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Note the following itinerary can
be customized to be run in reverse, starting in Siem
Reap and finishing in Saigon.
LAOS via
VIETNAM to CAMBODIA tour
Day 1:
ARRIVE IN LUANG PRABANG BY FLIGHT FROM BANGKOK
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and
check-in at hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang
Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city
in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has
preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold
of Lao cultures with its splendid natural scenery and
sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang
Prabang as a World Heritage City.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That
Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then
walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s
major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang
(spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Continue to visit
Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five – tiered
roof of its wooden sim built in the standard of Luang
Prabang style. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding
overview of the city. Sunset at Vat Prabaht Tai, located
along the Mekong River.
Day 02 LUANG PRABANG
Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful
temple. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang
Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to
the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels
housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in
Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal
funeral chapel. Inside are an impressive 12 meter high
funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each royal
family member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the
chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then
board a traditional boat for a trip upstream the Mekong
River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing
thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha.
Picnic lunch at a bamboo cottage overlooking the
confluence between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. Return
to Luang Prabang by boat and continue by car to visit
Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village where traditional Sa
paper is also produced.
Day 03 LUANG PRABANG
Drive to the Khuang Xi Waterfall, located 30 kms
(approximately 1 hour drive) South of Luang Prabang. The
waterfalls tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations
into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and
relaxation. Picnic lunch nearby the waterfalls.
Close to the waterfall is the Khmu minority village of
Ban Thapaene. Take a walk through the village before
continuing to Ban Xom, a lowland Lao village, known for
its cotton production.
Day 04 LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE
Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace)
displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the
Royal Family. Next, visit the Central Market where
ethnic minorities come daily.
Transfer to the airport for flight Luang Prabang –
Vientiane (flight time: 40 minutes).
Meet upon arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer
and check-in at hotel.
Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist
monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city
has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues,
brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture.
In the afternoon visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original
temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the
sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. All other temples
in the city have undergone extensive restoration. Vat
Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha
images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of
Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used
as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest
Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country.
Special displays include antique brass drums and palm
leaf manuscripts. The main structure originally housed
the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s
Wat Phraw Kaew. One of the most photographed images of
Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as
Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is
inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous
Vientiane landmark is the That Luang stupa. King
Sethtathirat built this great sacred stupa, considered
the national symbol, in 1566. Its central structure is
45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an
elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain
relics of Lord Buddha.
Day 05 VIENTIANE - HANOI
Visit the surroundings of Vientiane, including the
Buddha Park and Friendship Bridge (if time permits). The
Buddha Park is a religious sculpture park located by the
Mekong River, 24 KM south of Vientiane. The Buddha Park
captivates visitors with an unusual blend of Buddhist
and Hindu imagery. Short stop to admire the impressive
Friendship Bridge, which links Laos and Thailand. Return
to hotel.
In the afternoon, visit the Morning Market.
Transfer to the airport
17.40 Depart Vientiane by VN 840 for Hanoi
18.40 Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International
Airport, transfer to hotel for check in.
Day 06 HANOI – HALONG BAY
In Hanoi we experience the rich cultural and artistic
traditions of Vietnam’s capital. We visit Ho Chi Minh’s
former residence and mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda &
the Temple of Literature.
Check out of the hotel and enjoy a cyclo ride through
the old quarter past the Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son
temple to a local restaurant for lunch before the drive
to Halong Bay via the Ethnology Museum.
Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) is listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty.
“Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in
Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,500
limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them
containing beautiful grottoes.
Day 07
HALONG – HANOI
Enjoy a relaxing 5 hour boat trip through Halong Bay
with a fresh Seafood lunch prepared and served on board
(please let us know if you do not eat seafood). Cruise
around the islands, relaxing and swimming before
returning to Hanoi.
In the evening we attend a performance of water
puppetry, a traditional art form dating back to the 11th
century and have some free time to explore Hanoi.
Day 08 HANOI - DANANG – HOI AN
At leisure until transfer to airport for flight to
Danang in the early afternoon.
