ASIA ASIA
Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia 14 days from $5,990
From the shrines of Luang Prabang to the temples of Angkor, experience Southeast Asia on a journey to historic towns and timeless villages of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. HIGHLIGHTS �
Visit with ceramic artisans in Laos, and enjoy a picnic at a waterfall near Luang Prabang.
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Spend two nights on a traditional junk, floating amid the ethereal landscapes of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay.
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Enjoy a cooking class in Luang Prabang and a street food tour in historic Hoi An.
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Encounter the majestic temples of Angkor, and visit villages on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap lake.
The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Day 1 – Luang Prabang, Laos Arrive in Luang Prabang and get an overview of the city en route to your hotel with your private guide. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore at your leisure. Days 2 & 3 – Luang Prabang Set out on a private tour of this World Heritage-listed city, visiting the stunning Wat Xieng Thong temple, and learning about Laos’s ethnic minorities at the TEAC Centre. Ride a tuk-tuk to a village known for its ceramics, and make your own pot. Rise early to witness monks collecting the morning alms before heading to Kuang Si Falls for a picnic breakfast and a swim. Later, take a cooking class at a popular restaurant. Days 4 & 5 – Hanoi, Vietnam After a free morning, fly to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the old quarter. Join a local blogger the next morning for a street food tour of Hanoi’s eateries. After a plentiful brunch, your tour continues to some of the city’s major sites, including Ho Chi Minh’s stilt home, the Temple of Literature, and the Fine Arts Museum.
WHERE TO STAY Le Bel Air Resort – A French colonial retreat in Luang Prabang offering majestic river views. Aira Boutique Hanoi – A serene spa retreat with a sky bar and an award-winning restaurant. Orchid Cruise – A traditional-style Vietnamese junk boat equipped with kayaks and bamboo boats. La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa A luxurious retreat set in tropical gardens overlooking paddy fields, within easy reach of old Hoi An. Montra Nivesha – A boutique hotel built and furnished in the style of a traditional Khmer home near Angkor. 32
Days 6 & 7 – Ha Long Bay Transfer to Haiphong and board a traditional junk boat for a cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Glide among thousands of karst islets and mountains in the lesser-known Lan Ha section of the bay. Go kayaking the next day, and take a bike ride around traditional villages. In the afternoon, participate in a cooking class on board. Days 8–10 – Hoi An and My Son Return to Hanoi for your flight to the World Heritage site of Hoi An. Tour this historic trading post with your private guide, and enjoy time at leisure to explore further or relax on the beach. Travel into the mountains to visit the Hindu temples of My Son, the capital of the 4th-century Champa Kingdom. Day 11 – Hoi An and Siem Reap, Cambodia After a leisurely day to bike to neighboring villages or enjoy the beach in Hoi An, board an evening flight to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor. Days 12–14 – Siem Reap Venture to the ruins of Ta Prohm to see its evocative temples engulfed by vegetation. Continue to Angkor Wat for an in-depth exploration with your private guide. Visit a traditional village to learn about rural life, then cruise the Tonle Sap lake and walk or bike through community farms.
SMITHSONIANJOURNEYS.ORG/TAILOR-MADE I 855.215.8690
