Following breakfast, we spend our morning visiting of the essentials of Hanoi. We begin with an electric cart ride around the Hoan Kiem district to have an overview of Hanoi’s centre. We continue with the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s oldest university (opened in 1070) which is now a temple dedicated to Confucius.

We have a lunch nearby in a social enterprise restaurant that provides vocational training and career development paths to some disadvantaged youths of the region.

In the afternoon we will get off-grid with a surprising urban hike. After a short car transfer we walk about 2 kilometres in a lush natural area full of banana trees and vegetable gardens - right in the heart of Hanoi city. We then walk a piece of heritage, the symbol of Hanoi - the beautiful Long Bien Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). We return to hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

We have an early departure today and make for the road to the coast. We arrive in Haiphong around 8.30am and catch the hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island, one of the only populated islands in Halong Bay and home to a stunning national park. We reach the island and go visit the fish market before heading to a beautiful ancient house set in a lush garden where we are hosted for lunch by the couple living there. In the early afternoon we take a drive to the entrance of Cat Ba National Park to start our trek across the park. After about 3 to 4 hours of moderate hiking in the wild eastern edge of the Island we reach the small, secluded village of Viet Hai and a small nature lodge where we will have dinner and overnight.

Overnight in Viet Hai

Note: Today contains 3 – 4 hours of moderate hiking with three hills to climb up and down.

After breakfast we hop onto our bicycles for a short but beautiful ride from the village to the pier – about 5 kilometres on a small, concrete road winding through the jungle and along the coast.

At the pier our private wooden junk and kayaks are waiting for us to go on a paddling exploration to Lan Ha bay. Lan Ha bay is the twin sister of Halong Bay and certainly one of the less traveled corners of Halong archipelago. We go at our own pace with a route that is quite flexible and can adapt to your preference, the tide, and the weather conditions. We may kayak more or less, visit lagoons, stop by sandy beaches…it is up to you and the crew.

Lunch and dinner are served on the boat.

Overnight aboard the junk.

After breakfast we cruise across Halong Bay, bid farewell to our crew while we meander through the stunning limestone rocks, and disembark in Halong. We drive to Hanoi’s airport to take a flight to Dong Hoi. We are greeted in Dong Hoi and driven to Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, one of Vietnam’s best kept secrets and home to stunning cave systems, underground rivers, karst mountains, and abundant wildlife including black bears.

We check in to our bungalows and freshen up before dinner.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

While you have breakfast the guide will be prepping the bikes for an early start - ideally a little before 9.00am - but it can be flexible if you’d like to sleep longer.

The ride of today ranges from 17 to 25 kilometres on easy, rather flat, and mostly paved road passing by villages and scenic stretches of countryside. We will experience lots of interactions with locals, learning about the farming activities and the daily life in the region.

Lunch is served at a farm before we cycle or transfer back to the lodge. Refreshing time by the swimming pool for the end of the afternoon.

Overnight in Phong Nha.

Despite the abundant wildlife, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is perhaps even more well-known for its cave systems and today you will see why. At 400 million years old the karst limestone mountains here are amongst the oldest in Asia and have therefore had more time than most to slowly have large cave systems worn through them. Today we will explore a giant cave called Paradise Cave (only discovered in 2005), have a nice outdoor BBQ lunch, and do some kayaking to the wet Dark Cave. We’ll end the day exhausted but loaded with memories.

Overnight in Phong Nha

After breakfast, we start our journey to the south and the ancient imperial capital of Hue. It is an approximately 5-hour journey during which our drive will take us across the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and the Hien Luong Bridge, a historic landmark that served as the border gate between North and South Vietnam before reunification. We will also stop to visit the Vinh Moc tunnels site, where we will explore a part of this 2-km network of tunnels that reached 30-meter deep and served as shelter for about a hundred families during heavy bombing from the American Forces.

We have lunch in Dong Ha town and should reach Hue in the mid-afternoon. Our accommodation is a resort on beautiful Thuan An beach approximately 10 kilometres from Hue town.

Overnight in Thuan An.

Today is set aside at leisure to make the most of the stunning beach or explore the historic town of Hue.

Optional Tour: Take an excursion on a local fishing boat before swapping into a kayak and an exhilarating paddle across the lagoon illuminated by the gleaming orange lights at sunset. We reach a restaurant on stilts perched over the water and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner there. Later on we are transferred back to our resort. (supplement applies)

Overnight in Thuan An.

In the morning we visit two important pieces of the imperial heritage of Vietnam. Our first stop is the citadel, which offers us insight into the feudal history of Vietnam. Next is the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, often regarded as the last emperor of Vietnam. After lunch in town we drive to the South pass the Lang Co bay, cross the stunning Hai Van Pass with its superb vistas, and reach the ancient town of Hoi An.

Check-in, make yourself comfortable, and spend the evening at leisure exploring the charming UNESCO listed town centre right on your doorstep.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Following breakfast, we will set off on bike towards Duy Vinh – the countryside of Hoi An. The picturesque cycling route is highlighted with rice fields, local gardens, and markets. Stop as often as you wish for photographs or some easy chat with locals. There’s also time for a visit to a family who is making sleeping mats in traditional way or a local carving workshop nearby.

You will then need your water gears in order to explore the Cam Thanh coco palm forest either by kayak or SUP (Stand-Up-Paddle). The area is a mangrove ecosystem unique to Hoi An - and the scenery is spectacular. The coco palm forest provides the locals with products such as fish shells and Nipa leaves - which are commonly used as a roofing material for local homes. Arrive at the boat pier around noon. Cool down with refreshment before we drive you back to the hotel.

In the afternoon we transfer you to the airport in Danang to take a flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Cambodia! You are greeted at the airport and driven to your hotel in the city centre.

End of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

An unforgettable day today as we explore the incredible Angkor Temples on bikes. From the majestic Angkor Wat to the ancient city of Angkor Thom and the forgotten temple Ta Prohm, our day will be filled with unique impressions and emotions created by the archaeological site. The ride is about 15 kilometres and the guide will adapt the pace and length to your preference.

This evening, enjoy a special treat with a performance from PHARE. The Cambodian Circus has long been famous for their shows and this NGO teaching street kids to become circus artists is a regular at international circus conventions worldwide. Enjoy their interpretations of modern life and issues in Cambodian society.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast we transfer by car to the Northern edge of the mighty Tonle Sap Lake. We get on a local boat and cruise for over 30 minutes to Mechrey floating village. We will then jump into kayaks and explore the floating houses and remarkable village life in our own time and pace before paddling deeper into the mangrove forest, a unique ecosystem with a totally different atmosphere to the village.

We then cruise back to the pier where our vehicle awaits to drive us back to Siem Reap. The afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Your day is at leisure until it is time for your driver to pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

• Accommodation for 13 nights
• All transfers in private air conditioned vehicles
• All entrance fees as per program
• Flights Hanoi – Dong Hoi Da Nang – Siem Reap
• Meals (BLD) = (Breakfast Lunch Dinner) as specified
• Local English speaking guides
• 2 bottles of mineral water per day
• Government taxes and surcharges

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above