Indochina Snapshot
18 days,
17 nights
Introduction
Our most popular trip starts in Bangkok and covers the essentials of Cambodia, Laos
and Vietnam
and is a photographer’s dream. Unique
morning rituals in Luang Prabang, scenic Ha Long Bay, the Imperial City of Hue,
treasures of the Mekong Delta combined with the majestic images of Cambodia
will fill you with life long images surely have you coming back for more.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok - Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang
City tour and Pak Ou Cave
Day 3:
Luang Prabang - Elephant Riding - Hanoi/Vietnam
Day 4: Ha Noi City
Tour
Day 5: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay
Day 6: Ha Long - Hanoi
- Hue
Day
7: Imperial Tombs - the Imperial Citadel
Day 8: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi
An - My Son - Da Nang
- Nha Trang
Day 10: Nha Trang – Boat trip to the islands
Day 11: Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City - City Tour
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
- Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi
Minh City
Day 13: Ho
Chi Minh City - Can Tho
Day 14: Can Tho - Chau Doc
Day15: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh/Cambodia - The
Killing Fields - Toul
Sleng Museum.
Day 16: Phnom Penh
City Tour – Fly to Siem
Reap
Day 17: Sunrise
at Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Sunser at Angkor
Wat
Day 18: “Grand Circuit” - Rolous Group –
Siem Reap Departure
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
- Luang Prabang
On your arrival in Luang Prabang, you are met
by a Lao guide. Hotel transfer is
followed. You check into your hotel and if time permits we take a small tour.
We are off to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. The Centre exhibits ethnic clothing, household
objects, religious artifacts, and handicrafts, with information in English and
Lao languages. The Museum Shop sells
books and exclusive handicrafts and photos from ethnic communities.
From here we start our walk up to Wat Phu Si for sunset. Wat Phu Si sits high above Luang Prabang
offering excellent views of the town.
After
dinner we suggest a visit to the Night
Market to examine local handicrafts and souvenirs found only in Luang
Prabang.
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: 1 hour flight/transfer airport by car or minivan
Walking time: 3 hours
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: none
Day 2:
Luang Prabang City tour and Pak Ou Cave
In the morning, we’ll then visit the old Royal Palace
which was built in 1904 during the early French colonial era as a residence for
King Sisavang Vong and his family. The building features a blend of Lao motifs
and French beaux-arts styles. We continue to Wat Visoun which was
built by Visounnarat in 1513. It is the oldest operating temple in Luang
Prabang. We continue to Wat Xieng Thong
which was built by King Setthathirat in 1560. It is Luang Prabang’s most
magnificent temple. We then drive east
to Thai Lu village
of Ban Phanom,
which is well known for cotton and silk hand – weaving. We finish our half day
tour at Ban Xang Khong, Sa paper
making village and back to the town for lunch.
After lunch, we
drive slightly north of town and take a boat across the Mekong River
to Pak Ou Cave. Pak Ou is a popular
pilgrim destination for local people.
The caves are filled with images and statues of Buddha and are a holy
site for Lao People. The upper and lower
caves are explored and we will make an offering. Only a short distance away from the Pak Ou
Caves, lies the village
of Ban Xang
Hai. This village has for centuries made the
earthen jars used as fermenting containers for Lao wine. Nowadays, it
specializes in producing a wide range of lau lao (Lao whisky) and lau
hai (Lao wine). Be sure to try just a little! We return down river by boat
to Luang Prabang is in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our lisl
Transit: Short period transfer from between
locations of City Tour/0.5 hour to Pak Ou by car or minivan/1.5 hours by boat
Walking time: 3 hours
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Elephant Riding - Hanoi/Vietnam
After
breakfast, you depart at about 8:30-9:00 a.m. Together with your local guide,
you will proceed to the Elephant Park Project area about 15 km out of town and
in the middle of a green, natural surrounding just on the banks of the Nam Khan
river. After crossing the small river at the “Lao Spirit Resort”, you will be
introduced to our protected Asian Elephants and go out for a
scenic
ride. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1-1.5 hr.
ride. A stunning landscape, tranquility and lush nature gives you a relaxed
stay on the back of the Elephant. Lean back in your seat and enjoy… On the ride
you make your way through forests and along the Nam Khan river. The ride brings you
to/from the amazing waterfalls of Tad Sae waterfalls in July-January (In the
dry season, Feb.-August, we walk through rice paddies, on the river bank and
into the nearby Village, that is supported through the Elephant Park
Project.) At the Tad Sae waterfall you can hang out go for a swim or a
short walk into the forest. A short boat ride/transfer on the Nam Khan is
also included. We return to Luang Prabang at about 13:30 -14:30.
You
take an afternoon flight to Hanoi.
