Day 1: Depart

En Route

Depart USA on your flight to Bangkok.

Day 2: Arrive Bangkok

Amari Hotel

Clear immigration/customs. Walking transfer to hotel.

Day 3: Bangkok/Hanoi

Hotel Sofitel Metropole

Morning flight to Hanoi. Transfer to the Hotel Sofitel Metropole. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 4: Hanoi

Hotel Sofitel Metropole

A full day city tour of Vietnam's charming capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree lined boulevards, gracious French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and temples. Tour Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, One Pillar pagoda, Fine Arts Museum, Temple of Literature, Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. Evening traditional water puppet show. (B)

Day 5: Haiphong/Haiphong

Royal Garden Harbor

Depart for Haiphong, Vietnam's third city and gateway to Hlong Bay, 100 km west of Hanoi. Board the hydrofoil for the one-hour journey to Cat Ba Island. Board a private boat for a cruise among the 3,000 limestone islands scattered throughout this spectacular bay. The cruise includes a fresh seafood lunch. Return to Haiphong by hydrofoil. (B,L)

Day 6: Haiphong/Hanoi

Hotel Sofitel Metropole

Haiphong still has numerous examples of classic European colonial buildings. A morning cyclo tour along the wide boulevards visits Hang Kenh Tapestry Factory and the Du Hang Pagoda, founded over three centuries ago. Return to Hanoi by road after lunch in Haiphong. Balance of the day is on your own. (B)

Day 7: Hanoi/Hue

Huong Giang/Morin Saigon

Depart Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport for the morning flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam and now one of the religious and cultural centers of the country. Upon arrival transfer to the Hotel Huong Giang. A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River takes you to Hue's best known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After a picnic lunch on board the boat, return to Hue for an afternoon visit to the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. (B,L)

Day 8: Hue/Danang/ Hoi An

Hoi An Hotel

Morning visit to the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Depart on Highway One for the scenic drive over the Hai Van Pass (³Pass of Mountain Clouds²). There is a lunch stop at the fishing village of Lang Co with its pretty church, palm trees and blue lagoon. In Danang see a fine collection of 7th to 15th century sculpture at the Cham Museum, dip your toes in the warm waters of China Beach and climb Marble Mountain. (B,L)

Day 9: Hoi An

Hoi An Hotel

During the 17th and 18th centuries Faifo, as Hoi An was previously named, was one of the Asia's major trading ports. Today the streets of this sleepy town remain much the same as they were in its heyday. A morning walk tour includes a former merchant's home, a Chinese temple, the 16th century Japanese Covered Bridge and the extraordinary colorful market. The afternoon is free to browse among the many antique shops., silk shops and art galleries, or perhaps cycle to the beach 5 km away. (B)

Day 10: Hoi An/Nha Trang

Hotel Ana Mandara

Depart Hoi An on a beautiful morning drive to Nha Trang and the Hotel Ana Mandara, one of Vietnam's top resorts, set among tropical gardens on the golden sands of Nha Trang's famous beach. An afternoon city tour visits the Po Nagar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda and Dam Market. (B,L)

Day 11: Nha Trang

Hotel Ana Mandara

A morning boat trip on Nha Trang bay takes you to the nearby islands, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. After a fresh, seafood lunch on one of the islands in the bay return to shore. Free afternoon at the resort. (B,L)

Day 12: Nha Thrang/Saigon

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

Drive through Vietnam's lush highlands to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) with lunch stop en route. (B,L)

Day 13: Saigon

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

Morning tour of dynamic Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh City, after 1975. See the Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city's bustling Chinatown. In the afternoon visit the famous Chu Chi Tunnels, a fascinating underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. (B)

Day 14: Mekong Delta

Sofitel Saigon Plaza

A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Saigon's streets. Cruise along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. For lunch sample the local delicacy, Elephant's Ear Fish. (B,L)

Day 15: Saigon/Bangkok

Amari Hotel

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Bangkok. Walking transit to the Amari Hotel. (B)

Day 16: Bangkok/USA

En route

Depart on your trans-pacific flight to the USA. Welcome Home!

Angkor Wat Extension

Day 15: Saigon/Phnom Penh

Hotel Le Royal

Morning flight to Phnom Penh. Transfer to the Hotel Le Royal, a classic colonial hotel in the heart of Phnom Penh. Visit the National Museum of Khmer Arts with its fine collection of sculpture, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and the Wat Phnom (B,D)

Day 16: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap

Grand D'Angkor

Transfer to Pochentong Airport for the short flight to Siem Reap. Check-in to another classic Asian hotel, Hotel Grand d'Angkor. Tour the Angkor complex including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas. In the afternoon visit Angkor Wat, the grandest temple of all. (B,L,D)

Day 17: Siem Reap

Grand Hotel D'Angkor

Start early to catch the incredible sunrise over Angkor Wat. Drive to elegant Banteay Srei, carved from pink limestone and one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. See Ta Prohm, overgrown by a tangle of banyan trees. Climb Phnom Bakheng for a spectacular sunset over the entire complex. (B,L,D)

Day 18: Siem Reap/Bangkok

Amari Hotel

Fly Siem Reap/Bangkok. Walking transit to hotel. (B)

Day 19: Bangkok/USA

En route

Depart on your trans-pacific flight to the USA. Welcome Home!

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Accommodation as above including breakfast daily.
• Internal and regional flights as required.
• Special sightseeing including all entrance fees.
• Private guides throughout program.
• Meals as indicated by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner; (B), (BL), (BLD).
• All required transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicles.
• Meet & Greet services for all arrivals and departures.
• Gratuities for two pieces of luggage per person.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Cost of visas or departure taxes.
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, incidental expense, etc.
• Tips for guides and drivers.