Classic Indochina - OLD Itinerary

Day 1  Australia - Bangkok
On arrival we will be met by our friendly guide and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2  Bangkok
Today we enjoy a full-day tour of Bangkok. Highlights include the revered Grand Palace, the spectacular Golden and Emerald Buddhas, and an afternoon cruise through Bangkok’s klongs (canals) where we get an insight into the traditional side of Thai life. Tonight we enjoy an unforgettable welcome dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. [B,D]

Day 3  Bangkok - Luang Prabang
We fly to Laos and the city of Luang Prabang, which is famous for its historic temples and its beautiful mountain setting. Upon arrival we enjoy a tour of the city which includes the Wat Xieng Thong Temple, Wat Wisunalat Temple, National Museum and the markets. [B]

Day 4  Luang Prabang
This morning our tour is by boat to the Pak Ou Caves. The caves are noted for their impressive Lao-style Buddha sculptures, assembled over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. Hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the floors and wall shelves.  We travel back via the village of Ban Xiang Hai, famous for the production of the local rice wine whisky. Here there is an opportunity to try this traditional liquor. [B]

Day 5  Luang Prabang
This morning we visit a local market to see the bustle and activity of daily life, before further exploring Luang Prabang. We then travel to the local village of Ban Muang Khai Kuang and a Khmu village at Ban Tha Pene, before continuing to Kuang Si Waterfalls. These beautiful multi-level falls tumble over limestone formations into clear turquoise pools.  A great place for a swim! [B]

Day 6  Luang Prabang - Phonsavanh
Today we leave Luang Prabang and travel to Phonsavanh, along mountain roads with stunning views of the forested mountains, lush valleys and karst formations. We stop enroute at Muang Si, visiting Wat Ban Phong, the oldest temple in the province. We visit the scenic Nong Tang Lake, rimmed with limestone cliffs and the extensive cave network of Thom Pha Cave. Only disocvered recently, this cave contains a 5m high Buddah image dating from 777AD, surrounded by gold and wooden statues of smaller size. Overnight in Phonsavanh. [B]

Day 7  Phonsavanh
We spend the day exploring the mysterious and ancient Plain of Jars. More than 300 huge stone jars carved out of solid rock are scattered around the plateau. The jars vary in size from 1 to 3.25 metres high and weigh up to six tons each. There are several different theories as to the purpose of the jars, which are estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. Afterwards we continue to Muang Khoun, an ancient capital which was destroyed during the Indochina War. The town was rebuilt after 1975 with rows of wooden Lao houses and a market area. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. [B]

Day 8  Phonsavanh - Vang Vieng
This morning we visit the lively open-air local market, before continuing to the scenic river town of Vang Vieng, stopping at local villages along the way. This afternoon there is some time to relax or enjoy an optional kayaking and caving adventure on the Nam Song 
River. [B]

Day 9  Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Vang Vieng is nestled in a bend in the Nam Song River. It is surrounded by striking limestone cliffs and has an abundance of fascinating tunnels and caverns. We enjoy a short trek through rice paddies, stopping at a Hmong village in Ban Pha Thao before continuing to some of the area’s lovely caves. We depart Vang Vieng and travel to Vientiane; on the way we stop at the Talat Fish Market in Huay Mor and enjoy a boat ride on the Nam Ngum Lake. We also stop at Salt Field in Ban Keun, before continuing on this scenic journey. [B]

Day 10  Vientiane
Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with its relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats (temples) and colourful markets. This morning we tour the city, including a visit to Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps the most important national monument in Laos. The afternoon is at leisure. [B]

Day 11  Vientiane - Hanoi
There is some free time this morning to relax before our flight to Hanoi. [B]

Day 12  Hanoi - Halong Bay
We are in for a real treat today as we travel to Halong Bay, a stunning water wonderland full of limestone outcrops and islands, all surrounded by calm emerald waters.We will overnight on a junk boat as it is the best way to see this water wonderland. We pass stunning islands and Sung Sot Cave, before stopping at Titov Beach for a swim Dinner is served on board the boat as the sun sets. [B,L,D]

Day 13  Halong Bay - Hanoi
We enjoy breakfast on board, while continuing to cruise around the waters of the bays, visiting Man's Head and Turtle Island's and Luon Cave. upon disembarkation from our Junk, we head back to Hanoi. [B,L]

Day 14  Hanoi
Today we tour Hanoi, the stately capital which features lakes, parks, grand boulevards and French colonial buildings. Our tour includes the History Museum, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the famous St Joseph Cathedral. [B]

Day 15  Hanoi - Hue
This morning we fly to the ancient city of Hue which was Vietnam’s capital for more than 140 years. Our tour includes the old imperial city which was modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City. [B]

Day 16  Hue - Hoi An
We enjoy a morning boat trip on the Perfume River before travelling over the spectacular Marble Mountains via the Hai Van Pass to Danang and Hoi An. [B]

 Day 17  Hoi An
This morning we enjoy a walking tour of the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An where we also visit a lantern-making workshop. The afternoon is at leisure. [B]

Day 18  Hoi An - Saigon
Today we travel to Danang where we board our flight to Vietnam’s largest city, Saigon. [B]

Day 19  Saigon
This morning we visit the Cu Chi Tunnel complex. In the afternoon we enjoy a tour of bustling Saigon, including the French-style Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the moving War Remnants Museum and the lively Chinatown. Tonight we experience the vibrant city lights of Saigon when we join the Bonsai for a memorable dinner cruise on the Saigon River. [B,D]

Day 20  Saigon - Phnom Penh
Enjoy a day at leisure before our afternoon flight to Cambodia's beautiful capital Phnom Penh. [B]

Day 21  Phnom Penh
Free time this morning to possibly take an optional tour to the infamous Killing Fields. This afternoon we enjoy a city tour of Phnom Penh where we visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the Russian Markets. [B]

Day 22  Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
This morning is at leisure before we fly to Siem Reap and start our sightseeing tour of the amazing Angkor Wat temples. In 1992, the whole of the Angkor Wat complex was granted UNESCO World Heritage status and it is considered one of the world’s most amazing attractions. We spend two days touring this extensive complex of temples, palaces and monuments. Tonight we watch the sun set over the ruins from the upper terraces of an Angkorian temple. [B]

Day 23  Siem Reap
We continue our sightseeing at Angkor Wat and ponder how these grand temples would have looked when first built during the 12th century. [B]

Day 24  Siem Reap
This morning we continue our touring of Angkor Wat and visit Ta Prohm. Here the jungle has not been cleared and the monuments look as they did when European explorers first stumbled across them. This afternoon we enjoy an excursion to the floating village of Kampong Kleang with a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. This incredibly rich fishing ground in the heart of Cambodia swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. [B]

Day 25  Depart Siem Reap
This morning is at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our journey home. [B]

Day 26  Arrive in Australia
 

Classic Indochina - OLD

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