Hidden Charms of Vietnam & Cambodia
11 Days/ 12 Nights
Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Tavan – Hanoi – Halong Bay –
Hanoi – Hue- Hoi An – Da Nang – Siem Reap
Join “Indian Maharaja Tours” on the most comprehensive photography tour of “The Hidden Charms of Vietnam & Cambodia”. The travel Duo Harsh and Arti traveled extensively in the two countries and have put together an itinerary, which features off-the-beaten-path gems.
Vietnam tour package offers a mix of historical and cultural attractions in idyllic settings. North of the country, we will visit the amazing hill tribes and rice farmers. In the Center, we will spend time in fishermen’s villages, and in the South, we will explore pristine beaches and untouched islets.
Cambodia on the other hand is …..
In Vietnam Photo tour You will shoot landscapes, environmental portraits, and street life. September is a great time to travel to Vietnam, as the rice terraces are carpeted with green, yellow, and orange shades and the local tribes can be seen working in fields. Occasional rain will add to the mood.
Whether you are a landscape photographer, street photographer, beginner or an avid photographer, what you will experience in the Vietnam Tour package with Indian Maharaja Tours is Authenticity. Arti, the logistician, handpicked local guides, hotels, restaurants, and locations. Harsh, the photographer, scouted the places so you are there at the right time for the best possible light. He spends time one-on-one teaching to answer your specific questions.
You will return home with the “feel” of the place, breath-taking images, and memories that last a lifetime. Looking forward to hosting you in Vietnam & Cambodia!
06 Sep’20: Hanoi Arrival – Welcome to Vietnam
You can arrive one day before or same day. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to hotel. Free time at leisure. (usually check-in time after 14:00).
The trip will start with a orientation. So we should try to be here by 15.00 hrs. After orientation, we will have a small introductory walk followed by dinner.
Your free time to enjoy the night walking over old quarter or Hoan Kiem lake to explore a piece of the young people weekend life there. Dinner at restaurant with top view of Hoan Kiem lake.
Overnight in Hanoi
07 Sep’20: Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai
This morning, wake up very early to enjoy our tour “Good morning Hanoi”:
05:00-07:00: We will experience a unique “early bird” tour to see this colourful city wake up around you & witness Hanoi residents in their everyday routines often beginning with Tai Chi in the park. First our guide & driver will transfer you to Ho Chi Minh Complex where you can see the famous flag raising ceremony outside Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Then we move to Hoan Kiem Lake, walk around to see the morning activities of Hanoians often beginning with Tai Chi, gymnastic, martial arts…
Back to the hotel for breakfast and get ready to Mu Cang Chai.
Drive over the Khau Pha pass (one of the four greatest passes in Northern Vietnam, connecting Tu Le and Mu Cang Chai). These scenic roads offer a lot of stops for picture-taking.
Overnight in Mu Cang Chai – Ecolodge.
08 Sep’20: Mu Cang Chai- Rice terraces and tribes
Mu Cang Chai holds some of the most impressive rice terraces in the country and is listed as a Vietnam National Heritage site. Famous for the beautiful mountains of the north with their seemingly endless rice terraces and colorful tribal peoples who are still living in the traditional ways. They include Red Dzou, Nung, Tay, Flower Hmong, etc. This afternoon photograph one of the two most spectacular terrace valleys of legendary Mu Cang Chai, and their inhabitants. Throughout the day, we will have plenty of occasions to observe the H’mong people going about their daily lives and working in the fields.
We have mutiple photoshoot opportunities in the day. We will visit the La Pan Tan “Rice Canyon”. If the time permits, we will also visit the beautiful rice fields of Che Cu Nha.
Overnight at a homestay in center of Mu Cang Chai and dinner here.
09 Sep’20: Mu Cang Chai – Sapa – Ta Van
Breakfast. Visit Lao Chai village, where there are beautiful rice terraces. Enjoy walking through the pine forests and along the hidden paths as you take in the views of Mu Cang Chai.
The drive will be scenic to Sapa offering mountain roads and numerous rice terraces. We continue our road to Ta Van village and overnight here. Meet and chat with more colourful tribal people.
10 Sep’20: Tavan – night train to Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast at the homestay. Today, we will visit to a small village of the H’mong people, taking your photo shoots here. Visit a workshop of natural indigo dyeing and batik embroidery to see the process. Walking through the H’mong villages, you see women and girls sitting everywhere – sewing, embroidering and hand-dyeing spectacularly colorful outfits. It’s refreshing to note that these intricate garments aren’t for tourists – the H’mong women actually wear them quite often – when going to market, going into town, and sometimes just to visit neighbors.
Later, drive to Sapa town for dinner.
Free time walking around the city centre a while before transfer to Lao Cai Railway Station for the return train ride to Hanoi.
11 Sep’20: Hanoi – Local life and people
After breakfast, we will start the visits of Hanoi. Visit the Temple of Literature temple. We will meet photogenic models dressed in their traditional Ao Dai. With its manicured gardens and ancient architecture, it’s a perfect setting to photograph the grace and elegance of the ladies in their Ao Dai.
Going down the train tracks, we can see how the locals live and work, a few centimeters from the train tracks in tall and narrow houses. You can capture local people and take selfies.
Then we will visit the Long Bien Bridge and the nearby local market.
