It's a journey full of color and intrigue, both dramatic and tranquil. A quiet sail among the limestone peaks of Halong Bay. Friendly greetings from villagers. Touching Angkor's ethereal ruins with your own hands. Every meal is a metaphor for the complex culture. Temples defy centuries. Smiles bridge oceans. And local guides open doors long closed.
Day 1 Be inspired by our local guides, who bring to life the intertwined cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia | Ride in a bicycle rickshaw through old Hanoi's narrow streets packed with food and flower stalls.
Days 2-4 Cruise and kayak on Halong Bay, with hidden beaches, caves and lagoons | A morning cruise takes us into the bay, where we kayak to a small beachside temple.
Day 5 Explore the imperial city of Hué, with its centuries-old palaces and temples | For a unique look at everyday life, you're welcomed into a traditional home | Venture into the imposing citadel, site of heavy conflict during the Vietnam War.
Days 6-7 Wander the streets of Hoi An, an ancient trading town with gorgeously preserved architecture | Ride a dragon boat up the Perfume River, and walk imperial mausoleums | Get a feel for rural life on Cam Kim Island | Learn the secret to local dishes in a cooking class.
Days 8-10 The remains of Cambodia's ancient Khmer Empire will thrill you with iconic temples, giant carved images and beautiful bas-relief | Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat and learn the stories behind the carvings that wrap around the temple.
My husband and I travel a lot... this was truly one of the best trips we've ever taken. The size of the group was PERFECT (12)... and the leaders were exceptional. The itinerary gave us so many cultural opportunities that I don't think we left a stone unturned! From Tuk-tuk rides through the Old Quarter in Hanoi, kayaking in Halong Bay, practicing early Tai Chi on our boat, cooking class in Hoi Ann, having custom clothes made at Yaly, sunrise over Anchor Wat--don't know what to highlight more because each experience out shines the next... Loved LOVED LOVED this trip!- Pittsburgh, PA
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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This five-star historic landmark is a French colonial gem set in the heart of old Hanoi. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
These fully equipped boats allow us to explore Halong Bay's spectacular karst formations by day, then retreat to quiet coves at night. Though rooms, with attached bathrooms, are small and basic, we'll be aboard the most comfortable boats on the more exclusive parts of the bay.
A blend of Asian and colonial charm, this boutique hotel is housed in the former governor's mansion on the bank of the Perfume River. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
This luxury all-villa resort is set on pristine China Beach, near the picturesque port town of Hoi An. (pool, spa)
Described by Andrew Harper as a "stylish and beautifully restored landmark resort-hotel surrounded by a 15-acre park, less than five miles from Angkor Wat." (pool, spa)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
My husband and I travel a lot... this was truly one of the best trips we've ever taken. The size of the group was PERFECT (12)... and the leaders were exceptional. The itinerary gave us so many cultural opportunities that I don't think we left a stone unturned! From Tuk-tuk rides through the Old Quarter in Hanoi, kayaking in Halong Bay, practicing early Tai Chi on our boat, cooking class in Hoi Ann, having custom clothes made at Yaly, sunrise over Anchor Wat--don't know what to highlight more because each experience out shines the next... Loved LOVED LOVED this trip!
Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
Amazing and wonderful! Fascinating, diverse and informative. Tiring and exhilarating at the same time.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
The trip of a lifetime!!! Backroads never disappoints. I'd go anywhere with this company.
Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
We went to extremely interesting locations. The 3 main guides were wonderful. There was a good amount of walking and slight hiking, never felt like too much. Hotels, meals, restaurants, vans and flights were handled very well. Just be careful crossing the street in Hanoi (motorcycles).
Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
I'm not typically one to travel in groups -- I like researching, designing, and striking out on my own. So I am amazed to find that I'm as enthusiastic about this trip today as I was when I took it in February 2014! Our leaders were fantastic -- informed and enthusiastic -- and they were complemented well by our local guides in both Vietnam and Cambodia. Yes, we saw all the highlights, which I loved, and yes, we stayed in beautiful places and ate terrific food -- but it was really the smaller moments that I remember most fondly and I think this is where Backroads excels. Our neighborhood walk in Hanoi, the strolling through farmland to arrive a Thien Dinh Palace, walking along the Perfume River and through villages to Tonle Sap -- visiting with people along the way, at times being invited into their homes for tea or a light meal and conversation. These are pieces that wouldn't have been accessible to me if I had planned on my own -- I just wouldn't have known about them without the local expertise that Backroads has established over the years. It was truly a trip of a lifetime for me and my mom and I'm incredibly grateful.
Comments about Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour:
This trip exceeded our expectations. A wonderful experience in Vietnam and Cambodia. From visiting local villages, temples too exploring thriving cities. The trip was truly amazing. The Guides are true professionals who make the experience magical. Thanks Backroads!
Displaying reviews 1-6
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| Cyclo Tour of Old Quarter (45 Minutes) | ||||||||||
| 2 | 3* | 0 | ||||||||
| Sailing on Halong Bay (3 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||
| Kayaking on Halong Bay (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 4 | Halong Bay Cruise (2 Hours) | |||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| Hué Royal Citadel Guided Tour (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||
| Dragon Boat Cruise (30 Minutes) | ||||||||||
| 7 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| Boat Ride to Hoi An (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 8 | Angkor Thom Temple Guided Walk (1.5 Hours) | |||||||||
| 9 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| Boat Ride to Floating Villages (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| Ta Prohm Guided Walk (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 10 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
Note: The terrain on this trip includes a mix of village footpaths, valley trails, and ancient temple and archaeological site walks.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Over the past 15 years of designing and directly operating our own trips, Backroads has set the standards for active travel in Vietnam and Cambodia. That includes ensuring you enjoy the best accommodations throughout your trip. We don't try to cut costs by slipping in inferior hotels alongside one or two good ones. We choose properties with the luxury amenities you expect, ideally situated for exploring local culture – and, of course, with easy access to the best walks.
We design and support our Vietnam and Cambodia trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Most companies' trips in Vietnam and Cambodia are run by local operators. At Backroads we manage our own trips; we would never subcontract your precious vacation to a third party. So as you enjoy the support of your seasoned Trip Leaders, along with our expert local guides and drivers, you have the confidence of knowing we're with you every step of the way.
It may seem obvious to say the great hotels we tell you about are the ones you'll actually stay in. But the fact is many companies haven't even booked the places they promise and are later forced to settle for inferior alternatives. We book our hotels and exact rooms long in advance—often over two years—so you stay where you expect to stay.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Vietnam and Cambodia, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politics – and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Vietnam and Cambodia, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
Our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. By the same token, we pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides who know how to cater to your needs while cracking open the culture or natural history in ways that are meaningful, memorable and often magical.
On this Premiere Inn trip, you can count on the best lodgings Vietnam and Cambodia has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group of 8 or more. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
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Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
