Indochina Trip: Vietnam - Laos & Cambodia 20 Days 19 Nights

06.30:  We'll arrive at Lao Cai Train Station. Our guide will collect you up at the exit gate and take you to your hotel

After having  a shower and breakfast

09.00: Be ready at your hotel lobby, our tour guide will transfer you to Y Linh Ho Village of the Black H’mong. We'll begin a 2km trek down to Lao Chai Village, through terraced rice fields to Ta Van Village of the Dzay Minority People. We will have lunch with a local family, which will give you a chance to learn about the local house architecture and their daily lifestyles and customs. Enjoy the landscapes of terraced fields, corn fields...on the way. Last trek is about 2km to Ta Van Village.

Get in the car to transfer back to the hotel for check in. Free time. Overnight in Sapa

Includes: Hotel; transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

09.00: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, start touring by transfering to Cat Cat Village. Take a walk down the South-West Of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong. It is located in the foot of Fansipan Mountain. You can learn about their way of life and see traditional clothing being made, hemp being dyed and women weaving the French during the colonial time in Vietnam

Then walk through Muong Hoa Valley for 3km along rice terraces and small dwellings to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. You will have the opportunity to see traditional wooden homes built using the indigenous Pumu tree. Transfer back to hotel. Get the afternoon bus at 15.30 to transfer back to Hanoi

Up on the arrival in Hanoi at around 21.00, our staff will transfer you for check in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi

Includes: Hotel; transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; entrance fees, bus tickets Sapa - Hanoi 

08.30: Meet your tour guide at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and embank on a city tour of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. In the morning, you will visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum Complex. This is one of the most important and attractive sites in Vietnam, a pilgrimage site where "respect" and "reverence" are the key words.  Then wander the grounds to see Uncle Ho’s House-On-Stilt, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda which worships the Godess of Mercy - the most unique pagoda in the world

Then, continue to visit The Temple Of Literature – Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070 - dedicated to Confucius, sages and talented scholars. Once inside you will be able to observe  the stone steles mounted on the backs of turtles, which are inscribed with the names of Vietnam’s best scholars. This temple underscores the importance of eduction to Vietnamese society, both now and in the past.

Leaving for a legendary Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple dedicated to a former general commander Tran Hung Dao for his struggle against Mongolians. Lunch will be served in a restaurant 

In the afternoon, you will go to visit the Museum Of Ethnology (close  on every Monday - Friday). You will  have a great chance to learn about our culture, custom, languageonservation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of the nation’s different ethnic groups.

After the tour, we continue to transfer to the airport for flight to Danang. In Danang, tourguide welcome, transfer to hotel, check in and overnight in Danang

Includes: Hotel; transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast and lunch; all entrance fees, air tickets: Hanoi - Da Nang 

It embraces numerous Champa Temples, in a valley roughly two kilometers wide and surrounded by two mountain ranges. The kings of the Champa dynasty helhave around  1.5 hours  to see a large complex of religious relics that encompass more than 65 architectural works. UNESCO designated the Cham architecture in My Son Holyland as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999. Afterwards we'll have lunch in a restaurant

After lunch, we will take a short visit Hoi An Ancient Town

You will be collected at your hotel lobby and taken on a tour around the town: Walk to the ancient city, visit the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Kwan Temple,Tan Ky Old House, Japanese Cover Bridge and the Historic & Cultural Museum in Hoi An. Continue to Cam Thanh Coco Palm Forest, have a fun time with the locals here on their daily circle boat. Comeback to the hotel for relaxing 

Includes: Hotel; transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast and lunch; entrance fees include Coco Palm Forest fee

After breakfast, it's time for checking out and settling your billful mountains in Central Vietnam and visit Non Nuoc Village at the foot of the mountain. Continue to Lang Co Beach and coastal fisherman village, we will stop somewhere on the way to catch the best moments for our cameras

Arrival in Hue in the early evening, check in the hotel and overnight in Hue

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

08.30: Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in the city center to start the tour. We will first visit Thanh Toan Bridge – a rare tiled roof bridge in Vietnam. This wooden arched bridge has been built for the local villagers who make a living from farming and fishing. It connects the local market and the village houses.

