27 days tour

Jewels Of Indochina

$ 4,050 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $4,050.00

Jewels Of Indochina

This tour includes:

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leaderโ€™s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 25 Breakfasts 2 Lunches 1 Dinners

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Vientiane - Buddha park US$8 Hanoi - Water Puppets from US$4 Hue - Trip to Royal Tombs US$9; trip to countryside from US$12; cooking course from US$24 Hoi An - Cookery class from US$24; trip to My Lai from US$12 Ho Chi Minh City - Trip to Mekong Delta from US$15 Phnom Penh - Sunset cruise US$ 10, Koh Dach Island - US $24, Oudong Mountain - US $32, Chiso Mountain - US $35 Siem Reap - Scenic helicopter flight over Angkor temples from US$ 135-260; Apsara traditional khmer dance and dinner US$ 22,Tonle Sap boat optional US$ 42; cookery class US$ 12; National Museum Culture Show US$ 12 - US$20 (limited availability during low season May - September) The prices stated are based on a minimum number of participants (usually 5-6). Please be aware that the optional excursions can run with fewer people but the price may be higher. Likewise, a slightly reduced price may be applicable where the participation greater. The prices listed are generally only entrance fees and do not include the price of transport to and from the excursion, Your Explore Leader will quote this when you are on tour, as the price for transport will depend on the number of participants. These excursions are generally run via our agent in the country. Local companies may offer similar excursions at a cheaper price. Should you want to use these companies please be aware that a lower price may mean that not all costs are included (entrance fees etc.) or services will not operate at the same safety and quality standards.

Transport

Bus, Boat, Flight, Train

Accommodation

1 nights simple homestay 5 nights simple hotel 19 nights standard hotel 1 nights simple overnight train

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Not included:

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nightsโ€™ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Jewels Of Indochina

  • Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Vientiane
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Join Trip In Vientiane

      Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the Laos capital is a relaxed place that has a feel more similar to a provincial town than a capital city. Weathered French Colonial mansions give way to golden temples, and the languid pace of life here makes it an ideal place to explore by bicycle. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Vientiane at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, youโ€™ll need to arrive into Watty International Airport (VTE) which is 15 minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up in the hotel lobby at 8am on day two. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to see the unique Buddhist stupa of Pha That Luang before enjoying a Beerlao by the river at sunset. This is the best way to end the day, start your adventure and meet your fellow explorers.

  • Day 2 Day 2: In Vientiane, Explore The Capital; Free Afternoon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: In Vientiane, Explore The Capital; Free Afternoon

      This morning we include a sightseeing tour around the city. This is a low-built, red roofed attractive capital city, with a French feel and a relaxed atmosphere. We explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate which is a Triumphal Arch with good views of the town, the That Luang stupa which is said to contain a hair of the Buddha, and Wat Sisaket, a beautiful temple packed with fine Buddha images. This afternoon is left free for further exploration. It is possible to visit nearby Buddha Park, a vast green expanse just 30 minutes from the city that houses a beguiling selection of Buddhist and Hindu statues. Alternatively you may choose to visit the COPE Museum, a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide prosthetic limbs to the many victims of the unexploded ordinance (UXO) left behind from the Vietnam war. The museum does an excellent job of giving some of the background to the bombing campaign, along with showcasing the important work the COPE foundation is doing. Most report it to be a sobering, emotive but rewarding experience that enhances oneโ€™s understanding of this fascinating country.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Take The Train To Vang Vieng, Afternoon At Leisure
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Take The Train To Vang Vieng, Afternoon At Leisure

      This morning we make our way to Vientiane railway station to board the newly constructed Boten-Vientiane Railway for the short two hour journey to Vang Vieng. Opened in December 2021, this ambitious collaboration between Laos and China connects the Chinese Railway system at the northern border with the Thai Railway system across the Friendship Bridge in the South. The railway now connects a series of rural villages in Laos and will be a huge booster to trade, in a country that has a poorly connected road network through mountainous terrain. Using a fleet of modern trains that travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h, they have also opened up traveller networks in Laos and made previously challenging journeys much more comfortable. The first leg of our train journey rolls past lush rice paddies and across a patchwork of farmersโ€™ fields, with small pockets of villages visible as we whoosh by towards Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, the afternoon has been left free to explore our new surroundings. We recommend a short stroll down to the riverbank this evening in time for sunset, where there are a number of areas to sit and take in dramatic scenery. Watch people float down the river as the sun starts to dip behind the mountains and the sky turns a deep burnt-orange, just be sure to bring a camera to catch some sunset snaps.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Free Day In Vang Vieng. Optional Visit To Caves Or Kayaking On Nam Song River
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Free Day In Vang Vieng. Optional Visit To Caves Or Kayaking On Nam Song River

      Vang Vieng enjoys an idyllic setting. Perched on the banks of the Nam Song river it is surrounded by a patchwork of lush rice paddies and set to a backdrop of towering jagged limestone cliffs. Once known as a party-town for backpackers, present-day Vang Vieng has now re-invented itself as the home of adventure travel in Laos, where its setting lends itself to a host of activities for anybody from casual walkers to adrenaline thrill-seekers. As there is plenty of choice available, today has been left free to choose from a number of optional excursions, such as a guided walk past rice paddies to nearby minority villages, a visit to the 2km underground cave network, or kayaking along the gentle Nam Song river.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Scenic Train Journey To Luang Prabang. Sunset Visit To Mount Phousi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Scenic Train Journey To Luang Prabang. Sunset Visit To Mount Phousi

      We make our way back to the train station this morning for the second leg of our train journey through the heart of Laos. This journey takes us through the mountains in a series of newly constructed tunnels, with some spectacular mountain scenery to take in in-between tunnels. We arrive into Luang Prabang around two hours later, a journey which used to take a full day when travelling by winding mountain road. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is nestled in a valley of lush rolling hills and sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Khan and the mighty Mekong. Influence from its French occupiers is peppered all over the city, with grand, white-washed Indochinese villas lining its leafy streets, oddly complementing the golden-tipped wats (temples) found around almost every corner. Time moves so slowly here that it almost stands still, and a must-do is grabbing a Lao coffee, sitting down outside one of the many cafes and just watching the world go by, in traditional Lao-style. This evening, there is chance to walk to nearby Mount Phousi and climb its 328 steps in time for sunset, offering excellent panoramic views over this sleepy city and beyond.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Morning Walking Tour Of Luang Prabang, Afternoon Free
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Morning Walking Tour Of Luang Prabang, Afternoon Free

      Today, weโ€™ll really get to have a closer look at Luang Prabang. All the main sights of interest are close together and weโ€™ll have a chance to walk around the various wats (temples) including the splendid Wat Xieng Thong (the Golden Temple built in 1559), which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic dragon motifs. Weโ€™ll also visit Wat Sen and the Royal Palace Museum. We then, board a traditional long-tail boat for the short journey up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. There a number of steps to climb here as we make our way up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Although now abandoned by the monks, there is an altar for incense burning, flower offerings and numerous rock shelves crammed with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. The rest of the afternoon has been left free to further explore this charming city, or to relax at one of the many al-fresco coffee shops that pepper the street sides. A visit the Luang Prabangโ€™s bustling night market is highly recommended.

  • Day 7 Day 7: From Luang Prabang, Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; Optional Afternoon Cycle To Lao Loum Village
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: From Luang Prabang, Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; Optional Afternoon Cycle To Lao Loum Village

      Today, weโ€™ll really get to have a closer look at Luang Prabang. All the main sights of interest are close together and weโ€™ll have a chance to walk around the various wats (temples) including the splendid Wat Xieng Thong (the Golden Temple built in 1559), which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic dragon motifs. Weโ€™ll also visit Wat Sen and the Royal Palace Museum. We then, board a traditional long-tail boat for the short journey up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. There a number of steps to climb here as we make our way up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Although now abandoned by the monks, there is an altar for incense burning, flower offerings and numerous rock shelves crammed with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. The rest of the afternoon has been left free to further explore this charming city, or to relax at one of the many al-fresco coffee shops that pepper the street sides. A visit the Luang Prabangโ€™s bustling night market is highly recommended.

  • Day 8 Day 8: In Luang Prabang, Free Morning; Fly To Hanoi, Evening Walk In Old Quarter
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: In Luang Prabang, Free Morning; Fly To Hanoi, Evening Walk In Old Quarter

      This morning is left free for further exploration of Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, we fly to Hanoi in Vietnam. This evening you can take a walk through the bustling streets and markets of the Old Quarter. The shops themselves have very narrow frontages, but are actually quite deep; they are known locally as โ€™tubeโ€™ shops, while on the pavement food vendors sell noodles, snacks and stir-fries from shoulder panniers.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Discover The Sights Of Hanoi Including The Old Quarter
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Discover The Sights Of Hanoi Including The Old Quarter

