Indochina's Treasures
Explorer trip along the Mekong
Highlights
Itinerary
Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Known for its centuries old architecture and delectable cuisine, Hanoi is not only rich in history and culture, but also a buzzing city and a connecting hub to other parts of the country and region. Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai), you will be transferred to your hotel. Check in and relax before you stroll through the Old Quarter and have dinner in a nice local restaurant. After the dinner, you will then spend the first night in Hanoi.
(D)
Hanoi City Tour
After breakfast in the hotel, a tour of the city is on. Starting with a visit to the President Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and the next door Ho Chi Minh Palace where lies the modest stilt house of the Vietnam's first president. Next stop is the one thousand year old One Pillar Pagoda, one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam, known for its unique lotus blossom shape sitting on top of a wooden pillar erected from a lotus pond. Then you will enjoy the scenery at West Lake, the largest lake in Ha Noi. Continue on to explore the Temple of Literature, which is also the first university in Vietnam. After lunch, you will visit the Museum of Vietnamese Ethnology before enjoying a unique show at the Water Puppetry Theatre near the Hoan Kiem Lake. Then you will have dinner and overnight in Hanoi.
(B, L, D)
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Today you will go to Ha Long and embark on a two-day cruise trip in the amazing Ha Long Bay. After boarding your cruise, you can enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, visit limestone caves, swim at Ti Top island, and explore the bay by kayak. Later, join a cooking class on board before enjoying a sunset dinner. Afterwards, you can relax on the sundeck, sip a cocktail at the bar, or watch a movie. You spend the night on board the cruise.
(B, L, D)
Ha Long Bay - Hoi An
Start your day early with a sunrise Tai Chi session before enjoy your breakfast. After breakfast, transfer to a small bamboo paddle boat for a cave excursion. Then you return to the cruise for lunch and watch islands and small fishing villages passing by. Back in the harbor, you disembark the cruise and get transferred to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang. Once there, our local driver will take you to your hotel in Hoi An. You spend the night in Hoi An.
(B, L, D)
Hoi An Exploration
Today you will explore Hoi An with a local guide. First, you will visit Hoi An's old town. You will walk across the Japanese Bridge, visit Chinese assembly halls, and various trading houses and pagodas. Then heading out of town to Tra Que, a little charming village on the outskirts of Hoi An. Once you arrive, you can walk through the gardens, see a variety of local vegetables, smell the fresh herb aroma, and watch the farmers at work. You will be treated to a foot massage before enjoying lunch in the village. After the tour, you are free to spend the afternoon on a beautiful beach or continue exploring the city. You spend the night in Hoi An.
(B, L, D)
Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, you will be transferred to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon your arrival, our local driver will take you to your hotel in downtown area. In the afternoon, take a guided city tour to visit the former Presidential Palace, the Wartime Museum, the Cathedral Notre Dame, and the French style Central Post Office. You will also go to Chinatown, where you will visit the huge Binh Tay Wholesale Market and the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a dinner cruise on Saigon River before spending the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B, L, D)
Cu Chi Tunnels
Today you will take a day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels - an extensive network of underground tunnels used in the Vietnam War. You will learn about the history of the tunnels and will have a chance to actually traverse and navigate through them. Afterwards, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City and spend the afternoon exploring the city at your leisure. In the evening, we recommend you to visit one of the roof top bars in the city before spending the night in Ho Chi Minh City.
(B, L, D)
Mekong Delta Floating Market
After breakfast, you will head to Mekong Delta by car. Once there, board a motorboat to get to the floating market. Then transfer to a small rowboat to cruise through the small channels until you arrive at a large orchard, where many fresh local fruits are available for you to taste. You will also get to sample coconut sweets, crispy rice cakes, and see unique pottery products made by the locals. Continue on with a cooking class on the island of Tan Phong and enjoy your homemade meal in a garden overlooking the river. Afterwards, you can bike through a village to visit some rural shops, or alternatively, just relax in a hammock. After the tour, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City to rest and spend the night there.
(B, L, D)
Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap
Today is your last day in Vietnam. After breakfast, you will be heading to Ho Chi Minh City airport to fly to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival, you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and the heart and soul of Cambodia. Then enjoy the amazing view of the sunset over Angkor from the Phnom Bakheng hill. Finally head back to Siem Reap for an Apsara show dinner. You will spend the night in Siem Reap.
(B, L, D)
Siem Reap - Angkor Thom & Bayon Temple
Start your day very early today to go on a mini tour to see the spectacular sunrise over Angkor Wat. Then go back to the hotel to have breakfast before going on a discovery tour to explore the Angkor Archeological Park. Start with Angkor Thom (meaning Big City) to see the Bayon temple with over two hundred giant stone smiling faces peering at you. Next stop will be Tah Prom temple whose towers and walls are being mesmerizingly swallowed by the surrounding jungle's vast root system. Finally, visit one of Angkor’s tallest monuments, Ta Keo temple, a pyramid of five levels with a total height of 45 meters or 147 feet. Climbing the steep staircase is quite a work out but you will be rewarded with a great view at the top. Back to your hotel at the end of the tour and spend the night in Siem Reap.
(B, L, D)
Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Luang Prabang
Today you will be heading to Tonle Sap Lake to visit a floating village. Take a boat trip to see local life on the lake with floating houses, schools, markets, and police station. Afer the tour, return to Siem Reap and spend the afternoon at your leisure before going to the airport to fly to Luang Prabang. After you arrive, our local driver will take you to your hotel to spend the night in Luang Prabang.
(B, L, D)
Luang Prabang City Tour
After having breakfast at the hotel, visit the Royal Palace Museum and temples such as Wat Mai and Wat Visoun. After lunch, you go up the Phousi mountain, the highest hill in Luang Prabang standing at 300 feet above sea level. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic over the Mekong River, across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance. After the tour, you will return to Luang Prabang and spend the night there.
(B, L, D)
Mekong River Cruise, Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfall
Today you will take a boat tour on the Mekong River. You will embark on a boat and cruise upstream the Mekong. On the way, we will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. Then continue on to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou, which house hundreds of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Afterwards, you will return to Luang Prabang by boat with a stop in the artisan village Ban Nongxai, famous for its paper making trade. You will be back in Luang Prabang for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go to the marvelous three-tier Kuang Si waterfall, where you can swim and walk along the water. Afterwards, you will visit the nearby Bear Rescue Center before returning to Luang Prabang for dinner and staying overnight.
(B, L, D)
Luang Prabang Departure
Enjoy your breakfast and free time before going to the airport to fly home. Safe travel and see you next time!
(B)
Route
This journey starts in Hanoi and takes you to Ha Long Bay and on to Hoi An. Continue on to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Then travel to Siem Reap and wrap up the trip in Luang Prabang.
Destination
Cambodia, Vietnam, LaosDeparture
Hanoi / Luang Prabang or vice versaDeparture Time
dailyIncluded
Accommodation as described in programBoat trips as described in programDaily breakfast in accommodationDomestic flightsEnglish speaking private tour guideEntrance fees & excursions as per tour programMeals as specified in tour program (B,L,D)Mineral water during excursionsprivate transfer in air conditioned carTravel insuranceNot Included
Intl. flightsVisa feesOptional
Additional tours & activitiesprivate tour guide in other languages on request