Images of Indochina & Angkor Wat - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2023)

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and transfer to your colonial-style hotel.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Hanoi is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s house, a simple structure that served as home to the revolutionary guerrilla leader. After lunch, visit the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison, where American prisoners of war were once confined, and hear from a war veteran about his first-hand experiences. Ride Like a Local by cyclo through the city’s Old Quarter. This evening, gather with your fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi | Meals: BLD

Travel to Hai Phong, where you board ‘Orchid’ for a cruise of picturesque Ha Long Bay. Relax on deck as ‘Orchid’ snakes her way past countless islets, their striking karsts (limestone formations) rising dramatically from the emerald waters. Disembark on Cat Ba Island and discover Trung Trang Cave’s intricate features, formed over millennia. Back on board ‘Orchid,’ view the sunset framed against the Gulf of Tonkin shoreline, followed by dinner aboard.

'Orchid' | Meals: BLD

Greet the day on deck with sunrise tai chi overlooking the bay. Set out for an early morning kayak excursion among the towering limestone pinnacles. Return for brunch on board as ‘Orchid’ sails home to port in Hai Phong. Back on terra firma, proceed to Hang Kenh temple and take in a local water puppet show. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, where you settle in at your hotel.

The Reverie Saigon | Meals: BL

Recently experiencing a resurgence of art and culture, Ho Chi Minh City is a lively, evocative hub of activity. Rise early for a carefully curated, A&K-exclusive experience that starts with a cyclo ride through the streets as the city slowly comes to life. Stroll through Tao Dan Park, a neighbourhood gathering place, and then enjoy specialty Vietnamese coffee at a local shop. Continue along Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street to visit a little-known, hard-to-find weapons bunker. Round out your morning exploration of local life by sampling some of the city’s most sensational pho at one of its best-kept-secret restaurants.

Return to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. At lunch, participate in a Chef’s Table experience where you try your hand at making banh khot, a savory Vietnamese pancake. This afternoon, view examples of the city’s colonial legacy, including Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office, and then explore a Cao Dai temple to get in touch with southern Vietnam’s spiritual side. Tonight, gather for dinner at a local culinary hot spot.

The Reverie Saigon | Meals: BLD

Today, venture outside of the city to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels and speak with a former Vietcong soldier, learning how this vast subterranean network was used to conceal and support a stealthy underground fighting force. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, followed by a walking tour of a historic neighbourhood.
• Explore the City’s Bustling Culinary Scene, sampling traditional dishes prepared by local street-food vendors.
• Cycle the Countryside around the Cu Chi Tunnels, passing through local villages to observe daily life.

Return to your hotel, where the rest of your afternoon and evening are at leisure.

The Reverie Saigon | Meals: B

Fly to Siem Reap, the town nearest to Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Begin your exploration at Ta Prohm, where the roots of great trees seem to have spilled over the roof of this iconic stone temple. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor | Meals: B

Today, explore a less-visited temple: Banteay Srei, known as the “Citadel of Women.” Learn about the essential work of the Cambodia Clean Water Project, an Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy project that builds pumping wells in rural communities throughout the country. This afternoon, visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer kingdom, and Bayon Temple, its 172 large-scale faces — bearing beguiling smiles — representing gods, goddesses, and other beings from classical poems and mythology. This evening, take a tranquil gondola cruise on the Angkor Thom moat while sipping a cool drink on a Scenic Sundowner.

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor | Meals: BD

Rise early this morning to experience the incomparable serenity and inspiration of watching the sun rise over mystical Angkor Wat before exploring the vast temple complex with your expert local guide. Return to your hotel for breakfast and time to relax. After lunch at a local restaurant, bid farewell to Cambodia as you fly to Luang Prabang.

La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang | Meals: BL

Step back in time for a day as you explore charming Luang Prabang and its tranquil streets. Begin with a visit to the National Museum, once a royal palace. Then, follow quiet back lanes to the beautiful Heuan Chan Heritage House. After a refreshing tea in the gardens, proceed to the enchanting Wat Xieng Thong, a Buddhist Temple noted for its “Tree of Life” wall mosaic, and then visit Wat Khili. Later, join your fellow guests for a relaxing sunset cruise along the tranquil and iconic Mekong River before dinner.

La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang | Meals: BD

Rise very early to give alms to Buddhist monks, putting you in touch with the local culture and community. Return to your hotel with some time to relax and pack. After lunch, join locals in their home for a baci ceremony — a good-luck ritual for a safe journey that is part of the local culture — before flying to Bangkok.

The Peninsula Bangkok | Meals: BL

Visit the sprawling Grand Palace, a complex that is the historic Siamese court and home to Thailand’s most important shrine, the green-jade Emerald Buddha. Continue by tuk-tuk to the 46-metre-long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Your afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner of Thai specialties.

The Peninsula Bangkok | Meals: BD

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart for home.

Meals: B

Internal air included: Hai Phong/Ho Chi Minh City/Siem Reap/Luang Prabang/Bangkok
This journey contains some active elements.
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 12.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Departures may operate on an alternate itinerary. Please contact A&K for details.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.