Essential Indochina in 17 days

March 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrive in bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. As passengers will be arriving at various times today, there are no planned activities.

Some suggestions include: Taking a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. In the evening attend a performance at the famous Water Puppet Theatre. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) or Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (the mausoleum and museum is closed in October-December).

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Transfer by road (approx 3 hours) to Halong Bay to board a traditional 'Junk' boat which will be home for the evening. Halong Bay is considered Vietnam's greatest natural wonder; expect to be awed by the amazing limestone karsts jutting dramatically from the water. Perhaps a pre-dinner swim or kayak before enjoying a seafood dinner and a very peaceful night beneath the stars.

Take the opportunity to visit some of the caves en-route and stop at one of the secluded bays for swimming (weather permitting). Overnight will be spent on the boat which has comfortable air conditioned private cabins.

Day 3: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B,L)
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast served on board as the Junk continues to cruise throughout the morning, stopping by the islands of Man's Head and Turtle Island. A visit to Luon cave by small bamboo boat is also possible. After an early lunch on board the boat, head back to Hanoi with time for shopping or further sightseeing until our overnight train to Hue.

The train to Hue is part of the famous Reunification express. This is a local basic train and we have 4 berth shared cabins.

Day 4: Hue (B)
Arrive in the morning to Hue, which was once the imperial capital. We can visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of one of the Nguyen Emperors.
On the morning of day 5, take a tour of the Citadel which contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968, significant restoration work has since occurred. After the tour, we board our bus to Hoi An.

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An (B)
In the morning, we go on a guided tour around the Citadel which also contains the Forbidden Purple City, modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Badly destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 significant restoration work has since occurred.

Late morning we board our private bus and make the 4 hour drive to Hoi An crossing over Hai Van Pass (subject to weather conditions). We may also have time to stop at Lang Co Beach. We will arrive in Hoi An late evening.

Day 6: Hoi An (B)
The picturesque port town of Hoi An, once known as Fabio, was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. As you walk amongst this living museum you could visit sites such as the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping Mecca for tourists in the region – tailors can produce virtually anything overnight – clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and other crafts abound.

Day 7: Hoi An – Da Nang (B)
Just north of Hoi An is Danang, a major US military base during the war and site of an excellent museum documenting Cham art and history (4 hrs total)

Day 8: Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that was once the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.

During your free time you can take a tour by cyclo (rickshaw) to various sights around town. See Notre Dame Cathedral, Gustav Eiffel's Post Office, the Opera House, Rex Hotel, and town hall or you may wish to visit the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels west of Ho Chi Minh City. With our guide, explore the underground network of man-made tunnels dug by the local Vietnamese to hide and fight during the war.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Chau Doc (B)
Travel by bus (approx 6 hours) through the Mekong Delta to the town of Chau Doc where there is time to take in the local culture and experience life on the river.

Day 11: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B)
We cross in to Cambodia by boat. After breakfast, we board the public boat and head up the Mekong to the border. After completing the border formalities we continue on to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, arriving mid-afternoon. After years of civil strife and political turmoil Cambodia is open for visitors. In the afternoon, explore the cities many sights including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.

Day 11: Phnom Penh (B)
Today we witness the dark side of Cambodian history with visits to Choeng Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished.

Afterwards, you have free time to explore the cities many sights: the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. There is time to visit the huge Russian Market packed with souvenirs and all the necessities of daily life. Late afternoon is a great time to visit Wat Phnom where the sanctuary for which the city is named once stood. It is a Buddhist shrine, although a Taoist goddess and numerous monkeys also reside here, and one of the pleasure spots for residents of the city. A drink in one of the many riverside café’s watching the sunset is a fitting finale to the day.

Day 12: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)
After a short flight to Siem Reap, explore Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom and one of the wonders of the archeological world. Rediscovered at the end of the 19th century by French explorers this vast ruined city is becoming one of the most popular sites in Southeast Asia

Day 13: Siem Reap (B)
Visit some of the highlights of this ancient capital, like the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, also known as the 'Tomb Raider' temple.

Day 14: Siem Reap (B)
Today you will be entirely free with full day relaxation before taking a long journey in next day. Let’s refresh your energy!

Day 15: Siem Reap departure (B)
Departure is after breakfast, when our tour ends

Tour price:
•   3* star: 1,419$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
•   4* star: 1,889$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)
•   5* star: 2,289$ Per Person (Min. 2 persons)

What's Included
Entrance to Halong Bay caves, Halong Bay boat trip and with lunch and seafood dinner, Imperial Citadel and tomb, Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta day trip, Phnom Penh cyclo tour, Entrance to Tuol Sleng and 'Killing Fields', Entrance and guide to Angkor Wat temple complex

Group Size
Max 15, Avg 10

Group Leader
local guides.

Accommodation
Hotels (14 nights), sleeper train (1 night), junk boat (1 night).

My Own Room
Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops, with the following exceptions:
Night 2, Halong Bay boat; Night 3, Sleeper train

Transport
Train, local bus, air conditioned bus, walking, flight, cyclo, boat.

Meals Included
12 Breakfasts, 01 Lunch, 01 Dinner.

Meal Budget
Allow USD250 for meals not included.

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