Indochina Photo Tour – 21 days

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Locations

Vietnam
Trip Duration

21 Day(s)

Trip code WT-CODE 3300

Destinations: Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Duration: 21 Days - The tour may begin and conclude in either Siem Reap or Luang Prabang, as you wish.Vietnam has a unique natural and cultural history and possesses many world heritage sites and cultural treasures Running north to south along its coastline of 1,700 km, you will witness and enjoy seeing amazing rice fields, beautiful and unspoiled beaches, old temples and pagodas built hundreds of years ago, many elegant architectural works, lively and colorful festivals, while experiencing diverse climate patterns in the various regions that you will visit. Vietnam is a friendly and inviting country and offers everything you may seek and desire.

Laos remains a relatively unexplored country and is often over looked in Asian tourism travels. Laos is rich in culture and its history. It is also the site of many of the richest and most intact ecosystems in all of Southeast Asia.

At Tonle Sap, located in Cambodia, you will find the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The world famous "Angkor Wat" is also located in Cambodia and is a great ancient wonder. It remains the world's largest religious monument.

The Mekong River runs through all three countries as a means of alternate travel while many roads connect them all three countries which make up Indochina, which make it easier for you to discover the beauty and wonder of these three countries a relatively short amount of time. Once you are in Vietnam, expand your adventure and your horizons in Indochina and explore the wonders of all of Indochina with Silkstar Holidays.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive Siem Reap: (-/-/-)

You will be met and greeted upon your arrival at Siem Reap airport and will be transferred to your hotel. You will begin your Angkor adventure with the Roulos group of temples before you begin your climb up to the impressive hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng. From the summit, you will be able to witness a truly memorable sunset. Your overnight stay will be in Siem Reap.

Day 2

Angkor Complex - Angkor Thom: (B/-/D)

This morning, you will take a flight to Siem Reap. It is here where you will explore the fascinating ruins of Ta Prohm, which are shrouded under the many roots of Banyan trees. You will then travel to Banteay Kdau and view the beautiful nearby lake of Sras Srang ("the King's Bath"). During the afternoon, you will begin your exploration of Angkor Thom, including the South Gate, Bayon, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanak and, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. You will have many good opportunities to take fabulous pictures during this day. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant while also being treated to an Apsara dance show. Your overnight stay will be in Siem Reap.

Day X

Your Plan

Day 3

Angkor Wat Temples(B/L/-)

Following breakfast this morning at the hotel, you will travel by car for a 45km drive taking you from Siem Reap to Pre Rup and East Mebon. You will be visiting Bantaey Srei and Bantaey Kdei during this morning. During the afternoon, you will visit the Wondrous Angkor Wat. Your overnight stay will be in Siem Reap.

Day 4

Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City: (B/L/-)

Following your morning breakfast, you will engage on a two-hour boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Your afternoon will be free at your leisure, or you may choose to enjoy additional Siem Reap sightseeing prior to being transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted and transferred to your hotel. Your overnight stay will be in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5

Ho Chi Minh City Tour: (B/L/-)

You will begin your exploration of the major and bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), which is leading commercial center of Vietnam and the site of a growing number of upscale restaurants, shops and cafes. You will visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, Chinatown, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City Hall (the Hotel de Ville). You will also have the opportunity to visit the very impacting War Remnants Museum. You will have good photo-taking opportunities on this day.

In Ho Chi Minh City, you will also explore the vibrant outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, which is the city's main shopping boulevard. Here you will find shops and merchants selling clothes and accessories created by new Vietnamese designers, high quality linens and house wares, and some hill tribe crafts from the countryside. You will enjoy another relaxing overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 6

Cao Dai Temples & Cu Chi Tunnels: (B/L/-)

You will begin this day with a drive to Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh. Cao Dai Holy See Temple is a cathedral of the Cao Daism religion and home of the Divine Eye, the official symbol of this unique religion. The Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. While at Cao Dai, you will also be able to observe the midday service. You will have good photo-taking opportunities on this day.

