BEST OF INDOCHINA

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - TOUR BEGINS

Arrival to Hochiminh City , your tour opens in historic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. For centuries, the city has been the commercial hub of the region which has created a melting pot of culture.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/D)

Get acquainted with the city’s colonial landmarks on a tour including the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Opera House. Discover the Reunification Palace where the Vietnam War ended and learn more about the lasting effects of this struggle at the War Remnants Museum. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a popular local restaurant.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – CAI BE FLOATING MARKET – CAN THO (B/L/D)

We leave the bustling city to immerse yourself in the culture during a visit to the Mekong Delta and cruise along the bustling river. Be introduced to daily life here during a visit to a local home factory which produces rice paste and coconut candies. Enjoy a traditional lunch in a lush tropical garden and have time to explore local villages. Late afternoon we take the ride to the biggest city in the whole Mekong Delta - Can Tho city for overnight. Dinner will be served at local restaurant.

DAY 4: CAN THO – FLOATING MARKET – TRA SU FOREST - CHAU DOC (B/-/D)

In the earliest dawn we row through intricate channels to the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta - Cai Rang market, where gather many builders and dealers in the area to sell their good. Hundreds motorized that are fully loaded with rice, various and handicrafts from a fascinating and vibrant sequence. Let yourself be immersed in the bustling market and enchanted landscape.

We leave the market and keep heading to Tra Su forest well-known as bird sanctuary where the moto boat will show you the beauty of the nature around. Keep transferring to Chau Doc Town for overnight.

DAY 5: CHAU DOC – PHNOM PENH BY SPEED BOAT (B)

Early breakfast , we move to one local port and take the moto boat to Phnom Penh ( approx. 4.5 hours)

On arrival , pick up with the tour guide and visit Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden. Visit the Silver Pagoda so named because of its floor that is comprised of 5,000 silver tiles. A gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha are also housed here.

DAY 6: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR (B/L)

Tour program visit: Killing fields of Choeung Ek (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17.000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) detained and tortured at S-21 prison were transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. They were often bludgeoned to death to avoid wasting precious bullets. Fragments of human bone and bits of cloth are scattered around the disinterred pits. Over 8000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, which was erected in 1988. Then move on to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest such center of detention and torture in the country.. Lunch and going on to visit National Museum. Built in 1917 it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces. Visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river.

DAY 7: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP BY BUS (B)

Transfer only with private bus. On the way will stop Skuon is the district capital of Cheung Prey District, in Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. This busy market town has grown up around the intersection of National Highway 6 and National Highway 7. Skuon is around 49 kilometres (30 mi) west of the provincial capital at Kampong Cham city and 75 kilometres (47 mi) north of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Skuon is sometimes known in the local language as "Spider village", it is famous with international visitors to Cambodia for its fried spiders.. Then continue to Siemreap. Up on arrive check in at hotel.

DAY 8: SIEM REAP (B/L)

Be amazed by the Roluos Group, temples remaining from the first major capital of the Khmer Empire. Take an ox cart ride to the Roluos Pagoda where monks celebrate a private blessing ceremony. Feel like a local as you explore Kompong Phluk, a floating village,* and enjoy a picnic lunch at a floating restaurant. Meet local school children at the JWOC Community Center.

This evening get to know Cambodian culture during a traditional Apsara show with dinner.

DAY 9: SIEM REAP (B/L)

Begin your day exploring the ancient ruins of Angkor Thom by tuk tuk, famous for the Bayon temple and its colossal stone-carved faces. Continue to the haunting Ta Prohm temple, overgrown by creeping jungle. After lunch, visit and explore the famous Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and symbol of Cambodia. Stand before the stone carvings and bas-reliefs that adorn the complex and remain until sunset.

DAY 10: SIEM REAP – LUANG PRABANG (B)

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Siemreap. From Siemreap, fly to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Tonight, gather for a traditional Baci ceremony, a “calling of the soul” reserved for special events, followed by dinner.

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG (B/L)

This morning we are off to the most remarkable temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong. Continue through the Luang Prabang countryside en route to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls, passing rice fields and small villages along the way. Return to town and board a traditional river boat. Cruise down the Mekong River…enjoy a picnic lunch on board and make a stop at Pak Ou Caves,home to hundreds of Buddhas. Later, return to town by road. Hop on a tuk tuk to a local restaurant for dinner.

DAY 12: LUANG PRABANG (B)

Visit a living craft center to learn about the fascinating world of Lao textiles and handicrafts. Enjoy a hands-on experience with natural dyes prepared using plants from the garden and create your own design! Then, discover the country’s regal history on a guided tour of the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. The afternoon is yours to independently explore quiet and reserved Luang Prabang. Today breakfast will be included.

