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

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.

A morning visit to the Museum of Ethnology, widely regarded as one of Hanoi's most compelling museums, includes a guided exploration of its thoughtfully curated indoor and outdoor exhibits. Here, you'll gain insight into the daily lives, traditions, and craftsmanship of Vietnam's 52 officially recognized ethnic groups, from stilt-house architecture to ceremonial dress. Continue on to the Hoa Lo Prison, a sobering site that reflects Vietnam's complex history and evokes memories of the war years and those once imprisoned within its walls. Following lunch, the remainder of the day is free to explore Hanoi at your own pace - perhaps strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake, browsing galleries and boutiques in the Old Quarter, or simply relaxing at a café and watching the city unfold.

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 come together for dinner this evening.

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. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant back in town.

Wake up before dawn to witness a traditional alms ceremony as Buddhist monks begin their daily rituals with the sunrise, a quiet, reflective moment that offers insight into a practice woven into daily life here. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast. Nature is at her best in Luang Prabang, where riverside landscapes and forested hills create a setting that feels both peaceful and enduring. You'll experience this at an elephant conservation center, where you'll have an opportunity to feed these gentle giants and hear about the efforts being undertaken on their behalf in Laos by expert researchers, gaining a clearer understanding of conservation work in practice and the role these animals continue to play in the region's cultural and environmental story.

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.

Depart Luang Prabang today and fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, gateway to the extraordinary temples of Angkor. Depending on the day of the week, flights may be direct or may connect through Bangkok - no visa is required for the connection. On arrival, transfer to your hotel, the historic Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. Opened in the 1930s and set amid landscaped gardens, the hotel remains one of Southeast Asia's grand landmarks. Its French colonial architecture, shaded verandas, and gracious hospitality provide a memorable introduction to Cambodia, while its location places you just moments from the wonders of Angkor Wat. After time to settle in, gather for dinner at the hotel this evening.

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 into the Mekong Delta, often called the 'Rice Bowl' of Vietnam, for an in-depth look at life shaped by the river's slow-moving waterways and fertile banks. Far removed from the pace of Ho Chi Minh City, the Delta reveals a quieter rhythm, where canals replace roads and daily routines unfold along the water's edge. Visit a private home and a local business to meet the people who live and work here, sample regional specialties, and enjoy a traditional homestyle lunch prepared with local ingredients. Later, return to Ho Chi Minh City, where the evening is yours to spend as you please.

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.