DAY 01| HANOI ARRIVAL
Welcome to Vietnam!
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred (car & driver only) to a hotel. Check in time 14.00.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAT 02|HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B/L)
After breakfast at hotel, depart for a full day tour of Hanoi. Visit the famous One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049, next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (Viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov).
Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism
This afternoon visit will be Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam’s first university Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible time of 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 03 |HANOI – HALONG BAY BY SHUTLLE BUS (B/L/D)
This morning we will depart (by shuttle bus) for Halong Bay, one of the most stunning natural wonders of Vietnam. After breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi we will be heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 12:00, we arrive at your jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight on boat in Halong Bay.
Note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
DAY 04|HALONG BAY – HANOI BY SHUTTLE BUS / FLY TO HO CHI MINH (B/ BRUNCH)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer (car & driver only) back to Hanoi. Arriving in the afternoon, you will be transferred (car & driver only) to Hanoi airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival Ho Chi Minh City, transfer (car & driver only) to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 05|HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNELS – CITY TOUR (B)
After breakfast, visit the famous Cu Chi, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels, over 250km in length and up to three levels deep in places, played a huge part in the Viet Cong’s victory over the Americans, allowing them to control a large rural area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City.
Head back to Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975.
Nearby is the Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-romanesque in form, Notre Dame is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam. Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda located on the fringes of district 1. Dating from 1909 and built by Cantonese Buddhists this quiet oasis was designed using feng-shui principals showcasing ornate statues and effigies. Finish by a visit & shopping at Ben Thanh market.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 06|HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA TOUR (B/L/D)
Have breakfast at hotel, then depart from the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City to the area referred locally as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’ – the mighty river Mekong´s delta.
On arrived at My Tho, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals.
Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 07|HO CHI MINH/ FLY TO SIEM REAP (B)
Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Free time at leisure until transfer (car & driver only) to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.
On arrival, you will be transferred to hotel for check in (car and driver only)
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 08|SIEM REAP – CITY TOUR (B/L)
After breakfast, we visit Wat Thmei (Killing Field) which contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. Continue to visit the “Les Artisans d’Angkor – Chantiers Ecole”, the Finest Authentic Khmer Arts and Crafts. End our visits at one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 09|SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WAT FULL DAY (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we spend a full day discovering the famous Angkor Complex. We enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple and marvel at the wonders of the eerie Bayon, the terrace of Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King. Afterwards, we continue and visit Ta Prohm temple, shrouded in the jungle and left untouched since it was found by French explorers in the 1850s.
In the afternoon we visit the Angkor Wat temple. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 12th century, took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Covering 81 hectares, it is one of the largest religious monuments ever built.
Late afternoon, we enjoy the superb sunset view at Pre Rup temple.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 10|SIEM REAP – CITADEL OF WOMEN (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Continue to the small circuit, visit the unique brick sculptures of PrasatKravan, and continue to Ta Prohm. One of the area’s most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been left 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, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda.
Lunch at Maharajah Restaurant Afternoon, drive to visit the famous BanteaySrei Temple (Citadel of Women), 35km from town. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life. Dinner at Indian Restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 11|SIEM REAP/ FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for your flisht to Luang Prabang (car and diver only)
Upon arrival you will be met our private guide and driver then transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 12|LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – CITY TOUR (B/L/D)
This morning start the city tour with National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. We continue on foot to Wat Mai, the temple with its unique five-tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs, and then embark a traditional boat to cruise up along the Mekong River. En-route visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of Buddha statuettes. The caves offer a splendid view of the Mekong which, here, mixes its water with those of the Nam Ou River. Then make a stop at a charming village facing the Mekong River. After lunch we take the boat back to the town .
We continue on Wat Visoun which contains a collection of antique wooden Buddha statues. After lunch, we continue to Wat Xiengthong with the sweeping roofs, the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi which offers a panoramic view of the city and the beautiful surrounding countryside.
The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 13|LUANG PRABANG – KUANGSI WATER FALL (B/L/D)
A very early morning start (5:45am) by car to Ban Vat Sean to observe a long line of monks collecting alms’ ceremony then back for breakfast prior to check out from the hotel. Today you take a drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. En-route, you stop to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune , a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos . Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit.
There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before you head back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is spent by visiting various craft-shops, including silver smiths’ and also Hmong market in town, where some skilled embroidery-works of Hmong ladies can be seen. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 14|LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE CITY TOUR (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will be transfer to airport to take flight to Vientiane.
Arrive Vientiane you will visit full day sightseeing tour of Vientiane commences with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. The following sight is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe before continuing to the great sacred structure and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa.
Overnight in Vientiane.
DAY 15|VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free time at leisure until transfer (car & driver only, no guide) you to the airport for your flight back home.
***END OF THE SERVICES***