Following your lunch, you will travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels. This tunnel system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included a large number of trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. The remaining tunnels have today become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a very unique experience and understanding of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War also known as the American War. Your overnight stay will be in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 7

Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be - Mekong Lodge: (B/L/D)

This morning, you will begin your adventure into and through the Mekong Delta. You will travel by car to the town of Cai Be, which is well-known for its floating market. You will be boarding a private boat for a cruise along and through the maze of waterways and canals of the Mekong until your arrival at the Mekong Lodge. You will find many good photo opportunities along the way. You will check-in at the Lodge and then enjoy lunch at the River View restaurant. During the afternoon, you will take a walking tour and visit some coconut candy factories and local families making their handicrafts. You will then return to your bungalow to relax before participating in cooking class. Your dinner will be what you have prepared and cooked. Your overnight stay will be at the Mekong Lodge.

Day 8

Cai Be - Can Tho: (B/L/-)

You will awake and begin your day while listening to the morning sounds of the Mekong Delta coming to life again. You will enjoy breakfast at the Mekong Lodge before taking a boat trip to visit the Cai Be floating market. This will be another day of good photo opportunities. Following your visit to the market, you may walk or bike around the island to visit a fruit orchard, chat with local people and even join in light gardening work with the host if you choose. You will also have the opportunity to sample some local fruits prior to traveling back to Cai Be harbour. Upon arrival at the harbour, you will then travel to the town of Can Tho, which is situated in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Your overnight stay will be in Can Tho.

Day 9

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City: (B/L/-)

Your new day in Can Tho begins with boat trip to visit the Cai Rang floating market. This market is one of the most bustling floating markets in the Mekong Delta. You will have good photo-taking opportunities today. Here you will find hundreds of small boats engaging each other and seeking suitable space in order for the vendors to sell their goods. After sampling some local fruit, your guide will escort you back to the hotel through a maze of canals. You will then have lunch at a local restaurant before you return to Ho Chi Minh City for your overnight stay.

Day 10

Ho Chi Minh City - Danang - Hoi An: (B/-/-)

The start of your day will be free at your leisure until your transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang.

Upon your arrival at Da Nang International airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. You will have ample and unrestricted time to walk the narrow and winding streets of this ancient riverside town. Your overnight stay will be in Hoi An.

Day 11

Hoi An Ancient Town: (B/L/-)

After breakfast, you will visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. You might want to relax at a local pub, go shopping or also visit the many local tailors who can make quality clothes for you, often in less than one day. Your overnight stay will be in Hoi An.

Day 12

Hoi An - Danang - Hue: (B/-/D)

Today you will depart Hoi An for another World Heritage site, the city of Hue, and travel via the Hai Van pass. You will be stopping to visit the Marble Mountains and a local handicraft village before you arrive in Hue. In Hue, you will tour many famous sites including the Imperial Citadel, and the Dong Ba market. In the evening you will dine at a local restaurant in Hue while enjoying the fine cuisine being provided. Your overnight stay will be in Hue.

Day 13

Hue: (B/L/-)

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be boarding a private vessel and leisurely cruise upon the romantic Perfume River. As the former ancient capital of the country, Hue is surrounded by many tombs of past emperors. You will visit some of these tombs today. Your first stop will be the enchanting Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda). Your day will continue by cruising further to the ornate Minh Mang's Tomb. You will be enjoying lunch at a local restaurant before you continue to visit Tu Duc's Tomb and Khai Dinh's Tomb. You will have good photo-taking opportunities today. Your overnight stay will be in Hue.

Day 14

Hue - Hanoi: (B/-/-)

Today you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, the colonial capital city of Vietnam, which is famous for its tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, classic pagodas and temples.

