Exploring Indochinese countries tour
Southeast Asia is a magical land combining some of the most beautiful and exotic places on earth. You will be fascinated with the bustling capital Saigon, the mighty Mekong River and the mysterious minority tribes of Sapa in Vietnam; you will see some of the most stunning landscapes, adorned by beautiful mountains and cascading waterfalls in Laos; you will find your self lost in the history as you have a wander in the Angkor City and astounded by the beauty and serenity at Ta Prohm; you will be marveled at the beauty of the splendid temples, the wild orchids that grow profusely in the hills in northern Thailand; you will experience the original Asia as it once was in Myanmar.
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Coming to Hanoi to explore the rich cultural heritage with the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, One pillar pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple, prominent delicious Vietnamese cuisine as well as other interesting spots.
You are welcomed and transfer you to your hotel. After check –in, you are free to stroll around the city and catch a first glimpse of this elegant city. In the evening, having special dinner at a stylic restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
At 8am, beginning the full day city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilts” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. Visiting to the Temple of Literature which is considered as the first university of Vietnam.
Enjoying lunch with authentic delicious Vietnamese cuisines, then continuing the trip to the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Spending one – hour on cyclo tour through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if they have done that for centuries.
Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau - Hanoi (B, L)
Departing at 7am from Hanoi for three and a half hour journey through Hoa Binh Town, then gradually climbing the beginning of the Truong Son Mountain Range to Man Duc Town, a town with spectacular karst scenery. After arriving in Lac Village, Mai Chau, being greeting by friendly White Thai family. Having a chance to communicate with Thai minority people and enjoying a simple lunch with them - The Thai has their own language, dress, customs, usages and singular blend of belief, worship and myth. After having lunch, doing a two and a half hour trek to three White Thai villages of La Poon, La Thia and Poom Coong. Returning to Hanoi around 6.30pm.
(Image: mixtourist.com.vn)
Day 4: Hanoi –Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Taking 3 –hour journey to Halong in the morning. Upon arrival at Bai Chay Dock, Ha Long City, cheking in deluxe junk boat. The stunning views, limestone caves, off-shore islets, sea-bathing onboard and the delicious seafood lunch will make this a remarkable trip. Having dinner among a wonderful sunset. Relaxing and overnight on board.
(Image: vietnamtourism.gov.vn)
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Overnight train to Hue (B, L)
Having breakfast during a cruise to explore more some 1,600 islets. Visiting floating village, swimming or kayaking. After having lunch onboard, heading for the new route back to Ha Long Harbor, where the waiting vehicle will pick visitors up for a drive back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, doing last minute shopping or relax in a cafe with some snacks before proceeding to Hanoi railway stations for the night train to Hue. Overnight on train.
Day 6: Hue city (L, D)
Reaching Hue at around 8 am and transfering to hotel for some refreshment. Touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After having delicious lunch at a local restaurant, driving out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb and Minh Mang Mausoleum. In the evening, enjoying a nice dinner, followed by a cruise on Perfume River while Hue traditional folk music is performing.
(Image: kenhcuoi.vn)
Day 7: Hue – Hoi An (B, L)
After breakfast, being on 4 –hour journey to Hoi An. Making stop for relaxation at charming Lang Co Beach. Next stop is Da Nang City, famous for the Cham Museum and the My Khe Beach, a place called R and R (Rest and Rehabilitation) where thousands of American GIs came for a break during the war in Vietnam. Also, having a short sightseeing at the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe.
Arriving in Hoi An in the early afternoon, enjoying lunch, checking in hotel and then starting a walking tour through the Ancient Town where visitors can investige of the mix combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture as well as traditional cultural values. In December, 1999 Hoi An is declared a Unessco World Heritage site. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An (B)
Free leisure. Relaxing on An Bang Beach, enjoying hotel’s facilities or joining shopping tour at the ancient town. An option (not included in the package) for visitors is to participate a cooking class with authentic Vietnamese dishes. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An –flight to Saigon (B, D)
Transfering to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Saigon in the early morning.
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh city tour (B, L)
In the morning, our guide and driver will pick visitors up at hotel and then depart for Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels are an impressive network of tunnels with a length of over 250 km. In the afternoon, returning to Saigon.
After having lunch, visiting the highlights of Saigon including the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Museum. After that, visiting to Haven Emperor Temple and can join the religious atmosphere of the local people.
