Today you fly to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Today you reach Vientiane. You receive a warm welcome at the airport and are taken to your accommodation, where you can settle in at your leisure. Depending on your arrival time, an early check-in is a good idea so that you can move straight into your room (optional, bookable in advance). In the evening, you meet the other members of your small group and your guide. On an evening walk through Vientiane you reach Patuxai, often called the “Arc de Triomphe of Laos” because of its strong resemblance to its French counterpart. It is a wonderful place at sunset and after dark, when the monument and the adjacent fountain are illuminated. Afterwards, you enjoy Lao delicacies for dinner in a local restaurant and have the chance to get to know each other a little better. 1 night in Vientiane. (D) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 30 min)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Located right on the banks of the Mekong, the modern Amari Vientiane is in the heart of the Lao capital, close to the popular night market. Thanks to its central location, cultural highlights such as temples, museums and the city centre are within easy reach. The hotel has several restaurants serving international and regional cuisine, complemented by a bar, a wellness area (partly at extra cost) and a fitness centre. Another highlight is the infinity outdoor pool. The tastefully designed rooms combine modern design with local touches and have a double bed or two single beds, air conditioning, TV, minibar, safe and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom has a hairdryer and toiletries.

This morning you go on a sightseeing tour of Vientiane. Among other things, you see the city’s oldest surviving temple, Wat Sisaket, whose cloister houses more than 2,000 Buddha images made of ceramic and silver. You can also look forward to the national shrine, the Pha That Luang stupa, and the royal temple of Wat Phra Keo. You then take the high-speed train to the old royal city of Luang Prabang. Sit back and enjoy the picturesque landscape rushing past. In the late afternoon, you reach charming Luang Prabang, rightly declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. To get your bearings, you take a walk and enjoy a refreshing drink with a lovely view of the river. Your guide will be happy to give you restaurant tips for dinner. 3 nights in Luang Prabang. (B)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast You stay at the traditionally furnished Muangthong Boutique Hotel in the centre of Luang Prabang. The banks of the Mekong are just a few minutes’ walk away, and the historic old town and the famous night market are also easy to reach on foot. The hotel has 27 rooms and an outdoor pool to cool off. In the hotel restaurant you can fortify yourself with a tasty breakfast in the morning; a variety of local and international dishes made from fresh, regional ingredients is served. The hotel harmoniously combines traditional Lao architecture with modern comfort. The standard rooms are stylishly furnished, equipped with all amenities for a pleasant stay and have a private bathroom with shower/WC.

Today it’s an early start so as not to miss the monks’ daily morning alms round. The alms giving is a unique tradition that reflects the Buddhist faith in Laos: every morning the monks, in their saffron robes, walk barefoot through the streets of the town with their alms bowls to receive their daily food from the faithful. If you wish, you too can give the monks alms in the form of food. Your guide will talk to you about it the evening before and will be happy to prepare the alms for you. After breakfast, you explore Luang Prabang, also known as the “museum without walls”, on a city tour by tuk-tuk. Immerse yourself in the religious and cultural centre of Laos and visit, among others, the town’s most important and beautiful temples, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun and Wat Aham. In one of these temples you can look forward to a blessing by a monk, who will shower you with good wishes. The tour ends at the National Museum in the former Royal Palace. From midday you have free time in enchanting Luang Prabang. Have lunch in a nice restaurant, stroll through the streets or find a lovely spot with a river view to watch local life. If you feel fit enough, we definitely recommend climbing the 328 steps up the temple hill of Phou Si: especially in the late afternoon and at sunset, it offers a breathtaking view of the town and the Mekong. And don’t miss the night market at the foot of Phou Si! Besides food and souvenirs, Hmong women sell handmade weaving, embroidery and needlework of the finest quality. (B)

Today is devoted to the countryside around Luang Prabang. You start your nature programme with an absolute must – the Kuang Si Waterfalls. The day begins with a hike of about 1.5 hours through the surrounding landscape. The route passes sugar cane plantations and rice fields and gives you authentic insights into rural life in Laos. You should have a good basic level of fitness for the hike, as some sections on the way to the waterfalls follow fairly steep paths and switchbacks. Your reward is wonderful views and the chance to experience the falls away from the biggest crowds. If you would rather not join the hike, you can drive straight to the visitor area of the falls, where there are places to eat and drink, and meet the group later for a joint visit to the waterfalls. There you have the chance to cool off with a swim in the natural rock pools. Afterwards, you find a quiet spot and enjoy a picnic with fresh Asian sandwiches and local snacks in this magnificent setting. You then visit a Lao village and learn how the traditional rice spirit “Lao-Lao” is made. Back in Luang Prabang, the afternoon is at your disposal. Depending on your interests, you can optionally delve deeper into a topic that accompanies you throughout the journey – rice! At Living Land Farm, a small traditional rice farm, many “aha” moments await you: rice production and everything that goes with it is explained vividly and authentically – from ploughing with an ox and planting and transplanting the seedlings to threshing the plants to obtain the grains. You are welcome to lend a hand (optional, bookable locally; the price depends on the number of participants, approx. USD 63 per person for 4 people). (B/P) (Distance: approx. 70 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

