Classic Tours

These tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of India on an excellent value group tour whilst travelling with like-minded people. The tours are on a fully inclusive basis, so you’ll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of. You will be accompanied by our dedicated and professional National Escorts and local guides, whose unparalleled knowledge will turn your holiday into an unforgettable experience.

Days 1-2: Siem Reap 

Fly overnight from Australia to Siem Reap. You will be met at Siem Reap in the arrivals hall by your Local Guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time travel to your hotel for check in.

Day 3: Siem Reap

This morning, explore the less visited Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple completely overrun by the jungle where you will explore on foot for approximately an hour and half. In the high-water season, you will travel to Kompong Khleang a unique village on stilts. In the lower water season you will visit Chong Kneas floating village. Return to Siem Reap via a Cambodian artistry assembly - Les Artisan D’Angkor before arriving back at your hotel this evening. Tonight enjoy dinner while watching an Apsara dance performance.

Day 4: Siem Reap

Spanning from the 9th to 15th century, the Angkor complex with over 1,000 temples was the seat of the thriving Khmer Empire. UNESCO manages the complex and to enter, your group will drive approximately 6km out of town to the main entrance gate to get your passes, which you must carry with you. If you choose to climb at any site, you must be able to climb and descend without assistance. Begin at the city of
Angkor Thom and the enigmatic Bayon, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King before continuing to the temple of Ta Prohm, enveloped in a labyrinth of jungle. This afternoon is devoted to the fascinating and awe-inspiring Angkor Wat. Later, relax on-board a boat and view the sunset on Angkor Thom’s moat.

Please note: The uppermost level of Bayon Temple will be undergoing restorations from January 2020 and may last several years. During this maintenance period passengers will be unable to access this area but can continue to enjoy the impressive architecture from the lower two levels.

The Central Tower of the Angkor Wat complex is closed on Buddhist holidays and on all other days has a limited number of visitors allowed at any given time, under regulations from UNESCO. If you wish to visit this tower, you will be required to wait in the queue alongside all other visitors. The ability to do this will be determined upon the groups’ schedule.

Day 5: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Depart Siem Reap and fly 1 hour to Phnom Penh, a city of attractive boulevards. Visit the Cambodian Royal Palace and the opulent Silver Pagoda before travelling to the National Museum with extensive artefacts on display, sightseeing today will involve approximately 3 hours on foot.

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Saigon

This morning visit Tuol Sleng Museum for a harrowing insight into Cambodia’s tumultuous past, this museum commemorates the atrocities that occurred during the regime of Pol Pot. Most people find it quite confronting and emotional so you will be given time to explore on your own. Continue with a climb 30 meters high on ladders to the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom. This afternoon board your 1-hour flight to Saigon

Day 7: Saigon

Confront the reality of guerrilla warfare at the Cu Chi Tunnels. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous Tet Offensive, and they did not escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The Cu Chi experience can be emotional for some visitors, but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Sightseeing here involves 2 hours on foot on uneven mud paths through the bush and, if you choose, crawling through some of the tunnels. Continue the day with further sightseeing at the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum, before finishing at the Ben Thanh Markets.

Day 8: Mekong Delta

Drive 2 and a half hours down to the picturesque province of Ben Tre situated along the mighty Mekong. This area is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, because its rich and fertile lands produce huge amounts of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruit. Spend the day cruising and exploring, travelling by motorised, wooden boats between the islands and changing to smaller, paddleboats in the canals. Sightseeing involves hopping on and off these boats, often on unsteady and slippery surfaces, sometimes without handrails or assistance. Return to Saigon this afternoon.

Day 9: Saigon - Hoi An

Explore modern day Saigon with its heady mix of local culture and colonial influences. See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda before flying 1hour and 20 minutes to Da Nang Airport. Drive 45 minutes to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: Ocean Drive To Chihpen

This morning, visit a local community farming project just outside of Hoi An - Tra Que village where the community has come together to create a large vegetable farm. Learn the traditional methods the farmers use to plant, fertilise and harvest the crop, then try your hand at raking the ground and sowing seeds. This afternoon; enjoy a walking tour of the narrow and ancient streets of this charming town. We will visit one of Hoi An’s oldest homes, built over 200 years ago and still occupied by the descendants of the merchant family that originally built it. We will also visit the traditional Hoi An Market, the Quan Cong Chinese Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Stop at the Reaching Out Arts and Crafts Workshop to see the work happening here.

