Days One & Two - Arrive Siem Reap
Fly to Siem Reap. You will be met at Siem Reap in the arrival’s hall by your Local Guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time travel to your hotel.
Day Three - Beng Mealea & The Villages of Tonle Sap
This morning, explore the less-visited Beng Mealea, a mysterious sandstone temple reclaimed by the Cambodian jungle. Dating back some nine centuries and built originally as a Hindu temple to Vishnu, its ruins are wreathed in vines and colossal tree roots now swallow its stones. Explore on foot via the wooden walkways and bridges around the site. Continue on to Tonle Sap. This afternoon’s excursions are seasonal. In the high-water season, you will travel to Kompong Khleang, a unique village on stilts, while in the low-water season you will visit Chong Kneas floating village. Return to Siem Reap, with a visit to SATCHA, an organisation working alongside local craftsmen to create high-end and traditional Cambodian arts and crafts. This evening, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance at dinner.
Day Four - Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom
Spanning from the 9th to 15th century, the Angkor complex was the capital of the thriving Khmer Empire, and home to over 1,000 temples. Begin at the city of Angkor Thom, built by Jayavarman VII. Here, sights include the enigmatic Bayon, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. One of the most evocative ruins here is to the temple of Ta Prohm, enveloped in a labyrinth of jungle. This afternoon is devoted to the fascinating and awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and nationally considered to be Cambodia’s spiritual heart. Later, relax on board a boat and view the sunset on Angkor Thom’s moat.
Day Five - Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Depart Siem Reap and fly 1 hour to Phnom Penh, a city of attractive boulevards. Visit the Cambodian Royal Palace and the opulent Silver Pagoda before travelling to the National Museum with extensive artefacts on display, sightseeing today will involve approximately 3 hours on foot.
Day Six - Phnom Penh - Saigon
Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a harrowing insight into Cambodia’s tumultuous past. This sombre museum was the site of the Khmer Rouge Security Prison 21, a torture and execution centre built within a former secondary school during the regime of Pol Pot. It now stands as a museum, commemorating the atrocities that occurred here. Many people find it quite confronting and emotional; you will be given time to explore on your own. Later, continue to the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom at the heart of the city before your 1-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where you will meet your Vietnamese National Escort.
Day Seven - Saigon & The Cu Chi Tunnels
Confront the reality of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous Tet Offensive, and they did not escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The Cu Chi experience can be emotional for some visitors, but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Sightseeing here involves 2 hours on foot on uneven mud paths through the bush and, if you choose, crawling through some of the tunnels. Continue the day with further sightseeing at the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum, before finishing at the Ben Thanh Markets.
Day Eight - Mekong Delta
Drive two and a half hours down to the picturesque province of Ben Tre situated along the mighty Mekong. This area is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, because its rich and fertile lands produce huge amounts of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruit. Spend the day exploring, travelling by motorboat between the islands and changing to smaller paddleboats in the canals. Sightseeing involves hopping on and off these boats, often on unsteady and slippery surfaces, sometimes without handrails or assistance. Return to Saigon this afternoon.
Day Nine - Saigon – Hoi An
Explore modern-day Saigon, with its heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. See the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda. Transfer to the airport for your 1 hour 20 minute flight to Da Nang Airport. From here, transfer 45 minutes to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day Ten - Hoi An & Tra Que Village
This morning, visit a local community farming project just outside of Hoi An - Tra Que village where the community has come together to create a large vegetable farm. Learn the traditional methods the farmers use to plant, fertilise and harvest the crop, then try your hand at raking the ground and sowing seeds. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the narrow and ancient streets of this charming town. We will visit one of Hoi An’s oldest homes, built over 200 years ago and still occupied by the descendants of the merchant family that originally built it. We will also visit the traditional Hoi An Market, the Quan Cong Chinese Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Stop at the Reaching Out Tea House to experience the social enterprise work happening here.
Day Eleven - Hoi An - Hue
Today, drive approximately 4 hours to Hue, this journey will take you over the scenic Hai Van Pass. Hue is the epitome of Vietnam’s dynamic past and considered a scholarly city. Upon arrival, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and take a cruise on the Perfume River.
Day Twelve - Hue
This morning, transfer to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Then continue to Minh Mang Tomb to explore the opulent and exotic resting place laid out in formal Chinese style. Afterwards, move on to a beautiful old maison that has been transformed to Truc Chi - an art space and workshop by a team of enthusiastic young artists. Learn more about Truc Chi and have the chance to buy their hand-made products (passport covers, fans or candle boxes made from bamboo pulp) to bring back home as gifts for your friends and family if you like. After lunch, visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City.
Day Thirteen - Hue - Hanoi
After breakfast, fly 1 hour and 20 minutes to the charming city of Hanoi where you will check into your hotel. This afternoon, take a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your ride with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol of Vietnamese folklore.
Day Fourteen - Hanoi - Halong Bay
Drive around 2 and a half hours today from Hanoi to Halong, where you will take an overnight cruise to the farmost corners of the bay by boat. There is usually a crowd of boats at the docks; however, the cruise itself will be scenic and relaxing. Boarding your boat could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff. The boat has an enclosed dining area and an open area on the upper deck. Enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities (which are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions). Sightseeing includes visiting underground caves on the islands, which require climbing up and down steps inside and outside of the caves. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset over the bay followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night.
Day Fifteen - Halong Bay - Hanoi
Spend the morning sailing through Halong Bay. After an early lunch (or brunch meal) disembark your cruise and return to Hanoi. This evening, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin show, an artistic open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.
Day Sixteen - Hanoi
Discover the sights of Hanoi today. First stop will be Ba Dinh Square, then the Ho Chi Minh Quarter and pass Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, followed by the Humble House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Next, drive to the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university.
Days Seventeen & Eighteen - Depart Hanoi
Any time before your flight is free at your leisure today. You will be transferred from the hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.
