- Day 01 : Phnom Penh
Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city.
Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders
of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles
weave in and out of traffic, vendor hawk their wares, and pedestrians
go about their business. Start your tour with an insight into Cambodia's
cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE, still the official
residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA,
also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant
NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer
Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's
two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed
Art Deco building, and the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of
stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry
and more.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
- Day 02 : Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Transfer
Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Transfer
Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Angkor Wat
The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national
symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best
preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples,
Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully
proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings.
To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along
a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main
building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before
reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back
over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way,
stop to enjoy the intricate stonecarvings that adorn nearly every
surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into
the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous
bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology,
including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is
stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially
beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.
Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km.
Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's
most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway
lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying
a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE
OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned
with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE
and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE.
In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor,
explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend
narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find
giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
- Day 03 : Siem Reap
Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY
SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in
pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings
of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere
and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often
a favorite with visitors.
Visit Banteay Samre
BANTEAY SAMRE is a mid-12th century temple dedicated to the god Vishnu.
Visit Ta Prohm
TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the
jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor
monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled
across them.
Visit Ta Keo
TA KEO: built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001), it was the
first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated
to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 meters high and is surrounded
by four lower towers.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
- Day 04 : Siem Reap - Saigon
Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Chau Say Tevoda
CHAU SAY TEVODA: built during the second quarter of the 12th century
opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.
Visit Banteay Kdei Temple
A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th
century, BANTEAY KDEI is surrounded by four concentric walls, the
outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.
Visit Neak Pean Temple
NEAK PEAN: built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to 1201), it is
a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with four smaller square
pools arranged on each axis. In the centre of the large central pool
is a circular island encircled by two nagas with intertwined tails.
Visit Sras Srang
SRAS SRANG: a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400
metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base
remains of what was once a wooden temple.
Visit Prasat Kravan
PRASAT KRAVAN: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship
in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on
the interior walls.
Transfer
Flight from Siem Reap to Saigon.
Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Transfer
Overnight in Saigon.
- Day 05 : Saigon
Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion.
Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern
life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial
buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals
zip by on motorcyles, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple
courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your
tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling
along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main
shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic
European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE),
the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and
pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the
CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION
PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president,
this 60s style uwas famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying
the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state,
and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates.
Continue to the harrowing WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, which comprehensively
documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are
detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks,
planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed
to provoke strong emotions. In the afternoon, head out to CHOLON (CHINATOWN),
stopping to visit two of Saigon's most interesting pagodas, the JADE
EMPEROR PAGODA and GIAC LAM PAGODA, the oldest in the city. The sprawling,
densely packed Cholon retains a traditional Asian feeling, unlike
the more modern Saigon city center. Explore the highlights of this
fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to BINH TAY MARKET,
the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods
to T shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, build by
the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess.
End your tour at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display
a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste
Overnight in Saigon.
- Day 06 : Saigon
Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh
From Saigon, drive to TAY NINH, the birthplace of the unique CAO DAI
religion, a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity,
Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Every day at noon,
worshippers garbed in colorful robes flock to the CAO DAI GREAT TEMPLE
to participate in the daily prayer sessions, which visitors may respectfully
observe from the upper balconies. (Note: shortly before and during
the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the daily ceremony of
the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without prior notice).
Afterwards, continue to the CU CHI TUNNELS. Never discovered by American
forces, these tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the American
War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network,
dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals,
shelter and weapon factories. Today, you can walk through the area
and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised
entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels,
some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists. Return to
Saigon in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Saigon.
- Day 07 : Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An
Transfer
Flight from Saigon to Danang.
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Visit Cham Museum
CHAM MUSEUM: this houses probably the best collection of Cham art
to be found anywhere in the world. There are more than 300 artifacts
in the museum, many dating to the 4th century. There are beautiful
sculptures reflecting the 1000 year Cham period.
Visit China Beach
CHINA BEACH: made famous in the American TV series of the same name,
it stretches for many kilometres north and south of the Marble Mountains.
During the American War, soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and
relaxation'.
Visit Marble Mountains
MARBLE MOUNTAINS: consist of 5 stone hillocks, once islands, made
of marble. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the
universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural
caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries.
When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu
shrines.
TAM THAN: located in Marble Mountain near Thuy Son.
Sightseeing in Hoi An
The exquisitely preserved merchant town of HOI AN was declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shophouses and temples reflect
a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when
it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today
it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers’
paradise, best explored on foot.
Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings,
the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully
painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to
a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously
for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS
built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor
worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Finally,
continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE, first constructed
in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with
the Chinese quarters across the stream.
Overnight in Hoi An.
- Day 08 : Hoi An - Hue
By vehicle from Danang to Hue
Journey north along Highway 1 over the Hai Van Pass and past Phu Loc
and Phu Bai.
HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain
Range that just into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous
stretch of highway with spectacular views.
Sightseeing in Hue
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses
ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It
was established in the 17th century.
Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
Venture into the countryside around Hue to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU
DUC. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and
built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat
for meditation, reading and theater performances. Take some time to
soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned
pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL
TOMB OF KHAI DINH, dramatically located on a hillside. The last of
the monumental tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, completed in 1931, this
tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional
Vietnamese architecture.
Overnight in Hue.
- Day 09 : Hue
Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor
Minh Mang with boat trip
Enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER, stopping first
at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower
which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. Continue
cruising into the countryside to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a
majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples in a beautiful
natural setting.
Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City
Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex
built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City
of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded
by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due
to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that
remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen
Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant
Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE,
the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of
spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence
( Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen mother lived, visit THAI HOA
PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE
MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites.
Overnight in Hue.
- Day 10 : Hue - Hanoi
Transfer
Flight from Hue to Hanoi.
Transfer
Sightseeing in Hanoi
Head to HOAN KIEM LAKE, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains
an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. From there, walking to explore
the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses
is also known as 'The 36 Streets,' each street being named after the
merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts
to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover's paradise and a endlessly
interesting place to explore local life. Afterwards, visit the MUSEUM
OF ETHNOLOGY, which brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity
in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups
that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions
of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and
way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses,
cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings.
Overnight in Hanoi.
- Day 11 : Vientiane
Transfer
Flight from Hanoi to Vientiane.
Arrival in Vientiane
Transfer
Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with
relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful
markets. Tour the different highlights of the city, including PHA THAT
LUANG, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national
monument in Laos; HO PHA KEO, the formal royal temple, now a museum
with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; WAT SI SAKET; and PATUXAI,
a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with
Lao motifs.
Overnight in Vientiane.
- Day 12 : Luang Prabang
Transfer
Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
Transfer
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting
town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The
entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Begin
your tour with WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple
in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection
of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing
to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and
temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic
and gold-stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street
(Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. Time permitting, stop at some of the
many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT
SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
- Day 13 : Luang Prabang
Excursion by boat to Pak Ou Caves
Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking
the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary
caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable.
On the return journey, stop at BAN XANG HAI, a local village famous
for the production of lao lao, the local rice wine whisky.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
- Day 14 : Luang Prabang - Vientiane
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
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.
Visit the National Museum (former Royal Palace, closed on Tuesdays)
Visit the NATIONAL MUSEUM (ROYAL PALACE), a modest but graceful building
which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This
turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when
the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into
the history of Laos.
Visit Mount Phousi
Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop PHOU SI, the 100m
high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful
views over the temples and river.
Transfer
Flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
Transfer
Overnight in Vientiane.
- Day 15 : Vientiane
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