Southeast Asian Odyssey

Explore the natural wonders and national treasures of Southeast Asia. Experience the bustling city of Hanoi, the mystic waters of the stretching Mekong Delta, the historic capital Ho Chi Minh City and relax on a cruise on HaLong Bay. Delve into Cambodian history in the capital of Phnom Penh and discover Siem Reap. Be amazed by eye-opening Bangkok and explore the legendary temples of Angkor Wat.

Itinerary

1st Day: Canada - Night on board

Arrive at your Canadian departure airport* ready to check in for an overnight flight to Hanoi. Night on board.

*If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

2nd Day: Hanoi

Arrive at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel. Hanoi is a city characterized by centuries-old architecture and vibrant Southeast Asian culture, located in the heart of Vietnam. It offers a variety of unique experiences, from its impressive temples and lively culture, to its busy markets and world-renowned cuisine. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to begin discovering this fascinating city. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

3rd Day: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll learn more about Hanoi’s history and get a slice of local life through several stops throughout the city. Start with the Temple of Literature, an early university founded back in 1070 AD. Take a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where the street names refer to expert artisans who used to sell their wares here. Stop at a local market where you can enjoy a coffee or tea while taking a midday break.

Stop for photo ops at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts, the Governor’s Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. End your day of exploring with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, originally built by the French and later referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton” by American prisoners of war. Return to the hotel in the evening for your overnight stay.

Included Activity

• Hanoi city tour
  See the highlights of Hanoi! Visit the Temple of Literature, walk through the Old Quarter, stop by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh House on Stilts, the Governor’s Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda before ending the day at Hoa Lo Prison.

4th Day: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Hanoi today, experiencing the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's busiest and most vibrant city! We recommend an optional excursion to the beautiful natural area of Ninh Binh.* Overnight stay in Hanoi.
*Optional excursion to Ninh Binh (full-day with lunch): Set off in the morning, enjoying the unusual landscapes you will encounter on route. Arrive in the province of Ninh Binh at your first destination, Tam Coc, and embark on a small rowboat to journey through unforgettable scenery. Come across local villages, spectacular caves and endless panoramas that you will remember forever. Next, visit the Bich Dong pagoda, just 2 km from Tam Coc, which received the nickname of "The second most beautiful cave in Vietnam" by an ancient king. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, head by road to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam until 1010, when it was transferred to Thang Long-Hanoi, leaving in their past the temples to the kings Dinh & Le. 

5th Day: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay / Lan Ha Bay

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage area of outstanding natural beauty known for its limestone islands and glistening waters. Travel through the rich farmlands of the delta and witness the daily life of the Vietnamese villages. Arrive in Ha Long and board a traditional junk boat, to begin your cruise on the bay with a welcome drink. Lunch on board. The cruise passes by many fascinating islets and may stop for a while to visit local fishing villages, caves and limestone islands. Relax at your leisure on the sun deck. Dinner and overnight on board.

Included Activity

• Ha Long Bay Cruise
  Even though you will be seated most of the time, you may be required to walk short distances or climb some steps. 

6th Day: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh

Early risers are invited to participate in a Tai Chi demonstration on the upper bridge. Afterwards a light breakfast will be served, and later, a splendid brunch aboard the boat as you continue to navigate through the myriad of islands and islets, paying a visit to the most notable of them. By midday, we bid farewell to the fascinating panorama of Halong Bay and head back to Hanoi.

On arrival, transfer to the Hanoi airport for your flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Immediately transfer to your hotel when you land. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

7th Day: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a full-day tour to soak up the rich tapestry of history and culture in Ho Chi Minh City. Visits Dong Khoi Street, home to many of the city's most important sites from the French colonial period, when the city became known as the 'Paris of the Orient'. Appreciate the restored Opera House, based on the Petit Palace in Paris and visit the Grand Hotel de Ville, now formally re-branded as the People's Committee Hall. Be amazed by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the impressive Central Post Office, designed by the architect Gustav Eiffel. In District 5 visit China Town and the iconic Thien Hau Temple, built in honour of the goddess of the sea. Conclude your day discovery at the bustling Ben Thanh market. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Included Activity

• Full-Day Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Tour
  Soak up the rich tapestry of history and culture in Ho Chi Minh City. Be amazed by Notre Dame Cathedral, Thien Hau Temple and bustling Ben Thanh market as you explore the city!

