- ✓ An epic three week journey through Indochina's highlights
- ✓ Drift between limestone karsts on a Bai Tu Long Bay junk boat
- ✓ Discover the jungle temples of Angkor with a local guide
- ✓ Immerse yourself in the golden spires and riverside charm of Luang Prabang
Discover three countries in three weeks with this epic Indochina adventure. Explore jungle temples and the mighty Mekong on this trip from Vietnam into Cambodia and Laos. It’s three weeks filled with ancient culture, local character and sensational scenery. Kicking off in northern Vietnam as you sail through the limestone cliffs of Bai Tu long bay, Halong Bay’s lesser known neighbour, then cruising the Mekong river into compact Cambodia. Finish your trip in laidback Laos.
Days 1 & 2 – Flavours of Hanoi
Your epic Indochina adventure begins in Hanoi - Vietnam’s capital city, that’s crammed with character. Motorbikes zip through tangled streets, food hawkers serve up steaming bowls of pho and fruit stalls spill onto shady boulevards.
You’ll stay in the heart of the atmospheric Old Quarter and during your stay you’ll embark on a culinary and cultural journey through Hanoi with your private guide. You’ll learn all about local legends, admire the ancient architecture and taste a range of delicacies from grilled pork to vermicelli dumplings as you wander the streets of the Old Quarter.
Day 3 – Drift between limestone peaks
Early morning, you’ll head by minibus to the coast, where your traditional junk boat is waiting. From here, you’ll sail into Bai Tu Long Bay, a beautiful stretch of turquoise water scattered with jungle-covered limestone islands. It’s just as impressive as Halong Bay, but generally much quieter, giving you more space to enjoy the scenery without the crowds.
Your junk boat will be your home for the night, with plenty of time to settle in, relax on deck and watch the landscape drift by. You can kayak between the islands, swim in quiet coves and venture into caves, before tucking into fresh seafood and watching the sun set over the bay. Depending on the cruise, there may also be optional activities such as Tai Chi or squid fishing.
By choosing Bai Tu Long Bay, you’re helping to spread visitors beyond the busiest parts of the region, while enjoying this spectacular scenery at a more relaxed pace.
Days 4-6 – Classic Hoi An
Once you’ve stepped off the junk boat, a minibus will take you back to Hanoi, where you’ll catch a 90-minute flight to Danang. From the airport, your private driver will take you the 45 minutes to Hoi An and your hotel.
Then it’s time to settle into one of Vietnam’s most atmospheric towns. Hoi An’s old streets are packed with colourful lanterns, crumbling Chinese shop houses, little art studios, riverside restaurants and plenty of tempting places to eat. Take a stroll along the river as the lanterns start to glow, browse the local tailors or simply slow down and enjoy the relaxed pace.
While you’re here, you’ll also get stuck into Vietnamese cooking. You’ll join a small group and head to the colourful Hoi An market with your guide to pick up the fresh ingredients you’ll need. Along the way, you’ll meet the friendly local vendors and get an insight into the ingredients and flavours that make Vietnamese food so good. Then it’s downriver to the cookery school, where you’ll learn how to prepare a few local dishes before sitting down to enjoy your creations for lunch.
Days 7 & 8 – Scooting through Saigon
Your private driver will take you back to Danang airport for the 90-minute flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of District 1, right in the middle of the action. It’s busy, noisy and full of energy, with cafés, bars, restaurants and street food stalls around almost every corner.
Once the sun goes down, you’ll see another side of the city on a vintage Vespa street food tour. Hop on the back and zip through the bustling streets and quieter backstreets, stopping at local food spots to try some of the city’s favourite snacks. Along the way, you’ll soak up the atmosphere, listen to live music and perhaps stop for a Vietnamese coffee. It’s a fun way to experience Ho Chi Minh City after dark, when the streets really come alive.
