Spirit of Indochina

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam!
Transfer to the city for hotel check-in
The remainder of your first day is free to relax and adjust yourself from jetlag.
- Once dearly called Diamond of the Far-east with the luxury level overriding that of Hongkong or Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City is now the most populated city in Vietnam. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Oriental style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense.

DAY 2: SAIGON SIGHTSEEING & FOOD TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

After the first night relaxing, today you will be ready for your Vietnam Tour with the morning visiting the featured sites of Saigon such as the War Remnants Museum; The former Presidential Palace; Ngoc Hoang Pagoda; The Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Post Office. Around noon, get dropped at your hotel or a certain place in the city where you request. You will have free time to continue exploring the city or just relax until getting picked up again late in the afternoon for an exciting food tour. Sitting on the back of local Vespa riders, moving around to taste a variety of local food for your dinner. This is the best way to experience Vietnam’s traditional dishes.

DAY 3: MEKONG EXCURSION

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

You will have a full day to visit the lush Mekong Delta today. After 2.5-hour transfer by car, you will arrive at Ben Tre. Get on your private motorized boat and cruise on Ben Tre River (a branch of the Mekong). Have stops at various local workplaces such as coconut candy, coconut shell workshop. You also have time to take a gentle walk along a rural road, enjoying the peaceful countryside. The walk includes a visit to a local temple. After that, get back on your boat for a further cruise before taking an interesting experience of riding a local motor cart (Xe Loi) on green roads through the orchards, coconut, and banana
plantations (You can ride bicycles on the same roads instead).
Lunch is served at a local restaurant, then you take a rest or spend time in the orchard, enjoy many kinds of tropical fruits. In the afternoon, embark on a sampan boat ride, rowing along a narrow creek under the shade of water palm trees. Return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City to end the excursion.

DAY 4: CU CHI TUNNELS - FLY TO SIEM REAP

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

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In the morning, 8:00 Start with a 1.5-hour drive to Cu Chi tunnels. Get an overview of Cu Chi by watching a documentary. Your guide walks you around to witness the traps, bunkers, trenches, and experience crawling a piece of the underground tunnels. After the tour, drive to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for you to catch the VN 3825 flight at 13:40 to Siem Reap. After 80 minute, your flight will arrive in Siem Reap. Get picked up and transfer to the city center for hotel check-in. Relax and spend the night in Siem Reap.

DAY 5: SIEM REAP (ROLUOS GROUP & ANGKOR THOM)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

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Head into the actual Angkor complex today with a visit to the Roluos Group. Roluos is the site of an ancient center of Khmer civilization known as Hariharalaya, built by the Angkorian kings in the 8th and 9th centuries. Roluos consists of three main temples: Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko. In addition to the temples, enjoy a trip through the surrounding countryside (paddy fields and sugar palm trees) aboard an ox-cart ride, a fun way to get in touch with rural Cambodia and its friendly people.

The final destination is Roluos Pagoda, where Buddhist monks will perform a private blessing ceremony, wishing health and safe journeys – a memorable experience!

In the afternoon visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate before heading onwards to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th-century masterpiece is known for its 54 faced-carved towers, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King.

DAY 6: SIEM REAP (TA PROHM & ANGKOR WAT)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

As usual, breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a tour of some different Angkor temples, exploring the Small Circuit via local ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai tuk-tuk). The most illustrious of these temples is the 12th-century Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is unique in the fact that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. It is by far one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. The visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.

Lunch and rest at a different restaurant in town around noon.

In the afternoon, set out to visit the legendary Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat was constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings, bas-reliefs, and over 2,000 Aspara dancers. Construction of this national icon (found on the Cambodian flag) is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor to complete.

As this is the last evening in Cambodia for you, a Khmer farewell dinner accompanied by traditional Apsara dance will be an experience to remember.

DAY 7: SIEM REAP - LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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In the morning, you’ll drive about 45 minutes into the countryside near Siem Reap, stopping en route to visit a local village, arriving at a boat quay for a 1½ hour ride on Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia, seeing many communities on floating houses and boats, including schools, markets, police stations..., and freshwater aquariums with different fish species displayed – an interesting example of floating village life. Also, an ox cart tour is a safe journey in Cambodian village bear by the rural area. Take Ox-cart riding for 30-40 minutes around a typical village to enjoy the daily life of Cambodia countryside. You will also stop along the road to take photos of real Cambodian life and houses on stilt. Then, get transferred to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, get picked up for hotel check-in.

Included Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos

DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR & KUANG SI WATERFALL

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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After breakfast, we’ll visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. From there, we will take the boat downstream the Mekong River to Ban Sing, enjoying the peaceful scenery of the countryside. We will then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. You can also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall. Arriving in Luang Prabang, we will also take a look at the Traditional Art & Ethnology Center to learn about the many Lao ethnic groups. From there, we will ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.

DAY 9: SHANGRI LAO MAHOUT EXPERIENCE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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Today, you will have most of the day outing at an elephant camp.
Between 8:30 am – 9:00 am Picked up by our English-speaking guide from your hotel lobby and follow the shangri-Lao program as follows:

• Arrival at Shangri Lao Resort: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants

• Receive Bottle: To reduce plastic bottle usage, we give out reusable aluminum water bottles that you will fill up and refill with water and take home with you after the tour

• Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants, including one baby elephant

• Explore Elephant Village: Visit elephant hospital, museum, photo gallery, and dung paper making area

• Mahout Training: Receive your basic mahout training on how to control an elephant just like a mahout!

• Bareback Elephant Ride: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1 km bareback elephant ride! One person per elephant

• Lunch: Dine at our Shangri Lao Restaurant. A three-course set menu lunch is served (vegetarian options available)

• Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan River for an exhilarating once in a lifetime bathing experience!

• Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax, dip your feet or take a swim in the clear, cool water

• Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang between 3:30 pm and 4:00 PM

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG - HANOI

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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After breakfast in your hotel, take a long-tailed boat for a 2-hour upstream ride on Mekong River to visit Pak Ou Caves. The caves are located in sheer limestone cliffs, these include two large caves and both of them repositories for thousands of Buddha images. Along the boat ride, you will enjoy peaceful countryside scenery with villages and gardens on the banks. Before getting back to the city, make a stop at Ban Xanghai village to witness how Lao’s traditional rice wine distilled. You may want to try a sip and feel. Lunch is in Luang Prabang. After that, transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Get picked up on arrival and transfer to the city center for hotel check-in.

DAY 11: HANOI CITY TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

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Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travelers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city center.
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel. Start the city tour with Ba Dinh Square, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, view of the Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho's house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university.
Set menu lunch at a restaurant in the city.
The afternoon visits include Hoa Lu Prison, Women's Museum, Ngoc Son Temple and Water puppet show, a typical northern Vietnamese art form.

DAY 12: HANOI - HALONG BAY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on boat

Today you will leave Hanoi and drive North-east (approx. 4hours) to the well-known Halong Bay. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at the pier, you will board a boat for exploring the bay, the views that you get while navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops are incredible. Lunch and dinner are served on board. The activities of today include a swim in the bay in warmer months. You may have a chance to do some kayaking (optional and extra cost involved, depends on different boats) as well.

DAY 13: HALONG BAY CRUISE –FLY TO HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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This morning get up early this morning for some fresh air on the open deck and join the Tai-chi class for some gentle moves if you wish. Otherwise, you are able to remain in your cabin until breakfast time. After breakfast, the crew will pull up the anchor, start the engine again for more cruising to another part of the bay. After visiting a big limestone cave, the boat is gently heading back to the pier. The early lunch (Brunch) will be served aboard. Around noon, you are ferried in and take about a 4-hour drive to Noi Bai airport for the short flight to Hue City in Central Vietnam. Get picked up at the airport and check into your hotel in Hue City for the night.

DAY 14: TOUR OF HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

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Start your day with a cyclo ride (local rickshaw) through a part of the city of Hue to observe the excitement of Vietnam’s last capital. Get dropped off and walk to visit the UNESCO listed Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your tour guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily during the Tet Offensive, there are some well-preserved sections still intact and others that are being restored. After visiting the complex of Hue Monuments, you will move on to visit Ming Mang Royal Tomb which is a few minutes to drive from the city. Minh Mang was the second Nguyen Emperor whose interest in architecture brought major new construction to the The Imperial City of Hue. His tomb is set in a large garden on the west bank of the Perfume River, with lakes and pavilions built in the old Chinese traditional style. Followed by another stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument, which stands on the riverbank with its impressive seven-story tower. Thence, take a boat trip along the romantically named Perfume River for the way back to town.

DAY 15: HUE – HOI AN

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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Packing up and have breakfast at the hotel before checking out for the morning drive to Hoi An ancient city. When you get out of the city, the scenery gets beautiful along the drive, especially while you are getting over Hai Van Pass -a scenic mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co beach. You are able to have some stops for taking photographs. Arrive at your hotel in Hoi An, check-in and take a short rest. After lunch, accompany your tour guide for a walking tour to visit the ancient town with major sites of Hoi An. including a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a The Chinese assembly hall and a museum. You will notice a distinctly Chinese appearance to the pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets.

DAY 16: COOKING CLASS & OLD TOWN WALKING TOUR

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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After breakfast, get picked up and make the way to the cooking class. Start the day at 8.15 a.m. visit Hoi An’s colorful market. Boarding the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view the local river life. On arrival, explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chefs before you prepare the same dish yourself. After the lesson, you will enjoy your excellent work. In the afternoon, the tour guide will join you on a walking tour which offers you a chance to see how charming the Old Quarter area is. The sites include the Japanese Covered Bridge; Phuoc Kien Assembly; Tan Ky ancient house; Hoi An Culture and History Museum and Quan Cong temple. The evening is on your own discovery.

DAY 17: HOI AN FREE DAY

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

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Today is yours to discover Hoi An by yourself or just spend your time enjoying the facilities of the hotel and sunbathing on the beach. Hoi An is also knowns as a good place for custom made cloth and shoes...

DAY 18: HOI AN - FLYING TO HO CHI MINH CITY - DEPARTURE

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

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Today is your last day!
Breakfast is served at the hotel as usual.
Free at leisure until getting picked up for the airport transfer. Take a short flight from Danang City to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City where you will catch your international flight home.
Goodbye Vietnam! End of service.