18 DAYS, WAT PHOU, ANGKOR WAT, DANANG, SAPA AND HALONG BAY

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 01: ARRIVAL HANOI. CONNECTING FLIGHT TO PAKSE
After landing at Bangkok International airport, catch your connecting flight to Pakse.
Greet upon your arrival at Pakse  airport and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 02: PAKSE - WAT PHOU CRUISE(B,L,D)
Early morning 10h30 a.m. departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks, arriving at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Vat Phou, the boat’s namesake. As dusk falls board the Vat Phou for a relaxing cruise down-river, enjoying  the tropical sunset on the deck, dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

DAY 03: PAKSE - WAT PHOU CRUISE (B,L,D)
Huei Thamo / Oum Moung Temple / Khong Island
Breakfast on board as we set sail for the village of Huei Thamo, only a few minutes walk away from the spectacular hidden forest temple of Oum Moung. Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further south to the wild paradise of the “4,000 islands”, arrived in the afternoon closed to Khong Island (the birthplace of the President of the Peoples republic of Laos) at Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Back on board for quiet dinner, under the stars, serenaded by the songs by the songs of the buffalo toads.

DAY 04: Pakse Wat phou cruise - Pakse(B)
Ban Veuthong/ the “Niagara of the East/ Xieng Di/ Pakse
Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island. After visit, take a long tail boat back to the main land for lunch amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay. Take a minivan to amazingly scenic splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border. Back to “civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse, arriving in the afternoon, about 3:50 p.m.
 

DAY 05: PAKSE - SIEMREAP(B)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Siemreap. Greet upon your arrival at Siemreap airport.
Transfer to your hotel in town. This afternoon making your way to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset over this ancient land.
Diner and overnight in Siemreap.
 

DAY 06: SIEMREAP(B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
We will embark on an elephant ride to tour of Angkor Thom. This will include the South Gate, Bayon, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. From here you will then make your way to visit Ta Prohm before an afternoon visit to Preah Khan, Neak Pean, East Mebon and Pre Rup temples.

DAY 07: SIEMREAP(B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
Today we will  visit  Prasat Kravan, Bantaey Srei and Bantaey Kdei. This afternoon will find us at the Roulous Group of Temples - Preah Ko, Bakong Lole Temples until sunset. Tonight we will enjoy diner with traditional Khmer folk performance of Apsara.
 

DAY 08: SIEMREAP -DANANG - HOIAN (B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel
We then drive to Tonle Sap Lake for a lovely boat cruise to observe life on the water. We will visit also the Land Mine Museum, and a stone carving workshop. The remainder of the day will be free until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Greet upon your arrival and transfer to your hotel in Hoian.
Overnight in Danang.
 

DAY 09: HOIAN -FREE AT LEISURE (B)
Hoi An is a charming little township. Between the 17th and 19th  centuries Hoi An was thriving international trading port. More than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feeling of centuries past and is a favourite with all travellers. You can spend your time walking around the historic town soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the fascinating local market or hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 kms away. Explore the many Chinese assembly  halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. Have a whole new wardrobe tailored or walk along the river bank.  The riverside market is always a hive of activity,  especially in the early morning when the day¹s catch arrives. One thing for sure ­ there is no shortage of things to do in this town. 

DAY 10: HOIAN COOKERY CLASS (B)
This morning, transfer to Miss Vy’s School of Cooking where visitors from all over the globe have learned Miss Vy’s traditional family recipes. This cooking course includes shopping for ingredients at the Hoi An Central Market before returning to the school by cyclo to learn how it’s done. Once the meals are prepared you can enjoy the dishes you have spent the time mastering. This afternoon is for your free leisure.
Overnight in Hoian.
 

DAY 11: HOIAN - HANOI(B)
Free leisure until our transfer to airport for your flight Danang- Hanoi VN310  0805  0915  or VN314  1215  1325
Greet upon your arrival and transfer to your hotel in town.
 

DAY 12: HANOI -DELUXE VICTORIA TRAIN TO SAPA(B)
Free leisure day.
This evening, we take an overnight train journey to the border town of Lao Cai.
The train  departs at  2200 PM from Hanoi station.
 

DAY 13: VISIT SAPA (B,L)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle waiting to transfer us to Sapa.  The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Once at Sapa, we will check into yoru hotel, we have a freshen up and breakfast at the hotel. At 10am  from the hotel there will be a walking tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sinchai villages home to the Hmong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.  Return to Sapa in the afternoon. Diner at the hotel.Overnight at hotel in Sapa

DAY 14: SAPA. EVENING DEALUXE TRAIN BACK TO HANOI  (B,L)
Following breakfast at the hotel we embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. We continue onto Red Dzao villages  and meet with local people and sample their culture. Return to Sapa in the afternoon. We bid farewell to friendly local people for a transfer back to Lao Cai for the train journey back to Hanoi.
 

DAY 15: HANOI -HALONG BAY BHAYA CRUISE(B)
Pick up from Hanoi station for freshen and breakfast.
Welcome on board of Halong Bhaya and set sail through bay while lunch is served. Passage into the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. Opportunity to visit beautiful limestone grotto, go swimming or sunbathing. Enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at Bhaya restaurant. If weather permits, a short night cruise could bring you a nice discovery of the sea life by night.
 

DAY 16: BHAYA CRUISE - HANOI(B)
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, a short trek to a nearby summit. Return on board for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Drive back to Hanoi.
 

DAY 17: HANOI(B)
This tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights, including the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets and the Ho Chi Minh Complex. Also on the tour - the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature and Ethnology Museum.
08.00 - Pick up at hotel and visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes his Mausoleum and former residences, as well as the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Museum. 
10.15 - Continue onto Vietnams first University, The Temple Of Literature, built in 1070.
11.30 - Have lunch at one of Hanoi’s many fine restaurants.
13.30 - Visit either the Museum of Ethnology or the History Museum.
15.30 - Visit the Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake.
16.45 - One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter.
17.45   Return to your hotel or watch a performance of the famous Water Puppet Theatre
 

DAY 18: DEPARTURE
Free leisure until our transfer to airort for your flight to next destionation.
End of service.