Indochina – World Heritage Site Tour

Upon arrival, welcome you to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage City. Situated along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this charming city is the spiritual and cultural capital of Laos.
After check in the hotel, take some rest before take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, where nearly fifty temples still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Filled with dozens of elaborate temples, French colonial architecture, and friendly locals, this magical town is enjoyed by all. Climb the 328 stairs at Mount Phousi this evening for spectacular views over the town. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Wake up early in the morning to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.
Following breakfast, you will depart to the boat landing and take an excursion by boat upstream to visit Pak Ou Cave, which is in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeters to two meters in height.
En route, stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. Lunch will be at a riverside restaurant. You will arrive back in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and continue by car to the outskirts of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a village well-known for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weaving with natural dyes. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Following breakfast, cross the Mekong River by boat to picturesque Ban Chan, a pottery village. And take the morning market tour to see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving. 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. You then continue to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Then, get back to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and have free time. In the evening, enjoy the Ramayana Dance Show at the Royal Palace before an overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

In the morning you will be free at your leisure, and then say goodbye to Luang Prabang and head to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by Vietsense travel’s tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Followed by a water puppet performance, and then enjoy the nightlife in Hanoi

Drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and visit Ho Chi Minh Complex. Continue to the Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Next enjoy an cyclo tour through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines.

Today you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay and a 4-hour drive through the Red River Delta. Upon arrival, you can relax in the Cruise Lounge before transfer by tender to the boat. You will be welcomed by a soft drink and a cruise briefing. After check in the cabin, enjoy the first meal on board. Take some rest on the sundeck and then continue the outdoor activities in the afternoon.

Rising to the sound of the ocean welcoming another lovely day you will enjoy sunrise and some exercise on the sundeck. After breakfast, sail to visit one of the finest and widest cave in the Bay. Participate in some activities on board and enjoy the fresh air then sailing to the pier for disembarking. Get back to Hanoi for the flight to Hue.

Rising up in this ancient land, you will have breakfast in the hotel before setting off on a romantic cruise on the Perfume River. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be a wonderful experience for you. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue, and the center of Buddhism in Central Vietnam. This afternoon you will embark on a tour of the, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.

Following breakfast, take a drive over the Hai Van pass and visit ruins at My Son Holy Land. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations, and it is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam. Once in Hoi An, you will check into your hotel and have some free time to explore before an overnight stay in Hoi An.

A morning cycling tour into the countryside around Hoi An. You will stop at the Tra Que organic village and will gain a unique insight into the way of life in this rural area. You will also be able to try a local remedy of ‘herby feet soaking’ in which you can immerse your feet in water that has been scented with fresh herbs. Lunch will be in a local restaurant in Hoi An following by a walking tour of the town, visiting some of the beautiful Chinese traditional houses for which the town is famous.

Today, transfer to Danang for the flight to Siem Reap for a visit to Angkor Wat, another World Heritage site. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met and welcomed by our friendly guide, then transferred directly to your hotel. Take some rest at your hotel before your visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Then, view a wonderful sunset from the top of the Phnom Bakheng Hills. In the evening, enjoy dinner with a Khmer Apsara dance show and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, morning excursion to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city.
Later this morning, visit one of the most illustrious temples in this astonishing complex; Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries.
In the afternoon travel to the “gem” of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srei, which is best viewed in the warm afternoon light. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. Then come back to Siem Reap before late afternoon and overnight in Siem Reap.

Depending on your departure time, take time to explore Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake “of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Either you stay at your leisure in hotel until transfer to airport after any excursions for onward flights