Rest of the time, can have a look at bustling Ben Thanh Market for an appreciation of local life.
Having dinner on Saigon River cuise. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 11: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B, L)
Leaving Ho Chi Minh city, enjoying the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. On arrival at My Tho, visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, taking a leisurely boat ride along the river, viewing stilt houses, fruit ing plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, having lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoying cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoying seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by the locals. Visiting a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight in the hotel. Free time to visit the bustling Can Tho market.
Day 12: Can Tho - Chau Doc - Tra Su Sanctuary (B)
Taking a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang floating markets (& Phong Dien is optional), which are the liveliest in the whole religion.
Visiting the orchard garden. Stoping for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc, continuing the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Back to the Town, hotel check in. Overnight in Chau Doc.
(Image: thethaovanhoa.vn)
Day 13: Chau Doc - Speed boat to Phnom Penh (B)
After breakfast, taking a nice boat trip through the floating village to visit a fish farm to see how the Mekong Delta people raise fish in their floating houses. 1:30 Pm, getting on speed boat boating along Mekong river to Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 14: Phnom Penh tour (B/L/D)
Visiting Toul Sleng Museum ( S-21 ) was the most secret organ of the Khmer Rouge regime. S-21 stands for "Security Office 21." was Angkar's premier security institution, specifically designed for the interrogation and extermination of anti Angkar elements Cheung Ek ( Killing Field ) between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Finish by lunch time.
Afternoon, sightseeing with cyclo, starting from the hotel along the river where visitors can see some French Colonial Old Building and continuing to Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple (Wat) located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Independent Monument.
Enjoying diner cruise on Mekong river in the evening.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 15: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/L)
Flight or car transport to Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Phnom Penh
Day 16 : Siem Reap - Temple Tour (B/L)
After breakfast at 08:00 A.M, having the tour to see Angkor Wat is visually architecturally and artistically breathtaking, Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple ).
Afternoon, going to see Angkor Thom ( the great Capital ) with 9 Square Kilometers and was the last Capital of the Angkorian Empire Baphoun, Phimean Akas and Royal Palace . The Leper King and Elephant Terrace and Bayon ( Four Smiling Faces). Seeing sunset.
Overnights in Siem Reap.
Day 17: Siem Reap - Banteay Sei (B)
In the morning, driving through the lovely countryside to visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, which many consider Bantaey Srei to be the prettiest temple was built with pink sand stone.
In the afternoon, visiting Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Som temples. Also, having some time for a re-visit of Angkor Wat and wander around on your own.
Day 18: Siem Reap - Luang Prabang (B, D)
Having the day free to wander around the markets until taking the afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
(Image: apttravel.com)
Day 19: Wat Xieng Thong - Boat trip on Mekong river - Pak Ou cave - Villages (B/L)
After having breakfast, visiting the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Embarking on a boat on the Mekong River, giving visitors a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside and visiting the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Having lunch at local restaurant with great view next to Mekong river. Along the way, stopping at the village of Ban Xang Hai.
In the afternoon, visiting some landmarks, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the Wat Mai with five tiered roofs. Free time to visit the Old Quarter by night or shopping at Night Market. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 20: Kuang Si falls - Phousi hill (B/L)
Having breakfast at hotel then taking a driver (around 30km) to visit the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where visitors can take a dip in the large turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. Picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby KuangSi waterfall. On the way back, visiting a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy and Ban Na OUne, a small village of a hill tribe group “Hmong”. In the late afternoon, climbing up Phousi Hill, the 328 steps for a beautiful sunset view in the whole Luang Prabang and Mekong river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
(Image: trekearth.com)
Day 21: Elephant Camp – Tad Sae fall – Luang Prabang airport (B/L)
05.30AM, waking up early and participating in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.
8:00 am – 8:30 am: Departing from hotel. Picking up by English speaking guide and car to go to the “Elephant village” about 15 km out of town. Taking a small boat to Elephant Camp and Tad Sae Waterfall. Enjoying the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 30- 40 min Elephant ride through which you support the rescue of our former logging Elephants then relax in the clear water then we have lunch at local restaurant nearby to Tad Sae fall with set menu included a mineral water/person and bananas (vegetarian options available). Free time to take some nice pictures with this amazing waterfall (in dry season from Jan – July).
At 14:00 M, the driver and guide will take care visitors to Luang Prabang airport. Saying good bye and see you soon in Laos in near future.