13 DAYS MAJESTY OF INDOCHINA
Trip code:
CXMIN13
ITINERARY
LUANG PRABANG - HANOI - HALONG - DANANG - HOI AN - HUE -
HO CHI MINH CITY - SIEM REAP
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL
SAT 13.20 hrs meet upon arrival at Luang
Prabang airport by PG 632, transfer and check-in at hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang,
is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East
Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its
long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao cultures
with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness.
In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage
City.Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That
Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk
to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major
tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu
Ya Gneu (ancestors). Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in
1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim
built in the standard of Luang Prabang style. Climb Vat
Phousi hill for an outstanding overview of the city. Sunset
at Vat Prabaht Tai, located along the Mekong River (dinner –
own account). Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 02: LUANG
PRABANG (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the
most beautiful temple. The main sanctuary represents the
classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that
sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small
chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed
in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal
funeral chapel. Inside are an impressive 12 meter high
funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each royal
family member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel
depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then
board a traditional boat for a trip upstream the Mekong
River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands
of statues representing Lord Buddha.
Picnic lunch at a bamboo cottage overlooking the confluence
between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. Return to Luang
Prabang by boat and continue by car to visit Ban Xang Khong,
a weaving village where traditional Sa paper is also
produced. (Dinner – own account). Overnight in Luang
Prabang.
DAY 3: LUANG
PRABANG (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to the Khuang Xi Waterfall,
located 30 kms (approximately 1 hour drive) South of Luang
Prabang. The waterfalls tumble over multi-tiered limestone
formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and
relaxation. Picnic lunch nearby the waterfalls.
Close to the waterfall is the Khmu minority village of Ban
Thapaene. Take a walk through the village before continuing
to Ban Xom, a lowland Lao village, known for its cotton
production. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY4: LUANG
PRABANG – HANOI (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the surroundings of Vientiane,
including the Buddha Park and Friendship Bridge (if time
permits). The Buddha Park is a religious sculpture park
located by the Mekong River, 24 KM south of Vientiane. The
Buddha Park captivates visitors with an unusual blend of
Buddhist and Hindu imagery. Short stop to admire the
impressive Friendship Bridge, which links Laos and Thailand.
Return to hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Morning Market.
Transfer to the airport
Depart Luangprabang for the flight to Hanoi
Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport,
transfer to hotel for check in. At leisure in Hanoi. Evening
water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi
DAY5:
HANOI – HALONG (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. In Hanoi we experience the rich cultural
and artistic traditions of Vietnam’s capital. We visit
Ho Chi Minh’s former residence and mausoleum, the One Pillar
Pagoda & the Temple of Literature.
Check out of the hotel and enjoy a cyclo ride through the
old quarter past the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple to a
local restaurant for lunch before the drive to Halong Bay
via the Ethnology Museum. Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi)
is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area of outstanding
natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is
known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than
1,500 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them
containing beautiful grottoes. Overnight in Halong
DAY6: HALONG –
HANOI (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a relaxing 5 hour boat trip
through Halong Bay with a fresh Seafood lunch prepared and
served on board (please let us know if you do not eat
seafood). Cruise around the islands, relaxing and swimming
before returning to Hanoi.
At leisure to do some shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 7: HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel. At leisure until transfer to airport for
flight to Danang in the early afternoon.
From the port town of Danang we drive the short distance
south past famous China Beach onto the enchanting town of
Hoi An. Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was
one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the
16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere
with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original
structure of some of these streets is still virtually
intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers
and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese
characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.
We take a walking tour to discover Hoi An, the UNESCO World
Heritage listed Ancient town, visiting 300 year old Tan Ky
and Phuc Kien houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An
market.
We soak up the atmosphere of these narrow streets, lane ways
and friendly atmosphere before dinner in a local restaurant
to sample some of Hoi An’s culinary delights. Overnight in
Hoi An.
DAY 8: HOI AN – DANANG – HUE (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Free morning at leisure until boat ride
to local restaurant for an early lunch before the departure
from Hoi An, via the Marble Mountains, over the most
spectacular Hai Van Pass and onto Vietnam’s former imperial
capital and charming town set on the banks of the Perfume
River. We visit the local Dong Ba market in Hue, where the
famous conical hats are made before an evening of leisure in
this quiet town. (Dinner – own account), overnight in Hue
DAY 9: HUE – HO CHI MINH (B,D)
Breakfast at hotel. A morning of culture takes us by dragon
boat to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel and the
tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.
