Highlights Of Indochina Travel Package 13D/12N

Day 1: Luang Prabang On Arrival (Meal:N/A)

On arrival you will be picked up from Boat Harbour / Airport and transferred to the hotel.

First day activities is to join a tour to Mount Phousi and a night market. At 5.30pm you will be picked up by the tour guide to visit Mount Phousi. Rising 150m above the centre of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. The hill is a popular place to watch the sun set over the Mekong River. From the summit you can enjoy a spectacular 360 degree outlook across the city and its many temples, and out over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance. Count on spending a couple of hours for the climb and descent, with several stops to see the temples, rest under shady trees and admire the magical views. After visiting Mount Phousi, the tour guide will take you to visit the night market, which regularly features a few hundred stalls.

For those who want to relax and just explore the markets, another guide will meet you at the hotel at 6:30pm for a short walking tour of the night market. Both tours will finish in the main street of Luang Prabang, where there are many dinner options (not included).

Overnight: Luang Prabang, Laos (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

This morning you will visit Laos Buffalo Dairy and learn about the non-profit organisation. The tour will give you chance to taste Buffalo ice cream, coffee and a choice of one of three cakes, which are all made from produce on the farm. The story behind the farm and how it came to be, and what it is doing for the local community, is amazing. You will also have a chance to feed the pigs, chickens and, of course, buffalos. If you’re game, you will even get a chance to milk a buffalo. After the tour you will have lunch in the farm's restaurant ,which has views to the pool, the Buffalo Farm and the mountains.

In the afternoon continue to Kuang Si Falls. With three tiers leading to a 50m drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream, it’s the biggest in the Luang Prabang area. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both locals and tourists. After swimming in the refreshing blue water, the tour guide will escort you back to the hotel.

Overnight: Luang Prabang, Laos (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

"8:00 am – 8:30 am:  Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos. Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants Bareback Elephant Ride: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1 km bareback elephant ride! 1 person per elephant

Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water (water levels vary with seasonal conditions) Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant.  Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)

Depart: Transfer back your hotel around 1:00pm

Optional activity: Sunset cruise on Mekong river - US$ 20

Sunset in Luang Prabang leaves a lasting impression on travellers, often becoming one of their most memorable experiences. It's not just the pretty skies but also the mood of ‘golden hour’ that leaves the biggest impression. It’s a magical time of the day; golden light on the mountains, the calm that blankets the Mekong, the gathering of friends, temple bells and drums heralding evening prayers. For locals and tourists, it’s a collective sigh, a pause in time. This evening you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the cruise. Upon boarding enjoy a nice Laos cocktail, soft drinks or beer and snacks while cruising.

Overnight: Luang Prabang, Laos (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Luang Prabang or take the opportunity to join an optional early morning Alms Giving Ceremony tour.

Optional activity: Monks Alms Giving Ceremony - $15 AUD

Rise early to the sound of the temple gong, then join your guide for a walk through quiet streets to watch the daily procession of three hundred young monks walking silently by, collecting sticky rice and other foods in their bronze bowls. The ritual is linked to a Buddhist tradition in which monks beg for their daily food as a way to demonstrate humility. Alms giving is an important religious act in Buddhism and it must be carried out respectfully by locals and tourists alike. If you would like to be involved in the offering of food, your guide will be more than happy to show you the best way to interact with monks. After this wonderful experience your guide shall walk you through the local morning markets where you can see the local way of life in Laos.

Arrive back at the hotel in time for breakfast.

Overnight: Luang Prabang, Laos (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

After breakfast travel to the airport for the short flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. You will be warmly welcomed and then transferred to hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Being picked from your hotel to transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi

Our Tour guide and driver will be await you at Noibai airport to pick you up for check in in Hanoi Hotel

Overnight: Hanoi, Vietnam (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

After breakfast you will enjoy a city tour. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Just to one side of the house is the small but impressive One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. The structure of the pagoda has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Then, continue on to the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam). Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch proceed to visit the Ethnology Museum and the Literature Temple 'Quoc Tu Giam', see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 - it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. You will also drive past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and the beauty of Ngoc Son Temple. At the end of the tour, journey through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where you’ll then have a chance for some shopping and exploration.

Overnight: Hanoi, Vietnam (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

8:30AM After breakfast this morning, depart for Halong Bay (approx. four hours). On the way enjoy the diverse scenery; the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, the colourful villages, the serene rice fields being tended by locals, and water buffalo doing as they please in the scrub land. Upon arrival into Halong, board a traditional junk boat. Lunch will be served while the boat cruises the bay, giving ample time to enjoy the beautiful limestone seascape. Stop to visit an amazing cave, stop at a floating house, go kayaking to Luon Cave, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the bay.

Overnight: Traditional Junk Boat, Halong Bay, Vietnam (Standard or Premium Cruise Option)

 

Enjoy a sunrise breakfast as you cruise the clear, emerald waters to another part of Halong Bay, admiring close up views of majestic limestone peaks as you head back towards Halong Harbour. Enjoy lunch onboard. Upon arrival back at the dock, you will travel back to Hanoi (approx. four hours). Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Hanoi, Vietnam (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Hanoi or take the opportunity to join an optional Ninh Binh Day tour.

Optional tour: Ninh Binh Day Tour - US$50

8:30AM After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and travel to the rural province of Ninh Binh (approx. two hours). Ninh Binh is located in northern Vietnam, about 100km south of Hanoi, and is scattered with hundreds of limestone cliffs emerging from the ground across the rice fields. Apart from this stunning scenery, Ninh Binh also offers an opportunity to glimpse the rural way of life. It’s all very laid-back and serene, just how the Vietnam experience should be.

Arriving into the Ninh Binh province, pay a visit to Hoa Lu – the ancient royal capital of Vietnam. Continue onwards to a local restaurant for lunch before boarding a small sampan (traditional river boat) to visit Tam Coc, which literally means “Three Caves”. With Halong Bay-esque views of majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious yet inviting caves, not to mention the peaceful streams, rice paddies and deserted green fields, Tam Coc really has it all. After this amazing journey, return back to Hanoi in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Hanoi, Vietnam (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore this ancient capital, or to perhaps go shopping in the Old Quarter. This afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Being picked up from your hotel to transfer to airport for the flight to Siemriep. Our driver will be await to pick you up from airport to your hotel in Siemriep

Overnight: Siem Reap, Cambodia (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

After breakfast at hotel you will visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple, which was built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century and consists of 54 towers. Next you will visit the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and also visit Ta Prohm, which is surrounded by jungle. Afterwards you will visit Angkor Wat, which covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat and an exterior wall. It is one of the largest temples in the world. Early this evening, you will take a Tuk Tuk to cruise around Siem Reap and stop for a blessing ceremony for happiness, prosperity and safety for your journey performed by Buddhist monks.

Overnight: Siem Reap, Cambodia (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

Today after the breakfast you are free at leisure to explore the rest of this lovely city, or you can also take the opportunity to join an optional tour to Banteay Srei Temple.

Optional Activity: Banteay Srei Temple Tour including lunch - $90 AUD

Banteay Srei, constructed in the late 10th century, was loosely translated to citadel of the woman, but its modern title probably refers to the delicate beauty of its carvings. Along the way make a stop at Preah Dark Village. Follow this with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple, adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, Visit Preah Khan Temple, a huge monastic complex which served as a Buddhist monastery and school, engaging over 1000 monks. Continue to Neak Pean, a small island temple located in the middle of the last Baray.

Overnight: Siem Reap, Cambodia (Standard or Premium Hotel Option)

 

Today after breakfast you are free at leisure until the transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for the next flight