Classic Indochina 23 Days

Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Arrive in Hanoi, our driver pick you up at airport. Transfer to hotel. Check in hotel.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 HANOI CITY TOUR (B,L)

8.00, Start a day with our guide to visit Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda). After that visit Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake, and continue to Temple of Literature. Lunch in local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Ethnology Museum and Hoa Lo Prison. End of the day with Water Puppet show.

 

 

 

Day 3: HANOI – HOA LU / TAM COC (B,L)

8.30, Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh province and enjoy the drive through the luxurious vegetation of the Red River Delta. Continue on to Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam from 968-980.After that transfer to Trang An and take a cruise on sampan to visit karts and the scenery of “Halong Bay on land”. Back to Hanoi in the afternoon.

 

 

 

Day 4: HANOI / HALONG (B,L,D)

8.30, depart Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of the UNESCO site with a lot of limestone and beautiful scenery.11.30-12.00, board your junk and enjoy welcome drink and seafood lunch served after that. Cruise into the Bay. Enjoy activities on boat with kayaking, swimming, visiting caves.

 

 

 

 

Day 5: HALONG / HANOI / HUE (B,L)

After breakfast, continue your cruise through the bay. Disembark the wharf, return to Hanoi by road at about 3pm. Transfer directly to airport for flight to Hue. Driver picks you up and transfers to hotel. Check in hotel.

Day 6:HUE CITY TOUR (B,L)

8.30, boat trip on Huong River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, then after that to the Citadel – an important site of the last dynasty in Vietnam Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon visit Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh Tombs. Transfer back to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 7: HUE / HOI AN (B,L)

After breakfast, 9.00, guide and driver accompany you to Hoi An via Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass, Marble Mountain and Cham Museum ( in Danang ). Lunch in local restaurant. Check in hotel. Afternoon, walking tour to visit Hoi An Town with old temples and pagodas, Japanese Bridge. Back to hotel.

 

 

 

Day 8: HOI AN (B)

Free for your own leisure.

Option activities:

-½ day cooking class

-½ day visit Tra Que Vegetable village

-½ day lantern making

-½ day visit My Son – The Cham Ruins from 13th century

Day 9: HOI AN / DANANG / SAIGON (B,L)

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Saigon. On arrival transfer and check in to your hotel.

 

 

 

 

Day 10: HO CHI MINH CITY / CU CHI TUNNELS (B,L)

8.30, Start tour of Saigon including Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post office, War Remnants Museum, Giac Lam Pagoda, China Town with ancient pagodas and temples and bustling Binh Tay Market.
After lunch, we drive to Cu Chi Tunnels – the famous base during US – Vietnam War.
Overnight in Saigon

 

 

Day 11: CAI BE – PHU AN – DONG HOA HIEP / VINH LONG / SA DEC (L,D)

Be picked up at your hotel at 8h00am and transfer to Cai Be by road. Start with a bicycle ride around this remote area, ending up at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river. After lunch, start your leisurely cruise on the busy waterways, with stops along the way for glimpses of local cottage industries that provide a living for the river people.
Before arriving at Sa Dec, stop to visit a traditional pottery factory where everything is made by hand.
Dinner is served on board. Enjoy your first night on board Song Xanh on the Mekong River.

 

 

DAY 12: Sa Dec – Long Xuyen – Phu Tan (B,L,D)

After breakfast served on board step ashore and take a stroll to the outdoor market.Visit the historic house of the real-life character in the novel and film The Lover by Marguerite Duras. Back on board cruise up towards Long Xuyen along a narrow canal, passing several monkey bridges. Lunch is served on board. Upon arrival in Long Xuyen, visit Tiger Island. Dinner is served at a local house. The owner welcomes you and a candlelit dinner is served in this authentic environment. After dinner, return on board and resume your cruise towards Chau Doc. Your boat sails until around 10:00 pm before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board.

 

 

Day 13: Phu Tan – Chau Doc (B)

Breakfast is served on board while your sampan cruises towards Chau Doc. Close to the border with Cambodia, Chau Doc is the gateway to Phnom Penh. Known throughout Vietnam for its pagodas and temples it is also famous for Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, a superb eucalyptus mangrove. Disembark at Victoria Chau Doc private pier.
Overnight in Chau Doc.

