Indochina Hightlight Adventure Tour: Laos - Viet Nam - Cambodia 21 Days

Day 1: VIENTIANE ARRIVE (L/D)

On arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting, your half day city tour enables us to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2: VIENTIANE / UDOMXAY / MUANG LA (FLIGHT) (B/L/D)

Following the morning at leisure, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight up to Udomxay. Here we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists. We stop in Muang La, famous for its natural hot springs for the night. No activities are planned for the rest of the day so you can stroll around the village or just relax at the riverside retreat enjoying a massage or sometime in the hot springs. 

Overnight in Muang La.

Day 3: MUANG LA THE NORTH EXPLORING ADVENTURE TOURS (B/L/D)

Today we explore the local area and undertake an easy trek around the beautiful surrounding countryside visiting the numerous ethnic hill tribes that reside around the area. The evening can be spent back at the resort relaxing in the natural hot springs, taking a traditional massage and enjoying the excellent local Lao cuisine in the restaurant. Overnight in Muang La.

Day 4: MUANG LA / LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D) 

Today’s drive south takes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery you will find in South East Asia, with plenty of opportunities to stop off at the various Khmu and H’mong villages along the way. We shall reach Luang Prabang by midafternoon, where you have the rest of the day to relax and take in the enchanting city. You may wish to spend the evening exploring the local night market. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: LUANG PRABANG TOURS (B/L/D)

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

Following lunch, we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. . Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: LUANG PRABANG / KUANG SI WATERFALL / PAK OU CAVES / HANOI (B/L)

First we visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang. This afternoon, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving. Back to Luang Prabang transfer to air port for your flight to Hanoi. Pick up and transfer to hotel for check in... Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7: HANOI / HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

07.45 - 8.15 Shuttle bus pick up at hotel

12:15 Embarkation at Tuan Chau Marina pier (Tuan Chau island, Halong city)

12:30 Transfer by tender to the Gray Line Halong cruise boat - welcome drink. Cruise briefings and check in your cabins.

13:00 Enjoy set lunch. Cruise to Vung Vieng floating village

14:30 Arrive and visit the Vung Vieng floating village by local rowing boats. During the trip, you will see how the locals live. You will pass through floating houses of 65 families, a floating school & floating information centre.

15:45 Back to the cruise and continue cruising to Drum cave.

16:45 - 17:30 Enjoy swimming around the cruise ( weather condition ), relaxing on the sundeck for fantastic views and sunset photo opportunities.

18:30 Cooking demonstration will be on the sundeck. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

19:30 Luxury buffet dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese 

21:00 Evening activities include: film entertainment in the indoor bar at approximately 21:00. Board and card games are available or join the squid fishing on boat with our crew. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

22:00 Overnight anchorage near Drum cave area. End of the program of Day 1

Day 8: HALONG BAY / HANOI (B/L/D)

06:30 Tai Chi class on the Sundeck.

07:30 Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board

08:30 Visit Amazing cave discovered by the French in 1901 and opened tourists since 1998 and symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30 Check out of cabin and relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier

10:00 Farewell brunch

11:30 Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Marina. Driver back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi. Visit Kiem Lake , Ngoc Son Temple. 18h30: Enjoy Water Puppet Show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilisation of thousands of years ago. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: HANOI / MAI CHAU (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart for Mai Chau via Hoa Binh to visit Muong Minority village. Then drive to Mai Chau for soft hiking to explore Lac village where the Thai people live. Mai Chau is a mountainous province with stunning geography: high ridge rising steeply from the flat valley floor where rivers wind through the bright green rice paddy. You will relax at a house-on-stilt of Thai people ... Dinner and overnight in Mai chau.

Day 9: MAI CHAU / CUC PHUONG / NINH BINH (B/L/D)

After breakfast and transfer to Cuc Phuong National Park - visit the Cave of Prehistoric Man where locals still pay homage to prehistoric artifacts that have been found in the cave. Visit the Primate Rescue Center before returning to Ninh Binh.

Day 10:TAM COKE & BICH DONG CAVES - HANOI - TRAIN TO QUANG BINH (B/L/D)

Drive to Tam Coc, take a tiny boat for a peaceful cruise on the river to Tam Coc ("three caves"), the tourists often compare the place with Guilin - China, or more closely, to the limestone islets of Halong Bay in the Tonkin Gulf for their similar geological structures and shapes. Thus Tam Coc is also called Ha Long-Bay-On-Land. Visit Bich Dong.

Transfer back to Ha Noi. Have dinner and take an overnight train to Quang Binh

Day 11: QUANG BINH / PHONG NHA - KE BANG / HUE (B/L/D)

Arrival Quang Binh, Dong Hoi station. Have early breakfast. Move to the national park of Phong Nha - Ke Bang - classified as the world heritage site, stopover at La Vang church and DMZ of Quang Tri. Have lunch at restaurant. Take boat trip on Son River to visit Phong Nha cave. Transfer to Hue. Dinner and overnight in Hue 

Day 12: HUE / FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

Morning: visit Great Enclosure of Royal Citadel, the complex of Noon Gate, Royal Palace, and Temples build in 1802. Afternoon boat trip on the Perfume River go up stream visit Thien Mu Pagoda, continue to Minh Mang King’s Tomb. Stay overnight in Hue...