      This morning we make a tour of the main sights of Hanoi. Architecturally styled like a French provincial town with tree-lined boulevards and substantial low-built houses the city is wonderfully nostalgic. Among the interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda, Confucius Temple and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh himself, a spartan-living and scholarly man, chose not to live in the Presidential Palace; he preferred instead a simple teak stilt-house specially built for him in the grounds. This afternoon we walk through the narrow lanes of the fascinating Old Quarter, where the streets are named after various crafts or specialties: Paper Street, Silk Street, Basket Street and so on. The shops themselves have very narrow frontages but are actually quite deep; they are known locally as tube shops. On the pavements food sellers sell noodles, snacks and stir-fries from shoulder panniers. The smell of food mixes with the smell of incense from small temples dotted around.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Free Time In Hanoi, Then Drive To Halong Bay
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Free Time In Hanoi, Then Drive To Halong Bay

      We have some free time in Hanoi this morning perhaps to visit some of the many museums or Ho Chi Minhโ€™s austere mausoleum, which resembles Leninโ€™s in Moscow. Afterwards we drive out towards the iconic Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters like the hairy scales of a submerged dragon. In fact Halong means: โ€™Where the dragon descends to the seaโ€™. As legend has it the rugged seascape was created by the pounding tail of a dragon as he ran from the mountains into the sea, carving the islands in his wake.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Cruise Halong Bay; From Hanoi Overnight Train To Huรฉ
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Cruise Halong Bay; From Hanoi Overnight Train To Huรฉ

      This morning we enjoy the romantic scenery of Halong Bay on a cruise amongst the islands. Weโ€™ll have the chance to stop at a grotto beneath towering cliffs and perhaps visit a beach. It is interesting to see the curious assortment of tourist boats, traditional junks and wooden sampans gliding through the waters. We enjoy a seafood lunch on board the boat, before returning to a hotel in Hanoi to freshen up before boarding the Reunification Express to Huรฉ.

  • Day 12 Day 12: In Huรฉ; Boat Along Perfume River To Thien Mu Pagoda
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: In Huรฉ; Boat Along Perfume River To Thien Mu Pagoda

      We arrive in Huรฉ, one of the great cultural and religious centres of Vietnam, a quietly impressive place. The Perfume River divides the city in two and has been the inspiration for poets and painters for many centuries. This afternoon we to take a trip by boat along the Perfume River from Huรฉ to the Thien Mu Pagoda. This serene temple is the oldest in Huรฉ and also the symbol of the city.

  • Day 13 Day 13: In Huรฉ, Visit The Imperial Citadel; Free Afternoon
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: In Huรฉ, Visit The Imperial Citadel; Free Afternoon

      This morning we appreciate Huรฉโ€™s fascinating history with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. Located on the left bank is the river, this palace was built by the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnamโ€™s ruling emperors from the early 1800s to 1945. The Citadel has formal moats and impressive ramparts that were constructed by 20,000 men and was a copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Although most of the inner part of the city was totally destroyed during the month-long Tet Offensive in 1968, the vast outer walls and the west wing remain an eloquent reminder of the palaceโ€™s former glory. The remainder of the day is free to perhaps explore some of the outlying Tombs of the Emperors.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Scenic Drive Via Danang To Hoi An
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Scenic Drive Via Danang To Hoi An

      Early this morning there is the option to drive out to the peaceful setting of Tu Hieu Pagoda, nestled in a pine forest a short distance outside the city. Here we can witness the morning chanting before taking part in a meditation lesson led by the head monk. The monk will explain how meditation is central to Buddhism, promoting peace of mind and a healthy mental balance. He will then lead a meditation session for us in the quiet back-corner of the temple. We return to Hue for breakfast, before driving on to Hoi An. We enjoy a scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages, otherwise known as the Hai Van Pass observing rural scenes of thatched, wooden houses and lime-green rice paddies as well as enjoying panoramic sea views. Pausing in Danang, once the centre of the Kingdom of Champa (2nd century AD - 1720) we visit the Cham Museum, home to a fine collection of Cham sculptures. Our next stop is at the nearby five peaks of the Marble Mountains, said to represent the five elements of water, wood, fire, gold and earth. Naturally formed grottoes have been transformed into heavily carved Buddhist sanctuaries. A short distance from the mountains we find the white sands of My Khe Beach (nicknamed China Beach by American troops)- an ideal spot for a brief rest. Finally we reach our destination - the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Free Day To Explore Hoi An; Optional Visit To My Lai
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Free Day To Explore Hoi An; Optional Visit To My Lai

      The historic, merchant town of Hoi An had become one of the busiest international trading ports of Southeast Asia by the 17th and 18th centuries. First colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century it still retains its medieval charm today, with many of its old buildings superbly preserved. The day is free to explore at leisure. You may choose to visit the Japanese Bridge or some of the Chinese temples and meeting halls in the Old Town. There are many shops, bars and restaurants in this charming town and it is a great place to buy souvenirs, have clothing tailored or simply watch the world go by in a riverside cafรฉ. You may wish to take an optional excursion out to the site of the My Lai village massacre memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the American War and the horrific story is told through a very emotive exhibition of photography.

  • Day 16 Day 16: Visit To Ancient My Son; Free Afternoon In Hoi An
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Visit To Ancient My Son; Free Afternoon In Hoi An

      A further day is spent based in this lovely historic town. This morning we take an excursion to the holiest and most evocative of Vietnamโ€™s Cham sites, My Son. The Chams were dynastic lords who rejected the authority of China in 2AD and established their own kingdom. Although they benefited from strong sea links with the rest of Southeast Asia the kingdomโ€™s interior could not supply sufficient food for a strong military force. For 1000 years they managed to stave off attacks by the Vietnamese and Chinese, before being overcome by the Vietnamese in the 15th century. The track that leads to the site is slow and bumpy through wooded hills, but the site is certainly impressive with several groupings of Cham temples to be visited. Nowhere are the fine masonry skills of the Chams more evident than at My Son, despite the fact that much of the site was bombed in the 1960s. The afternoon is free to enjoy Hoi An further. The beach is only a short drive by taxi alternatively a boat trip on the river as the late afternoon sun lights up the riverfront is a treat.

  • Day 17 Day 17: Fly To Ho Chi Minh City; Drive To Mekong Delta
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Fly To Ho Chi Minh City; Drive To Mekong Delta

      After a short drive to Danang Airport we fly to Ho Chi Minh City, from where we drive further south to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Surrounded with lush and fertile land the area is home to small villages and swaying coconut palms. We take a local ferry to a nearby village, which we explore by trishaw. Later we board sampans, which are small Chinese wooden boats, and cruise along the narrow canals that shoot of the main vein of the Mekong River. After lunch at a local house we have some free time to explore the area further. Finally we return to Ben Tre by boat where we spend the night in a local homestay, with shared facilities and dorm-style accommodation.

  • Day 18 Day 18: Mekong Delta Cruise, Then Drive To Ho Chi Minh City
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Mekong Delta Cruise, Then Drive To Ho Chi Minh City

      We spend the morning exploring the canals of the Mekong Delta, meeting some hard working locals, perhaps with time to see coconut processing and trading. We also have options to walk or cycle along the canal to explore further. Later on we drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Day 19 Day 19: In Ho Chi Minh City; Explore Old Saigon, And Discover โ€™Secret Weapons Bunkerโ€™
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 19: In Ho Chi Minh City; Explore Old Saigon, And Discover โ€™Secret Weapons Bunkerโ€™

      This morning we walk around the central sights of Old Saigon, now District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City. We see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the GPO building as well as some of the old French Colonial hotels such as The Rex. We then drive to the Independence Palace (renamed the Reunification Hall) and the graphic War Remnants Museum. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city further at your leisure, perhaps with a visit to the huge Ben Thanh market.

  • Day 20 Day 20: From Ho Chi Minh City, Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 20: From Ho Chi Minh City, Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

      This morning we take a short drive out of the city to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, which formed an incredible underground command base for 10,000 Viet Cong troops and were a major part of the 1968 Tet Offensive. The site is a fascinating insight into the resourcefulness of the Vietnamese. There is the opportunity to crawl through a small specially adapted section of the tunnels should you wish to sample the claustrophobic conditions in which the Viet Cong lived. Afterwards we bid farewell to our tour leader who continues back to Ho Chi Minh City while you continue by road into Cambodia. Border formalities take place at Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Bavet (Cambodia) crossing point. Our final destination is Phnom Penh, Cambodiaโ€™s capital.

  • Day 21 Day 21: Discover The Sights Of Phnom Penh
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 21: Discover The Sights Of Phnom Penh

      Phnom Penh took over from Angkor as Cambodiaโ€™s capital city in the 1440s. It is now a lively city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Accompanied by a local guide we visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of beautifully preserved carvings and lintels rescued from Angkor; the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as the temple of Wat Phnom. This afternoon we visit the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that became the Khmer Rougeโ€™s main torture and interrogation centre; and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - the memorial stupa is a glass tower filled with human skulls - a gruesome reminder of the scale of Pol Potโ€™s atrocities before returning back in the city.

