Highlights:

- Gain an insight into recent history with visits to the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum & visit the amazing Cu Chi tunnels.
- Spend a day cruising the canals and wandering the shady lanes of the Mekong Delta.
- Take a interesting speedboat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to see the scenic scenery of the Cambodian rural life-style along the riverbank.
- Discover the civilization of Khmer Rouge through the giant Angkor Complex.
- Visit Sambor Prei Kuk's temples, certainly the most beautiful examples of the art Pre-Angkorian of the VII century
- Have chance to see  Irrawaddy Mekong River Dolphin in Kratie.
- Across the border to Khong Island of Laos to enjoy the beautiful natural landscape and waterfalls.
- Take in the best sites & off the beaten track places from the monasteries & fading colonial architecture of Luang Prabang.
- Overnight at Pakbeng Lodge in Pakbeng, a lively village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the small Nam Beng River
-  Have an good chance to learn about interesting culture and a colorful history of The Hmong & Thai in Houeisay.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival (D)
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, welcome by Asia King Travel's guide and transfer to the hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafes. If time permits, we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. Dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city

Day 2: HCM – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
Morning we departure for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Return to HCM for lunch. Afternoon we will visit some major sights of the city. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale! Overnight at the hotel in HCM

Day 3: HCM – Cai Be – Can Tho (B, L)
Departure from the hotel at 8:00am.Your first introduction to the countryside of Vietnam and also the rice basket of the country. Arriving at the Vinh Trang Buddhist pagoda (built in 1849), view its antique wood carved statues of this well-preserved temple. Take a unique opportunity to see the process of making rice noodle in a typical village in the countryside. Arrival Cai Be you will visit a local workshop to see how they make pop rice and pop corn. Cai be floating market a unique opportunity to see trading and commerce on the vast waterways. After weaving through the lush greenery of the Mekong River you will arrive on An Binh Island in Vinh Long to visit with the local people and beautiful collection of Bonsai. Visit the fascinating collection of tropical fruit trees and flowers nursery of Mr. Tam Ho. Depending on the day you can see the local boat building, the local production of bricks and earth ware in the area. Enjoy a local lunch on the island. Continue cruising to Vinh Long. Pick up and drive to Can Tho. Overnight at the hotel in Can Tho

Day 4: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc (B, L)
Another discovery in the Mekong Delta: the floating markets. You will wake up early to visit the floating market of Cai Rang where a great variety of fruits and vegetables found in the region are sold. From Can Tho, you will travel the colorful road to the bustling river town of Chau Doc. Take a short trip to the Sam Mountain for impressive views over Cambodia and the Delta before enjoying some local cuisine. Overnight at the hotel in Chau Doc

Day 5: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B) by speedboat
This morning we will have a boat ride from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh departing at 8am. The boat takes us along the Mekong River. It continues on to the Vietnamese (Vinh Xuong) - Cambodian (Kaom Samnar) border and then to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The journey takes approximately 4 hours. Arrival transfer to hotel in Phnom Penh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia. A visit to Phnom Penh is a very interesting experience indeed. It is a city with an interesting pulse and it gives you a very true taste of Asia. We will visit the Wats Phnom, National museum, silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast we take an interesting speed-boat ride to Siem Reap (around 5 hours). On the way, see the scenic scenery of the Cambodian rural life-style along the riverbank. (From April to July, the Mekong water is very low; the speed boat will be replaced by Flight). Arrival in Siem Reap, pick up and transfer to hotel. Afternoon we will visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Day 7: Angkor Temple (B)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.  Afternoon we visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), and the RoyalEnclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Day 8: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom (B)
After breakfast, the morning we depart for Kampong Thom by air-conditioned coach. Arrive at Kampong Thom transfer to hotel for check in. In the afternoon, visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of temples which consists of about 200 temples of the pre-Angkorian. These temples are built in the forest, somewhere 40km north of Kampong Thom town. Overnight at the hotel in Kampong Thom

