Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi (2 nights)
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)
Indochina Sails or Bhaya Cruise
Halong Bay (2 nights)
* Premiere Ship
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—on a charter just for Backroads.
La Résidence Hôtel & Spa
Hué (1 night)
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)
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Hoi An (2 nights)
This luxury all-villa resort is set on pristine China Beach, near the picturesque port town of Hoi An. (pool, spa)
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Siem Reap (2 nights)
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)
This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-2
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.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
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Angkor Thom Temple Guided Walk (1.5 Hours) |
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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 level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.
Meals
All breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners
Also Included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
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.
Accommodations
We are constantly seeking the best possible accommodations on Halong Bay. Our traditional Chinese junks generally offer the most consistently comfortable boats with an appropriate number of cabins that also allow us to visit the more exclusive parts of the bay. Rest assured, we use the nicest boats that head to our favorite hidden beaches and secluded lagoons.
Walking & Hiking in an Emerging World
Your journey through Vietnam and Cambodia will probably be unlike anything you've experienced. The people you'll meet and places you'll visit will likely stay with you for a long time. As wonderfully fulfilling as travel is in this region, it's not always easy. These are developing countries and even something as simple as crossing the road can be a challenge.
Our itineraries and Trip Leaders remove as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible, making your next extraordinary encounter always within reach. Of course, we can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace poorly maintained paths. But if you can be flexible and approach the region with an open mind, you'll enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Flights
On this trip we occasionally travel by plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying commercially with Vietnam Airways aboard a narrow-body jet that seats 236 passengers and with Cambodian Angkor Air aboard a turboprop plane that seats 72 passengers.
Why Travel with Backroads in Vietnam and Cambodia
We Didn't Just Stroll into Town
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.
Everyone at Their Own Pace
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.
We Stand Behind Our Trips
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.
Your Hotels Are Locked In
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.
Our Cultural Roots Run Deep
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.
The Best Leaders in Vietnam and Cambodia
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.
The Right Local Pairings
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.
Only the Best Hotels
On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, 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.
Experts with Secrets to Share
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.
