Itinerary
Days
1-2 Bangkok Days 3-4 Luang Prabang
Day 5 Vang Vieng
Days 6-7 Vientiane Days 8-9
Hanoi Days 10-11 Halong Bay & Hanoi Days
12-13 Hue Days 14-15 Hoi An Days
16-17 Ho Chi Minh City Days 18-19 Phnom
Penh Days 20-22 Siem Reap (Angkor) Day
23 Depart
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Indochina
Explorer
23 days
 Days
1-2: Initially some find Thailand’s Capital
a shock to the senses, but Bangkok offers endless surprises. With
plenty to see and do - great shopping, magnificent temples, bustling
markets and non-stop nightlife. Your city tour on day 2 includes
Wat Phra Keow, the Grand Palace and Wat Po followed by a private
boat trip on the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s backwaters
(klongs) via the Royal Barges and Wat Arun.
Days
3-4: Fly north into Lao. Luang Prabang is one of
the most tranquil and entrancing cities in Indochina. The former
royal capital is a city of peaceful temples and quiet dusty streets
set at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. An afternoon
walking tour introduces you to some of the most impressive temples
and the highlights of Lao architecture.
Visit the famous Tham Ting caves at Pac Ou stopping at several villages
on the way. The caves house thousands of Buddha images and are also
believed to be home to guardian spirits. Return to Luang Prabang
by slow boat along the Mekong River.
Day
5:
Vang Vieng is a picturesque riverside town in an area of limestone
karst formations. After the scenic drive from Luang Prabang spend
the afternoon relaxing by the river.
Days
6-7:
After a morning exploring some of the caves around Vang Vieng continue
the 160km drive to Vientiane. The next day will be spent exploring
this relaxed riverside capital. Sites include Wat Sisaket (one of
the city’s oldest and most fascinating temples), That Luang
(Lao’s national symbol and one of its most sacred sites) and
the Morning Market (an all-day affair selling virtually everything).
Day
8:
Leave quiet Vientiane and arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital
of Vietnam. During the afternoon take a walk through Hanoi's Old
Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted
to a different product or industry. In the evening attend a performance
at the famous Water Puppet Theatre.
Day
9: Today
we visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu).
After lunch at Koto (a restaurant devoted to training street children)
we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses
the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam
(the mausoleum and museum is closed in October-December).
Vietnamese food is one of the world’s most delightful of cuisines,
enjoy some of the finest at Little Hanoi.
Days
10-11:
Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong
Bay, the limestone karst formations are hollowed by intricate caves
– aboard your sailing junk visit some of the islands and caves,
perhaps a pre-dinner swim and a very peaceful night beneath the
stars. In the morning continue the cruise to Man's Head Island and
Tortoise Island and visit Luon cave by small bamboo boat. After
an early lunch on board head back to Hanoi with time for shopping
or further sightseeing.
Days
12-13: The early morning flight to Hue, once the
imperial capital, is followed by a tour of the Citadel which also
contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City
in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 significant
restoration has occurred.
A true highlight of Hue is the surrounding countryside. Traveling
by boat along the Perfume River visit Tien Mu Pagoda and the tombs
of two of the Emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.
Days
14-15: This morning drive over the Hai Van Pass
to Hoi An, stopping for a sumptuous seafood lunch (and perhaps a
swim) at Lang Co Beach. Just north of Hoi An is Danang, a major
US military base during the war and site of an excellent museum
documenting Cham art and history.
The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was an
important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
A walking tour of this living museum includes the Museum of History
and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge the Fujian Assembly
Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local
delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping mecca for tourists in the
region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight
– clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound.
Day
16: Drive to Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh
City, the sprawling metropolis that once was the capital of South
Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.
A City tour includes Cholon (Cholon means Big Market) and the Chinese
quarter. Visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through
the immense Binh Tay Market. Continue the tour with a visit to Reunification
Palace, the residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before
1975.
Day
17: Tay Ninh is home to the main temple of the Cai
Dai faith, a religion that is uniquely South Vietnamese faith amalgamating
tenets of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism and Taoism
amongst others.
