INCREDIBLE INDOCHINA LOOP TOUR 19 DAYS
Itinerary in details:
Day 1. Arrival Phnom Penh
Arrive International Airport Phnom Penh, will be welcome by our guide, and transfer to the hotel for check in. Free rest of the day to relax after the flight. Overnight at hotel in Pnom Penh
Day 2. Phnom Penh – National Museum & Royal Palace (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Then commence to visit the National Museum of Arts, also called Musée des Beaux-arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art – notably sculptures-throughout the ages (although some periods are not represented). Most of the exhibits date from the Angkor period but there are several examples from the pre-Angkor era as well. Visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom and the Silver Pagoda, so named because the floor is covered with over 5000 silver tiles weighing 1 kg each, also known as Wat Preah Keo (pagoda of the Emerald Buddha). Then we visit Genocide Museum and the Russian Market in the afternoon. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 3. Phnom Penh – Udong & the Killing Fields (B)
After breakfast, drive to Udong former capital of the Khmer Empire Oudong was founded by King Soryopor in 1601. It was built on a hill 40 kilometers north of Phnom Penh. . Udong offers spectacular views of the surrounding country and the innumerable sugar palm trees in the countryside. King Ang Dung, the great grandfather of the present King Sihanouk, was crowned here. On the way back, visit Killing Fields. In this place more than 17,000 civilians were killed and buried in mass graves; many of them transported here after detention and torture in Toul Sleng. Open daily this place its maybe not suitable for younger children and some adults. Overnight in Pnom Penh.
Day 4. Phnom Penh – Flight to Siem Rep & City Tour (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for the Flight to Siem Reap. Arrive at Siem Reap at 8.45am and transfer to the hotel. Then visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. In the afternoon, continue your temple tour. See the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan, the Srah Srang reservoir (known as “The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset. Overnight in Seam Reap.
Day 5. 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. In the afternoon, visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 6. Siem Reap – Angkor Tour (B)
An early bird special: Transfer to the archaeological site for the sunrise from the Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat Or sunrise at Srah Srang. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to 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. In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 7. Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Afternoon, visit to “Les Artisans d? Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles” of Siem Reap and time at leisure at a local market. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 8. Siem Reap – Flight to Luang Prabang (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free until the transfer for the Flight QV868 at 12.55pm to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the airport at 14.35pm, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang 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 Laos. Then we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 9. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 10. Luang Prabang – Kuangsi Waterfall (B)
Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 11. Luang Prabang – Flight to Hanoi (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Central Market are not to be missed.
After visiting these sights in the morning, you will have free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area until the transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, transfer to hotel. Overnight at Fortuna hotel in Hanoi.
Day 12. Hanoi City Tour – Halong (B)
Morning pick up at hotel for Hanoi city tour: Visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Army Museum, Temple of Literature. Early afternoon, transfer to Halong. Arrival in Halong, check in hotel and free rest of the day. Overnight at hotel in Halong.
Day 13. Halong Junk Cruise – Hanoi (B,L)
Morning after breakfast at the hotel, take 5 hour boat cruise in Halong Bay, viewing Limestone mountains, islets, islands and natural caves with stalagmites. Seafood lunch on boat. Afternoon, transfer to Hanoi. A short walk in Hanoi ancient quarters before enjoy the Water Puppet Show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 14. Hanoi – Flight to Hue (B)
Early pick up at hotel and transfer to Noi Bai airport to take the flight VN241 at 6.00am from Hanoi to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue airport at 7.10am, you are transferred to the hotel for Breakfast and check in then proceed to visit Imperial Citadel. In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh King’s Tombs and take a boat trip in Perfume River. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 15. Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)
Having breakfast, then we bid Hue farewell this morning. We continue our south bound journey in the comfort of an air-conditioned coach. Today our destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way through we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continue on our way down the other side and into Da nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An. we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 16. Hoian – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh city (B)
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for morning flight VN321 at 8.00am to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival in HoChiMinh City at 9.10am, pick up and transfer from Tan Son Nhat Airport to the hotel in the city centre. Visit to China town, General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral. Overnight at hotel in HCMC.
Day 17. HCMC – Tayninh – Cuchi Tunnels (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Tay Ninh, 90 km west of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Cuchi Tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years…. getting married, giving birth, and going to school. Since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. We have lunch at a local restaurant. After Cuchi Tunnels tour we return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at Hotel in HCMC.
Day 18. HCMC – Mekong delta (B)
Today after breakfast, we travel further south about 70 km to My Tho City to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and experience the Mekong Delta’s intricate waterways by sampan. We visit Thai Son Island and taste typical fruit of the Delta. Our exploration includes a walk through the lush fruit orchards and a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the locals before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in HCMC.
Day 19. Flight to HCMC – Departure (B)
At leisure before transfer to airport for your departure flight back home. End of our services
Package includes:
+ All transfer & transport by private car with AC, including airport transfers
+ All accommodation on double/twin share basic with daily breakfast
+ Internal airfares and tax: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap, Siem Reap – Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang – Hanoi, Hanoi – Hue, Danang – HCMC
+ Boat trips as mentioned in the program
+ Local English speaking guide
+ Meals as indication (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner)
+ Admission fees and permits where applicable
+ Government taxes & service charges
Package excludes:
- International airfares and International airport departure tax
- Visa and visa arrangement (upon request)
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Meals that not indicated
- Other personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
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