Classic Indochina, 13 days

SUNDAY

DAY 1 - LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL

Enjoy a culinary journey in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang. At 8:30 am we arrive in the city and we will be greeted by a guide at the airport. Then transfer to the hotel where we receive a welcome drink and check-in. (Official check-in 14:00 hrs).

Lunch is at our own expense.

In the afternoon, begin your visit to the ornate Wat Visoun. These houses of That Makmo, known as the watermelon stupa because of its shape.

We went to Wat Xieng Thong. Also known as the "temple of the golden city," this 16th-century complex is located near the confluence of the two Luang Prabang rivers at the tip of the peninsula. Adorned with ornate stained glass windows, this sacred site is considered the most beautiful temple in the city and serves as a religious and national symbol. It was here that the kings of Laos were crowned.

Climbing to the top of this sacred hill reveals sublime 360-degree panoramic views of the city, the Mekong River, and the surrounding lush jungle. A small Buddhist temple and golden stupa sit at the top, and its views naturally make this a popular spot for sunsets.

Dinner included and overnight at the hotel.

MONDAY

DAY 2 LUANG PRABANG – CERIMÔNIA TAKBAT – CUEVAS DE PAK OU

05:30 AM. Start your day with a dose of spirituality and watch the monks perform the morning ritual of tak bat. It is part of everyday life in Laos and sees monks collecting offerings in exchange for a blessing. Then we visit a fresh fruit

before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

We'll head to the Royal Palace Museum to explore a treasure chest of ancient relics. We continue on foot to Wat Mai, a shrine adorned with black and red lacquer and gold leaf.

Keep in mind that when visiting the National Museum in Luang Prabang, one should dress modestly (shoulders and legs should be covered).

We continue to the pier to board a traditional boat and sail upstream along the Mekong River to visit sacred Buddhist caves. We pass through extensive countryside and life lived on the shores, making a brief stop along the way in the picturesque village of Thin Hong for a glimpse of local life. We then continue to the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, which are home to hundreds of Buddha statues. After our exploration of the cave, we hopped back on the boat and had lunch at a local restaurant, then headed back to Luang Prabang, stopping at Ban Xang Khong, a village specializing in handmade paper.

This evening, we recommend that you take a stroll through the night market. On the street of the old palace, dozens of vendors display authentic Laotian handicrafts such as woven silk, embroidered fabrics, and silver jewelry, as well as offerings made by Chian of Beer Lao T-shirts and faux cotton scarves. The serene atmosphere and beautiful products make it one of the best places to buy souvenirs. (Daily: 17:00-22:00)

Dinner is on us. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

TUESDAY

DAY 3 |CACHOEIRAS LUANG PRABANG-KUANG SI – HASAY

We head to Ock Pop Tok, a weaving center and social enterprise that seeks to preserve traditional weaving techniques. Through fair trade and sustainable business practices.

Travel by minivan on a 45-minute drive to Kuang Si Waterfalls. A short hike through the jungle takes us to these incredible three-tiered waterfalls, which flow into pools of clear water that are perfect for a refreshing swim. Wildlife lovers will be in their element as we make our way to a bear sanctuary founded by the Free the Bears Foundation. This facility has rescued hundreds of bears from the clutches of illegal practices.

Lunch at a local restaurant near the waterfall.

Immediately after lunch, you will transfer to Luang Prabang Airport and depart for Hanoi, the former capital of Vietnam. (We recommend that the departure flight is after 17:00)

Meet on arrival at Hanoi International Airport and transfer to your hotel.

Distribution of rooms (check-in at 14:00) and free time available to customers to rest from the trip and acclimatize to the new schedule. Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All customers arriving at the International Arrivals Terminal in Hanoi should exit and proceed to Pillar  15 (column 15 of the arrivals hall) where the Asian Trails guide or driver will be waiting for them with the ASIAN TRAILS VIETNAM sign or the agent's sign

Attention:

The standard airport pick-up time for the private trip is between 07:00 AM and 07:00 PM. Outside the usual pick-up times, a supplement will be applied, to be advised at the time of booking.

