18Day Grand Indochina

Small group tour - Departure dates - 12 Oct 2022, 26 Oct 2022, 16 Nov 2022, 01 Feb 2023, 22 Feb 2023, 21 Mar 2023 and 18 April 2023

Price from $7271 per person on twin sharing basis.

 

The 18 day Grand Indochina tour starts in Cambodia, discovering the sights of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap including the famous Angkor Wat temples! Cross the border into Laos and visit the picturesque Kuang Si Waterfalls close to Luang Prabang. In Vietnam relax on a cruise aboard a traditional junk on Halong Bay and zigzag your way through the colourful markets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy the delightfully atmospheric town of Hoi An, and catch a glimpse of the life in the local area as you explore the Mekong Delta by boat.

Itinerary

Day 11

To Hue

Start your day with Tai Chi on the sundeck, followed by breakfast and an excursion to the Dark and Bright Caves. Brunch is served on board as the boat winds through the spectacular limestone landscape. Disembark and take a shuttle bus back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, enjoy free time at your leisure before your late afternoon transfer to the airport. Fly to Hue, be met by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel.

Meals included: Brunch

Day 9

Hanoi City Tour

Experience the rich culture of Hanoi. Spend time at the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Visit the Vietnam History Museum and the Hanoi Opera House. Stroll around the Old Quarter and end the day by watching a performance of a traditional Water Puppet Show.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18

Ho Chi Minh City to New Zealand

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Day 17

Mekong Delta

A morning transfer takes you through the beautiful countryside of My Tho and Ben Tre province. On arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, board your boat to sail along the Ben Tre River – one of the tributaries of the Mekong – through scenic mangroves into the heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop at a traditional brickworks to see bricks being made by hand and continue to My Long Village. Here you will view rice paper making and sample some rice cakes. Journey along the canals, stopping at a coconut workshop and a bee garden. Try native fruit with a cup of honey tea and listen to some local music. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, and experience a bustling market. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 16

Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Cu Chi

Experience the best of Ho Chi Minh City on a half-day city tour. Soak up the history of Dong Khoi Street on a walking tour; visit the Reuni cation Palace and War Remnants Museum, and the city’s biggest wholesale market in Chinatown. This afternoon, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels on the city’s outskirts.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5

Fly Ho Chi Minh City

Morning at leisure, before lunch at a local restaurant and your transfer to Danang Airport, stopping en route to admire the Marble Mountain and the Cham Museum. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be met at Tan Son Nhat Airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14

Hoi An

Day at leisure to enjoy the ancient town of Hoi An. Optional tours include a cooking class or cycle ride to the local beach.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13

Lang Co Beach and to Hoi An

Today discover the Mausoleum of Tu Duc and the Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, before driving to Danang. Stop off for refreshments on the way, at Lang Co Beach – an attractive island-like stretch of palm-shaded white sand and inviting waters.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12

Hue City Tour

Cruise along the Perfume River, and stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue to the Mausoleum of Minh Mang, built in the 1840s, and lunch is a special vegetarian meal with the nuns of the Dong Thuyen Pagoda. The tour resumes at the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City. End the day with some retail therapy at Dong Ba Market.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10

Halong Bay – Night on Board

A morning pick-up by shuttle bus, for your journey through the rich farmlands and rice fields to Halong City and your overnight cruise aboard a traditional wooden junk, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Visit the Surprise Cave and maybe a spot of swimming or hiking on Titov Island. Optional onboard activities include cookery class, massage, kayaking and swimming.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 8

To Hanoi

An early start to see the morning ritual of monks collecting offerings of Alms (sticky rice) from residents. After breakfast, the rest of your morning is at leisure. Lunch at a local restaurant, before your afternoon pick-up and transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, be met by your guide and transfer to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7

Khuang Si Falls

Visit the local indigenous Lao villages at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools, or walk along the shady forest trails. Return to the city by late afternoon to observe the sunset at Wat Prabath.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

Luang Prabang City Tour

Following breakfast, your tour starts at the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the impressive Wat Xiengthong. Cruise along the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, passing spectacular views as you go. Explore the caves crammed with thousands of golden Buddha statues. Continue to Ban Xangkhong village, famed for its silk hand weaving and traditional Saa papermaking, and the magnificent Stupa of Wat Visoun. Climb to the top of Mount Phousi for panoramic sunset views of the city, the surrounding countryside and the Mekong Delta.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5

Ta Prohm and to Luang Prabang

Head to the exquisite Banteay Srey Temple, one of the best displays of classical Khmer art, and stop at Pre Rup, a stunning temple-mountain with marvellous countryside views. Also explore the Ta Prohm Temple, famed for the trees growing out of the ruins. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Tonle Sap Lake

A morning transfer to the pier for a boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, where you can see the stilt villages. Continue to see the Roluos Group Monuments. Finally, you will tour the workshops of Artisan’s d’Angkor where traditional wood and stone carving techniques are taught.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Angkor Wat

In the morning visit to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire. Enter the impressive South Gate flanked by stone elephants and giants. The famous Temple of Angkor Wat, the largest and best-preserved temple at the site, is this afternoon’s location. Enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 2

Phnom Penh Day Tour and to Siem Reap

Today starts at the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, where 5,000 silver tiles cover the floor and continue to the National Museum built in traditional Khmer style. In the afternoon tour Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields – a reminder of the Khmer Rouge regime, giving an insight into how the country has developed. Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 1

Arrive Phnom Penh

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, our local tour guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure.

 

Meals included: Breakfast

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, domestic flights, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned vehicle, 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 only for the group departure dates. Cost above is indicative and 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.