On your arrival in Hanoi,
you are met by your Vietnamese guide. You transfer to your hotel, check in and,
if time permits, take an orientation in the Old Quarter.
Note - we are working with animals and in the nature, time changes
may appear at any time. Bring shoes that can get wet!
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: Short boat ride/1-1.5 hours elephant ride/
1 hour flight/transfer airport by car
or minivan
Walking time: 1 hour
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 4: Ha
Noi City Tour
Today we spend a full
day exploring the capital city and our first visit is to the Ho Chi Minh
Complex. We first visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - the number one
place of pilgrimage of Vietnam
to pay respect to Uncle Ho. We continue to the
Residential Palace - a beautifully restored
colonial building constructed as the residence of the Governor General
Indochina and now used for official receptions that is not open to public
yet. We then spend time at Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts where he
lived on and off from 1958 to 1969. The
house is built in the style of Vietnam’s
ethnic minorities, sitting in a well-tended garden next to carp-filled
pond. We then continue to One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi’s most famous pagoda is designed to
resemble a lotus blossom, symbol of purity, rising out of a sea of sorrow. Our last visit before lunch is the Temple
of Literature, Vietnam's first
university. It is an excellent example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese
architecture.
We break for lunch at
local restaurant. Afternoon, we continue to the Vietnam
Museum of Ethnology. The
museum features a fascinating collection of art and everyday objects gathered
from Vietnam
and its diverse tribal people. This wonderful museum is quite away from central
Hanoi, but it
shouldn’t be missed. On the way back to town, we’ll visit Tran Quoc Pagoda which is one
of the oldest temple of Vietnam and Quan Thanh
Temple, one of the
four important temples, each located at North, South, East and West of Hanoi
and dedicated to the Gods who are the guardians of the old capital Thang Long.
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: 1.5
hours from location to location by car or minivan
Walking time: 3 - 4 hours
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 5: Ha
Noi - Ha Long Bay
You arrive in Hanoi very early in the
morning, transfer to hotel to refresh and have breakfast. We then leave for Ha
Long through the Red River Delta with its scenery
of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday life in the villages. Upon arrival,
you will get aboard a Traditional Style Junk and enjoying a well-prepared lunch
of local fresh seafood while the junk cruises among thousand of odd shaped
limestone islands. You will have opportunity to visit Surprise Grotto and have
a swim at the Titop beach or follow the steps all the way up to the top for a
view over the Bay below. You will then have dinner on board while watching
sunset. Should you feel like taking
another swim, there will plenty of time. (Additional Option: Kayaking).
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: 2
hours by car or minivan
Meal plan: B, L, D
Day 6: Ha
Long - Hanoi – Hue
You enjoy breakfast in the fresh
air morning and serenity of the bay and the
junk will continue its way among thousands of islets. You will then cruise
through several beautiful views of Teapot
Island, Chopstick Island,
Horse Saddle and even Charles De Gaulle Island. You may wish for a swim before
your lunch is served. The Junk will disembark Halong wharf at noon, where your
bus is waiting to transfer you back to Hanoi.
You will arrive in Hanoi
about 16.00.
On arrival in Hanoi, you have time for
shopping in the Old Quarter and take the evening flight to Hue. You transfer to hotel, check in and
spend the night in Hue
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: 2
hours by car or minivan
Drink:
not included
Meal plan: B, L
Day 7:
Imperial Tombs - the
Imperial Citadel
In the morning, we
take another cruise on the Perfume River to visit the extravagant
mausoleums that were constructed along this water’s edge. We first visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc who had the
longest reign and lived a life of ultimate imperial luxury and then the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, the most
majestic of the royal tombs. Our river journey includes a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, an icon of Vietnam and has become an unofficial symbol of Hue. During 1960s and
1980s, it became a flashpoint of anti-government demonstration.
Afternoon, we’ll then
continue on to the Imperial Citadel
where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled the country between 1802 and 1945 and the Ruins of the Purple Forbidden City
which was constructed for personal use of the emperor and was entirely
destroyed during Tet Offensive 1969.
After our tour of the Citadel, we drive out to Thuan An beach for sunset
over the South China Sea.
Accommodation: Overnight at your proposed Hotel from our list
Transit: Riverboat, 1 hour total by car
Mean plan: B, L
Day 8: Hue - Da Nang
- Hoi An
Today we depart for Hoi An,
another World Heritage Site, via Da
Nang. Along the way we stop at Lang Co Beach - a crystal clear turquoise lagoon beach followed by
the spectacular view from atop Hai Van Pass.
Our next stop is in Da Nang at the Museum of Cham Sculpture
where you can see the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.
