The Colors Of Southeast Asia (Indochina) Tour!
One of the most fantastic, colorful, and interesting tour of southeast Asia covering Thailand, home to Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife and spectacular islands. It is also known for its fascinating history, unique culture, and delectable local food. The next will be Laos, a perfect place for coffee lovers. Laos is a mountainous country with a rich history that stretches back 10,000 years. With Buddhism as its main religion, there are hundreds of Buddhist monasteries, temples, and stupas in just about every city in Laos, with the most popular ones scattered across Luang Prabang. The Next in the list will be beautiful Vietnam known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Củ Chi tunnels. Ending this grand IndoChina tour at Cambodia famous for the ancient Khmer civilization and fascinating remains of Angkor complex, the country has even more fun facts to share. The tour excites and introduces each country’s cultural aspects from several destinations. An opportunity to experience an array of cuisine, traditions, transport types and meet with social groups of all kinds.
COUNTRY VISITED
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia
CITIES INCLUDED
Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
SUGGESTED DURATION
20 days
DAY 01: BANGKOK ARRIVAL (INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT)
All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel.
DAY 02: FULL DAY VISIT OF BANGKOK CITY
After lunch, board a long-tail boat sailing up the majestic Chao Phraya river before entering the Khlong that takes us away from the normal tourist trail. Inside the network of Khlongs guest will stop at Wat Khun Chan which is an interesting temple area rarely visited by tourists. Crossing a small footbridge leads into the old alleys where a cold co ee can be enjoyed before entering Wat Paknam or the white stupa with a hidden museum.
Back in the boat and continue on a beautiful part of the Khlong with a mix of old wooden houses and new modern mansions until reaching an orchid and fruit farm where guest will have time to walk around and see the many types of orchids on display. On the way back to Saphan Taksin pier, a stop will be made to feed the holy cats in the Khlong.
DAY 03: FLY FROM BANGKOK TO LUANG PRABANG (LAOS)
DAY 04: FULL DAY VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (PAK OU CAVE)
DAY 05: FULL DAY VISIT LUANG PRABANG (ELEPAHNT VILLAGE & KUANG SI FALLS)
Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life.
After breakfast at the hotel, your car and guide will take you to Elephant Village. On arrival, you will be welcome and greeting by the Camp Manager and participate in short briefing. After enjoying the impressive experience of approx. 30-minute elephant ride on the neck; you will then take a return boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall and spend some time in the clear water. Your lunch will be provided at the Elephant Village Restaurant (Buffet lunch served with Coffee or Tea and drinking water).
After lunch, drive to Kuang Si Falls, located 30 kilometers south of Luang Prabang. The many tiered waterfalls have scooped out small basins of turquoise color. You can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools and hike around the falls if wanted. Return to Luang Prabang and on the way back a stop will be made at one of the local villages before getting to Wat Siphouthabath to admire the sunset.
DAY 06: FLY TO HANOI (VIETNAM)
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. From there we stroll around to visit Wat Aham, which was once the residence of Sangkharat, the supreme head of Lao Buddhism.
We then take a short walk around the small roads of city center, watching the life of local people until departure transfer to the airport to board the flight from Luang Prabang to Ha Noi in Vietnam.
All guests will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local guide then transfer to enjoy a walking tour through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 streets’. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you and explore the famous Dong Xuan Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones. Later check-in at hotel for an overnight stay.
DAY 07: FULL DAY RESERVED TO VISIT HANOI
After breakfast, you will discover the Hanoi Capital, you will visit The One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic Father Figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and the Former President’s House on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. (The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed Mondays & Fridays and from Oct.-Nov, you will view from the outside).
Afterward, you will visit to the Temple of Literature. Built in 1076, The Temple of Literature was Vietnam’s first university and was established to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice namely the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology.
Afterward, you will visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints. Saint Van Suong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam’s literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there along with other National heroes.
Then you will enjoy one-hour cyclo tour through the streets of this fascinating city, you will come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested, but delightful, Old Quarter. Ride pass the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of the shops that could be found in them in the 15th to 18th centuries.
End the day with a performance of the famous water puppet show. The Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry has roots that date back to the 10th century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.
DAY 08: CRUISE FROM HANOI TO HALONG (ALL MEALS ONBOARD)
8.45- 9.15 am: Pick-up time – Instead of spending 4 hours on the traditional road to Ha Long city, we will shortly arrive at Tuan Chau Wharf by express way after 2,5 hours driving.
11.45: Check in time at Tuan Chau Wharf, transfer to SERENITY CRUISES
12.15: Embark on SERENITY CRUISES
Warmly welcome to SERENITY CRUISES! While enjoying welcome drink, our cruise manager will deliver cruise briefing and safety introduction. After that you will check in your cabin
12.45: Enjoy International buffet lunch Fantastic buffet lunch is served. In the meantime, SERENITY CRUISES will get you far away from crowded part of Ha Long bay and head to magnificent scenery Lan Ha Bay – an extension of Ha Long Wonder which is much quiet and less touristic. The cruise passes Finger Islet, Frog Islet and hundreds of uniquely shaped limestone mountain.
15.00: Explore Lan Ha – Ha Long bay, hit the water on kayak and go swimming SERENITY CRUISES reach Dau Be Island, one of the most beautiful islands located in the South East of Ha Long bay. It is your time to discover Ha Long bay on your own way by doing double –sharing kayak, explore the beauty of nature in hidden lagoon with lots of stalactites hang down from the ceiling cave. This activity might depend on the tide level of the bay. In case the tide level is too high or too low, we will do kayaking in Dark Cave, Bright Cave area. There is a stop for those who wish to swim and snorkel in the beautiful colored water
16.30: Happy Hour and cooking demonstration. Back to SERENITY CRUISES after outdoor activities, this is perfect time to relax yourself with a cocktail, Happy hour deal is available from 16.30 – 18.30. Onboard, you may join a traditional cooking class presented by our crew.
Before dinner, our experienced captain will choose the most tranquil area to anchor for overnight.
19.00: Taste deluxe Dinner Set Menu
Enjoy dinner made with all energy of our experienced chefs. After the incredible dinner, the rest of the evening is free time for SERENITY CRUISES’ guests to relax on sundeck with a drink, enjoy spa treatment, watch movie in the restaurant.
Overnight on-board cruise.
Remarks:
- In the occasion of bad weather conditions, e.g. high winds, monsoons, thunderstorms, cyclones, storms, etc., the management board has the authority to cancel all cruises to guarantee the safety of tourists. Should this happen, accommodation will be at Ha Long City Hotel instead
- The above itineraries are subject to change without notice based on weather conditions and following the seasons
- Local food will be served on cruise
DAY 09: FLY FROM HANOI TO HO CHI MINH
6.30: Do Taichi section on sundeck
Wake up yourself in peaceful nature, start second day on SERENITY CRUISES with Taichi on sundeck. Afterwards, light breakfast is served.
7.45: Visit Viet Hai Village – Our crew will take you to Viet Hai village, located in the valley in the core of Cat Ba National Park. Spending around 30 minutes for biking along, you will feel the peaceful atmosphere, charming scenery of a typical village in the North of Vietnam.
9:15: Return SERENITY CRUISES – You may simply relax on the cruise then spend few minutes to settle your bill and check out from 9.15-10.00 am
10:00: Enjoy delightful brunch – During the time well prepared brunch is served, SERENITY Cruises slowly navigates emerald water and thousands of Karst Mountains towards the Harbour.
11.30: Disembark SERENITY CRUISES.
12.00-12.15: “Goodbye Lan Ha – Ha Long bay” – Return at Tuan Chau Wharf and get ready for driving back to Hanoi airport
On arrival at Hanoi, board the flight for Ho Chi Minh in the evening. On arrival the guests will be warmly welcomed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel in Saigon.
DAY 10: FULL DAY CU CHI TUNNELS & NIGHT STREET FOOD TOUR
Morning you will enjoy the journey to of 75 km from Saigon to Cu Chi Tunnels – a complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge).
18:00 Our experience driver on a vintage Vespa will pick you up from your hotel, then we will bring you to our Venue, to have a welcome drink at a local bar for you have a free drink and to enjoy the panorama of Saigon. Then we bring around the City, to enjoy the landmarks of Saigon, to small alley where you see the real life of Saigonese. Our first stop for dinner is a local restaurant where we would like to introduce to you our local specialties like: Vietnamese Pancake, spring rolls.
After that, we continue our Discovery of SaiGon to local Seafood restaurant, another experience for you to taste the seafood with great ambience of the local. The trip is not done yet, the fun things is still waiting for you after. We would like to bring to the local acoustic music Cafe to have some desert of drink, to enjoy some music performed by Vietnamese singers. Our last stop before get back to the hotel will be Bar, where you can enjoy Rock music or Jazz, now you can say you experience the Saigon Night Life.
DAY 11: DRIVE FROM SAIGON TO MEKONG DELTA
DAY 12: CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET
DAY 13: SPEED BOAT FROM CHAU DOC TO PHNOM PENH (CAMBODIA)
DAY 14: FULL DAY VISIT OF PHNOM PENH
DAY 15: PHNOM PENH TO SIEM REAP (BY FLIGHT OR ROAD)
1. By flight takes 45 minutes
2. By local bus takes 6 hours
Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel check in. Afternoon visit to Wat Thmey or Killing Field, contains a unique glass-walled stupa containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. After that, visit to Wat Memorial Mountaint. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap
DAY 16: FULL DAY VISIT OF SIEM REAP
DAY 17: EXPLORE SIEM REAP
DAY 18: FLY FROM SIEM REAP TO BANGKOK
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure till transfer to Siem Reap International airport for flight to Bangkok.
On arrival warmly welcomed at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Remainder of the day will be free for independent activities