Grand Indochina 18 days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival day (D)

Tonight our group will gather for a welcome dinner and review the trip plan.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B,L,D)

A full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital includes sights such as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Quan Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge of  beautiful West Lake. After lunch continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and a leisurely cyclo tour of the Old Quarter, which will give you insight into the past charms of colonial Hanoi. We finish the relaxing but informative day by visiting the world renowned water puppet theater; where the rich cultural history of Vietnam unfolds through puppetry, music and song.

Day 3: Halong bay (L,D)

Depart for Halong city. Boat trip to Halong Bay with stops to see breath-taking limestone caves. Lunch on board with fresh seafood. Afternoon is devoted to swimming and kayaking between the islands and exploring remote and deserted beaches. Return to the boat at 6p.m for dinner on board. Enjoy a free evening of leisure and overnight on board

Day 4: Halong bay – Hanoi - Hue (B,L)

Enjoy an early morning dip followed by breakfast. At midday we will return to the main harbor driving back to Hanoi.

We have access to a hotel day-room for a shower before we catch the overnight train to Hue.

Day 5: Hue (B,L,D).

Arrival Hue, the royal city of Vietnam’s last ruling dynasty and transfer to visit Tu Duc tomb.

Lunch at Club Garden restaurant, followed by a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Danang across the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), traveling through many pretty red-tiled villages with fruit orchards, while enjoying spectacular views of the sky and sea.

We also visit the Cham museum on the way to Hoi An. Meet late afternoon for a short walk around Hoi An ancient town before dinner.

Day 7: Hoi An - My Son sanctuary (B,L)

Take a half day trip to My Son sanctuary - the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Upon returning to Hoi An, the afternoon is free to relax, perhaps browsing for souvenirs in Hoi An’s art galleries and silk shops, or maybe cycling to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An- Danang - Ho Chi Minh city (B,D)

In the morning our vehicle will take us back to Danang  for afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Half day city tour followed by a Vietnamese home concert and a dinner cruise along Saigon river. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 9: Cao Dai temple & Cu Chi tunnel (B,L).

 A trip to Tay Ninh temple is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels. Free evening to enjoy the vibrant night life of Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh city fly Siem Reap (B,L)

Morning flight to Siem Reap. In the afternoon visit the Roulos group of temples at Angkor. From there proceed to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng for a truly memorable sunset over Angkor.

Day 11: Angkor temple complex (B,L)

Drive to the Angkor complex to visit Pre Rup and the East Mebon en route to the exquisite Banteay Srey. We then return to Siem Reap for  lunch and an afternoon  visit to majestic Angkor Wat.

Day 12: Angkor temple complex (B,L)

This morning we visit one of Angkor’s most fascinating ruins: Ta Prohm. Then Banteay Kdei and the nearby lake of Sras Srang. After lunch we visit Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm temple.

Day 13: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B,L)

Travel to Siem Reap by boat. Today we will have an adventurous boat trip to Phnom Penh – an opportunity to soak up the scenery and local life in Cambodia. Check into hotel in Phnom Penh and afternoon city tour.

Day 14: Phnom Penh  – Vientiane. (B)

Free day to wander around the markets in Phnom Penh before flying to Vientiane.Free evening to explore.

Day 15: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B,L)

Vientiane drive to Luang Prabang. Enjoy a morning city tour followed by a visit to local temples and the victory monument before driving through magnificent scenery to Luang Prabang.

Day 16: Luang Prabang (B,L)

Today we visit the Royal Palace museum,Golden city monastery and temples arround  followed by the morning market and Ban Phanom weaving village. Later we have a boat trip on the Mekong river to the holy caves of Pak Ou including a picnic lunch.

Day 17: Luang Prabang (B)

After a long visit throughout Indochina, here is a good pace for you to relax, shop, note things and pack for your flight home on the next day.

Day 18: Luang prabang - Vientiane - trip ends

Flight back to Vientiane for departure. Tour ends at the airport