowledge, and great level of care. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to see Cambodia and Vietnam, and I will definitely travel with Intrepid again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2023
Dana - Traveled, July 2022
Intrepid offers an incredivle variety of activities, adventure and leisure. The mix of excitement, relaxation and mesmerization never ceases to amaze me. While being a tourist, the care of Intrepid about locals, the heritage and environment of the destinations makes me feel like more than just a tourist.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/15/2022
Rhianna - Traveled, July 2022
Best trip ever. Cambodia and vietnam are both amazing and unique. My guides Ly and Jay made the trip so special, thank you.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/03/2022
Soames - Traveled, May 2023
The tour leader THEAVY made Cambodia the best country I’ve ever visited. Intrepid made the trip very safe and amazing. I would totally book another trip with them.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/24/2023
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