Your last morning in Laos has already dawned. Before saying goodbye, you visit a pottery village on the other side of the river outside Luang Prabang, where you can look around and gain an insight into the potter’s craft. During a boat trip on the Mekong, you enjoy the magnificent scenery and look forward to local delicacies for lunch on board. Back in Luang Prabang, you transfer to the airport at the appropriate time and fly on to Vietnam’s capital – Hanoi. On arrival, the evening is at your disposal. 2 nights in Hanoi. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Lestar Hotel is located in the heart of Hanoi and offers you an excellent location for exploring the city with ease. Numerous sights such as Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous night market are close by and easy to reach on foot. The Lestar Hotel impresses with its modern, stylish furnishings and a high level of hospitality. The rooms are bright and modern and offer every comfort for a relaxing retreat where you will feel at home. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a TV are just some of the standard amenities.

After breakfast, you start the day with an orientation walk that gives you an overview of the Old Quarter. You visit Hoan Kiem Lake with the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple and then stroll into the lively, charming Old Quarter. You wander through the narrow, bustling lanes, most of which are named after the crafts or goods originally sold here – from fabrics and medicine to gravestones. Along the way, you visit St Joseph’s Cathedral, a Catholic church in neo-Gothic style, and stroll across a local market offering all kinds of exotic fruit and local delicacies. Over lunch together in a local restaurant, you get your first taste of Vietnamese cuisine – a welcome break. Try the Vietnamese classic pho, a hearty soup with rice noodles, beef and plenty of fresh herbs. Afterwards, you explore some of Hanoi’s most important sights. Look forward to the house and mausoleum of the revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, still greatly revered in Vietnam (exterior view), and the unusual architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda. In the late afternoon, you are taken to West Lake, where, like the people of Hanoi, you enjoy a local beer on the street. Soak up the atmosphere and toast with the group to your memories of Laos and the time ahead in Vietnam and Cambodia. (B/L)

After breakfast, you drive out of the city to a nearby village. You explore the village on a walk and experience an authentic water puppet performance, an art form with a long tradition here. You then return to Hanoi and visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national academy. You then continue your Vietnam tour towards Halong Bay. You travel part of the way by train. 1 night in Halong. (B) (Distance: approx. 200 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Your hotel, the “D’Lecia Ha Long”, is located in Halong’s popular Bai Chay district. Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel you will find various hotspots of the city, such as the Cai Dam seafood market, the Sun World amusement park and picturesque Bai Chay Beach, which stands out above all for its turquoise water. Your hotel has everything you need for a perfect stay: in the D’Lusso Lounge you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or a delicious coffee in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. In the hotel’s “Chopsticks Restaurant”, you can enjoy various Vietnamese specialities prepared at live cooking stations. The rooms are cosily furnished and impress with beautiful wood tones. Room facilities include air conditioning, a smart TV and free Wi-Fi.

Early in the morning, you go on board a ship and it’s “cast off”! Glide through the legendary landscape of Halong Bay with its mighty islands and rock formations rising up to 330 metres into the sky. Relax during the cruise and enjoy the breathtaking sight of the unique limestone landscape from on board. Since 1994, the area with more than 1,000 rocks, grottoes and islands has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, the ship anchors so that you can visit individual caves (subject to change). During the cruise of just under 4 to 5 hours, lunch is also served on board. In the afternoon, the ship returns to Halong, where you disembark and drive to the airport in Hanoi. From here, you fly on to Danang in the evening and then travel to the dreamy old trading town of Hoi An further south. 2 nights there. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 215 km; driving time: approx. 4.5–5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast According to the tour operator, the White Lotus Hoi An (4*) is planned for your 2 nights in Hoi An.

