A Glance of Indochina Tour – 8 Days/ 7 Nights

General Information

Start/End: Siem Reap/ Hanoi
Tour Route: Siem Reap – Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi
Intended Travel Date: No Fixed Departure, Anytime You Wish
Duration: 8 days/ 7 nights
Tour Style: Sightseeing, Cultural

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Siem Reap Arrival
Day 02: Angkor Sightseeings (B)
Day 03: Half Day Tonle Sap Lake – Fly To Luang Prabang (B)
Day 04: Luang Prabang City Tour – Kuang Si Waterfall (B)
Day 05: Pak Ou Caves – Fly To Hanoi (B, L)
Day 06: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Day 07: Halong Bay Fullday Exploration (B, L)
Day 08: Hanoi Departure

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival

Welcome to Siem Reap, you will be welcomed warmly and meet our tour guide and driver to head to the hotel for check-in and relaxation. The rest of this day will be free at your leisure or you can spend a little time to discover Siem Reap, which is home to the most ornate temples.
When the sun begins to set, transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 2: Angkor Sightseeings (B, L)

After having breakfast, we will transfer to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. After the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.
We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the center of Angkor Thom, you will be amazed by an eccentric expression of the genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. In fact, it has 54 towers topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion), which bear more than a passing resemblance to the king himself.
After that, we will pay a visit Terrace of the Leper King, which carved platform was the royal crematorium and the big statue that was originally thought to be the leper king is known as Yama. The next spot to visit is Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a stunning gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports.

Then, Ta Prohm will be an ideal destination for you. It has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, witness to the dramas of human history.
We journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, which is the world’s largest religious building. The temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. This temple is the most famous temple at Angkor and it was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is the most famous temple at Angkor.
Back to your hotel for your delicious dinner. Stay overnight at Siem Reap

Day 3: Half Day Tonle Sap Lake – Fly To Luang Prabang (B)

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before departing for the Tonle Sap. We start an amazing tour with a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, which is the biggest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River. We will have ample chance to witness fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station.

After that, we transfer back to the hotel to take your luggage and have a short break to get ready to take the regional flight to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, we transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Meals on your own. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Luang Prabang City Tour – Kuang Si Waterfall (B)

Start a new day with the morning market, a great place to meet the locals, enjoy Lao food, and watch the people as they wander. Then, we have a short drive to visit Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City, which known as the most significant of Lao monasteries. It remains a monument to the spirit of royalty, religion, and traditional art.

Afterward, head to Kuang Sy Falls a spectacular turquoise waterfall. On the way, you will pass through rice fields and tranquil small villages dotted along the country road. Stop at some villages to get a closer insight into locals before relaxing at the waterfall. Then, you can dip into swimming to refresh yourself in many basins.
In the afternoon, we transfer back Luang Prabang and explore the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre located in a historical building preserved by UNESCO. The exhibition here consists of traditional clothing, religious artifacts and daily working tools of Lao minorities that will help you get a deeper understanding of their lifestyle and traditions. More interestingly, sunset on the Phousi Mountain is a perfect time for you to have a panorama view of the city.

Then, we will stop to visit the H’ mong Night Market where you can see and find a wide range of souvenirs in the traditional style of Laos. Dinner tonight is special because this market is a true paradise for street food lovers.
Our guide will recommend the best place to enjoy Laos traditional food or hot pot at some nice restaurants at the river bank.
Have a good sleep at the hotel.

Day 5: Pak Ou Caves – Fly To Hanoi (B, L)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and leave your luggage at the receptionist. The staff will keep it safe for you. Then, our driver will pick you up at your hotel to have a departure to the boat jetty.
Start with discovering Nava Mekong, a traditional riverboat, for a shared cruise on the mighty Mekong River. On the way, you will have ample chance to enjoy the dramatic yet tranquil scenery as well as seeing the simple lives of rural people living along the river.
During a 2-hour cruise upstream to the Pak Ou Caves, the village of Ban Xang Hai will be stopover along your way of exploring. You will have a great chance to admire numerous ancient Buddha images, dating back from many centuries. On the way back downstream, we will enjoy a selection of typical Lao dishes onboard.

Then, take your luggage and our drivers will escort you to the airport to take the regional flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver to transfer to the hotel to check-in. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY06

Day 6: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide at your recommended places around Hanoi Old Quarter including:

• • • Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is the first destination located in the West Lake and it is a Buddhist relic and national heritage of Vietnam.
    • Ho Chi Minh Complex – the final resting place of Viet Nam’s greatest father; his house-on-stilt and One pillar pagoda – modeled after a lotus flower, a symbol of Hanoi.
    • Temple of Literature – the first university of Viet Nam constructed in 1070 dedicating to Confucius, sages, and scholars
      After that, you have lunch at a local restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter before spending time to explore these destinations:
    • The traditional ceramics village of Bat Trang. You will have a great opportunity to visit showrooms and witness how they model the products.
    • Ngoc Son Temple dedicated to Tran Hung Dao – General Commander for his struggle against Mongolians.
      

  When the sun begins to set, transfer back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Have a good sleep at the hotel.

  Day 7: Halong Bay Fullday Exploration (B, L)

  Today, we will spend time to enjoy best Halong Bay day trip with hotel pickup in the morning, The 3.5-hour scenic drive gives you a great opportunity to immerse in the landscape of the Red River Delta, and witness the daily rural life of Vietnamese farmers with rice fields and water buffaloes.
  Upon arrival at Halong Bay, you will begin the most beautiful day with Halong Bay day cruise. After a short introduction talking by the tour guide, you will enjoy a delicious local seafood lunch on board (Note: Vegetarian food is available if requested).
  After that, spend about 4 hours to discover Halong Bay. Ready to fall in love with the stunning scenery of the UNESCO World Heritage site with its thousands of limestone islets and mountains. You can take a cruise through emerald waters, passing by the Dog Stone, Burning Incense Islet and Fighting-Cock Islet, the reputable symbol of Halong Bay.

  
  After having lunch, we stop at Ba Hang Fishing Village for a trip by kayak or bamboo boat rowed by the locals. This is one of the most highlighted activities on your Halong Bay day trip. Next, the magnificent Thien Cung Cave, (Heavenly Palace Cave) is an ideal destination to explore huge chambers adorned with stalactites and stalagmites before transferring to your cruise.
  Enjoy a tea break and sample some green bean cake, which is a local specialty in the northern provinces while seeing stunning sunset over the legendary Halong Bay.
  Then, get on the shuttle bus to come back to the capital Hanoi. Transfer back to the hotel for dinner and relaxation. Stay overnight there.

  Day 8: Hanoi Departure (B)

  On the last day of thís trip, you will be free to relax until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Meals on your own. Tour ends. We hope we have a great opportunity to accompany you in your next Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos trip from India.