Treasures of Indochina

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, AKA Saigon! You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling, dynamic and industrious urban centre. It is the largest city in Vietnam, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter whilst within the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture.

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City. Explore the beautiful Mekong Delta today. Early this morning drive south to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta and set out on a boat trip on narrow channels winding through coconut forest. During the boat trip, stop to visit several local cottage industries. At the workshops you will see how to make bricks by hand, learn about the stages of coconut processing and see how coconut candy is made by hand. Then take a tuktuk ride deep into the coconut jungle and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch travel by rowing boat along a shady palm tree canal and visit Mr. Sau Khanh’s house. See his vast collection of antiques which include ancient and valuable ceramics, pottery pieces like bowls, dishes and vases, to ceiling lights, sculptures and Buddha statues. Then return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. The evening is free for you to further explore the city.

Ho Chi Minh City - Hue. This morning take in the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to take a short flight to the imperial city of Hue. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy some free time.

Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation so you can't go inside.

Today take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River and stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the river to see the 7-storey Stupa. Continue on to visit the mausoleum of Khai Dinh. Later visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Then enjoy some free time at Dong Ba Market before transferring back to your hotel.

Hue - Danang - Hoi An. Travel from Hue to Hoi An today, stopping for a refreshment at Lang Co beach en-route, one of the world’s most beautiful bays. In Danang visit the Cham Museum before continuing to the World Cultural Heritage Site of Hoi An and checking in to your hotel. This evening is free for you to explore the narrow lanes of the town, lined with century-old buildings and illuminated at night by hundreds of colourful lanterns.

Today is free for you to explore Hoi An at leisure. Alternatively there is an optional half-day excursion to My Son Sanctuary (book and pay locally). My Son Sanctuary is a religious site dating back to the Kingdom of Champa and also a burial place of Cham royals and Vietnamese national heroes. The My Son temple complex is one of the foremost remaining examples of Hindu influence in South East Asia and is the most prominent heritage site of this nature in Vietnam.

Hoi An - Hanoi. In the morning transfer to Danang airport for the short flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Renowned as the ’Paris of the East’, Hanoi is one of Asia’s most fascinating cities. Rich in culture and history, this diverse city draws on its influences from both French and Chinese culture.

This afternoon is at leisure, or there's an optional excursion including Van Giang Village, Hanoi Old Quarter and Water Puppet Show (book and pay locally). On this excursion visit Van Giang Village and attend a cooking demonstration given by a local family. Afterwards join the Vietnamese family in their home for a delicious lunch before driving back to Hanoi to take a walk through the winding and bustling streets of the atmospheric Ancient Quarter (otherwise known as the 36 Streets) and enjoy the unique water puppet show.

Hanoi - Halong Bay. Depart Hanoi in the morning for the scenic drive through the countryside to Ha Long Bay, a natural wonder with thousands of islands rising out of the water creating a unique and beautiful landscape.

On arrival, board one of the traditional vessels for an overnight cruise. Head out into the Gulf of Tonkin amongst the huge limestone outcrops and emerald waters. Spend the rest of the day cruising around the myriad of tiny islands and see the many grottoes created by the wind and the waves. While on board enjoy a fresh seafood lunch followed by a swim, and explore one of the limestone caves in this area. End the day with a delicious dinner onboard.

Halong Bay - Hanoi. Early birds can start the day with a tai chi lesson on deck, while tea and coffee are served as the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding seascape. Then continue exploring the bay and enjoy a light brunch while cruising back to the pier.

Disembark and drive back to Hanoi where the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure. Alternatively there is an optional Taste of Hanoi tour (book and pay locally), where you will take a walking tour of the city to discover the unique flavours of the Vietnamese cuisine and encounter Hanoi’s local specialties such as Bun Cha and Cha Ca.

Hanoi - Luang Prabang (Laos). Spend time at leisure in Hanoi before you transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang, perhaps the best preserved traditional city in all of Southeast Asia. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Please note: Daily flights from Hanoi to Luang Prabang are not currently operating. This means the tour can only depart on a Monday or Friday until flights resume.

Early this morning, an optional alms giving excursion is available to book locally. An early wake-up call will allow you to join the locals lining up to give food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from theui morning prayers. After taking part in this solemn everyday ritual, stroll through Ban Pakham morning market.

Later, we head out to explore the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun. To top it all off climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded Stupa as well as a superb view over the town and Mekong River. Continue to Wat Zieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. Other highlights include the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, the National Museum, the UXO Centre.

This afternoon we travel south to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall, where the turquoise water against the stunning backdrop of white limestone cliffs offers incredible photo opportunities. While there, we have the option to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. Return to Luang Prabang, stopping at the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre en route. This evening there is an optional Baci Ceremony at a local home – the Baci Ceremony is part of traditional Lao culture and is used to bless, welcome or wish good fortune.

Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (Cambodia). After breakfast transfer to the airport for the short flight to Siem Reap. After being met on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Please note: Daily flights from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap are not currently operating. This means the tour can only depart on a Monday or Friday until flights resume. For tours departing on a Monday, the order of touring on days 12 - 14 will then be changed to the following:
Day 12: Free day to explore Luang Prabang at leisure. Overnight Luang Prabang
Day 13: Morning flight to Siem Reap. Afternoon cruise on Ton Le Sap lake, dinner and Apsara show (as per day 14 below). Overnight Siem Reap
Day 14: Optional sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. Included tour of the Angkor Complex and Phare Circus Show (as per day 13 below). Overnight Siem Reap

Early morning there is an optional visit to see iconic Angkor Wat at sun rise (book and pay locally). After breakfast your included sightseeing begins at the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire, surrounded by an 8-meter wall. Walk through the heart of the city and stop at the 12th century masterpiece known as Bayon Temple. Baphuon, the Royal Enclosure, the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm Temple, which unlike most of the other Angkor temples, has not been repaired, restored or preserved but has been left as it was found. The jungle trees and roots growing in, out and through the ruins have made this temple ruin a favourite among visitors. Finally explore the magnificent Angkor Wat temple before returning to Siem Reap. This evening watch the acclaimed Phare Circus Show.

Today we set out for a cruise on the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake, passing a floating village and witnessing the daily life of the locals. This afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner with an Apsara performance.

Please note: Our visit to Tonle Sap Lake has 2 seasons based on water levels;Mar-Sep (low water level): The tour will include Chong Kneas floating villagesOct-Feb (high water level): The tour will include Kampong Phluk floating village

Arrangements end after breakfast and onwards departure transfer to the airport.