Indochina World Cultural Heritage Discovery (14D/13N)
Luang Prabang – Vientiane - Savanakhet - Lao Bao – Quang Tri - Hue – Danang - Hoi An - My Son – HCMC - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Day1: Arrival in Luang Prabang (-, -, -)
Meet on arrival at Luang Prabang airport and transfer to your hotel. Have an afternoon sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang, considered as the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. Explore the shrine of Wat Mai, famous for the five–tiered, timber-framed roof, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, and That Makmo. Then take walk to the nearby Wat Aham, built in 1818 in classic Luang Prabang style, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Next, walk 328 steps uphill to the summit of Phousi Hill passing by various temples for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded Wat Chamsi stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. In the evening explore Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection of handmade textiles and woodcarvings by local and hill tribe people from the surroundings of Luang Prabang. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves - Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Enjoy a unique sight of the early morning ritual parade of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents and visitors, and from there have a stroll around the nearby morning market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. After hotel breakfast, have a short-guided tour of 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. Then board a traditional river boat cruising upstream the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape, the tranquil countryside along the journey. On arrival, explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. After the river trip, drive to the famous hand-weaving village of Ban Phanom. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B, -, -)
Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Transfer to the airport for a 40-minute flight to Vientiane. Meet on arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport in Vientiane and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Have an afternoon city tour of the major sights of the capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest and most interesting pagodas in Vientiane, featuring remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha statues. The next stop is at the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, where, once housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image, contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. Continue visiting the imposing Patuxay Monument, well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. The final stop is at the famous and most sacred sculpture of That Luang Stupa, built by King Setthathirath in 1566, this great sacred stupa is considered as the Laos’ national symbol. Stay over night in Vientiane.
Day 4: Vientiane – Savanakhet (B, -, -)
Depart a 480 km journey to Savannakhet, a bustling trade center and the second largest town in Laos, which lies on the Mekong River bordering Vietnam and Thailand. On the way, enjoy the beautiful landscape and have some stops to visit the friendship bridge, the Buddha statue park, Wat Prabath Phonsane (Temple of the Footprint of Buddha) and a tribal market. Then stop over at Thakek, 116 km from Savanakhet to visit the ancient city wall made of stone and the Sikhotthabong Stupa. Continue driving towards Savannakhet, visit Ban Nateuy and Inghan Stupa, located 15 km from Savannakhet, a holy relic that attracts a number of pilgrims. Stay overnight in Savannakhet.
Day 5: Savanakhet - Lao Bao – Quang Tri - Hue (B, -, -)
Visit the central market before departing a 250 km drive on the Trans-Asia Highway to Lao Bao immigration checkpoint. After finishing the customs and immigration procedures at the Denesavanh/Lao Bao border check points, continue another drive of about 155 km along Route 9 and then Route 1A to Hue. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue (B, -, -)
Enjoy a full day tour of Hue, a former imperial city of Vietnam. Explore the Royal Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with geomancy. The next stop is the lively Dong Ba market. In the afternoon pay visit to the elaborate mausoleum of King Tu Duc (ruled 1848 – 1883). Then, drop into Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue, and from here take a boat cruise along Perfume River returning to you hotel. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B, -, -)
Depart for Hoi An via the Pass of Ocean Clouds and the scenic fishing village of Lang Co. Along the way stop to visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture (closed on Monday) with the World’s finest collection of some 300 Cham sculpture exhibits dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries and the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An (B, -, -)
In the morning, have a walking tour of the ancient town centre. Stroll around the Japanese and Chinese Quarters to visit a number of temples, pagodas, communal houses, traditional shops, local markets and other places of interest and watch local daily activities, handicraftsmen at work and a lively show of traditional dancing and music. Afternoon relax on the beach or enjoy hotel facilities. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Danang – Ho Chi Minh City (B, -, -)
Transfer to Danang airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Have an afternoon sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly called Saigon). Visit the History Museum (closed on Monday), the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, then have a short walk along the shopping Dong Khoi Street from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Municipal Theatre. Continue to drive to bustling Cho Lon (Chinatown). Drop into the lively Binh Tay wholesale market before visiting Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Stop over at a lacquer workshop on the way back to your hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, -)
Mekong delta, famous for its vast rice fields and most beautiful landscapes. Board a traditional boat for a cruise on Mekong River and observe the daily life along the river (a floating house raft village and floating fish market). Continue to cruise around the islets of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix, and stop over at Phoenix islet where local handicrafts, rice paper and sweets from coconut are being produced. Take a short ride on a horse carriage and enjoy a leisurely walk through coconut orchards to view the daily life of local people. Next, drop into a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea and enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music performance. Enjoy a sampan ride through the small canals and then, continue your boat trip along the river to visit Dieu Hong fish-breeding raft. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before driving back Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City –Cu Chi - Phnom Penh (B, -, -)
Morning drive 70 km to Cu Chi, famed for its elaborate network of over 200 km of three-story underground tunnels hand-dug by local people during the Vietnam War. Crawl down a tunnel to feel the underground life, and then test your marksmanship with an AK rifle at a local rifle range (optional with surcharge). Then drive to Moc Bai border check point for a land journey to Phnom Penh. Traveling time including customs and immigration procedures at the border check points is about 5 hours. On arrival in Phnom Penh transfer to your hotel for check-in. Stay overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 12: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, -, -)
Have a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh to include the Notorious Tuol Sleng Museum_ the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge, the central market of Phnom Penh, the Victory Monument, the National Museum with a collection of art sculptures presenting different periods of Khmer history, the Silver Pagoda located in the Royal Palace, famous for its 5,000 silver floor tiles and solid gold Buddha statue encrusted with 9,584 diamonds (weighing 90kg), and the Wat Phnom Temple. Transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for an evening flight to Siem Reap. Pick up on arrival at Siem Reap airport and transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13: Siem Reap (B, -, D)
This morning pay visits to Ta Prohm, a filming site of Lara Croft's adventures in "The Tomb Raider", and the famous Angkor Thom which comprises the Southern Gate, the famous Bayon complex, Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon explore the famous 12th-century temples of Angkor Wat, covering 81 hectares with their five distinctive towers emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. Then walk up to the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the western Baray and Angkor Wat at sunset. In the evening enjoy a buffet dinner with a presentation of Khmer dancing & music. Stay overnight in Seam Reap.
Day 14: Departure from Siem Reap (B, -, -)
Visit "Les Artisans D' Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles" and a local market. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Note: The tour itinerary is sometimes subject to small modifications depending on weather and road conditions, flight schedules, hotel room availability. Vietnam-entry visa must be obtained and stamped in the passport by a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad prior to traveling.
