Indochina Heritage Road Journey – 21 Days/ 20 Nights

Tour Code:                               GINDOT009

Tour Route:                       Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh                        

Tour Duration:                     21 Days

Intended Travel date:       Upon your requests

No of participants:             Upon your request

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BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khoangsy Waterfall (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Breakfast)

Day 5: Vientiane City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 6: Vientiane – Hanoi (Breakfast)

Day 7: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi (Breakfast/Brunch)

Day 10: Hanoi – Hue (Breakfast)

Day 11: Hue City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 12: Hue – Hoian Old Quarter (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 13: Hoian – Cooking Class (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 14: Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long – Caibe (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 16: Caibe – Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Day 18: Angkor Temple Complex (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 19: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (Breakfast)

Day 20: Phnom Penh City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 21: Phnom Penh Departure (Breakfast)

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DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival Luang Prabang

Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, be picked up by our Green Discovery Indochina’s tour guide and driver, then transferred and check-in to your hotel in Luang Prabang central. Overnight in Luang Prabang

• Hotel: Ramayana Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, take a traditional riverboat for a 2-hour cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, to visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues. On the way, visit Ban Xang Hai village where sticky rice wine is distilled. Return to Luang Prabang & visit Oct Pop Tok Garellies( Lao Textile Design Center ). Overnight in Luang Prabang

• Hotel: Ramayana Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khoangsy Waterfall (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, excursion by car to the beautiful waterfalls of Khouang Sy, nestled in the lush tropical vegetation. On the way back, visit the villages of the hill tribes such as the village H’Mong of Benchers Thinkeo and the khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene.

Afternoon, excursion to visit Ban Sang Khong Village, a traditional hand weaving Village & paper making village. Return to Luangprabang & spend some time strolling through the H’Mong market. In the evening, we have a free hour to relax at spa. Overnight in Luang Prabang

• Hotel: Ramayana Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Breakfast)

Flight to Vientiane at by Laos Airlines

After breakfast there is free time until your transfer to the airport to take your flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival, transfer and check-in at your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Vat Sisaket, the only original temple in Vientiane (built in 1818 –  it is the sole survivor of a Thai invasion in 1828), the Ho Phrakeo, the former Royal Chapel where an Emerald Buddha dating back to the time of the Lane Xang Kingdom was enshrined, the Patouxai and That Luang stupa. Overnight in Vientiane

• Hotel: Beaurivage Mekong Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 5: Vientiane City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, visit National Museum, formerly known as the Lao Revolutionary Museum, this museum contains artifacts and photos from the Pathet Lao’s (PL) lengthy struggle for power.

Then visit Kaysone Phoumvihan Museum,, This museum contains pictures of Laos’s most important cultural and historic sites. Another contains a mock-up of Kaysone’s childhood.
Afternoon, visit of Ta Lat Sao market, this lively shopping market has becomed the commercial center of Vientiane. A large variety of goods are sold including Lao Antiques, textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts, jewelry  and products imported from abroad. Then enjoy the sunset along the Mekong River. Overnight in Vientiane

• Hotel: Beaurivage Mekong Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 6: Vientiane – Hanoi (Breakfast)

Flight to Hanoi at by Laos Airlines

Today we will take the flight to Hanoi. We are welcome at the airport by our tour guide then we will be transferred to hotel. In the evening, we have an hour for free relaxing spa at Spa. Overnight in Hanoi

• Hotel: Medallion Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 7: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

We start our one day city tour from the lobby of the hotel at 8:30am with our tour guide & driver pick -up. We will drive to  Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hour to visit: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his Former Stilt-house Residence, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education. Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority people. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoi as well as the difference parts the city.

Before we go back to hotel, we will have chance to enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show.

Notes:              
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8am to 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance.   Ethnology Museum is closed on Mondays.

• Hotel: Medallion Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

08.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.

10.00: Stopover on the way for refreshments

12.00 -12.30: Arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf – Break and photo opportunities at Glory Cruises Marina Private Lounge, enjoy Welcome Drink

12.30: Transfer by tender to the boat, receive cruise briefing and safety instructions.

13.00 -13.30: Check in and begin cruise. Enjoy deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu Lunch is served while the cruising through the bay.

15.00: Visit exciting Ba Hang fishing village, the village is free from busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen. Enjoy kayaking, relaxing on the cruise.

16.00: Return to the boat and join cooking class by Glory Cruise’s Chef. Time for relaxing on boat.

17.00: Enjoy swimming on Soi Sim beach, If the weather permits, you can reach on the top of Soi Sim beach to have a panorama view of Halong Bay.

19.00: Dinner – Deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu Dinner.

