Basic travel information
A tour of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam offers the best attractions of three interesting Southeast Asian countries.
During the trip, we will explore traditional Khmer culture and one of the world’s most glorious civilizations in the Angkor region and Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, visit temples in the peaceful and idyllic World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, and cruise the Mekong River in Laos. In Vietnam, we admire the sights of the country’s capital, Hanoi, and end the trip on a cruise through the scenic limestone archipelago of Halong Bay.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – FLIGHTS TO CAMBODIA
Overnight flights from Finland to Phonm Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
DAY 2 – PHNOM PENH
Arrival in Cambodia and its capital along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh, where we will stay for the next two nights. Transportation to the hotel and free time.
ACCOMMODATION IN
FRANGIPANI ROYAL PALACE OR SIMILAR
DAY 3 – PHNOM PENH
We spend today exploring Phnom Penh’s most famous attractions, including the Royal Palace with its temples, the Cambodian National Museum built in the traditional style, and the Tuol Sleng Death Fields Museum, where we delve into the products of the brutal reign of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. (A)
ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR
ACCOMMODATION IN
FRANGIPANI ROYAL PALACE OR SIMILAR
DAY 4 – PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP
After breakfast, we leave the hustle and bustle of the Cambodian capital behind and head across the tranquil rural scenery to the city of Siem Reap, next to the ruins of the ancient city of Angkor, where we will stay for the next two nights. Along the way, we will stop at Skuoni’s market, where e.g. a local treat for spiders. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check-in and free time. (A)
ACCOMMODATION IN
SOMADEVI ANGKOR HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 5 – ANGKOR
Today, it’s one of the absolute highlights of the trip, a full-day excursion to Southeast Asia’s most famous ancient monuments, a vast area of the Angkor Archaeological Site that spreads around Siem Reap. During the day we get to know e.g. From the Tomb Raider film to the familiar Ta Phrom temples conquered and broken by giant trees, as well as the ancient city of Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, while learning about the stories and history of Angkor and the ancient Khmer Empire. The afternoon will be crowned by a visit to perhaps the most famous temple in the ancient city, Angkor Wat. (A)
ACCOMMODATION IN
SOMADEVI ANGKOR HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 6 – TONLE SAP LAKE – LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, weather permitting, a half-day excursion from Siem Reap to the countryside: We head south from Siem Reap towards the largest lake in Southeast Asia, Tonlé Sap, whose size varies greatly between the rainy and dry seasons. If the water level allows it, we will take a boat trip on the lake, admiring the area’s floodplains and villages built on high piles. (Note: towards the end of the dry season, a boat trip is usually not possible.) In the afternoon or early evening, a flight from Cambodia to Laos, the historic city of Luang Prabang, where we will stay. (A)
ACCOMMODATION AT
PARASOL BLANC HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 7 – LUANG PRABANG
We will visit Luang Prabang, the capital of Lan Xang, the capital of Lan Xang, the capital of the “Million Elephant”, a former capital of Laos and a historic World Heritage Site on the banks of the Mekong River. views from the top of Phousi Hill. (A)
ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR
ACCOMMODATION AT
PARASOL BLANC HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 8 – LUANG PRABANG, MEKONG RIVER
Today, in the morning, there is an opportunity to attend the traditional Buddhist monk alms ceremony before breakfast. After breakfast, it is time for a boat trip on the Mekong River. The tour includes a visit to the Pak Ou caves decorated with Buddha statues. Return to the city at the end of the afternoon. (A)
ACTIVITIES
RIVER EXCURSION
ACCOMMODATION AT
PARASOL BLANC HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 9 – LUANG PRABANG – HANOI
After breakfast, weather permitting, we will take a trip to Kuang Si Waterfall and mountain villages before returning to Luang Prabang and a flight to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer from the airport to the hotel. (A)
ACCOMMODATION
CHALCEDONY HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 10 – HANOI
We will explore the big city of Hanoi on a city tour. We visit e.g. the Ethnological Museum, the One-Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, considered the first university in Vietnam. We end the tour with a lavish water puppet show. (A, L)
ACTIVITIES
CITY TOUR
ACCOMMODATION
CHALCEDONY HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 11 – HALONG GULF CRUISE
In the morning we drive about 3.5 hours east to the coast of the South China Sea, from where we embark on a cruise in the magnificent, steep limestone mountain archipelago of Halong Bay. One of the world’s natural wonders, Halong Bay with its limestone islands is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hundreds of steeply rising limestone rock islands hide stalactite caves, lagoons and sandy beaches. During the cruise, stalactite cave and island visits are made. Lunch, dinner and overnight on a cruise ship. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
CRUISE
ACCOMMODATION ON A
CRUISE SHIP
DAY 12 – HALONG GULF – HANOI
We will still cruise in the beautiful archipelago scenery of the Halong Bay in the morning. We land on the cruise at noon and drive back to Hanoi in the afternoon, where we spend the last night of the trip. (A)
ACTIVITIES
CRUISE
ACCOMMODATION AT
CHALCEDONY HOTEL OR SIMILAR
DAY 13 – RETURN TO FINLAND
Airport transfers and return flights to the home country.
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST • [L] LUNCH • [I] DINNER