DAY 13: LUANG PRABANG - HANOI (B)

Wake before dawn and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffronrobed monks.

Fly to Hanoi (Viet Nam). Check in hotel.

DAY 14: HANOI CITY FULL DAY (B/L)

Begin your day in Ba Dinh Square, home of the mausoleum built to honor Ho Chi Minh, a revered figure in Vietnam. Behind this impressive site and standing in stark contrast is Minh's simple house on stilts. Admire the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Take in the well preserved traditional architecture at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university founded in the early 11th century. Enjoy lunch at a non-profit restaurant that empowers underprivileged children by training them with new skills. Spend time at Hoa Lo Prison (the Hanoi Hilton), where American POWs were held, and gain insight into their captivity as you stroll past the poignant exhibits. Then, have time to stroll along tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake and through the craft guild streets in the nearby old quarter. End the day with a traditional Water Puppet performance.

DAY 15: HANOI - HALONG BAY (B/L)

08.00 Transfer to Ha Long Bay.

12.30 Welcome drink, cruise briefing, safety instruction and cabin check-ins. Your fabulous Halong excursion commences

13.15 - 14.30 Enjoy lunch onboard while the cruise sails passing by magnificent sceneries of the World Heritage Site

15.00 – 16.00 Explore Sung Sot Cave - Hiking up and down 600 steps to the magnificent limestone formations of the biggest and most marvelous cave in Halong Bay.

16.30 - 17.30 Back to the vessel and continue sailing. Enjoy your relaxing time aboard, among the magnificence of the Heritage Site. A wide range of fine wine or spirits are served in the open-air bar on the sundeck.

18.00 Participate cooking class, to discover the Vietnamese cuisine of traditional spring rolls.

17.00 - 19.00 Enjoy Happy Hours: Buy One, Take One Free

19.30 Time for dinner and evening entertainments: bar, spa, squid fishing and overnight on the cruise.

DAY 16: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B)

6.30 Wake up early to enjoy the stunning sunrise on the Bay. Begin a new day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

7.00 - 7.30 Coffee & tea with cookies & biscuits will be served onboard

7.30 - 8.30 Visit Titop Island. You can take part in an array of exciting activities: swimming and climbing to the top for breathtaking view of the bay

8.30 Enjoy brunch while the cruise pass by other beautiful parts of the Bay.

9.30 Check out and settle the bills

11.00 Back to the Tourist Wharf.

Returning to Hanoi. This afternoon you have the option of embarking on a street food tour of the city that delves into authentic culinary delights such as pho noodles.

* The itinerary can be changed due to the weather conditions & the cruise you chose

DAY 17: HANOI – HUE BY FLIGHT – CITY TOUR (B/-/D)

Fly to Hue. Time is allowed to explore at the haunting Imperial tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Arrive in Hue, home of the Nguyen dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tonight, enjoy a lavish royal feast, complete with traditional music and Imperial costumes.

DAY 18: HUE – HOI AN (B/-/D)

Discover Hue’s Imperial past while visiting the Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Later transfer to Hoi An via the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. En route, pause to savor lunch at Lang Co fishing village. Keep driving to Hoi An Town. You will have chance to walk with leisure or take the nice ride with bicycle in town.

DAY 19: HOI AN (B/L)

The tour to Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Board a cyclo for a tour of the preserved town. Feel like you have stepped into the past as you ride by the Tan Ky Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Chua Ong Pagoda and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge.

DAY 20: HOI AN - COOKING CLASS (B/L)

Welcome you at the hotel’s lobby. Riding bicycle to Hoi An’s colorful central market. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. So make sure your camera is handy. Bike to Tra Que vegetable village. Welcome drink for rest and walk through the vegetable gardens where local farmers work on their fields, using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago, no electrical machinery here. Go to the restaurant & work together with the chef. Learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

Recipes:

• Tra Que vegetable salad Tam Huu dish

• Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake)

• Hoi An spring rolls

DAY 21: HOI AN FISHING VILLAGE– HOCHIMINH BY FLIGHT (B/L)

Ride bicycle to Thu Bon wharf on Bach Dang street, and take a local ferry sailing along Thu Bon River to Tra Nhieu fishing village. Here you will have a brief introduction to the history, traditional handicraft of the village such as: farming, fishing, poultry and livestock breeding, sleeping mat making.... After that, you will be taken in a boat with local fisherman to learn how to cast a net, catch fish, shrimp, crap…Have lunch with special dishes at the local house. Bid farewell to the local fishermen. Continue riding bicycle to the wharf and back to Hoi An by boat. Then, you will be transferrd to the airport for take flight to Hochiminh city.

Tonight, toast to the end of a remarkable trip while savoring your farewell dinner.