09.30: A visit to Minh Mang Tomb which is considered the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. This impressive architecture that complements nature gives you a good impression of the Emperor who lives within the walls of the 18 hectares tomb. An hour later, we'll go to Khai Dinh Tomb - the smallest but most expensive tomb of all. Every corner of the tomb is very detailed which reflects how luxurious the emperor was. It's a mix of architectural styles, Eastern and Western

12.00: Have lunch in a local restaurant of Vietnamese cuisine. Around an hour and fifteen minutes later, we'll visit Hue Imperial Citadel - home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty - Nguyen Dynasty. This is the highlight of the tour. You will learn the rise, struggles and fall of the Nguyen Dynasty and how it affected the whole country

15.30: Visit Heaven Fairy Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) - the oldest pagoda in Hue City. Half an hour later it's time to get on a dragon boat to cruise on Perfume River (Huong River ) and back to the hotel for relaxing. Overnight in Hue 

Includes: Hotel; transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast and lunch; entrance fees include the Perfume River Dragon Boat

Breakfast at your hotel, then, check out. Our tour guide and private car will come to your hotel to transfer you to the airport for Hue - Ho Chi Minh City flight

Arrival in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be met by your tour guide, and depart for Cu Chi Tunnels to explore the amazing site, where Viet Cong hide during the War. It's become a popular destination now, with both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. At their high point,ving areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Good evidence exits of the fierce battles that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering them. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. When we've finished we'll partake of some tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food in war time). Continue to the hotel in the city center for checking in. Overnight in HCMC

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

08.00: Departure for Mekong Delta. On the way, you will enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered with fruit farms, coconut forests and green rice fields

Once you get to My Tho we'll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. We'll continue ont o Tortoise Isltourist attractions in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan in the shadow of the water coconut trees, along natural canals, then enjoy some seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese Folk Music", performed by locals.This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home a private collection of your own beautiful memories

A family business, which epitomizes this idyllic rural lifestyle, will be our next port of call. You'll taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Meet the bus and return to HCMC. In HCMC, we will take a short visit to Thien Hau Pagoda, Binh Tay Market where you will not only see the daily exchange in the market, but witness a special Chinese lifestyle in a small part of busy Siagon. Comeback to the hotel and Overnight in HCMC

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees, boat trip in Mekong Delta 

08.00: Once the home of President of the former Southern Vietnam until 1975 (1960 - Apr 1975) Ngo Dinh Diem, Reunification Halll will be our first destination today. It will be an opportunity to see a great many important and  beautiful things: formal meeting rooms, private bedrooms and war rooms, 10 meters beneath the earth’s surface

This place still plays a crucial role in the life of Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon. Our English speaking tour guide will give you some significant historical facts about this building and some French colonial designs such tructed by the French in the late 1870s. As you walk into this neo - Romanesque cathedral, you will be greeted by a large statue of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is decorated by two, tall spires flanking either side.

Next visit is The Central Post Office, resembling a beautiful and grand railway station, and built by Gustav Eiffel, this building is evidence of the French presence in the late 1800s. We'll pass City Hall - and find out why this is one of the most impressive buildings in Ho Chi Minh City - Sai Gon. City Hall was completed in the early 1900, and is a splendid example of French colonial architecture

After the city tour, we will continue to the airport for the flight Saigon - Siem Reap. In Siem Riep, our other guide and private car will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Siem Reap

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees, flight ticket: Saigon - Siemreap

Around 7.00am, we'll pay visit to the bewitching Ta Prohm which had once nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown to this day, an oddly haunting and exotic scene feelings that will stay with youforever. We'll then visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. Some lovely Apsara carvings from the Angkorian era of art are still owned by the temple. Lunch is served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon, we'll head out to explore the mysterious Royal City Angkor Thom. City & Bayon its 54-tower temple is an awe-inspiring sight. First glimpse seems to reveal a shapeless mass of stone, but further investigation reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the mysterious and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from remote era. Then a visit to the surroundings of the complex, including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace & Royal Place Area. Come back to the hotel and overnight in Siem Reap 