Finally, we will take a walking tour through the old quarter of Hanoi, also known as the 36-street neighborhood, since in its time it was known for the craft of the artisans who inhabited them and for the workshops that were there; A relaxing moment to enjoy some of the traditional snacks in the area, accompanied by a local drink, a glass of the famous Bia Hoi beer or a typical Vietnamese coffee followed by dinner. Return to the hotel and accommodation in Hanoi.
12 Sep’20: Hanoi – Halong Bay
After breakfast, transferred to Ha Long Bay sailing in picturesque luxury this afternoon amidst 3,000 karst limestone rock formations jutting from the emerald waters. Arrive at Halong City at noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. A truly memorable experience awaits you as you cruise the delightful Bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities depending on each boat’s itinerary or just spend some time relaxing on board.
Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight onboard Halong Bay
13 Sep’20: Halong Bay – Hanoi – flight to Hue
You can awake for sunrise or sleep a little bit. You can start your day with calming Tai Chi, enjoy the sunrise over the Bay and continue cruising. This morning we will shoot fishermen casting nets from small boats with the amazing, ever changing bay-scapes. Enjoy the brunch on the way back to port, transfer to Hanoi.
En route visit a pagoda. Continue driving to Hanoi Airport, then take a short flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, check in Hotel. Overnight in Hue.
14 Sep’20: Hue – Fishermen and Imperial Citadel
At sunrise photograph fishermen casting their colorful nets.
After breakfast, photograph the making of colorful incense sticks, and then step into history at the gloriously exotic grounds of Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb. Shoot with gorgerous models in their traditional Ao Dai outfits. You can capture architecture or portraits as you wish.
Thien Mu Pagoda and monastery is next up, followed by afternoon & sunset at Tam Giang Lagoon and its surrounding villages.
15 Sep’20: Hue- Hoi An
Early morning visit the glorious grounds of the Imperial City with professional Ao Dai models. Visiting the Imperial City of Hue when in Vietnam will no doubt be a highlight of your trip. With amazing architecture, an impressive history and the most stunning grounds you will certainly be in awe.
Once the shoot is over there will be time to explore more of the ancient city.
In the afternoon, transfer to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive Hoi An, check in hotel. Dinner on cruise along Thu Bon river.
16 Sep’20: Hoi An
In the morning, we enjoy the sunrise in the ancient town with models in Ao Dai. Today you will have multiple opportunities to shoot the local ladies selling fruits and other stuff in their iconic baskets as well as models. You can also go for a free shoot on your own. Every lane has something to offer.
Evening visit to a farming village. Evening walk in ancient town. While pretty during the day, the Ancient Town really comes into its own after dark. Don’t miss the chance to stroll this UNESCO-listed heritage site in the evenings, when thousands of brightly lit lanterns illuminate the streets and set the Thu Bon River a glow with twinkling reflections.
17 Sep’20: Hoi An – Da Nang – Siem Reap
Hoi An was once the busiest port on the South China Sea, ruled by the Champa Dynasty for 14 centuries. Today’s shooting begins at a local fishing village, where nets wriggling in silvery fish glinting in the morning sun are raised from stilt platforms.
Free day at leisure. At schedule time, transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap.
© Indian Maharaja Tours
Most of the Photos are clicked by our Co- Founder Harsh Agarwal All rights reserved worldwide. This image may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without a prior written permission from the copyright holder.
Inclusion-
- Shared accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast.
- English speaking Photography mentor for the tour.
- Tours as per itinerary with local English speaking guide.
- All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles.
- All entrance fees, train ticket and cyclo tour as program.
- Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program.
- Unlimited mineral water bottles during the tour.
EXCLUSION
- Drinks – Alcoholic and non alcoholic.
- Personal expenses and tips.
- Visa to Vietnam (25 USD/pax for single entry within 1 month).
- Airfares (international).
- Airport taxes.
- Early check in or late check out.
- Insurances.
- Optional excursions and activities.
- Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation.
- Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…).
- Peak season surcharges if any.
- All not mentioned above.
What to Bring
Upon signing up for the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed coursebook describing what to bring, recommended camera gears, booking your flight, extra activities pre or post workshop.
Clothing: (temperature ranges from 50 – 90F)
– Comfortable and warm layered clothes (neutral color recommended)
– Sandals, hiking shoes
– Hat, sunglasses, and sun screen
– Rain gears/windbreaker
– Knee pads for low angle shooting
Camera Equipment:
– Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
– Landscape and culture: 16 – 200mm
– Telephoto lens for wildlife shoot: 200-400mm
– Tripod (optional but recommended for Sunrise and Sunset shoots)
Other Equipment (Optional):
– Small notepad (notes, observations, …)
– Laptop (with power cord), memory card downloader
– Post processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins)
– External hard drives (backup)
What to Bring
Upon signing up for the workshop, you’ll receive a detailed coursebook describing what to bring, recommended camera gears, booking your flight, extra activities pre or post workshop.
Clothing: (temperature ranges from 50 – 90F)
– Comfortable and warm layered clothes (neutral color recommended)
– Sandals, hiking shoes
– Hat, sunglasses, and sun screen
– Rain gears/windbreaker
– Knee pads for low angle shooting
Camera Equipment:
– Camera with extra batteries and memory cards
– Landscape and culture: 16 – 200mm
– Telephoto lens for wildlife shoot: 200-400mm
– Tripod (optional but recommended for Sunrise and Sunset shoots)
Other Equipment (Optional):
– Small notepad (notes, observations, …)
– Laptop (with power cord), memory card downloader
– Post processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, plug-ins)
– External hard drives (backup)