LAND OF INDOCHINA 15 DAYS

Breakfast at hotel. Thailand has over 26,000 ‘Wats’ or Temples. This tour brings you to the 3 most famous temples in Bangkok.

Wat Traimit ‘Temple of the Golden Buddha’ boasts a statue of Buddha which is made from solid gold. It weighs 5.5 tons and is a fine example of Sukhothai art.

Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ which is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, a great place also for a traditional Thai massage. It is also the seat of Traditional herbal medicine School.

Then continue visit to the The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), these two sites form what many consider the greatest spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to 1782 (when Bangkok was founded), the entire compound consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics. Because of its popularity, this destination is often extremely crowded, but still an essential part of any trip to Bangkok.

Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional ceremony and is no longer the royal home (the present King Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok's nearby Dusit district). The interiors of most of the buildings in the Grand Palace are closed to the public.

Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound and is the home of the country's most famous Buddha statue (also known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure has a long and interesting history that is tied to the royal family and once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in a high position in the Wat to signify its important status in the Thai kingdom. Rest of day, free to walk at your pace, "City of Angels" and discover the charms of one of the oldest cities of Southeast Asia. Take the opportunity to stroll around Sanam Luang, the royal park and venue of many religious events or watch the gorgeous sunset behind the Temple of Dawn, near the Chao Phraya river.

Return to your hotel and free at leisure for your own activities. Overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, Laos, where you are met and transferred privately to the hotel.

This afternoon sightseeing to include the city’s most important temples, Wat Xiengthong and Wat Phoussy before climbing Phoussy Hill for views over the city and river.

This evening a dinner and a welcome Baci Ceremony is scheduled.

Early morning. See the dawn procession of monks collecting alms through the streets of Luang Prabang. Comeback to the hotel to haver breakfast, then take a private boat cruise along the Mekong to Pak Ou. A local boat cruise is probably one of the most rewarding ways to discover life along the river. As you cruise along, observe the daily activities of fishermen, how they throw their nets in and rely on the water for their livelihood. For the villages settled along the Mekong, the river plays an important role in their daily life and usually represents the only means of transportation and commerce.

Two hours upstream from Luang Prabang, disembark to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. The statues range in size from a few centimetres to the height of a person and are crammed into the cave which is nestled in a limestone cliff. The caves are a destination for local pilgrimages.

On the way back, visit a weavers village and the Royal Temple of Wat Longkhoune and Chompet.

Breakfast at hotel. Start your city tour this morning at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Finish at the local market before transferring to the airport for the flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Warmly welcome on arrival in Noi Bai airport, meet & greet service by our guide. Transfer from the airport to hotel by private air conditioned vehicle. Enjoy welcome drink when check in hotel. The rest of the day is free on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

We suggest 02 options:

Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh complex (Closed on Mondays and Fridays mornings and whole September and October for annual repairs). Visit One Pillar pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Our next stop will be the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070. The temple is dedicated to one of the world’s most famous scholars, Confucius. Inside the temple grounds huge stone stele rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnamese culture the turtle represents longevity).

After your lunch at Cha Ca street with “Cha Ca La Vong”, a favorite dish of Hanoian - Listed in 1000 places to visit before you die, we continue to enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets.” This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you. We will travel around the famous Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword.) - The heart of Hanoi Capital.

Start your evening with a traditional water puppet performance (Roi Nuoc). The stage is actually a large container of water where the characters (carved wooden puppets} “act” out the story. Most of the stories are whimsical and fun, and the puppeteers stand in waist deep water behind a screen controlling the puppets with rods that mostly are under the water.

Have your dinner at Dinh Lang restaurant with Vietnamese traditional music. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at hotel. We depart for Ha Long city (170 km), approximately three hours away to visit Halong bay (a World Natural Heritage site and a New World’s Wonder). Halong bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes with 1969 islets. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, other support floating villages of fishermen. You have chance of observing scenic country side of Vietnam dominated by enormous lush rice field.

Upon arrival in Halong. Check-in between 11:30 - 12:00 at the boat port. Enjoy a refreshing “Welcome cocktail” upon check-in on the sun deck. Enjoy your lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks islet, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet, the Soi Sim island. Arrive at Surprise grotto - one of the most famous grotto in the entire Halong, we will visit the cave by tender. After taking a lot of photos and admire the beauty of the cave we will visit the fishing village by local rowing boat with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations then we return to the vessel for free time at your leisure. You can swim in the clear emerald waters, soak up the sun over a cool beer on the top deck sun lounge or try your hand at some kayaking (your account) amongst the huge limestone outcrops that surround us. We retire to the junk and relax on the top deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar. Enjoy and learn the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. Your delicious seafood dinner will be served at the restaurant. Stay overnight on cruise for a more in-depth experience.

(The itinerary above may be changed depending on the cruise we choose and weather permitting).

We suggest 02 options:

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze.

Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. Back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock with Set Menu or Buffet Brunch served in the dining room.

On the way back to Hanoi, visit Tho Ha the famous village of terracotta products before 20th century. Discover village through narrow and zigzag alleys with the old houses had been constructed from broken part of terracotta from the past. Walking over village cemetery to the dike, where you can see the village from distance over the beautiful lake.

Drive to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Danang.

Upon arrival Da Nang airport, you are welcome and then be transferred to Hoian ancient town (35km). Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

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Breakfast at hotel. This morning your private tour takes you 40 km southwest of Hoi An to My Son, the former capital of the Champa Kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage site comprises dozens of red brick towers and temples, dating from between the 7th and 13th Centuries.

This afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour of Hoi An. Visit the colourful local market, the well preserved house of Tan Ky in typical courtyard style, the Fujian Assembly Hall and the 400-yearold Japanese covered bridge. You can also see silkworms being reared and the production of silk for the city's textile industry.

We will enjoy Amazing Sunset Cocktail cruise on Thu Bon river. Admire a glorious sunset while enjoying cocktails with family and friends. A perfect way to start the evening. The sun is low in the sky and the wind is gentle. Excellent calm water cruising. A complimentary cocktail is served upon boarding, having some snack and setting the scene for the unforgettable evening ahead. On board, we also served food with set menus and A la carte menu, so you can order your dinner.

Free your time to relax or discover the hidden charm of Hoian town.

Today is at leisure to enjoy the resort or further explore Hoi An.

Breakfast at hotel. You will be met and transferred to Danang Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You are welcomed by our guide and driver at Tan Son Nhat airport and then be transferred to the center of Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon.

The interesting highlight in the afternoon will be our exploration of the west of the city of District 5, the sprawling, densely packed Chinese neighborhood (Chinatown) called “Cholon”, meaning “big market”. Here we will explore Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the oldest and the most interesting pagodas in the city; stroll in the fascinating Binh Tay Market, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T shirts to electronics.

We will also tour the Thien Hau Pagoda built by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. We end the day at the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts.

Enjoy your special dinner on Indochina junk, cruise along Saigon river, enjoy your dishes and listening to traditional folk music, sing and dance. You will have relaxation-time to catch the over view of the city, people working at Saigon port. Along both sides of the river are mansions, life of the civilians…Overnight in Saigon.

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Breakfast at hotel. Journey south to the Mekong delta, known as the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam’, and spend a full day exploring one of Vietnam’s most fertile regions and the main cultivation area of rice and tropical fruits.

We transfer to My Tho city (02 hour). It‘s famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. On arrival, take a leisurely boat trip around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands (04 sacred animals of Buddhism). Enjoy a rowing boat ride in the shadows of the water-coconut palms along the tiny canals. Enjoy fresh coconut juice on boat. We will visit the picturesque orchards and sample the freshly picked fruit at the invitation of friendly local farmers. Spend some time in the villages to learn about the daily lives of the inhabitants, enjoying some kinds of tropical fruits while listening Southern traditional music.

We continue to “Coconuts homeland”, Ben Tre - Where you can learn how to make coconut candy. You can try some candies, visit the honey bee farm and try the honey, banana wine, ginger jams, soy beans… made by the villagers

Enjoy a horse-cart around the village to have a look at the orchards and visit local people’s house. Enjoy a relaxing cup of honey tea before returning to My Tho via a natural canal, cruising under the shadows of water coconut palms. You will have a chance to enjoy the famous dish “Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish” at local restaurant. Driver back to Saigon.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

Breakfast at hotel. Free your time at leisure unstill our guide and drive pick you up and transfer to airport where we catch the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival you are welcome and transfer to the hotel.

This afternoon depart your hotel by open-air motor remork (Tuk Tuk) to visit the principal monuments of the ancient Angkor kingdom including the fortified royal city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple, the Elephant and Leper King Terraces.

As the end of the day approaches, we climb to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng for a truly memorable sunset.

We suggest 02 options:

Early this morning visit Angkor Wat at sunrise and after breakfast you are escorted to Banteay Srei, a jewel in pink sandstone. On the way back stop at local communities to observe the production of sugar palm and other local products.

Towards the sunset, drive out to Tonlé Sap Lake, where a handcrafted riverboat will take you on a champagne cruise along the lake during the most beautiful time of the day (depend on water levels, between March and July this cruise may not operate). Enjoy the quiet atmosphere on the water while sipping a good glass of Champagne and lounging in the comfortable sitting and relax areas. A truly romantic and private experience!

Tonight, a special Khmer dinner will be served for you to accompany a traditional Khmer Apsara dance. The Apsaras are legendary characters from the ancient Khmer tale of Reamker, which is closely related to the Hindu Ramayana. It takes years for the dancers to master the the fine and elaborate gestures of the Apsara.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, look around the ‘Small Circuit’ of temples. Start with Ta Phrom. This iconic temple is twined with incredible tree-roots as nature has slowly reclaimed it over the centuries. Originally constructed as a Mahayana buddhist temple in the late 12^th century by Jayavarman VII, it apparently took 80,000 people to look after it, and has been left as it was found in the 19^th century. Though well-known, it can still make the visitor feel like an explorer of old; the crumbling masonry and overgrowth of vines, trees and roots conveying the romance of a true lost civilization.

Transfer back to Siem Reap, have your lunch at Cuisine Wat Damnak. This famous restaurant serves authentic, first-rate Khmer cuisine in a tasteful setting.

You are free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.