This tour is the jewel of the crown: it will take you through 3 different countries and 10 fascinating enclaves to deeply meet the best of Indochina. Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat, Hoi An, Halong, Luang Prabang, Vientiane; Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos… this list of cities and countries is just the beginning of what will be an once in a lifetime experience. Religion, culture, food, people, landscapes, enormous cities and charming villages, mountain passes and paradisiacal beaches… With this trip you will make the most of your time. Only with us!
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Phnom Penh/Vientiane |
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Day 1: Arrive Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
Your sightseeing begins in the afternoon at the Royal Palace, still being used as the royal residence. We will visit the exterior palace grounds, including the Silver Pagoda. The Silver Pagoda has this name by its the 5000 silver tiles made up its floor, and it is one of the most exquisite structures in Cambodia, as well as the most sacred temple in the country. Our next stop will be a visit to the National Museum to view its 5000 works of art, including pre-Angkorean pieces, and special pieces from the temples.
Our next visit will be the central market, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and the sprawling Russian Market, a labyrinth of stalls with plenty of value-for-money goods and souvenirs, particularly hand-loomed silk scarves and silver jewelry. We suggest you visit the large food section to take an opportunity to sample some of the local dishes such as Khmer curry chicken or shrimp wontons.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 2: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (B)
After lunch, we will meet to go to the biggest archeological site in the world, the magnificent Angkor Wat. It was built by Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor Vishnu, one of the many Hinduist gods. The temple complex covers 80 hectares, a similar size to the Forbidden City in Beijing, Angkor Wat is considered by art historians to be a complete example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Its soaring five towers, with their distinctive extraordinary low reliefs, are a proud part of the Cambodian flag.
You will end the day at Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset over the Cambodian countryside.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Siem Reap (B)
The first temple to explore is Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. It was a fortified city possessed mostly by monks, palace officers, and soldier residences. The city is notable for its five monumental gates. The 20 meters tall gates are decorated with stone elephant heads and crowned by four gargantuan faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. In front of each gate, there stand 54 gods to the left and 54 demons to the right of the causeway. The complex comprises a variety of important temples with the prominent Bayon Temple at the center with its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. See the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. All of them were originally reserved to be special places for public ceremonies, now adorned with dramatic low reliefs.
In the afternoon we will go outside Siem Reap to the charming Banteay Srei temple. Built in 967 by Jayavarman V, this temple is considered as the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art as it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex sculptures of all Khmer architecture. An added feature of the exquisite decoration is the use of a hard pink sandstone, the quartz arenite, giving a beautiful red color to the temple. Continue on the Grand Circuit to the Preah Khan, also called the “Holy Sword” Temple. This large temple Buddhist complex covers 56 hectares, and was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and dedicated to his father Dharanindravarman. Flat in design, the main Buddhist sanctuary is surrounded by many Hindu satellite temples. Still not restored, the main shrine and its adjacent buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epic tales.
Day 4: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) (B)
This afternoon we will enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of the downtown. Discover why Vietnam has been one of the main symbolic historical scenarios in the world during the last century while you pass around the Reunification Palace, the original Norodom Palace built by French and also used as the presidential house by the South Vietnam government until the Vietnam war end at 30th April 1975. You will visit the War Remnants Museum, then walk into the heart of the old colonial Saigon to see the old French colonial Post Office and visit the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as the City Hall and the Opera House. Then drive along the former Rue Catinat, now called Dong Khoi Street. On the evening, stroll through the living Ben Thanh Market with its hundreds of stalls teeming with silks, spices, and assorted souvenirs. The rest of the day is for you at leisure to explore this bustling metropolis.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta (B, L)
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
In the afternoon, take a tour to the historical Cu Chi tunnels to explore part of the 245 km underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near the Cambodian border to the Saigon River. The tour will give you a deeper understanding of the vital guerrilla warfare of the Vietnamese against both the French first and then the Americans. Developed in the late 1940s, these crisscrossing tunnels were constructed by local insurgents for hiding their weapons from the French. Discover the secret trapdoors, field hospitals, command posts, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms, etc., in an authentic underground village ready to defeat the enemy.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City to Danang & Hoi An (B)
Sightseeing in Hoi An town, one of the best places to discover genuine Vietnamese architecture. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter, seeing the ancient homes (Phung Hung House) and merchant houses still filled with local vendors. See the Japanese covered bridge and visit a lantern workshop. Visit Quan Cong Temple, Phuoc Kien Pagoda and Sa Huynh Museum.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An (B)
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An to Hue (B)
In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, a vast 400-hectare complex built in 1800’s. It was modeled following the Forbidden City in Beijing, with a 9.6 km wall and surrounding moat. Even though it was seriously damaged after wars, you can still see the monuments of the 19th century Nguyen Dynasty. View the Flag Tower and the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, one of the ten entrances to the complex. In the spacious courtyard area, see the Palace of Supreme Harmony and the throne hall, where the Emperor would meet foreign rulers and other high-ranking dignitaries. Explore the heart of the Imperial City, site of the Forbidden Purple City. Only members of the royal family, the Emperor’s concubines, and trusted senior mandarins were allowed inside to these various palaces and the Emperor’s private apartments. Then see the Thai Hoa Palace, Hall of Mandarins and the original Nine Dynastic Urns.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue (B)
After the cruise, we will visit a local home to enjoy a lunch repast of local dishes with the family. Next is the time to explore some small country villages producing the trademark Vietnamese coco hats, and incense. Then you will pass by the “Phuong Duc” where produce bronze products are made. Even though not as active as in the past, it is still a wonderful traditional handicraft village of Hue.
Later we will visit the Tomb of Tu Duc. The longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, the king Tu Duc had designed and built this elegant tomb to use as a retreat for meditation, reading and theater performances. It is one the most beautiful works of the Nguyen Dynasty Royal architecture, lying on a boundless pine forest with mounts and lakes.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 11: Hue to Hanoi (B)
In the evening, you will watch the delightful water puppet show. This unique art form created in the 10th century and came from the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam. Using the water’s surface as the stage, puppeteers stand behind a curtain and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and a string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface. A Cheo (a form of opera) is sung to tell the story acted out by the puppets.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi to Halong (B, L)
– Anchor at Titop Beach to relax under the sun or enjoy a swim.
– Have a wonderful seafood lunch with a spectacular sightseeing of this mystical bay
Overnight in Halong.
Day 13: Halong to Hanoi (B)
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 14: Hanoi to Luang Prabang (Laos) (B)
This sightseeing tour begins by visiting the impressive Wat Visoun stupa. Its style is closer to Silankalese than Lao artistic standards, and even though this is a replica built in 1898, it exudes the Middle Ages atmosphere from its original construction in 1513. Next, you will walk to Wat Aham, the old residence of the Sangkhalat, the Supreme Patriarch of Laotian Buddhism and the Wat Mai, the most important spiritual shrine in the whole town. Your tour continues hiking up the 355 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to explore Wat Chomsi, a sacred, gilded stupa. Enjoy the beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River below.
During the evening we will visit the colorful Night Market. A red canvas canopy covers the street vendors and their extensive selection of handmade textiles, including silk scarves and a Hmong embroidery, all made by people of surrounding hill tribes, will undoubtedly delight you. Watch and mingle with the locals to learn about everyday Laotian traditions and culture.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 15: Luang Prabang & Pak Ou Caves (B)
After having breakfast at the hotel, your tour begins with a visit to Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong with roofs that sweep low to the ground, which are good examples for the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture. The rear wall features an impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in a red background. Inside richly decorated wooden columns support a ceiling vested with Dharma–wheels. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, and an impressive 11-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns for each royal family member.
Our next location will be outside the city, as we depart through Mekong river in a pleasant two-hours longtail boat cruise on the Mekong River. Going upriver you will go through stunning landscapes of limestone cliffs dotted with waterfalls. You will stop at one remote village along the way, named Ban Xanghai, a renowned production center for Laotian rice wine. The final destination of the cruise is the Pak Ou caves. These holy limestone caves are located on a rock cliff, rising vertically from the waters of the Mekong River. The two most famous caves are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of varied shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the cruise back to Luang Prabang, you will stop for a short drive to the weaving village of Ban Phanom. This Tai Lue village is well known for its traditional hand-woven cotton and silk.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 16: Luang Prabang to Vientiane (B)
In the afternoon, your sightseeing tour begins with a visit to the 19th century Wat Sisaket. This terracotta tile-roofed temple, the oldest in Vientiane, has countless niches displaying thousands of miniature Buddha statues. After that, we will go to the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Visit the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, a national icon with this 145-foot tall structure has gone through many reconstructions. It first placed in the site of a XII century Khmer temple, where King Setthathirat built the first monument in 1566. Then it was destroyed by the Siamese, re-built by the French and in 1930 it took its current shape. The courtyard houses a sacred by Laotian people Bodhi tree. According to the local legend, to stay in Buddha’s good grace, you must walk around the stupa for three times. End the afternoon with a photo stop at the Patuxay Monument, known as the Vientiane Arc de Triumph, uniquely decorated with Laotian friezes from Buddhist mythology.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 17: Depart Vientiane (B)
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