Temples and Trekking in Cambodia and Vietnam

DAY 1 International Flight

Take an international connecting flight to Siem Reap from London. There are several airlines to choose from so we can find something to suit a range of budgets and preferences, but all options will involve an overnight connection.

DAY 2 Tonle Sap

You'll be collected this morning to journey out into rural Cambodia, to a small fishing village on the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Here you will board a traditional boat and head across the water to Preak Toal, a floating village complete with church, schools and village shops. A hive of activity, Preak Toal is the lake's largest floating village and also offers great birdwatching potential. After exploring, circle out to the edge of the vast lake and enjoy a picnic lunch before you head back to the car and your hotel in the late afternoon. After a busy few days, the rest of the day is yours to relax.

DAY 3 To Hanoi

After a leisurely morning by the pool, or some last minute gift shopping (our Siem Reap Dossier offers plenty of shopping suggestions) it's time to say goodbye to Siem Reap; today marks the start of part two of your adventure as you head to Vietnam. The flight to Hanoi is less than two hours long and you'll be transferred to and from the airport in a private car so the journey to your new hotel should be nice and smooth. As you'll arrive in the evening, we'll make a restaurant reservation in advance.

DAY 4 To Sapa

This morning head north to Sapa, with a private transfer of around five hours. Along the way you'll pass through hundreds of lush green paddy fields and lots of small rural villages. Since the town of Sapa can be rather busy, we suggest staying in the countryside outside of town. We would always recommend Topas EcoLodge for its fabulous mountain top views and spectacular infinity pool - in fact, ideally you'll want to drop your things on arrival and then dive straight in. You'll dine with a view tonight, looking out from a beautiful stilt house restaurant.

DAY 5 Back to Hanoi

Wake up to the mountain top views from Topas Ecolodge for one last time today, as you prepare to hit the road back to Hanoi. When you arrive there will be a few hours to spend exploring independently before tonight's fun dining experience. You'll be collected from your hotel in the early evening and along with a passionate food guide, head out to walk through the Old Quarter's small lanes, winding backstreets, and hidden alleys, where a multitude of vendors set up their stalls along the roadside. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the city at night and then pull up a stool at one of Hanoi's best pho stalls. Slurp up a bowl of the steaming noodle soup, then having tantalised the taste buds continue on the food trail to sample other local favourites. Try banh cuon, steamed rice paper stuffed with pork and mushrooms, and nem chua ran, fried spring rolls, among many other dishes.

You'll then end the night with a barbeque dinner and a cold beer at a traditional bia hoi (small shop selling draft beer) as you watch the vibrant night time street scenes unfold.

DAY 6 To Hue

Leave the bustling capital behind today as you are transferred to the airport for a short domestic flight to Hue. Once landed here you'll then be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. The old imperial capital is set on the banks of the Perfume River and the city and its surrounding area are dotted with dozens of pagodas and temples dating back to the Nguyen Dynasty of the 1800's. It's a tranquil city, perfect for wandering around and taking in your beautiful surroundings before watching the sun set over the river.

This evening, we've planned another exciting foodie tour, this time travelling between Banh Beot and beer joints by Vespa scooter. You're riding pillion, of course.

DAY 7 To Hoi An

It's back on the road this morning as you are driven three hours south to Hoi An. On route you will travel over the scenic Hai Van mountain pass, with time to spot for a coffee and enjoy the view from the peak, 1600 ft up. Hoi An is an enchanting, sleepy riverside town that really does offers a glimpse of a bygone era. Once you're all checked in and the bags are dropped, head out for a scenic river cruise along the Thu Bon River. Cast off from the town centre and watch the UNESCO World Heritage protected ancient trading houses fade from view. The boat will then make its way north, through the leafy areas outside of the centre where you'll see local farmers returning from the fields, their boats laden with vegetables, and local fishermen gracefully casting their massive nets for the evening's fresh catch. For a closer look, climb into a small bamboo vessel known as a thung chai and paddle along the calm waters with the locals.

The cruise comes to a close in the last light of day, so watch the sky turn brilliant shades of pink and orange as the sun sets over the river, and then return to shore for the evening.