21.00: Evening activities include: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar. Watching movies and many sorts of Vietnam cultural films. Relaxing and spending a romantic night on Glory Cruise’s music. Playing cards, chess are available, reading magazines in room and dining room. Passengers may also try their luck at squid fishing & fishing from the boat.

21.00 – 23.00: Happy Hour! Buy two drinks- get one free (wine by the bottle excluded).

23.00: End of Program for Day One. Overnight on the cruise

• Hotel: Glory Cruise – based on Deluxe Room

Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi (Breakfast/Brunch)

06.30: Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.

07.00: Enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes).

08.15: Transfer by tender to the Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat. Proper shoes are highly recommended.

09.00: Back to the cruise by tender, then check-out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay.

09.45: Buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) or A la carte Menu while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier. We will settle bills after breakfast. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier.

11.45: Transfer by tender to the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew.

12.00 -12.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

• Hotel: Medallion Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 10: Hanoi – Hue (Breakfast)

Flight to Hue at by Vietnam Airlines

Today we take the flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, the tour guide will meet and take us to visit Tomb of Tu Duc King and Dong Ba market. In the evening, we have a free hour to relax at spa. Overnight in Hue

• Hotel: Asia Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 11: Hue City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Hue City is known as an ancient Capital city of many original historical vestiges. There are more than 100 architectural works to be extremely reflected the life of Emperors and Mandarins under Nguyen’s reign. Situated in the middle of hills on the Southern Bank of Perfume River are very beautiful tombs of Nguyen Kings.

Our tour starts at 08:00 in the morning at the lobby of the hotel. We will be met and transferred to the Wharf where we will cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (The Heavenly Lady pagoda) and surroundings. And then we take our vehicle to Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, which is one of the most beautiful works of Royal Architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty. The tomb lies in a boundless pine forest. Our delicious lunch will be served at a fine local restaurant in the city. In the afternoon, we will visit Thanh Toan Bridge and Khai Dinh King’s Tomb. Overnight in Hue

• Hotel: Asia Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 12: Hue – Hoian Old Quarter (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoian along scenic highway 1A. Along the way we will stop to visit Hai Van Pass, My Khe Beach and Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth). We will arrive in Hoian in the afternoon and relax. At 8:30, with the tour guide picks up, we will start walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Overnight at hotel in Hoian

• Hotel: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 13: Hoian – Cooking Class (Breakfast/Lunch)

We start the day at 08.15am with a drink at Hai Scout Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoian Ancient Town, Tel: 3863210) – our meeting point.

Visit Hoian’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoian River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoian’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).

After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked.

Recipes (our food contains no MSG):

1. Making fresh Rice paper
2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp
3. Crispy Hoian Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce
4. Seafood Salad with mixed Vietnamese Herbs served in Half a Pineapple
5. Vietnamese Eggplant in Clay Pot
6. Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Cucumber Hand Fan

*   Lunch includes the above meals as well as:

Steamed Ocean Fish on a bed of Freshly Chopped Vegetables   (not included in the demonstration)

*   A vegetarian lunch can be provided on request.

Finish at approximately 1pm – transfer back to central Hoi An. In the afternoon, we are free time to relax. In the evening, we have an hour for free relaxing spa at Spa. Overnight in Hoian

• Hotel: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel – based on Superior Room

Day 14: Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

Flight to Ho Chi Minh at by Vietnam Airlines

Today we will take the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrival at Tan Son Nhat aiport, the tour guide will take us to city. We go to visit Reunification Palace, Notre Dame and Old Post Office. We have lunch at a fine restaurant in the city. In the afternoon, we visit Emperor Pagoda and Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

• Hotel: Signature Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long – Caibe (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

The program will start with a visit of Vinhlong market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetable…

The boat of Mekong Travel will take you to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, we visit nursery garden for you to contact the real famous farmers – Mr Tiger or his son who is very successful in Vietnam agriculture. We will enjoy some kinds of fruits from his garden & homemade rice wine when listening to the traditional music

The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish…Have some fruits and tea when enjoying the traditional music at homestay. Check in home-stay.

One more thing to do in this trip is biking! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta. We cook some dishes with the owners. We enjoy diner and have cup of tea or rice wine when enjoying the traditional music. Also, you can ask the locals about the culture, people and history of this Island. They do not mind to answer some personal questions.

Overnight in a private room of local house

Day 16: Caibe – Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast/Lunch)

Have early breakfast and have a boat trip to Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables.

Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn.

