Indochina Discovery

(16 days)

 
Bangkok, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi tunnels, Cao Dai temple, Mekong Delta, Danang, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Cave, Kuang Si Waterfall

Prices: Call us for prices
Departure Dates: 2012

Itinerary
Day 1: London to Bangkok
Depart London Heathrow on Jet Airways via Mumbai to Bangkok

Day 2: Arrival Bangkok, City Tour (D)
Welcome to Bangkok, transfer to your hotel for check in and have a short time to rest. Afternoon, enjoy half day tour in Bangkok by visit to the Grand Palace, Chakri Maha Prasad, is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Thai court and was the former residence for the Thai kings. Here are several things to admire: Royal Palace, Dusit Hall (Funeral Hall), Wat Phra Si Rattanasasadaram as the Emerald Buddha Temple and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha Temple) Indian dinner is at a local restaurant.

Day 3: Bangkok- fly Siem Reap (B.D)
After breakfast, transfer to Bangkok airport for your departure flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap airport, you are greeted by our guide and driver then transferred to hotel to leave luggage or freshen up if the rooms are ready as check in time is 2pm. Afterward, we head to the famous Angkor Wat–best preserved of all the Angkor temples. Explore this huge architectural wonder at your leisure before visiting either Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup temple to watch the sunset. Indian dinner is at a local restaurant.

Day 4: Siem Reap (B.D)
Today you continuing full day tour for Angkor complex. Visit the Gate of the Death, Thommanon, Chaosay Tevoda, Banteay kdei, Kravan, Srash Srong, especially Ta Prohm Temple. Later visit Bayon, then Pre Rup, Mebon, Tasom, Neak Pean, that encircled the temple and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 5: Siem Reap – fly Ho Chi Minh City (B.D)
Visit to Banteay Samre temple that contains legend scenes of Vishnu and Krishna. Then fly to Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. On the way to hotel, stopover at Neo-Roman Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Post, Ho Chi Minh City People Committee, Municipal Theatre, Reunification Palace, the old US Embassy the Prime Ministerial building and many more. In the evening, we highly recommend a Cultural Show-Dinner (optional) then enjoy a night show of Traditional Wedding Ceremony and fork music. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi tunnels - Cao Dai temple (B.D)
This trip to Tay Ninh is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Tay Ninh is home to the unique Cao Dai sect, whose religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. The interior is truly engaging as statues of Jesus, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a massive and complex system of tunnels that formed an underground city for Viet Cong soldiers during the American/Vietnam War. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was in some places three storeys deep. Today the remaining tunnels are a major tourist attraction and insight into an important part of Vietnam’s history.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta (B.D)
The Mekong Delta in the south is nicknamed the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam as it produces the majority of its rice harvests, upon which the economy rests. The fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits, vegetables and flowers. Drive to My Tho and then travel by traditional boat along a vast network of canals and channels and visit the local floating markets. Stop in an orchard and visit a bonsai garden, enjoy fresh fruits from local farms. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh city in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City - fly Danang - Hoi An (B.D)
Short flight to Danang. Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. You visit Museum of Cham Sculpture and stone carving villages at Marble Mountains along the way. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An - Hue (B.D)
From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French,Japanese,Portuguese and Arab merchants. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, renowned for its silk and popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century and much of the town is now heritage-listed. Enjoy an interesting town-tour by tricycle. Visit The Japanese Covered Bridge, Ong Pagoda, Hoi An's old quarter. Then continue to Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall , Tan Ky Ancient House, and Hand-made Silk workshop. In the afternoon, drive to Hue and have a look at Lang Co beach along the way to view over beautiful landscapes. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue - fly Hanoi (B.D)
A full day tour to discover the Hue Royal City. Start to visit the Forbidden Purple City, The Nhan and Quang Duc Miradors, Palace of the Supreme Harmony, Noontime Gate, The Mieu Temple - dedicated to ten Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, Royal Tomb of Tu Duc, then The Royal Theater. Afternoon, transfer for a cruise on the dragon-motor boats upstream along Huong River (Perfume River) to visit King Minh Mang Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda- oldest Buddhist shrine in Vietnam. In the evening, take a short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B.D)
Enjoy a half day tour of Hanoi. Visit the Chairman Palace area, Ba Dinh National square, Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda, continue to the Temple of Literature known as Vietnam's first university built on 11th century and Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum. In the afternoon, we take a 3 hour drive to Halong. Overnight at your hotel in Halong.

Day 12: Halong Bay- Hanoi (B.D)
In the morning, enjoy a four to five hour cruise in the Bay. Visit imposing caves, grottoes, shapely islets and calm beaches. In the afternoon, drive back to Hanoi - Old Quarter and its shopping streets. In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi- fly Luang Prabang (B.D)
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang. This morning fly to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of the Lao Kingdom. Check in the hotel and relax. Later you climb to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. You can explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe.

Day 14: Luang Prabang (B.D)
Enjoy a tour around the atmospheric town of Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Visoun, Wat Xieng Thong, the finest example of Luang Prabang architecture, as well as the gilded carved façade of Wat Mai. Also visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace, where relics from Laos’ royalist past remain.

Day 15: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Kuang Si waterfall (B.D)
Take the morning boat trip on the sources of Mekong Rivers. Visit the village of rice wine, Tham Tinh, Tham Phum, Pak Ou caves. Return to Luang Prabang by vans and visit Kuang Si Water Fall. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 16: Luang Prabang- Bangkok departure (B)
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Bangkok. Depart on Jet Airways from Bangkok to London Heathrow via Mumbai.

What is included:
• Return economy flights
• Airport taxes
• Accommodation based on twin share at the above selected hotels, including daily breakfast
• Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
• Local English speaking tour guide during guided time only
• Entrance fees
• Internal Flights: Bangkok- Siem Reap, Siem Reap- Saigon, Saigon- Danang, Hue- Hanoi, Hanoi- Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang- Bangkok
• All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle

What is not included:
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Visas
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature
• Tips and gratuities

Vegetarian meals are available with all our tour packages

*Please note that prices are per person based on based on group of 15 travelling on 1 Jul - 30 Sep (price varies according to group size and travel dates. Single supplement also applies-please call for details). Pricing is subject to availability and change. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information on any of our packages featured or to book, please call us on: 0207 312 1742