Our 17- day off the beaten track tour covers the worthiest images of Indochina with so many incredible landscapes, ancient monuments and historical sites of Lao, Vietnam and Cambodia. Create your own memorable experience about these splendid destinations.
Day 1: Arrive to Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in Saigon and transfer to your hotel. Today you are free to explore the city on your own. Meals are on your own and overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel (B, L)
This morning, start the tour by visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. After lunch, you will drive out of the city to Cu Chi Tunnel which features an over 200km tunnel network. This is an important and main site for war damage and defoliation during Vietnam War. Come to visit this area for about 1 hour and afterwards, you will enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war). Back to Saigon. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Saigon.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B, L)
In the early morning, you will leave Saigon to visit various workplaces such as a small brickwork atelier, a coconut processing workshop and a local mat-weaving house in Cai Be. It’s a wonderful chance to greet locals and enjoy a hearty lunch in a nice riverside restaurant. Relax on a sampan before driving to Can Tho. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Can Tho.
Day 4: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
This early morning, check out your hotel and get on a motor-boat to visit Cai Rang floating market – an important site along Mekong River. You will then visit the ancient house called Binh Thuy, the site for film ‘The Lover’. Back to Saigon and enjoy lunch en route. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Saigon.
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City Flight to Danang – Hoi An (B)
Today, you will transfer to Danang by Vietnam Airlines. Arrive in Danang, then take a city tour to Cham Museum and travel a little further out of Danang to reach Marble Mountains. Continue to transfer to the delightful town of Hoian and check in your hotel there. Free at the rest of the day. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoian.
Day 6: Hoian Free (B)
Free day in Hoian for relaxing or discover the ancient town. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hoian
Day 7: Hoi An City – Transfer to Hue (B)
Hoian ancient town one of five UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites in Vietnam which used to be a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. Nowadays, this quaint riverside town is well-known among tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops and numerous cafés. This morning, you will join a half-day walking tour to explore Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year-old Tam Ky ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, you are free to meander in Hoi An until the transfer time to Hue. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue City Tour (B, L)
This morning, you get on the Dragon Boat for transfer to the countryside following the romantic Perfume River. Your first destination is the towering Thien Mu Pagoda (the Lady Pagoda) which offers you great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. The pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, Buddhism in Vietnam and King Minh Mang’s Tomb. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue to visit Hue Citadel and King Tu Duc’s Tomb. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue Flight to Hanoi. Hanoi City Tour (B)
This morning, you are free until transfer time for your flight to Hanoi. Airport pick up to your hotel and then you will be free for lunch on your own. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature and then Hanoi Old Quarter within 2 hours. Meals are on your own and overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)
Today, you will take a scenic drive to Halong Bay for a traditional cruise trip at around noon. Relax while the cruise sails to the bay’s center. Stop to visit TiTop Island. From here, you can either choose to swim or capture stunning view of Halong bay by joining a short trek to the top of the island. Meals included. Overnight on board.
Day 11: Halong – Hanoi (B, L)
Early risers are highly recommended to enjoy bay view in the morning and capture great photos. After breakfast, start to visit a beautiful grotto and the back to the boat. Transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own and overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi Fly to Luang Prabang (B)
Morning pick up and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Luang Prabang by our driver. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, our guide will greet and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for free. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 13: Luang Prabang Buddhist Ancient City And Temples (B, L)
Today you will visit the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday) and then the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the groun. Stop by the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham before lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Arts and Ethnology center to explore more about Lao’s diverse ethnic cultures. The journey continues with visit to Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek weaving villages before returning to the city for a visit to Wat Mai in the afternoon. Finally, climb on Mount Phousi and admire great sunset view. dinner on your own and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 14: Boat Trip to Pak Ou Caves / Khouang Si Waterfall (B, L)
This morning, you will board a cruise to reach Ban Xanghai village where mainly produces rice wine and rice whiskey. Continue to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. After lunch with a local dish called ‘Orlam’, on the way to return, you will visit a traditional weaving village called Ban Phanom which is famous for hand woven textiles. The next destination is Khouang Si Waterfall that you can make your own choice of swimming or walking leisurely along forest trails. Dinner on your own and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 15: Luang Prabang Fly to Siemreap (B)
Morning transfer to take a flight to Siemreap. Start your excursion with visit to Tonle Sap Lake – the biggest Southeast Asia fresh water lake. You can take a leisure boat trip along the lake to enjoy great views of mangrove forests. Continue to visit Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake. Meals are on your own and overnight in Siemreap.
Day 16: Angkor Temples (B, L)
Today, you will join a flexible trip itinerary to visit Angkor Thom City’s South Gate and listen to various stories about it long time ago. Stop by Ta Prohm, a mystical enclave in which tree roots intertwine with ancient ruins and don’t forget to capture splendor photos of Bayon, which is located at the center of this great walled city. You can explore more destinations on your own or follow our guide. The next destination is Baphuon temple, Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper Kinds and the famed Angkor Wat. In the afternoon, spend time enjoying the galleries of carvings which tell stories from the story Ramayana and the peaceful reflecting pools and giant moat which all make Angkor Wat unique. Finish the tour and back to your hotel in Siemreap. Dinner on your own.
Day 17: Siemreap Departure (B)
Free until time for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home by our driver. Trip ends.
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