The rest of your stay is free to explore independently
Days 9 & 10 – Along the Mekong to Cambodia
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken by minibus to the pier, where you’ll board your boat and set off into the Mekong Delta. Over the next few days, you’ll travel through a maze of waterways, passing riverside villages, floating markets and tiny islands as you watch everyday life unfold along the river. You’ll spend a night in Can Tho, close to its famous floating markets, and another in Chau Doc near the Cambodian border. Along the way, you’ll explore Tiger Island by rickshaw, giving you a glimpse of life away from the main tourist trail.
As you head further south, the waterways become quieter, with fishing boats, stilted houses and lush green riverbanks lining the route. There’s plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the scenery, particularly as the sun starts to set over the Mekong. Eventually, you’ll cross the border into Cambodia by boat, making the journey between the two countries part of the adventure.
Days 11 & 12 – Past and present in Phnom Penh
Welcome to Cambodia! This morning, you’ll leave Chau Doc by small ferry, crossing the border into Cambodia. You’ll stop at the border to arrange your Cambodian visa before continuing by boat to Phnom Penh, where a transfer will take you to your hotel.
Cambodia’s capital sits where the Mekong, Tonlé Sap and Bassac rivers meet. It’s a lively mix of grand colonial buildings, busy markets, street food and riverside life, with plenty of history woven into the city. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore at your own pace.
The following day, you’ll explore Phnom Penh with a local guide, visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields just outside the city. These important sites tell the story of Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, offering a moving and sobering insight into one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history.
Days 13-15 – Amazing Angkor!
We’ll arrange a transfer to the bus station, where you’ll board a bus for the roughly six-hour journey to Siem Reap. It’s the gateway to Angkor, but there’s more to the town than ancient temples. Browse the colourful markets, stop for a coffee in a local café or tuck into some Cambodian dishes at one of the many restaurants.
Over the next couple of days, you’ll explore the temples of Angkor with a local guide, wandering through ancient ruins and jungle-fringed temples while learning about the history, architecture and stories behind the site. You’ll visit some of Angkor’s best-known temples, with plenty of time to take it all in, as well as some free time to explore Siem Reap independently.
Days 16-18 – Experience Luang Prabang
Next you’ll be transferred to the airport for your 90 minute flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. When you arrive you’ll be met by a local driver and taken to your hotel, just a short walk from the centre. With its colonial buildings, leafy streets, colourful temples and laid-back atmosphere, the town is easy to explore on foot. You’ll have plenty of time to explore independently. Climb Phousi Hill for views over the city, browse the night market and sample some Lao specialities along the way.
During your stay we’ll arrange a sunset cruise on the Mekong. In the late afternoon, you’ll head by tuk-tuk to the river and sail towards the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, an important place for local communities. You’ll stop to visit Wat Long Khoune and Wat Chomphet before boarding the boat again and settling in with a drink as the sun dips over the Mekong.
Days 19 & 20 – Vive Vientiane
You’ll make your own way to the airport today for the quick 45 minute flight to Vientiane, Laos’ laid-back capital. You’ll stay in a modern hotel in the centre of town with views over the Mekong. From here, you’re within easy reach of the morning market, local restaurants and the riverside. Despite being a capital, Vientiane has a relaxed feel, with leafy streets, French-style bakeries and plenty of places to stop for a Beerlao and watch life along the river.
You’ll also get to know the city through its food on a guided street food tour. Start with traditional Lao coffee before exploring the local market and learning about the herbs, spices and fresh ingredients used in Lao cooking. You’ll visit a restaurant to see how local dishes are prepared and sample favourites such as kao piak soup and papaya salad, followed by homemade ice cream in some wonderfully unusual Lao flavours. Finish with a cold Beerlao and views over the Mekong.
Day 21 - Depart from Laos
After three incredible weeks exploring Indochina, your adventure has come to an end. Hopefully, you’re heading home with a camera full of photos, a head full of memories and a new appreciation for the food, culture and landscapes you’ve experienced along the way.
There’s still time for some last-minute souvenir shopping or one final wander before your transfer to the airport in time to board your flight home
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Limestone Peaks to the Mighty Mekong -In Style accommodation
For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.