Following lunch, we
continue to Hoi An. We check into hotel and stroll around the town visiting the
Japanese Covered Bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1590 by the Japanese community to
link them with Chinese quarter and a few interesting stories about the bridge
will be revealed. We continue to the Museum of Trading
Ceramics
where a collection of white and blue ceramics of the Dai Viet period and a
great ceramic mosaic are worthwhile. Our
next destinations are a sampling of beautiful architecture styles including Tan Ky House - a private home that
features Japanese and Chinese influence, the
Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation - the temples and
pagodas of molded on Chinese style. We end our day by walking along Silk
Street
of Hoi An. You may have your silk clothing made in just a few hours!
Accommodation: Hotel selection from our list
Transit: 3 - 4 hours by car/bus
Mean plan: B, L, D
Day 9: Hoi An - My Son - Da
Nang - Nha Trang
Following breakfast,
we depart for My Son, a World
Heritage site, 40 km southwest of Hoi An. Located in a verdant valley; My Son
was a capital and religious center of Cham people. My Son is considered to be
in the same league as some of Southeast Asia's greatest archaeological sites,
including Angkor in Cambodia,
Bagan in Myanmar and Ayutthaya in Thailand. The towers and sanctuaries were built from
the 7 to 13 centuries and have survived war and time itself with care from Vietnam. Vietnam’s dedication to My Son is
to honor the distinct heritage of the Cham People.
After visiting My Son,
we head straight to Da Nang,
have lunch and take the afternoon flight to Nha Trang. On arrival in Nha Trang,
we transfer visit Cham Po Nagar Temples and
then back to town for check-in.
Accommodation: Hotel selection from our list
Transit: 2 hours
by car/transfer airports
Walking time: 1 hour
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Mean plan: B, L
Day 10:
Nha Trang – Boat trip to the islands
You enjoy breakfast at
the hotel and then take a morning boat
trip to visit islands offshore. With 71 islands in remarkably clear water,
the boat trip to these islands is one of the best reasons for visiting Nha
Trang. We’ll visit the Mun Island and Tri Nguyen Aquarium. Lunch is served on the Tam Island.
After lunch, enjoy swimming and relaxation before returning to Nha Trang.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 30 minutes by car/ boat cruise
Meal plan: B, L
Day 11: Nha
Trang - Ho Chi Minh City
- City Tour
After breakfast at the
hotel, you transfer to airport for an early flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, we take a
sightseeing tour.
We start a sightseeing tour to the Reunification Palace, which was once
the symbol of South Vietnamese Government until end of April 1975, and some
French colonial structures including the Notre
Dame Cathedral – a neo-Romanesque with two 40m-high square towers tipped
and the Old Central Post Office. We
break for lunch, check into your hotel and a little nap if needed.
In the afternoon, we
continue to visit Cho Lon or China Town – a jewel box of interesting
Chinese-style temples such as Thien Hau (the
Protector of Mothers and Newborns and Quan
Am Pagodas (the Goddess of Mercy) – the most active pagodas in Cho Lon. Emperor Jade Pagoda – one of the most
spectacular and colorful pagodas in HCMC and the War Remnants Museum. We end the tour at Ben Thanh Market – a huge indoor market selling all manner of good
surrounded by one of the city liveliest area.
We end our day by late
afternoon. If you feel like thirsty after a long day sight seeing, the local
beer Ba Ba Ba (333) is sure to satisfy!
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: Transfer airport/ 1 hour flight/ short journeys around HCM
Walking time: 3 - 4 hours
Walking
difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B/L
Day 12: Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunnels
Today we drive west to
Tay Ninh, the head quarter of one of Vietnam’s most interesting
religions, Cao Daism. The Cao Dai Great Temple is one of the
most striking structures in all of Asia. On
arrival we attend mid-day prayer session but will not disturb the worshippers.
The hall is filled of colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism – Vietnam’s Triple Religions.
On the way back, we
visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an
underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the
struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation, etc.
and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American War. Cu Chi
has become legendary and a place of pilgrimage for Vietnamese school children
and communist party cadres.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 4
hours by car
Walking time: 2 - 3 hours
Walking
difficulty: Easy, tunnels are
slightly challenging
Meal plan: B/L
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City - Can
Tho
Breakfast is followed
by transfer to Cai Be. Here we take a boat for the cruise on the Upper Mekong
River to visit a Cai Be Floating Market – a bustling river market. Customers in smaller
boats can easily find what they need from wholesalers on bigger boats that hang
samples of their goods from tall wooden poles. The trip to Vinh Long past
beautiful small islands in the river gives an overview to agriculture,
especially the growing of tropical fruit. We’ll also visit a boat building site and some small islands (time
permitting).
