Day 1 – To Laos: Fly overnight from London to
Vientiane, via Bangkok, with Thai Airways. (N)
Day 2 – Vientiane: Arrive in Vientiane, the
capital of Laos, and transfer to the Settha Palace for
2 nights. Evening welcome drinks reception. (N)
Day 3 – Vientiane: Morning tour of Wat Sisaket
and Wat Ho Prakeo. In the afternoon, visit
That Luang Stupa, Patouxay and Buddha Park.
End the day with a stroll along the Mekong
riverside to see the sunset. (B)
Day 4 – To Luang Prabang: This morning, fly
to Luang Prabang, regarded by many as the
most beautiful town in Asia. Transfer to the
Xiengthong Palace (or similar) for 2 nights.
Afternoon tour of the ancient temple district
and the Royal Palace Museum. Later, visit Ock Pop Tock weaving centre. (B)
Day 5 – Luang Prabang: Morning boat trip to the Pak Ou caves where, over the
centuries, thousands of images of Buddha have
accumulated as offerings. Visits to handicraft
villages en route. (B, L)
Day 6 – To Hanoi: Early morning optional
excursion to see monks gathering alms. After
breakfast, take an excursion to Kuang Si Falls.
Afternoon flight to Hanoi and transfer to the
Sofitel Legend Metropole
for 2 nights. (B, L)
Day 7 – Hanoi: This morning, visit Dao Thuc
village to enjoy an outdoor water puppet show.
Lunch is at Koto restaurant, an organisation
that provides vocational training for
underprivileged youth. Afternoon tour of the
Museum of Ethnology, the Temple of Literature,
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple. (B, L)
Day 8 – To Halong Bay: Morning visit to Ho
Chi Minh’s mausoleum† and residence, and
One Pillar Pagoda. This afternoon, drive to the
world heritage site of Halong Bay and stay
overnight at the Novotel Halong City. (B)
Day 9 – To Hoi An: In the morning, board a
junk boat for a delightful cruise around the
karst limestone islands. Return to Hanoi for
the evening flight to Danang and transfer to
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa for a 2-night stay. (B, L, D)
Day 10 – Hoi An: Morning tour of My Son
ruins from the Cham period. Lunch at Streets
International restaurant, a social enterprise
initiative providing training programmes for
street children. In the afternoon, take a walking
tour of the former trading port of Hoi An. (B, L)
Day 11 – To Hué: Morning drive over the
spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hué, visiting the
Cham Museum and the Tomb of Khai Dinh
en route. Afternoon visit to the Tomb of Tu
Duc and Dong Ba market. Stay 1 night at La
Residence Hué. (B, L)
Day 12 – To Ho Chi Minh City: This morning,
take a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel and
visit the Purple Forbidden City. Continue to
Thien Mu Pagoda and have a chance to interact
with the monks. Lunch will be taken in a
restored royal home before the afternoon flight
to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay 2 nights at the Caravelle Saigon. (B, L)
Day 13 – Ho Chi Minh City: After breakfast,
drive through typical southern Vietnamese
countryside for a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels.
Return to the city for lunch at Wrap & Roll,
which specialises in Vietnamese spring rolls.
Afternoon orientation tour of Vietnam’s vibrant
southern city. (B, L)
Day 14 – To the Mekong delta: Drive to Ben
Tre in the Mekong delta and take a boat trip
to visit the Mekong’s fruit orchards. Continue
to Can Tho for an overnight stay at the Victoria
Can Tho (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 15 – Mekong delta: Morning boat trip to
Cai Rang floating market, Indochina’s largest.
After breakfast, continue to Chau Doc and stay
1 night at the Victoria Chau Doc. Afternoon visit
to a floating village and Sam mountain. (B, L, D)
Day 16 – To Phnom Penh: Morning speedboat
transfer to Phnom Penh. Afternoon visit to the
Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum
and Wat Phnom. Stay 2 nights at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal (or
similar). (B)
Day 17 – Phnom Penh: Morning walking
tour of historic Phnom Penh. Take lunch at
the restaurant of Pour un Sourire d’Enfant
(PSE) training centre, a project that provides
education for the city’s poorest children. In the
afternoon, take a tour of Tuol Sleng Museum of
Genocide and of the Killing Fields. (B, L)
Day 18 – To Siem Reap: Fly to Siem Reap this
morning and stay at Raffles
Grand Hotel d’Angkor for 2 nights. Afternoon
tour of Banteay Srei and Neak Pean. (B, D)
Day 19 – Angkor Wat: Full-day tour of the
Temples of Angkor. In the morning, visit Ta
Phrom, Prasat Tanei with a light picnic breakfast,
Preah Khan, and the magnificent Angkor Wat.
In the afternoon, explore Angkor Thom, the
Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of
the Leper King. End the day with a visit to the
Bayon temple to see the sunset. (B, L)
Day 20 – To London: This afternoon, transfer
to the airport and fly overnight to London, via
Bangkok. (B)
Day 21 – London: Early morning arrival in
London. (N)
† Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum: Each year, Ho Chi
Minh’s mausoleum is closed between October
and December for re-embalmment of the body
and can only be visited from outside.
Room upgrades: A selection of room upgrades are available, please ask your tour consultant
for details and prices.
Combining south-east Asia group tours: It is possible to combine this tour with The Golden
Land of Burma Escorted Group Tour on selected departure dates. Please ask
for more details.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
