Day 1: Phnom Penh - Arrival (L)
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be picked up and star the tour. City Tour to visit National Museum of Khmer Art, Silver Pagoda, on the same ground of the RoyalPalace and renowned Wat Phnom. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit Toul Sleng Museum and the renowned Central Market. Free at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor temples (B, L) - by flight
After breakfast hotel, take flight to Siem Reap. Arrival in in Siem Reap, you will visit temples including Prasat Kravan – with its unique brick sculptures, Srah Srang, The Royal Baths was once used for ritual bathing, and Banteay Kdei, surrounded by four concentric walls, Eastern Mebon, guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation, and the Mountain Temple of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prum, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prum has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, then visit Takeo. In the evening we view the sunset at Phnom Bakheng Hill. Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 3: Siem Reap - Angkor (B, L)
After an enjoy sunrise time at Angkor Wat in early morning, then start the tour to South Gate of Angkor Thom, then go to Angkor Thom (the temple) which was built by Angkor’s greatest king, Jayavarman VII. The major attraction of Angkor Thom is the Bayon, whose exact function and symbolism is still unknown until now. Then we go to Baphoun, which is one of the most spectacular of Angkor’s temples in its heyday; to Terrace of the Elephants that was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall; to Terrace of the Leper King, another of Angkor’s mysteries. In the afternoon, we visit the World Seventh Wonder -better known as Angkor Wat- that stands as the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Angkor wat stretch over some 400 sq. km, including forested area, AngkorArchaeologicalPark contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4: Siem Reap - Da Nang (B, L) - by flight
Today, after breakfast, we are on a boat trip to Great LakeTonle Sap that is renowned for its basin of fresh water fish (10 tons/ 1Square Km in the 60’s). Visitors may also view the fresh water exhibition where we can see various kinds of fish in Tonle SapLake such as floating village and real style on the river. After lunch, we will transfer you to the airport. Flight from Siem Reap to Da Nang at 17:15. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Da Nang.
Day 5: Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue (B, L)
Excursion to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town south of Da Nang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Sightseeing is best done on foot or by cyclo, and will include at least five of the following sights. Highlights: QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653, this Chinese temple is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilded statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the construction and repair of the temple. PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. DIEP DONG NGUYEN HOUSE: built for a Chinese merchant, an ancestor of the present inhabitants, in the late 19th century. The front room on the ground floor was once a dispensary for Thuoc Bac (Chinese medicine). TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles. SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. TRADING CERAMICS MUSEUM: a museum offering a display of old Hoi An ceramics. QUAN THANG HOUSE: one of the oldest and nicest houses in Hoi An. There are some especially fine carvings on the wooden walls of the rooms around the courtyard. PHUNG HUNG HOUSE: the same family has been living here for eight generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles. QUANG DONG PAGODA: a small Chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary, this pagoda was open to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau. CHUA CHUC THANH PAGODA: founded in 1454 by Minh Hai, a Buddhist monk from China, it is the oldest pagoda in Hoi An. Among the antique ritual objects still in use are several bells, a stone gong two centuries old and a carp-shaped wooden gong said to be even older. By vehicle from Da Nang to Hue north along Highway 1 over the Hai Van Pass and lang Co Beach. Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue - Hanoi (B, L) - by flight
08:30 Our guide and driver will pick you up at hotel
09:00 Visit the Imperial Citadel- the grand complex of palaces built by Nguyen Dynasty (the last Dynasty of Vietnam feudalism).
10:00 Transfer to visit Thien Mu Pagoda- the symbol of Hue tourism
11:00 Experience local market in Hue at Dong Ba Market.
11:40 Transfer to restaurant for lunch.
12:00 Have lunch with Hue specialities.
13:30 Tranfer to visit two of the most beautiful royal tombs of Nguyen Dynasty Kings: Khai Dinh and Tu Duc tombs.
16:00 Drop in an incense traditional village for photos stop. Flight from Hue to Hanoi. Arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
Full day sightseeing in Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia. Highlights: ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom. TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment. HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star. HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Mondays and Fridays). OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only). ST JOSEPH CATHEDRAL: a neo-Gothic cathedral finished in 1886, it is noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and stained-glass windows. BAO TANG LICH: once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, is a building constructed of reinforced concrete completed in 1930. Exhibits include artefacts from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi - Vientiane (B, L) - by flight
Transfer to the airport. Flight from Hanoi to Vientiane. Arrival in Vientiane, The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets and transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing in Vientiane. Highlights: PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa): built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. PATUXAI: a large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a good view of the city. HO PHA KEO: the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found in Laos. WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early Bangkok style, small niches are carved into its interior walls, containing more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images. WAT SI MUANG: this temple is one of the most popularly used temple grounds in the city, as it contains the city pillar and acts as the home of Vientiane's guardian spirits. TALAAT SAO: the Morning Market - actually open all day selling a wide range of fabrics, jewellery and electronic goods. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 9: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B, L) - by flight
Transfer to the airport. Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer to the hotel. Sightseeing in Luang Prabang. Highlights: WAT XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and situated on the banks of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art. WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun): built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from the 15th and 16th centuries. WAT MAI: constructed in 1821 during the reign of King Manthatourath, it was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy). WAT THAT LUANG: the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa, which was erected in 1910. The inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts. WAT SAEN: Thai style wat built in 1718 and restored in 1957. The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940 is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 10: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B, L)
Excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves, these are two caves (Tham Thing lower cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. BAN XANG HAI: located near the Pak Ou Caves, this village was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the community fill the jars (which come from elsewhere) with the local rice whisky. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 11: Luang Prabang - Depart (B, L)
Continue the sightseeing in Luang Prabang. Highlights: NATIONAL MUSEUM: located on the banks of the Mekong River, it was constructed as Royal Palace between 1904 and 1909 and today houses the Royal throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom and many other pieces of regalia and religious treasures. PHU SI: the temples on the upper slopes of the 100m-high Phu Si were constructed recently, but it is likely that previously there were other temples on this important hill. Transfer to airport for flight back home. End of services. Our staff will give you the warmest goodbye and hope to see you again.