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Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Ref: Gold: IN001

Thailand-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia
13 days 
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Detailed Tour Itinerary:

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 1

Transfer to the airport.

Fly from Bangkok to Luang Prabang on Bangkok Airways

You will be met at Luang Prabang airport by your guide and driver.

A Lao visa upon arrival is available (see our visa section for more details). After having completed custom and immigration formalities you will be transferred to the hotel. The town Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the French colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. The town has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.

You will embark on a walking tour which will focus on the historic temples and houses of Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Vixoun and Wat Sen amongst others, as well as the National Museum. Your walking tour will end with a climb up to Phousi Hill, from where you have a magnificent view over Luang Prabang, and the Mekong River beyond.

Overnight:  Grand Luang Prabang HotelMeals: None • Transport: car or minibus|flight

Day 2: Luang Prabang

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 2

After breakfast drive to the Ban Sankhong, a village where weaving and sa paper making takes place. Continue to Ban Don. In this village you will see local blacksmiths at work. Proceed to the village Ban Xang Hai famous for the local production of Lao Lao, the local whisky. Cross the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves There are two caves in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River: Tham Ting, the lower cave and Tham Phum, which can be reached by a long staircase. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and size. Enjoy a picnic lunch, catered by a restaurant from Luang Prabang, nearby the caves. Afterwards board a boat for a leisurely cruise down the Mekong back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival transfer back to your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight:  Grand Luang Prabang HotelMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Hanoi

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 3

You will be picked up from the hotel by your private guide and driver. They will transfer you to the airport and will assist you with checking in.

Fly from Luang Prabang to Hanoi on Vietnam Airlines

A Vietnamese visa upon arrival is available (see our visa section for more details).

Meet upon arrival by your guide who will transfer to your hotel.

Check-in.

Enjoy evening water puppets show followed by dinner.

Overnight:  Moevenpick Hotel HanoiMeals: Breakfast|Dinner|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus|flight

Day 4: Hanoi

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 4

This comprehensive day tour takes in all of Hanoi's essential sites. In the morning we will visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (1), his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature

Lunch at the Press Club.

Afterwards we head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake and dates back to the 13th century. The lake itself is a picturesque focal point of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. After a sumptuous lunch we take a relaxing one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter. Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities. At approximately 6 pm we will return you to your hotel.



* The Mausoleum and Museum are closed on Monday and Friday and usually during the months of October and November for maintenance. If the Mausoleum and Museum are closed, you will visit the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the country. The museum houses a display dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority peoples.

Overnight:  Moevenpick Hotel HanoiMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus

Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 5

You will be picked up by your private guide and driver and transferred to Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong Bay includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. In 1994 Halong Bay was declared a UNESCO World Heritage.

After a three hours drive board Indochina Sails junk. After check-in and a welcome drink the cruise will start.

Enjoy lunch while the junk cruises through wonderful limestone scenery.

First destination will be lovely Titop Island where you can have a swim, relax on the beach or walk up to the viewpoint.

Next destination will be the Bat Cave area. You can either kayak to the Bat Cave or take a tour to a nearby fishing village.

At Luon Bo we will anchor for the night. Dinner will be served.

If weather allows you can join a squid fishing boat in the evening.

Overnight:  Indochina SailsMeals: Breakfast|Dinner|Lunch • Transport: boat|car or minibus

Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 6

Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries will be served in the dining room while the junk sets course for the Surprising Cave.
Transfer by small boat to the magnificent Surprising Cave. Walk up the 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and explore the cave on foot.
Upon return to the boat depart for the pier in Halong City. Enjoy your breakfast and relax on the sundeck enjoying the spectacular limestone scenery while the boat approaches the pier. Arrival will be before noon.
Your private guide and driver will wait for you to transfer you back to Hanoi.

 

Lunch along the way.

 

Transfer to the airport.


Fly from Hanoi to Hue on Vietnam Airlines

Economy Class


Meet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight:  Saigon Morin Hotel HueMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: boat|car or minibus

Day 7: Hue

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 7

After an early breakfast we board a private dragon boat for a pleasant boat trip on the Perfume River. You will visit the characteristic Tien Mu Pagoda and the tombs of the Nguyen emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.

