15 Days - Grand Indochina Classic

Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer to the hotel and check-in. The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City. Enjoy lunch at Luang Prabang Kitchen restaurant.

Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Continue to visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankanese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Sunset at Vat Prabaht Tai located along the Mekong River.

Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple. The sim of the Vat represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each Royal Family’s member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then board a traditional boat for a trip up the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. Enjoy lunch at a Pak Ou restaurant overlooking the confluence between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.

Return to Luang Prabang by boat and continue by car to visit Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village where traditional Sa paper is also produced.

Departure by road to the Kuang Sy Waterfalls (30 km, approx. 1 hour drive). The waterfalls tumble over multi – tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the way to the waterfalls, visit the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene for a glimpse into their lifestyle.

Picnic lunch near-by the waterfalls. After some time relaxing and exploring the area by foot, return by road (approximately one hours drive) to Luang Prabang, on the way visit Ban Phanom weaving village, with the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the Night Bazaar, if desired.

In the morning, get up early at 05H00 to witness the age old tradition of alms giving. Then stroll through the historic streets to visit the Morning Market, where the locals and ethnic minorities of the surroundings come daily to trade their goods. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, which is a new museum about the ethnic cultures of Laos. The centre exhibits ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artifacts and handicrafts. Lunch at Khaiphaen restaurant.Transfer to the airport for Lao Airlines flight to Vientiane by QV102 (1310-1350).

Meet upon arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture. This afternoon, visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the That Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. 

In the morning, visit the surroundings of Vientiane, including the Buddha Park and Friendship Bridge. The Buddha Park is a religious sculpture park located by the Mekong River, 24 KM south of Vientiane. The Buddha Park captivates visitors with an unusual blend of Buddhist and Hindu imagery. Stop to admire the impressive Friendship Bridge, which links Laos and Thailand. Return to hotel.

Visit the Morning Market (Talaat Sao), then transfer to Vientiane Wattay airport for the flight to Hanoi.

Meet your tour guide on arrival at Hanoi international airport and join your fellow travellers in a coach transfer to the city centre for hotel check-in.

Located in the centre of the Northern Delta with a population of 6.2 million people and an area of 3,398 square km Hanoi is an ancient city which had been established and developed for over 1,000 years since 1010. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. Historians liken the life-giving Red River with its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; a cradle of civilization.

Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge. The rest of the day is at leisure. Subject to your arrival time, you may want to venture out to explore the city on your own or join one of our wonderful optional excursions in and around Hanoi, such as a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter for you first impression of Vietnam’s capital city.

08:00 hrs. Pick-up at your hotel in Hanoi and transfer to Halong City. Upon arrival, embark on an overnight cruise and set sail on a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, taking in the spectacular scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage site.  Lunch is served as you cruise by impressive rock formations with unusual names and shapes.

In the afternoon you will start to discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea“. Depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you may visit a beautiful cave, have some swimming. Kayaking is available at a surcharge

When the sun sets, your boat will drop anchor for the night. You may attend a cooking demonstration before having dinner. After dinner, you may choose to enjoy fresh air on the sundeck or playing board games or retiring to your cabin for a comfortable night in the bay

Early riser may join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck (depending on each cruise’s programme) and enjoy watching the sunrise in the Bay. Afterward your boat will weave its way back to the pier.

Pick up at Tuan Chau pier and on the way back to Hanoi you will visit a peaceful village in Bac Ninh Province. Walk the village path with visit to the village church and the orphanage within the premise which is a home for severely disabled and displaced people, run by a group of very caring Catholic nuns.

Back in Hanoi, enjoy an orientation tour visiting the old quarter which is known as the city’s historical centre.

Option 1: Clients have time at leisure for more discovery of Hanoi on their own and overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Option 2: Clients who opt for more experience of Vietnam rail tracks will take the SE3 Reunification Express to Hue. Have dinner at restaurant before transferring to Hanoi railway station. Overnight in shared 4-berth compartment (02 upper and 02 lower berths) with air-conditioning.

Option 1: Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer to Hanoi airport for the morning flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Hue airport, pick up and have joint transfer to the hotel.

Option 2: Arrive at Hue railway station at around 10:35 hrs. Pick up to join the group and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the morning is at leisure.