Day 11: Hoi An - Hue

Today, drive approximately 4 hours to Hue, this journey will take you over the scenic Hai Van Pass. Hue is the epitome of Vietnam’s dynamic past, and considered a scholarly city. Upon arrival, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and take a cruise on the Perfume River.

Day 12: Hue

This morning, transfer to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Admire the unusual combination of architecture that blends a traditional Chinese past with a modern Western future. Then continue to Minh Mang Tomb to explore the opulent and exotic resting place laid out in formal Chinese style. Afterwards, move on to a beautiful old maison that has been transformed to Truc Chi - an art space and workshop by a team of enthusiastic young artists. Learn more about Truc Chi and have the chance to buy their hand-made products (passport covers, fans or candle boxes made from bamboo pulp) to bring back home as gifts for your friends and family if you like. After lunch, visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Finally, hop back into your vehicle to be transferred back to your hotel.

Day 13: Hue - Hanoi

After breakfast, fly 1 hour and 20 minutes to the charming city of Hanoi where you will check into your hotel. This afternoon take a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Each cyclo takes one passenger and is operated by a cycle driver behind the carriage. Wrap up your ride with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake - an important symbol of Vietnamese folklore.

Days 14: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Drive 4 hours today from Hanoi to Halong, where you will take an overnight cruise to the far-most corners of the bay by boat. There is usually a crowd of boats at the docks; however, the cruise itself will be scenic and relaxing. Boarding your boat could involve navigating your way over and through other boats, moored between it and the dock, sometimes without handrails, ladders or assistance from staff. The boat has an enclosed dining area and an open area on the upper deck. Enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise out into the bay, stopping to anchor for an afternoon of activities (which are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions). Sightseeing includes visiting underground caves on the islands, which require climbing up and down steps inside and outside of the caves. End the day on deck with a drink in hand to watch the sunset over the bay followed by a freshly prepared dinner, before retiring to your cabin for the night. You will need to pack a smaller overnight bag for your trip to Halong Bay. Main luggage will be left in safe storage at the hotel in Hanoi and picked up your return.

Days 15: Halong Bay - Hanoi

Spend the morning sailing through Halong Bay. After an early lunch (or brunch meal) disembark your cruise and return to Hanoi. This evening attend The Quintessence of
Tonkin show, an artistic open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.

Day 16: Hanoi

Discover the sights of Hanoi today. First stop will be Ba Dinh Square, then the Ho Chi Minh Quarter and pass Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, followed by the Humble House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Next, drive to the serene
Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university.

Days 17-18: Depart Hanoi

You will be transferred 1 hour from the hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight. Any time before your flight is at leisure. Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day. Late check-out is not included in our Southeast Asia group tours. If you wish to book a late check-out for your final day, please contact our reservations department who can confirm additional pricing and make this arrangement for you, subject to availability at the hotel. 

It is Wendy Wu Tours' intention to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as stated however, the order of events or sightseeing may change as Wendy Wu Tours look to improve our tours or as local conditions dictate. In these circumstances Wendy Wu Tours make the best possible arrangements maintaining the integrity of your trip.

Prices

Dates

*Advertised price is a 'from price' and includes maximum saving for 29 March 2025 departure. Other departure dates available at seasonal surcharge. Prices are subject to availably and change and correct as at 15 July 2024. Please contact you RAC travel consultant for current pricing, departure dates and availability.

Solo departures

A selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers is available. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour, complimentary return airport transfers (within 50km radius of major Australian airports) and a cocktail on arrival at your destination.

*Please contact you RAC travel consultant for current pricing and availability.

*Advertised price is a 'from' price and includes maximum saving. Prices and services are subject to availability of tour, airline, and specific economy airfare. Prices may differ once a preferred booking class is sold out. Prices stated are in Australian Dollars ($AUD), current at 15 July 2024 and subject to change at any time. Prices and services are subject to availability of tour, airline, and specific economy airfare. Indicated rates are based on lead in economy airfares, airfare supplements may apply. Departures booked more than 11 months in advance may be subject to air supplements when airline fares are published. Prices may differ once a preferred booking class is sold out.

^Offer is valid until 15 August 2024, unless sold out prior. Offer is valid on selected departure dates only. Grab last minute savings on selected 2024 departures and book early to get the best deals on 2025 dates. d. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for eligible departure dates. Tours are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Applicable to new bookings only. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to release specials which are applicable to new bookings only. Bookings are non-transferable. 

General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.