Itinerary Highlights
- Cruise up the mighty Mekong River to the mysterious and impressive Pak Ou Caves
- Take a street food tour of Hanoi and explore its Old Quarter on a Cyclo tour
- Discover the charming ancient town of Hoi An with your guide
- Marvel at the epic temples of Angkor Wat
What's Included
- Accommodation Throughout
- Domestic Flights
- English Speaking Guide
- International Flights
15 nights from £5,745 per person
Sarah
Travel Specialist
This 15-day heritage journey takes you through three of Indochina’s most exuberant countries. You’ll discover Laotian culture in Luang Prabang, see Cambodia’s temples, explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter and visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hoi An and Hue. Call us for a tailor-made quote on your preferred destinations, hotels and dates.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Luang Prabang
Your journey begins in Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Relax at your hotel or take a wander out and enjoy the local sights and sounds.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2 Luang Prabang & Pak Ou Caves
Start this morning with a visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum which provides an overview of the culture and history of this ancient city. Continue on to the most picturesque and enchanting temple, Wat Xieng Thong. Followed by a visit to Wat Khili temple and the excellent Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre.
In the afternoon, board a beautiful wooden river boat for a cruise up the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. Here you will see thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Return downstream stopping at the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Nogxai arriving back in Luang Prabang in the early afternoon
Staying at
Satri House
Day 3 Luang Prabang
Explore the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls; cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre where you can learn about the protection and rehabilitation of the rare Asiatic Black Bear. Before returning to Luang Prabang, take a tour of a local social enterprise at the Laos Buffalo Dairy where you'll get the chance to get up close to the friendly buffalos and also try buffalo-milk cheese and ice-cream. And finish with a visit to a silk-weaving centre.
Staying at
Satri House
Day 4 Luang Prabang - Vientiane
Enjoy a relaxing morning at leisure before being transferred to Luang Prabang train station for your 2 hour train journey to Vientiane. The trainline journeys throught the Karst mountains of northern Laos before entering the lush and green flatlands of Vientiane province. Take in the village life and mountain views. En route you can enjoy a short city tour to include the two icons of Vientiane, the golden stupa of That Luang and the imposing Patuxai Monument.
Staying at
Settha Palace Hotel
Day 5 Vientiane - Hanoi
An early start to Buddha Park on the Thai-Laos border. This unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues on the banks of the Mekong River.
Return to Vientiane and transfer to the airport for a flight to Hanoi. Your afternoon is at leisure in Hanoi - the charming capital of Vietnam.
Day 6 Explore Hanoi
A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. Walk along the Hanoi back roads to discover the real life of the city. Walk along the railway to see local life, the food market and narrow alleys. Take a short local train trip across the Red River.
In the afternoon, visit Ho Chi Minh's former residence, the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the Lake of the Restored Sword. Enjoy a Cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter and stop at an ancient Vietnamese long house. Take in a water puppet show in the evening.
Staying at
Hotel De L’Opera
Day 7 Hanoi - Hoi An
This morning, enjoy a foodie street walking tour. Take a drive to Hanoi's French Quarter, the homeland of foodie tours and street cuisines. Start with the cuisine of Banh Cuon and taste the traditional rice paper spring rolls. Continue on to Nguyen Truong To street to sample Cha Ca, a grilled fish and rice noodle dish. Stroll along Hang Than street famous for it's desserts made from mung beans and sticky rice. Finish up at Cafe Giang, well-known for egg coffee sweetened with condensed milk.
Later take a flight to Da Nang and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Day 8 Hoi An - Hue
Pay a visit to one of Hoi An's famous lantern workshops and learn how to make one of these beautiful lanterns. After take a walking tour of Hoi An and explore this World Heritage Site. Highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the vibrant riverside market.
In the afternoon, journey on to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects.
Check-in to your hotel and relax at leisure.
Day 9 Explore Hue
Today you will explore Hue. From the Imperial Citadel to the Old City; including a boat trip to Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Explore the royal tombs of Khai DInh and Tu Duc. Khai Dinh's tomb with it's heady blend of styles where you'll see a mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and even Cambodian architectural influences. Tu Duc's tomb is probably the most picturesque of them all as he wanted his final resting place to blend harmoniously with nature.
Staying at
Azerai La Residence, Hue
Day 10 Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
This morning fly south to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.
In the afternoon, explore this charming city with it's remarkable blend of history and modernity. Highlights include visits to The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathredral, the Central Post Office, Chinatown and the Binh Tay Market. There is also an option to visit the Thien Hau Temple or the Quan Am Pagoda.
Day 11 Mekong Delta Experience
This morning, journey to the delta town of Ben Tre. From here, board your boat for a cruise to the Ham Luong River. Explore the area starting at a coconut processing workshop. Stop to sample fruits at a local house, take a short walk in the village then take a ride on a sampan along the canal. Cruise to Ms. Mai's for a delicious lunch featuring some local specialties. Afterwards take your time walking or biking in the surrounding area taking in local life.
Afterwards, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Staying at
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel
Day 12 Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap
Visit the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels, a labyrinth of narrow passages used as hideouts during the Vietnam war. Located approximately 40km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, you will explore sections of the extensive network that served as an underground city in the not-too-distant past.
Return to Saigon and transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.
Day 13 Temple Exploration
A morning tour of the temples at Angkor Thom including the temples of the South Gate, the Bayon, The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King and ending at the Royal Enclosure. In the afternoon, visit the epic Angkor Wat viewing its incredible architecture and bas-reliefs.
Staying at
Shinta Mani Angkor
Day 14 Temples & Surrounds
In the morning visit Kpal Spean, take a soft trek through the jungle to reach the river of a Thousand Lingas. Numerous bas-reliefs remain as do the thousand lingas placed to bless the waterway. In the afternoon proceed to the graceful Khmer Temple of Shiva at Banteay Srei that dates back to the 11th century. The “Citadel of Women” site is covered in lavish decorations, friezes and lintels.
Staying at
Shinta Mani Angkor
Day 15 Siem Reap Departure
Enjoy a last morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
Sarah
Travel Specialist
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Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4pm
15 nights from £5,745 per person
