Adventures in Indochine
Vietnam and Cambodia Private Journey
Overview
The intriguing world of Indochine beckons with marvelous landscapes, centuries of history, and a fascinating mix of cultures. On this Private Journey, explore vibrant Hanoi, with its 15th century Old Quarter, and enjoy the surreal beauty of Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, with two overnights aboard your own private sailing junk. Heading along the South China Sea, stop at China Beach, where American soldiers spent “R&R” during the Vietnam War, and continue to the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An, with its wonderful markets and an option for bicycling along country lanes. After visiting the royal city of Hue, your grand finale is a visit to Cambodia's exquisite Angkor, an ancient temple city lost in the jungle. We also offer a wildly popular pre-trip extension to Laos to explore the ancient town of Luang Prabang, a World Heritage Site of royal temples, and fascinating hilltribe markets. Enjoy daily activities with your regional private guides, who specialize in each area that you visit. Fun add-on options include a water puppet performance in Hanoi, a cooking class in the beautiful city of Hoi An, and a Cu Chi Tunnel Tour in Saigon.
Arrive: Hanoi, Vietnam
Depart: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Highlights
- Two-night cruise in the mystical karst landscapes of Halong Bay
- Optional biking around enchanting Hoi An and Hue
- Extraordinary temples of Angkor, a World Heritage Site
Itinerary
Thousand-year-old Hanoi is a fascinating city. The Old Quarter, the heart of Hanoi since the 15th century, is an incredible warren of winding streets and magnificent architecture. Explore on foot and by traditional cyclo-rickshaw with your private guide, visiting sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. If you like, you can add on a water puppet performance, which is brought to life with Vietnam's traditional marionettes on a stage of water.
The World Heritage Site of Halong Bay is a magical setting of thousands of sheer limestone islands soaring out of a jade-green sea. Explore Halong Bay aboard your own private sailing junk, staffed by a crew of at least five plus a private chef. Visit Surprise Cave, with its spectacular stalagmites, and beautiful Ho Dong Tien ("Fairy Lake Cave"), a flooded cave. Optional kayaking is available, and you can enjoy visits to sea grottoes, hidden lakes, and coves. Return to Hanoi for overnight on Day 5.
You'll get a vivid sense of history as you walk the narrow streets of the picturesque town of Hoi An, a trading port from the 15th to 19th centuries and now a World Heritage Site. Explore nearby My Son, Vietnam's most evocative Cham archaeological site, and enjoy optional biking along country roads with your private guide. If you wish, you can add-on a private cooking school experience at Red Bridge Cooking School, set in three acres of lush tropical gardens and a highlight of the culinary scene in Hoi An.
In Hue, Vietnam's cultural and religious capital, explore the Tam Giang Lagoon, the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen emperors, and the Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Citadel. Optional biking with your private guide is available. On Day 10, enjoy bustling Saigon, with its French colonial landmarkes, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. An optional add-on includes a visit to Saigon's Cu Chi Tunnels, a legendary network of underground passageways from the Vietnam War (please note: if you would like to add this tour to your Private Journey, an additional overnight will be required in Saigon).
Scattered across a tropical landscape, Cambodia's royal city of Angkor is one of the most extensive and awe-inspiring archaeolgical sites in the world, and a lasting testament to the glory of a bygone Khmer civilization. Explore this architectural masterpiece of breathtaking temples, and enjoy a sunset climb up Phnom Bakheng and sunrise over Angkor Wat for spectacular views. Depart on Day 13.
- Water Puppet Performance
- Private Cooking Class
- Cu Chi Tunnel Tour
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is designed to offer an enjoyable, active vacation. All bicycling is optional, bike routes are on relatively flat terrain and you will always have a support van along should you decide not to bike (and to offer a cool, refreshing drink!).
Review Trip Level Details
October through March is the ideal season for travel in Vietnam and Cambodia. You will experience a range of temperatures and climates because Vietnam covers many climate zones.
Vietnam lies within various climate zones, and where it may be cold and drizzly in Hanoi, it is very likely to be hot and steamy in Saigon: Hanoi in October, November, and March should be warm and pleasant (70s°F) during the days with pleasant evening temperatures (60s°F). Hanoi in December through February can be chilly (50s-60s°F) during the days with cold nights (50s°F) with the possibility of light rain and drizzle. Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay are typically a bit cooler, with the possibility of light rain throughout the year. Hue during October-March has a very varied climate (different from all other regions) that may include light drizzle, but can be very humid. Hoi An during October-March should be pleasant, sunny and warm (70s-80s°F) with nice sea breezes. Saigon during October-March (their "cool" season) will be quite hot and humid during the days (80s-90s°F) with warm, pleasant evenings (70s°F)—a climate similar to that of Bangkok.
Cambodia (Angkor) during October-March (their "cool" season) is likely to be very hot and sunny during the days (80s-90s°F), but with warm, pleasant evenings (70s°F). The climate at Angkor is dryer than that of Saigon/Bangkok and therefore more pleasant. April through September is monsoon season in much of Southeast Asia, and therefore is not recommended for travel.
If you do the Laos Extension, it is usually warm-hot (80s°F) during the days during October, November, and March, with lovely evening temperatures (60s°F). Laos in December-February will be cooler (70s°F), with cool-cold nights (50s°F). There is usually a small chance of rain during the "cool" season, which runs from November through early March, and weather for the most part should be sunny.
Client Testimonials
"I thoroughly enjoyed the trip! Everything from the sites we saw, the activities we did, the guides we had, and the hotels in which we stayed. Our time in Vietnam was amazing."
Amy G.
Larkspur, CA
"This was a fabulous trip. We got to see and learn so much, and had really wonderful accommodations and service. It was beyond anything I was expecting."
Anne T.
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
"Our guides were knowledgeable, personable, flexible, and very attentive in every way. We all appreciated not only their knowledge of history but also their open and honest comments about their countries' challenges."
Carol B.
Saint Louis, MO
"We loved our trip, especially kayaking and three different bike experiences in three very different villages. Sunrise and sunset at Angkor Wat were great!"
Fran & Merrill L.
Encino, CA
"This was our first Private Journey. I have just raved about the structure of the trip, the people involved, and the accommodations. Really wonderful."
Gail L.
Boulder, CO
"The pacing, the logistics, the thought given to the sites visited, the hotels selected, the mix of activities, the opportunity for 'downtime,' the late check-out and early check-in at the hotels, the quality of the guides—all of these things made for a first-class experience and a spectacular vacation."
Gillian F.
Philadelphia, PA
"The trip was fantastic. Guides, accommodations, drivers, overall service was excellent. We very much enjoyed the entire experience. Thank you!"
Jane S.
Newton, MA
"I couldn’t have been happier—great itinerary and guides, everything was A+."
Jeannette H.
Lahaina, HI
"I cannot think of one thing to change. It was terrific."
Margaret C.
Richmond, VA
"We loved our trip!! Great hotels, itinerary, guides, and service."
Richie H.
Salt Lake City, UT
"All five of our guides took the time to explain and show us things that they were proud of and found unique to their country. I felt they were sharing special secrets and stories that only we—as their guests—were being told."
Ruarri T.
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
"Everything about our private journey was outstanding, and we could not have been more pleased. All of our guides were excellent—very knowledgeable about their area, passionate about delivering a great experience for us, capable of explaining what we were seeing and experiencing and responding to our numerous questions. Interacting with and learning from our guides was itself a highlight of our journey. Kudos to the Wilderness Travel team!"
Steven G.
Evanston, IL
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.