Indochina City Tour

9 days visiting

• Phnom Penh
• Saigon
• Hanoi

From $1995 AUD pp (2 pax)

Day 1 Phnom Penh
Arrival in Phnom Penh
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sunset cyclo ride around Phnom Penh
Enjoy a cyclo ride around Phnom Penh at sunset – Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2 Phnom Penh (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Let’s see what Cambodia’s capital city has to offer! The riverfront promenade is a hive of activity, from the chaotic traffic to busy pavements full of street-side vendors and pedestrians. We’ll visit the National Museum and the Silver Pagoda, and then rub shoulders with the royals in the Royal Palace, where King Norodom Sihamoi still lives today. But the city still bears the scars left by the Khmer Rouge. In particular the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Formerly the high school, it became the main interrogation and torture facility. Largely unchanged, it bears witness to the thousands of victims that passed through the doors – only seven of whom survived. It’s a distressing place to visit, but it’s necessary to understand the resilience of the Cambodians. And of course, there’s time for shopping in one of the city’s fabulous markets to barter for locally made silk, crafts, jewellery and lots more. Today’s Highlights: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, Central Market or the Russian Marke – Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 3 Phnom Penh (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Sovanna BBQ I )
Excursion to the Killing Fields
The country still bears the scars left by the Khmer Rouge. Just outside the city, in a peaceful rural setting, we find the Killing Fields. Thousands of people were killed here between the years of 1975 and 1978 and buried in mass graves. It is a distressing place to visit, but it’s necessary to get a clearer idea of how Cambodians have suffered and ultimately survived. Today’s Highlights: Killing Fields.
Afternoon at leisure
Evening Foodie Safari By Remork “Tuk Tuk”
It’s time to satisfy our foodie side with an evening visit to the markets. We’ll go there in local style – in a tuk-tuk. It’s the food section in the art-deco Central Market that we’ll be heading to, enticed by the aromas of freshly cooked snacks. We can try exotic fruits such as dragon fruit and mango – but beware the stinky durian! In the Old Market we’ll see all the different spices as well as more bizarre ingredients. By now, the sun will be starting to set so we’ll make our way up to a rooftop bar for cocktails overlooking the Mekong. Dinner will be in a local restaurant, followed by dessert from a stall that whips up fresh fruit shakes and fruits with sweet condensed milk. Happy eating! Today’s Highlights: Cyclo ride to Central Market, Old market (Phsar Chas), cocktails in rooftop bar, dinner – Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 4 Phnom Penh – Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Phnom Penh to Saigon
Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Saigon
Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There’s classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We’ll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Today’s Highlights: Reunification Palace, Emperor of Jade Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Marke – Overnight in Saigon

Day 5 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
We’re going underground – deep into the Cu Chi Tunnels! These hand-dug tunnels changed the course of the Vietnam War. The well-camouflaged entrance holes lead into a network of incredibly narrow tunnels that stretch for over 200 kilometres connecting command posts, hospitals and shelters. We’ll learn about the life of the Vietcong and venture into some of the tunnels. The deadly, bamboo-spiked booby traps are another must-see. Today’s Highlights: Cu Chi Tunnnels
Afternoon at leisure
– Overnight in Saigon

Day 6 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Home-hosted lunch in Ben Tre )
Pedal and Paddle in Ben Tre
We could end up feeling fruity as we cruise the Mekong River Islands! This area may be Vietnam’s -rice bowl’ but fruit orchards and coconut groves also thrive here. We’ll stop to see all the different uses for coconuts. A bicycle ride will bring us to the home of local antique collector, Uncle Six, who will show us how he climbs the coconut trees using just his bare hands. We can even try if we want! A rowing boat will take us along the water palm creek giving us a glimpse of daily life on the delta. Lunch will be an assortment of delicious dishes cooked by one of the locals of the Mekong Delta. Today’s Highlights: Ben Tre by boat and bicycl – Overnight in Saigon

Day 7 Saigon – Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Saigon to Hanoi
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Hanoi
There’s no arguing – Hanoi has to be the coolest city in Vietnam. And no, we’re not just referring to the climate. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage – the Temple of Literature is one of the oldest landmarks. And then there’s the Old Quarter – a maze of narrow alleyways that date back to the 13th century. We’ll stop to sample Vietnamese coffee and pop into an ancient house. Today’s Highlights: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (only view from the outside), Temple of Literature, Old Quarter, ancient hous – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 8 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Excursion to Halong Bay with boat trip including lunch
Halong Bay was formed by dragons who used their tails to gouge out valleys and crevasses, and spat out jewels that turned into islands. Or so the Vietnamese believe. Whether true or not, this is an otherworldly landscape. On a traditional wooden junk we’ll drift through a fairyland of sheer limestone islands that rise from the emerald water. We’ll pass by unique rock formations and discover caves in the rocks. We can explore even closer on a kayak or bamboo rowing boat. Today’s Highlights: Boat trip through Halong Bay, Thien Cung Cav – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 9 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle