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Tour Only - DVI01 LAND ONLY
16 Days / 15 Nights Grand Indochina Land Only
Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Hanoi-Ha Long Bay-Hue-Danang-Hoi An-Ho Chi Minh City-Mekong-Phnom Penh-Siem Reap |
 Valid Between: 01/01/2010 - 05/31/2010
Destination: Luang Prabang
Tour Price: $2,628.00
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VI01 Grand Indochina Tour (16 days / 15 nights) - REVISED 2009
Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Danang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
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Day 1: Luang Prabang-Arrival
Arrive at Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour including the Former Royal Palace (now the National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen And Wat Visun. End the day with a memorable sunset from the top of Mount Phou Si.
Overnight in Luang Prabang |
Day 2: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Caves
Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to explore local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Continue with the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to the royal family and nearby Sackarine Caves and continue cruising Pak Ou Caves. Explore caves and cross Mekong River at Ban Ou for lunch at a local restaurant. Return by road to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai, where the residents create a unique rice wine called "lao lao" and continue to typical Lao villages at Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made Jute Sar paper. (B)
Overnight in Luang Prabang |
Day 3: Luang Prabang-Vientiane
After breakfast, visit Luang Prabang Market and a number of shops selling antiques and silver jewelry made by mountain tribes. Transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane, embark on a city tour at Wat Sisaket, housing thousands of wooden, bronze and stone statues of Buddha. The tour includes Wat Pra Keo, original home of the Emerald Buddha and the 16th century That Luang Golden Stupa. The day ends watching the sunset on the banks of the Mekong River. (B)
Overnight in Vientiane |
Day 4: Vientiane-Hanoi
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax or to explore the city's ancient streets. In the evening, enjoy a performance of the water puppet theatre - a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully on water. (B)
Overnight in Hanoi |
Day 5: Hanoi-Sightseeing-Bac Ninh-Ha Long Bay
After breakfast visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's former home and the One Pillar Pagoda followed by the Temple of Literature and Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling Old Quarter. Afternoon drive to Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. On arrival take a horse-drawn cart through country lanes to visit the Dinh Bang communal house and Do Temple. Enjoy local folk songs before proceeding to Ha Long Bay for overnight. (B)
Overnight in Ha Long Bay |
Day 6: Ha Long Bay-Boat Cruise-Hanoi
In the morning, take a 5-hour boat cruise through magnificent Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board before returning to Hanoi. En route, stop at Phu Lang or Dong Trieu ceramic village. (B/L)
Overnight in Hanoi |
Day 7: Hanoi-Hue-Sightseeing
After breakfast, fly from Hanoi to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Take a boat cruise on the Perfume River. Visit the elegant Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Drive to the Citadel and the elaborate tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. (B)
Overnight in Hue |
Day 8: Hue-Danang-Hoi An-Sightseeing
From Hue, take the coastal road to Hoi An as it climbs up and over a mountain pass. Stop en route at the photogenic fishing village at Lang Co. Upon arrival in Hoi An embark on a walking tour of this charming town, visiting ancient merchants' houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colorful riverside market. Visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An's famous lanterns and learn how they are made before having the chance to create your own. Finish the day with a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Thanh Ha pottery village. (B)
Overnight in Hoi An |
Day 9: Danang-Ho Chi Minh City
After an early breakfast, transfer to Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel where the rest of the day is free to explore the city. (B)
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City-Cu Chi Tunnels-Sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. Here "Viet Cong" guerillas built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Highlights include the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. (B)
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City |
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City-Cai Be Bartering-Vinh Long-Can Tho
Drive to Cai Be and take a boat to the floating market to practice the age-old art of bartering. Visitors will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk, etc. which they can then barter for different kinds of local fruits. Continue by river to see familly-run businesses producing a local version of popcorn and rice paper. Lunch is in a local house on Binh Hoa Phuoc islet set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees. Drive to Can Tho. (B/L)
Overnight in Can Tho |
Day 12: Can Tho-Chau Doc
Morning boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market filled with small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares. Cruise through small canals and stop at an orchard. From here take a "xe loi" - a pedicab drawn by a motorbike to visit the Binh Thuy old house and a local market. Afternoon drive to Chau Doc, a trading port near the Cambodian border. Upon arrival visit the Chau Giang fish farm - where fish are raised in cages beneath houses floating on the river as well as the Cham weaving village of Tan Chau. (B)
Overnight in Chau Doc |
Day 13: Chau Doc-Phnom Penh by Boat
In the morning, board the boat for a 4-hour cruise to Phnom Penh giving you the chance to appreciate the immensity of the Mekong River as well as allowing you to see how people live and work along the river. Arrive in Phnom Penh and check in to hotel. Take an afternoon city tour of the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and the oldest shrine in the city, Wat Phnom. (B)
Overnight in Phnom Penh |
Day 14: Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Angkor Complex
After an early breakfast, transfer to airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, check in to hotel. Begin exploration of the ancient city of Angkor by entering Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue by viewing the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terraces, and the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat with its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. (B)
Overnight in Siem Reap |
Day 15: Siem Reap-Angkor Complex
After breakfast proceed to the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva-Banteay Srei-and the Banteay Samre Temple. On the way back, view the Bantey Kdei with its rarely seen sculpted female deities, the Lake of Srah Srang, and the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, which is dramatically enveloped by jungle. Visit the Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada, and Thommanon Temples before returning to hotel. (B)
Overnight in Siem Reap |
Day 16: Siem Reap-Departure
The morning is free for rest or exploration. Transfer to airport for departure. (B)
End of services. |
Special Note: Rates are per person based on double occupancy accommodations. Taxes are not included. Holiday blackouts, peak season surcharge and other restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to change without notice. |
