In this tour, you have the opportunity to explore the magic of Halong Bay, stunning landscapes of Tam Coc, and the old-fashioned charm of Hanoi's streets. Here comes Vietnam, a graceful and welcoming country! Discover Hanoi, the millennial city, along with the architectural and cultural wonders of Angkor temples and the beautiful beaches of Sihanoukville. This journey will provide you with multiple encounters with local communities, enriched by their ancestral traditions. Experience the best of Vietnam and Cambodia in one unforgettable trip!
Day 8: Siem Reap – Roulos – Kampong Kleang – Kampong Cham
Day 9: Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh
Day 10: Phnom Penh visit
Day 11: Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville
Day 12&13: Koh Rong Island
Day 14: Koh Rong island – Phnom Penh
Day 15: Phnom Penh departure
Highlight
The extraordinary karst peaks of Halong Bay
The sugar loaves of Tam Coc
Floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake
The ancient pagodas of Tonkin
The wonder temples of Angkor
The historical sites of Phnom PenhMeeting with local people
Full itinerary
B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)
Open and close
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the city center. The check – in will be available at 2 pm. The rest of the day is free to rest or discover the city at your own pace.
Car: 20km Night: hotel
In the morning, our car and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam, about a two – hour drive from Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will visit two temples, one of them dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other to the memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills. There, you will be rowed along a gentle river through paddy fields and caves.
Car: 100km/2h Night: hotel
After breakfast, depart to Halong Bay via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a peaceful countryside typical of the Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Ha Long’s tourist wharf around noon and embark on an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.
Car: 190km Night: on the boat
Awakening to the tranquil beauty of the bay, you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will sail through the bay all morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those who require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor and drive back to Hanoi.
Car: 190km Night: otel
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00 am, starting the day trip with a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) and his former stilt – house residence. We will continue with the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigorous exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring one luck. Its peaceful green compound and its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Night: hotel
Hop on a tuk tuk (motorized tricycle, carry up to three passengers) and follow the river to reach to the west the famous temple of Angkor Wat. Have lunch in a local restaurant then head to the temple of Angkor Thom (Great City). Entering the southern gate, admire the famous Bayon dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, and the 11th century Baphuon, dedicated to Brahmanism (ancient Hinduism). Proceed with the Elephant Terrace or the Leper King Terrace.
Night: hotel
This day trip is first focused on the visit of Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas), at about 30 km (1 – hour drive) north of Angkor. Next, head to Phnom Kulen Sacred Mountain (487 meters above sea level). You will reach it after a 45-minute hike through a dense rainforest. Then, explore Banteay Srei temple (Citadel of Women), dedicated to Shiva, whose architecture and pink sandstone sculptures are a Khmer masterpiece. The temple turns a beautiful shade at sunset, a sight not to be missed.
Car: 80km/2h Night: hotel
After breakfast, a short transfer will show you the surroundings of Siem Reap along a beautiful country road. Venture into Roulos, the oldest temple complex in Angkor, called "Roluos Group", located 12km east of Siem Reap. These temples are the remains of Hariharalaya, which was for 70 years (and under four successive kings) the first Khmer capital.
● The Preah Kô is dedicated to Jayavarman II, first king and founder of the kingdom of Angkor ● Bakong is by far the largest temple of the Roluos group and the first "state temple" supposed to mark the center of the capital ● The remains of Lolei, four dilapidated brick towers laid on a two – level basement
Continue your journey to Kampong Khleang, a lakeside village. After lunch at a local’s home, hop on a traditional wooden boat. Cruise gently on the river and the great Tonle Sap Lake, discover the lakeside Khmer life: everybody’s fishing, 70 – year – old women and 6 – year – olds included! Transfer to Kampong Cham
Car: 250km/5h Night: homestay
After breakfast, start the day by exploring two hills: the man's (Phnom Pros) and the woman's (Phnom Srei), then visit the Vat Nokor pagoda before heading towards Siem Reap and its famous temples of Angkor. Take the road towards Phnom Penh, the national road 7 running along the Vietnamese border. Along the way, take a look at the Skun Market, better known as the Insect Market, where the adventurous ones will dare taste unusual specialties much appreciated by Cambodians: cicadas, spiders, grasshoppers, grilled crickets… Arrival in the capital is scheduled for noon, take the time to check – in at your hotel. Night at the hotel.
Car: 120km/3,5h Night: hotel
In the morning, visit all the Royal Palace monuments: Chan Chhaya Pavilion, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has the world's finest collection of Khmer sculptures. Discover the monument of Independence, which is shaped according to the central tower of Angkor Wat and was erected in 1958 to commemorate the country's independence from France in 1953. Proceed with the visit of Wat Phnom Daun Penh – pagoda built by lady Daun Pen, in 1372, on a small hill. Wat Phnom remains today the highest artificial hill in Phnom Penh and the center of many entertainments.
Night: hotel
After breakfast, transfer to Preah Sihanouk, a seaside town located 230 km from Phnom Penh, offering one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Several stops are planned along the way, in beautiful countryside landscapes. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and seize the day with some free time and an amazing beach. Overnight in Sihanoukville.
Car: 230km/5h Night: resort
Two seaside days to discover the island of Koh Rong with brilliant white sand, endless turquoise sea and unspoiled jungle: a marvelous postcard landscape.
Two seaside days to discover the island of Koh Rong with brilliant white sand, endless turquoise sea and unspoiled jungle: a marvelous postcard landscape.
In the early morning, fast boat to Shihanouk city then transfer to Phnom Penh. Installation at your hotel.
Free time then transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of our services.
€ 1,275euro/personneUSD
The price includes
þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list
þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
þ The entrance fee to the sites
þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide
þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver
þ One litre of drinking water per person per day
þ All logistic services necessary for the program
The price does not include
ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country
ý Bank commission
ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program
ý Meals not mentioned in the program
ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…
ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section
You need to know
Trip price
All prices mentioned in the quotes provided to clients are in US Dollars (USD). Euros are accepted, but the exchange rate will be determined by the international website https://www.xe.com/ on the date the payment is made. iLOTUS TOURS guarantees the rates mentioned in the quotes, invoices, or documents given to the client. Upon payment of the deposit or the full price, we guarantee the price of your trip (excluding changes made by you). However, certain force majeure situations may require us to adjust our prices to meet the travel conditions described in the quote. These force majeure situations may include: • An unpredictable and significant increase in the rate of our local providers (hotels, trains, planes, junks, boats, road vehicles...) • A significant currency fluctuation that has a considerable impact on the exchange rate • The introduction of a new tax imposed by the government Proof of these force majeure events will be provided to the client. In these cases of force majeure, even after the deposit has been paid, the client may refuse these increases and cancel their trip. We commit to refunding the deposit you have paid.
Reservation and Confirmation
All reservations must be sent to iLOTUS TOURS by email at: contact@ilotustours.com • Registration must be accompanied by a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip and 100% of the cost of international flights. • The deposit required for trips lasting less than one week is 50% of the total trip cost. • A larger deposit may be required in the case of last-minute bookings or depending on the specific requests of certain high-category hotels or airlines. • The balance must be paid upon your arrival, without any reminder from our side. • Upon confirmation of the booking, an invoice will be sent to the client by email.
Payment
The trip can be paid for in cash, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through an application (Wise, Revolut, One Pay...): • Cash payments must be made at the iLOTUS TOURS office located in Hanoi, and the client will not be charged any payment fees. • Credit cards: we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. Any bank fees are the responsibility of the client. • Bank transfer in US dollars or euros.
Cancellation by the Client
In the event of trip cancellation, all cancellations must be confirmed by email. The client must pay cancellation fees corresponding to the following rates: • 25% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 30 days before the trip start date. • 50% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 10 days before the trip start date. • 75% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 3 days before the trip start date. • 100% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS 2 days before the trip start date or in case of no-show. For trips to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, your travel advisor will provide you with all the information regarding the deposit and cancellation fees.
Cancellation by iLOTUS TOURS
iLOTUS TOURS reserves the right to cancel trips agreed upon with clients for reasons related to a force majeure situation: war or the threat of war, riots, a natural or nuclear disaster, a port blockade, looting, fires, and any terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, an epidemic, quarantine, or any similar event. In all these cases of cancellation, iLOTUS TOURS will deduct the amount of these penalties from the deposit paid by the client but will refund the remaining amount to the client by bank transfer, with the client covering all bank fees.
