Indochina Discovery

Sunday. Welcome to Laos! Transfer to hotel and check in. Spend the rest of the day enjoying free time in Vientiane.

Today we enjoy a city tour of this charming capital, taking in sights such as the Pha That Luang monument, the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo and Wat Si Saket, believed to be Vientiane’s oldest surviving wat. We also explore Buddha Park and marvel at the array of over 200 Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, before visiting a local charity known as the Cope Centre, which works with the victims of unexploded bombs and mines. Our day ends with dinner beside the Mekong River, where we enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. We leave the capital early and journey north through lush countryside to Vang Vieng, peaceful village of Vang Vieng, situated on a curve of the Nam Song River. In the afternoon, we cross the Nam Song River and venture to the other side, traversing a picturesque, unpaved route that winds through the Vang Vieng countryside, passing small villages and rice fields. This journey leads us to the blue lagoon and the Tham Pou Kham cave. The striking landscape, with its towering karst rock formations between Vang Vieng and the blue lagoon, is a sight to behold and makes the trip truly worthwhile. Inside the cave, we find a maze of chambers, galleries, and crevices adorned with stalagmites and stalactites, and the air inside is cool and damp. Following our exploration of the cave, we descend to the Blue Lagoon, where you can relax, swim, or simply unwind in the refreshing waters.

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang. This morning we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which were used as a bunker to defend against the Yunnanese Chinese. We also visit the Ban Huai Ngai village before heading north and travelling to the UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang.

Early risers this morning will see the daily procession of saffron-clad monks as they walk through the city’s streets collecting alms from the residents. Next, we enjoy a unique sightseeing tour around the old quarter of Luang Prabang aboard vintage tuk tuks. Our tour takes in the bustling Morning Market, where we learn about local products, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong temple, which features classical Loatian architecture. Our morning ends with a visit to the former Royal Palace, which is now a national museum and contains a sacred statue of Buddha known as Pha Bang.

This afternoon we get the chance to meet the locals of several ethnic minority villages including Laoloum Village, the H’mong village of Ban Ou and the Khmu Village of Ban Thapene, gaining a fascinating insight into the local culture. We then make our way to the breathtaking Khouangsi waterfall, where you can walk the forest trails or take a dip in the beautiful turquoise pools.

Luang Prabang - Hanoi (Vietnam). Today we venture into the countryside and enjoy a fun and hands-on half-day farming experience at the Living Land Farm. We experience what life is like as a local farmer and learn how rice is planted and cultivated in a rice paddy. We also try ploughing the field with a water buffalo and other farming activities.

Next we enjoy a tasty Laotian lunch at the farm’s Rice House, which boasts spectacular views of the surrounding rice terraces and mountains, before returning to Luang Prabang to enjoy some free time. This evening we board our flight to Hanoi.

Enjoy a free day at leisure in Vietnam's capital. The wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes, ancient pagodas and bustling old town are all easily navigated on foot. Highlights of the city include Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (closed Oct-Nov), the beautiful Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's iconic House on Stilts and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first 11th century university. This afternoon there is a Vietnam welcome meeting at 17:00 where you will have the opportunity to meet other tour group members who arrived today.

Hanoi – Halong Bay. After breakfast we enjoy an exhilarating cyclo (rickshaw) ride around the maze of streets in Hanoi's French Quarter, taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To Park. After the cyclo ride we transfer to heavenly Halong Bay, the jewel in Vietnam's scenic crown. We explore the pristine jade waters, studded with karst islands, aboard a traditional junk boat. Our cruise starts with a tasty lunch onboard, soaking up the views.

This afternoon we visit Trinh Nu Cave, one of the finest caves in Halong Bay, covering an area of 2,000m² with a stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites. There's also the opportunity to go kayaking and enjoy a refreshing swim. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage. Before heading back to port this morning, we explore the beautiful Sung Sot cave (Surprise Grotto), which is 10,000m² and consists of two major chambers which are spectacular and spacious enough to hold thousands of people.

Arriving back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we enjoy a leisurely walk around the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street, from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops.

Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.

On arrival into Hue, we take a guided sightseeing tour with highlights including the Thien Mu Pagoda. This site is home to the city’s oldest monastery, whose 21-metre-high tower has become a symbol of Hue. We also discover the citadel, which contains the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Our next stop takes us into the countryside to the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, where we visit the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. This evening there is an optional sunset cruise (payable locally) in a long boat along the gentle Perfume river, which is beautifully illuminated at night.

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. This morning we take the scenic Hai Van Pass, otherwise known as the Road of the Ocean Clouds, which boasts spectacular views with lush hills on one side and beautiful beaches on the other. Along the way we stop for a walk along China beach and visit the grottoes at the summit of Thuy Son Mountain, the largest and most famous of the five Marble Mountains. These natural caves have become Buddhist sanctuaries, with the enormous Huyen Khong cave featuring a towering seated Buddha that’s been carved from the rock face.

Next stop is the enchanting port town of Hoi An, brimming with charming architecture, cobbled streets and tiny shop houses that make you feel transported back in time. Along the waterfront are boutique restaurants, delightful craft shops and artisans offering some of the best, and most affordable, tailor-made clothing in the whole of Asia.

We explore the old town on a short walking tour, visiting the Chinese Assembly Hall, Chua Ong Pagoda, former merchants’ homes, 200-year-old Tam Ky house and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Today we embark on a leisurely bike ride through the countryside to Tra Que village (we can arrange alternative transportation at no extra cost for those who don't wish to cycle). Once there, it’s an entertaining, hands-on experience as we learn about the age-old farming practices of the region and have a go at tending the fields ourselves. We also learn about traditional medicine and enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration where we’ll prepare lunch.

This afternoon we journey back to the Hanoi. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure.

Today is free for you to explore more of the area or simply relax. Soak up the sunshine by the hotel pool, stroll around town or spend the day at the beach. Alternatively you can opt for an excursion to the UNESCO-listed My Son sanctuary or enjoy a day trip to the popular Ba Na Hills mountain resort, where you will ride the second longest cable car in the world and walk along the striking Golden Bridge (book and pay locally).

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City and drive to the Mekong Delta. Famous for its abundant harvests of rice, flowers and tropical fruits, this fertile delta is often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam. From Vinh Long we enjoy a cruise downstream aboard a traditional sampan. Amongst the maze of waterways, we visit local cottage industries that produce coco candies, paper and popcorn, before lunch in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. This morning we have an early start to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest of its kind on the Mekong Delta. Packed along a section of the river, sampans are selling all sorts of fruits and vegetables grown in the area. Watch as watermelons, pineapples, carrots and more are tossed from boat to boat, all at great heights and speeds. Leaving the market, we drive to Ho Chi Minh City, a thriving metropolis where sleek skyscrapers and gourmet restaurants mix with ancient pagodas and lively street markets. Our walking tour takes in the Old Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, before the sobering War Remnants Museum. Evening to spend at leisure.

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Today we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, offering an insight into the underground life of Vietnamese soldiers during the war. Next, we drive to the Cambodian border (crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet) and journey on to the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, noted for its historic sites, beautiful architecture and superb restaurants.

Today we spend a full day sightseeing in Phnom Penh. Our tour visits the National Museum of Arts, Cambodia’s largest archaeological and cultural history museum, which contains the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. We continue on to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, which contains diamond-encrusted statues of Buddha and a floor paved with five tons of gleaming silver.

Later we visit Tuol Seng (Security Prison – S21) and come face to face with the horrors of the Pol Pot Regime as the school here was transformed into a gruesome torture chamber under the Khmer Rouge. Our day ends with a visit to the Killing Fields, where over 10,000 people were executed.

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap. Hotel check out and airport transfer for included flight to Siem Reap.

After freshening up, we visit the Angkor National Museum, home to a collection of relics from the ancient Angkor Empire dating from around the 9th to the 14th century.

This afternoon we explore the spectacular Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and a symbol of Cambodia. This vast, three-tiered structure is crowned by five lotus-like towers which rise 65-metres high. As the best preserved of all the temples within the complex, Angkor Wat easily steals the limelight and offers plenty of incredible photo opportunities.

Early risers have the opportunity to return to Angkor Wat this morning to enjoy the beautiful sunrise (book and pay locally). Later we drive out to visit the temples of Banteay Srei, with stops to visit an exotic butterfly sanctuary and to support our community tree planting initiative in the village of Preak Dak. Returning to the Angkor Temple Complex, we explore the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, home to the fascinating Bayon Temple, the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King and the Baphuon royal enclosure.

Our next stop is Ta Prohm Temple, known as the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ for its role in the blockbuster starring Angelina Jolie. Unlike the other temples, Ta Prohm has been swallowed by the jungle and was left in the same ruined state as when it was first discovered. Tonight, we attend the Phare Cambodian Circus, an NGO project that has transformed the lives of Cambodian children living on the streets by teaching them how to become talented circus performers.

Our first stop this morning is Kampong Phluk, a cluster of three villages of stilt houses, where we enjoy a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. Next, we return to Siem Reap for free time, either checking out the action on lively Pub Street or picking up any last minute souvenirs.

Note: Between Feb - July the water levels at Kompong Phluk village maybe too low to go boating, if so, we will visit Chong Kneas floating village where it will still be possible to go boating. Afternoon and evening at leisure.

Siem Reap - Bangkok (Thailand). Today we bid farewell to Cambodia. Transfer the Siem Reap airport for a flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel in the centre of Thailand's bustling capital.

This morning it’s a short transfer to the Bangkok Flower Market, where most of the city’s restaurants and florists come daily to stock up on the latest blooms. From here we head to the beautiful Grand Palace, the religious and royal heart of the country. Then we take a short but exhilarating tuk tuk ride to Wat Pho, home to the famous reclining Buddha.

After lunch at a local restaurant we board a longtail boat this afternoon to explore some of the many canals or klongs that crisscross the city. We end our tour of the city at the famous Khao San Road where there are street stalls, small restaurants and bars aplenty. It's a great place to eat, relax and party the night away. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore at leisure.

Monday. Our epic Indochina adventure comes to an end today. Hotel check out and included transfer to the airport. Alternatively, if you'd like to extend your stay and see more of Thailand, we can assist you.