ITA Travel - Combination tour 15D/14N : THE BIG INDOCHINA ADVENTURE

Day 1: Vientiane – Arrival (-/-/D)

Arrive in Vientiane. Transfer to hotel. City tour including Wat Sisaket, Hor Prakeo and the traditional hand weaving village Ban Nong Bua Thong.

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B/L/D)

Morning visit Lao National History Museum, the Buddha Park and the Central Market.  Transfer to Luang Prabang by plane. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel by our driver and guide. Depend on your time, after a short rest, we begin our sightseeing tour of some of the major sights in this fabulous city, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and Wat Mai, climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. From there we experience the hustle and bustle of the colourful Night Market where you can find a selection of traditional textiles, gifts and souvenirs made by the local people. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuangsi Waterfall (B/L/D)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panaromic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon.

We continue our excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. The Khouangsi Waterfall setting really illustrates paradise. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang -  Siem Reap (B/L/D)

Transfer to Siem Reap by plane. In the afternoon, visit the Angkor National Museum a profound cultural landmark in Siem Reap placing in the area of 20,000 Sq.m. which combined together The Museum: The world-class museum that reveals the legend of Golden Era of Khmer Kingdom, and The Museum Mall: The lifestyle landmark providing completed facilities and recreation services for both tourists and local community. After 5pm visit Sunset from top of Bakheng Hill.Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B/L/D)

After breakfast drive to the fortified city of Angkor Thom.  Start at the Southern Gate, continue on to The Bayon and its beautifully crafted central towers. From here visit the Elephant Terrace, which was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall and then continue to the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon visit the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Day 6: Siem Reap – Saigon (B/L)

This morning we bid farewell to Cambodia and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known by its former name, Saigon. This afternoon Begin our sightseeing by visiting the former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum, the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral and the French style central Post Office.  Also visit Cholon, the Chinatown of Saigon where we see the huge Binh Tay wholesale market. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 7: Saigon - My Tho – Saigon (B/L)

Explore the Mekong Delta, the heart of South Vietnam, dotted with rice paddies and fruit plantations.  Take various boat trips amongst the smaller tributaries to visit local floating markets, villages, home industries and plantations.

Day 8: Saigon – Hue (B/L)

Free at leisure or downtown shopping. Then, transfer to airport for a short flight to Hue. This afternoon, Afternoon visit the typical Royal Tombs of Minh Mang and enjoy the beauty of Tu Hieu pagoda.  

Day 9: Hue (B/L/)

Boat trip on Perfume river to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue by coach to visit the Imperial Citadel. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Tự Đức Tomb.

Day 10: Hue - Hoi An (B/L)

Heading south of Hue is Hoi An. On our journey we make stops at the sensational Marble Mountains and the display of Cham’s sculpture. The scenic route passes fishing village of Lang Co before through Hai Van tunnel.

Day 11: Hoi An (B/L)

Sightseeing of Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The tranquillity and charm of this town with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 12: Hoi An – Hanoi (B/L/D)

Take a morning flight to get to Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital is one thousand year old city with peaceful lakes, French styled buildings, old quarter streets, three lined boulevards, brightly painted temples and pagodas. Enjoy a tour in the afternoon with Literature Temple, Hoa lo Prison, Ethnology Museum and a cyclo drive around Hoan kiem Lake and Hanoi's Old quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi – Ha Long (B/L/D)

Transfer to Halong. Upon arrival in Halong bay we board our Junk for the overnight boat trip. After lunch we begin our fantastic cruise in Halong Bay. The scenery is truly breathtaking and is continuously changing. This includes a visit to Sung Sot Cave, round over Tuan Chau Island, Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island and a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on board while watching the sunset. 

Day 14: Ha Long – Hanoi (B/L/D)

After an early breakfast we continue our cruise to visit Man‘s Head island, Tortoise Island, Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain. Upon our return to Halong city we have lunch on board, and then board our transport back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Enjoy Water Puppet show.

Day 15: Hanoi – Departure (B/-/-)

Airport transfer for your flight out. Home sweet home.