HERITAGE OF INDOCHINA   

Starting in Siem Reap, Cambodia, you will spend time at the fabulous Angkor Wat where you will get to see all the best elements. Beginning at Ta Prohm, you will see how it has almost been taken back by nature. Continuing to Angkor Thom, you will see the fantastic sites such as the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of Elephants and the Baphuon Temple. And of course you will visit Bayon and the magnificent Angkor Wat.

 

Next, you will take a short flight to Vietnam’s sophisticated capital Hanoi. Walk down tree-lined boulevards along the splendour of French colonial architecture, explore the city’s old and French quarter with its extensive markets, art galleries, eateries and coffee shops. Cruise through thousands of sharp limestone islands at the UNESCO heritage Bay of Ha Long, explore small hidden coves and impressive caves with glittering stalactites before you jet down to the centre of the country and the old imperial capital of Hue. Sail down the Perfume River, visit the Forbidden Purple Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and sample the refined and unique Hue cuisine. Drive on one of Vietnam’s most scenic highways to the picturesque 16th century harbour of Hoi An.

 

The tour finishes in Laos’s World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. Join locals in the morning giving alms to the monks before visiting the local markets. Spend the day visiting the Royal Palace Museum and the three most impressive Wat’s including the country’s most historic and enchanting Temple Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style.

 

Tour dates:

 

• 29th January 2016

• 10th March 2016

• 15th April 2016

• 3rd June 2016

• 15th July 2016

• 26th August 2016

• 14th October 2016

• 2nd December 2016

• 20th January 2017

• 3rd March 2017

• 21st April 2017

• 2nd June 2017

• 14th July 2017

• 18th August 2017

• 3rd November 2017

• 8th December 2017

 

Day 1 Depart from the UK
Our scheduled flight leaves London for Siem Reap with a change of aircraft in Vietnam.

Day 2 Arrive in Siem Reap
A representative will meet you at the airport in Siem Reap and take you to your hotel before running through your trip details with you. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish.

 

Day 3 Floating Villages
Today we venture out on the Tonle Sap for a floating village tour to see how locals live. In the evening we take you to the Cambodian circus, a mixture of music dance and acrobatics.

 

Day 4 Full Day Angkor Temples
The day begins at Ta Prohm temple, a perfect time to take pictures and continue to Angkor Thom before lunch. In the afternoon you will head to the Bayon temple before finishing at the most famous of the Siem Reap temples, the magnificent Angkor Wat.

Day 5 Siem Reap to Hanoi
Today you are free until we fly to Hanoi. A representative will meet you at the Hanoi airport and take you to your hotel. You can enjoy the rest of the day as you wish.

Day 6 Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
Today we drive to Ha Long Bay (3.5 hours) where we will take an overnight cruise to the bay visiting to some of the more remote islands and explore some of the caves and coves.

Day 7 Ha Long Bay to Hanoi
Wake up in the middle of the stunning Ha Long Bay. After breakfast, return to the pier, disembark from the cruise and you will be driven back in your private car to Hanoi and transferred to your hotel. You have the afternoon to do as you wish.

 

Day 8 Hanoi to Hue
After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for a short flight to Hue where you will be met by a See Vietnam Differently representative who will take you to your hotel in Hue. Enjoy your free time for the rest of the day

 

Day 9 Full Day Heritage Tour
We visit the impressive Imperial City and the Royal Citadel. Much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored.We continue on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful pagoda, thought to be the symbol or religion and spirit of Hue people. We finish by visiting the solemn permanent shelter of the 4th Nguyen Emperor, Tu Duc Tomb.

Day 10 Hue to Hai An
Today you will be driven in one of Vietnam’s most scenic highways by private car to Hoi An (4 hours). On arrival you will be taken to your hotel by your driver. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Day 11 Half Day Heritage Walk
Your half-day walking tour of Hoi An starts after breakfast. Discover the charming old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, former merchants’ homes, the town’s iconic 400–year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market with an array of fresh ingredients on display.

Day 12 Hoi An
Enoy a free day in Hoi An and choose one of the many excursions the city or simply relax by the warm South China sea.

Day 13 Hoi An via Danagg to Luang Prabang
Today we fly to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and once you arrive in Luang Prabang you have free time to explore the cities restaurants to find a place for your evening meal.

Day 14 Full Day Heritage Tour
We’ll have an early start to witness the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ – giving alms to the monks. We then a visit the Royal Palace Museum, the Arts & Ethnology Centre before visiting the textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. The day will end by climbing Mt. Phousi for spectacular views over the Mekong River.

Day 15 Pak Ou Caves
We start the day at Pakbeng market before cruising on our final river leg to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we visit a Hmong and Pak-Ou village. Visit the Pak Ou caves of a thousand Buddha’s and observe the traditional process of manufacturing local rice alcohol before arriving in Luang Prabang.

Day 16 Depart Luang Prabang
Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time in the morning, before we transfer you to the airport for your departing flight home.

Day 17 Arrive back in the UK
 

 

 

Price per person sharing: 3095 GBP (subject to change and availability)

 

 

Includes:

• International flights from the UK (if purchased with trip package)
• All transfers and transportation within each destination country
• Own en-suite room for sole use
• Breakfasts each morning on the tour
• Excursions as mentioned
• English-speaking guide
• Other meals as mentioned (breakfast, lunch and dinner, excluding drinks)
• All taxes

 

Does not include:

• Visa fees
• Tips to the driver and guides
• Meals, unless mentioned differently
• Beverages and personal expenses
• Other excursions and entrance fees
• Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)