Itinerary in brief:
Day 1. Vientiane arrival ( D )
Day 2. Vientiane – Luang Prabang ( B,L )
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou cave ( B,L )
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Hanoi ( B, L )
Day 5: Hanoi city tour (B,L)
Day 6. Hanoi - Halong bay ( B, L,D )
Day 7: Halong bay – Hanoi- Danang - Hoian (B)
Day 8. Hoian – Hue ( B, L )
Day 9: Hue – Ho chi minh ( B )
Day 10: Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 11: Ho chi minh – Siem Reap ( B, D )
Day 12: Siem reap – Angkor Tour ( B )
Day 13: Siem Reap – Phnompenh ( B,L )
Day 14: Phnompenh departure ( B )
Itinerary in details:
Day1 : Vientiane arrival ( D ) Upon arrival, our staff and will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to the country. After a short rest, an orientation walk is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We’ll bask in the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and continue to explore until the late evening. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day2.Vientiane – Luang Prabang ( B, L )AM: After breakfast, we’ll visit the major sights of the capital including: Wat Sisaket, the oldest city temple containing more than 8000 Buddha statues, Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue, That Luang Stupa and Patuxay (Lao’s Arc de Triomphe). From there, we visit the central market known as the ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place to browse for antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.
PM: We spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesday), which exhibits artifacts, photos and stories of Laos’s military as well as the countries leaders throughout time. We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. 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 and after a short rest we stroll around the Night Market. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to visit the sacred, gilded stupa as well view a beautiful city panorama . Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 3. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave ( B, L )After breakfast, we take a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way we stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. During the day, we will also visit a few local villages, including one that makes rice wine and the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. Once back in the city, we finish the day by driving to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Hanoi ( B )An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of alms giving to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. Afterwards, we visit the silver smith’s and Fine Arts School and the Central Market. We visit these sights before we catch a flight for Hanoi. Arrive at Hanoi and transfer to the hotel in city center, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi city tour ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, 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 & October for annual maintenance ), 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, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, do a cyclo tour around around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong bay ( B, L,D )Breakfast at hotel, then 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 ( by your own ) before arriving to Ha Long City.
11.30 – 12.15 Welcome you at Hòn Gai Tourist International Port
12.30 Check in Overnight Cruise, welcome drink and programme introduction
13.00 – 14.30 The cruise start the journey
Lunch served with local cuisines menu and passing the paramount view at Ha Long such as Kicking Dog Island , Fighting Chicken Islet, Huong Peak, Thien Cung Cave,Dau Go Island…
15.00 – 16.00 Explore Surprise Cave – one of the most famous caves on the Ha Long bay.
16.30 – 17.30 Small boat take you to Titop seaside: visiting islands, climb to Titop Mountain 200m in height to see the whole bay and swimming at Titop Seaside.
18.00 Return to your cruise or relaxation or enjoy sunset on the bay
19.30 – 21.00 Dinner at the restaurant with organised menu
21.00 Free at your leisure like lying on deck or going to catch squid…
Overnight on junk.
Day 7: Halong bay – Hanoi – Danang flight - Hoian ( 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 3.5 hour journey directly to the airport for flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax. Hue. The guide in Hue will pick you up, transfer to hotel, check in, relax.
Day 8: Hoi An Walking Tour - Hue ( B, L) This morning we explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders. Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free at leisure.
Leaving Hoi An afterlunch, we drive north to the old imperial city of Hue. Along the way, we make stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains, the Danang Beach and Danang City for a visit to the Cham Museum. We then follow the road crossing over the scenic Hai Van Pass before arriving in Hue, Vietnam's last imperial capital of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 9: Hue City Tour - Ho Chi Minh ( B, L ) Breakfast at hotel, we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. 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, Dong Ba Market. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Ho chi minh city. Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax.
Day 10: Ho chi minh ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, We then start to discover dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals 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. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we visit the War Remnant Museum and pass a place with its famous lacquers and the tour ends at the city's finest shopping street, Dong Khoi Street and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 11: Ho chi minh – Siem Reap ( B, D )Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel(the room might not be ready). Start your tours to 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 and enjoy the Apsara Dance show. Overnight at hotel in Siemreap
Day 12: Siem reap – Angkor Tour ( B )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.
Afternoon, 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 13: Siem Reap – Phnompenh ( B,L )Breakfast at hotel, transfer to the pier to take the speed boat to Phnompenh. It takes you around 5 hours ton the Mekong river to get Phnompenh. Arrive in Phnompenh at noontime, enjoy the lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, we start Phnom Penh city tour: Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Visit Central Market ( or Russian market ), 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 14: Phnom Penh - Departure (B)Breakfast at the hotel. Then take a half-day city tour at 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 your departure flight. End of tour.
Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.
Accommodation Options
|
Location
|
Standard
|
Superior
|
First class
|
Deluxe
|
|
Vientiane
|
Orchird 3 *
|
Orchird 3 *
|
Vansan Riverside 4*
|
Setha Palace
5*
|
|
LuangPrabang
|
Villa Chitdara 3*
|
Villa Chitdara 3*
|
Villar Santi 4*
|
Villa Maly 5*
|
|
Hanoi
|
Hanoi
Paradise 3 *
|
Hanoi Imperial 3*
|
Hanoi flower garden 4*
|
De l’ Opera
5*
|
|
Halong boat
|
Bai tho
|
Bai tho
|
Emotion boat
|
Victory Star
|
|
Hue
|
Hue
Holiday 2 *
|
Asia
hotel 3*
|
Gerbera 4*
|
Imperial 5*
|
|
Hoian
|
Vinh hung II 2*
|
Thuy Duong III 3 *
|
Hoian Beach
resort 4*
|
Palm Garden
5 *
|
|
Saigon
|
Le Duy 3 *
|
Tan hai long hotel
& spa 3*
|
Norfolk 4*
|
Majestic 5*
|
|
Siem reap
|
Casa ANgkor 3*
|
Steung Siemreap 4 *
|
Prince D' Angkor 4*
|
Sokhar Angkor 5*
|
|
Phnompenh
|
Cardamom 3*
|
Landscape 3 *
|
Sunway 4*
|
Sofitel Plaza
5*
|
Tour includes:• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise on Halong bay ( private cabin - sharing boat )
• 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
• Air fare & airport taxes: Vientiane – Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang – Hanoi, Hanoi – Danang, Hue – Ho chi minh, Ho chi minh – Siem reap.
• Speed boat ticket Siemreap - 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 10 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Cambodia Visa ( available at the airport at 20 USD/person )
• Laos visa ( available at the airport at 30 USD/person )
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Surcharge on 24,31 December and Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities