Laos, Thailand and Vietnam tour 18 days

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

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival (G)

On arrival, you’ll be picked up to your hotel. Later on, visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, and Wat Mai. Climb up to the top of Mount Phousi. Explore the Night Baazar.

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

After breakfast, you’ll visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. Cruise  upstream on the Mekong River, as explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced.

Short stop at Ban Phanom, which is well known for its hand weaving.

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

Watch or participate in the daily morning rituals of monks collecting offerings of Alms. Visit the morning Phosi Market. Visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village,  Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, and then to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off. Continue to Ban Xangkhong, known for its silk weavings and papermaking. Enjoy the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Bangkok (B, G)

Visit the National  Museum (close Tuesday), at the former Royal Palace.

Free time to venture into town. You will then be driven to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, you’ll be free to stroll around the city as you wish. You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 5: Bangkok City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Po houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 6: Bangkok/half day Phuket City Tour (B, G)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight departure to Phuket. Arrive at Phuket airport meet and greet with our local guide and then transfer to hotel for check in, have a short rest. After that, sightseeing visit to Phuket City take in the islands natural beauty as we drive along the beach roads through Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai. Visit to View Point where you can witness the beautiful bays of Kata Noi, Kata, Karon and Kho Poo Island, one of the island’s best scenic spot. This tour gives an insight into the highlights of the ” Pearl of the Andaman”. Leisurely drove around Phuket town to view the Sino-Portuguese style buildings. Other attractions visited are Wang Thalang Lapidary gem factory, Wat Chalong, Phuket’s most beautiful and renowned monastery, the Gypsy Village at Rawai Beach, a Cashew Nut Factory where you may sample the culinary delights on offer and the famous sunset viewpoint at Phromthep Cape one of the most beautiful panoramas on the island.

Overnight in Phuket

Day 7: Full Day Join Phi Phi Island Tour (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel, and then transfer to the pier for take a boat trip to Phi Phi Island. Take a boat visit to Phi Phi Ley Island, exploring scenic beauty, next visit to Long Beach, Phi Phi Don Island. Change to small boat to go for snorkeling activity near Long Beach. Enjoy crystal clear water and rich marine life. Return to Long Beach. Enjoy a buffet lunch at on Phi Phi Don Island. After lunch, free at leisure for snorkeling, swimming or relaxing on the beach, till time transfer back to hotel in Phuket

Overnight in Phuket

Day 8: Phuket/Bangkok/Hanoi (B, G)

After breakfast, your time will be your own until your international flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a colonial building. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi

Day 9: Hanoi (B, L, G)

An all day city tour, possibly including the Temple of Literature, (the first university in Viet Nam 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 Viet Nam). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 10: Tam Coc/Van Long 1 day (B, L, G)

In the morning you’ll be picked up to travel to Van Long. On arrival you’ll ride an ox cart to visit the Old House and the Old Pagoda and then board a boat to visit the Van Long Natural Reserve. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Tam Coc – being rowed through paddies and into three caves in a peaceful valley. In the afternoon you’ll return to Ha Noi.

Day 11: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas – the world’s largest marine “karst” landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower.

Day 12: Ha Long/Hanoi/Hue (B, G)

Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for your flight to Hue. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to hotel. You’ll spend the night in Hue.

Day 13: Hue 1 day (B, L, G)

Morning visit to the Imperial Citadel of Hue and the Antiquity Museum. Afternoon drive to visit King Tu Duc’s Tomb (the poet King, the simplest Royal tomb set in a beautiful garden) and visit to Garden Houses – (a cultural characteristic in Hue). In the evening you’ll be picked up to enjoy a Hue musical show on a boat in the Perfume River for about one hour. Overnight in Hue.

Day 14: Hue/Hoi An (B, L, G) morning

Morning drive to Da Nang (excellent views from high mountain pass). On arrival in Da Nang, you’ll have a brief visit to Cham Museum, then continue to travel to Hoi An. After lunch, a guided visit to the Ancient Town. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

The town is an ancient trading port, once the largest in Indochina and a meeting point for many cultures that left their mark in the different architectural features of its wooden buildings.

Day 15: Hoi An/Danang/Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you’ll be driven to hotel. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh city tour 1 day (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll start your city tour including the History Museum (special exhibition of the 5thC “Oc Eo” civilisation), the Museum of War Remnants (very partial, but riveting, recollections of the “American War”: not for the squeamish), the huge Ben Thanh market (one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City), the Jade Emperor Temple (superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries) and a lacquer workshop. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City/Vinh Long 1 day (B, L, G)

Drive to Vinh Long, cruise on Mekong River, Cai Be floating market, fruit orchards, traditional family-run brick kilns, wide range of varied cottage industries, e.g. manufacture of fish sauce, (distinctive feature of Vietnamese cuisine), construction of massive coffins (unique to Mekong). . Afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight stay.

Day 18: Ho Chi Minh departure (B, G)

Escorted departure from Tan Son Nhat airport.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
• One way domestic flight tickets in Thailand: Bangkok – Phuket- Bangkok, including domestic airport taxes.
• One way domestic flight tickets in Vietnam: Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Ho Chi Minh City., including airport taxes
• One way international flight tickets: Luang Prabang – Bangkok, Bangkok-Hanoi, including airport taxes.
• Boats cruise as programme. For Ha Long Bay, you’ll join other passengers on a high quality wooden boat with comfortable accommodation, good facilities and an experienced crew. The boat will be fully licensed and comply with current safety regulations
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available and full board on the boat in Ha Long Bay.
• VAT and other taxes

Our price does not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Dinners
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard:

• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar
• Bangkok: Amari Watergate Hotel (***** overlooking views of the city centre) similar
• Phuket: The Village Coconut Island (***** near peaceful beach, spacious suites and in-villa private pools)
• Hanoi: Melia Hotel (***** modern high-rise building in one of Hanoi’s leafy boulevards in the city centre) or similar
• Hue: Imperial Hotel (***** in the heart of city centre, Deluxe River-view Room) or similar
• Hoi An: Palm Garden Beach Resort (***** beautiful villa and bungalow style resort on a 5ha site on the northern section of Cua Dai Beach, Superior Ocean-view Room)
• Ho Chi Minh City: Renaissance Riverside hotel (*****the city’s finest location, Deluxe City-view Room) or similar

Hotel list for Four Stars standard:

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (*****, established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence)
• Bangkok: Hotel Century Park (**** city centre) or similar
• Phuket: Centara Villas Phuket (**** Set on an incline surrounded by a luxurious natural tropical backdrop) o similar
• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (**** modern boutique hotel in the old quarter, Deluxe Room) or similar
• Hue: Huong Giang Hotel (**** on the bank of the Perfume River) or similar
• Hoi An: Hoi An Trails Resort and Spa (**** beside Cua Dai beach) or similar
• Ho Chi Minh City: Grand Hotel (****located in the city centre, walking distance to major commercial and entertainments places) or similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard:

• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar
• Bangkok: Bangkok Palace hotel (*** centrally located at the heart of Pratunam, Bangkok’s commercial shopping and entertainment district) or similar
• Phuket: Patong Lodge Hotel (*** nestled on a perfect location, just a few minutes walk to the beach) o similar
• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** city centre, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake) or similar
• Hue: Mondial Hotel (*** city centre with outdoor swimming pool, Superior Room) or similar
• Hoi An: Lotus Hotel (*** with swimming pool, 2km from town centre, Deluxe Room) or similar
• Ho Chi Minh City: Elios Hotel (*** ideally located in the city centre, Standard Room) or similar

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.