Discover Indochina: 15-Day Heritage Journey

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

Peter

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

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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.

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The Great House Restaurant at Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos

Riverside Suite at Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Swimming pool area at Anantara Hoi An Resort

Main pool at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

Central area at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

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.

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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.

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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.

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Guest Bedroom at Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel, Vietnam

Lobby Area at Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam

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.

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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.

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Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas

Lobby at Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, 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.

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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.

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