Day 13: HUE / HOIAN TOWN (B/L/D)

Transfer to Hoi An. Walking in the Unesco World Heritage of Hoi An ancient Street, visit Japanese Bridge, Old house, Chinese Congress Hall, Museum. Have free time for walking in the street of thousands lanterns reflecting on the water of Hoai River or Cua Dai Beach. Stay 0vernight in Hoi An

Day 14: HOIAN - DANANG - SAIGON - CUCHI TUNNEL (B/L/D)

Free at your leisure until transfer to Da Nang to take flight to Saigon. Pick up and transfer to Cuchi tunnel - Visit the underground village, which used to be a bitter battle ground for a long period during the Vietnam war. The amazing network of over 200 km of underground tunnels will offer you impression of the former fierce war in South Vietnam. Back to hotel for check in.. Dinner and overnight in Saigon...

Day 15: SAIGON / MYTHO (DELTA MEKONG) / CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

AM: Transfer to My Tho. Boat ride on Mekong River and visit an orchard island where almost all the tropical fruit of southern Vietnam can be found and tasted.

PM: Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh, visit to Reunification Palace, War Crime Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, former US Embassy, and shopping at Ben Thanh Market... Dinner on Saigon Cruise with music show. O/N at hotel in Sai Gon.

Day 16: SAIGON /PHNOMPENH (B/L/D)

Breakfast and transfer to Bavet border by bus to Phnompenh - Once known as the “Pearl of Asia” - capital to the Kingdom of Cambodia. After lunch, Proceed for tour at WAT PHNOM-the symbol of the capital as well as the land mark for city inauguration. Next, Visit the INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT, and enjoy the sunset BOAT CRUISE ON 4 RIVERS JUNCTION (Tonle Sap, Tonle Bassac, and the Two Mighty Tonle Mekongs), take the view of the floating village, Diamond Island, City, and the sunset from the boat. Dinner and over night. 

Day 17: PHNOMPENH (B/L/D)

After breakfast, visit the TOUL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng means "Hill of the Poisonous Trees". After your visit to the Genocide, you will be heading on to the KILLING FIELDS, where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979, immediately after the end of the Vietnam War. At least 200,000 people were executed by the Khmer Rouge. Analysis of 309 mass grave sites by the DC-Cam Mapping Program and Yale University indicate at least 1,386,734 victims. Estimates of the total number of deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including disease and starvation, range from 1.4 to 2.2 million out of a population of around 7 million. Over here at the Killing Fields, will be able to see the actual location of where the execution took place. We will head for lunch before afternoon tour to the ROYAL PALACE, AND THE SILVER PAGODA. This is where the King of Cambodia still resides in. Next to Royal Palace, we will explore NATIONAL MUSEUM, where collections of statues and ancient stuff are kept. National Museum is also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1920. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages (although some periods are not represented). Most of the exhibits date from the Angkor period but there are several examples from the pre-Angkor era. Dinner and over night. 

Day 18: PHNOMPENH / SIEMREAP BY BUS (B/L/D)

Today, transfer by coach to SIEM REAP (approx. 5hours). On the way, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Cambodia country side, and you will also learn about the life of the people along the provinces which earn their lives from doing daily small business. You might also see people selling FRIED SPIDER and Insects at the halfway stop known for local people as SKON area. Arrival in Siem Reap a small colonial town, charming and pleasant enough to roam around, with some fine examples of French colonial architecture. After lunch and a short hotel check-in, follow by a visit the ANGKOR SILK FARM which consists of 8 hectare in rural Cambodia (16km west of Siem Reap Town). Visitors will discover the whole silk production process, from Mulberry tree growing to silk weaving. Visit ARTISANS D’ANGKOR to discover the traditional Khmer techniques used for stone and wood carving, lacquering and gilding. A complete tour of the workshops will take you from raw materials to splendid craft-wares. In addition, it also highlights wood and stone carving, lacquering and gilding crafts of sculptures and statues. The numerous items made in the workshops are inspired by the rich Cambodia heritage. Tonight, enjoy your dinner with KHMER TRADITIONAL DANCE SHOW. 

Day 19: SIEMREAM / ANGKOR WAT (B/L/D)

After breakfast, visit the WORLD HERITAGE - ANGKOR WAT. The largest temple in the world with a volume of stones equalizing that of the Cheops Pyramid in Egypt. The temple was built by King Suryarvarman II from 1113 - 1150AD when the Khmer civilization was at the height of its development, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements.

Afternoon, discover the latest Capital City of Angkor Era, The fortified city of Angkor Thom (Great Angkor or Great City), was built by Angkor’s greatest king, Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1219). We will start from the SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM, and enter to the main temple sat at the heart of Angkor Thom, the giant faces of BAYON. Next, visit the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANT, TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING, the PHIMEANAKAS AND BAPHOUN, TA PROHM - a temple in its ‘natural state’. Surround by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of the massive Banyan trees which envelope the stones tentacles. 

In the evening, proceed to watch sunset at PHNOM BAKHENG (Subject to availability due to access number limitation).

Day 20: SIEMREAP - POI PET BORDER (B)

After breakfast, enjoy your last day morning at TOURIST MARKET -PSAR CHAS (Old Market) for shopping of local products or souvenir. Transfer to Poi Pet border.

End of our services.