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Indochina Classic
- 15 days
Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Halong - Phnom
Penh - Siem Reap
Price from 1830 US$
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| Day 1 - 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 2 - 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 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 3 - 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 4 - Luang Prabang - Vientiane |
• 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
• Flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
• Transfer
• Overnight in Vientiane |
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| Day 5 - Vientiane - Hanoi - En route (Vietnam)
- Halong |
• Transfer
• Flight from Vientiane to Hanoi.
• Arrival in Hanoi
• By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay
• Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province
and around Halong Bay.
• Overnight in Halong |
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| Day 6 - Halong - Hanoi |
• Excursion
by boat through Halong Bay (4 hours)
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.
• By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi
Journey around Halong Bay to Hai Phong and west along Highway
5, across Hai Hung Province.
• Overnight in Hanoi |
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| Day 7 - Hanoi |
• 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 8 - Hanoi - En route (Vietnam) - Hue
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• Transfer
• Flight from Hanoi to Hue.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Hue
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years.
It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style
edifices. It was established in the 17th century.
• Visit the Old Imperial City: this is in
the Citadel and was built in the early 19th century and modeled
after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces
and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library
and a museum.
• Ngo Mon Gate: this is the principal entrance
to the Imperial Enclosure and faces the Flag Tower. The central
passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the
emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond.
• Thai Hoa Palace: built in 1803 and moved
to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall
with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and
lacquered columns.
• Hall of the Mandarins: these buildings,
in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies, held in
Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.
• Nine Dynastic Urns: these were cast in
1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiselled into the
sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign.
• Forbidden Purple City: this was reserved
for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed
into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to
the royal concubines. **today site in ruins**
• Visit Dong Ba Market
a local market near the Imperial City
• Overnight in Hue |
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| Day 9 - Hue - Danang |
• Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda with a boat trip
on the Huong Giang river
just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this
was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s.
Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar
which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his
1963 self-immolation.
• By vehicle from Hue to Danang
Journey south along Highway 1 past the Hai Van Pass and Lang
Co.
• Hai Van Pass: the pass crosses over a spur
of the Truong Son Mountain Range that just into the South China
Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with
spectacular views.
• Lang Co: a pretty, island-like stretch
of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side
and many km of beachfront facing the South China Sea.Sightseeing
in Danang
Vietnam's fourth largest city marks the northern limits of Vietnam's
tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate.
• Cham Museum: founded in 1915 by the Ecole
Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham
sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone
carvings are breathtaking.
• China Beach: made famous in the American
TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometers
north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the American
War, soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'.
• Marble Mountains: Five stone hillocks,
once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one
of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous,
Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries
have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this
area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines.
• Overnight in Danang |
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| Day 10 - Danang - Saigon |
• Excursion to Hoi An
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known
as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East
Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th
centuries. Sightseeing is best done on foot or by cyclo, and
will include at least five of the following sights.
• Quan Cong Temple: founded in 1653, this
Chinese temple is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded
statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary.
Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the construction
and repair of the temple.
• Phuoc Kien Pagoda: Chinese pagoda built
around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical
of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area.
The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the
Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen).
• Japanese Covered Bridge: the first bridge
on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community
of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across
the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could
be used as a shelter from rain and sun.
• Diep Dong Nguyen House: built for a Chinese
merchant, an ancestor of the present inhabitants, in the late
19th century. The front room on the ground floor was once a
dispensary for Thuoc Bac (Chinese medicine).
• Tran family Chapel: this house for worshipping
ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from
family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China
and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building
reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.
• Sa Huynh Museum: located near the Japanese
Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period
of Hoi An's history.
• Trading Ceramic Museum: a museum offering
a display of old Hoi An ceramics.
• Quan Thang House: one of the oldest and
nicest houses in Hoi An. There are some especially fine carvings
on the wooden walls of the rooms around the courtyard.
• Phung Hung House: the same family has been
living here for eight generations. The house is a combination
of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles.
• Quang Dong Pagoda: a small Chinese style
temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals
depicted in statuary, this pagoda was open to all Chinese traders
or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau.
• Chua Chuc Thanh Pagoda: founded in 1454
by Minh Hai, a Buddhist monk from China, it is the oldest pagoda
in Hoi An. Among the antique ritual objects still in use are
several bells, a stone gong two centuries old and a carp-shaped
wooden gong said to be even older.Transfer
• Flight from Danang to Saigon.
• Transfer
• Overnight in Saigon |
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| Day 11 - Saigon |
• Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle
and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are
street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city
churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300
years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture.
To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood
called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.
• Notre Dame Cathedral: built between 1877
and 1883 and set in the heart of Saigon's government 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: a French-style building
with a glass canopy and iron frame, situated 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 in 1908, also known
as Hotel de Ville , and located at the northern end of Nguyen
Hue Boulevard. With its ornate gingerbread façade, it
looks like the town hall of a French town. (May be viewed from
the 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 the Saigon Concert Hall. (May be viewed
from the outside only).
• Jade Emperor Pagoda: was a key meeting
place for Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful and
mysterious ambience.
• Reunification Palace: this was the Independence
Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by
tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam.
It has been preserved in its original state.
• War Remnants Museum: collections of weapons and
photographs from two Indochina wars are exhibited along with
the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th
century.
• Ben Thanh Market: the central market of
Saigon, its 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.
• Giac Lam Pagoda: the oldest pagoda in Saigon,
built at the end of the 17th century. Because the last reconstruction
here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation
remain almost unaltered by the modernist renovations that have
transformed so many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten
monks live in this pagoda, which also incorporates aspects of
Taoism and Confucianism.
• Binh Tay Market: Cholon's main marketplace,
much of the business conducted here is wholesale.
• Thien Hau Pagoda: built by the Cantonese
congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of
the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It
is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride
the clouds to wherever she pleases.
• Overnight in Saigon |
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| Day 12 - Saigon - Phnom Penh |
• Transfer
• Flight from Saigon to Phnom Penh.
• Arrival in 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 ot 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 13 - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap |
• Transfer
• Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit 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.Visit temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper
terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
• Overnight in Siem Reap |
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| Day 14 - Siem Reap |
• Visit 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 Ta Prohm
• Ta Phrom: one of the most popular attractions
of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it
looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared
when European explorers first stumbled across them.
Visit Banteay Srei Temple: built in the late 10th century,
it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square
with entrances on the east and west. Of main interest are the
three central towers which are decorated with male and female
divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.
• Overnight in Siem Reap |
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| Day 15 - Siem Reap |
| • Transfer |
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| US$ p.p |
1 Pax |
2 Pax |
3-6 Pax |
SGL S/C |
Booking |
| Var. A |
2710 |
1830 |
1680 |
200 |
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| Var. B |
2990 |
1960 |
1820 |
340 |
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| Var. C |
4030 |
2490 |
2350 |
850 |
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| All prices are per person
in USD, based on twin-sharing in double rooms in the default
hotel for the listed category. |
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| Hotels |
Var. A |
Var. B |
Var. C |
| Vientiane |
B & P Hotel
Standard
Lane Xang Hotel
Standard
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Royal Dokmaideng
Standard
Vansana Hotel
Standard
Beau Rivage Mekong Hotel
Standard |
Don Chan Palace
Classic Room
Lao Plaza Hotel
Superior
Novotel Vientiane
Standard |
| Luang Prabang |
Haysoke Hotel
Standard
Sanakeo Hotel
ROH
Ancient L. P. Hotel
Standard
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Mouang Luang Hotel
Standard
Ancient L. P. Hotel
Standard
Sala Luang Prabang
Courtyard View |
La Residence Phou Vao
Pansea Room
Maison Souvannaphoum
Garden Room |
| Halong |
Van Hai Hotel
ROH
Sunlight Hotel
Superior
|
Halong Pearl Hotel
Superior
Mithrin Hotel
ROH |
Tuan Chau Resort
Pine Hill Villa - Deluxe
Halong Plaza
Superior
Heritage Halong Hotel
ROH |
| Hanoi |
Ha Long Hotel Hanoi
ROH
Phuc Loi Hotel
Standard
Prince Hanoi Hotel
ROH |
Green Park Hotel
ROH
Thien Thai Hotel
Superior
Galaxy Hotel
ROH
Golden Key Hotel
ROH |
Nikko Hotel Hanoi
ROH-Leisure
Sofitel Plaza Hanoi
Deluxe
Melia Hotel
Deluxe |
| Hue |
Ngoc Huong Hotel
ROH
Thuan Hoa Hotel
Deluxe
Imperial Garden Hotel
Deluxe
|
Hue Heritage
ROH
Festival Hue Hotel
ROH - Festival Wing
Huong Giang Hotel
Superior Gardenview |
Saigon Morin Hotel
Superior
Pilgrimage Village
Villa Deluxe |
| Danang |
Daesco Hotel
Superior
Faifo Hotel
ROH
Bamboo Green Riverside
ROH
|
Royal Danang Hotel
Superior
Saigon Tourane Hotel
ROH |
Furama Resort
Gardenview
Sandy Beach Resort
Deluxe Garden View |
| Saigon |
Saigon Star Hotel
ROH
Saigon Royal Hotel
ROH
Bong Sen Annex
Economy
|
Chancery Hotel
Standard Room
Dai Nam Hotel
ROH
Liberty 6 Hotel
Standard
Oscar Hotel
ROH / Standard |
Equatorial Hotel
Deluxe
Omni Saigon Hotel
Deluxe
Windsor Plaza Hotel
Superior |
| Phnom Penh |
Princess Hotel Phnom Penh
Standard
New York Hotel
Standard
|
The Juliana Hotel
Superior
Monorom Holiday Villa
Standard |
Inter Continental Hotel
Deluxe |
| Siem Reap |
Angkor Saphir Hotel
Standard
Nokor Phnom Hotel
Standard |
Lotus Angkor Hotel
Deluxe
Borei Angkor Hotel
Deluxe
Khemara Angkor Hotel
ROH
Goldiana Angkor Hotel
Deluxe |
Le Meridien Angkor Hotel
Superior
Angkor Palace Resort & Spa
Deluxe |
* Meal plan: ABF
** Reduction for 3rd pax in triple room Var. A:$96; Var. B:$126;
Var. C:$448
*** Child reduction (sharing bed of parents): under 2 years
FOC; under 12 years -30%
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. |
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Inclusion |
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• Accommodation with
meals as mentioned in the programme
• Transfers & tours with English/French/German speaking
guide
• Domestic airtickets Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vientiane
• Domestic airport tax
• All entrance fees for sightseeing and visit
• Traditional boat fare as per mentioned in the program
• Service charges, room tax and baggage handling |
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Exclusion |
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• International airticke
to/from Vientiane
• Departure airport tax in Vientiane at USD 10.- per person
• Laotian visa fee
• Personal insurance
• Expenditure of a personal nature such as drink, souvenirs,
laundry and etc |
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Reservation |
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