From the port town of Danang we drive the short distance
south past famous China Beach onto the enchanting town
of Hoi An. Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was
one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in
the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese
atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow
streets; the original structure of some of these streets
is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were
constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer
panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars
carved with ornamental designs. We take a walking tour
to discover Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage listed
Ancient town, visiting 300 year old Tan Ky and Phuc Kien
houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An market.
We soak up the atmosphere of these narrow streets, lane
ways and friendly atmosphere before dinner in a local
restaurant to sample some of Hoi An’s culinary delights.
Day 09 HOI AN – DANANG – HUE
Free morning at leisure until boat ride to local
restaurant for an early lunch before the departure from
Hoi An, via the Marble Mountains, over the most
spectacular Hai Van Pass and onto Vietnam’s former
imperial capital and charming town set on the banks of
the Perfume River.
We visit the local Dong Ba market in Hue, where the
famous conical hats are made before an evening of
leisure in this quiet town.
Day 10 HUE - HO CHI MINH
Breakfast at hotel
A morning of culture takes us by dragon boat to the
Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel and the tomb of
Emperor Tu Duc.
In the afternoon fly to Ho Chi Minh. After check in at
your hotel, enjoy Ho Chi Minh (still called Saigon by
residents) by night beginning with a pre dinner sunset
drink at one of the roof top bars and a walk down the
famous Dong Khoi street (formerly Rue Catinat) to a
local restaurant for dinner
Day 11 HO CHI MINH – CU CHI –
HO CHI MINH
In the morning drive to Cu Chi district (150 km from
HCMC) to visit the amazing complex of underground
tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of
underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with
many branches connecting to underground hideouts,
shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl
through this amazing system of tunnels before returning
to Saigon for Lunch.
Afternoon orientation by foot from the Saigon River past
the Opera House, Town Hall & Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit
Reunification Palace (museum) and the famous Ben Thanh
Market.
Day 12 HO CHI MINH - PHNOM PENH
Transfer to the airport
11.55 Depart Ho Chi Minh by VN 817 for Phnom Penh
12.45 Meet upon arrival at Phnom Penh International
airport and transfer to hotel (rooms may not be ready
until the afternoon)
Phnom Penh city tour: Visit the Victory Monument, and
the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A
French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier,
designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains
a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures -
throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by
King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and
the Silver Pagoda. Located within the Royal Palace, the
Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is
made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures include a
solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilos and a
small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.
End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom
Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy
views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during
sunset.
Day 13 PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP
Transfer from hotel to Phnom Penh International airport
Departure to Siem Reap by Siem Reap Airways
International or similar airline.
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International airport, meet
and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until
the afternoon)
In the morning visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom
(12th century): the South Gate with its huge statues
depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon
Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200
smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal Enclosure,
the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace
of the Leper King
In the afternoon visit the most famous of all the
temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple
complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to
the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five
towers are emblazoned on the Cambodia flag and the 12th
century masterpiece is considered by art historians to
be the prime example of classical Khmer art and
architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's
five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains
at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat
symbolizes the ocean beyond. Enjoy the sunset on Angkor
Wat
Day 14 SIEM REAP
For early birds: Sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of the
two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you
will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and
the surrounding plain. Return to the hotel
Breakfast at hotel
Morning, visit Victory Gate, the twin temples of
Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda twin temples, Takeo and Ta
Prohm. The latter is one of the most beautiful temples
in the area. It has been relatively untouched since it
was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its
appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments
of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the
jungles, and looks very much the way most of the
monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorer
first stumbled upon them. Banteay Kdei, surrounded by 4
concentric walls, Srah Srang, "the pool of ablutions"
which was doubtless used for ritual bathing and Kravan
temples with unique brick sculptures
Afternoon, visit the North Gate of Angkor Thom, Pre Rup,
the "Mountain Temple", Mebon Oriental, guarded at its
corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of
which are still in a reasonable state of preservation.
Continue your tour at Ta Som, Neak Pean, a fountain
built in the middle of a pool and representing the
paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake, and Preah Khan
temple, built by the King Jayavarman VII and, like Ta
Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and
shoulder-hugging corridors. However, the temple of Preah
Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and
ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even
improve this situation
Day 15 SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE
Depart Siem Reap back to Bangkok.
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