Luxury Grand Tour of Indochina

Spend your time relaxing and exploring Hanoi. You’ll have our top recommendations for sightseeing and restaurant recommendations, and we can arrange a private guides and specialist excursions for you to see the best of this fascinating city.

With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, where the preserved body of ‘Uncle Ho’ resides. Behind the Mausoleum, you can see Ho Chi Minh’s house where his belongings are on display - you can walk up the steps to see his bedroom. You’ll also visit One Pillar Pagoda which is regarded as one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples.

You’ll then enjoy a cyclo tour through the old quarter, one of Vietnam’s liveliest areas. It is known for its ‘tunnel’ or ‘tube’ houses which were built to reduce the fees paid when fares were set according to the width of the house. Weaving your way through the maze of back streets, you’ll get a glimpse into everyday life and an insight into the country’s long history.

Following a private 45-minute drive from Hanoi you will arrive at Tay Phuong Pagoda. Dating back to the 17th century, this famous site is known for its valuable collection of 18 jack-wood Buddha statues coated with lacquer. Climb the 239 laterite steps up to the pagoda to enjoy lovely views of the surrounding fields, mountains and villages. Then take a short drive to a peaceful and pretty village to visit the eleventh century Thay Pagoda which combines elements of a Buddhist pagoda and a Taoist Temple. You will then be driven back to Hanoi.

Limestone outcrops blanketed in lush vegetation rise up from the still, jade-coloured water. Your boat glides smoothly across the glassy surface, the shapes and shadows of the islets changing as you navigate this watery paradise. This is Lan Ha Bay, the smaller, quieter and altogether more serene neighbour of Halong Bay.

Although belonging to a different province, Lan Ha is essentially an extension of Halong Bay and offers the same mesmerising scenery. Lying south-east of Cat Ba Island, fewer boats make their way to Lan Ha meaning you'll get to enjoy this idyllic setting without the busy crowds.

As you weave your way through the islands, you'll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches and floating villages. There are caves to explore, islands to cycle on, and the pristine waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking.

Your luxury junk boat will be your home away from home as you explore Lan Ha Bay, and there are few experiences as magical as watching the sunrise from the comfort of your cabin, then watching it sink behind the sparkling water as the day draws to a close.

Hoi An is a charming town with lots of beautiful archirecture, lively markets and serene waterfront spots. Enjoy a few days wandering through its backstreets, discovering your own favourite corners.

Stroll through the narrow lanes of Hoi An and soak up the heritage of this old-world town. Highly prosperous between the 17th and 19th centuries, this world-heritage listed area boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianised streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse into its illustrious past. On this walking tour there is plenty to visit, including the old merchants' houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Start cycling along the Thu Bon River, a great spot to take photographs of the many fishing boats and traditional houses. Continue cycling through Thuan Tinh Ecological village where you'll be able to see gardens, family shrines and local villagers going about daily life. Continue along quiet inland trails, past water-coconut palm trees, fishing farms and rice paddies to reach Cua Dai Beach and Cam Thanh, a local fishing village with charming ocean views. On your return to Hoi An town, you may wish to stop by Tra Que village to learn how farmers cultivate their herbs and vegetables.

Red Bridge cooking school is one of the highlights of the culinary scene in Hoi An. You will meet with your chef at Hai Café for an introduction and welcome drink before meandering through Hoi An's central market, You will then experience a hands-on cooking lesson. Here you can learn how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. Embark on a boat trip to the school, which offers glimpses of local river life. Upon arrival, visit the school’s herb garden followed by a hands-on cooking class. Afterwards, sit down and eat what you have created in the lovely restaurant overlooking the river. The cookery school is set in three acres of lush tropical gardens. 

Enjoy Ho Chi Minh, with its pretty streets, buzzing atmosphere and rich history. We can arrange private guides and specialist excursions, restaurant recommendations and suggest the best places to go to simply watch the world go by.

Discover Vietnam's commercial centre of Ho Chi Minh on this interesting half day tour. While it is a busy, vibrant city, this tour will also show how Ho Chi Minh is steeped in history with stops at historic landmarks including the former Presidential Palace where Saigon's government ruled from throughout the American war. This tour will also take you to sights such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is based on Paris' original monument, the Central Post Office plus the War Remnants Museum. Here at the war museum you will have the chance to gain an intense insight into the war through the eyes of the local people.

You'll spend three blissful nights aboard your luxury vessel, watching life go by on the river and enjoying the beautiful Mekong scenery. Your itinerary will depend on which boat you choose, but you can expect first-class service and wonderful views and the change to get a very special insight into the people and nature that depend so much on this waterway.

Discover this charming city with a wealth of history and unique architecture. We will arrange specialist guides and unique excursions so you see the best of Phnom Penh.

Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered as some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. They were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni. The neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The floor consists of 5,329 solid silver tiles to which the building owes its name. Next head to the National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of Khmer art. You can then opt to explore the shops and boutiques in Street 240 area or visit the small hill within the city, Wat Phnom and learn how the city got its name.

Visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school that the Khmer Rouge converted to an interrogation centre and prison in 1975 during the genocide. More than 17,000 people were tortured there before being murdered at the killing fields outside of the city. Pol Pot’s brutal attempt to create a society without class resulted in nearly 2 million people dying from execution, starvation, or disease.

The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek, known as 'The Killing Fields', 17km (11 miles) from Phnom Penh, perhaps at first does not indicate what kinds of horrors took place there. A large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. It will give an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

During your time in Siem Reap we can arrange privately guided specialist tours to show you the best of the city, Angkor Wat and the Khmer temples in the region.

Travel by road to Srah Srang and then continue to Ta Prohm, pausing to collect your entry passes at the Archaeological Park Entrance. Take your time to walk through the temple from the West entrance to the East entrance where you will rejoin our driver. From the Northwest of Ta Prohm, walk 15 minutes through the forest to the seldom visited temple of Ta Nei. There is a reasonable chance of having this beautiful Angkor temple all to yourself. Pause for a light breakfast around this peaceful area before exploring further. End the morning at Ta Keo temple, known as the 'mountain with bronze peaks', and admire its five-tiered pyramid structure.

Travel by road to the Victory Gate of Angkor Thom. You have the choice of either walking along the path along the city wall to the Death Gate or continuing around by road. En route to the Terrace of the Leper King, you'll stop briefly to see an imposing statue found in Bayon which is now displayed at Vihear Prampeilveng. Begin again at the atmospheric Preah Palilay and walk through the shaded parkland behind the terraces, past Phimeanakas with its beautiful lakes, and the imposing Baphuon to finally reach Jayavarman’s state temple of Bayon at the centre of the city. Explore this important temple with its many captivating giant stone faces. Your guide will point out the most interesting of the detailed bas reliefs illustrating everyday life in the Angkorian era.

Enjoy sunset drinks at Angkor Thom whilst sailing on the complex's vast moat.

Visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world, and watch the sun rise behind this ornate temple. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

Explore Siem Reap's rural landscape beyond its temples, which has changed little since the days of Jayavarman VII. After a short drive from Siem Reap, visit a colourful contemporary pagoda to understand more of the importance of Buddhism in these rural communities and seek a blessing from the monks. Buy seasonal fruits straight from the tree, speak to families who have been baking sticky rice in bamboo for over 30 years and gain hands-on experience of the essential rural skills of the rice harvest, thatching, fishing, or even making a simple meal over an open fire.

Then, take an ox-cart ride through typical villages followed by an easy 20-minute walk to bring you to the vast Western Baray. An impressive engineering feat, this man-made reservoir was once integral to the complex Angkorian rice irrigation system which you will voyage by boat (depending on water level). This will be both an education and an adventure from a slower, more romantic era of travel. Then reach the villa, surrounded by rice paddies, across a stream to the north of a village where tourists are rarely seen and the greetings for visitors are warm and generous. This is a wonderful spot to relax in the quiet of the countryside and enjoy sunset drinks. While the chef prepares your dinner, wander across the levees of the rice paddies, look for fish traps, or walk a short distance to a viewpoint over the ancient reservoir, whilst listening to the elegance of traditional Khmer music played by local musicians, before enjoying your evening meal.

A charming city, spend your time relaxing and soaking up the culture. Visit temples, trek through virgin rainforest to beautiful waterfalls and give alms to the monks. We can arrange a special and unique time in Luang Prabang.

Wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos and is an awe-inspiring sight. The monks walk through the streets of Luang Prabang accepting offerings of food from local residents and businesses. Rising early also gives the chance to wander through the fresh market on the way back to the hotel for breakfast.

Explore the UNESCO -protected city centre to appreciate its unspoiled Laotian-colonial fusion architecture, taking in notable Buddhist temples. Visit the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xiengthong, with its traditional roofs sweeping low to the ground, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

Drive out to the beautiful waterfalls of Tat Khouangsi. Below the 90m drop of the main cascade are a series of pools, connected by smaller falls and cascades. At low water levels, the water is an unbelievable turquoise, and swimming in the lower pools is a great way to cool off. On the walk through the forest to the falls, you will also pass the Free the Bears project – home to a group of rescued Asiatic Black (Moon) Bears and one Malayan Sun Bear. They are often searching for food hidden in their enriched environment enclosures, or simply sleeping. The route home offers the chance to stop at the villages of Ban Ou, Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene, home to some of the different Lao ethnic groups.