AAST-Cabodia, Vietnam and Laos

Exploring Indochina - Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue - Hanoi- Halong Bay - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

About the Program

Length: 17 days
Min/max: 6/15
Tour type: deluxe cultural expedition

This exploration of Indochina offers unmatched vistas of the beauty and history of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Your trip starts in Cambodia with the mysteries of the temple sites at Angkor Wat. Located in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, this ancient capital of the Khmer Empire was the centre of a civilization with the highest spiritual values. Here body and spirit, art and religion, town and land combined in perfect balance.

In Vietnam, you will journey from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south, to Hanoi, the capital, in the north. Vietnam retains much of its old-world charm while striving to take its place among its developing neighbours. Geographically, Vietnam is a land of contrasts, from deltas to jungles, pristine beaches to mist-shrouded mountains.

As you travel the length of this remarkable country, your most lasting impressions will come from meeting the local people. They are hard-working, educated and friendly. After decades of isolation, they are extremely open to contacts with visitors.

Last on this journey is Laos, the “Land of a Million Elephants.” It is a land-locked tropical wilderness punctuated by golden temples. Two-thirds of Laos consists of mountain ranges, highlands and plateaus. The Mekong river is the country's economic lifeline.

Echoes of the region’s chaotic past and tragic wars will colour the memories of your contacts with its gentle, friendly and welcoming people and their lush and tropical lands.

HalongPix

 

2011 - 2012
Contact us for more information.


COST (Per Person)
Land only (twin): upon request 
Single supplement: upon request 

Price includes:
  • Domestic air and land transportation
  • Transfers in each city
  • 4 & 5-star hotels in major centers and best available in remote areas
  • Meals
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees
  • Service of English-speaking guides
  • Travel manual

Price excludes:

  • International airfare: home city to Phnom Penh / return from Luang Prabang
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters and hotel staff
  • Personal expenses


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boy&buffalo

Daily Itinerary

Day 1, Tuesday - Phnom Penh

Upon arrival Phnom Penh, greeting at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Morning at leisure.
Afternoon visit the Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, National Museum, and Toul Sleng Museum.
B/L/D Amanjaya Hotel

Day 2, Wednesday - Phnom Penh/Siem Reap
Fly to Siem Reap in the morning. Afternoon, set out to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat– one of the world’s most impressive sites. Sunset tour to Phnom Bakheng, one of the two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Angkor Wat site
B/L/D Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel

Day 3,Thursday- Siem Reap
Today we continue your exploration with a visit to the royal city of Angkor Thom. Afternoon continue your visit to picturesque Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.
B/L/D Sofitel Royal Angkor Hotel

StoneFaces


Day 4,
Friday - Siem Reap/Ho Chi Minh City
Take the one-hour mid-day flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
B/L/D Caravelle Hotel

Day 5, Saturday - Ho Chi Minh City

This morning enjoy a private cooking class with a well-known Saigonese chef, Mrs Cam Van. In the afternoon, city sightseeing includes visits to the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ben Thanh Market and Reunification Palace.
B/L/D Caravelle Hotel

Day 6, Sunday - Ho Chi Minh City

Early morning excursion to Cu Chi to view tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. On to Tai Ninh and the Cao Dai temple.
B/L/D Caravelle Hotel

Day 7, Monday - Ho Chi Minh City/Danang/Hoi An
Fly to Da Nang. and drive to the ancient port of Hoi An. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the ancient Hoi An town center and take in the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties.
B/L/D Hoi An Life Resort

 Monks


Day 8, Tuesday - Hoi An/Da Nang/Hue
In the morning visit the Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains. Travel to Hue through the Pass of the Ocean Clouds with incredible mountain vistas.
B/L/D Morin Hotel

Day 9, Wednesday - Hue
Boat trip on the Perfume River, viewing the Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of the emperor Minh Mang. In the afternoon, a tour of the former Imperial Palace.
B/L/D Morin Hotel

Day 10, Thursday - Hue/Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the morning is at leisure. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Literature followed by a discussion on Vietnam’s culture and history with Dr. Huu Ngoc, a well known historian. Afterwards, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. In the evening, enjoy a special water puppet performance, an art form that originated in Northern Vietnam over hundreds of years, You will have the opportunity to interact with the water puppeteers about their experience after the show.
B/L/D Hanoi Hilton Opera Hotel

Day 11, Friday - Hanoi/Halong Bay
Drive east through the Red River Delta to the stunning natural wonder of Halong Bay. On arrival in Halong Bay, meet and transfer to a private traditional junk boat. Cruise out in the Bay among 3,000 limestone islands to explore several islets, caves and grottos.
B/L/D Huong Hai deluxe junk boat

Day 12, Saturday - Halong Bay/Hanoi
In the morning continue our boat excursion. We return to the dock at 12pm to say goodbye to the crew and drive back to Hanoi arriving late afternoon.
B/L/D Hanoi Hilton Opera Hotel

Day 13, Sunday - Hanoi
Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the the beautiful Museum of Ethnology
B/L/DHanoi Hilton Opera Hotel

Day 14, Monday - Hanoi/Vientiane
Fly to Vientiane, Laos. Visit the major sights such as Wat Sisaket, Wat Hopha Keo, Pratuxai, That Luang Stupa and Ban Nongboua Thong.
B/L/D Settha Palace

Day 15, Tuesday - Vientiane/Luang Prabang
Fly to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour of the ancient imperial city and its many beautiful temples, including Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and Wat Xiengthong,
B/L/D La Residence d’ Phouvao


WaterFall

Day 16, Wednesday - Luang Prabang
Travel on a long-tailed boat for a few hours along the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from a mere centimeter to two meters in height. In the afternoon visit Lao villages famous for wood papermaking and silk weavings.
B/L/D La Residence d’ Phouvao

Day 17, Thursday - Luang Prabang
Transfer to airport. Depart for home city.
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