12-Nights Images of Indochina & Angkor Wat - Small Group Journeys — CALL

Itinerary Details

Abercrombie & Kent: Images of Indochina & Angkor Wat

Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and transfer to your colonial-style hotel.

Hanoi is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple structure that served as home to the revolutionary guerrilla leader. After lunch, visit the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison, where American prisoners of war were once confined, and perhaps hear from a war veteran about his experiences. Ride like a local by cyclo through the city’s Old Quarter. This evening, gather with your fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Travel to the shores of the Gulf of Tonkin, where you board Heritage for a cruise of picturesque Ha Long and Lan Ha bays. Relax on deck as Heritage snakes its way past countless islets, their striking karst outcrops rising dramatically from the emerald waters. Take in the beaches, caves and coves and view the sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin shoreline, followed by dinner aboard.

Greet the day on deck with sunrise tai chi overlooking the bay. Set out for an early morning excursion among the towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board as Heritage sails home to port. Back on terra firma, proceed to Hang Kenh Temple in Hai Phong and take in a local water puppet show. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, where you settle in at your hotel.

Recently experiencing a resurgence of art and culture, Ho Chi Minh City is a lively, evocative hub of activity. Rise early for a carefully curated, A&K-exclusive experience that starts with a cyclo ride through the streets as the city slowly comes to life. Stroll through Tao Dan Park, a neighborhood gathering place, and then enjoy specialty Vietnamese coffee at a local shop. Round out your morning exploration of local life by sampling some of the city’s most sensational pho at one of its most popular restaurants. Return to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. At lunch, participate in a Chef ’s Table experience where you try your hand at making banh xeo, a savory Vietnamese pancake. This afternoon, view examples of the city’s colonial legacy, including Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office, and then explore a Cao Dai temple to get in touch with southern Vietnam’s spiritual side. Enjoy your evening at leisure.

Today, venture outside of the city to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, learning how this vast subterranean network was used to conceal and support a stealthy underground fighting force. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, followed by a walking tour of a historic neighborhood.

Explore the City’s Bustling Culinary Scene, sampling traditional dishes prepared by local street-food vendors.

Cycle the Countryside around the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through local villages to observe daily life.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather for dinner.

Fly to Siem Reap, the town nearest to Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, get a taste of Cambodia’s performing arts scene at Phare Circus, a vibrant show that explores Cambodia history and culture through theater, music and dance.

This morning, visit Ta Prohm, where the roots of great trees have spilled over the roof of this iconic stone temple. Afterward, return to the hotel for time at leisure, perhaps taking a dip in the pool to escape the afternoon heat. Enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer kingdom, and Bayon, with its carved stone faces — bearing beguiling smiles — of gods, goddesses and other beings from mythology. Toast this grand adventure with a cruise by gondola on the tranquil Angkor Thom moat while sipping a cool drink on a Scenic Sundowner.

Rise early to experience the incomparable serenity and inspiration of watching the sun rise over mystical Angkor Wat before exploring the vast temple complex with a local expert. Return to your hotel for breakfast and time to relax. After lunch at a local restaurant, fly to Luang Prabang.

Step back in time for a day as you explore charming Luang Prabang and its tranquil streets. Begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum for an overview of the history and culture of Luang Prabang. Then, follow quiet back lanes to the beautiful Heuan Chan Heritage House. After a refreshing tea in the gardens, proceed to the enchanting Wat Xieng Thong, a Buddhist Temple noted for its “Tree of Life” wall mosaic, and then visit Wat Khili. Later, join your fellow guests for a relaxing sunset cruise along the tranquil and iconic Mekong River before dinner.

Rise very early to give alms to Buddhist monks, putting you in touch with the local culture and community. Return to your hotel with some time to relax and pack. Then, join locals in their home for a baci ceremony — a good-luck ritual for a safe journey that is part of the local culture — before flying to Bangkok.

Visit the sprawling Grand Palace, a complex that is the historic Siamese court and home to Thailand’s most important shrine, the green-jade Emerald Buddha. Continue by tuk-tuk to the 150-foot-long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Your afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, gather with your fellow guests for a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart for home.