Essential Indochina Holiday 16 Days
Tour price:
INCLUDED
+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services
+ All private transfer and transportation
+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
+ Experienced English speaking guide
+ All in-tour flights as per itinerary
+ Private boat trip as per tour
+ Join in group tour in motorbike tour in Saigon
+ Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner)
+ All sightseeing tickets
+ Tissues and water on coach
+ Services charges and government tax
+ Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service
+ No extra charge after confirmation
+ 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
EXCLUDE
+ International flights & departures taxes
+ Beverage
+ Travel insurance
+ Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
+ Vietnam visa
+ Cambodia & Laos visa fee (visa on arrival easy and recommended)
+ Others not mentioned above
DETAILED INTINERARY
Day 01: Siem Reap Arrival - Angkor Thom (D)
Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th Century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classic Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. The sunset view from Phnom Bakheng (one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor) offers a spectacular chance to survey Western Baray and Angkor Wat. You will then enjoy dinner while watching an Apsara (Kmer folk dancing) performance at a local restaurant before retiring for the evening in Siem Reap.
Day 02: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat (B/L)
In the morning, you will continue your temple visits, which will include: Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures), Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, you will head to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour, including, Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area and which has been left relatively untouched since its discovery. Then you will visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples before an overnight stay in Siem Reap.
Day 03: Angkor Wat - Flight to Luang Phrabang (B)
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will visit Banteay Srei Temple, nearly everyone's favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carvings. You will also visit Banteay Samre. Next, you will board a boat on Tonle Sap Lake and enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages, complete with schools, restaurants, hospitals, and the school known as "Les Artisans d'Angkor." You will then transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departing flight.
On arrival at the Luong Prabang International airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. The rest of the day is your own time at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 04 : Shangri Laos Expedition – Baci Ceremony (B/L)
Around 8:00 – 8:30 am, your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang and transfer by air conditioned VIP van to the Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp 15 km outside of Luang Prabang city.
Upon arrival, you will receive an introductory tour of the camp where your guide will teach you about elephants. You may talk with our veterinarian at the elephant hospital, feed the elephants or relax by the riverside. Your adventure begins with an elephant ride across the Nam Khan River and continues through teak forests, dense jungle and over hills to reach the protected Huay Sae Valley. Stop along the way at the scenic overlook to take in the stunning view of the Nam Khan River valley.
After reaching the Huay Sae valley, you leave the elephants and relax at our jungle sala. Enjoy a luxurious lunch with traditional Lao food and wine near a secluded waterfall. You may even take a refreshing swim in the natural pools if you would like.
Continue your expedition with trekking on foot along the marvelous Huay Sae mountain stream down to the Nam Khan River. This stunning trail crosses bamboo bridges and passes by many waterfalls with fantastic limestone formations and turquoise blue pools in the dense jungle. Along our educational trail you will learn more about this important jungle ecosystem.
At the bank of the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is awaiting to carry you back to camp. As you slowly drift down the Nam Khan, relax and enjoy a coffee while watching the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the riverbank. You may also take advantage of an optional 30 min stop at the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall. Around 4:30 – 5:00 pm: Leave the camp and return by air conditioned VIP van to your hotel in Luang Prabang city.
Day 05: Luang Phrabang – Rice Experience – Kuang Si – Baci Ceremoni (B/L)
After breakfast, we drive to Living Land Lao Organic Farm at Phoung Van village. Upon arrival, your guide and the representative of the farm will brief about the historical and activity of the farm.
After that it is your chance to experience the real activities and life of a Lao farmer. You will really have your hand on all the activities including ploughing, seeding, manuring, until reaping the harvest. For sure you will know how hard to grow the rice. Last but not least, we will have a short visit to the vegetable garden and the guide will teach you how to realize many type of vegetable. It is really exciting to learn all those things for the first time.
Later on, we drive to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Before coming back to Luang Prabang, we still have time to visit Kuang Si Falls Butterflies Park, newly opened January 2014; it is now one of the must-see spots in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Hotel in Luang Prabang.
Enjoy a private Baci ceremony after sunset at a local family. 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. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 06 : Wat Xienthong – Ehnic lunch at Traditional Art & Ethnology center – Flight to Hanoi (B/L)
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
Afterwards, we will visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Transfer to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. We then enjoy exquisite ethnic lunch at Traditional Art and Ethnology Center. Transfer to airport and take your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Arrive at Hanoi/Noi Bai International Airport where you will be greeted by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel in center of Hanoi city. Free at your leisure until late afternoon. overnight in Hanoi city.