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

07.00: We'll visit Roulous Temple Group, which is only a short drive away, and is among the oldest Khmer Monuments in the area, dating back to the 9th century reign of indravarman  It's also part of the former city of Hariharalaya. Explore these peaceful temples and soak up the local atmosphere away from th small land based village attached to it. Its's a remarkable mangrove forest, unique in the Siem Reap Area. You'll go aboard a boat and cruise the waterways observing the authentic and diverse lifestyle of the local floating community. One the way back to Siem Reap, we'll have lunch with locals in the chress village, learning about the local lifestyle by talking to the old man who was the village chief during the Khmer Rouge regime and visiting the local orphanage and primary school (suggested visit period is between September and early February)

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees including boat trip

After our first meal of the day, we'll spend a short time in Siem Reap until our driver is ready to collect you and take you to the airport, for the flight to Phnom Penh. In Phnom Penh, our guide & driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Check in at the hotel & free leisure time

Ian Market

Phnom Penh, the capital city was once thought of as Indochina'S loveliest city. Despite its recent, turbulent history, it still manages to retain it's considerable charm. A city tour acquaints us with some of the major sights of Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace's private quarters are now home to the royal family and are very close to the public. The Silver Pagoda is at the northern  end of the palace, and is the most sacred temple in the country. We'll visit the National Museum, which is dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period, dating from the 9th to the 15th century, but some date from as early as the 4th century. The City tour is also recommended in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control that the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the “Russian Market”, where anything and everything is for sale

Overnight in Phnompenh

08.00: Departure for Cheoung Ek Killing Field. This tranquil expanse of green fields in Cheung Ek fails to suggest the horrors that have taken place there. Located 17km from Phnom Penh Town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. A large memorial has since been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of the Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This view into the me and will give you some idea of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced in their history and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation

Afterwards, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Phnompenh - Vientiane. In Vientiane, our guide will pick up and transfer you to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Vientiane, Laos

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

Once we've had breakfast, we'll leave the capital for our journey northwards. Our drive will take approximately 4 hours passing through spectacular countryside before we climb up to the mountains. There will be a chance to stop and take photos along the way and we'll also pay a vist to a colorful, local market where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions.

We will arrive in the midst of the stunningly beautiful scenery of Vang Vieng in time for lunch at the Organic Farm, where you can eat traditional Laos food and sample some roasted goat cheese and mulberry wine.

We'll pay a visit to the prominent and iconic Than Jang Cave after lunch, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. The rest of the afternoon you're free to explore Vang Vieng by foot or bicycle, take a boat ride up river or just relax at your hotel. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

We'll spend our morning driving further into the mountains, passing stunning scenery and numerous hill tribe villages along the way. Lunch will be taken at an elevation of around 1,300 meters above sea level, surrounded by the endless mountain peaks that dominate this remote region

After lunch, we continue on along Routg. Once you've checked in, you can freshen up at the hotel for our evening at the Traditional Baci & Cultural Show (optional). Baci is a Phi Ritual which celebrates important events and occasions, like births and marriages and also entering the monkhood, departing, returning, beginning a new year, and welcoming or bidding. Tying strings around a person’s wrist to preserve good luck is a ritual of Baci. Whilst eating dinner, you'll enjoy a traditional dance performance. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees

08.00: After rising early, there'll be a chance to take part in the daily morning ritual of Alms Giving, which consists of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This is a unique to Laos tradition, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

Once we've completed breakfast, we'll start our trip to Khouangsi Waterfall, stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, where all the  locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping. You'll observe many different local products and foodstuffs, including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at Khouangsi Waterfall, you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary. Below the falls we'll have a picnic lunch.

Upon return to Luang Prabang, we'll get in our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves contain thousands of gold lacqe.

Returning to Luang Prabang we'll disembark from. our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax. 

Farewell dinner will be organized at the local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Includes: Hotel, transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch & dinner; all entrance fees

After eating, we'll set off in the morning for a bicycle tour of the city, visiting the Royal Palace Museum, which is home to a range of fascinating artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. Continuing on, we'll visit the oldest temples in the city, including the spectacular Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the shrine of Wat Aham and the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun

After having lunch at your hotel and relaxing, we'll pay a late afternoon visit to the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. You can enjoy a coffee at the centre’s cafe if you wish,  before our climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa

Lunch will be served in the local restaurant and then, transfer to the airport for the flight out of  Luang Phrabang, Laos back home or to your next destination

Includes: Transport; English speaking guide; meals: breakfast & lunch; all entrance fees