TPT – PrT209 - Indochina Explorer 15days/14nights

Sunday, 18 July 2010 19:34

Last Updated on Saturday, 04 September 2010 15:23

Written by Administrator

Indochina Explorer 15days/1,357US$

Brief itinerary:

Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival

Day 2: Luang prabang – Pal Ou cave – Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Water Fall–Villages-Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi – Lao Cai (Sapa)

Day 6: Sapa

Day 7: Sapa – Hanoi

Day 8: Hanoi – Hue

Day 9: Hue – Hoian

Day 10: Hoian – Saigon

Day 11: Saigon – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi

Day 12: Saigon – Siem Reap

Day 13: Siem Reap

Day 14: Siem Reap

Day 15: Siem Reap departure

Detailed itinerary:

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG (D)

Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel by our guide. Luang Prabang has been claimed by the UNESCO as “the best-preserved city in South East Asia”. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, 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. From there we will explore the Luang Prabang night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Dinner with Baci ceremony and overnight in Luang Prabang (Lunch at your own arrangement for more flexibility)

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU - LUANG PRABANG (B/L)

Let’s 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. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. We stop en route at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On the way back to Luang Prabang we will take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (dinner at your own arrangement).

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG–KHOUANGSI WATER FALL–VILLAGES-LUANG PRABANG (B/L)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the religious residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From here we will visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings 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 we will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we will go on to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. Return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (dinner at your own arrangement).

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – HANOI (B/L/D)

Depending on your flight schedule, we may have enough time for a visit at The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. The Central Market should not be missed too if you wish to have some craft to remember of Laos.

Welcomed by tour guide at Hanoi airport, transfer to the city and have a city tour – an essential preparation for your next excursions. Have a look at the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake) and enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam late afternoon or evening. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5: HANOI - HALONG BAY – TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B/L/D)
Early depart for Halong Bay, a World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994, with thousands limestone islets with stopovers en route to visit the rural life of the Red River Delta’s farmers (esp. in transplanting and harvest times), or the ceramic town at Dong Trieu. Upon arrival, take a boat trip for about 5 hours to cruise Halong bay (width 1,500 sq. km) to enjoy its splendid seascape of thousands odd-shaped rocky islands, visit the inside-island grottoes and / or swimming. Lunch of fresh seafood served on board by the crew. Late afternoon back to Hanoi for dinner before transfer to the Railway Station to take a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the Train.

DAY 6: VISIT SAPA (B/L)

Around 06.00am, you’ll arrive at Lao Cai Station, a borderland city that looks over China and that is closest to Sapa Hill Resort. Transferred to Sapa. The road is 40km long and very sightworthy with terraced paddy fields, small waterfalls and pinewoods. Have breakfast at your hotel in Sapa and leave your luggage here before hanging around with your tourguide to Sapa market, then climb up the Dragon Peak to have the panorama of Sapa with pine trees, old colonial-styled villas and numerous hill tribal people. Afternoon walk downhill from Sapa to Cat Cat village of the H’Mong people (4km) to visit the daily life of the H’Mong ethnic group and enjoy the landscape in Cat Cat. Overnight in Sapa. (dinner at your own arrangement)

DAY 7: A COLOURFUL WEEKLY MARKET IN BACHA SURROUNDINGS – LAOCAI (B/L/D)

Today should be Saturday, Sunday or Tuesday. Anyone of these days will offer us a great chance for a memorable trip to a weekly market of the hill tribes living surrounding Sapa. Alternatives are Can Cau market on Saturday, Bac Ha market on Sunday or Coc Ly market on Tuesday. On Sunday, we can even choose to stay in Sapa Town to enjoy the market of Black H’Mong and Dzay people. To reach any of them, we will drive from Sapa about 3hours to the marketplace, where hundreds of people from tribes H’Mong, Tay, Dzay, Dzao, Kinh gather for meeting, hanging around, shopping and exchanging their goods, especially fabrics and handicrafts weekly. After enjoying the market for 2-3 hours, we can visit a village nearby the marketplace (alternatively), take a boat on Chay river (during Coc Ly market only) or leave for Lao Cai and have a look at the Chinese border in Lao Cai. Take the night Train to Hanoi at 19.00 or 21.00 and overnight on the Train. (lunch at the market; dinner in Laocai)

DAY 8: HANOI – HUE (B/L/D)

Arrive Hanoi early in the morning, pick up at train station you will be transferred to have breakfast, take a rest then head to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue - being recognized by UNESCO as the 1^st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. Welcome in Hue and transfer ro hotel. We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum and Dong Ba bustling market. After lunch you visit Thien Mu pagoda and visit the Tombs of King Minh Mang and Tu Duc – two best-reserved monuments of the Nguyen Emperors since early 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Overnight in Hue

DAY 9: HUE - DANANG - HOIAN (B/L/D)
After breakfast and check-out hotel, we will depart from Hue, passing Danang with stops to sightsee the Cham Museum, Marble Mt., enjoy the landscape of Hai Van (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”) and Lang Co Beach before reaching Hoian after midday. This afternoon is for Hoian ancient town – when walking over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls and Trading Houses, Pagodas, and stroll around the market located by Thu Bon river, you may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the charm of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. Overnight in Hoian

DAY 10: HOIAN – SAIGON (B/L)

Free at your leisure in Hoian before transfering to the airport for flight to Saigon. Welcomed in Saigon and start the city tour to enjoy a very different ambience of fatest-growing city you ever since in Indochina. Visit the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office will give us more knowledge of the old time of the city. Continue to the bustling China Town with “Cho Lon” (Big market) and Thien Hau Temple of the Chinese community to enjoy daily life of the working people of Saigon nowadays. Back to district 1 to enjoy “bach dang ice-cream”, a popular rendezvous of Saigon people. Dinner with delicious local foods. Overnight in Saigon

DAY 11. TAY NINH HOLYSEE – CU CHI TUNNEL (B/L)

Our day will begin with a visit to Tayninh, the centre of Caodaism, a local sect of Buddhism founded by a Vietnamese countryman in early 20^th century. Arriving at noontime, we will have the chance to join the daily solemn ceremony at the temple of Cao Dai called Tayninh Holysee. On the way back to Saigon, we can stop to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the fierce Vietnam War. We can even crawl a part of the tunnel to experience the real life of the Vietnamese guerrillas, who used to use and live inside this system during the wartime. Return to Saigon late afternoon. Lunch in Tayninh or en route. Dinner by your own arrangement for your own discovery of Saigon’s exciting night life. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 12: SAIGON – SIEMREAP – ANGKOR THOM (B/L)

At leisure for relax and shopping until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for to fly Saigon - Siemreap. Welcomed in Siemreap and transfer to hotel to check-in. In the afternoon depart to visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which is 7km from Siemreap: the Bayon temple, the Baphuan, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. View the sunset over Angkor complex on the top of Phnom Bakheng mountain. Dinner enjoying Apsara traditional dance and Overnight in Siemreap.

DAY 13: ANGKOR WAT AND OTHER FAMOUS TEMPLES – SIEMREAP (B/L)

After breakfast, visit the Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human construction genius and natural beauty of giant trees, which have grown there for centuries. Go on to visit Ta keo, dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was built at the end of the 10th century. Visit the Thommanon, Chau Say temples and the natural lake of Sra Srang. Have Lunch before visit Angkor Wat; 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. Back to Siemreap for overnight. (Dinner at your own arrangement).

DAY 14: SIEMREAP - BANTEAY SREY - SIEMREAP (B/L)

After breakfast, spend the entire morning in one of the jewels of Angkor, the Banteay Srey Temple which means "Citadel of Women", made of pink sandstone and presents the most graceful carvings in stone we might ever seen in our life. After a picnic lunch near the site, continue to Kbal Spean, the river of thousand Lingas, the phallic symbol of the God Shiva. Arrival near the site, walk for an hour through the forest to arrive at Kbal Spean. Return to Siemreap for our last night in Cambodia. (dinner at your own arrangement).

DAY 15: SIEMREAP DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, have your own time until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

About Price: Our prices below for your reference.
However, since we offer private tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please send us your inquiry and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!