Re-joined group have lunch at restaurant and then enjoy a half-day Hue city tour:

Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the only place in the country where many historic, cultural, architectural as well as artistic values have been recognized internationally and listed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritages. Hue is also the site where the northern and southern ecosystems meet.

You will visit the Imperial Citadel. Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, the citadel covers an area of 500 ha and has a system of three circles of ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Continue by car to visit Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. Afterward take a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to the city pier.

In the morning, visit Tu Duc Royal Tomb. Each ruler of the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign and today you will visit one of the most beautiful mausoleums. Construction of the tomb was meticulously carried out starting whilst the king was still alive in order to ensure his comfort in the next life.

Your journey continues southbound to Danang over the famous Hai Van Pass with a green view of the stretch of Truong Son mountain range on one side and a spectacular view of the East Sea on the other. Have lunch at local restaurant

Visit Cham Museum and have a photo stop at the Marble Mountains before driving the short distance south past the famous Non Nuoc Beach onto the enchanting town of Hoi An listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage and was once a well-known trading centre in Southeast Asia from the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in the hotel and rest of the day will be at leisure

In the morning, your guide will take you on a stroll through the ancient town with visit to the old houses, Chinese community house and Japanese covered bridge.

Hoi An has been known for the exceptionally well preserved ancient town with the complex of old wooden frame buildings including the historical monuments and the fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures. Besides that, projects for preservation and promotion of local handicrafts have also been implemented. Hoi An Silk Village is one of those.

Hoi An Silk Village is just one kilometre away from the centre of Hoi An ancient town. The combination of eco-tourism and traditional handicraft product development has helped to preserve the cultural life of people in Quang Nam. In feature are the traditional house of Quang Nam, a mulberry garden, silk worm breeding and feeding techniques, including processing of silk worm cocoons in traditional way, the handicraft textile by Cham ethnic people and the show room. Have lunch at Hoi An Silk Village. Afterwards drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Flight VN 117 14:05 – 15:35)

Formerly known as Saigon, todays Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who travelled along the Saigon River. Check in your hotel and have free time in the evening to explore the city.

Today morning you will drive 55 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District famous for the amazing complex of underground tunnels. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

In the afternoon, gain an insight into the city’s development through a walking tour to the most significant landmarks including the Opera House, the Town Hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office (all magnificent sights from the French colonial period). Afterwards experience a fantastic 360 degree view of Saigon city and its surroundings from the observation deck atop the 262 m high Bitexco Financial Tower which has a shape of a lotus, Vietnam’s national flower. Your next stop will be the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.

Wrap up your tour day with a foot massage that will surely give you a great feel of relief and indulgence. The evening is free at leisure. You are welcome to join our optional dinner cruise on the Saigon River.

Have leisure time before your departure. You are welcome to join our interesting optional excursions in and around Ho Chi Minh City, such as our Good Morning Saigon Tour (surcharge applies). Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for the flight to Phnom Penh (Flight VN 3855 12:30 hrs – 13:25 hrs). Meet upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon).

Phnom Penh city tour: Visit the Independence Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your afternoon with a visit to the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river.

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from hotel to Phnom Penh International airport. Departure to Siem Reap by Cambodia Angkor Air or similar airline. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International airport, meet and transfer to hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon). Lunch at hotel.

Afternoon, visit Ta Prohm. The latter is one of the most beautiful temples in the area. It has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungles, looking very much the way most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

Visit the most famous of all temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat.

The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodia flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond. Enjoy the sunset at Angkor Wat.

For early birds: Sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of the two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and the surrounding plain. Or sunrise at Angkor Wat. (We recommend you bring a torch) Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the morning, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Enjoy a relaxing 1 hour Reflexology Massage by Body Tune. Lunch at hotel.

Visit Preah Khan temple, built by the King Jayavarman VII and, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. However, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Visit Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, Ta Som, Mebon Oriental, guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation, and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup until sunset.

Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for flight to the next destination.

Included: Accommodation on twin share basis, domestic flights, tours and transfers, meals as per itinerary, entrance fees, service charges, room tax and baggage handling

Excluded: International  flights (priced separately), beverages, tips and other personal expenditure, visas & insurance.