Luang Prabang :: Pak Ou Caves :: Vientiane :: Savannakhet :: Lao Bao :: Hue :: Danang :: Hoi An
My Son :: Tra Kieu :: Ho Chi Minh City :: Vinh Long :: Cu Chi :: Phnom Penh :: Siem Reap

Day 01: Arrive Luang Prabang
Arrive in Luang Prabang, the former capital of the former Kingdom of Lane Xang or Land of a Million Elephants. Transfer to hotel before setting out to explore some of the sights of this peaceful, provincial city. There is a little traffic on the dusty Luang Prabang roads and monks in orange robes scurry in. The former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Vat Xieng Thong, Vat Sen, Vat Visun and Mount Phousi with panoramic views over the city should not be missed. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 02: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Luang Prabang
A full day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a man. After a picnic lunch, visit a riverside village where rice wine is produced and the village of Ban Phanom, where traditional Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms. In the late after noon attend a Baci ceremony, mixing Animism and Buddhism beliefs. The purpose of the Baci is to call back escaped spirits to your body something that is very important before major events such as weddings, births, travel or welcoming friends. The ceremony is followed by a traditional dinner with a Lao Family. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B, D)

Day 03: Luang Prabang – Vientiane
After breakfast, fly to Vientiane. Transfer to hotel on arrival. In the afternoon a Vientiane sightseeing tour takes in Vat Sisaket with its thousands of Buddha statues, Vat Phra Keo, That Luang and Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, the Patouxia Monument. Overnight in Vientiane. (B, D)

Day 04: Vientiane – Savannakhet – Lao Bao – Hue
After breakfast, transfer by road to Savannakhet. A journey of around 7 or 8 hours. continue Lao Bao on the Laos-Vietnam border. After visa formalities continue to Hue. Arrive in the former imperial capital of Hue late afternoon or early evening, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 05: Hue
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. If time permits visit one of Hue’s many garden houses or explore the lively Dong Ba Market. In the evening enjoy a home cooked dinner at the home of a local family (groups of under 15 pax only). Overnight in Hue. (B, D)

Day 06: Hue – Danang – Hoi An
After breakfast start by road for Danang via Lang Co village and the pass of Ocean Clouds. In Danang visit the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum containing the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. On the road to Hoi An visit five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. On arrival transfer to hotel. Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful Market. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)

Day 07: Hoi An – My Son – Tra Kieu – Hoi An
A half day trip to visit the capital and religious center of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km south-west of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and the 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here. On returning to Hoi An, the afternoon is free to relax perhaps browsing for souvenirs in Hoi An’s art galleries and silk shops, or maybe cycling to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)

Day 08: Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival a sightseeing tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, The War Museum, The Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, A lacquer ware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown. Overnight in Ho Chiu Minh. (B)

Day 09: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh City
Leave Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast for Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta. On arrival at Cai Be board to explore the floating market, typical of the Mekong Delta. Continue by boat to Binh Goa Phuoc Island to visit orchards of tropical fruit and have lunch in the famous Bonsai garden of Mr. Sau Giao. After lunch continue by boat to Vinh Long and then by road back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B, D)

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi – Phnom Penh
After breakfast leave Ho Chi Minh City for Phnom Penh by road, stopping en route to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Continue the journey by road to Phnom Penh with a Cambodian guide and vehicle. Arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial Cham. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum, The Silver Pagoda, The Royal Palace and Wat Phnom hill, founding place of the city. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B)

Day 11: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Transfer to Pachentong airport after breakfast for the morning flight to Siem Reap. Alternatively take the new speed boats to Siem Reap leaving Phnom Penh at 08:00 and arriving in Siem Reap around 12:30. Siem Reap is the base of exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. On arrival begin a tour of the temples that includes the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group – Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei and in the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B, L)

Day 12: Siem Reap
After breakfast a morning tour of the temples takes in the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. Return to hotel after watching the sun set over Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B)

Day 13: Siem Reap
After breakfast depart for a visit to Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean (river of 1000 Lingas) and Banteay Samre. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit taking in Pre Rup, Neak Poan and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B)

Day 14: Depart Siem Reap
After breakfast take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (best from July February) and afterwards visit the Siem Reap market and the workshops of artisans d’Angkor (wood and stone carving ) and/or visit the Landmine Museum of Mr. Aki Ra before transferring to Siem Reap airport for departure flight. (B)


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