13 Days Indochina Highlights Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Arrived in Hanoi

International Flight: Excluded
Upon arrival, the hotel shuttle will greet you at the airport with a welcome sign and transfer you to the hotel nearby (less than 5 minutes).

Accommodation: Paragon Noi Bai Hotel and Pool

Day 2: Hanoi – Hue | Flight to Hue

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
The shuttle will bring you to the airport, then take a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: The Scarlett Boutique Hotel

Day 3: Hue | Hue Imperial Citadel and Tombs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, you’ll start with a visit to the Perfume River, a river famed for it’s natural scenery and numerous flowers that cover it’s shores. Along the river, you’ll see Vietnamese daily life up close. Your boat will take you to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Then you’ll visit Tu Doc, a compound with the private royal residence and a tomb which also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Archaeologists have attempted to find his body and the vast treasures, legends have held, that are contained with it. However, these attempts have failed as the body was buried in an inconspicuous place in the large compound unknown to this day. You’ll then continue on to see the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern tomb with ornate decorations inside.

Hue Royal Citadel – 13 Days Indochina Highlights Tour

Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.

Hue Citadel

In the afternoon, you’ll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off-limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in the Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

Accommodation: The Scarlett Boutique Hotel

Day 4: Hue – Hoi An | Road Trip to Hoi An | Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk

Meals: Breakfast
Our tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then you’ll be escorted by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you’ll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you’ll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. After you cross the summit, you’ll approach a steep and narrow descent where you’ll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

As you reach the base, you’ll travel alongside the beaches of Danang where you’ll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon.

Then you’ll approach Hoi An with beautiful countryside, hills, river views, and seaside coasts. Our tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Heritage Ancient Port Town

In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th-century Hoi An port town in it’s preserved state. You’ll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s.

Then you’ll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China’s influence in the region. You’ll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors, and more. You’ll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it’s imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You’ll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Little Hoi An – A Boutique Hotel and Spa

Day 5: Danang – Siem Reap | Leisure Day | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you will transfer by flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.

Hoi An Beaches – 13 Days Indochina Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 6: Siem Reap | Angkor Thom by Bicycle | Water Blessing Ceremony | Massage at Bodia Spa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.

The biking tour will start at the South Gate – a photogenic bridge at the gateway of the stone city of Angkor Thom which has made its way into many Hollywood movies. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Visit Bayon Temple where you will be surrounded by 216 gigantic stone faces which fame as “Khmer Smile”, you will also visit the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Stop your cycling trip with a visit to the local monastery to chat with monks and see their daily life. Then take part in a Water Blessing Ceremony. We will provide a change of clothes for you – a traditional Sarong which you will wear during the ceremony.

In the afternoon, go to visit Ta Prohm Temple – a jungle monastery with trees overcoming stone. This temple has been featured in many Hollywood films, including Tomb Raider and Transformers 3. On the way back, stop to see the Killing Fields of Wat Thmei. Our guide will relay to you the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.

In the evening, our guide will bring you to Bodia Spa. We will arrange a 1-hour massage for you there.
Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 7: Siem Reap – Luang Prabang | Sunrise at Angkor Wat | Flight to Luang Prabang

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Before the light of the day, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world. Our guide will arrange a light picnic breakfast for you to enjoy in front of the world’s #1 Heritage Site. Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.

Angkor Wat Temple – 13 Days Indochina Highlights Tour

Have some leisure at the hotel before taking an early evening flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

A location so often ignored by travelers, but truly a must-see spot. Luang Prabang has been listed since 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage for its unique architecture, cultural and religious significance. The historic town is at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 8: Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang Heritage

Meals: Breakfast

In the early morning, you can join in the alms giving ceremony where a procession of monks pass the hotel as participants solemnly give sticky rice and other objects into their bowls. Then start the day tour with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We’ll also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

Late afternoon, transfer to the forest temple of Wat Phon Phao for watching a stunning sunset over the Laos countryside. Return to the hotel for leisure time or explore the night markets on your own.

Accommodation: Indigo House Hotel

Day 9: Luang Prabang | Elephant Sanctuary at MandaLao | Tree House Dinner on the Mekong River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, transfer to MandaLao – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the sanctuary caretaker and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the morning, you’ll take place in the following activities:

• Locate the elephants with the caretaker;
• Feed the elephants under the guidance of the caretaker and learn about their behavior;
• Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby river to bathe your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!
• Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant

Then return to your hotel for leisure time in the afternoon.

As dusk is settling, transfer to a nearby secluded restaurant with a treehouse along the Mekong River. Enjoy sunset cocktails and dinner at the tree house villa. Delicious Laos dishes will be brought to you as the sun is setting along the horizon. Return to the hotel for the evening at leisure. Subject to availability at the time of booking.

Accommodation: Indigo House Hotel

Day 10: Luang Prabang – Hanoi | Leisure Day | Flight to Hanoi

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore Luang Prabang on your own or relax at the hotel.

Take an evening flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in the French Old Quarter for check-in.

After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay Luxury Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, take a shuttle transfer to Haiphong where you’ll enjoy some time at Orchid’s Private Lounge for refreshments until boarding. Then board Orchid Cruise.

Receive a safety briefing and check in your cabins. The boat sets adrift for Da Chong islet, home to an old French lighthouse. Enjoy a sumptuous feast in the panoramic dining hall while en route to the isles of Con Vit and Gia Luan. The bay opens up to you with stunning green karsts towering above the water. This area receives very few cruise ships as it has just been newly opened up. Continue to Ba Trai Dao beach of Lan Ha Bay. A paradise with perfect beaches and natural beauty. Stop at one of the beaches for swimming or kayaking during the afternoon.

Lan Ha Bay – 13 Days Indochina Highlights Tour

As dusk approaches, welcome the sunset with a local specialty – “Ba Kich”(a liquor made from Noni fruit). Back on board, you’ll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets. Enjoy your creation! Then time for supper in the dining hall. Delicious Vietnamese cuisine and seafood in a romantic setting. After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or give night squid fishing a try with the staff(subject to seasonal availability).

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 12: Hanoi | Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Return to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early for one of the top best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Enjoy breakfast in the dining hall before taking the journey to explore the area around Sang Tai sea cave via canoes.

Return to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 13: Hanoi | Farewell!

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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