"Indochina Experience"
17 Days package price from just £1,780 per person.
Day 1 - UK Departure
Depart the UK with international flight to Hanoi.
Day 2 - Arrival Hanoi
Arrival and welcome at the airport in Hanoi. Transfer to check in at the hotel. Start to explore the diversified architecture of Hanoi and its famous 36 streets of Old Quarter by a combined tour between walking and taking a cyclo ride. After walk around Hoan Kiem Lake – a symbol of Hanoi city.
Day 3 - Hanoi
Full day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the traditional
Stilt House and the reserved
One-Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards we tour to Vietnam’s first university - the thousand-year-old
Temple of literature. In the afternoon visit the
Ethnology Museum and the
pagoda of Tao Sach. In the evening, enjoy the traditional
water puppet show. (B)
NOTE: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum closes from 08 September to 08 November for annual maintenance. Emperor Tours will organize the visit outside.
Day 4 - Hanoi / Halong
In the morning we leave for Ha Long on a new highway that passes through large rice fields of the Red River Delta and at noon arrive at Ha Long. Board a beautiful wooden junk for a 24-hour cruise on Ha Long Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)
Day 5 - Halong Bay to Hanoi to Hue
After breakfast on board we keep cruising on the bay. Back to the pier and disembark at around 11.00am. Return to Hanoi passing vast expanse of rice fields of the Red river delta. Transfer directly to the airport of Hanoi for the flight to Hue. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. (B)
Day 6 - Hue
Early this morning we take a bicycle ride through winding paths along Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu pagoda. On the way visit a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy, and experience the serene and pleasant feelings it might bring you. After exploring the pagoda, board a boat trip to visit Minh Mang mausoleum. In the afternoon we discover Tu Duc mausoleum and Tu Hieu pagoda. (B)
Day 7 - Hue to Hoi An
In the morning take a tour of the citadel city and enjoy the refined and distinct atmosphere of the town and visit the Imperial Citadel. Departure to Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam as you look out over the central coastline. You will also pass through the quiet, white sandy beach of Lang Co along the way. Arrive in Danang, visit the Cham Museum and then continue to Hoi An. Check in at the hotel. (B)
Day 8 - Hoi An
In the morning we take a bike ride to visit the village of vegetables - Tra Que (located 5kms - 20 minutes cycling from Hoi An). Together with local people in their daily work, you will learn how to plant and water vegetables. Then learn to cook some local specialities, for example "Tam Huu", a set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs, and enjoy what you have done after cooking. Return to Hoi An in the middle of afternoon. Take a stroll to visit Hoi An town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. (B/L)
Day 9 - Hoi An to Saigon
Depart Hoi An for the airport in Danang for the flight to Saigon. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the city for a visit to the ethnic Chinese quarter of Cho Lon with the Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Pagoda. Check in at the hotel. Then continue to visit various pagodas in Saigon and to see the daily life in different districts of the city. (B)
Day 10 - Saigon to Chan Tho
Morning departure by bus to Cai Be, where you will board a boat to the Mekong Delta of Vinh Long. Discover the languid charm of the fabled Mekong River as you explore the quaint byways and Cai Be floating market, and be sure to sample fresh-picked exotic fruits from one of the many orchards. In the afternoon continue the cruise to Vinh Long for transfer to Can Tho by road. Check into your hotel at the end of the afternoon. (B)
Day 11 - Chan Tho to Chau Doc
This morning ride in a small motorboat on Cai Nong canal to visit the floating market of Cai Rang. Then cruise along other small canals to see local arts and crafts. We then drive to Chau Doc where we will arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival we visit Ba Chua Xu temple, Tay An pagoda and Thoai Ngoc Hau tomb. Check in your hotel. (B)
Day 12 - Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
In the morning transfer to the border gate of Tinh Bien / Phnom Den and complete custom formalities. Then continue driving to Phnom Penh through the province Takeo. Stop en route to visit the Phnom Chisor temple. Phnom Chisor dates from the Angkorian times and sits majestically on a hill. Downhill visit a silk weaving village. On the way to Phnom Penh you will visit "Prasat Neang Khmau" – the Black Lady Temple, whose history is somehow related to the Chisor temple. Arrival in Phnom Penh at the end of the day. (B)
Day 13 - Phnom Penh
Today we tour the city of Phnom Penh. You’ll see the Independence Monument, Wat Phnom, the National Museum, and the Royal Palace where you will also find the Silver Pagoda. Travel to the city’s south to understand another period of Cambodia’s history: the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Here you will visit the genocide museum of Tuol Sleng, an old secondary school which was transformed into a detention centre under the Khmer Rouge. The prison gates carry the name 'S21'. Returning to Phnom Penh we visit the Russian Markets (Tuol Tumpoung) where you can stroll among all the stalls and try your hand at bargaining. You’ll find fabrics, jewellery, home wares and handicrafts among many other items. (B)
Day 14 - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport in Phnom Penh for the morning flight to Siem Reap. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check in. In the afternoon travel about half an hour from Siem Reap to discover one of the oldest sites of the region: the Roluos group. Begin your visit with the impressive Bakong temple of the 9th century, then Preah Ko and Lolei which today houses a small monastery. Return to the hotel late in the day. (B)
Day 15 - Siem Reap
Meet your guide this morning then leave to discover the marvellous temple of Angkor Wat, world heritage site with soaring towers. Afterwards move on to the Elephant Terrace and the raised Leper King Terrace. (B)
Day 16 - Siem Reap
Early in the morning travel by road to Beng Melea where part of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film ‘The Two Brothers’ was filmed. The tree roots which delicately envelop this temple seem wed to its shapes. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Siem Reap. On the way visit Banteay Srei temple, where one of the most impressive jewels of Khmer art is found. Then we visit the ancient monastery Ta Prohm, where immense tree roots have taken hold of the stones. Beyond this stunning vegetation you will find some splendid sculptured Devatas and an ambience fitting this temple and others built during the reign of Jayavarman VII in general. (B/L)
Day 17 - Siem Reap Departure
In the morning leave for Kompong Khleang, a village about 15km from Siem Reap and bypassed to date by mass tourism. It is a village whose houses are all on stilts, creating an exceptional natural environment with breathtaking views of flooded plains, water extending as far as the eye can see, of sparkling green rice plantations. Walk through the village meeting its inhabitants, stopping at a house where the family raises crocodiles. Afterwards, leave by local boat on the canals heading back to Siem Reap where you will have some free time to spend at the old market until transferring to the airport for your departure flight. (B/L)
17 Days Package Price from just £1,780 per person (single supplement £620)
Price includes:
- 4* Hotel accommodation in city centre;
- Meals: daily breakfast at hotel and others as mentioned in itinerary (exc. Drinks);
- Sightseeing excursions with English speaking guides;
- All road transportation in private air-con car or minibus;
- Entrance fees;
- Domestic flights;
- Boat trip as mentioned in sights;
- Government tax and service charge;
- International departure tax;
- Luggage handling and drinking water.
Price excludes:
- International flights (flight prices vary depending on time of year and airline - Emperor Tours will discuss and book the best option for you at time of booking);
- Vietnamese Visa fee;
- Cambodian Visa fee;
- Personal expense such as laundry or drinks during meals etc.;
- Optional visits;
- Travel insurance (can be arranged, please ask for details);
- Tips to guides and drivers.
