Indochina World Heritage

Arrive in Luang Prabang, transfer to the hotel. Get the first discovery of Luang Prabang, the oldest town and ancient capital of Laos, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. This delightful town retains a unique charm rarely found in Asia today.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Visit the Former Royal Palace, Wat Visounalat Temples, the ornate Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong. Take a half-hour drive to visit Kuang Sii waterfalls, where waters tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools.

Drive back to the town, climb to the top of the mount Phousi to enjoy the sunset over the Mekong River and mountains beyond.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

For early-risers there is a very special (optional) dawn visit to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from residents.

Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to the holy caves Pak Ou where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues in various sizes are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff along the riverbank. Continue down river to Ban Xang Hai village, where the local residents create a unique rice wine called “lao lao”. Back to the town to visit the typical Lao village at Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village where the traditional Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Morning flight to Vientiane, then take a connecting flight to Hanoi – graceful capital of Vietnam. Tree-lined boulevards and stately colonial buildings make Hanoi one of the prettiest places in Asia and we get to know the charming city by a cyclo ride through the fascinating old quarter streets which are submitted to UNESCO to be recognised as World Heritage Site.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Overland to Ha Long Bay which is awarded the World Natural Heritage Site in the 18th session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in December 1994. Upon arrival, we board a traditional wooden junk to discover the breathtaking Ha Long Bay, take a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery, skylined with over 3,000 limestone islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Along the way we will anchor for a leisure swim in a secluded cove.

Overnight on board.

Continue cruise around this magnificent landscape visiting Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, the cave of Surprise, one of the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Ha Long beautifully decorated by thousand of stalactites and stalagmites.

Afternoon leave Ha Long to Hanoi. Stop-over at Dong Trieu ceramic village.

Evening enjoy a performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppets (unique to Vietnam).

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning flight to Hue, Vietnam’s last feudal capital, a city rich in history & culture, a recognized World Cultural Heritage Site since 1993. Visit the Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, the ancient pagodas built over 300 years ago.

Afternoon visit the elaborate royal tombs of Emperors Tu Duc, Khai Dinh.

Overnight in Hue.

Morning boat cruise on the romantic Perfume river to visit Hue’s oldest and best-known religious site, Thien Mu pagoda and to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang.

Afternoon travel south to Hoi An town, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port and a recognized World Cultural Heritage Site since 1999. Visit the 200 year-old Tan Ky house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful riverside market.

Ovenight in Hoi An.

Excursion to My Son Holyland, an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with the introduction of the Hindu architecture into South East Asia, it was recognized the World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999. Contemplate the extraordinary brick towers and sanctuaries dating back to the 7th and the 13th centuries of the former spiritual and political capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years.

Back to Hoi An, visit Cam Chau village to see local people make their traditional lanterns.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Transfer back to Danang for flight to Ho Chi Minh city, then take connecting flight to Siem Reap, the ancient capital of Khmer Empire, a recognized World Heritage Site since 1992. On arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Afternoon we will explore the ancient city of Angkor by visiting Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century, the plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.

Evening enjoy Apsara traditional dance.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Visit one of the jewels of Angkor, the graceful Banteay Srey Temple which means “Citadel of Women”. This temple is built in the 11th century, of pink sandstone and presents the most graceful carvings in stone you might ever seen in your life. The temple is dedicated to God Shiva.

On the way back, stop at the three-tiered temple-hill of Pre Rup, the Lake of Srah Srang, and the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, which is dramatically enveloped by jungle.

End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. Angkor is truly one of humankind’s most awesome creations.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Free at leisure until transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure flight.

End of services.