Explorient Travel

HIGHLIGHT OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Tours - Indochina Tours

Description: This program combines the hidden charm of Vietnam and the mystical treasures of Angkor in Cambodia with a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and traditional lifestyle found throughout the Mekong Delta. The whole tour is accompanied by an experienced, local, guide.

BRIEF ITINERARY:

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 -Arrive Hanoi

Greeting at the airport, you are welcome by your local tour guide and transfer to hotel. Orientation walk around your hotel and in the afternoon we may visit: Opera House, Old quarter of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Enjoy the Welcome Dinner in Local Restaurant in Hanoi.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2 – Hanoi Vicinity

There is some options today. You could take a day trip to Ninh Binh - Tam Coc OR A day trip to Perfume Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3 – Hanoi City Tour

After breakfast in the hotel, we will have a morning city tour in Hanoi and visit the most tourist attraction in town: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (Closes in Oct and Nov just have look from outside), One pillar pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison which is known as “Hanoi Hilton”.

Evening highlight will be Water Puppet Performance – the unique form of Vietnamese art derived from wet-rice civilization in South East Asia. Take the night train to LaoCai (Share the superior cabin of 4 Soft berths with A/C)

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On train

Day 4 – Lao Cai - Bac Ha Fair Market/Coc Ly/Can Cau - Sapa

Early morning arrive at Laocai – a small town at the border between Vietnam and China. Have breakfast and drive to the Bac Ha Fair market on Sun/ Coc Ly on Tue, Can Cau on Sat which was hold only one a week on .Enjoy the market and get to know the variety culture of dozen of hill tribes people.
Drive to Sapa in the afternoon.

Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Day 5 – Sapa

After breakfast, we trek along the vast valley decorated with terraced fields to some remote villages of hill tribe people. There are some trekking option: Soft trek (~ 3 km),medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km).This is great opportunity to explore the local daily life, get to know their culture and meet with H’mong,Dzao,Dzay people who well preserved their unique culture and traditions.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Day 6 – Sapa - Laocai - Hanoi

The morning spend to exploring the charming town, visit the market and acquainting with some hill tribes people mostly Black H’mong. There are several surprises for the afternoon today: You take a Jeep tour over TramTon Pass to Heaven ‘s Gate Pass - The highest Pass in Vietnam over 2000m. Enjoy the great view from the top.

Late afternoon, we drive to LaoCai for the train to Hanoi. Take the night train LaoCai to Hanoi (Share the superior cabin of 4 Soft berths with A/C)

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: On train

Day 7- Hanoi - Halong Cruise

You will be picked up from railway station and drive to Halong passing the country side of Red river Delta. Spend 24 hours on the traditional Junk Cruise on amazing Halong Bay. In the afternoon cruise around many islands such as Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island… visit one of 3 biggest caves in Halong Bay: Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot. You can swim in the blue water of South China Sea (weather permitted). Stay over night on the Bay.

Meals: Lunch and dinner
Accommodation: On board of Halong Bay

Day 8- Halong Bay Cruise - Danang - Hoian

Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Have lunch on the junk before reach Halong City. Transfer directly to Noi Bai international airport to take flight to Danang.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Danang

Day 9 - Halong - Hanoi - Hoian

After breakfast we enjoy Ssghtseeing in Danang - the biggest city in the central of Vietnam include visiting:

• Cham Museum,
  
• Marble mountains,
  
• China beach

Tranfer to Hoian, arrive Hoian, spending the rest of the day explore this quiet and peaceful town, walking around in the charming streets, good place for bargain hunting.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 10 - Hoian Free leisure time

This town is wonderful break in the middle of your journey. Today you can choose biking around and visit craft village or just relax on Cua Dai beach.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian

Day 11- Hoian - Hue

Leave Hoi An in the morning, drive northward to Hue over the 500m high HaiVan pass with a stop at scenic beach of Lang Co for a drink before proceeding to Hue.

Afternoon sightseeing in Hue –the ancient capital city of Vietnam include:

• Royal Citadel and imperial Purple Citadel
  
• Thien Mu pagoda.
  
• Mausoleum of King Tu Duc - a replica of the king palace build purposely for the next carnation of the King.

Stay overnight in Hue.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Day 12- Hue - Saigon

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon (8.40-10.00). Afternoon you will have city tour visiting Central post office,  Nortre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, BenThanh market. Rest of the day you may want to spend time in Saigon down town with plenty of gift shops. Over night in Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 13- Saigon - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho

We leave hotel early in the morning driving Southward Saigon to Cai Be. This is special experience of Mekong Delta, visit the Candy factory, orchard garden, listen to traditional music and have lunch in the ancient house. There is a short biking to get the real sense of the country-side. Later afternoon we drive to CanTho. Overnight in CanTho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Day 14 - Vinh Long - SaiGon

Have breakfast a local family and follow theme o¬n the motorized boat to pass the river by ferry to the local market. You will see all kind of local vegetable and food selling here and get to know the way local prepare for meals. This market shows much of our culture.

There is time to relax, have tea and talk with the farmers in the villages and in the afternoon return to Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon

Day 15 – SaiGon - Cu Chi tunnels - Siem Reap

This morning, we check out hotel bring all luggage and leave Saigon for CuChi to see the tunnels, you will visit Cu Chi tunnels, which is only 70km from the center of Saigon. This place was called ‘Iron Triangle’ by American during the war and actually it stood as a stronghold of Vietcong (Vietnamese Army) for almost 30 years despite of many American bombs and military actions. A walk underground the tunnels will help you understand how the Vietnamese people had fought and won the war.

Afternoon we return to the airport in Saigon and take the flight Saigon – Siem Riep. Arrival Siem Reap Airport by flight VN. Have orientation walk around the hotel area and relax.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Day 16 - Siem Reap - Angkor Temple Tours

Breafast at hotel, Start to Visit South gate of Angkor Thom with its majestic doors, monumental temple of Bayon facing the tropical forest and Baphuon and Phimeanakas mountains, elephant terrace and Terrect of the Liper King, Takeo "Jewel of Crystal" is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century and Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty. Giant trees have grown there for centuries. Return to town for lunch at Tonlesap restaurant. o¬n PM Visit Angkor Wat: the 7th World heritage wonder, the founder was Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Dinner with enjoy Apsara performance Show at Tonle - Mekong restaurant. Stay overnight at hotel in Siemreap.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Rea

Day 17 - Siem Reap Departure

Breakfast at hotel, you are free on your own for shopping or relaxing untill transfer to airport for departure.

Meals: Breakfast.

Pricing & Inclusion:

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy at 3-star hotel standard.

Valid until 31.December - 2013

Price Inclusion:

• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Hotel accommodation on a double or twin-share basic
• Double or twin-share bedroom on Halong bay
• Soft sleeper in cabin 4 berths with A/C
• Meals as mention in the program
• 3 domestic flights as the itinerary (economy class)
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sight-seeing fees
• Travel insurance
• Visa approval fee
• Mineral water

Price Exclusions:

• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure

Notes:

• All flights and hotels are subject to availability
• Surcharge might be applied during November, December 2011 and February 2012 which will be advised at the time of booking.
• All the points of interest are open for visit based on current updating. In case of closing for construction or any reason, we will replace with similar point of interest.
• This Private Journey will depart on your desired date. It can also be taken in reserve starting in Siem Riep and finishing in Hanoi.