Day 07: Discover Hanoi city (B/L)
The colonial capital city Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental pagodas and temples dating back a thousand years.
This full day tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Stilts House, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda. The visit to Ho Chi Minh complex will provide you great insight knowledge of Vietnam history. We next will go to Temple of literature, a thousand years old temple dedicated to Vietnamese scholars as well as scholar Confucius. Offering beautiful tradition architect with history of thousand years old, the temple is considered as most favorite destination in Hanoi city.
Lunch time, enjoy your meal at one of the best restaurants of the city, The home restaurant (or Ngon Villa restaurant). Set up in a French villa building, the restaurant offer excellent ambiance with exquisite Vietnamese cuisines. All the foods have been well chosen to introduce to you the best of Vietnam culinary.
After lunch, it is your choice to visit Hoa Lo prison or Museum of Ethnology. Hoa lo prison is built by the French in 1896 to capture Viet Minh army and later used in Vietnam War. This horrific prison is now became a favorite destination of many travelers. Opt in for Museum of Ethnology; you will be introduced to collection of exhibits of minorities in Vietnam and learn more about unique local culture and lifestyle. After the visit of museum, transfer to Hoan Kiem lake, the heart of Hanoi city and listen to the legend of the lake. Our guide will then take you to a hidden local café that only local know to enjoy the famous Vietnamese egg coffee. This exotic drink has become a favor of many locals. Enjoy a cup of coffee with the lake view and relax before hopping to next spot for Vietnam Water Puppet Show. This water puppet show has a history of hundred years, used to be performed in local festivals and community’s events. Nowadays, the show is a great introduction that tells history and tales. Transfer back to your hotel and overnight in Hanoi.
Please note that Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays.
Day 08: Hanoi - Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B/L/D)
At 8:00 am, your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi to travel to Halong Bay on a comfortable journey in our shuttle vehicles. There will be a 30-minute stop en route for refreshments. You arrive at our Cruises dock at around noon andour team will welcome you in our lounge before boarding. Our Experiences Manager will assist you with boarding to start cruising in Bai Tu Long Bay through the many beautiful islets (scenes from the film ‘Indochine’ were filmed here). Bai Tu Long Bay has a wild beauty and the panoramas from the boat are unforgettable. An a la carte lunch will be served at our Royal Restaurant on the main deck. Savor delicious Vietnamese food while admiring the grace of the bay. Visit Vung Vieng fishing village, the famous pearl-growing village, to view the fishing tanks of the local people. You have time to observe the process of feeding pearl as well as learning a little about the life of the local people. Proceed to Vung Vieng floating village to board bamboo boats so the locals can row you around their village and oyster pearl farming plots. Return to the boat by speedboat. The cruise continues from the Vung Vieng fishing village to Cong Do (sleeping area), where you will enjoy the wonderful beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay at sunset, admire the striking islands and islets, relax, indulge yourself and savor the peaceful atmosphere which can only be found out here among the islands. Choose from kayaking, just relaxing or taking afternoon tea and watching the sky color change as the sun sets. Enjoy wine tasting, attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (making spring rolls) in a truly stunning setting. Enjoy our a la carte 5-course menu for dinner on board as you experience the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night. Evening activities: enjoy our Movie Night, Board Games or our Massage and Spa services or even go squid fishing. Overnight on board Cruises.
Day 09: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Da Nang – Hoi An (B/L)
Wake up to the gentle lapping of the water against the boat and as the first rays of the sun announce a new day. Before enjoying breakfast have cookies and tea and then try the tai chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over Bai Tu Long Bay
Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son). You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from up high, as well as the glorious long white-sand beach of Hon Co Island. Afterwards relax on the beach, go swimming in the crystal clear water and explore the cave. Return to the cruise by speedboat. Arrange the luggage and check out. Enjoy brunch on board while cruising back to the mainland. Arrive back at Emperor Cruises dock, Halong City for disembarkation where your driver waits to take you back to Hanoi.
