I N C L U S I O N S

Accommodations: Ha

Noi 2 nights, aboard

cruise in Ha Long Bay 1

night, Hoi An 2 nights,

Ho Chi Minh City

(Saigon) 3 nights, Siem

Reap 2 nights, Luang

Prabang 3 nights

Meals: Continental

breakfast daily, lunch and

dinner as noted

Air-conditioned, private

coaching

English-speaking

assistants and guides

Admission tickets as

outlined in the itinerary

When selecting this

itinerary for your

group, please let us

know which flight

segments you would

like us to provide.

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam:

an Adventure through Indochina

S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y | C A N B E C U S T O M I Z E D

1 4 D A Y S / 1 3 N I G H T S | G R O U P T R A V E L

This itinerary contains much of the same incredible sightseeing that your group can experience

on our 10-day itinerary to Vietnam and Cambodia, but if you can manage to tack on four

additional days to your travel dates, it is undoubtedly worth it. This 14-day itinerary includes

two nights at a beach resort on the amazing East Vietnam Sea, another fantastic Angkorian

sightseeing tour in Cambodia, and three nights in the extraordinary Laotian city of Luang

Prabang. All in all, if your group has always dreamt of visiting Indochina, this is the trip of a

lifetime.

DAY 1 • ARRIVAL TO HA

NOI (HANOI)

Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival to Noi Bai

International Airport, an assistant will meet

your group in the terminal’s arrivals hall

and accompany it to the hotel in Ha Noi by

private coach. As today is your arrival day

and many of your fellow group members

might still be adjusting to the time change,

we have not scheduled any touring.

Instead we suggest you venture out and

begin exploring Ha Noi. (Please note that

should your group arrive before the hotel’s

official check-in time; generally 2:00 pm;

you are more than welcome to store your

baggage with the hotel’s reception staff.)

Vietnam's capital is often described by its

visitors as an “old-fashioned” city. Old-

fashioned in style and appearance, Ha Noi

is a city made up of lakes, parks, trees,

villas, mansions and a neighborhood called

the Old French Quarter, where historic

houses are crammed into narrow alleyways

that still bear the names of their original

trades such as “Silk Street,” “Gold Street,”

and even “Fried Fish Street!”

Old-fashioned in ambience, Ha Noi has

preserved its sidewalk cafes, street barbers,

elegant colonial mansions; and wide, tree-

lined (and bicycle-filled!) boulevards. The

grandeur and solemnity of the Ho Chi Minh

Mausoleum memorial; the modest, wooden

house in which “Uncle Ho” lived out his final

years; the barely-concealed misery of the

Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton” where many

prisoners of war were incarcerated); and the

religious pride that constructed the

magnificent Temple of Literature; along with

many other integral aspects of Vietnamese

culture, can all be found here in Ha Noi.

DAY 2 • HA NOI

SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast in the hotel, a

local guide will meet your

group and take it on an exciting, full-day

sightseeing tour of Ha Noi’s top attractions,

beginning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh

complex. (Note: the mausoleum is only

open in the mornings and is closed all day on

Mondays and Fridays. It is also closed during

the months of October and November.) The

monumental tomb of Vietnam’s famed

revolutionary leader was constructed of

marble, granite and precious wood, and just

behind it you will see the tranquil, wooden

house and lotus pond where Ho Chi Minh

resided. Ho Chi Minh’s belongings are on

display, and visitors can walk up the steps of

his house to see his bedroom. Nearby you

will see one of Vietnam’s most famous

sights: the astonishingly-beautiful,

H I G H L I G H T S

Cooking class in Laos

Tour Angkor Wat,

Angkor Thom, Ha Long

Bay and Hoi An

Visit Cu Chi tunnels,

“Hanoi Hilton” and the

Reunification Palace

Lunch on a local farm in

the Mekong River delta

Travel through the

Cambodian jungle to

reach the 12th-century

temple of Beng Mealea

See Laos’ Kuang Si

Waterfalls and the

famous Pak Ou Buddha

Caves

11th-century Buddhist temple called the “One

Pillar Pagoda.”