  • Day 22 Day 22: Free Day In Phnom Penh; Optional Visit To Silk Island
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 22: Free Day In Phnom Penh; Optional Visit To Silk Island

      Today is free allowing you the opportunity to explore the city or its surrounds further. Optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong. Each of these excursions are half a day in duration and may be combined, your tour leader will discuss in more detail. Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short ferry journey along the Mekong where the majority of villagers on the island earn a living through producing handicrafts. It is a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about the islandโ€™s iconic silk weaving. Chiso Mountain (380m), located in Sia village about 62 km south of Phnom Penh, is topped by the ruins of an 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with fine views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is about an hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore attractive historic temples and stupas.

  • Day 23 Day 23: Drive To Siem Reap; Cruise On Tonle Sap Lake
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 23: Drive To Siem Reap; Cruise On Tonle Sap Lake

      This morning we make an early start for our drive to Siem Reap, stopping somewhere for lunch on the way. Later in the day we journey to nearby Tonle Sap Lake where we board our charter boat for a leisurely cruise through the fascinating floating village of Chong Kneas, where we see stilt houses, floating markets and an array of boats.

  • Day 24 Day 24: From Siem Reap, Explore Angkor Temples With Sunset
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 24: From Siem Reap, Explore Angkor Temples With Sunset

      Our exact programme over the next three days may change slightly at our local guideโ€™s discretion (to avoid crowds, coincide with sunsets, etc.). Angkor was actually a series of cities, built between the 9th and the 13th centuries by the Khmer kings, with a population of 750,000 in its heyday. The Angkor complex is spread out over some 155 square kilometres, scattered with magnificent carved stone temples, elegant sculptures and incredible bas reliefs. We visit the Rolous group, which are some of the earliest temples. In the afternoon we visit the temples of Banteay Srei, a small but beautiful temples with exquisite carvings. We end the day at East Mebon, with a visit to Pre Rup temple for sunset.

  • Day 25 Day 25: From Siem Reap, Explore Angkor Thom
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 25: From Siem Reap, Explore Angkor Thom

      We continue our exploration with a visit to the temples of King Jayavarman Vll, reputedly Angkorโ€™s greatest king. The fortified city of Angkor Thom, which he built at the end of the 12th century is enclosed by a square wall with five monumental gates decorated with stone elephant trunks. Originally, crocodiles inhabited the moat and huge statues of 54 different gods protected each gate. The city contains another of Angkorโ€™s true gems - The Bayon. Although not as impressive as Angkor Wat from a distance, The Bayon is nevertheless incredible for its maze of corridors, gothic style towers and magical central temples. Weโ€™ll explore The Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King, the Baphuon and Phimeanakas, and some of the surrounding temples such as Preah Khan. Please note that from the 1st January 2020 the third tier of the Bayon Temple - the striking centrepiece of the ancient city of Angkor Thom - will be closed until 2022 for extensive restoration. As a result, it will only be possible to view the large stone faces from a distance and it will not be possible to get up close. However, the two lower tiers will remain open and accessible, so it will be possible to view the impressive bas-reliefs and intricate stone carvings around the temple.

  • Day 26 Day 26: From Siem Reap, Explore Ta Prohm And Angkor Wat
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 26: From Siem Reap, Explore Ta Prohm And Angkor Wat

      On our final day we make a visit to the 2nd Angkor capital that includes the temples of Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei and Takeo. A highlight for many is a visit to the atmospheric temple of Ta Prohm, where the film Tomb Raider was filmed, lying half consumed by the jungle. We leave the best known and most breathtaking of all the sights, Angkor Wat, to the end - where we stay until the sun sets on the last night of our adventure.

  • Day 27 Day 27: Tour Ends In Siem Reap
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 27: Tour Ends In Siem Reap

      The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Siem Reap. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Siem Reap at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a airport transfer today, you need to depart from Siem Reap International Airport (SIA), which is approximately 60-80 minutes from the hotel. If you have time you may choose to browse the old market for some last minute bargains, visit a fish spa or enjoy afternoon tea at The Foreign Correspondentโ€™s Club.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Challenging

Long and challenging experience. Youโ€™ll be required to have good physical fitness to go on it. In some of these activities you'll need previous experience on similar activities.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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