The Colors Of Southeast Asia (Indochina) Tour!

All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel.

An early start will get you to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks early morning chanting ritual (chanting starts at 09.00 Hrs). After this uplifting and often private experience, visit the temple grounds and the famous 45-metre reclining Buddha. Continue to The Grand Palace, Thailand’s most important landmark, where you will be awed by the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne halls. Then, of course, marvel at the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Delicious lunch is served at the delightful Never Ending Summer, a Thai rustic restaurant, situated by Chao Phraya River.

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.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later transfer to airport to connect the flight for Luang Prabang in Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos, you will be warmly welcomed by our local guide and transfer further to the hotel for check in. The remainder of the day will be at leisure for intendent activities.

Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel. The day is reserved to visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then take a traditional wooden boat upstream to visit the famous cave of Pak Ou. The cave locates just right on the cliff; it’s a very impressive and stunning sight. Inside the cave, there are more than one hundred Buddha images which have been brought by local people since the early 14th century when the cave was found. On the way, stop shortly at Ban Muang Kham, which specializes in river weed making. Next, a stop will also be made at Ban Xanghai where you can enjoy the taste of the local rice wine. On return, disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving before heading back to hotel

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Leave Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields (seasonally). On arrival at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet and have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre and enjoy cruising on a hand rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals. Then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by the locals. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Proceed to Can Tho. Overnight at the hotel (family home-stay with dinner can be arranged on request). Free time to visit the bustling Can Tho market.

Taking very early morning boat trip (5:30am usually recommended) to visit the Cai Rang floating market which is wholesale market of fruit and vegetable at its busiest at this time of the day. Keep cruising through the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village. Experience the “Monkey Bridge” in the Delta. Head towards Phong Dien for the smaller, quieter floating market (optional for private tour). Break for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc and continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. On the way back stop by to visit Sam Mountain, the Cave pagoda (if time permitted). Overnight hotel in Chau Doc

Breakfast at your hotel. 7.00am be picked up and transferred to a speed boat station for the final part of the journey to Phnom Penh. Arrive at Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh at around afternoon. Visit Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. It is like a small town of royal dynasties. Continue to Silver Pagoda, serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg Golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh. (If time allows).

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Tuol Sleng Museum (also known as S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Then drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek. Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), the Market has gained reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic music instrument. Enjoy Sunset Cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers in Phnom Penh, it bursts into 4 branches.

Breakfast at the hotel – Later transfer to Siem Reap with 2 options:
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

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century by King Jayavarman VII and consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit Ta Prohm, surrounded by jungle. Visit Angkor Wat, the largest temples in world and covers an area of 200 hectares and surrounded by moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters. Early this evening, we will take the Tuk Tuk (the most common taxi in Cambodia) to cruise around the Siem Reap and town and and for a blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Banteay Srei, constructed at the late 10th century by a Brahmin counselor under a powerking Rajendarvarman. It was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. En-route stop at Pre Rub (turn the body), was constructed in late 10th century dedicated to Hindu gods. This reflects the common belief among Cambodians that funerals were conducted at the temple. Lunch at local restaurant Visit Preah Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII dedicated to his father. It is a huge, highly exportable monastic complex, and served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. Continue to Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray, constructed by a Khmer king in the Angkor area.

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

After Breakfast – Departure to Ayutthaya, the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai for more than 400 years, once glorified as the largest city in Southeast Asia. In the center of the city is the Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the ruins of the ancient capital and its remaining palaces, monasteries and towers – one can consider the grandeur and splendor that was once the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. 1st visit to Chai Wattanaram Temple, built by King Prasat Tong, a commoner who overthrew the previous king and took his throne. Continue to Ayutthaya Historical Park and visit the ancient palace. WatPhra Sri Sanphet, once a royal temple located next to the Grand Palace, was once the most important temple of the Ayutthaya period. After visit return back to your hotel in Bangkok.