10Days Indochina Highlights
Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Laksao – Vinh – Hoa Lu – Hai Phong – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi
Price on Application
Day 1: Luang Prabang
Arrive in the morning at Luang Prabang Airport where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, drive to the town for a brief city tour visiting the Former Royal Palace (now the National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visun. End the day enjoying the sunset from the top of Mount Phou Si.
Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Caves (B)
Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to explore local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Continue with the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to the royal family and nearby Sackarine Caves and continue cruising Pak Ou cave. Explore caves and cross Mekong River at Ban Ou for lunch at a local restaurant. Return by road to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai, where the residents create a unique rice wine called lao lao and continue to typical Lao villages at Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its handmade Jute Sar paper.
Day 3: Luang Prabang-Vientiane (B)
After breakfast, visit Luang Prabang Market and a number of shops selling antiques and silver jewellery made by mountain tribes. Transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane, take a city tour to visit the religious museum at Wat Sisaket, where thousands of statues of Buddha in wood, bronze, and stone are displayed. The tour also includes Wat Pra Keo, original home of the Emerald Buddha and the 16th century That Luang Golden Stupa. The day ends viewing the sunset along the banks of the Mekong River.
Day 4: Vientiane-Laksao-Vinh (B)
Take a full-day scenic drive to the Laksao border crossing for entry in to Vietnam. (Immigration formalities will be prepared prior to arrival at the border crossing.) Drive to Vinh City in north central Vietnam and transfer to hotel.
Day 5: Vinh-Ninh Binh (B)
After breakfast, continue driving north to Ninh Binh, enroute passing rice paddies and small villages. Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, transfer to hotel.
Day 6: Ninh Binh-Kenh Ga-Water Puppet Performance-Hai Phong (B)
This morning, drive to Kenh Ga, a secluded floating village with a dramatic backdrop of limestone cliffs. Travel through the village by boat witnessing scenes of fishermen, children going to school, and everyday life along the riverfront. In the afternoon drive to Hai Phong stopping en route at Pho Minh Pagoda and at a small village known as the birthplace of water puppetry. Enjoy a water-puppet performance, eat local delicacies and fly lanterns for good luck. Continue your journey to Hai Phong.
Day 7: Hai Phong-Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Drive to Ha Long Bay. Board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise among hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay, where you will enjoy a seafood lunch and a swim (weather permitting). Afternoon visit a grotto before dropping anchor for the night on Ha Long bay. Overnight on board the Junk
Day 8: Halong Bay-Boat Cruise-Hanoi (Brunch)
Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before getting back to the wharf in the early afternoon. Return to Hanoi stopping enroute at a ceramic factory.
Day 9: Hanoi (B)
A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former home and the One Pillar Pagoda followed by the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a relaxing way to end the day and includes a stop at an old Vietnamese “long house”.
Day 10: Hanoi (B)
Today, you will be collected from your Hotel and taken to the Airport for your onward flight.
Private program - can start any day of the week and can be modified or operated in reverse
Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.
Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.
Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2023. Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.