At Vinh Long, we have
lunch and transfer to Can Tho. Can
Tho is the centre and largest city of Mekong
Delta. The city is connected to most other population
centers in the Mekong Delta by a system of canals and rivers. We spend the
night in Can Tho.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 3
hours by car, 2 hours by boat
Walking time: 2 - 3 hours
Meal plan: B/L
Day 14:
Can Tho - Chau Doc
Leave Can Tho, we
drive to Chau Doc. The amazing
journey takes us 4 hours to get there. Chau Doc is a pleasant little town
situated on the bank of the Basac
River, close to the
Cambodian border. On arrival, we check in hotel, enjoy lunch in one of many
excellent restaurants in town.
In the afternoon, we
visit a bonsai garden and head up Sam Mountain for a great sunset and a
bird’s eye view over the paddy fields towards Cambodia.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 4
hours
Walking time: 1 - 2 hours
Meal plan: B/L
Day 15: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh/Cambodia - The Killing Fields - Toul Sleng Museum.
We depart at 8am for a boat cruise from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. The boat takes us along the Mekong River.
It continues on to the Vietnamese/Cambodian border and then to Phnom Penh.
The journey takes approximately 4 hours. On arrival, we transfer our hotel and
enjoy lunch at a Khmer Restaurant.
Later in the
afternoon, we head to the Tuol Sleng
Prison Museum
where your guide will explain the history of the Khmer Rouge and walk you
through the different museum displays. After watching the movie they show every day, we drive out to the Killing Fields, where a memorial stupa
and shallow pits remind visitors of the thousands killed under the Pol Pot
Regime.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 4
hours by boat
Walking time: 1 hours
Walking difficulty: easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 16:
Phnom Penh City tour – Fly to Siem Reap
After breakfast, we
start a sight seeing tour around Phnom
Penh. We’ll visit the National Museum
where pre-Angkorean pieces, as well as special pieces from the temples are
housed. We walk over to Silver Pagoda,
located within Royal
Palace compound. It is so
named because of the floor made up of over 5000 silver tiles. We then visit the Royal
Palace to see the amazing royal
collection and the beautiful architecture,
just north of the Royal
Palace. It was built by King Norodom and still is home to the royalty.
We break for lunch and continue to the renowned the renowned Central Market complex until the
flight to Siem Riep in mid afternoon. Upon arrival, we’ll check in and take a
walk around the town. You spend two nights in Siem Riep.
Accommodation: Your choice of hotel from our list
Transit: 1
hours fly, short transfer from and to the airports
Walking time: 2 hours
Walking difficulty: easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 17: Sunrise at Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Sunser
at Angkor Wat
Before breakfast we drive to Angkor Wat to
witness sunrise over the plain of Angkor. We’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and
then begin exploring the temples of Angkor. We start with South Gate of Angkor Thom and then enter. We then proceed with a full tour of this
complex seeing Bayon, Angkor
Thom, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper
King.
Lunch at a nearby
restaurant and in the afternoon we’ll continue on to Ta Prohm and then spend the rest of the afternoon at Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World
Heritage Site since 1992, renowned for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat
features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the
outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Angkor Wat was a
temple dedicated to the Hindu God - Vishnu. It was constructed over a period of
30 years by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1151.
Depending on your choice, we can view sunset
from Angkor Wat or Bakheng.
Accommodation: Hotel or
guesthouse from our list
Transit: 2.5
hours by car
Walking time: at your discretion
Walking difficulty: Easy, temple areas are uneven surfaces and some steep
stairs
Meal plan: B, L
Day 18: “Grand Circuit” - Rolous Group – Siem Reap Departure
Today we continue our tour of the temples of
Angkor Wat and continue what is called the “Grand Circuit”. Our first
stop is Preah Kahn followed by Neak Pean, Ta Som and Pre Rub or Prasat
Kravan.
Lunch today is back in Siem Reap and following
our break, we drive a little east of town for a visit to the Rolous Group of ruins, Bakong, Preah Ko
and Lolei. We return to town and take
evening flight to Bangkok.
Transit: 3
hours by car, 1 hour flight
Walking time: 2 - 4 hours
Walking difficulty: Easy, temple areas are uneven surfaces and some steep
stairs
Meal plan: B/L
Our trip
includes
- English speaking
guide
- Accommodation as
indicated
- Meals as
indicated
- Transfer and
pickup airport
- Transportation by
car or minivan and boat
- Flight Luang
Prabang – Hanoi, Hanoi
– Hue, Da Nang
– Nha Trang, Nhatrang – Hochiminh
City
- Tour as indicated
- Entrance fee
Our trip
excludes
- Other domestic
and international flights not indicated
- Visa & visa
arrangement
- Meals not
indicated
- Drinking water,
soft drink and alcohol
- Tips
& personal expenses
Prices contact info@remoteasia.com
