2024 The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam

2024 The Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam
with 3 Nights Ho Chi Minh City, 2 Nights Siem Reap, 3 Nights Hanoi & 2 Nights Ha Long Bay

• 17 Nights / 19 Days
• * Avalon Saigon Travel to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam & Return from Hanoi, Vietnam
• * Escorted From Honolulu

Countries: Vietnam & Cambodia
Rivers: Mekong River

Tour Date & Manager:

February 4 – 22, 2024 * Tour Manager: Cliff Nakamura

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 04: HONOLULU – Departure Flights to Vietnam.

DAY 2 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 05: ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

DAY 3 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 06: HO CHI MINH CITY: CLASSIC Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’Clock Follies” during the war. Then visit the War Remnants Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market. OR DISCOVERY For lunch, participate in a hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last, but not least, sample your delicious creations! Explore the city further during free time this afternoon. This evening join your traveling companions for a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 07: HO CHI MINH CITY – EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS: CLASSIC Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels—an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length —used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening. Consider stopping for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. (B)

DAY 5 – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 08: HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION): The Avalon Saigon is Ready for Boarding. Transfer to the port on the Saigon River for embarkation. Get acquainted with the ship. Relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG (B, L, D)

DAY 6 – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 09: VINH LONG- CU LAO GIENG: DISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning to visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made OR DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC (B, L, D)

DAY 7 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10: CHAU DOC-LONG KHANH A – BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA: DISCOVERY In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more. OR DISCOVERY After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition; Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH (B, L, D)

DAY 8 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11: PHNOM PENH: CLASSIC Take a City Tour by private cyclo to visit the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts; The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure. OR an Optional Tour of a local brewery with free-flowing local beer! Before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance. (B, L, D)

DAY 9 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12: PHNOM PEHN: CLASSIC This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR: DISCOVERY Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design.; After lunch, depart Phnom Penh and enjoy some time at leisure on the ship. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY. (B, L, D)

DAY 10 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13: WAT HANCHEY – ANGKOR BAN: DISCOVERY Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks. OR DISCOVERY After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house VISIT TO a local school; EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG. (B, L, D)

DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14: KONPONG LOUANG – KAMPONG TRALACH: DISCOVERY Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life; This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River. EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH. (B, L, D)

DAY 12 – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15: PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION) – SIEM REAP: Fly to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! CLASSIC After lunch, begin your Sightseeing Tour by tuk-tuk to explore the temples. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures, OR: ACTIVE Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple by bike; The evening is yours to explore charming Siem Reap, stay to witness the sunset at Angkor Wat, or consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Cambodian circus. (B, L)

DAY 13 – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16: SIEM REAP: CLASSIC Continue your Guided Sightseeing of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. En route stop at a local village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand; Spend the afternoon at your leisure. OR an Optional Excursion to further explore Siem Reap or the temple complex by tuk-tuk. DISCOVERY This evening, a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song & dance. (B, D)

DAY 14 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17: SIEM REAP – HANOI: Today, transfer to airport & fly to Hanoi; on arrival, transfer to your hotel stay. (B)

DAY 15 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18: HANOI: CLASSIC First, join a Guided Visit of the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next, see iconic sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Lastly, visit the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. CLASSIC After lunch, enjoy an Electric Cart Ride through the fascinating Old Quarter— with its 36 ancient streets where merchants trade as they have for centuries. OR DISCOVERY An early dinner this evening is followed by a fascinating Live Performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppets, a traditional 11th-century art form. (B, L, D)

DAY 16 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19: HANOI – HA LONG BAY: Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes. Board the luxurious Paradise Elegance for a 2-Night Cruise on the bay. DISCOVERY Visit the Cua Van Floating Village, home to more than 700 people, by bamboo raft, OR: ACTIVE Take a Kayak Ride to visit Cua Van Village. Enjoy scenic sailing before anchoring for the night. (B, L, D)

DAY 17 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20: HA LONG BAY: DISCOVERY Visit Ti Top Island, for a Guided Excursion for a swim, or climb 400 steps to the top of the island for stunning views. You can also visit Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, OR: ACTIVE Explore Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave by Kayak Ride; After a day of exploring, consider a spa treatment or simply relax for happy hour prior to dinner! (B, L, D)

DAY 18 – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21: HA LONG BAY – HANOI: This morning, relax onboard your ship, or visit Sung Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in the area with its magnificent formations. Afterwards, return to Hanoi and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. (B).

DAY 19 – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22: HANOI – HONOLULU: Your Southeast Asia visit end this morning. Flights to Honolulu.