Vietnam & Sri Lanka: 15 Nights, Two Worlds, One Incredible Journey

Arrive at Hanoi International Airport and, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, meet your guide outside the international arrivals hall. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Rooms are available from 2:00 p.m., so early arrivals may need to wait until the standard check-in time. The remainder of the day is free to relax and settle into Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, meet your guide and begin your full-day exploration of Hanoi.

Visit Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence in 1945, followed by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest Buddhist temple, and Quan Thanh Temple, a historic Taoist site. Later, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first imperial school, dating back to 1070.

After lunch, explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and The Huc Bridge. Continue with a cyclo ride through Hanoi's atmospheric Old Quarter before enjoying a traditional water puppet show.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, depart Hanoi by shared shuttle bus for Halong Bay, arriving around midday. Board your 2-day/1-night cruise and enjoy lunch on board as you begin sailing through the spectacular limestone islands and emerald waters of the bay.

Spend the afternoon cruising through Halong Bay and taking in its dramatic scenery before enjoying dinner on board.

Overnight on board the Halong Bay cruise

Wake early and enjoy the stunning sunrise over Halong Bay. After breakfast, continue cruising through the bay and admire unique formations including Sail Island and Fisherman's Head Rock.

After further exploration, check out and enjoy brunch on board as the cruise returns to the pier. Disembark and transfer by shared shuttle bus back to Hanoi. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore independently.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, travel approximately 70km to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network that played an important role during the wars. Explore the tunnels and learn about their use as shelters, supply routes and living quarters.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a sightseeing tour. See the Opera House from outside, the former Hotel de Ville, now the People's Committee building, Notre Dame Cathedral from the exterior and the Central Post Office. Continue to the former Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, travel to the Mekong Delta and continue to My Tho Port. Cruise along the Tien River and admire views of Rach Mieu Bridge and the floating fish farms.

Continue to Con Qui, where you can stroll through the village, experience local life, visit an orchard and sample seasonal fruits. Visit the gardens and honeybees, taste honey tea and banana wine, and take a rowboat through a narrow canal shaded by coconut palms.

Continue by electric car through Quoi Son village and visit local producers, including a coconut and banana candy factory, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Colombo. On arrival in Sri Lanka, meet your representative and transfer to Marawila.

Check in to your coastal hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax by the beach or take a stroll along the shore as you settle into your Sri Lankan escape.

Overnight in Marawila

After breakfast, depart Marawila and travel inland towards Dambulla. Watch the scenery change from coastal landscapes and palm groves to paddy fields and rural surroundings.

Experience an authentic village visit and gain an insight into local life before enjoying a traditional home-style Sri Lankan lunch featuring rice and curry. Continue to Dambulla and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Dambulla

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climb the ancient rock and discover its historic remains, frescoes and spectacular views across the surrounding landscape.

Later, head into Minneriya National Park, or a neighbouring eco park, by open-top jeep. Search for Sri Lanka's famous wildlife, including the large herds of elephants that gather around the reservoir. Return to Dambulla after your safari.

Overnight in Dambulla

After breakfast, depart for Nuwara Eliya and travel into Sri Lanka's scenic central highlands. Along the way, watch the landscape transform into dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls and extensive tea plantations.

Visit a working tea factory and learn about the traditional tea-making process before continuing to Nuwara Eliya. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the cooler climate and peaceful surroundings around Gregory Lake.

Overnight in Nuwara Eliya

After breakfast, depart Nuwara Eliya and travel south towards Yala. The scenery gradually changes from the cool tea-growing highlands to the warmer and drier landscapes of southeastern Sri Lanka.

For those who wish to experience one of Sri Lanka's renowned train journeys, there may be an opportunity to travel from Nanu Oya or Ambewela towards Ella, subject to ticket availability. Continue by road to Yala and check in to your hotel.

Overnight in Yala

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure. Later, head into Yala National Park by safari jeep and explore the park's diverse landscapes in search of its remarkable wildlife.

Yala is renowned for its elephants, sloth bears and Sri Lankan leopards, along with its abundant birdlife. Enjoy the safari experience before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Yala

After breakfast, travel west along Sri Lanka's southern coast towards Galle. Explore the historic Galle Fort, originally established by the Portuguese and later fortified by the Dutch, with its atmospheric streets, colonial architecture and impressive ramparts.

Continue to a turtle hatchery to learn about local turtle conservation efforts before travelling onwards to Beruwala. Check in to your beach hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Beruwala

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Beruwala. Relax by the pool or on the beach, or choose from optional activities such as water sports or a scenic boat ride through the area's mangrove channels.

Enjoy the freedom to spend your final full day in Sri Lanka at your own pace.

Overnight in Beruwala

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to Colombo International Airport for your return flight to London. Meet your airport representative for departure assistance before boarding your flight home.

Your Vietnam and Sri Lanka adventure comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast