Indochina Grand Tour - 16 Days

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tour Route: Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Danang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Siem Reap - Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi
Duration: 16 Days/ 15 Nights
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/ End: Bangkok/Hanoi
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our representative outside the baggage claim of the airport and transferred to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Bangkok
Meals: None

Day 2: Bangkok – City Tour (B)

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha. After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha. Lunch is served at your own expense at a local restaurant on the way.

Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube. Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Overnight in Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Bangkok – Ayutthaya Full Day GROUP TOUR (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then prepare for a trip to visit the beautiful ancient city Ayutthaya.

06:00 – 07:15 hrs: Pick up from the hotel and transfer to the river city shopping complex, Siphraya, next to Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.

Morning By bus:

07:30 hrs: Departure from Bangkok by Grand Pearl luxury air–conditioned coach with English speaking guide.
09:00 hrs: Arrival at Bang Pa-In, visit the Summer Palace of King Rama V with its mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture such as Aisawan Thiphya-At, Warophat Phiman, Wehart Chamrun, etc.
10:30 hrs: Arrival at Ayutthaya, a World Heritage City and historic capital of Thailand. Visit Wat Mahatad, the royal monastery, served as the residence of supreme monk. Wat Phrasrisanphet, the largest and most important temple. Its was used as a residential palace. and Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, the large bronze Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the grand palace and later covered by a building called Wihan.

Afternoon By cruise:

13:15 hrs: Welcome aboard the Grand Pearl Cruise Liner at Wat Chong-lom Pier (Nonthaburi). Sumptuous buffet lunch with a choice of a variety of oriental and western cuisines will be served, while you may relax and enjoy the fascinating scenery on the River of Kings. The cruiser will then head towards Nontaburi, past Koh Kred, The monn community before reaching Bangkok city.
15:00 hrs: Coffee will be served while you enjoy the enchanting sights along the River banks such as the colorful Royal Barges House, Thammasart University, Siriraj hospital, The Royal Grand Palace and the graceful Temple Of Dawn, with its magnificent 79 M. spire, Wat Kallayanamitr, one of the most renowed temples.
16:00 hrs: Arrival and disembark at the River City Shopping Complex Pier. Transfer back to hotel by air-conditioned van

Overnight in Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Bangkok – Fly to Danang – Hoi An – Coconut Forest – ½ Day Walking Tour (B, L)

The morning would be free to do whatever takes your fancy until you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Danang.

On arrival in Danang, we will have a brief visit to Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire, and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon. On the way, we will be free until our guide pick us up at the hotel and transferring all of us to Bay Mau – Famous eco-tourism gives visitors many experiences about the nature of rivers, immense coconut forests and rustic basket boats, you can taste the local lunch meal in there. After the activities, your driver arrives to take you to Hoi An ancient town. We will start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Then we transfer back to Danang city for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Hoi An – Free Time (B)

Today is a free day

Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Hoi An – Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – ½ Day City Group Tour (B)

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Danang International Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcomed upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver then we transferred to the hotel to check in and relax. Then, we join the ½ Day tour in Ho Chi Minh City.\

Group size: 4 – 12 people 

Morning option: 07:30 – 08:00  (the time of pick up depends on customer’s hotel/ accommodation’s exact position)
Afternoon option: 12:30 – 13:00  (the time of pick up depends on customer’s hotel/ accommodation’s exact position)
RETURN: 12:00 p.m (morning option) and 18:00 (afternoon option)

We will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu.

We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. After the tour, we will transfer back to hotel

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta Group Tour (B, L)

Group size: 25 pax 

Around 7 - 7.30 am, we pick you up at your hotel or 112 Tran Hung Dao street, Ward Pham Ngu Lao, District 1, and depart for Cai Be by car/van via Trung Luong Expressway.

Upon arrival in Cai Be, we have a boat ride to the remaining site of a renowned wholesale floating market on the Tien River many years ago. This site entitles you to know something about the local trading habit that has changed due to the age of modern society when more terrestrial transportation and high-technique of agriculture have dominated everywhere. There, you can realize how diverse the area is and how rich orchard gardens are, which makes it the basket of fruit in the lower part of the Mekong River.

Next, we ramble in small villages where you will uncover the beauty of an ancient house and learn about the indigenous culture. Then we make a short visit to a small family business where the locals make coconut fudges and crispy rice popcorn. We can savor delicious fresh fruit and feel the slow rhythms of Southern Vietnamese folk music – a kind of music entwined with the life and culture of the Mekong Delta people. Then we paddle through small canals – an exciting experience since we can look around, unwind, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of the Upper Mekong Delta. Additionally, after arrival on Tan Phong Island, immerse yourself in nature's tranquility.

At lunch time, you not only enjoy luscious food but also get closer to the locals as it is a chance to learn how to prepare Vietnamese specialties. The meal is cooked on your own and served in the heart of the local garden. After that, we cycle on the village path through orchards. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta and visit Ba Kiệt’s ancient house.

Around 6 – 6.30 pm, we take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Fly to Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake (B)

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our flight to Siem Reap.