Hotel list:

- Luang prabang

3* or similar: Manoluck hotel

4* or similar: Villa Santi hotel

- Hanoi

3* or similar: Viethotel www.viethotel.vn; Hanoi Palace www.hanoipalacehotel.com

4* or similar: Flower garden hotel www.flowergardenhotel.com.vn

- Sapa

3* or similar: Goldsea hotel www.sapagoldsea-hotel.com.vn

4* or similar: Chau Long hotel, new wind 4* www.chaulonghotel.com

- Hue

3* or similar: Festival hotel www.festivalhuehotel.com.vn

4* or similar: Green hotel www.greenhotel-hue.com

- Hoian

3* or similar: Indochina hotel www.hoianindochine.com; Vinh Hung 2 hotel; Thanh Binh 3 hotel

4* or similar: Hoian river beach hotel www.donganbeachhotel.com

- Saigon

3* or similar: Tan Hoang Ngoc hotel www.tanhoangngochotel.com

4* or similar: Kim Do royal hotel www.kimdohotel.com

- Siem Reap

3* or similar: Casa Angkor hotel www.casaangkorhotel.com

4* or similar: Tara Angkor hotel 4* www.pricedangkor.com

Package rate in US$ per person valid from 1 Oct 2010-31 December 2010
Group size	02	04	Single Supplement
3*	1760	1357	299
4*	1970	1589	498

If your group more than 04 pax, please let us know we will offer you the best quotation.

Supplement:

Domestic flights from Hanoi – Hue US$ 73/pax, Danang – Saigon US$ 73/pax/ pax (rate will be cheaper or more expensive depending on your booking period)

International flight from Luang Prabang – Hanoi US$ 160 by QV, Saigon – Siemreap US$ 177 by VN

XMas and New Year Gala dinner supplement per person (compulsory) in:

Will be subjected later

What included:

12 nights accommodation at hotels, 2 night on train

Transportation in private air-conditioned car or minibus depending on group size

Boat trip as stated in above sights

Train tickets 2 ways for 4pax/ cabin

Meals: daily breakfast at hotel; Lunch and dinner in typical restaurant. Special requirements (vegetarian, diet..) could be arranged upon prior notice

English, French speaking local guide (each city); other languages are available upon request.

Admission fee to indicated sights;

Vietnam Visa arrangement

Drinks (2 bottles/ person/ day)

What not included:

Domestic flights from Hanoi – Hue US$ 73/pax, Danang – Saigon US$ 73/pax/ pax (rate will be cheaper or more expensive depending on your booking period)

International flight from Luang Prabang – Hanoi US$ 160 by QV, Saigon – Siemreap US$ 177 by VN

Airport tax

Meals as not mentioned in the program

Early check-in, late check-out surcharge

International airfare to / from Vietnam

Personal expenses (laundry, phone-call, tips...) and drinks

Other services not included in the program.

About meals:

If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide or our partners so that they can server you better. If you are a food lover, We can be your culinary guide and provide you the opportunity to savor tempting local food and world-famous dishes.

Meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Breakfast - Each breakfast will be served in your hotel. Breakfast selections include both Vietnamese and Western dishes to meet every diner's taste.

Lunch –Lunches are normally arranged at the Vietnamese restaurants near the scenic spots. Your tour guides will order food according to your appetite. Most are Vietnamese dishes, and some are modified to fit westerners' tastes.

Dinner – Maybe you prefer to not eat Vietnamese food again. We suggest you have dinner on your own. Your local tour guide can recommend some good western restaurants in the area.

Child policy:

Up to 24 months old, sharing twin room with 2 adults:

Free of charge, sharing bed with adults

Crib upon request, rate to be determined on a case-by-case basis

Extra bed rates upon request

01-03 years, sharing twin room with 2 adults:

60% discount with extra bed

04-12 years, sharing twin room with 2 adults:

20% discount with extra bed

Cancellation policy:

No Show 100 % charge
7-1 days 50 % of the tour price
14-8 days 30 % of the tour price
21-15 days up 10 % of the tour price
22 days up no charge

Remarks:

* Itinerary is subject to change depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions, and rooms availability.

*Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases