ID7: Indochina Discovery tour 21 days

Itinerary in Brief:

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city – night train to Sapa (B, L)
Day 3: Sapa Cat cat village (B, L)
Day 4: Lao chai – Tavan village – night train back Hanoi (B, L)
Day 5: Ha Noi - Ha Long Junk Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 6: Halong – Hanoi - Hue (B)
Day 7: Hue city tour (B, L)
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)
Day 9: Hoian free (B)
Day 10: Hoian – Flight  to Ho chi minh city (B, L)
Day 11: Ho chi minh – Cuchi Tunnel (B, L)
Day 12: Ho chi minh – Cai Be floating market – Vinh Long - Can Tho (B, L)
Day 13: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B, L)
Day 14: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B, L)
Day 15: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, D)
Day 16: Siem Reap – Angkor (B, L)
Day 17: Siemreap tour (B)
Day 18: Siem Reap – Vientiane (B, D)
Day 19: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Day 20: Luang Prabang (B)
Day 21: Luang Prabang  departure (B )

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival

Upon your arrival in Noibai International Airport in Hanoi, you are welcomed and transferred to hotel in Hanoi center by our Asia View Travel guide, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city – night train to Sapa (B, L)

This morning we start city tour  with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh ( Close on Monday, friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the  Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, do a walking tour around Hanoi Old Quarter to understand more about the simple life of Hanoian, enjoy the water puppet show, that you can find in Vietnam. Transfer to the train station for the night train to Lao cai. Overnight on train.

Day 3: Sapa Cat cat village (B, L)

The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1,5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Arrive Sapa, enjoy breakfast at the hotel.( There will be surcharge if you require early check in). After breakfast at hotel,  we will visit  the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sansaho village home to the H'mong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 4: Lao chai – Tavan village – night train back Hanoi (B, L)

Buffet breakfast at the hotel Embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. Opportunity to meet with local people and study the art of making batik and local weaving villages - study textile tradition of craft women o Black H'mong and Red Dzao. Transfer back to Laocai for night train back Hanoi. Overnight on train.

Day 5: Ha Noi - Ha Long Junk Cruise (B, L, D)

The train arrive in Hanoi around 5:30AM. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast. 8:30 Am start a 3.5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.

Day 6: Halong – Hanoi- Hue (Brunch )

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Transfer directly to Hue. Pick up at airport, transfer to the hotel, check in, relax.

Day 7: Hue city tour (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel, all day visit Hue. We then start  city tour to visit Imperial Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City, the Emperor's private residence This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Khai Dinh, vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. Overnight at hotel  in Hue.

Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)

As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey, this time in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Today's destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed Danang Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An, check in, relax. We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Hoian ancient town. The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.

Day 9: Hoian free (B)

Today there is plenty of time to discover  Hoi An  by yourself. You can spend your time  walking around exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and  fascinating ancestral  homes, some of which have been occupied  by the same family for fifteen genera ions. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here. You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson. One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Day 10: Hoian – Flight to Ho chi minh city (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho chi minh city.  Upon arrival in HCMC, Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to city center. We discover dynamic city with the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda , we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale.On the way back, bustling China town is not be missed as well. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 11: Ho chi minh – Cuchi Tunnel (B, L)

After breakfast at hotel, we will drive to visit the Cuchi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon  all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s,  let the Viet Minh  and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several  stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the planning and construction was incredible. People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke. There were also hidden  trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Transfer back to Ho chi minh city for overnight.

Day 12: Ho chi minh – Cai Be floating market – Vinh Long - Can Tho (B, L)

Pick up at hotel transfer to Vinh Long. This morning we set off for a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be, well-known for it's floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular dish of "Elephant ear fish", before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Towards the end of the day we arrive in Can tho where we stay at lovely  hotel, right by the Mekong river.

Day 13: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B, L)

Rising early to the sounds of the Delta coming to life for another day, we breakfast and start our trip with a boat cruise on sparking streams along the endless waterway of Mighty Mekong River to Cairang  floating markets. There will be hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostling for trade. Sellers advertisers their wares by crying out across the waters. We visit the lush orchards and are treated to a delicious tropical fruits. Afternoon continues to ChauDoc with a stop over at the stork garden near Thot Not. Late pm hike up to Sam mountain with its panoramic view over the vast plains into Cambodia. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 14: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B, L)

After breakfast at hotel,  board the speed boat to Phnom Penh. It takes you around 5 hour on boat on Mekong river. Noon time, meet our guide in Phnompenh pier and transfer to hotel. Lunch at local restaurant. Phnom Penh city tour starts after lunch. We visit the Victory 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 grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

Day 15: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, D)

Breakfast at hotel, take a half-day to visit  the Killing Field and Toul Sleng Museum of the genocide Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide): former Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975 it became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation center. It was known as Security Prison 21 - or just S-21. Transfer to the airport for flight to Siemreap. The guide in Siemreap will pick you up.

This afternoon, we visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm.  One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm 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 jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon. Dinner at local restaurant, enjoy the Apsara Dance Show.

Day 16: Siem Reap – Angkor (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the 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 Cambodian 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, the ocean beyond.

Lunch at restaurant.

Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).

Day 17: Siemreap  tour (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Morning, Visit Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art.  Continue to visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration using the method of "anastylosis".  The name Samre refers to an ethnic group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers.  No inscriptions have been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid.  A unique feature is an interior moat with laterite paving, which when filled with water must have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple.

Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.

Day 18: Siem Reap – Vientiane (B,  D)

Breakfast at hotel. , transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we visit the Central Market call "Morning Market" where you can find the antique items for collection, well handmade textile and gift away items. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 19: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for your flight to Luang prabang. We spend the day touring Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (Revolutionary Museum) where varied antique items and legend of Laos’s history fighters and leaders displace from the ancient times to new revolution period. We then board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. UNESCO registered 1995 as World Cultural Heritage City. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to hotel. After a short rest, we are strolling around to see the Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang, we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful panorama sunset over this once royal ancient city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 20: Luang Prabang- Pak ou caves (B, L)

Breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a boat embarking upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, We  take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 21: Luang Prabang departure (B)

06:00 Early this morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. This is the highlight of tour prior goodbye to this charming city. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise in Halong Bay
• 2 nights on train
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Private English or French speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Flight Ticket  Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Ho chi minh, Phnompenh – Siemreap, Siem reap - Vientiane , Vientiane – Luang prabang
• Round trip train ticket with soft sleep 4 berth/ cabin  Hanoi – Lao cai – Hanoi
• Speed boat ticket Chau doc – Phnompenh
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
 
Tour excludes:
• International flights that not mentioned above
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Cambodia Visa (available at the border at 20 USD/person)
• Laos visa (available at the airport at 30 USD/person )
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Kayak in Halong Bay
• Surcharge on 24,31 December and Lunar New Year

• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities