Treasures of Indochina

ITINERARY

11 Days: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta

Tour Overview:

This 11-day adventure gives you the best of two of Southeast Asia’s most intriguing countries. All in one itinerary you’ll experience the misty mountains and beautiful French colonial towns of Laos and discover the enchantment of Vietnam by sailing through ethereal landscapes of Halong Bay and exploring two historical and modern metropolises.

Day 1 (Wed) - Arrive Beijing

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. You are welcomed and escorted to your hotel.

Day 2 (Thu) - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Hutong Tour

Start your day off by exploring Hanoi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. You will then explore the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient Hanoi, learn about traditional Vietnamese architecture and take a stop at an ancient Vietnamese “long house.” In the evening, take delight in watching a traditional water puppet performance. (B)

Day 3 (Fri) - Great Wall Excursion & Summer Palace

Drive through green rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay. You will board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a seafood lunch and a swim (if weather permits) before visiting a grotto of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea. (BLD)

Day 4 (Sat) - Temple of Heaven & Lama Temple / Xian

Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. Return to Hanoi and transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 5 (Sun) - Terra Cotta Warriors

After breakfast, take a city tour to Wat Sen and Wat Visun. In the late afternoon you will be driven to Khuang Si Falls, where the waters tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Return to town to enjoy sunset on top of Mount Phou Si. Afterwards, enjoy visiting the Street Night Market. (B)

Day 6 (Mon) - Xian / Chongqing

Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River. Our tour begins with a visit to Wat Xiengthong, a royal temple. Then we will cross the Mekong River to explore the villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Continue cruising on the river before reaching the Pak Ou Caves. Explore the caves and cross the Mekong River at Ban Ou for lunch at a local restaurant. Return by road to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai, where a unique rice wine called lao lao is made. On the way back, also stop at the villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for their hand weaving and handmade Jute Sar paper. (B)

Day 7 (Tue) - Chongqing / Cruise

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. You will embark on an afternoon city tour including Wat Simuang and the religious museum at Wat Sisaket. The tour includes a stop at Wat Pra Keo, the 16th century That Luang Golden Stupa and the Patuxai Victory Gate. The day ends with watching the sunset on the banks of the Mekong River. (B)

Day 8 (Wed) - Shibaozhai

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight into Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 9 (Thu) - Qutang Gorge / Wu Gorge / Shennong Stream

In the morning you will visit the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Highlights include the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Chinatown, the Binh Tay Market and either the Thien Hau Temple or the Quan Am Pagoda. (B)

Day 10 (Fri) - Xiling Gorge / Yichang / Shanghai

Depart for the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival in My Tho, enjoy a boat cruise along the river. Experience an exciting horse-drawn cart ride to visit a local house where you will enjoy tea and taste home grown fruits. Board a sampan and drift along the narrow, tree-lined canals for further exploration of the Mekong Delta. After lunch, visit a family-run business making coconut candy before returning to My Tho. On the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City, visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda if time permits. Return to Ho Chi Minh City by the late afternoon. (BL)

Day 11 (Sat) - Shanghai Sightseeing

You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home, taking along with you memories of a most enchanting trip. (B)