26 Days Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos Thailand and Myanmar Tour

Meals: B / L

This morning see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400 year old temple features ten tiers enclosed by gardens, including a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake where you’ll see the Tortoise Tower perched on the water. Enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through Hanoi’s the Old Quarter. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist leads you while you sit in a canopied seat affixed to the front. Next, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the midst of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in his vision.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, travel to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient (3 hr. drive). Your cruise across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the boat sets sails, you will be greeted by the Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard.  

During the afternoon, discover some of the treasures spread across the Bay of the Descending Dragon:  fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you can attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

One of the highlights of your stay on board is the innovative and varied cuisine offered at Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Meals: B / L

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. Breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, followed by a visit the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi airport for fly to Danang 

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B / L

Free of the morning.

In the afternoon, visit to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th century port town in its preserved state. Visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics which houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500’s to the 1,700’s. Continue on a brief visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century featuring China's influence in the region. Enter the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more Take a walk through the Old Tam Ky House to see it's imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge which for centuries connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. Then return to your hotel for an evening of relaxation.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Hoian is also famous for its beautiful sandy beach. Today you will relax to just enjoy sun shine and the beach.

If you want some fun activities today, we highly recommend you to join a fishing tour to experience being a local fishman, or go diving in Cham Island.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B / L

Today, transfer to airport for flight to Saigon, upon arrive, you will start to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, see the highlights of Saigon and learn the history of these iconic landmarks.

You’ll explore some of the most important sights in Ho Chi Minh. Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war. Then stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.  Finish the afternoon with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest. 

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B / L

Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life.

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small).  Return to Saigon for your flight this evening to Siem Reap. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B / L

After breakfast, begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, visit the ancient capital city of  Angkor Thom. On your way, you’ll catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat as you pass by. However, we’ll save the best for last as you continue today to see some other equally impressive ruins of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure hidden under a canopy will leave you feeling as if you’d stepped into an adventure movie set.

Then visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). Continue on to the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon offers many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B / L

Be prepared today for one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat.

Enter Angkor Wat and to view its amazing architecture and history. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carving. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning exploring through the many passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world.

Continue on to the remote temple of Banteay Srei: set deep in the jungle. The Citadel of Women, Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale in comparison to the other colossal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. This temple is considered the jewel of Khmer art.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B / L

In the morning a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake—Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a fun ox cart ride through the countryside,. Continue on a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk,  the largest village on the lake , to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water. 

This afternoon you will transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang, Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will meet your private local guide from Indochinatour.com and escort you to hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening, you can wander around the city and the night market to discover local life of Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B / L

Luang Prabang, the city surrounded by Mekong River and well known for its golden city is well known for its beautiful decorated Buddhist temples, it is a place that you will keep appearing in your mind for long time after your Indochina tour. 

Your memorable trip will starts from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accepts the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then start the half day excursion to  Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.
Drive back to the town for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Wat Xiengthong which is symbolic temple of the classic Laotian architecture, visit the Royal Palace Musem to learn some history of Laos. Then visit the Wat Aham Temple which means “Monastery of the Opened Heart” and the Stupa of Wat Visoun.
Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city, you can enjoy some drinks in one of the cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverside.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B / L

In the morning, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make Laos rice wine and rice whiskey. You'll be able to try some and see the process they use to make it. Then we'll reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served nearby the caves. During lunch, you'll have the opportunity to try a local dish called "Orlam" which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, we disembark the boat to visit a traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B / L

This morning, you’ll experience the process of making rice at a Living Land Farm, a community enterprise just outside of Luang Prabang, which promotes professional organic farming right next to village rice paddies. Join the interactive rice farming experience which actively benefits the local community , who showcase and maintain their traditional ways. Learn about bamboo weaving, tool and trap making, gardening and even blacksmithing. A Laos specialty lunch will be served as well.

This afternoon you will transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok, the rest of the day free at your own leisure. 

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B / L

This morning you will visit the Grand Palace, a beautiful example of an ancient Siamese court, and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha statue. Then, ride like a Local by tuk-tuk to Wat Pho temple, to behold the 150-foot-long Reclining Buddha statue. Next, explore the city’s renowned klongs(canals) by boat and cruise the Chao Phraya River. Also visit Wat Arun and the Royal Barge Museum.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B / L

This morning visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where you will experience the traditional Thai market with  numerous vendors selling local foods, fruits and products from their boats. Explore the market before continuing on to Kanchanburi to learn about the region's storied past and present-day culture. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the infamous bridge and railway is a notable part of the Kanchanaburi landscape. Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to get an understanding of the deadly, Herculean task many Thais were faced with decades ago.

Then continue to Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park. . The park is full of examples of the Khmar influenced architecture in this part of Thailand. Take some time to just relax here, before making your way back to Bangkok airport for your onward flight to Chiang Rai.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B

Enjoy your free morning today until transfer to airport for flight to Mandalay. Upon arrive your local guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport and ready to transfer you to hotel for check in, the rest of the day free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Meals: B / L

This morning, you will start to see the Highlights of Mandalay. Start off with a visit the Mahamuni Image where you can to watch locals pray and place gold paper on the statue of Buddha for blessing. If you like, For a small donation you can also participate (only men are allowed to place the gold on the statue).

Then visit a gold paper factory to see how golden leafs are made, a staple in Burmese religious practices. On to visit the 19th century Shwenandaw Monastery (Golden Palace Monastery) famous for its teak carvings of Buddhist mythology. Next, see the Kuthodaw Pagoda which is a Buddhist stupa that contains the world's largest book of Buddhism.

Overnight in Mandalay.

Meals: B / L

Morning: Transfer to Sagiang, the capital of Sagiang Division located on the Irrawady River. Cross the Inwa Bridge, which was built by the British in 1934. Then visit the Maha Ganayon Kyaung Monastery to see hundreds of monks line up for daily meals. On to visit the U Bein Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long and is the longest teakwood bridge in the world. Next visit Kaung Mu Taw Pagoda: a dome shaped pagoda which rises up 46 meters. At the base of the pagoda there are 812 stone pillars, each one with a hollow and image of a Nat inside. Continue with a visit to Sagaing Hill. The hill has a number of small pagodas with many meditation centers along with Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda – a pagoda painted in gold. You may want to stop at monasteries and nunneries to speak with monks while enjoying hot green tea.

Then continue with a visit of Amarapura,"City of Immortality", the old capital of Myanmar. At the end of the day, visit the ancient temple of Pahtodawgyi which was built in 1820.  

Overnight in Mandalay.

Meals: B

This morning, transfer by flight to Bagan. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Aureum Palace Hotel for check in.

This afternoon, explore Bagan. See its thousands of Buddhist pagodas spread in the valley of the Ancient City of Bagan. These pagodas were once owned by individual families during prosperous times. Visit the Nyaung Oo Market where locals buy and sell produce. Continue on to the Shwezigon Pagoda , the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.

Then enjoy a Horse Cart Ride to the small village of Taung Phi for a view of a teak monastery Continue by horse cart around temples and winding roads as the sun makes it's way to the sky's edge casting curious shadows from the temples across the plain. Continue to Shesandaw Pagoda. Watch one of the best sunsets in Southeast Asia before  riding back to your hotel.

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B / L

This morning start your scenic drive to Mount Popa, an extinct volcano with its golden shrines. Situated 50 km southeast of Bagan, this solitary peak showcases the Popa Taungkalat shrine, the favored home of Myanmar’s most powerful “Nats” (local spirits), statues of which can be found at its base. These spirits were once so important to the country's early Kings that it was essential for them to consult the Nats before commencing their reign. The shrine is located at the top of the mountain , and if you have the energy, take off your shoes and socks to climb to the top (well worth the climb!) Along the way are a multitude of monkeys expecting treat! 

Along the way, stop by a local village to learn about local culture and lifestyle. Then enjoy lunch (own expense) at a hill resort.   On the way back visit a palm sugar workshop, where the harvested nectar from local trees is cooked into the sugar cubes we see in teashops today .

Overnight in Bagan.

Meals: B

Transfer to airport for onward flight to Heho where you will be picked up and transfer you to your hotel by the lakeside of Inle Lake.

Inle Lake locates in the highland of Myanmar in an altitude of around 3,000 feet above sea level.  Here you will enjoy different atmosphere and ambience from middle part of Myanmar.

After check in hotel, enjoy your day at leisure to relax.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: B / L

Your Excursion today will be made by long tail boat to see life of In-tha (name of local ethnic people live on the lake), to discover their unique floating farms and life on floating village. you will also see how the local fisher to fish with only one leg paddling the boat, then visit five day market one of Inle Lake’s most popular and picturesque sights where you see some tribal ladies selling their farm products and the Long Neck Ladies who were relocated from the Myanmar and Thailand border.

Rest of the day is at leisure to relax.

Overnight in Inle Lake.

Meals: B / D                                                                                                     

In the morning, transfer by flight to Yangon. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel,  The Strand Yangon for check in.

In the evening, enjoy a Cultural Dinner Show on the Karaweik Palace, which is a floating marble boat. The show features the traditional instruments, attire, and dances of Burma conveying the ten national arts. After the show, return to your hotel for the evening.

Overnight in Yangon.

Meals: B / L

After breakfast, visit the downtown area to see the Old City Hall, and Maharbandoola Park. Then stroll along the old street ending at the old Strand Hotel. Next, drive to Botahtaung Pagoda which features golden decorations inside. Continue to Bogyoke Market which sells many Burmese traditional handicrafts including stone, wood and bronze carvings, and much more. In the afternoon, visit Kandawgyi Park near Chaukhtetgyi Reclining Buddha Image – one of the largest in Yangon. Continue to the highlight of Yangon: the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, which has been described as one of the wonders of the world. Shwedagon plays a very important role in the Old Burmese History and also is an important Buddhist icon. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Overnight in Yangon.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement

Meals: B

Today transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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