Inspiring Indochina 20 days
Tour code: INT 01
A lot of thought has gone into planning the itinerary of this tour. Not only will you get to visit all the must-see landmarks of this fabled corner of the world, Unesco World Heritage sites such as Halong, Hué, Hoi An, Angkor and Luang Prabang, but this trip will help you appreciate the importance of the mighty Mekong river to the inhabitants of these three countries. You will begin to understand the exceptional legacy of the Khmer, Lao and Vietnamese cultures, as you learn about their rich and diverse heritage. All things considered, this is a sumptuous tour.
Day 1 : Arrival in Hanoi
You will be greeted at the airport. Afternoon cyclo tour of the Old Quarter; evening meal at a restaurant. (Dinner)
Day 2 : Hanoi / Halong Bay
Morning departure towards Halong Bay. Step aboard our junk for an unforgettable journey across the emerald bay. Seafood dinner and overnight on the junk. (B’fast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Halong Bay / Tam Coc
Enjoy a morning cruise across the stunning bay. After lunch, we head for Ninh Binh, through Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, which lie at the heart of the Red River delta In Thai Binh, time allowing, we can stop to visit the Keo Pagoda, an imposing wooden structure. Arrival in Tam Coc late afternoon. Overnight in a hotel. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 4 : Tam Coc / Hanoi
Early in the morning, we visit Tam Coc by boat, discovering three natural tunnels carved into the rock by the water. Later on, having moved on to Nho Quan, we take a second boat to Kenh Ga, a village floating in the middle of a vast region that’s flooded for many months of the year. Visitors are usually seduced by the serenity of their surroundings, particularly at sunset. Back to Hanoi in the evening. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 5 : Hanoi / Hue
Guided tour of the capital’s main sights : Lake Hoan Kiem , the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc and Quan Thanh Pagodas. After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue. Check-in at your hotel. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 6 : Hue
Morning trip by sampan on the Perfume River, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, the mausoleum of Minh Manh and that of the Emperor Tu Duc. Lunch is followed by a cyclo tour of the Imperial City of the Nguyen dynasty, its royal palaces and imperial temples. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 7: Hue / Danang / Hoi An
Morning departure for Danang, stopping at the Pass in the Clouds to admire the breathtaking view of the Lang Co peninsula. Visit the Cham museum in Danang before heading to Hoi An. Afternoon tour of this charming city, which boasts charming, classic Vietnamese architecture, a market place and small fishing harbour. Stroll through the streets and visit a silk-weaving workshop and lantern maker. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 8 : Hoi An
Bike or cyclo ride through the narrow streets to the old port. Sail into the harbour to watch the fishermen reeling in their catch. Free time to enjoy the beaches. (B’fast)
Day 9 : Hoi An / Danang / Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check-in at your hotel. Guided tour of the main sights: the cathedral, the post office and the famous Catinat St. Then discover the vibrant market area of Chinatown – Cho Lon: Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda. (B’fast)
Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh City / Can Tho
Departure from Ho Chi Minh City for the heart of the Mekong delta, and Cai Be. Then we take a boat along the Mekong and some of the famous river’s many canals until we reach Vinh Long, stopping on the way to visit an ancient colonial house and craft factory. We sample the local cuisine at lunchtime and continue our journey to Can Tho, unofficial capital of the Mekong delta, in the afternoon. (B’fast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 : Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh City
We must rise early to see the market of Ca Rang, where hundreds of boats laden with fruit and vegetables gather to create an extraordinary floating market. Afterward, take a trip from Chap Phap bridge by “xe loi” to the centennial house of Binh Thuy. Finally, we head back to HCMC, stopping on the way to visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda at My Tho. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 12 : Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Reap
Early morning flight to Siem Reap. You will be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel. Visite the ancient capital of Angkor Thom: South Gate, the Bayon temple and its 54 towers, covered in sculptures thought to represent the Compassionate Boddhisattva. In the afternoon, we visit Angkor Wat, built to the Hindu God Vishnu. This immense temple was the achievement of King Suryavarman II and is considered a marvel of Khmer art and architecture. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B’fast, Din)
Day 13 : Siem Reap
After breakfast, you will explore the monastery of Preah Khan, whose name means “sacred sword”; the temple of Neak Pean and Ta Som. These three temples were built by King Jayavarman VII and highlight the importance of Mahayana Buddhism during his reign. In the afternoon we continue the visit with the twin temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda (early XII Century), the incomplete mountain temple of Ta Keo, the sacred lake of Srah Srang, Bantey Kdei and the fascinating monastery of Ta Prohm, which is overgrown with jungle. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 14 : Siem Reap
Morning visit to the “Angkor Crafts School”, a training school that teaches traditional Cambodian crafts, such as wood and stone carving, and lacquerware. Free time to explore the local markets. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 15 : Siem Reap / Phnom Penh
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Phnom Penh. Welcome and check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, we visit the National Museum, where you can see a fine collection of pre-Angkorian and Angkorian period sculptures. Discover the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and the Vat Phnom – which lent its name to the Cambodian capital. There may be time to visit the central market, renowned for its art-deco architecture. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B’fast, Din)
Day 16 : Phnom Penh / Vientiane
Transfer to the airport for the flight between Phnom Penh and Vientiane. Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit of Wat Sisaset (built in 1818, it is the only temple that was not destroyed during the Thai invasion of 1828) and the Ho Phra Kaew temple, which once housed the Emerald Buddha figurine, palladium of the Kingdom of Lan Xang. Brief stop at the Patouxai, a monument modeled on the French Arc De Triomphe, built in 1959, before a visit of the golden stupa of That Luang, commissioned by King Setthathirath in 1566 and a symbol of Lao sovereignty. Overnight in Vientiane. (B’fast, Din)
Day 17 : Vientiane / Luang Prabang
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Check-in at the hotel. After lunch, a visit to the temple of Vat Visoun, That Makmo followed by Vat Aham, one of the city’s main sanctuaries devoted to Lao ancestors. Watch the sunset from Vat Siphouthabath, restored by the Vietnamese community. Enjoy an evening of tranquility by the Mekong river. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B’fast, Din)
Day 18 : Luang Prabang / Pak Ou / Luang Prabang
After breakfast, visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. Then we travel by traditional boat upstream along the Mekong to Pak Ou, where the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers converge, to see the hundreds of Buddha statues hidden inside the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Theung. Stop over at Vat Loungkhoune, famous for its 18C frescoes, before moving on to Ban Xang Hai. This village is famous for its rice wine and you can watch the traditional distillery process here. Back in Luang Prabang, we end the day with a visit to the weavers of Ban Xang Khong to find out how they make paper from the bark of the mulberry tree. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 19 : Luang Prabang / Khouang Sy / Luang Prabang
After breakfast, excursion to the waterfalls of Kuang Sy. Stopover to meet the H’Mong people of Ban Thinkeo, the Khmu of Ban Thapaene and the Thai Lu villagers of Ban Phanom. Back in Luang Prabang, free-time to unwind in this charming town. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B’fast, Lunch)
Day 20 : Luang Prabang
After visiting the National Museum (former Royal Palace), we ascend Mount Phousi for its stunning views of the former capital and of the Mekong river: a memorable end to the holiday. Transfer to the airport for the flight home (via Vientiane). (B’fast)
The price of this trip depends on the number of guests and the category of hotel you choose to stay in. Please contact a travel representative for a quote.
Price includes :
• Double room occupancy at the hotel of your choice.
• All specified transport and transfers, in private air-conditioned vehicle.
• Interior flights, including taxes, between Hanoi – Hue; Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
• All specified boat trips.
• English-speaking guides and entrance fees to sites and monuments.
• Cyclo tour of Hanoi
• Bike ride in Hoi An
Prices do not include :
• International flights from and to your home country and associated airport taxes.
• Non-specified meals.
• Other internal flights included in the itinerary: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh – Vientiane – Luang Prabang - Vientiane
• Visa costs for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
• Travel insurance
• Drinks and other personal expenses.
 |
Support 1 |  |
 |
Support 2 |  |
| Hotline: | (84) 904 210 478 | |
| (84) 988 268 079 | ||
| Email: | info@letoilevietnam.com | |