8th Day: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure! If you want to learn more about Vietnam’s military history, join our optional excursion to Cu Chi* for a fascinating look at this complex network of tunnels.
*Optional half-day excursion to Cu Chi: This memorable half-day excursion will give another insight into the history of the country. During the visit, explore the famous Cu Chi tunnels, located 70 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City (an hour and a half by car). This is an underground city, built in 1948 by the Viet Minh to fight the French, you will find living rooms, kitchen, warehouses, armories, hospitals, command centers. During the War against the United States, the entire Cu Chi area was declared one of the battlefields and heavily bombed. It is such an interesting place and a must visit for those who are interested in learning about the history of the Vietnamese during such difficult times.

9th Day: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you have the day to explore at your leisure, or, why not take part in our optional excursion to discover the magical Mekong Delta.* Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
*Optional Mekong Delta Excursion: Depart to Ben Tre province crossing Rach Mieu bridge. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River, one of the tributes of Mekong River while witnessing the lively activities of local life along the way. Stop at a brick kiln and visit one of the many coconut processing workshops located along the canal. Take a motorized cart or bicycle along the shady paths and pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to discover everyday life on the river. Take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before you return to the pier. 

10th Day: Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you say goodbye to Vietnam and head by road to Cambodia! After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh on the Mekong Express and Giant Ibis bus. The journey takes you through the country, so sit back and enjoy the ride. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the evening, transfer to your hotel for check-in and take the rest of the evening to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

*The Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh is 230 km long and will take approximately 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take an optional flight (approximately 1-hour flight time). This can be purchased in the next step of the booking process.

11th Day: Phnom Penh

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a poignant excursion to The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, for a moving insight into the bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. Realise the horror and tragedy of this period in Cambodian history at the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and visit the notorious Killing Fields. The rest of the day is at your leisure. We recommend an optional city tour to get to know Phnom Penh's most emblematic sights*. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh. 
*Optional Phnom Penh City Tour: Explore Cambodia’s capital and its major landmarks including the fascinating Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda. We then will take one hour boat cruise on the Mekong River.

Included Activity

• The Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek

  Even though you will be seated most of the time, you may be required to walk short distances or climb some steps. Visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, which will give you a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge.

12th Day: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, catch the Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus* from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap for check-in. Enjoy exploring this vibrant city at your own pace as the rest of the day is your free time at leisure. We recommend heading out to discover the well-known night market and Pub Street. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

13th Day: Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a captivating journey to explore the mystical world of ancient temples. Start your adventure near Angkor Thom. Discover the Bayon temple, a masterpiece adorned with 54 towers that bear 200 serene faces of Avolokitesvara, evoking a sense of divine calm. Journey onward to the Baphuon temple, a testament to the grandeur of Jayavarman I's reign.

Explore the Phimeanakas, where tales of royalty echo through time. Wander the terraces of the leper king and elephants. History and intrigue steep each spot. Our next stop is Ta Prohm. The temple is mesmerizing and wrapped in nature's embrace. Ancient stones mix with towering roots to keep its enigmatic allure.

In the afternoon, we unveil the crown jewel of Angkor: the revered Angkor Wat. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for its great architecture and spiritual meaning. As the day ends, bask in the sunset's ethereal glow over Angkor Wat. Head back to Siem Reap for the evening, where you can take part in an optional tuk-tuk tour* to check out the vibrant street food scene. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.
*Optional Tuk-Tuk Street Food tour (night tour): Enjoy an exciting ride on a Tuk Tuk to a local night market and immerse yourself in local culture. Look out for all the different types of local street food, snacks, fruits, knickknacks and clothes. Stroll around the market, why not be brave and try some of the Cambodian-specialty fried snacks, like grasshoppers, spiders, cockroaches, crickets and baby frogs... These are all Cambodian favorites! To end this exciting excursion, head to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional dinner, cooked by locals in true Cambodian style.

Included Activity

• Full-Day Angkor Temples Excursion

  You will be required to walk short distances and climb some steps. Time will be spent both standing and sitting down. Visit the imperial city of Angkor Thom. It was dedicated to the god Vishnu and is filled with impressive temples. They include Bayon with its stone-carved faces, Baphuon, Ta Prohm, and the most revered of all, Angkor Wat.

14th Day: Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel. Take advantage of another free day to relax or make new discoveries in Siem Reap. For those interested in discovering ancient temples, come along on an optional excursion to the Citadel of Women* on the city’s outskirts. After a fun day, return to the hotel for your overnight stay in Siem Reap.
*Optional excursion to the Citadel of Women: Visit Banteay Srei, translates to “the Citadel of the Women.” Originally constructed in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures. Its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings that have been remarkably well preserved. These magnificent ruins offer a great insight into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs.  Drive back to downtown Siem Reap, stopping along the way to visit Banteay Samre, the 12th-century Hindu temple often called a “mini Angkor Wat.”