WEDNESDAY

DAY 4 |FULL-DAY TOUR OF HANOI

Breakfast at the hotel

In the morning, we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), the "Single Pillar Pagoda" and the "Museum of Ethnology" (closed on Mondays).

Lunch in a traditional restaurant

In the afternoon, visit to the Temple of Literature. The Van Mieu Temple, or Temple of Literature, was created in honor of Confucius in 1070 and was the seat of Vietnam's first university, where princes and young men of high birth studied. Panoramic tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. A fascinating network of narrow alleys and house-shops, also known as

such as "the 36 streets", where each street takes its name from the product it sold, fabrics, handicrafts, medicines, and tombstones. A paradise for craft lovers and an endlessly interesting place to explore local life. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

We will also enjoy the famous "Water Puppet Show", an ancient Vietnamese art where everyday scenes from the former Vietnam are represented, using puppets in an aquatic environment, accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music and songs.

Experience: We stopped at a café tucked away in an alley in Hanoi's Old Quarter to try the typical Vietnamese coffee, it is quite strong but very aromatic and is served alone or with condensed milk. You can also try the local beer, all spiced up with some local snacks. Feel like a Vietnamese sharing moments like this.

Dinner on your own (not included). 

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi

THURSDAY

DAY 5 |- HANÓI – HA LONG BAY

Breakfast at the hotel

We drove to Ha Long (160 km, about 4 hours by normal road) for an evening cruise. At 12:30-13:00 we board and lunch is served soon after.

Discover Halong Bay, "The Dragon Descending into the Sea" as it is known in Vietnamese, recognized as a new World Heritage Site of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The picturesque Halong Bay boasts more than 3,000 limestone islets that rise from the emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

Dinner and overnight on board

Note: Standard class of our SIC: there is no Asian Trails guide on board and the itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may be subject to change.

FRIDAY

DAY 6 |BAÍA HA LONG – HANÓI – DA NANG – HOI AN

Before breakfast, we'll start with a Tai Chi practice on the deck while watching the sun rise. Breakfast on board and we continue with the cruise program and return to the dock before noon.

After disembarking at 11:00 AM, depart directly to Noi Bai Airport via the new road (130 km - 2.5 hours) for the flight to Da Nang.

Arrival in Danang, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An. Lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An

Please note: The scheduled flight for the collective tour is HAN DAD (departure time approx. after 16:00 – Flight time subject to availability and may change without prior notice). In the case of a different flight, an additional charge applies for a private transfer service from a local restaurant on the way back from Ha Long to Hanoi Airport and from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An Hotel.

SATURDAY

DAY 7 |HOI AN

Breakfast at the hotel

Discover the historic city that used to be a thriving port city during the 16th to 16th centuries.

Its large community of foreigners has resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Visit Phuc Kien Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky's Old House, and a silk workshop.

Lunch in a traditional restaurant

Afternoon: Free time to walk around the city on your own and enjoy visiting the typical shops, taking the opportunity to make some typical Vietnamese or Western clothes, spend the afternoon in a café or rest on the beaches or hotel facilities.

Dinner on your own (not included). Overnight at hotel in Hoin

SUNDAY

DAY 8 |HOI AN – DA NANG – HUE

Breakfast at the hotel

In the morning, we will depart for Danang. On arrival in Danang we will visit the Cham museum. Travel to Hue via the Hai Van Pass, the pass of the clouds.

We will enjoy a traditional lunch in a restaurant

Arrive in Hue and continue with the visit to the Imperial Citadel and stop at Dong Ba Market to enjoy the local products.

Free check-in at your hotel and dinner. Hotel accommodations in Hue

MONDAY

DAY 9 |HUE – HO CHI MINH CITY

Breakfast at the hotel

Boat trip on the Perfume River and visit to Thien Mu Pagoda. We continue with the visit of the tomb of Tu Duc.

Experience: We go on a short cycle route (rickshaw) to one of the authentic villages with the traditional houses in the garden house style. Travelers will have the chance to see the agricultural activities of the locals. Time to relax: our visit includes a foot bath with medicinal herbs!

Traditional lunch at the home of a family in the village.

Transfer to Hue airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Hotel overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Attention:

+ The scheduled flight for the group tour is HUI SGN (approximately 18:00 departure - Flight schedule subject to availability and may change without prior notice). In the case of a different flight, there is an additional charge for the private round-trip transfer from Hue Airport and Ho Chi Minh City International Airport to the hotel.

+ Standard class: in the Emm Saigon hotel there is only one room with a double bed (there is no room with a single bed) if guests need to stay in the room with 2 single beds; They have to pay the surcharge to upgrade to a two-bedroom apartment. The add-in will be applied as shown in the table below.

TUESDAY

DAY 10 |HO CHI MINH CITY TUNNEL – CHI TUNNEL – HO CHI MINH CITY

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning: We travel to visit the Chi Tunnels, an impressive underground tunnel complex used during the Vietnam War and then return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Lunch in a traditional restaurant

Afternoon: Take a sightseeing tour that includes the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office, and photo stops (external visit) at the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace).

Experience: Scenic drive along Cong Kieu Street, a paradise for craft lovers and an endlessly interesting place to explore local life. It is also possible to stop at Ben Thanh Market, the largest and most colorful market in the city.

Dinner on your own (not included).

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City Attention:

+ You will not be able to visit Notre Dame Cathedral as it is closed for renovations.

+ Standard class: in the Emm Saigon hotel there is only one room with a double bed (there is no room with a single bed) if guests need to stay in the room with 2 single beds; They have to pay the surcharge to upgrade to a two-bedroom apartment. The add-in will be applied as shown in the table below.

WEDNESDAY

DAY 11 |HO CHI MINH CITY – SIEM REAP

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Ho Chi Minh International Airport to fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia's second largest city.

Please note that the normal pick-up time for passengers from the airport on the Vietnam side is between 07:00 and 19:00. Outside of these hours, a surcharge will be charged at the time of booking.

We recommend that the morning flight be around 11:00 am.

Swap the rapidly developing capital for the historic streets of Siem Reap. After breakfast, we will have free time to relax or take one last walk before heading to the airport for a short flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, we check into your hotel in time for lunch before enjoying a leisurely afternoon visiting some of the Temple City's top attractions. We head to Theam's Gallery which doubles as an art gallery and then continue to a market to get a glimpse of local life and learn about local produce.

Dinner is free. Overnight in Siem Reap.

THURSDAY

DAY 12 |SIEM HARVESTS.

Step back in time and step into Cambodia's crown jewel, the temples of Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. We start the day at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire built in the late 12th century. Within the ancient city walls, we visit Bayon to stand in the shadow of its hundreds of giant sculpted, smiling faces; Baphoun, from the eleventh century; the small Hindu temple of Baksei Chamkrong; and the Terrace of the Elephant and the Terrace of the Leper King.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Root Ta Prohm, who became famous after appearing in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. Next, we'll head to the amazing Angkor Wat, which dates back to the 12th century.

Please note: Proper attire is required at the Bakan Tower in Angkor Wat as it is a sacred place, shoulders and knees must be covered; Skirts and shorts are not allowed. Only 100 people are allowed to climb the Bakan Tower at a time and children under the age of twelve are not allowed to climb. It is closed on Buddhist Saturdays, Buddhist religious days, and four days a month according to the lunar calendar.

Dinner with a presentation of the Khmer tradition at a local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap.

FRIDAY

DAY 13 |SIEM REAP – GAME

Today we have the day free to explore Siem Reap at our own pace. You can choose to relax at the hotel, or explore some of the main attractions in the city center before the transfer to Siem Reap Airport for the departure of our flight to the next destination.