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Mekong Legends 10 days
Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Saigon - Hanoi - Vientiane
- Luang Prabang
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| Day 1 - Siem Reap |
• Arrival in Siem
Reap
• Transfer
• Overnight in Siem Reap |
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| Day 2 - Siem Reap |
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Angkor Wat
ANGKOR WAT: a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu
by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It
was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous
for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest
continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer
gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In
1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of
Angkor a World Heritage Site.
• Visit Angkor Thom
ANGKOR THOM: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers)
built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The
city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100
meters wide. In the center of the walled city are the city’s
most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace
of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas
with Royal Enclosure.
BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at
the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of
Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights
of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with
over 200 smiling faces.
BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount
Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor
Thom.
PHIMEANAKAS: near the center of what was once the royal
palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial
Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate
its former splendour.
FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two
pools that were used by royalty for washing.
TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing
public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience
hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the
retaining walls.
TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants
is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’. On
the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.
• Excursion to the Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip
TONLE SAP (Great Lake). Located in the heart of Cambodia,
this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original
size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the
richest and most diverse in the region. This boat trip will
explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges
of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.
• Overnight in Siem Reap. |
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| Day 3 - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh |
• Transfer
• Flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac
and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the French-built
cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small monastery in
1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh after she found four
Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She
set up the monastery on a nearby hill or "phnom" in
Cambodian.
WAT PHNOM: a temple and location of the first pagoda
on this site built in 1372 by Penh to house the four Buddha
statues found on the banks of the Mekong. It is the only hill
(27 meters) in the capital. ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA:
the royal palace stands on the site of the former citadel, Bantey
Kev (built in 1813). Visitors are not allowed in some portions
of the grounds, as the palace is the official residence of King
Norodom Sihamoni. The silver pagoda is often called the Pagoda
of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo after the statue housed
there. The wooden temple was originally built by King Norodom
in 1892 and inside, its floor is comprised of more than 5000
silver blocks which together weigh nearly 6 tons. NATIONAL MUSEUM:
designed by a French archeologist and painter, George Groslier,
in Khmer style in 1920 to exhibit works previously scattered
throughout the country. It contains a collection of Khmer art
including the beautiful 6th century bronze statue of Vishnu.
TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide): formerly the Tuol Svay
Prey High School, in 1975 it became the Khmer Rouge's main torture
and interrogation center. It was known as Security Prison 21,
or just S-21. CENTRAL MARKET or RUSSIAN MARKET: Visit one of
Phnom Penh's two great markets. The Central Market is located
in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and is filled with
jewelry, fabrics and all types of souvenirs. The Russian Market
is a sprawling labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs
and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more. Both are fascinating
places to browse.
• Overnight in Phnom Penh. |
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| Day 4 - Phnom Penh - Saigon |
• Transfer
• Flight from Phnom Penh to Saigon.
• Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Saigon
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, and one will see
the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere. There are
street markets, pavement cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs.
The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis
are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient
culture.
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883, is
set in the heart of Saigon's governement quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque
form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In
front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.
CENTRAL POST OFFICE: this is a French-style building
with its glass canopy and iron frame right next to the Notre
Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891
and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam.
CITY HALL: completed 1908, also known as "Hotel
de Ville" at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard.
With it's ornate gingerbread facade it looks like the town hall
of a French town. **view from outside only**
OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn of the century and
first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the lower
division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theatre
and also known as “Saigon Concert Hall”. **view from
outside only**
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence Palace
of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on
April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has
been preserved in its original state.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs
from 2 Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original
French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: this is the central market of Saigon
and the market and the surrounding streets make up one of the
city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used
by the average resident of Saigon is available here.
DONG KHOI STREET: known as 'Rue Catinet' during the French
years, this is a main shopping street in the centre of Saigon
where there is a lot of choice of handicrafts and laquerware.
• Overnight in Saigon. |
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| Day 5 - Saigon - Hanoi |
• Transfer
• Flight from Saigon to Hanoi.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Hanoi
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks,
is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with
French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in
Asia.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong,
who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single
stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh
Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars
and men of literary accomplishment.
HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake
contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with
a red star.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and
Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place
of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels
of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage.
The Mausoleum is open only in the mornings, and is closed on
Mondays and Fridays. Every year, it closes in October and November
for renovation and maintenance.
OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built
in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only).
ST JOSEPH CATHEDRAL: a neo-Gothic cathedral finished
in 1886, it is noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar
and stained-glass windows.