On your arrival, we transfer to Tonle Sap Lake and enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at KAMPONG PHLUK VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place to place following water levels and current.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Siem Reap – Angkor Temple Tour (B)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel will 9 am, we then spend time visiting the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

In the afternoon, we visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, and the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy a wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Hill. After the tour, we returned back to the hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen Mountains – Banteay Srey (B)

This morning, we will visit to Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples

In the afternoon, we will spend time to visit to the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang ("The Royal Baths" was once used or ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Siem Reap – Fly to Luang Prabang (B)

Today, we will be free until the departure flight time to Luang Prabang.

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

Evening, free on our own to explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khoang Si Waterfall (B)

After breakfast at hotel, we board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of 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 will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues.

Afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Luang Prabang – City Tour – Fly to Hanoi (B)

Breakfast, we then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Then we visit the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Continue to the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. There will be free time to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for your next flight to Hanoi.

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Hanoi City Group Tour (B, L)

Hanoi, located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam, and is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the center of culture, politics, economy, and trade of the whole country. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars, and natural calamities, Hà Nội still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Confucius Temple (built in 1070), Thang Long Citadel, Hà Nội Opera House, President Hồ Chí Minh's Mausoleum, and so on…

Itinerary of Hanoi City Tour full day:

08h00-08h30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House. In the morning, we will visit:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the east side isle of the West Lake (Tay Ho district), is considered the most ancient pagoda in Thang Long - Hanoi with its historical progression in 1500 years. It has a harmonious combination between the majesty, hoariness of architecture, and peaceful landscape of West Lake. From the Ly and Tran dynasties period, it had become the Buddhist center of Thang Long.
• Visit the complex of President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (Mausoleum and Stilt house) - Where the great leader lived and worked until the last years of his life. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about Uncle Ho's simple life. In addition, you will stop by One Pillar Pagoda to admire one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi.

Note: with departure days on Monday and Friday, Mausoleum Management Board will carry out maintenance of the mausoleum, you will visit only outside of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museum in Hanoi and Vietnam. There are indoor and outdoor sections, and while the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display and activities make the museum stand out. There are a number of houses modeled after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in Northern and Central highlands.

On Monday, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed, instead of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.

Noon: Return to the Old Quarter to have lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, you will see 36 streets from the car and listen to the guide tell stories about the streets of the ancient urban marketplace.

Afternoon: We will visit:

• The temple of literature (The first university in Vietnam): Being an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage that gives tourists a deeper understanding of Hanoi's years of culture and tradition.
• Hoa Lo prison: Built-in 1899. The French held mainly political prisoners here, along with those awaiting sentencing at the nearby Court of Justice, as well as American pilots who had been shot down and captured as prisoners of war. The pilots sarcastically called it the "Hanoi Hilton. John McCain was held here at various times during his five and a half years as a POW.

16h00: End of Hanoi City Tour, the car will take you back to the hotel

Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi around 7:45 – 8:30 am by shuttle bus to start our journey. When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, you will get checked in at La Regina Royal waiting lounge, and enjoy welcome drink and express check-in before boarding. Once arrived, you will be given a short briefing about your cruise itinerary and safety regulations while you enjoy some complimentary welcoming drinks. Shortly after, we start our vacation with a delicious lunch set menu in restaurant. As the cruise departs towards Halong Bay – a natural wonder of the world, absorb yourself in the gorgeous scenery and famous sights of limestone.

Around 15:00, your first excursion is a visit to Luon Cave. This is considered as one of the most ideal places in Halong for kayaking or rowing boat. After that, you will visit Titov Island, where you can go swimming or hike to the top for another stunning, panoramic view of the Bay. Then, we return back to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional spring rolls. At 7 pm, we enjoy our special dinner in the restaurant or on the sundeck (if the weather is permit). After dinner, it’s your choice for a fun squid fishing, spa (surcharge) or relaxing before spending the rest of night on board.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16:Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure (B)

In the early morning, we greet the new day on the sundeck with a tachi session and enjoy the fresh air on the bay while you unwind with a cup of tea or coffee.  Following, we visit to the magnificent Sung Sot Cave, where you can take in the panoramic views across Halong Bay. After the time in here, we return back to La Regina Royal Cruise and spend time to check-out before having the Vietnamese cuisine buffet is served at the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor and get on the shuttle bus to return back to Hanoi in around 2.5 – 3 hours.

We will relax in the hour hotel before the car picks you up for the flight back to your hometown. Trip ends. See you on the next Thailand  – Cambodia – Laos– Vietnam vacation!

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions:

• 16-night accommodation with daily breakfast as per detailed itinerary
• Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
• Meals as specified in the itinerary with authentic local food. Western food is available (upon request) (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Local-stationed English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees & permits
• Hanoi Group Tour
• 2 Days 1 Night in Halong Bay Cruise
• Mekong Delta Deluxe Group Tour
• HCM City ½ Day Deluxe Group Tour
• Bottle of drinking water

Exclusions: 

• International flights and airport taxes
• Domestic flights and airport taxes
• Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia E-Visa
• Travel insurance with Covid protection term up to $10,000
• Other meals which are not indicated above
• Surcharge and Compulsory dinners (if any)
• Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Personal and other expenses such as porter, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary.