Indochina tour 15 days

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Vientiane arrival (B, G)

Arriving in Vientiane, you’ll be picked up and driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, your time will be your own for strolling around the city. Your overnight stay will be in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, your tour will be started by visiting the That Luang Stupa, Vientiane’s most sacred shrine. You’ll then visit the Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. This ancient place of worship is definitely worth a visit as it is not only an interesting site to look around, but also a valuable piece of Lao’s cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue to visit Wat Ong Tu, the Temple of the Heavy Buddha and an important centre of learning and Patuxai, the Victoria Monument in Vientiane. You’ll stroll around the local market for shopping around. You’ll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 3: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

In the morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to travel to your hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Wat Xieng Thong, ne of the most important temples in the country of Laos locating in a beautiful garden on the bank of the Mekong River where the Nam Khan, a smaller river runs into. After a climb up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi, you’ll be able to enjoy an good view of Luang Prabang. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou/Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll then have a boat cruise upstream on the Mekong River to visit Pak Ou Caves. It’s very interesting for you to enjoy a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, you’ll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. And take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving with natural dyes. You’ll return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang/Hanoi (B, D, G) 

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll then be free until you’ll be picked up to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, our guide will greet and accompany you to your hotel. Free time until you’ll be picked up to watch water puppet performance, a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. You’ll then be driven to a good local restaurant and enjoy a welcome dinner with us. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

The morning Tour will begin with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of Uncle Ho. You will also see his house-on-stilts and learn about the simple life of the Vietnamese?s beloved leader. Your next visit will be Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas, which still maintains its unique architecture harmonious with nature and boasts many precious Buddhist statues. You will then driven to Temple of Literature, the oldest school inVietnam, giving it the distinction of being the most significant temple in both Hanoi and Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you will call at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, an excellent instruction to the cultural heritages of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic groups. Later on, you will visit the beautiful Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake – a striking blue gem in the city centre. The Tour ends with 1 ?hour walking tour around the Old Quarters to enjoy its warmth and cosiness, looking up to contemplate centuries-old and weather-beaten houses, both familiar and exotic, etc. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

Picked up at around 8.30 a.m, you’ll then depart for Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a 3 hour drive with a brief stopover at Hong Ngoc Embroidery workshop for refreshment and see different kinds of handicrafts skillfully made by disable people.

Arriving Ha Long Bay, you will go aboard and check in. Lunch will be served afterwards with a selection of seafood specialities. The boat will take you first to the famous World Heritage area where you can visit Amazing Cave and take a swim on a tranquil beach in Ha Long Bay. Then you are free, possibly for retiring to your cabin or having romantic walks on the boat side to enjoy the marvellous sunset. You?ll spend a night on boat.

Day 8: Ha Long/Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G)

It would be nice if you wake up to see sunrise and daylight filtering through the early morning mist and the towering rock formations. After western breakfast, you will venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan. You’ll then continue a leisurely cruise along Ha Long Bay and have lunch before returning to the habour. Our car will pick you up and drive you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the centre.

You’ll spend the night on the train.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City tour (B, L, G)

A full day Tour of the city begins with a visit to the History Museum, which has an excellent collection on the evolution and development of Vietnam’s history and culture, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (13th century BC) till the last feudal dynasty ending in the mid-20th century. The following visit to the Museum of War Remnants will provide you a very partial, but riveting, perspective of the American War.

After lunch, you?ll visit the splendid old colonial buildings such as Centre Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Furthermore, the next visit to Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, will surely captivate you with its oriental architecture and artistic values. Tour ends after 2-hour shopping at the lively Ben Thanh market, which is so closely tied to the city’s life that the clock tower at its main gate has long been considered a symbol of the city. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City/Vinh Long/Can Tho (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Vinh Long, a peaceful province on Co Chien river, which branches out from the Mekong. Upon arrival, you’ll take a boat trip to enjoy “a beautiful river painting” of Cai Be floating market which was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century and bearing all the characteristics of the locals’ life in the western region. Proceed to visit some fruit orchards and local cottage industries. Lunch will await you at a local house. You will also have a chance to listen to the traditional folk music “Don Ca Tai Tu” which is is operated by the local people. You’ll then stroll on the village paths to visit the local markets and enjoy some kind of famous tropical fruit such as banana, pomelo, dragon fruit and so on. Return to Vinh Long by boat and then continue driving to Can Tho. Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Day 11: Can Tho/Chau Doc (B, L, G)

You’ll have breakfast at your hotel and then be picked up to Ninh Kieu Harbour. You’ll then take about two hour boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets. You can enjoy the Mekong rural lifestyle.

After that, you’ll leave for Chau Doc by high-speed boat. On arrival, you’ll do the check-in at your hotel. In the evening, you’ll have free time to explore the town on the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

You’ll spend the night in Chau Doc.

Day 12: Chau Doc/Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to take a high-speed boat again to Phnom Penh.On arrival in Phnom Penh, you’ll be picked up to visit some of the most beautiful and famous sightseeing including Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Royal Palace and Ounalom Monastry and join sunset cruise on Mekong Rivers. You’ll spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 13: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

In the morning, you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival at Siem Reap airport, you’ll be picked up by our driver to your hotel. You’ll then start your Tour by visiting the Temple complex, of which Ankor Wat is a key element. Firstly, you’ll have a visit to Ankor Thom, starting with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration programme. Afternoon visits to some of the outer sites including Takeo, a five-tiered pyramid, Sras Srang Lake and landing terrace and Prasat Kravan (also known as the Cardomom Sanctuary). Overnight in Siem Riep.

Day 14: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you’ll have a full day to explore the grand circuit with visits to Pre Rup and East Mebon,  both built in the tenth century, Ta Som, an un-restored temple, and Neak Pean, a Himalayan-style lake and sanctuary. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Angkor Wat itself which is the most famous and largest temple ground in the entire Angkor plain,  and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex after which you can watch the sunset from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill. You’ll spend the night in Siem Riep.

Day 15: Siem Reap departure (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Siem Reap River and Wat Athovea where you’ll embark for a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. The amazing lake and river system of the Tonle Sap is quite unique. This vast lake is regarded as the largest lakes in Southeast Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season. You’ll then on the way to visit a floating fishing village. You’ll return to your hotel for checkout and lunch, and have free time in the afternoon until your car returns to pick you up for your departure flight.

Price in US$ per person:

Prices include:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Domestic flight tickets in Laos: Vientiane – Luang Prabang, including domestic airport taxes.
• Domestic flight tickets in Vietnam: Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City, including domestic airport taxes.
• Domestic flight tickets in Cambodia: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap, including domestic airport taxes.
• High-speed boat: Can Tho – Chau Doc, Chau Doc – Phnom Penh.
• Boats cruise as programme.
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the best local restaurants and full board on the boat in Ha Long Bay.
• Government taxes

Price do not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas.
• Dinners except as specified above.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard:

• Luang Prabang: Luang Prabang View Hotel (***** located within a 20-minute drive from the airport, Standard room) or similar
• Vientiane: Green Park Boutique Hotel (***** with a walking distance to major tourist sites and amenities, Deluxe room) or similar
• Hanoi: Sheraton Hotel (***** close to the bustle and excitement of the city, less than 10 minutes from downtown Hanoi, Deluxe room) or similar
• Ha Long: Golden Cruises (***** one of luxury cruises in in Ha Long Bay, Luxury cabin) or similar
• Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel (***** located in the city centre, Colonial Superior room) or similar
• Can Tho: Victoria Hotel (**** beside the Mekong river, good garden setting, Superior room) or similar
• Chau Doc: Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (**** colonial style with low-rise French architectural design, located right on the banks of the Bassac River crossing, Superior room) or similar
• Phnom Penh: Intercontinental Hotel (***** the city’s first international hotel and a striking symbol of its growth and modernization, Deluxe room) or similar
• Siem Reap: Borie Angkor (***** 7 km from Angkor Wat, and within 5 minutes drive to the main shops center, Deluxe room) or similar

Hotel list for Four Stars standard:

• Luang Prabang: Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (**** situated on grounds of the Xiengkeo Palace, Deluxe room) or similar
• Vientiane: Vientiane Plaza Hotel (**** located at a strategic place in the center of Vientiane capital, Superior room) or similar
• Hanoi: Sunway Hotel (**** comfortable hotel about a fifteen-minute walk from the city centre, Superior room) or similar
• Ha Long: Ha Long Sails (**** very good quality wooden boats) or similar
• Ho Chi Minh City: Golden Central Hotel (**** in city centre, Deluxe room) or similar
• Can Tho: Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel (**** situated amid the area of high-class hotel at the center, Deluxe room) or similar
• Chau Doc: Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (**** colonial style with low-rise French architectural design, located right on the banks of the Bassac River crossing, Superior rRoom) or similar
• Phnom Penh: Phnom Penh Hotel (**** located in the centre, Superior room) or similar
• Siem Reap: Somadevi Angkor Hotel (**** conveniently located in the heart of Siem Reap town within walking distance, Superior room) or similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard

• Luang Prabang: Sala Prabang Hotel (*** good location, Classic room) or similar
• Vientiane: Sengtawan Riverside Hotel (*** located in a unique location, Standard room) or similar
• Hanoi: La Belle Vie Hotel (*** located in the city centre, ROH room) or similar
• Ha Long: Ha Long Sails (**** very good quality wooden boats) or similar
• Ho Chi Minh City: Sapphire Hotel (*** ideally located in the city centre, Superior room) or similar
• Can Tho: Kim Tho Hotel (*** located right in the center of Can Tho city, near dreamy and poetic Ninh Kieu quay, Superior room) or similar
• Chau Doc: Chau Pho Hotel (** one of the most beautiful hotels in Chau Doc, Superior room) or similar
• Phnom Penh: Asia Tune (*** in the city centre, Standard room) or similar
• Siem Reap: Casa Angkor Hotel (*** conveniently location, 10 minutes drive to the world famous Angkor Temples, Standard room) or similar.