While in the complex, you will also have time

to go inside the interesting Ho Chi Minh

Museum before continuing your sightseeing

tour of Ha Noi with a visit to the Hoa Lo

Museum (the former prison famously known

as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam

War), followed by a visit to Temple of

Literature (the Van Mieu Pagoda). This

exemplary example of traditional Vietnamese

architecture was constructed almost 1,000

years ago. The Confucian pagoda (or

“temple”) was home to Vietnam’s first

university, which was established in 1076 for

the city’s upper-class citizens. The temple,

which was dedicated to Confucius, consists

of five walled courtyards that lead to a

pavilion containing 82 ancient stones (of an

original 117) which record the names and

places of birth of students who passed the

grueling examinations from 1498 to 1787,

during the years of the Ly dynasty. The

stones or “stelae” sit on the backs of giant

turtles, a symbol of longevity; these emblems

along with the crane (another creature that

represents longevity) can also be found in

the main, red-lacquered temple nearby.

After the visit your group will have lunch in a

local restaurant. In the afternoon, your

sightseeing will continue as you explore Ha

Noi’s tree-lined avenues and French-colonial

architecture, including the recently restored

Opera House. Pass by Lake Hoan Kiem,

which is also known as the “Lake of the

Restored Sword,” before taking a walking

tour of the Ancient Quarter (the “36 Streets

District”). This historic, densely-populated

corner of the city was once a center of

commerce where goods were sold under the

street name of a particular guild. As an ever-

thriving community of vendors, you will still

encounter streets named “Sugar Street,” “Tin

Street” and “Paper Street.” Today this

vibrant area hosts a wonderful hodgepodge

of historic homes, market stalls, temples

and souvenir shops.

Early this evening several “cyclos” (also

called a “pedicab,” this is Vietnam’s most

traditional form of transport) will take you

and your fellow group members to the

theatre for a performance of traditional

Vietnamese water puppetry! In this art

form, the stage is actually a pool of water,

in which a hidden puppeteer must stand

(waist deep!) and skillfully maneuver

puppets that are attached to bamboo poles

on the surface. The skits are generally

short and portray scenes of everyday life

such as “returning from school after

graduation” or “raising ducks and chasing

foxes.”

At the end of the performance, enjoy the

remainder of your evening at leisure.

DAY 3 • HA NOI – HA

LONG BAY

After breakfast and check-

out, your group will board a

private coach and travel east to what surely

will be a highlight of your trip to Vietnam:

Ha Long Bay. The beauty of this UNESCO

World Heritage Site will take your breath

away, and tonight you will spend the night

aboard a traditional Vietnamese junk boat!

Ha Long Bay has been dubbed Vietnam's

“eighth wonder of the world,” and once

visited it is hard to dispute that claim.

Three thousand spectacular limestone

outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves

compete for space in an area that is,

without a doubt, the most outstanding

natural site in Vietnam.

Upon arrival to the city of Ha Long, your

group will board a traditional junk boat and

then enjoy a delicious, fresh seafood lunch

while cruising Ha Long Bay. During the

cruise you may visit a nearby fishing village

by rowboat, relax, and enjoy the solitude

and beauty of the bay. Dinner will be

served onboard, and tonight after the sun

sets, enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in one

of the world’s most beautiful locations.

DAY 4 • HA LONG BAY –

DA NANG – HOI AN

After waking up in the

paradisal Ha Long Bay, your

group will begin the day with a Tai Chi

session on the sundeck while

complimentary tea, coffee and light

breakfast items are served. You will then

explore the bay’s famed Surprise Cave

(Sung Sot) before returning to shore

(between 10:30-11:00 am) to board a

private coach and travel four hours to Noi

Bai Airport for your 1-hour flight to Da

Nang.

One of the most ancient cities in Vietnam,

Da Nang was an important center during

the reign of the Cham Dynasty, which was

established in the 2nd century. Da Nang

continues to draw visitors because of its

excellent Cham Museum and because of its

proximity to both Hoi An and the

extraordinary ruins of My Son. Unwelcome

visitors have made their mark here too; Da

Nang was the first landing point for

invading French troops and also for US

Marines during the Vietnam War. Today,

Da Nang is the fourth-largest city in

Vietnam and is a major port and center of

industry. Also nearby Da Nang is Non Nuoc

Beach, which is considered one of the most

spectacular beaches in Asia.

Upon arrival to Da Nang Airport, a local

guide will meet your group and accompany

it to the resort hotel in Hoi An for check-in.