 

 

Day 14: CHAU DOC – PHNOM PENH (B,D)

Breakfast in hotel. Check out early and 6.30 and you will get pick up by the pier for express boat to Phnom Penh. Arrive Phnom Penh at noon time.
Pickup at the border and transfer to the hotel check in. Visit Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Continue to Silver Pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. Accommodation at hotel

 

Day 15: PHNOM PENH (B,L)

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Tuol Sleng Museum (also known as S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Then drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek. Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument. Enjoy Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh, it bursts into 4 branches. Accommodation at hotel

 

Day 16: Day 16: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (B) BY LOCAL BUS OR BY FLIGHT SIEM REAP

Breakfast at the hotel – Transfer to Siem Reap with 2 options:

1. By flight takes 45 mintues
2. By local bus takes 6 hours

Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel check in. Afternoon visit to Wat Thmey or Killing Field, contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. After that, visit to Wat Memorial Mountaint. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

 

Day 17: SIEM REAP (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit Ta Prohm, surrounded by jungle. Visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in world and covers an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. Early this evening, we will take the Tuk Tuk (the most common taxi in Cambodia) to cruise around the Siem Reap and town and and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

 

Day 18: SIEM REAP (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Banteay Srei, constructed at the late 10th century by a Brahmin counselor under a powerking Rajendarvarman. It was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. En-route stop at Pre Rub (turn the body), was constructed in late 10th century dedicated to Hindu gods. This reflects the common belief among Cambodians that funerals were conducted at the temple. Lunch at local restaurant

Visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to his father. It is a huge, highly exportable monastic complex, and served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. Continue to Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray, constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area.

Day 19: SIEMREAP / LUANG PRABANG (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Chong Kneas to visit the fishing village by a private boat. Cruise through the fishing villages of the Tonle Sap Lake to discover the natural splendor and old lifestyle of the country.

Lunch at local restaurant. Free at leisure till transfer to Siem Reap International airport for flight to Luang Prabang.

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. You are free before transferring to a local family to enjoy a private Baci ceremony after sunset. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.

We then transfer back to the city center to have the first taste of Lao foods at one of the best restaurant in Luang Prabang

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 20: LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALLS – SUNSET CRUISE      (B/-/D)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.

After breakfast, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We will also take a look at the Traditional Art & Ethonology Center to learn about the many Lao ethnic groups. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village.  This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesday), one of the must-visit spots, newly opened on January 2014.

Late afternoon, we will transfer to the boat pier to board on the Nava Mekong for the cruise along the Mekong River to admire the sun setting over the mountains. The authentic Lao lunch will be served on board together with some traditional Lao music and dance.

We arrive back in the city at around 08:00PM, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 

Day 21: LUANG PRABANG – SHANGRI LAO EXPERIENCE        (B/L/D)

8:00 – 8:30 am:  Your tour begins when your English speaking guide picks you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang city

Transfer by VIP van to the Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp, 15 km outside of Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, stow your luggage at the reception and receive an introductory tour of the elephant camp.  Your guide will teach you about elephants.  You may talk with our veterinarian, feed the elephants or relax by the riverside.

Start the adventure with a 5 km elephant ride through forests and over hills to the hidden Huay Sae Valley in the same way Dr. Neis did over a century ago.

After reaching the protected Huay Sae Valley, you will leave the elephants and enjoy a luxury lunch of traditional Lao food with wine by a secluded waterfall.  Depending on the water level you may swim in the cool, natural pools.

Continue with a 5 km trek on foot.  The adventurous trail crosses bamboo bridges and passes waterfalls with blue pools and dense jungle.

Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting your arrival to take you back to the elephant camp.  Slowly float downstream during a relaxing 5 km river journey and enjoy a coffee as you relax and watch the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the river.  Take the option of a 30 minute visit to the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall.

In the late afternoon you will arrive at the camp where your luxury tent is ready for check-in. Spend the rest of the day at the jacuzzi swimming pool or go for a walk with your guide to visit a local village.

In the evening a delicious barbeque dinner will be served under the starry sky.

Retire for the night in your luxury tent which will touch all of your senses with its unique decor and surroundings.

Day 22: SHANGRI LAO – LAO SPIRIT RESORT     (B/L/-)

The day begins with breakfast on the riverside while the sun slowly rises over the mountains.  The remote villages are springing to life as you watch the villagers put small boats into the river, tend to their fields, take their children to school or wash their clothes in the river.

After breakfast your guide will introduce you to your elephant and it’s time for your Mahout training.  Bond with her as you receive your basic training to be a mahout.  With real hands-on experience you may climb onto your elephant and control her riding bareback on her neck.

After your mahout training you will ride your elephant bareback to the river where you bathe her and guide her through the river back to camp – an unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience!

Back at the camp, help your mahout to put on the howdah seat on your elephant, before saying good-bye and thank you by offering her some delicious bananas.  Your guide will also teach you more about the relationship between mahouts and elephants.

At 11:30am it is time to check out of your luxury tent.

Then enjoy your lunch by the riverside or on the deck of the Jacuzzi swimming pool.

In the afternoon, you may stroll through the nearby village and visit the small temple with your guide.  Experience the local lifestyle in the remote village and learn about the ethnic groups of Laos.

4:30 – 5:00 pm leave the camp and return by VIP van to Luang Prabang city where your guide will drop you off at your hotel (30 – 45 minute travel time).

Day 23: LAO SPIRIT RESORT – DEPARTURE        (B/-/-)

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration before transferring back to the city and taking the departure flight for the next destination.

End of Indochina Holiday Packages!

Please, Contact us for the best price

Indochina Trip Included:

 

• Private tours with Local English speaking guide
• Hotel accommodation as mentioned
• A/C transport throughout the tours
• All transfers with our A/C transport
• Entrance fee to any applicable tourist sites
• Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L= Lunch, D=dinner)
• Boat cruise as mentioned
• Tuk Tuk ride to the blessing ceremony
• Cold water and towel during the trip
• Government tax & Service charge

Indochina Trip Excluded:

 

• International flight ticket
• Domestic flight ticket from Phnom Penh – Siem Reap: $105 / pax
• Bus ticket from from Phnom Penh – Siem Reap: $15 /pax
• Visa stamps upon arrival of $30.00 per person
• Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec
• Other meals not mentioned
• Tips & personal expenses
• Laundry
• Other not stated above
• Travel insurance

Indochina Trip Note:

• Itinerary can be run in reserve
• Check in time is normally at 14.00, check out time is normally at 12.00. Early check in or check out is upon on availability of the hotels.

The detailed itinerary of Halong Cruises might be different depends on your junk choice.

List Of Accommodation Indochina Holiday Packages Recommended

City	Hotel Category
	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	First Class
Hanoi	Santa Barbara Hotel	Gondola	Boss Legend hotel	L’De Opera
Halong	Galaxy Cruise	Dragon’s Pearl	Aphrodite	Dragon Legend Cruise
Hue	New Moon	Romance	Eldola	Indochine Palace Hue hotel
Hoian	Vinh Hung Library	Phu Thinh	Ancient House Village	Royal Hoian Hotel
Ho Chi Minh	Queen Ann	Silverland Central hotel & Spa	Grand Silverland hotel & Spa	Majestic Sai Gon hotel
Mekong Delta	Song Xanh Cruise
Chau Doc	Chau Doc	Chau Doc	Chau Doc	Victoria
Phnom Penh	King Grand boutique(Deluxe)	Harmony Hotel(Deluxe)	Sunway Hotel(Deluxe)	Raffles Le Royal(State Room)
Siem Reap	Sokha Roth Hotel (Deluxe)	Somadevi Angkor (Superior)	Tara Angkor (Superior)	Sokha Angkor  (Deluxe city)
Luang Prabang	Luangsay Residence	Luangsay Residence	Belmond La Residence Phouvao	Amantaka Resort
Ban Xienglom	Shangri Lao
Ban Xienglom	Lao Spirit Resort

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavor to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.