You will witness the noon mass at the temple. After lunch visit
the Cu Chi Tunnels where you will have the opportunity to get the
unique experience of guerillas living and fighting underground during
the war. On the way back we will visit a local rice paper workshop
before a Vietnamese BBQ dinner.
Day
18: After years of civil strife and political turmoil
Cambodia is open for visitors. After the flight from Ho Chi Minh
City check into your centrally close to a variety of cafes and restaurants
as well as to the main sights of the city. In the afternoon tour
the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
Day
19: Witness the dark side o Cambodian history with
visits to Choeng Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields and
Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands
of Cambodians perished. In the afternoon visit the huge Russian
Market packed with souvenirs and all the necessities of daily life.
Late afternoon is a great time to visit Wat Phnom where the sanctuary
for which the city is named once stood. It is a Buddhist shrine,
although a Taoist goddess and numerous monkeys also reside here,
and one of the pleasure spots for residents of the city. A drink
in one of the many riverside café’s watching the sunset
is a fitting finale to the day.
Day
20: Travel by boat across the Tonle Sap, the largest
lake in Southeast Asia. After checking into your charming accommodation
located close to the old market, set out for a first visit of Southeast
Asia's most famous archeological sight, the temples of Angkor. The
100 or so temples are the sacred remains of what was once a much
larger administrative and religious centre built between the 9th
and 13th centuries to glorify a succession of Khmer kings. Most
of Angkor was abandoned in the 15th century and the temples were
gradually cloaked by forest until they were rediscovered by French
archeologists.
Day
21:
Start with an early departure for a full day temple tour including
Angkor Thom, the Bayon, the Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphuon, the Terrace
of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants amongst others.
Return to town for lunch and a break during the heat o the day before
devoting the whole afternoon to the main temple, Angkor Wat.
Day
22: Today is a free day. Options include a bicycle
trip to villages and temples outside Siem Reap, a last visit to
Angkor or a short trek to Kbal Spean, the ‘river of 1000 lingas’.
Day
23: An early morning boat ride on the Tonle Sap
though floating villages where you will witness the remarkable birdlife
of Tonle Sap. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Bangkok
where your tour ends.
|
| Bangkok
Chaotic streets and busy canals, tranquil temples, colorful
markets and food that defies description. The essence of Asia. |
Luang
Prabang
Once home to the Lao kings, this is a beautiful town of histroic
temples, a multi-ethnic population, rich culture, vibrant markets,
stylish coffee houses and textile treasures. |
Vientianne
Quiet and relaxed the city has a wealth of charms to offer -
its eclectic blend of French and Lao Architecture, uncluttered
streets, riverside restaurants and cafes, quiet temples.. One
of the classic Indochinese ciities. |
Hanoi
The most charming of Indochina's cities. Become immersed in
a whirlwind of activity and color. The shops and markets of
the old quarter offer endless temptations; coffee shops surround
the city's lakes; fascinating museums and unbeatable food. |
Hue
Once the Imperial capital and centered of the Citadel and Forbidden
City complex, Hue is surrounded by some of the most beautiful
countryside in Vietnam - scattered with the tombs of emperors
and timeless temples. |
Halong
Bay
Dramatic limestone karst formations rise from
crystal waters - according to legend they were formed as a dragon
descended to the sea. |
Hoi
An
Celebrates
its trading heritage with its fabulous markets, galleriestailor
shops, craft stalls and restaurants. Rich in historic architecture
and its own distintcive cuisine. |
Mekong
Delta
The
lush green serpentime waterways of the Mekong Delta are a thriving
center of cottage industries, floating markets and fertile orchards. |
| Angkor
Asia's most incredible site, this tantalising blend of Hindu
and Buddhist art and architecture.
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Phnom
Penh
A pleasant riverside city of cafes, shady streets and thriving
markets full of vibrant textiles and curios. |
Tongle
Sap
A massive freshwater lake which dominates the
heart of the country, supporting hundreds of fishing communities
and abundant birdlife. |
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