Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery

Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam's colonially influenced atmospheric capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex and the Ethnology Museum to learn about the country's ethnic groups. Next, stop at the Confucian Temple of Literature, before taking a walking tour of the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, and then visiting Ngoc Son temple, perched on an island in Hoan Kiem Lake. This evening, stroll amongst the city's unique street-side night life and food vendors. Taste the varied flavours of Vietnamese street food such as Pho Cuon and Banh Xeo.

Travel to Hoang Su Phi, an area of emerald green rice terraces. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring.

Take an unforgettable journey on foot through the epic rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi. As you turn every corner, a new view of this outstanding landscape of lush, mist-wreathed terraces will unfold in front of you, providing a plethora of unreal photo opportunities. Visit a Tay village to have lunch in a family home.

Travel back to Hanoi and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Depart for Halong Bay. Board your vessel for a serene and unforgettable cruise on the glassy, limestone-studded waters. Pass by quaint fishing towns, taste freshly caught seafood and admire the ever-changing vistas of the bay. (B,L,D)

On day 9, rise early to catch the sunrise over the karst peaks of the bay and practice Tai Chi on deck. Return to Hanoi and fly to Danang, driving onto Hoi An.

Hop on your bike today and wheel through the scenic rice paddies outside Hoi An. Pay a visit to local farmers where you can try your hand at traditional farming techniques – look out for water buffalo! Enjoy a calming boat ride to a peaceful fishing village, where you can try making a fishing net and go paddling in unique bamboo basket boats.

Spend the morning wandering the beautiful, flower-covered streets of this ancient town. Walk past Chinese traders' homes, visit local artists and tailors and walk through the 16th-century Japanese Bridge. Drive to Hue, stopping en route at the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Cycle through Hue for a tour of the imperial sights. Start at the Imperial City, then continue to An Hien Garden House, part of Hue's legacy from the Nguyen Dynasty. Stop by Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River before driving to Tu Duc Tomb. From here, take a cyclo tour along the banks of the Perfume River.

Enjoy some free time before flying to Saigon in the late afternoon. This evening take an exhilarating ride on the back of a vintage Vespa, classic Saigon pillion style. Stop for a cocktail before continuing to a favourite local eating spot. Wind up your night with drinks, accompanied by a live band.

This morning discover the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way back to Saigon there is an option to visit a Wildlife Rescue Station, that aims to stop the endangered wildlife trade in Vietnam. Continue to Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum.

Drive to Ben Tre and set out on a boat trip through winding, palm tree-lined canals. Cycle through rice fields and coconut groves and visit Mr. Sau Khanh's house who has collected a lot of ancient ceramics and potteries like bowls, vases and sculptures. Spend the night in a riverside resort.

This morning visit Vinh Bac bonsai and flower village. Pay a visit to Cai Nhum Cathedral before returning to Saigon.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Here, a special treat awaits in the form of a performance of Phare Cambodian Circus, an NGO that teaches disadvantaged children to become internationally-renowned performance artists.

What better way to see the world famous Angkor temple complex than from the back of a traditional tuk tuk? You'll explore Angkor Wat, the centrepiece of Siem Reap's famous temples, before riding your tuk tuk to Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, a 12th-century masterpiece. Lastly, buried deep in the jungle, you will find Ta Prohm; a photogenic and atmospheric smorgasbord of trees twisting through temple ruins.

High water season (Aug-Feb) Visit Kompong Khleang, a settlement of over 20,000 people housed in wooden structures on stilts, suspended up to ten metres above the water. Greeted by waves of friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia's countryside culture and easy-going family lifestyle. After lunch, head out into the dense forest and find the hidden temple of Beng Mealea, whose wonders lay undiscovered for centuries. Low water season (Mar-Jul) Journey into rural Cambodia and visit a local village where you will ride an ox cart through the fields before touring the village and trying your hand at some fishing or farming and learning more about the local way of life. Return to Siem Reap, visiting Beng Mealea on the way.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.