Authentic Indochina

Experience local life in the cultural heart of Laos, discover new delights on the back streets of Hanoi and delve into an unspoiled part of rural Vietnam to enjoy cycling and hiking to colorful hill tribes. Finish off by heading to Cambodia to experience Asia's most famous ancient civilization, Angkor, and meet the people living there today.

1. Days 1-4: Luang Prabang, Laos

   The journey begins in Luang Prabang, the cultural heart of sleepy Laos. Explore this tiny gem of a town with your friendly guide, as you peep into temple courtyards, marvel at the intricate gold leaf mosaics and listen to the evening chanting of saffron-clad monks. In the evening, why not pop into the night market that stretches all through the town where friendly locals will gently greet you with ‘sabaidee’ the Laotian greeting meaning ‘be soothed’ or ‘be well’. Rising early in the morning, you can watch the silent monks process through the streets to receive their daily alms from the townspeople, before you head off to the magical Kuang Si waterfall, to marvel at the sky-blue water cascading from the jungle high above your head.

   Accommodation: 3 Nagas Luang Prabang (3 nights)

2. Days 4-6: Hanoi

   Next stop is Hanoi, the quaint, cobbled capital of Vietnam just a short flight away. Accompanied by your expert guide, explore the winding streets and inward leaning houses of the Old Quarter, and sample an egg coffee in one of the city’s oldest coffee shops. Hanoi is overwhelmed with colonial and communist history, as well as a truly unique local flavor that is all its own.

   Accommodation: The Apricot (2 nights)

3. Days 6-8: Mai Chau & Pu Luong

   From Hanoi you’ll head by road to Mai Chau, a region carpeted in luminous paddy fields and peppered with traditional stilted houses, home to welcoming ethnic groups. It's here where you'll find Hmong and White Thai hill-tribes. This area is a fantastic alternative to more commercialised Sapa that has seen increases in tourist numbers in recent years. Explore the area with your guide by bicycle or on foot, trekking to far flung corners where you can meet with local villagers. Expect to see people busy planting rice or herding buffalo through the tiny lanes.

   Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge (2 nights)

4. Days 8-9: Ninh Binh

   A four-hour drive from Mai Chau takes you to Ninh Binh, an area of unrivalled beauty. Just two hours away from the capital, the region has remained relatively untouched offering striking limestone karst scenery, similar to that found in busier Halong Bay. Enjoy a traditional sampan ride through the flooded mountain scenery and try to spot the troop of endangered langur monkeys that live in the area.

   Accommodation: Tam Coc Garden (1 night)

5. Days 9-13: Siem Reap & Angkor Wat

   From Ninh Binh it's a scenic drive back to Hanoi before flying over to Siem Reap in Cambodia; the access point to Angkor Archaeological Park. Spend four nights here with your expert guide who specializes in taking you away from the crowds and to hidden parts of these breath-taking temples that have become swallowed by jungle. The sprawling temple complex is so large, there could be times when you are alone in a ruin, with just the birds and sounds of the forest around you. For total serenity, you can also take a private boat onto the tranquil Tonle Sap to explore traditional floating villages and wildlife on Southeast Asia’s largest lake. In the dry season when the water levels drop, we instead offer an exhilarating speedboat tour of the margins, on a boat originally used by park rangers to catch poachers.

   Accommodation: Sala Lodges (4 nights)

Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau & Siem Reap