Mystic Shores & Mountain Veils

Day 1 
Phnom Penh to Kong Rong Sanloem, travel to Sihanoukville and take the ferry to Kong Rong Samloen

Upon arrival on flight, you will be met by your guide at the airport and transfer to your car going to Sihanoukville. From Sihanoukville port you will take the ferry going to Koh Rong Sanloem Island, it will take around 45 minutes to reach to the island and proceed to your hotel for check in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax, enjoy your hotel’s facilities, and explore the city.

Day 2
Koh Rong Sanloem, Koh Rong Light House, Island Boat tour, Bioluminescent Plankton

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby for short briefing. Proceed to your destination, Koh Rong Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse was built by the French to signal the ships when Koh Rong Sanloem island served as a prominent port. It is a popular hiking spot among the tourists visiting Koh Rong Sanloem for its viewpoints offering beautiful bird views of the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. It is a long but easy hike with clear trails to reach the Lighthouse, and it is worth visiting the place.

Explore the island in an island boat tour.

Visit Bioluminescent Plankton, sparkling like a starry sky all around you, Koh Rong’s bioluminescent plankton are a wonderful sight to behold at night times. Although this phenomenon is abundant on the islands, the glowing plankton can only be seen in places with very little light pollution.

Day 3
Koh Rong Sanloem Departure, Phnom Penh, Toul Sleng, Royal Palace, Independence Monument

After breakfast, get ready for check out and meet your guide at the hotel lobby, proceed to ferry terminal to Sihanoukville port and meet the driver and car to bring you to Phnom Penh City.

Once arrive in Phnom Penh, straight to hotel for check in. Take a short freshen up and meet your guide at the hotel lobby for a short briefing and proceed to the 1st destination in Phnom Penh.

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum meaning “Hill of the Poisonous Tree” is a museum describes the Cambodian Genocide. This site is a former secondary school which was used as Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer rouge regime from 1975 until its fall in 1979. Estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned at Toul Sleng, the buildings were enclosed in electrified barbed wire, the classroom converted into tiny prison and torture chambers and all windows were covered with iron bars and barbed wire to prevent escapes and suicides. At any one time, the prison held between 1, 000 and 1,500 prisoners. They were repeatedly tortured and coerced into naming family members and close associates, who were in turn arrested, tortured and killed.

Today, the buildings at Toul Sleng are preserve, with some rooms still appearing just as they were when the Khmer Rouge were driven out in 1979. The regime kept extensive records, including thousands of photographs.

Royal Palace was constructed between 1866 and 1870, after King Norodom relocated the royal capital from Oudong to Phnom Penh. The complex is divided by walls into four main compounds, the Silver Pagoda, the Khemarin Palace, the Throne Hall and the Inner court.

Independence Monument, was built in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. It stands on a roundabout in the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the center of the city. It is in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa, of the style seen at the temple at Banteay Srei and other Khmer historical sites. The Independence Monument was designed by the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, who was “personally selected and instructed” by Prince Norodom Sihanouk on how it should look like, combining “the religious and the secular. It stands 37 meters tall.

During national celebrations, the Independence Monument is the center of activity. A ceremonial flame on the interior pedestal is often lit by a royal or high official on these occasions, and floral tributes line the stairs. Every year, the Independence Monument is visited by foreign tourists and locals alike.

Day 4
Phnom Penh, Phnom Chisor, Ta Prohm of Tonle Bati, Choeung EK, Russian Market

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby for a short tour briefing. Proceed to the 1st destination of the day, Phnom Chisor.

Phnom Chisor is a 133 meters high mountain in Dok Por Vilage, Takeo Province. The temple located at the top of the hill built in the 11th century made of laterite and bricks with carved sandstones lintels by the Khmer Empire who practice Brahmanism. The original name of the temple was Sri Suryaparvata “the mountain of the sun”. On the east edge of the mountain, at the back of the temple, there is a prime spot for view and pictures where you can see a vast plain of surrounding rice fields and countryside. From there, looking down to the east can see an avenue that forms a straight line connecting three main features including two outer gates (temples) Sen Nimol temple, Sen Roveang temple, now used as a Buddhist sanctuary and Tonle Om, the ancient baray of Phnom Chisor.

Next, Ta Phrom of Tonle Bati, 35 minutes from Phnom Chisor, an Angkorian temple close to the lake. It is a smaller version of Ta Prohm in Siem Reap and built in the same period. A smaller version of a jungle temple. Ta Prohm of Tonle Bati was a sanctuary for Hindu deities. The site had been a Hindu place of worship already since the 6th century, in the pre-Angkorian Phnom-DA period. The temple structure is mainly constructed of brick and laterite. the wall was decorated with bas-reliefs illustrating Hindu myths, some of them are on the ground in front of the temple. There are five rooms inside the temple proper. Each room contains a Lingam indicating Shiva worship. In the main sanctuary an original 13th century Buddha statue faces east. A sandstone carving depicting a reclining Buddha in situ above the main door of the sanctum.

Choeung Ek known as the Killing fields is the site of a former orchard and mass graves of victim of the Khmer rouge, killed between 1975 and 1979 about 17 kilometers south of Phnom Penh city. This grave containing 8, 895 bodies were discovered after the fall of the Khmer Rouge. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial marked by a Buddhist stupa, this stupa has acrylic glass sides and is filled with over 5,000 human skulls.

The Russian Market is the hippest market in town and one of the largest in Phnom Penh. Stalls selling wooden handicrafts, antiquities, miniature Buddhas, fruits and veggies, jewelry, etc, occupy this market. You’ll see plenty of knock-off products with various brand tags. The market is also famous for Khmer iced coffee, elephant pants, grilled bananas, and bargaining.

Day 5
Phnom Penh Departure, Bound to Hanoi

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby for check-out. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination—Hanoi, Vietnam.

We recommend taking an early flight to make the most of your day and enjoy more time discovering the vibrant charm of Hanoi.

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the soul of Vietnam’s capital. Wander the charming streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter, where narrow lanes bustle with street vendors, local artisans, and the scent of Vietnamese coffee. Visit the lively Dong Xuan Market, admire the grandeur of the Opera House, and take a peaceful walk around the emerald waters of Hoan Kiem Lake. Snap photos at iconic landmarks like The Huc Bridge, Thap But (Pen Tower), and the serene Ngoc Son Temple.

Enjoy some time for shopping and soaking in the city’s timeless atmosphere. In the evening, savor a delicious Vietnamese dinner at a local restaurant before experiencing the enchanting Water Puppet Show—a centuries-old art form unique to Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.
Breakfast and Dinner: Included in tour price

Day 6
Hanoi, To Sa Pa, Cat Cat Village

After breakfast at the hotel, depart between 07:00 – 07:30 AM for a scenic 295-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Sapa via the new expressway, passing through five provinces: Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Lao Cai. Enjoy a 30-minute rest stop along the way, followed by a second comfort break in Lao Cai city around 11:00 AM, just before arriving in Sapa.

Reach Sapa town around 1:00 PM, where you’ll be greeted by fresh mountain air and the colorful traditional dress of the H’mong, Dzao, and Tay ethnic groups. After a short rest, take a brief drive to the entrance of Cat Cat Village, home to the Black H’mong people.

Begin a gentle trek into the valley, passing by terraced fields and traditional wooden homes. Visit a stunning waterfall and the historic hydraulic power station from the French colonial era. Pause for scenic photos at the wooden bridge and waterfall before making your way uphill to meet the vehicle.

Trekking distance: approx. 2.5 km

Return to Sapa and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Included in tour price

Day 7
Sa Pa, Fansipan Peak, Back to Hanoi

After breakfast at the hotel, take a short walk to Muong Hoa Station and board the mountain train for a scenic 7-minute ride through the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley. Arrive at the Fansipan Cable Car Station, then enjoy a 20-minute cable car journey offering panoramic views of misty mountains, terraced rice fields, and lush green hills.

Reach an altitude of 2,800 meters, where you’ll have time to admire the breathtaking landscape, take photos, and explore spiritual landmarks, including majestic pagodas surrounded by clouds. From there, begin a 600-step trek (approximately 20–30 minutes) to reach the summit of Fansipan, famously known as the “Roof of Indochina”—the highest peak in Vietnam and all of Indochina, standing at 3,147.3 meters (10,326 ft) above sea level.

Spend around 1.5 hours hiking, sightseeing, and taking unforgettable photos before descending via cable car and train back to Sapa.

Lunch in town followed by some free time to relax or explore at your leisure.

At 14:30, depart Sapa and begin the drive back to Hanoi, with two comfort breaks along the way. Arrive in the evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Included in tour price

Day 8
Hanoi City Tour,Visit Ba Dinh Square with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (external only), One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature, Travel to Halong

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, begin your day with a sightseeing tour of Hanoi’s historical and cultural landmarks. Pass by Ba Dinh Square, the political heart of the city, and view the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his former stilt house residence (external viewing only; note: closed on Mondays, Fridays, all afternoons, and during October–November).

Next, visit the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a unique structure rising from the middle of a lotus-shaped pond, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Continue to the revered Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius. This peaceful complex once housed the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s very first national university, and remains a symbol of learning and tradition.

For Muslim travelers: In place of the pagoda visit, a stop will be made at Al-Noor Mosque (12 Hang Luoc Street, Hoan Kiem District) for prayer and cultural visit.

After lunch, depart from Hanoi for the scenic 165-kilometer drive to Halong Bay—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking destinations. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Halong.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Included in tour price

Day 9
Halong Bay Cruise Tour, Back to Hanoi