Highlights of Indochina
Escape the crowds and travel by tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat for sunrise over Angkor Wat‘s famous spires. Enjoy a hands-on traditional Lao-style cooking demonstration at the Bamboo Experience cooking school. Learn about the typical ingredients used in Lao cooking and prepare a feast for dinner. Receive a blessing when you take part in a local ‘Baci’ blessing ceremony. Cruise overnight through the 3,000 islands rising from the sea in Ha Long Bay.
Travel Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Saigon
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Your airport representative will meet and greet you. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy some free time.
DAY 2
Saigon
Today you will visit Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover the network of underground tunnels while learning about their role in the Vietnam War. Later, enjoy a guided walking tour of Saigon where you will see Dong Khoi Street, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, and Ben Thanh Market.
DAY 3
Saigon to Mekong Delta
Venture to the Mekong Delta and spend the day exploring the many palm fringed canals, local temples and markets. Enjoy a delicious lunch made from locally harvested produce. Stop by a Cao Dai temple with its spectacular architecture.
DAY 4
Saigon – Danang – Hoi An
Fly to Danang, and then enjoy a scenic drive to Hoi An. Take a walking tour to discover the mix of Chinese, Japanese and French influenced architecture.
DAY 5
Hoi An
Visit a sleepy corner of Hoi An and see the amazing artworks covering the walls, streets and alleyways. Visit Thanh Dong Organic Farm, to learn traditional farming methods adopted by this village. Chat with the local farmers and take part in the farming activities.
DAY 6
Hoi An - Danang to Hanoi
Fly from Danang to Hanoi and discover Hanoi’s must-visit sites including the Ho Chi Minh complex, the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Pay a visit to the Temple of Literature. End with a visit inside the Opera House and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea.
DAY 7
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Drive past scenes of traditional rural life from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a delicious lunch and begin cruising among the 3,000 islands which rise from the sea. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck or at the bar.
DAY 8
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Take part in a sunrise Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck before enjoying brunch on board. Upon arrival back in port, transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. Take a walking tour to visit the old quarter and a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake before joining your group for a farewell dinner.
DAY 9
Hanoi to Luang Prabang
Fly to Luang Prabang. Start your tour with a visit to Wat Xiengthong, and by walk to Phou Si Mountain. Take part in a traditional Baci ceremony. Hop on a tuk-tuk for your dinner at Bamboo Experience.
DAY 10
Luang Prabang
Rise early to see the locals giving morning alms to the orange-robed monks. After breakfast take a walking tour to local market for some snacks. Visit Wat Mai and the National Museum. Cruise the Pak Ou caves, have picnic lunch, and play the local favourite game of petanque. Finish with sunset drinks.
DAY 11
Luang Prabang to Siem Reap
Visit Kuang Si waterfalls and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. In the evening be entertained by Phare, The Cambodian Circus where the performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern.
DAY 12
Siem Reap
Start early to witness the breathtaking sunrise over Angkor Wat temple, followed by breakfast at a local restaurant. Reach the southern gate of Angkor Thom, the ‘Great City’ and marvel at the imposing 23m (75-foot) high stone faces, featured in the Tomb Raider movie. At the centre lies the 12th-century state temple of Bayon, with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. Ta Prohm is unforgettable due to the massive trees with thick roots that entangle the walls.
DAY 13
Siem Reap
Visit Beong Mealea Temple, a 12th-century Buddhist sanctuary built from perfectly-squared sandstone blocks, still partly buried under vegetation. Shop at a local market and lunch at a local restaurant. Visit an isolated community of three villages built on stilts. These scenic villages are flooded from Aug – Feb. You will take the small boat through the flooded mangrove forests fostering a variety of wildlife. Go back in time with Khmer ancient culture in a spectacular performance while you enjoy the finest cuisine in town.
DAY 14
Depart Siem Reap
It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.
Hotel Description
Day 1, 2 and 3
Day 4 and 5
Day 6 and 8
Saigon
Hoi An
Hanoi
5/5
4.5/5
4/5
Hotel Equatorial
Hoi An Silk Marina Resort
The Ann Hotel
Day 7
Day 9 and 10
Day 8, 9 and 10
Halong Bay
Luang Prabang
Siem Reap
Bhaya Cruise
Sala Prabang
Steung Siem Reap
5/5
4/5
4/5
What´s included
- 12 nights in described Hotel or similar
- 1 night cruise accomodation onboard Bhaya cruise or similar
- Daily Breakfast for 2 Persons
- 6 Lunches
- 3 Dinner
- All flights as specified in the itinerary
- Transport in air-conditioned vehicles (except Tuk Tuk touring)
- Small group touring
- All Entrance fees
- English speaking tour leader
- All Tipping
- Arrival and departure transfers
Excluded
- Any Personal Expenses
- Visa fees
- Porters
- Insurance and personal expenses such as laundry, mini-bar, telephone and drinks
Departure Dates and Rates
Additional Information
- All pricing is reflected in Australian Dollar unless otherwise specifically denoted and is valid at time of publication but is subject to change.
- All prices are per person sharing a double room. Single and Triple room rates available upon request.
- ‘From’ prices represent land only and low season twin share prices (unless otherwise clearly stated).
- Unless otherwise stated, prices include all government levies and airport taxes as at the date of publication.
- Dates, itineraries and prices are indicative only and subject to change by time booking.
- Private Travel prices are valid for travel during low season and will vary depending on date of travel.
- All Hotel Names stated in the tour itinerary may change to one of a similar Standard without prior notice..
- Some countries charge additional destination tax which are either per Person or per Night. These taxes can vary and must be paid directly at the location or hotel.
- Items listed under Booking Exclusions are NOT included in the price and must be paid directly at the location.
- All Tours are escorted by English-Speaking Guides unless otherwise mentioned.
- All Excursions are based on Join-In Capacity unless “Private Tour” is explicit mentioned. Private Tours are available upon request and with surcharges.
- Self-Drive Tours may not always include a car rental. Please check carefully the included and excluded box. Driver must be in posseion of an valid drivers license and for some countries an international license as well as a valid credit card.
- We will use our reasonable efforts to notify you of changes in prices.
- All our Insider Journeys itineraries as shown on our website and in our brochures will outline the relevant touring schedule and inclusions and will be priced accordingly to reflect this. Prices may vary based on the selected travel season and any individual amendments required.
- Even if the tours are requested as displayed, on occasion Insider Journeys may be required to impose surcharges depending on variables in the destinations outside of its control. Due to hotel availability in some destinations the accommodation stated in the itinerary may change to that of a similar standard. In light of recent worldwide events and due to the ever-changing current situation, there may also need to be more flexibility applied to the touring content and schedule in certain incidences and sometimes at short notice. Please note that we will always endeavour to keep the inclusions as close as possible to those shown and to notify you as best we can should such changes arise, although we appreciate your understanding in that this may not always be possible.
- For more detailed price and other booking information please visit the booking condtions page click here