After lunch you will visit the Forbidden Purple City, constructed under Emperor Gia Long's reign in the early 19th century AD. It's located inside the Citadel of Hue, which was badly damaged during the Tet offensive in 1968. Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hué was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. Hue was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1993.

Overnight:  Saigon Morin Hotel HueTransport: boat|car or minibus

Day 8: Hue - Hoi An

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 8

You will be picked up by your guide and driver for the drive to Hoi An. On the way we will enjoy a seafood lunch at a restaurant at Lang Co Beach. Although a recently opened tunnel is for many the preferred way we will drive over the Hai Van Pass from where you have fantastic views over the South China Sea.

Before reaching Hoi An we will visit the nearby Marble Mountains and the famous Cham Museum in Danang. This museum displays artifacts from the culture of Champa.

Hoi An, the picturesque port formerly known as Faifo, is another highlight of this trip. Over the years Hoi An has built a reputation. It is without a doubt one of the most pleasant places in Vietnam. It's packed with historic buildings and has a unique atmosphere. Hoi An boasts some of the best food in Vietnam. You will have the afternoon free at your leisure.

Overnight:  Hoi An HotelMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus

Day 9: Hoi An

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 9

Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoi An is another UNESCO World Heritage on your journey.

Today you will explore Hoi An by foot with your private guide.

You will visit the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and other sights of interest. Lunch will be at a local restaurant serving the delicious dish "Cao Lao".

Overnight:  Hoi An HotelMeals: Breakfast|Lunch

Day 10: Hoi An

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 10

This morning we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage, the archeological site of My Son. My Son, located 69 km southwest of Danang, was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty, between the 4th and 12th centuries. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king.

My Son Sanctuary is one of Vietnam's only archaeological sites to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A large majority of My Son's exquisite architecture was destroyed by aerial bombing during  the Vietnam War. Despite the damage done My Son is still very much worth a visit.

Return to Hoi An where you will arrive in the early afternoon.

Afternoon free at your leisure.

Overnight:  Hoi An HotelMeals: Breakfast • Transport: car or minibus
Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 11

Transfer to Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airways.

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap on Vietnam Airways.

Arrival in Siem Reap. Process your visa upon arrival (see our visa section for more details) before passing through Immigration and Customs. Collect your luggage and exit the terminal.

You will be met outside the terminal by your guide who will hold a sign with your name.

Welcome to Cambodia. Sooasday!

Drive to Angkor for a first visit. Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.

Visit Ta Phrom, the gem of Angkor. This temple has been largely taken over by the jungle. The sight of temple ruins overgrown with the roots of huge fig trees is unforgettable. Visit Preah Khan where the World Monument Fund has a project.

Enjoy sunset at Phnom Bakeng.

Overnight:  Victoria Angkor HotelMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus|flight

Day 12: Siem Reap

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 12

You will spend a second day touring Angkor. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.This morning drive to the walled city of Angkor Thom. Visit, amongst others, the Bayon, the Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. Return to the hotel in the late morning for a break and a swim. Lunch at Viroth's restaurant. In the afternoon return to Angkor. You will have the whole afternoon for a visit to the main temple, Angkor Wat.

Dinner with traditional Cambodian Apsara dances at the Apsara Theatre.

Overnight:  Victoria Angkor HotelMeals: Breakfast|Dinner|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus

Day 13: Siem Reap - Bangkok

Gold Culture - World Heritage Sites of Laos, Vietnam, and CambodiaDay 13

Early departure from the hotel. Drive to Banteay Srei, a small but exquisite temple, and approximately 45 kms from Siem Reap. Visit the small but very interesting Landmine Museum. Drive back to Siem Reap. Return to the hotel to check out. Last farewell lunch at the FCC before a visit the market for some last minute shopping.

Transfer to the airport.

Fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok on Bangkok Airways

Accommodation in Bangkok on own arrangement 

 

<End of Services> 

Overnight:  No AccommodationMeals: Breakfast|Lunch • Transport: car or minibus|flight

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Price includes:
- English speaking guide during sightseeing
- Entrance fees
- Meals as indicated
- Accommodation as mentioned on the itinerary
- Tour and transfers as indicated on the itinerary
Price DOES NOT include:
- Airport taxes
- Air tickets both domestic and international
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Surcharges during festivals or peak season
- Gala Dinner on Christmas and New Year
- All Drinks
- Visa Fees
- Tips