It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products: making rice-net for spring-rolls, fish sauce & Soya sauce, cooking salt, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage roof...The cruise will end at Cai Be town. Our tour guide will meet us and have lunch then transfer you to Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening, we have a free hour to relax at spa. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

• Hotel: Signature Hotel – based on Deluxe Room

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Flight to Siem Reap at by Vietnam Airlines

Today we take the light to Siem Reap. Up on arrival will welcome by our local guide and driver then transfer to hotel for check in . (If earlier check in subject to availability of room )

In the afternoon, we will enjoy Tonle Sap Lake, Asia’s largest inland lake also the biggest harvest fresh water fish in the world, which swells to ten times its normal size during the wet season; here you will visit the people living, school, hospital , church, fishing farm, crocodile farm, souvenir shop in the floating village then back in town to visit Les Artisan D’Angkor to observe student learning of art carving . After will enjoy with body or foot massage . Overnight in Siem Reap

• Hotel: Claremont Angkor Boutique hotel – based on Superior room

Day 18: Angkor Temple Complex (Breakfast/Lunch)

In the morning after having breakfast we’ll exploration of the temples. Enter this last capital of the Khmer empire through the Southern Gate where giant carvings of gods and demons flank each side of the entrance. Inside this great city, explore the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of Leper King. Feel the serenity that exudes from the stone face carvings of the Bayon and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots which many deem the most charming of all, Ta Prohm

Mid afternoon we’ll exploration to Angkor Wat, an architectural and artistic masterpiece of the mighty Khmer Empire. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup paints the temple in an orange hue . Overnight in Siem Reap

• Hotel: Claremont Angkor Boutique hotel – based on Superior room

Day 19: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (Breakfast)

After breakfast we drive to Phnom Penh by private transportation it take around  6.30 hours via Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham , Kandal on the way will stop to visit “Naga Bridge” at Kompong Kdei and spider village at Skhun then we driving straight to hotel for check in.  Afternoon we tour Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. We will visit Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, with many pre & post Angkor artifacts . Overnight in Phnom Penh

• Hotel: Salita Hotel – based on Superior room

Day 20: Phnom Penh City Tour (Breakfast/Lunch)

In the morning after having breakfast we deal with a dark chapter of Cambodian history as we visit sites related to the Khmer regime. Visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum & Choeung Ek Killing Field. This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. We will also have some time to explore the Russian. Overnight in Phnom Penh

• Hotel: Salita Hotel – based on Superior room

Day 21: Phnom Penh Departure (Breakfast)

Today we are free time to relax before the tour guide will meet and transfer us to airport for departure flight. End of services!

Thank you very much for traveling with Green Discovery Indochina. We look forward to serving you our best services next time.

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SPECIAL OFFERED PRICE OF TOUR PACKAGE

The price is valid till the end of September, 2016

Price is quoted in American USD dollar at the newest exchange rate

3* hotels:

4* hotels:

• In Luang Prabang: The Grandluangprabang – based on Deluxe Room
• In Vientiane: Mercure Hotel – based on Standard Room
• In Hanoi: Golden Silk Boutique Hotel – based on Deluxe Room
• In Sapa: Chau Long Hotel – based on Superior Room
• In Halong Bay: Pelican Cruise – based on Deluxe Room
• In Hue: Century Riverside Hotel – based on Deluxe Riverview
• In Hoian: Hoian Riverside Resort & Spa – based on Superior Room
• In Ho Chi Minh: Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa – based on Premium Deluxe Room
• In Siem Reap: Somadevi Angkor Resort Hotel – based on Superior room
• In Phnom Penh: Ohana Hotel – based on Deluxe room 

Supplement Flights:

Note:

–           This is a cash price. Credit cards incur a 2.5% fee

–           This is private tour design for your group only

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What’s included?

• Entrance Fees: To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary.
• Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary with authentic Vietnamese food.
• Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as listed above). Your comfort is our priority!
• Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city they will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available.
• Hotels: Hotel fees are based on two people sharing with Double (Twin) Rooms. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily Western or Local breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
• Daily bottle of mineral water
• Service Charge & Government Taxes

What’s excluded?

• Excess Baggage Charges. Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carryon baggage each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20x40x 55cm.
• Personal Expenses: Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary.
• Tip
• Single Room Supplement

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NOTES:

• Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other logistics, services and days of travel are subject to availability. Where flights are cancelled or delayed, we will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value as noted in our booking conditions.
• The overnight sleeper trains used on this trip are the comfortable available although they cannot be compared to European standards. Please note that whist we always endeavor to secure soft sleeper berths on overnight trains there may be occasions when we are unable to do this due to circumstances beyond our control. In these situations we will secure the best available class.
• The traveling times mentioned within this dossier are approximations only. These times will vary according to weather, road, traffic or any other prevailing conditions.
• This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at time of writing. However it DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and Green Discovery Indochina.