Day 1: Luang
Prabang Arrival (D)
Our guide will
welcome you at the airport, then transfer to hotel for check-in. Luang
Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast
Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural
scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to
visit in Laos. After a short rest, we 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. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang
Prabang – Kuangsi Waterfall (B/L)
After breakfast,
you will be free for relaxing.
Tour suggestion:
Half-day Elephant Ride
08:30 – 09:00
am. Depart from your hotel in Luang Prabang town. Pick up by our English
speaking tour guide.
Arrival at the
Elephant Village. Welcome and greeting by our Camp Manager and participate
in short briefing. Ride the Elephant. Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1
hour elephant ride on the Howdah (Elephant seat)
Boat trip to the
Tad Sae Waterfall. Take a return boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall and
spend some time in the clear water
Lunch will be
provided at the Elephant Village Restaurant
Depart back to
the Luang Prabang town and drop off at your hotel between 01:00 and 02:00
pm.
In the afternoon,
drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in
the pools or walk along the forest paths and visit Bear rescues centre on
the way leading to the waterfall. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang
Prabang/Hanoi (B)
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, and the Central Market
are not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you will
have free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the
shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for an
afternoon flight to Hanoi. Arriving in Hanoi, you will be greeted by our
guide and transferred to the city centre for hotel check-in. Overnight in
Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi –
train to Lao Cai (B/L)
The full day tour
commences with visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, His House on
Stilt, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda followed by Van
Mieu – Temple of Literature. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the
afternoon, discover more of Hanoi with the visit to Ethnology Museum of
Vietnam. Return to the Old Quarter of Hanoi for walking around the old
streets and stop to visit Ngoc Son temple then enjoy a Traditional
Water Puppet shows at Thang Long Theater. In the evening, you will take
a night train to Sapa.
Day 5: Lao Cai/Sapa/Cat
Cat & Tafin villages (B)
Arrive at Lao Cai
Train station at about 6.30, welcome by our local guide and take a ride to
Sapa. Have breakfast and relax before exploring Sapa Town. In the afternoon,
take a 2km trek to Cat Cat Village, home of H’mong Ethnics. Meet & talk with
locals to learn more about their daily life. Then continue the ride to Tafin
village (12km from Sapa) home to the Red Dzao minority. Visit Tafin Cave,
Tafin handicraft shops and explore the daily life of Red Dzao. Here you have
good choice to buy woven and textile brocades, which are hand made by ethnic
people. Visit a small hamlet of Black H'mong people here too. Overnight at
your hotel in Sapa.
Day 6: Sapa/Lao
Chai/Ta Van villages (B/D)
Breakfast at
hotel and check out at around 9:00-10:00am. You’ll use a private car to
visit Lao Chai village of Black H’mong people. Then trek a little to visit
Ta Van village of Dzay ethnic people. Drive back to Sa Pa for lunch at your
own arrangement. A short shopping in town before moving to Lao Cai station.
Dinner at Lao Cai. Have a train trip back to Hanoi. Overnight on an AC 4
berth soft sleeper train to Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi/Ha
Long (B/L/D)
Arrive early
morning (around 05:30-06:00) in Hanoi). You will be transferred to a local
restaurant for breakfast. 08:30am leave Hanoi for Ha Long bay. After 03
hours and a half drive we arrive in Ha Long bay, a World Heritage Area of
outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise
around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The
cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. Again your
dinner served on board. In the evening, enjoy the night fishing (optional)
and later overnight on board.
Day 8: Ha
Long/Hanoi – Hue (Brunch)
In the morning,
your breakfast or brunch will be served while doing further cruise to
explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the Wharf. Disembark
around 10:30-11.00am. On return, before heading to Noibai airport we take a
short stop at Dong Trieu Ceramic Village. Arriving in Phu Bai
airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to Hue for
overnight.
Day 9: Hue
cooking class & city tour (B/L)
In the morning,
join a half day cooking class, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y
Thao Garden House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an
instruction on how to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 a.m. at Y
Thao Garden House.
Afternoon take a
cyclo rise to visit the Imperial Citadel and time then on is free for
relaxing. Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue/Hoi
An (B/L)
Today we will
heading to Hoi An through Hai Van pass, and Lang Co beach – one of
the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Upon arrival, check in hotel then
discover Hoian truly life. Walking tour around this enchanting port town.
Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by
Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous
places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien
Assembly Halls, the local fish market… Around the town we can see a numerous
art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like.
The next tour is
coming to the home of a craftsman in the old streets. Here you will
have a brief introduction to the history, shape, and colour of the lanterns
as well as the many stages of making them. After that you can make your own
lantern, decorate, pack and keep it as a souvenir during the time in Hoian.
Have lunch at the local restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An
free (B)
A free day in Hoi
An for beach relaxing! Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An/Danang/Ho
Chi Minh City (B)
After breakfast
at your hotel, you will be free until being transferred to the airport for
an afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13: Ho Chi
Minh City/Cu Chi Tunnels/Wildlife at risk (B)
Go visit the
Cu Chi Tunnels,
which are 70 kilometers North West of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948
to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city
with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals, command
centers. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a
fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the
tunnels have been open for visitors.
You will then
drive to Wildlife At Risk (WAR) which is dedicated to protecting the
biodiversity of Vietnam by combating the illegal wildlife trade, raising
environmental awareness and promoting the conservation of endangered species
and their habitats - an sustainable tourism center. Child would love this
center. Return to Ho
Chi Minh and free in the afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 14: Ho Chi
Minh City/My Tho/Ho Chi Minh City/Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Depart early in
the morning. Upon arrival at My Tho, take a boat to Con Phung
(Phoenix Island) at a Mekong River estuary. Stop at a garden restaurant for
lunch. Then cruise along natural creeks and quiet villages in Ben Tre
Province. Visit orchards, bee farms, taste natural honey, honey wine and
tropical fruits, listen to local music, visit a distillery and a local
coconut candy maker. You will drive straight to Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho
Chi Minh City for a flight to Siem Reap. Our car and guide will pick you up
at the airport then transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner at local
restaurant with Apsaras Dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem
Reap/Angkor complex (B/L)
Visit the
Angkor Thom (big Angkor) - 3km2 walled, of which South Gate of Angkor
Thom, Bayon - the giant stone faces with 37 standing tower 4
carved faces, Baphoun - huge temple - mountain in the heart of Angkor
Thom, Terrace of Elephants - 2.5m tall wall, the heart of Angkor Thom
in front of Baphoun and Phimean Akas, carved elephants and giant
graduals, Terrace of Leper King - a double terrace at the north end
of Terrace of Elephants with deeply carved, demons and other mythological
being and Phimean Akas temple. Lunch at local restaurant.
Follow is the
tour visit the famous Temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat, and it's
visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It's massive three
tired pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from
ground level and this temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temple
of Angkor. Enjoy the Sunset from top of Bakheng Hill. Overnight in
Siem Reap.
Day 16: Siem
Reap/Departure (B/L)
Breakfast at
hotel, you will be free for relaxing or shopping until transfer to the
airport for flight off.