Day 9: Kampong Thom – Kratie (B)
Breakfast in hotel and then continue trip to Kratie province – Home of Irrawaddy Mekong River Dolphin via national road No. 7 (368km). Arrive at Kratie town at noon time and transfer to hotel. Afternoon, start visit to Wat Sarsar Muoy Roy (100 columns Pagoda) which was built since Chenla era in a city named Sampopura. Return and visit to the rare Irrawaddy River Dolphin - the world endanger fresh water mammal at Kampi. Lunch and dinner at own arrangement. Overnight at hotel in Kratie

Day 10: Kratie – Stung Treng (B)
Continue road trip to Stung Treng via old national road No. 7 (141km). Along the road, we visit the ancient houses and villages of people. Arrive at noon time and transfer to hotel check in. After, transfer to pier and take traditional boat to visit Thala Barivat, pre-Angkorian temple by crossing Sekong and Mekong Rivers. There, we will find Preah Kor temple, constructed in the late 7^th and early 8^th centuries. Overnight at the hotel in Stung Treng

Day 11: Stung Treng – Dong Kralo - Khong Island (B, L)
In the morning you are transferred to border Cambodian - Laos. Arrive in Border Dom Kralor-Vern Kham, meet local English speaking guide. After clearance at Lao border checkpoint. Then excursion by road to visit Khone Phapheng fall then further on to Phengdi & take a slow boat down Mekong River to Ban khone village. After lunch at local restaurant, then visit Li Phi water fall & return to Phengdi by boat. After, continue to Khong Island by road. Overnight at hotel in Khong Island

Day 12: Khong Island (B, L)Breakfast at the hotel, we take the cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reaches a breadth of 14 km, the river’s widest reach along its 4,350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau towards the South China Sea; when the river recedes, it leaves behind thousands of islands and islets. Visit the surrounding islands of Done Ket and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen, then time free. Overnight at the hotel in Khong Island.

Day 13: Khong Island – Pakse – Luang Prabang (B)
By vehicle from Khong Island to Champasak. Journey north in Champasak Province, through the Mekong River basin and through the villages of Kheo, Ban Hangdon and Ban Nongsim. Champassak district, small district of 38,000 people on the western bank of the Mekong River. The Angkor-period ruins of Wat Phou Champasak lie 8km south of the town. Sightseeing Wat Phou Champasak, a small district of 38,000 people on the western bank of the Mekong River). By vehicle from Champasak to Pakse, transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang (Flight available on Mon, Thu, Sat). Overnight at the hotels in Luang Prabang

Day 14: Luang Prabang (B)
Today we enjoy the visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Pakbeng (B, L, D)
Upon leaving the town, we board Nava Mekong boat and cruise up on the Mekong River to Pakbeng, a lively village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the small Nam Beng River. The Hmong and Thai ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Pakbeng and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Along the way, we visit the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves. These caves are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought here by devoted villagers. Overnight at the Pakbeng Lodge

Day 16: Pakbeng – Houxay – Chiang Rai (B, L)
The morning market of Pakbeng also attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who converge from the outlying valleys and hillsides to sell their goods and buy provision. After an enjoyable walk around this congregation we re-embark on our boat for a trip towards Houei Xay, a border town close to the famous Golden Triangle. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way to observe rural life close up. We stop over at Ban Houeilampen to visit the Hmong hill tripe people. They are very poor, but have an interesting culture and a colorful history. Arrival at Chiang Khong, pick up and transfer to Chiang Rai. Overnight at the hotel in Chiang Rai

Day 17: Chiang Rai – Departure (B)
You are free until transfer to airport for flight home. End of Asia King Travel’s Services.

Trip includes:

• Private English speaking guide
• Accommodation based on the twin sharing room with daily breakfast
• Transfers & transport by private vehicle
• All entrance fees
• Private traditional boat: Mekong Delta, Kratie, and Stung Treng and in Khong Island,  Luang Prang to Houeixay
• Speed boat: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh; Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
• Flight with tax: Pakse – Luang Prabang
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Water & cool towels
• Government taxes & service charge

 
Trip doesn’t include:

• International flights
• International departure tax
• Flight option: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
• Vietnam visa stamp fee
• Lao Visa not available at this border (please get Laos visa in advance)
• Cambodia visa: available at the airport/border (25 USD/ pax)
• Thailand visa: (available at the border)
• Travel insurance
• Admission fees during free time
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such a telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
• Tips and gratuities