15-Nights The Mekong, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia - Land Journey from $11,990

Itinerary Details

Tauck World Discovery: The Mekong, Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam
Welcome to Hanoi

Tour begins: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at 6:00 PM. A transfer from Noi Bai International Airport to your historic landmark hotel is included. Please join us this evening to meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at our welcome cocktail reception and dinner.

Begin your exploration of Hanoi with a visit to Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh complex, the Presidential Palace, Ho's "house on stilts," and the One-Pillar Pagoda, as well as a guided visit to the ancient Temple of Literature. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before a water puppet show this afternoon; these shows have been a part of Vietnamese culture since the 11th century when rice farmers would entertain their communities in flooded rice fields. Please note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex is closed each year for annual renovations from September to December; Ho Chi Minh's stilt house and the One-Pillar Pagoda remain open for viewing.

A morning visit to Hoa Lo Prison evokes solemn memories of the Vietnam War and the troops that were imprisoned inside. Continue on to the Museum of Ethnology, one of the most beautiful museums in Hanoi, where a guided tour of its exhibits provides fascinating insights into the lifestyles of Vietnam's 52 different ethnic groups. Following lunch, the remainder of the day is free to explore as you please.

Board a flight for Luang Prabang today, landing in this royal city for a four-night stay; it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich architectural and artistic heritage set amidst stunning mountain and riverside scenery. Arrive at your hotel late this afternoon and join us for a special dinner this evening.

Experience life like the locals during a visit to a silk farm cooperative to see what's involved with the silk making process. After lunch, visit the Living Land Rice Farm to learn about this important sustainable agriculture tradition, with an opportunity to work alongside the farmers and their water buffaloes. Return to your hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure this evening.

Wake up before dawn to witness a traditional alms ceremony as Buddhist monks begin their daily rituals with the sunrise. Stop at a morning market en route back to your hotel for breakfast. This afternoon, take a boat across the river to an elephant conservation center where you will have the opportunity to feed these gentle giants, and hear about the efforts being undertaken on their behalf in Laos by the expert researchers.

A morning cruise on the Mekong River brings you to multi-tiered Kuang Si Falls. Enjoy time at leisure here and have lunch in a local restaurant. Sightseeing this afternoon showcases the city's historic sites including 16th-century Wat Xiang Thon, the National Museum, and Wat Mai. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own.

Nature is at her best in Luang Prabang, where scenic mountains and riverside landscapes are picture perfect and close by for exploring. If you wish, join a local guide for a morning hike on Mount Phousi, a sacred hill rising up in the center of the city - the stunning views of the city are rewarding. Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, this afternoon for a three-night stay at the Raffles Grand Hotel.

Visit the temple complex of Angkor with an expert local guide who shares insights during a walking tour. Your day unfolds with a look at modern history in Cambodia at APOPO, an organization that trains "HeroRATS" to help detect landmines. Have lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon and evening of cultural discoveries.

Return to Angkor Wat for a guided visit to root-covered Ta Phrom Temple, 12th-century Angkor Thom, the giant Terrace of the Elephants, and Bayon Temple. After a lunch of local specialties, board a boat for a cruise on Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. View the lake's floating villages and see fishermen plying their trade before returning to your hotel for time at leisure.

Drive through the countryside to Phnom Penh, nicknamed the "Pearl of Asia" for its early 20th century colonial French architecture and Art Deco works, today gleams with skyscrapers that tower over its ancient sites. Spend the next two nights at a luxury hotel enjoying panoramic views of the city and fabled Mekong River. Dine at your leisure at the hotel this evening.

Step aboard a traditional cyclo and ride through the vibrant and bustling Street 240, known for its boutique shops and charming architecture, as you make your way to the iconic Royal Palace. Once there, marvel at its majestic Khmer-style structures and explore the Silver Pagoda, renowned for its gleaming silver-tiled floor and priceless treasures, including the Emerald Buddha. Following lunch, the afternoon is yours to unwind and take in Phnom Penh at your leisure. Alternatively, you may choose to embark on a deeply moving and reflective journey to the 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek, a somber memorial site that commemorates Cambodia's tragic past, and then visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a haunting reminder of resilience and history. The evening is free to spend as you please.

A morning of sightseeing precedes an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Experience the vibrant energy of Saigon after sunset on an unforgettable "Saigon After Dark" tour - by Vespa (or by car, if you prefer). This evening adventure immerses you in the city's buzzing nightlife and rich culinary scene. Hop aboard a motorbike and weave through lively streets illuminated by neon lights, as your guide introduces you to Saigon's local treasures. Savor a variety of authentic dishes during stops at bustling street food stalls and hidden eateries, tasting everything from sizzling Vietnamese pancakes to flavorful noodle soups. Along the way, soak in the city's dynamic atmosphere and discover its local culture.

Head to the Mekong Delta, known as the "Rice Bowl" of Vietnam for an in-depth look at daily life along the Mekong River. Visit a private home and a local business to meet with the owners and enjoy a traditional homestyle lunch. Learn how candy is made - and tastes - from coconuts grown in the delta for a sweet ending to today's excursion. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening on your own.

Embark on a locally guided city sightseeing excursion that includes bustling Ben Thanh market; Reunification Hall; the neo-classical Post Office and the French-built Cathedral. Tonight, join us for a farewell reception and dinner.

Tour ends: Ho Chi Minh City. A transfer is included from Park Hyatt Saigon to Tan Son Nhat International Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in at the airport.