This morning, on a walking tour, you discover the diversity of the historic town of Hoi An (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and have the unique opportunity to gain an insight into the local craft of lantern making. In a lantern workshop, you learn how the colourful lanterns are made and can make your own lantern as a unique souvenir. Around midday, you take an excursion to a herb village outside the town that is known for its organic farming methods. Villages like this in the area are usually non-profit farming cooperatives whose members receive land free of charge as long as they farm it organically. Learn about the herbs native to the area, which also play an important role in medicine. Look forward to a freshly prepared lunch of local specialities, which you can help to prepare, followed by a relaxing herbal foot massage. The beach is not far from here, so you make a short detour and enjoy a refreshing coconut at a lovely beach café overlooking the sea. This is the life! Back in Hoi An, you can spend the evening entirely as you wish. For example, explore more of the Old Town when, at nightfall, countless colourful lanterns light up the narrow lanes, try the culinary delights of the local restaurants or simply relax at the hotel. (B/L)

You leave Hoi An towards Hue and first make a short stop at the Marble Mountains on the way. Here you visit some natural grottoes in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Through picturesque landscapes, you next reach the Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass), the natural border between northern and southern Vietnam. During an extended break at Lang Co Lagoon, you can stretch your legs on the beach and enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood before continuing to Hue. After arriving in the old imperial city, you take a short walk on Hen Island and learn more about the local residents’ way of life. To round off the day, a romantic boat trip on the Perfume River awaits you in the evening light. The name is believed to come from the blossoms that float on the river in spring – which also look very pretty. During the boat trip, enjoy the charming, hilly landscape around Hue until you reach the Thien Mu Pagoda. As one of Hue’s landmarks, the famous seven-storey pagoda stands on a small hill and is dedicated to the Heavenly Lady. 2 nights in Hue. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 165 km; driving time: approx. 3–3.5 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The exquisite Alba Spa Hotel is located right on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue and offers you an oasis of relaxation and recovery. The hotel’s highlight is undoubtedly its award-winning spa, which covers an area of 2,000 square metres and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a wide range of treatments. At the Madame Chau Restaurant & Bar, you can enjoy local as well as Western-inspired dishes. With a total of 58 rooms and suites, all carefully designed and equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, minibar and safe, the hotel offers you a place to feel at home.

Today you take a tour of the imperial city of Hue (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) and experience the glorious past of the Nguyen dynasty. Around 40% of all Vietnamese still bear this family name today. After breakfast, you visit the Citadel with the Imperial Palace, which was built on the model of the “Forbidden City” in Beijing. You then visit an old mandarin house built in Hue’s traditional style. During a short tea break with snacks, you meet the hosts and hear many interesting stories about the culture and life of the people of Hue. In the afternoon, you can sit back, relax and let the atmosphere of the city sink in on a cyclo ride. Finally, you have the opportunity to stroll around Dong Ba Market and marvel at the variety of goods at the small stalls. In the late afternoon, you return to the hotel and can spend the evening as you wish. (B)

In the morning, you visit the Tu Hieu Pagoda, set in a secluded forest, and the tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh; the latter is particularly interesting because of its stylistic blend of Vietnamese and French architecture. You find a nice spot and try some local snacks that you chose at the market with your tour guide the day before. You then head to the airport and fly to Vietnam’s pulsating economic centre – Saigon! 2 nights in Saigon. (B) (Driving time from Hue to the tombs: approx. 20 min; from the centre to the airport: approx. 25 min)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, in central District 1, the Central Palace Saigon is right next to the main sights. Attractions such as the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market are within easy walking distance, as are numerous shopping and entertainment options. The hotel has an infinity pool, a fitness area and spa and wellness facilities (some for a fee). A restaurant serving international and regional cuisine and a café take care of your culinary needs. Another highlight is the sky bar with a view of the city. The rooms are modern and have a double bed or two single beds. They feature air conditioning, TV, minibar and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer and toiletries.