Transfer directly to Noi Bai airport where you will take your flight to Da Nang city. Upon arrival at Da Nang airport, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An and overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Explore Hoi An Ancient Town (B)
Today, enjoy a half day walking tour explore Hoi An ancient town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. You will enjoy a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Hoi An is now one of UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites as well as most favorite destinations in Vietnam. Spend the rest of the day for shopping time or relaxing at your hotel. You will stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An free at leisure (B)
Today is free at leisure. Enjoy your full day relaxing at resort or shopping in town or biking to the beach nearby. If you are interested in cooking class, you can join in our optional activities (with surcharge) as following:
Optional activities: My Grandma’s Cooking Class
We will embark by boat (about 35 minutes trip) to join my family’s village on a small island on the river delta of Hoi An. Upon your arrival, you will be served a fresh fruit juice a typical Vietnamese fruit based drink, to welcome you. While you enjoy your drink, It will be the opportunity to learn about the Vietnamese countryside life and meet Grandma.
From here, we will go to my family’s home where you will begin your cooking lesson. Learn how the rice paper used in “nems” is prepared, and make your own using the stone grind used by my grandmother to make rice flour, and learn how to prepare several typical dishes of this region: Banh Xeo (small rice flour crepes) a specialty of Hoi An. Grilled, marinated pork brochettes with a special sauce. Green papaya salad. Fish prepared according to a local recipe.
Once the meal has been prepared, we will enjoy the meal in my grandmother’s garden. You will also be served pumpkin soup and “Xí Mà“ a dessert (black sesame pudding). We will return to Hoi An by boat (or by bicycle if preferred)
Day 12: Hoi An – Flight to Ho Chi Minh city – Taste of Saigon Night on Motorbike (B/D)
After breakfast at hotel, you will transfer to Da Nang International airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival at airport, our guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Free at leisure on the rest of afternoon.
At 5:30 Pm, your personal English speaking guide will meet and greet you at your hotel. You will then receive safety instructions on how to ride on the back of a bike properly in order to ensure the safest experience. Then, you will soon whisk away on the back of their bikes in the rush hour with no problem at all to find out and taste the most special dishes offered in small alleys while learning about the history and culture significance of each dish.
You will probably be getting full at this point. Therefore, Let’s walk together to digest easily and enjoy the nightlife of Saigon where the sights that most foreign tourists never even hear about or see and we’ll see what it is like to be a local. Here, you may experience some snacks that we, the Vietnamese, all fall in love with.
Next, the guides will introduce the most popular Vietnamese food traditions: “The Street Barbeque”. You have a chance to fill up your stomach with the irresistible authentic local dishes which make you wish for another belly and let’s drink local beer.
Before it ends, do not forget to sit down and relax with the sweet soup desserts with 3 - 5 kinds of sweet soup desserts, totally in Vietnamese style. At around 10:00 pm, we will drive you back to your hotel and overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnel – Dining on Saigon River (B/D)
Free at leisure on the whole morning. You may want to spend time for relaxing or explore the city on your own.
In the afternoon, enjoy a private half day tour explore Cu Chi Tunnels – the maze consists of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War.
At 06:30Pm, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh city and transfer to the Bach Dang Pier on Saigon River, you enter the replica of the cruise for a magnificent and memorable dining and entertainment spectacle along the Saigon river. Enjoy 2 hours cruise and gastronomic moment with soft and classic music on the most authentic vessel on the river. The captain will welcome you onboard and introduce you to the specialties which have made this boat a culinary experience in Ho Chi Minh City . While on board, relax on the upper deck and enjoy a panoramic view of the city lights. Admire this lacquer wooden boat while cruising along the water, choose from several traditional menus, including Fried Shrimps with Tamarind Sauce, Sautéed “Pox Oi” with Beef or Steamed Elephant Ear Fish. Indulge yourself in an unforgettable evening on the waterways.
Day 14 : Ho Chi Minh city – Cai be – Can Tho – Overnight on River Cruise (B/L/D)
In the morning we take you to Can Tho or Cai Be. You board your comfortable wooden river cruise vessel around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.
In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong river. The cruise boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta.
Day 15 : Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. On even dates, you will explore the small channels of the mekong delta around Cai Be with a small sampan or by foot. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skilfully handcrafted regional products. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.
N. B.: The floating markets in the Mekong Delta are no tourist markets but wholesale markets where produce of the Mekong Delta like fruits and vegetables are traded. For this reason the number of boats on the market fluctuates depending on harvesting seasons and market demand. Furthermore, modern wholesale markets are becoming more popular in Vietnam. This can result in decreasing numbers of boats being present on the markets.
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free at leisure on the rest of the day until our driver transfer you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight leaving Vietnam. End of services.