15th Day: Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the lively city center. We recommend enjoying an optional excursion to a Blessing Ceremony at the pagoda and visit to Tonle Sap Lake*. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.
*Optional Excursion to a Blessing Ceremony at the pagoda and visit to Tonle Sap Lake: Located in the heart of the city of Siem Reap, Wat Damnak is one of the most beautiful pagodas with French colonial architecture and a garden full of large statues. Bring candles and incense sticks to the pagoda to participate in a private blessing ceremony, conducted by the local monks living in the pagoda. Sit on the mat while the monks sing the blessings and pour holy water on you – a traditional practice by which the gods are believed to bring you good luck. Then, the monks will put a sacred thread around your wrist to protect you from evil spirits. Before continuing your journey, you will receive a small souvenir from the monks to remember this special moment. Next, journey to the outskirts of Siem Reap where you will take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, that can grow by ten fold during the rainy season. Sail along the lake until you reach the floating village, witness floating pig farms, schools, gardens and spirit houses.

16th Day: Siem Reap - Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart the hotel this morning ready to take a flight to Bangkok. Touch down in the buzzing capital of Thailand and transfer to the hotel. Bangkok is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, located in the heart of the country. It offers a variety of unique experiences, from its impressive temples and lively culture, to its exciting night markets and world-renowned cuisine. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and discover this fascinating city. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

17th Day: Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, get ready to discover the city and its temples on an exciting tour! Begin along the main avenues of Bangkok to reach the vibrant Chinatown neighborhood. Our first stop will be at Wat Traimit Temple or better known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. It houses a 5-ton solid gold Buddha loaded with history as it remained hidden for centuries after being covered in plaster to prevent its destruction during the war. Our next stop will be the Wat Pho Temple or Temple of the Reclining Buddha, one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world at over 150 feet-long, where you’ll find a spectacular engraving of 108 images representing positive actions of Buddhism. To finish the tour, head to a local precious stone factory where you will see a demonstration of how local craftspeople make their products. We recommend an optional excursion to the Grand Palace* to learn more about the culture of this country. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Bangkok.
*Optional excursion to the Grand Palace: Discover the impressive Grand Palace complex, symbol of the city and former official residence of the King of Thailand between the 18th and mid-20th centuries. Considered one of the most beautiful in the world for its exquisite decoration, it mixes traditional Thai style with Renaissance influences. During the visit to the Grand Palace we will also visit Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most important in Thailand.

Included Activity

Visit to the Bangkok's temples
Even though you will be seated most of the time, you may be required to walk short distances or climb some steps.
Walk along the main avenues of Bangkok to reach Chinatown, discovering the Temple of the Golden Buddha and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Finally, visit a precious stone factory.

18th Day: Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the day at leisure to continue exploring the capital. Why not discover some of its many markets, where you can sample some of the famous street food dishes. We recommend an exciting and entertaining optional excursion to visit the train market and floating market* or an optional trip to Ayutthaya**. Overnight stay in Bangkok. 
*Optional Excursion to the Train Market and Floating Market: Travel by road to the town of Mae Klong where you’ll see a curious market installed on the train tracks. If time and luck permits, we will be able to see how the train crosses through the market and, in record time, the merchants collect all the products they have on display on the train tracks. From there, head to the Klong Damnersaduak floating market in Ratchaburi province, considered the most important in the country. Arrive at a pier in the vicinity of the floating market. Take a motor boat ride through the canal area to reach the market itself, disembark, and enjoy free time to walk around, explore their products and enjoy the lively atmosphere. After the market visit, return to Bangkok and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Bangkok.
**Optional Ayutthaya excursion (outward journey by bus and return by boat): Departure by bus to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Siam, the name given for over 400 years to the lands that now form Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and part of Myanmar. Discover Ayutthaya and its archaeological site, which is of great historical interest and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. At the end of the visit,  continue to Bang Pa-In, where the official summer residence of Thailand royalty is located. Visit the complex and then embark on a river cruise that will you on an interesting three-hour tour along the Chao Phraya River to the city of Bangkok. During the trip a buffet lunch will be served on board (drinks not included), arriving in Bangkok in the afternoon.

19th Day: Bangkok - Night on board

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Canada*. Night on board.
 

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