In the morning, experience the modern metropolis of Saigon waking up and watch the armies of mopeds and cyclos that are everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City, as Saigon is officially called. Worshippers pray in quiet backyards, young people meet in noodle restaurants and many locals relax with walks and exercise in one of the city’s many parks. Marvel at the city’s architectural diversity as you explore it past modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples. Sights such as the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Opera House (all exterior visits) and the Post Office are on the programme. In between, you take a short break at one of your tour guide’s favourite cafés and try a local coffee speciality. Whether “egg coffee”, Hanoi’s speciality, the latest trendy drink “salted coffee” or the classic Vietnamese “drip coffee” with sweetened condensed milk – you are sure to broaden your coffee horizons here. You then continue to Chinatown to visit the Binh Tay market hall and the Chinese Thien Hau Temple. You also see the old St Francis Church and the “medicine street” before heading back towards the centre. In the evening, you enjoy a sundowner in a trendy rooftop bar and feel the pulsating metropolis around you and at your feet, high above the rooftops of the city. (B)

Until your flight, the remaining time in Saigon is at your disposal – it’s gradually time to say goodbye to Vietnam. At the appropriate time, you transfer to the airport and fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia – the temple complexes of Angkor (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). 4 nights in Siem Reap. (B) (Distance: approx. 20 km; driving time: approx. 45 min)

4 nights · Double room · With breakfast Green Morodoc Garden Hotel welcomes you to lively Siem Reap, just a few kilometres from world-famous Angkor Wat. This charming hotel combines rustic charm with modern comfort and creates a quiet oasis in the middle of the bustling town. Thanks to its central location, you can easily reach the town’s sights, such as the royal residence, the Artisans d’Angkor craft workshops and the temples of Preah Ang Chek and Preah Ang Chom. For relaxing hours, the large outdoor pool, surrounded by quiet, green gardens, invites you to swim and unwind. The hotel restaurant spoils you with a variety of culinary specialities, while the bar serves refreshing drinks in a stylish atmosphere. The rooms are elegant and functional and, with private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, minibar, safe, balcony with pool view and free Wi-Fi, offer an ideal retreat after an eventful day.

After breakfast at the hotel, you set off by tuk-tuk on your discovery tour of the fascinating temples of Angkor, among the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The vast complex covers more than 200 km² and comprises a multitude of different temples, such as the famous Angkor Wat from the first half of the 12th century. Among other things, you visit the South Gate of the royal city of Angkor Thom and the smiling faces of the Bayon temple: more than 200 faces, some of them several metres high, carved out of stone, gaze in all directions and show just one aspect of Angkor Thom’s impressive architecture. Afterwards, the temple of Ta Prohm lies seemingly untouched and overgrown by roots and trees amid the lush jungle vegetation – breathtakingly beautiful, which is why it has already served as a backdrop for various Hollywood productions. In the afternoon, you visit the most famous Khmer temple, Angkor Wat, and can marvel at this important archaeological site at your leisure. Before returning to Siem Reap, you visit another temple, where you take part in a Baci ceremony and are blessed with good wishes and prayers – a spiritual and inspiring experience. After a short break at the hotel, you take a walk around Siem Reap’s night market, where you can sample the varied street food. You end the eventful day with a drink on lively Pub Street. Afterwards, your tour guide accompanies you back to the hotel – or you can spend a little more time in the city’s pubs as you please. (B) (Distance: approx. 70 km; driving time: approx. 1.5–2 hrs)

You begin today in Angkor with a visit to the Roluos Group of temples. They are among the earliest temples of Angkor and date from the late 9th century. With a view of the temples, you refuel with a picnic lunch before continuing your programme by exploring lesser-known temples in the vast area. Slowly but surely, you leave the bustle of the better-known monuments behind and discover impressive temple ruins amid untouched nature. Particularly fascinating is the mysterious temple of Beng Mealea, whose root-covered ruins recall the spectacular Ta Prohm temple you visited the day before. Without the crowds, however, Beng Mealea exudes a very special, mystical atmosphere. In this remote corner of the vast site, you really have the chance to experience the temples in peace and without large crowds – an incredible experience! In the afternoon, you return to Siem Reap and can end the day at your leisure. Relax by your hotel pool, for example, or treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment in Siem Reap (at your own expense). (B/P) (Distance: approx. 120 km; driving time: approx. 3 hrs)

You begin your last day in Angkor with a visit to the temple of Preah Khan. It was probably once a Buddhist university with around 1,000 teachers and tens of thousands of servants. In the afternoon, you drive further out of town on a newly paved road through the village of Preah Dak to visit the well-preserved temple of Banteay Srei, whose delicate reliefs round off your impressions of the imposing complex. Finally, you visit the temples of Banteay Samre and Pre Rup before ending your last evening in Angkor at a relaxed pace. (B) (Distance: approx. 70 km; driving time: approx. 1.5–2 hrs)

Today it’s time to say goodbye. At the appropriate time, you transfer to the airport and fly back home. (B) (Distance: approx. 8 km; driving time: approx. 15 min) Day 20: After your tour through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, you land back in your home country today.