In the afternoon, visit one of the following museums:
HISTORY MUSEUM (BAO TANG LICH): once the museum of the
Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, is a building constructed
of reinforced concrete completed in 1930. Exhibits include artefacts
from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory,
proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo
culture and the Khmer Kingdoms.
MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY: This museum brings to life the astonishing
ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the
54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside
the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with
examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside
are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries
and other distinctive ethnic buildings. Transfer to/from restaurant
• Overnight in Hanoi. |
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| Day 6 - Hanoi |
• Excursion
to Halong Bay with boat trip
Cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters
and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different
islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail
past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl
fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay.
• Transfer to/from restaurant
• Overnight in Hanoi |
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| Day 7 - Hanoi - Vientiane |
• Transfer
• Flight from Hanoi to Vientiane.
• Arrival in Vientiane
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend
of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane
(pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city
with interesting wats and lively markets.
HO PHA KEO: the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy
built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a
museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures
found in Laos.
WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in
the early Bangkok style, small niches are carved into its interior
walls, containing more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha
images.
PATUXAI: a large monument in the style of the Arc de
Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang
has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument,
providing a good view of the city.
PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa):
built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most
important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist
religion and Lao sovereignty.
• Overnight in Vientiane. |
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| Day 8 - Vientiane - Luang Prabang |
• Transfer
• Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang
Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting
surrounded by mountains. In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
WAT XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and situated on the banks
of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery in Luang
Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious
artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.
WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun): built in 1513 during the
reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the oldest operating temple in
Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from
the 15th and 16th centuries.
WAT MAI: constructed in 1821 during the reign of King
Manthatourath, it was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj
(the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy).
WAT THAT LUANG: the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred
inside the large central stupa, which was erected in 1910. The
inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang
Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts.
WAT SAEN: Thai style wat built in 1718 and restored in
1957. The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940
is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps
in all of Laos.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
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| Day 9 - Luang Prabang |
• Excursion by boat to the Pak Ou Caves
PAK OU CAVES: this are two caves (Tham Thing – lower
cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence
of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha images
of varying styles, ages and sizes.
BAN XANG HAI: located near the Pak Ou Caves, this village
was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the community fill
the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo,
the local rice whisky.
• Transfer to/from restaurant
• Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
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| Day 10 - Luang Prabang |
• Sightseeing
in Luang Prabang
NATIONAL MUSEUM: located on the banks of the Mekong River,
it was constructed as Royal Palace between 1904 and 1909 and
today houses the Royal throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom and many
other pieces of regalia and religious treasures.
PHOUSI: the temples on the upper slopes of the 100m-high
Phu Si were constructed recently, but it is likely that previously
there were other temples on this important hill. From the top
there is an excellent view of the town.
• Transfer to the airport for departure flight
to the next destination. |
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| USD p.p | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3-6 Pax | SGL S/C | Booking |
| Var A | 4,430 | 2,700 | 2,590 | 1,210 |  |
All prices are per person in USD, based on twin-sharing in double rooms in the default hotel for the listed category.
Above prices are subject to US$14/Person airport tax for all international flights out of Vietnam from 1 November 2006 which will be calculated as a seperate service on top of the international airfares in all quotations and invoices.
* Meal plan: ABF.
** Reduction for 3rd pax in triple room Var. A:$151
*** Child reduction (sharing bed of parents): under 2 years FOC; under 12 years -30%.
NOTE: The itinerary can slightly change according to the season, local conditions, climate, flight schedules and room availability.
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| Hotel | Var A |
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| Siem Reap | Monica Angkor Hotel
Standard | | Phnom Penh | New York Hotel
Standard
Princess Hotel Phnom Penh
Standard | | Saigon | Saigon Star Hotel
ROH
Saigon Royal Hotel
ROH
Bong Sen Annex
Economy | | Hanoi | Phuc Loi Hotel
Standard
Ha Long Hotel Hanoi
ROH
Prince Hanoi Hotel
ROH
Huy Hoang 1
2nd Class | | Vientiane | B & P Hotel
STD room | | Luang Prabang | Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel
Standard |
We will confirm one of the hotels mentioned above according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year - these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Included in the price:
Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF).
All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport.
Domestic airfares as states in the itinerary in economy class.
All entrance fees.
English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).
Not included in the price:
Visa fees.
Airport taxes. |
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Combination Indochina Packages
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