Your day will be free to explore this wonderful city on your own. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 15

Hanoi City Tour: (B/L/-)

The capital city of Hanoi is a very unique Asian city adorned with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, and many lakes, temples and pagodas. Your full day tour of Hanoi will include many of Hanoi’s most interesting sights, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his Stilt House, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Many good photo-taking opportunities today. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 16

Hanoi - Halong Bay: (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will then leave Hanoi for beautiful Ha Long Bay. Arrival time at the jetty in Ha Long Bay is estimated at 12:30 p.m. Upon your arrival, you will depart on a junk cruise where you will be served lunch. Ha Long Bay is a majestic place to visit and explore. There are thousands of sculpted limestone islands which dramatically rise above the water. It is a breathtaking experience to witness and one which you will always remember. Following lunch, you will embark on a short hike to a nearby summit where you will witness a beautiful panoramic view of the bay, or have the option to take a swim on a quiet beach or enjoy sunbathing on the sundeck. Good photo-taking opportunities. You will stay on board overnight.

Day 17

Halong Bay - Hanoi: (B/-/-)

When you awake and then witness the calm bay waters of Ha Long Bay, you will have the opportunity to take an early morning swim, followed by breakfast on board your vessel. While sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while you witness the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands which dramatically rise up from the emerald waters of the bay.

Following your breakfast, you may explore Sung Sot Cave, swim and relax. You will then cruise back to the jetty and enjoy brunch on board your vessel, while you cruise through the bay and observe the many fascinating rock formations. Upon arrival at your dock, you will be met by your car and driver and return to Hanoi. Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 18

Hanoi - Vientiane: (B/L/-)

Today you will travel by plane to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. You will find that although it is the capital city of the country, it has the look and feel of a small provincial town. You will be met and greeted at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. Vientiane is a city of wide boulevards but it maintains very little traffic or activity that one would expect in a capital city. In fact, Vientiane has the feel of being from another earlier point in time and era. Your tour today will include visits to the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the prominent That Luang Stupa, the most important monument in Laos. You will also observe the morning market, see the city's version of the Arc de Triomphe, and visit the National Museum. Your overnight stay will be in Vientiane.

Day 19

Vientiane - Luang Prabang: (B/L/-)

This morning, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will visit WatXieng Thong and then take a traditional boat journey on the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak-Ou. The caves are located on the side of a steep cliff situated along the bank of the Mekong River. These famous caves house hundreds of Buddha statues. During your journey today you will visit a local rice-wine distillery and the Ban Phanom weaving village. You will then journey on to visit Wat Phousy which is situated on the top of a hill which overlooks the Mekong River. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 20

Luang Prabang - Kuangsi Waterfall - Luang Prabang: (B/L/-)

This morning, you have the option of getting up early so you may participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from local faithful residents. This is a unique tradition in Laos, and in fact, it is the only Buddhist country which continues to preserve this amazing ritual. You will then return to your hotel to enjoy breakfast.

For your next stop today, you will travel by car to the Kuangsi Waterfalls. This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy as it is a serene setting where you can enjoy entering into the waters or simply stroll along the forest paths. Following your visit to the Waterfalls, you will return to Luang Prabang and then continue on to visit Ban Phanom, a well-known weaving village. Although it is somewhat commercial, you can pick up some authentic hand-woven materials which make good souvenirs. Upon arrival back in the city, you may enjoy your own dinner at a restaurant of your choosing. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 21

Luang Prabang Departure: (B/-/-)

There are no activities planned for today. You are free to use and enjoy your free time souvenir shopping until transfer to the airport for your outbound flight. This will conclude our services.

Accommodation as listed above, Meals as listed in the itinerary, English speaking local guides (one place = one guide), Tours and transfers as mentioned, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

Travel insurance (compulsory), Fully escorted guide to accompany you throughout the country. This can be arranged for an additional fee, Visas, Spending money, Tips & gratuities, Activities not listed, Meals not listed, All drinks, International departure taxes, International flights

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