DAY 5 • HOI AN

SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast in the resort,

your group will travel into

the very heart of rural Hoi An on a bicycle

tour for a special look at everyday life in a

Vietnamese village. Your group will see

small communities nestled amongst endless

rice fields. Places like Cam Thanh will reveal

the very backbone of Vietnam's rural

culture. The short bicycle ride through the

countryside will surely be one of the

highlights of your time in Vietnam; and it

will give you the opportunity to travel with

the locals’ preferred form of transportation:

the bicycle! And depending on the season,

you may see local farmers threshing and

harvesting.

After lunch your group will set out on a

walking tour of Hoi An, a remarkable town

that was once a bustling port city of trade

from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoi An’s

harbor eventually became too silted to be

desirable to traders, and later its rail lines

were heavily damaged, rendering the town

isolated, unscathed by war, and frozen in

time. Today Hoi An serves as an example of

an outstandingly-preserved, Southeast

Asian trading port of its era, which led to its

being declared an official UNESCO World

Heritage Site. While visiting Hoi An, your

group will see Japanese, Chinese, French

and Indian architecture right out of the

history books. You will also visit the unique

Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese

communal home before visiting one of Hoi

An’s numerous art galleries.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are at

leisure. Feel free to relax on the beach,

explore the city on your own, or indulge in a

bit of shopping.

DAY 6 • HOI AN – DA

NANG – HO CHI MINH

CITY

This morning is free to relax

on the beach, enjoy the facilities at your

resort, or to continue exploring the historic

town of Hoi An. Breakfast is included at the

resort. After checking out, your group will

drive by private coach to Da Nang Airport

to catch a flight to Saigon, or as it’s officially

called today, Ho Chi Minh City.

As one of the most evocative destinations

in Asia, Saigon is surely one of the world’s

most extraordinary cities. Of all of

Vietnam’s cities, Saigon has been most

influenced by Western culture. It has a

population of 8 million and a booming, free

-market economy. Saigon is a city of

amazing contrasts: elegant new

international hotels, exclusive restaurants

and trendy bars coexist amidst roadside

noodle stalls and traditional cyclo drivers.

Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping

malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable

markets, temples and karaoke rooms.

Bustling, booming, crowded and noisy;

these words barely scratch the surface

when describing the infectious and often

mesmerizing chaos that is alive and well in

Saigon. That being said, while on vacation

in Saigon you will also discover elegant,

French-colonial boulevards, the peaceful

riverfront, and serene sidewalk cafes. So

while in Saigon, you’re likely to find the

best of both worlds!

Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat International

Airport, a private coach will meet your

group and transfer it to your hotel in

Saigon. After checking in, enjoy an evening

at leisure in Saigon.

DAY 7 • HO CHI MINH

CITY

After breakfast in the hotel,

your group will set on a

fascinating guided sightseeing tour of

Saigon by private coach, beginning with a

visit to the extensive Cu Chi underground

tunnels, which were originally constructed

as a defense against the French; and were

later expanded during the Vietnam War

(known as the “American War” in Vietnam).

It was from here that the North Vietnamese

waged their guerrilla warfare. You will be

amazed with the detailed construction of

the tunnels. See secret trapdoors,

underground kitchens, living areas and

meeting rooms. The adventurous members

of your group may explore deeper by

visiting the second and third levels of the

tunnels. And should you prefer to remain

above ground, no worries; many areas have

been excavated, which you can peer into

from above. Your guide will inform you of

the length and level of difficulty of each

tunnel before entering; some are easily

accessed by stairs. (Note: we recommend

good walking shoes and sunscreen for this

tour and warn you that you may get a little

dirty!)

After the visit your group will return to

Saigon for a late lunch before resuming the

sightseeing tour with a visit to the former

Presidential Palace, which is now called the

Reunification Palace. Having been

preserved as a museum, visitors today can

experience a history lesson like no other by

visiting the former headquarters of the

Saigon Government, whose interiors remain

virtually unchanged. The palace is the site

of the end of the Vietnam War when Saigon

fell to the North Vietnamese in 1975.

Your history lesson will continue as your

group travels to the History Museum

(closed every Monday), which houses an

excellent exhibition on the origins of the

indigenous Vietnamese. You will then see

the neo-Romanesque Cathedral of Notre

Dame, the Hôtel de Ville, and Dong Khoi

Street, which was formerly called “Rue

Catinat” when Vietnam was a French

colony. This street is the site of many of the

most beautiful buildings from the colonial

era. Continue with your guide to the nearby

Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) for

some time to wander the colorful stalls and

stands.

DAY 8 • MEKONG DELTA

(CÁI BÈ DISTRICT)

After breakfast in the hotel,

your group will board its

private coach and set out on another day of

incredible sightseeing in Vietnam. The 2 ½-

hour journey south will take you to the

Mekong River district of Cái Bè. Upon

arrival, your group will board a motorized

sampan boat for a winding introduction to

life on the Mekong River! Cái Bè is known

throughout Vietnam for its large floating

market, where vendors display fruit,

veggies and other goodies from bamboo

poles to entice potential customers. From

here the river journey will continue as you

explore the maze of streams and fruit

orchards. As you sail along, you will see

barges piled high with rice husks, which are

used as fuel for the regions’ numerous

brick kilns.

As part of today’s Mekong Delta adventure,

your group will have lunch in a local

farmer’s home before boarding another

sampan for a relaxing ride back to the pier.

Return to Sai Gon in the late afternoon and

enjoy your last evening in Vietnam at

leisure.

DAY 9 • HO CHI MINH

CITY – SIEM REAP

After breakfast and check-

out, your group will travel

by private coach to Tan Son Nhat

International Airport to catch a flight to

Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, prepare yourself for some

unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime

sightseeing! This afternoon your group will

journey back in time by visiting Angkor

Wat, the largest temple in the world;

whose volume of stone equals that of

Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza! Angkor is

one of the most significant archeological

sites in all of Southeast Asia. Dating back to

the 12th century, the structures that you

will visit in Angkor today are of immense

historical, cultural, religious and

architectural value, and for this reason they

form an official UNESCO World Heritage

Site. Additionally, they truly are the pride

of Cambodia. (In fact, Cambodia’s flag

today features a design of the temple of

Angkor Wat.)

Remarkably, since the late 13th century,

Angkor Wat has been continuously

occupied by Buddhist monks. Construction

began on the Hindu-turned-Buddhist

temple in the early 12th century during the

reign of King Suryavarman II, and many

archeologists believe that the king intended

it to be his burial site. Angkor Wat is world-

renowned for its intricate bas-reliefs with

the most celebrated one being the

“Churning of the Ocean of Milk.” Your

group will remain at Angkor Wat until

sunset, which makes for pretty spectacular

photography!

The tour will finish up back at your hotel.

DAY 10 • SIEM REAP

SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast in the hotel,

your group will drive

northeast to the temple of Beng Mealea,

which literally translates to “Lotus Pond.”

This 12th-century structure was built as a

Hindu temple during the reign of King

Suryavarman II in the early 12th century

(who also commissioned the building of

Angkor Wat). While Beng Mealea is known

for its intricate carvings and for the

innovative way its builders constructed its

hallways, the protagonist here is simply the

jungle. Reaching this temple, which is

hidden in a maze of jungle, requires a

bumpy, off-roading, epic adventure through

the scenic countryside and wild jungle!

After having lunch in a local restaurant,

your group will continue exploring the

world of the Khmer kings as you tour the

archeological site of Angkor Thom, the

magnificent, final capital of the Khmer

Empire. While inside the remarkable,

walled temple complex of Angkor Thom,

your group will see the Terrace of the

Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King

and the stunning Bayon, a 12th-century

architectural wonder of symmetry and

grandeur. This large temple, which lies at

the center of Angkor Thom, is known for its

bas-reliefs, but its most-striking features

are the massive stone faces (over 200) that

grace its towers. Your sightseeing tour of

Angkor will then continue with a visit to Ta

Prohm, an 800-year-old temple that has

been left largely in its natural state since its

“re-discovery” by French explorers.

Surrounded by jungle, over time Ta

Prohm’s maze of stone hallways has

become dramatically enveloped by the

roots and limbs of gigantic banyan trees.

The tour will finish up back at your hotel.

Enjoy an evening at leisure in Siem Reap.

DAY 11 • SIEM REAP –

LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast, free time

and check-out, your group

will travel by private coach to Siem Reap

Airport to catch its flight to Luang Prabang,

a city of immense architectural, religious

and historical value located at the

confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong

rivers in Laos’ forested, mountainous north.

It is often said that Luang Prabang is the

best-preserved traditional city in Southeast

Asia, possessing a tranquil, old-world charm

rarely found elsewhere in Asia. This

fascinating pearl of Indochina was the

capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang (literally

“one million elephants”) until the mid-16th

century, and in the French Colonial era, the

city served as the provincial headquarters of

the north. As a result, Luang Prabang’s

wonderful architectural legacy contains a

magical blend of French architectural styles,

European street planning, and more than 30

gilded Buddhist temples.

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang International

Airport, a local guide will meet your group

in the terminal’s arrivals hall and

accompany it to your hotel in Luang

Prabang by private coach. This evening, a

local guide will lead your group on a walk

through Luang Prabang’s fantastic evening

market (presuming it is not raining) where

you will find an abundance of handicrafts on

display, much of which is produced and sold

by locals. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the

evening to explore Luang Prabang on your

own.

DAY 12 • LUANG

PRABANG ~ LAOS

COOKING CLASS & CITY

HIGHLIGHTS

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will

head to Luang Prabang’s Tamarind

Restaurant for an authentic Lao cooking

class. (Please note that the class is not

private.) Your Lao culinary adventure will

begin with a visit to a local market for an

introduction to the sights, smells and

everyday occurrences related to eating in

Laos! Your group will then return to the

restaurant for the cooking lesson and

today’s group lunch will consist of your

culinary creations.

After lunch your group will set out on a

guided sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang.

Due to its historic temples and colonial-era

architecture, the entire town was made an

official UNESCO World Heritage Site in

1995. The tour will begin with a visit to

Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace Museum

(Haw Kham). Inside you will discover an

impressive collection of personal

possessions of the former Laotian Royal

Family including photographs, musical

instruments and numerous gifts received

from the dignitaries of foreign countries. A

stone’s throw from the Royal Palace lies

another architectural gem in Luang

Prabang: Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-

tiered roof of this lavishly-decorated

Buddhist temple epitomizes the graceful

architectural style found in Luang Prabang.

Your sightseeing will continue with a visit to

Wat Visoun, which is famed for its

impressive lotus stupa. It is the oldest

temple still in use in Luang Prabang. Your

last visit will be to Wat Xieng Thong, the

crowning jewel of all monasteries and

temples in Luang Prabang. The temple’s

numerous ornate structures contain truly

exquisite mosaics and gold-stenciled

murals.

The tour will finish up at the hotel, and the

remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 13 • LUANG

PRABANG ~ LIVING

LAND FARM & KUANG SI

WATERFALLS

This morning if you wish, you and your

group members may choose to get an early

start to the day by witnessing one of the

most memorable sights in Luang Prabang:

Tak Bat, a traditional ceremony of

almsgiving. At dawn, hundreds of Buddhist

monks move silently through the streets to

collect offerings of food. Should you wish to

attend, your guide will explain the

background behind this ritual, which is still

very much a part of everyday life in Laos,

and you will have the chance to make

“merit.” Afterwards, return to your hotel to

have breakfast before setting out on

another exciting day of sightseeing in Laos.

Today’s tour will begin with a relaxing boat

ride down the mighty Mekong River,

passing traditional villages along the way

that produce Lao rice wine, to visit the

famous Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These

sacred caves dramatically lie at the

confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou

rivers, and locals have used this special site

as a shrine for Buddha statues (there are

thousands) since the 16th century, when

King Setthathirath discovered the caves and

declared them a holy spot.

After exploring the caves, your group will

travel by coach to the legendary Kuang Si

waterfall. The journey (approximately 90

minutes) will take your group through

beautiful countryside dotted with rice

paddies and quaint villages. Upon arrival to

Kuang Si, you will have time to explore and

(if water levels permit) to enjoy a refreshing

dip in the beautiful waterfall, which

cascades over many calcified tiers, down

several hundred feet into a series of cool,

turquoise pools.

Once you return to your hotel in Luang

Prabang, enjoy your last evening in Laos.

DAY 14 • LUANG

PRABANG – DEPARTURE

After breakfast and check-

out, your group will travel by

private coach to Luang Prabang Airport for

its return flight to the USA or Canada.

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