Hanoi to Siem Reap Youth Adventure - 21 Days

Upon arrival in Hanoi after your long flight, we will be at the airport to welcome you and escort you to your accommodation. You'll have ample time to relax, unwind, and get acquainted with others in your group. We'll get together with the group for a welcome dinner at around 19:00, so you can get to know everyone before our adventure begins tomorrow.

Please note: This tour is designed for younger travellers looking for a backpacker-style experience and to meet like-minded people. The average age on this tour is around 21 - 35, and we are unfortunately unable to take any travellers over the age of 39. We have lots of group tours across our destinations that are suitable for travellers of all ages, browse our website or get in touch to find the perfect trip!

Uncover the unique charm of Vietnam's bustling capital with a walking and rickshaw tour of the city. Explore the lively streets, intriguing culture, and delectable street food, as well as city landmarks including the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and the Old Quarter. Afterwards, we'll enjoy dinner and delve into some of the best nightlife Hanoi has to offer! 

Hanoi - Halong Bay. Leaving Hanoi, we head to Halong Bay this morning, where we will cruise through its emerald green waters, surrounded by towering limestone mountains adorned with lush rainforests. Enjoy kayaking through intriguing caves and savour drinks on board, as we spend a night aboard a traditional junk boat on the bay.

Halong Bay - Ninh Binh. Today, we journey south to the stunning countryside of Ninh Binh, known for its vast rice fields and majestic limestone mountains. We'll check into a local homestay and enjoy a relaxing evening in our private riverside bungalows as we watch the sunset. Surrounded by lush forest and with the river gently lapping at our feet, it promises to be a peaceful night in this rural slice of north Vietnam.

Ninh Binh - Hoi An. Today, we explore the enchanting region of Ninh Binh by bike, pedalling through the picturesque rice paddies. Next, we embark on a scenic rowboat journey along a network of rivers and caves. Our action-packed day ends with a climb to the summit of the famous Dragon Mountain Viewpoint, where we can enjoy panoramic views over Ninh Binh and the surrounding area. It's then time to head to the train station as we board the overnight train to Hoi An - remember to stock up on snacks and water!

In the morning, we arrive in Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most beautiful and captivating towns. The rest of the day is at leisure - you could take a taxi to the beach, wander into town to explore the charming riverfront, or perhaps head to one of Hoi An's famous tailors to get yourself some custom-made garms.

Today we have a jam-packed day of activities. Begin by climbing aboard one of Hoi An's famous circular coconut boats with local fishermen. You will be led through coconut groves and given the chance to try crab fishing. Afterwards, take part in a traditional cooking class to learn the secrets of preparing delicious Vietnamese food, and tuck into your creations.

This morning, we'll be learning how to make Vietnamese lanterns, using traditional methods. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a short bicycle ride to the beach, where we'll relax at a beach club for the day and enjoy lunch. We'll cap off our final day in Hoi An with dinner and drinks by the sea!

Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City. It's time to leave Hoi An as we transfer to the airport in Da Nang for our included flight south to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Arriving in the early afternoon, we'll check in to our accommodation and the rest of the day is at leisure for you to head out and explore.

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta. Today we are exploring the lush and green Mekong Delta, a vibrant and chaotic part of Vietnam, where the mighty Mekong meets the sea. During today's excursion, we'll gain first-hand insights into local life, visit rural villages, and experience daily life along the Mekong River. Our accommodation for the night is at a local homestay in the delta.

Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City. Today, on our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we stop to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels. This intriguing network of underground passages served as supply routes, hideouts, and living quarters for the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. If you wish, you can choose to fire automatic weapons at the onsite firing range too! We will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Some members of the group may be leaving the tour in Ho Chi Minh City, so we will head out for a farewell dinner and drinks this evening.  

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Whilst some members of the group may head home, our adventure is only just beginning! Today, we board our bus to Cambodia! After crossing the border, we will arrive in Phnom Penh, the country's capital city. Arriving in the early afternoon, you'll have a few hours to chill at the hotel before we head out for dinner and drinks together. Some new adventurers may join us in Phnom Penh, for the Cambodia portion of our tour.

Today begins with an included tuk-tuk tour through the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, taking in many of the city's modern and historic highlights. We'll then delve into the darker side of Cambodian history, with visits to the S21 Prison (Tuol Sleng) and the original Killing Fields, where we will learn about the somber history of Cambodia. Although challenging, this experience is essential to truly grasp the Cambodian people's journey over recent decades - more than a third of the country's entire population was massacred by the Khmer Rouge regime in just four short years from 1975 - 1979.

To lighten the mood, we'll head out for dinner and drinks in the evening, and can then explore some of the best nightlife Phnom Penh has to offer.

Phnom Penh - Kampot. Today, we venture off the usual tourist route to the tranquil countryside province of Kampot. Over the next two nights, we'll stay by the picturesque riverside, providing ample opportunity for swimming and relaxation. In the afternoon, we will kayak along the river, waving at local villagers and seeing a more rural side to Cambodia.

Kampot is renowned for producing some of the finest pepper globally. This morning, we will visit a local pepper plantation to explore this prized spice. Later, we will get a hands-on experience in preparing some of Cambodia's most authentic and delicious dishes with a cooking class, before embarking on a breathtaking river cruise in order to enjoy one of Cambodia's magical sunsets.

Kampot - Koh Rong Sanloem. It's time to explore the breathtaking beaches of Cambodia! We'll travel by train and fast ferry to the picturesque tropical island of Koh Rong Sanloem, where we'll check into our island paradise accommodation, owned by the Village Chief. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach or discovering the island, before heading out for dinner and drinks!

Step onto our private long tail boat as we head to some of the finest snorkelling spots around the islands. We stop often for you to swim, snorkel in search of marine life and relax on secluded beaches. The evening is at leisure - perhaps head to the beach for sunset a cool sundowner.

Koh Rong Sanloem - Siem Reap. Spend a final morning in paradise, with a final swim or hour or two of sunbathing before we leave Koh Rong Sanloem. We'll take the ferry back to the mainland for dinner before boarding an overnight bus to Siem Reap. With fully reclining beds and air conditioning, this offers a stylish bus travel experience - you might want to stock up on snacks and water!

We arrive in Siem Reap early in the morning, and from there, we'll head to the countryside to explore traditional floating villages set amidst lush rice fields, blooming lotus flowers, and flooded forests. The evening is free for you to relax and catch up on some sleep - the Siem Reap nightlife isn't going anywhere!

We'll wake up at sunrise and take a tuk tuk to the awe-inspiring, renowned Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world and a symbol so important to Cambodia that it features on the national flag! A local guide will accompany us to share the fascinating history and explore the surrounding temples, including Ta Prohm, where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie, was filmed. This evening, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner and our final night out. Siem Reap is a great party town, and we're guaranteed a fun night to celebrate our trip together.

Our tour comes to an end today. You can depart this morning, making your own way to the airport or your next destination. Although there is no departure transfer included, your tour leader will be available to help you plan your onward travel and is on hand to assist you. Safe travels!