Cambodia & Vietnam - Itinerary

Day 2: Siem Reap: We arrive at Siem Reap airport where we will be taken to the hotel. During the remainder of the day, there will be time to independently explore the town, which is also known as the gateway to Angkor. The old marketplace here is well worth a visit.; Overnight in Siem Reap. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Siem Reap, Angkor National Park: We will first visit the Angkor Thom in the large temple area. We will begin at the south gate with its fine statues of gods and demons. Among other things, we will see the pyramid temple, Bayon and the jungle temple ,Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm has been overtaken by the vegetation of the jungle, but it still looks the same as the monuments did when the French first discovered them. We will visit Angkor Wat, the largest and most impressive of all temples. We will end the day with an elephant ride to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng where we will see the sun set over Angkor Wat.; Overnight Siem Reap. Breakfast included.

Day 4: Siem Reap, boat trip on Tonle Sap: We will spend the morning riding a boat on Southeast Asia's largest lake, Tonle Sap. Here, we will have the chance to see local people in their everyday lives as we disembark to see a bird garden, a fish farm and a floating school, where many of the village children study. We will also visit a Primary School where those who feel inclined have the opportunity to share their own experience and skills either in English or using drawings or images. The school gratefully receives gifts and contributions of different kinds. After the visit, we will travel back to Siem Reap for lunch and some time to ourselves.; Overnight in Siem Reap. Breakfast included.

Day 5: Kampong Thom, Sambor Preikuk & Phnom Penh: We will depart from Siem Reap and travel through the Kampong Thom Province where we will drive through a beautiful landscape on our way to the ancient town of Sambor Prei Kuk. Here lies one of the most remarkable monuments from the early 7th century. There are more than 100 small temples scattered in the forest and are considered the predecessor to the temples of Angkor. We will then travel to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, via Skuon, which is also known as Spiderville. In Phnom Penh we are reminded of both the colonial time and the regime of Khmer Rouge.; Overnight in Phnom Penh. Breakfast included.

Day 6: Phnom Penh, Chambok (in a private home): We will be taken to the border of Kiriroms National Park, a Chamboks ecotourism area that has become something of a model for community-based ecotourism in Cambodia. Here there is even a 40-meter high waterfall that is well worth a visit. We have the opportunity to try several kinds of outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, animal tracking, or even visiting a bat cave. One can also swim, ride a bike or get a better look at the Khmer rural lifestyle with a guide on top of an ox-cart. We will stay with a traditional Khmer family and eat dinner, directly contributing to the local eco-tourism.; Overnight with a family in Chambok. All meals included.

Day 7: Sihanouk Ville: After breakfast with the family, we will spend some more time in the village before we re-commence our journey, this time to Cambodia's main beach resort, Sihanouk Ville. Here there are no activities planned, we have the entire day to swim and enjoy the sun and white sand beaches.; Overnight in Sihanouk Ville. Breakfast included.

Day 8: Sihanouk Ville, Bamboo Island: We will go on a boat ride in the Gulf of Thailand, stopping at islands with beautiful reefs that are suitable for snorkeling. We will go ashore onto the secluded beaches where we will be served a lunch that will be prepared on site. We will then treat ourselves to a couple more snorkel stops on the way back to Sihanouk Ville.; Overnight Sihanouk Ville. Breakfast included.

Day 9: Phnom Penh, Silver Pagoda, Killing Fields: After breakfast, we will return to Phnom Penh where we will begin our trip through history at the Royal Palace while also visiting the Silver Pagoda and its floor made up of 5,000 silver tiles. Here, there is a 90-pound Buddha made of gold and covered with diamonds. We will head to Choeng Ek and the Killing Fields where we will visit the former prison, Tuol Sleng. The area is now a memorial for those killed during the Khmer Rouge regime.; Overnight in Phnom Penh. Breakfast included.

Day 10: Phnom Penh & Chau Doc in Vietnam: The morning is free for personal exploration. Later on, we will board a fast ferry that will take us to Chau Doc, Vietnam. The trip along the Mekong River lasts for about four hours. In the bustling neighboring town, many people live in stilt houses and floating houses on the River. Chau Doc is also considered to be the most multicultural city in the Mekong Delta.; Overnight in Chau Doc. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 11: Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City: We will begin early and head to Can Tho, the largest city in the delta. We will visit small villages along the way and then drive to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. After arriving there, you will have time to rest and walk around the city on your own.; Overnight in Ho Chi Minh. All meals included.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh, Danang, Hoian: We will visit the underground Cu Chi tunnels where many Viet Cong soldiers spent large portions of their lives during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, we will fly to Danang where we will continue on to the interesting and old city, Hoian, with its beautiful, well preserved buildings. Upon arrival you will have time to rest or explore the city.; Overnight in Hoian. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 13: Hoian & Hanoi: We will have a free day. You can choose to go to the beach and maybe go shopping. We will gather again and catch an evening flight to Hanoi, the thousand-year old capital. Here you will have plenty of time to wander around the Old Town and explore on your own.; Overnight in Hanoi. Breakfast included.

Day 14: Hanoi & Halong Bay: We will go to Halong and board a traditional junk boat. We will have lunch on board as we cruise around the bay. We will stop at one of the many limestone caves, anchoring for the night in a secluded cove where we can enjoy a swim in the emerald green waters. We will eat dinner at sunset and then go to sleep quietly on board our junk boat.; Overnight on the junk ship. All meals included.

Day 15: Halong Bay, Bat Trang, Hanoi: After waking up onboard, we will see even more beautiful islands, as well as fantastic rock formations and floating villages before we have our final meal on the junk boat. On the way back to Hanoi, we will visit the pottery village of Bat Trang and then have the rest of the day free.; Overnight Hanoi. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Day 16: Hanoi departure: After breakfast at the hotel, we will have the morning free to further explore the Old Town, where we can wander through the French Quarter with its beautiful colonial buildings or visit a museum. Then it is time to return home to Sweden.; Breakfast included.

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