Grand Indo-China Tour (14 Days)

Arrive Luang Prabang

Arrive in Luang Prabang where your guide will transfer you to your hotel in the former capital of the kingdom of Lane Xang (Land of a Million Elephants). There is little traffic on the dusty Luang Prabang roads and monks in orange robes scurry in all directions carrying umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun. The former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Vat Xieng Thong, Vat Sen, Vat Visum and Mount Phousi with panoramic views over the city should not be missed. Overnight Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Caves

A full day trip on the mighty Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak ou Caves. Thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimetres to the size of a man. After a picnic lunch, visit a riverside village where rice wine is produced and the village of Ban Phonom, where traditional Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms. In the late afternoon, attend a Baci ceremony, mixing Animist and Buddhist beliefs. The purpose of the Baci is to call back escaped spirits to your body, something that is very important before major event such as weddings, births, travel or welcoming friends. The ceremony is followed by a traditional dinner with a Lao family. Overnight Luang Prabang. (Lunch and Dinner)

Luang Prabang-Vientiane. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon a sightseeing tour takes in Vat Sisaket, with its thousands of Buddhist statues, Vat Phra Keo, That Luang and Vientiane's own Arc de Triopmphe, the Patouxai Monument. Overnight Vientiane. (Lunch)

Vientiane-Savannakhet-Lao Bao-Hue

After breakfast, transfer by road to Savannakhet, a long journey of 7-8 hours. Continue to Lao Bao on the Laos-Vietnam border. After completing the visa formalities, continue by road to Hue. Arrive in the former imperial capital of Hue in the late afternoon or early evening and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hue.
NOTE: Visas for Vietnam must be obtained in advance.

Hue

After breakfast, take a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River. Visit Hue's best known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda and the mausoleum of the former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon, visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. If time permits, visit one of Hue's many garden houses or explore the lively Dong Ba Market. In the evening enjoy a home cooked dinner at the home of a local family. Overnight Hue. (Dinner)

Hue-Danang-Hoi

After breakfast, depart Hue for Danang by road, via the scenic fishing village of Lang Co and the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Stop in Danang to visit the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum, containing the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. On the road from Danang to Hoi An, visit the five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains, containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. On arrival in Hoi, transfer to the hotel. Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle ha changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants' houses, the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful market. Overnight Hoi An.

Day 7

Hoi An-My Son-Tra Kieu-Hoi An

A half day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40 km south west of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoi An, visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of the Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang's Cham Museum originate from here. On returning to Hoi an, the afternoon is free to relax, browsing for souvenir in Hoi An's galleries and shops or maybe cycling to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Overnight Hoi An.

Hoi an-Danang-Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for the earliest flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, The War Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquer ware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city's bustling Chinatown. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh-Vinh Long-Ho Chi Minh

Leave Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast for Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta. On arrival at Cai Be board a boat to explore the floating market, typical of the Mekong Delta. Continue by boat to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island to visit orchards of tropical fruit and have lunch in the famous Bonsai garden of Mr Sau Giao. After lunch continue by boat to Vinh Long and then by road back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (Lunch)

Ho Chi Minh-Cu Chi Tunnels- Phnom Penh

After breakfast leave Ho Chi Minh City for Phnom Penh by road, stopping en route to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Continue to Moc Bai on the border between Vietnam and Cambodia, and complete the visa formalities. Continue the journey by road to Phnom Penh with a Cambodian guide and vehicle. Arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm. In the afternoon visit the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom hill, the location where Phnom Penh was founded. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh-Siem Reap

Transfer to Pochentong Airport after breakfast for the morning flight to Siem Reap. (Alternatively take the new speed boats to Siem Reap leaving Phnom Penh at 08:00 and arriving in Siem Reap around 12:30) Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. On arrival begin a tour of the temples that includes the early-Angkor era temples of the Roluos Group - Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei and in the afternoon continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap

After breakfast a morning tour of the temples takes in the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. Return to hotel after watching the sun set over Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap

After breakfast depart for a visit to Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean (River of 1000 Lingas) and Banteay Samre. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit taking in Pre Rup, Neak Poan and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap-Departure

After breakfast take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (best from July-February) and afterwards visit the Siem Reap market and the workshops of Artisans d'Angkor (wood and stone carving) and/or visit the Landmine Museum of Mr Aki Ra before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for departure flight.