In the afternoon fly to Ho Chi Minh. After check in at
your hotel, enjoy Ho Chi Minh (still called Saigon by
residents) by night beginning with a pre dinner sunset drink
at one of the roof top bars and a walk down the famous Dong
Khoi street (formerly Rue Catinat) to a local restaurant for
dinner. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 10: HO CHI MINH – CU CHI – HO CHI MINH (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, drive to Cu Chi district
(150 km from HCMC) to visit the amazing complex of
underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of
underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many
branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and
other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through
this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Saigon
for Lunch.
Afternoon orientation by foot from the Saigon River past the
Opera House, Town Hall & Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit
Reunification Palace (museum) and the famous Ben Thanh
Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 11: HO CHI MINH – SIEM REAP (B,L)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer from hotel to Phnom Penh
International airport. Departure to Siem Reap by Siem Reap
Airways International
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International airport, meet and
transfer to the hotel
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 Cambodia 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 symbolizes the ocean beyond. Enjoy the
sunset on Angkor Wat. (Dinner – own account), overnight in
Siem Reap.
DAY 12: SIEM REAP (B,L)
In the morning visit the antique
capital of Angkor Thom (12th century): the South Gate with
its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of
milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated
with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal
Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, and the
Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon visit Victory Gate, the twin temples of
Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda twin temples, Takeo and Ta
Prohm. The latter is one of the most beautiful temples
in the area. It 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 has been left to be swallowed by the jungles, and
looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor
appeared when European explorer first stumbled upon them.
Banteay Kdei, surrounded by 4 concentric walls, Srah Srang,
"the pool of ablutions" which was doubtless used for ritual
bathing and Kravan temples with unique brick
sculptures overnight in Siem Reap.
DAY 13: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for
departure to your next destination (airfare not included).
HOTEL DETAILS
|
First Category |
|
|
Villa Santi
Hotel |
Sakkarine Road,
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-71) 252 157 / Fax: (856-71) 252 158 |
|
Guoman Hotel
(superior room) |
83A
Ly Thuong Kiet St.Hanoi,
Phone: 04 822.2800 ,Fax: 04 822.2822 |
|
Hoian Beach Resort
(superior room) |
Cua
Dai beach,Hoi An, Vietnam
Phone: 0510 864.701 ,Fax:
0510 864.709 |
|
Saigon Morin Hotel
(superior room) |
30
Le Loi St, Hue, Vietnam
Phone: 054 825-870,Fax:
054 825-155 |
|
Grand Hotel
(superior room) |
8-24,
Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Tel:
08 8230163; Fax: 08 8235781
|
|
Angkor Century
Hotel(superior room) |
Komay Road -
Khum Svay Dangkom, Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel. (855 63) 963 777 Fax (855 63) 963 123 |
|
Deluxe Category |
|
|
La Residence
Phou Vao |
Phou Vao Road,
Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-71) 212 530 / Fax: (856-71) 212 534 |
Melia hotel
(Deluxe Room) |
44B Ly Thuong Kiet,
Hanoi Vietnam
Phone: 04 934-3343 ,Fax: 04 934-3344 |
Palm Garden
Resort
(superior sea view) |
Tan My
Block, Cam An Ward Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province,Vietnam
Tel: (84.510) 927.927 Fax: (84.510) 927.928 |
|
La Residence de
Hue |
5 Le Loi Street, Hue City, Vietnam –
Tel: 0084 054 837 475 – Fax:
0084 054 837 476 |
|
Equatorial Hotel
(superior room) |
242 Tran Binh
Trong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel. (84 8) 839 7777, Fax (84 8) 839 0011 |
|
Victoria Angkor
Hotel
(superior room) |
Central Park,
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel. (855 63) 760 428 Fax (855 63) 760 350 |
|
|
TRIP INCLUDES:
ü
Accommodation
in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private
bath room
ü
All transportation and transfers
ü
Meals
as stated in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner)
ü
Tours
with English speaking guide
ü
International air-tickets for the routing
Luangparabang - Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh- Siemreap
ü
Domestic
ticket Hanoi - Danang & Hue - Ho Chi Minh
ü
Entrance
fees
TRIP EXCLUDES:
ü
International
airfare&
airport taxes
ü
Travel insurance
ü
Visa and visa arrangement
ü
Surcharges for
compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and
ü
Peak season
surcharges (which will be advised at time of
booking) ,
ü
Personal expenses
ü
Tips & gratuities
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