LAOS, CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM TOUR 15 DAYS

Destination: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou cave/Khuangsi Waterfall/Siem Reap/Phnom Penh/Hanoi/Ha Long/Sapa

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival (G)

Arriving in Luang Prabang, you’ll be met and transferred to the hotel. If time permits, you’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou cave (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. You’ll then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, you’ll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. On return, you’ll take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving with natural dyes. You’ll then return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Khuangsi Waterfall (B, L, G)

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Breakfast, you’ll then visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign visit the morning Phousi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khuangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Siem Reap (B, G)

After breakfast, you will have free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area before transferring to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Free. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

The sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel. The jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples, is also visited this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel, Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and we follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. And shopping at CTM souvenir shop and old market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap/Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel and take a short flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh City, we will enjoy the boat cruising along the Mekong River and sightseeing along the riverside until sunset. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh/Hanoi (B, G)

Breakfast at hotel visit to Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Toul Sleng museum (S-21) and Russian Market. Then, transfer to the airport for your international flight to Hanoi. On arrival, pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi City tour (B, L, G)

An all day city tour, possibly including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11th C), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ethnology Museum and the centre of Hanoi, including the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple and the bustling Old Quarter with a complex of architecture – traditional tube houses, religious buildings and the colonial houses. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of Cheo (an traditional music typical for the northern Vietnam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi “Back Street Art” ½ day (B, G)

In the morning you’ll visit the stilt house of a famous Vietnamese artist to view his antique collection and restoration work. Next, you’ll visit the home of another talented painter to enjoy his lacquer and oil painting artwork. Finally, you’ll meet another artist who brush- paints Vietnamese traditional calligraphy. Free in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12: Hanoi/Ha Long/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

At about 8:00 you’ll be driven to Ha Long Bay (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Then you’ll board a traditional-style boat for 5 hour cruise on the bay and visit some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming and hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews. Your seafood lunch will be on the boat. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Hanoi for refreshment at a local hotel before board an overnight train to Lao Cai. You’ll spend the night on the train.

Day 13: Lao Cai/Sapa (B, L, G)

Overnight train from the previous night and arrive in the early morning. You’ll be picked at the station to travel to a remote ethnic market. Afternoon return to Sa Pa town for overnight stay.

The trips to ethnic markets are a fascinating experience but must be on Tuesday (Coc Ly Market), Saturday (Can Cau Market) or Sunday (Muong Hum and Bac Ha Markets).

Day 14: Sapa/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

Morning stroll to the town busy market and then easy trek to ethnic villages of H’mong in a scenic valley. After stream-side picnic lunch, you’ll be picked up to visit other ethnic villages of the H’mong, Day and Red Dao people. Return to Sa Pa and then back to Lao Cai station for an overnight train to Hanoi.

Day 15: Hanoi departure (B, G)

Arrive in Hanoi, a car will take you to the local hotel for refreshment. You’ll be free until transfer to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.