LAOS, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA
20 DAYS
A
region of ancient temples and stunning scenery, diverse cultures, hybrid
religions and strong yet gracious people. Today Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are
ready to embrace the challenges of the 21st century, while being
determined to preserve their ancient treasures and traditional ways.
We
fly from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World
Heritage Site. During 3 fascinating days we will explore some of the most
beautiful temples of South-East Asia, visit a school for the monks and a number
of local villages, witness the sacred ‘takbat’ (food offering to the monks),
have lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the sacred Buddha caves and swim in
the clear pools by the Kuangsi Waterfall.
We
will explore Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, before flying to Hanoi in
Vietnam. Our adventure continues with a cruise on Halong Bay, the ‘Bay of the
Descending Dragon”, a spectacular natural wonder with thousands of limestone
islands emerging out of the turquoise seawater. Swim amongst the fantastical
islands and enjoy a sundowner on the deck of a traditional ‘junk’.
We
will take in the diversity of Hanoi, from the elegant colonial architecture to
the renowned Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. In the evening,
enjoy the famous water-puppets show.
We
will admire the majesty of Hue, explore the Imperial Forbidden City and relax on
the Perfume River boat trip. We will cycle on the streets of historic Hoi An, with
its Vietnamese, Japanese
and Chinese architectural styles.
We
carry on to the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City. We will be touched by the infamous
recent history of the region and feel its modern energy and vibe.
We
will take time to discover Mekong Delta by boat and on foot. We carry on to the
tranquil Phnom Penh, a city that is rediscovering itself. Visit the Royal Palace
and walk along the splendid riverfront.
We spend the
next three days admiring the ancient splendor of the Angkor temple complexes.
There are few monuments in the world which can rival Angkor Wat for its ancient
splendor. But there is more, from
the magnificent Angkor Wat to the elegant Banteay Srei, from the impressive
Bayon to the atmospheric Ta Prohm…Watch Banyan trees envelop ancient temples
and enjoy a performance of classical Cambodian dance.
Our
trip is a series of postcards in motion, exotic temples and pagodas, wonderful
people, breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine… Come and share our
fascination with this beautiful part of the world.
Day
1. From Bangkok to Luang Prabang (Laos), a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
We fly from
Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang we are met and
transferred to our hotel.
Nestled at the
confluence of the Mekong and Nam Kham Rivers and encircled by green mountains,
Luang Prabang is one of the most romantic cities in Southeast Asia. The best way
to explore this beautiful old capital is on foot. We start with Wat Visoun
influenced by Thai-Lu architecture and That Makmo, the watermelon shape stupa.
We proceed to Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang dating
back to the 16th century. The roof of the sim sweeps low to the ground and
colored glass panels adorn the walls of the chapels.
We will climb up Phousy Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the
Mekong River
Day 2.
Luang Prabang. Pak Ou Caves
Today we wake
up very early to witness the sacred ‘takbat’, food offering to the monks. We
will feel privileged to see hundreds of orange-wrapped Buddhist monks and
novices emerge from the numerous temples, including the stunning Wat Xieng
Thong.
After breakfast, we take a
traditional boat and go upstream on the Mekong River to visit the “Caves of a thousand Buddhas”.
We will make a stop en route at a picturesque local village and get a glimpse of
daily life. We will visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves housing hundreds of
Buddha statues before our lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the caves. We
return to Luang Prabang by road and make a stop at Ban Xang Khong, a handmade
paper village. Back in Luang Prabang, we will take a stroll through the Hmong
traditional market.
Day 3.
Luang
Prabang. Kuang Si Waterfalls
We start the day with
a walk at the colorful farmers market and proceed to
Vat Mai, with its five tiered roof and exquisite carved veranda. We embark on a day
trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls.
On the way, we visit Hmong
and Khmou villages and learn about the daily lives and customs of local people.
We enjoy our
picnic lunch by the waterfall. Watch the water tumbling over limestone
formations and maybe take a refreshing swim in one of the clear turquoise pools.
Day 4.
Luang
Prabang. Fly to Vientiene
A visit to the
National Museum and former Royal Palace concludes our encounter with Luang
Prabang. We fly to Vientiane, where we are met and transferred to our hotel.
The laidback
riverside Vientiene, or Sandalwood City, will intrigue us with its atmospheric
mix of Lao, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and French influenced architecture.
Buddhist temples, colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards are waiting to be
discovered.
Day 5.
Vientiane.
Fly to Hanoi (Vietnam)
After breakfast, we
check out the Thong Khan
Kham market and proceed to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in
Vientiene. This beautiful structure features remarkable Buddha statues and
frescoes. We will also explore the unbelievable Pha That Luang (Great Sacred
Stupa), a symbol of Laos, and Vat Phra Keo, the royal temple turned museum.
After a visit
to Nong Bua Thong, the silk weaving village,
there will be still some time left
to wander around Talat Sao, the big central market.
In the late
afternoon, we fly to the stylish and gracious Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.
Day 6.
Hanoi. Halong Bay. Overnight on the cruise
After
breakfast, we drive to Halong and board our ‘junk’, a traditional sailboat.
We begin our cruise on the stunning Halong Bay (the ‘Bay of the Descending
Dragon”) with a seafood lunch. You will really feel surrounded with the 3,000
islands rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
Today we visit
Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, and Sung Sot cave.
We round the fascinating day with a relaxing swim at Titov beach.
Enjoy dinner on board while watching sunset, and get ready to marvel at
the stars-filled sky. It’s almost impossible to make yourself retire to your
air-conditioned private cabin…
Day 7.
Halong Bay. To Hanoi. Water Puppet show
After breakfast and a leisurely swim we set sale for Man’s Head island
and
Tortoise island. We will also visit Luon cave by small
bamboo boat, and then carry on to Bai Tu Long bay, Toad island, and Bai Tho
mountain. We’ll enjoy our lunch aboard on the way back to Halong wharf.
We return to
Hanoi via Haiphong, visiting the Cathedral theatre, Hang Kenh tapestry, Du Hang
Pagoda and Kenh temple. Tonight we have dinner at a local restaurant followed by
the famous Water Puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art.
After
breakfast we explore the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, visiting Ho Chi Minh’s
Mausoleum and Residence, the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Army Museum.
We fly to Hue,
Vietnam’s former imperial capital. We have lunch at a downtown restaurant and
start our tour of the charming town set on the banks of the Perfume River.
Today, we visit the impressive tombs of the emperors Thu Duc and Khai
Dinh, and the Tu Dam pagoda.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day
9. Perfume River boat trip.
Explore Hue
This morning
we board a dragon boat on the Perfume River and head to the 16th
century Thien Mu Pagoda, passing by the house-boat village
and the colorful Dong Ba market.
We see
remnants of Hue’s imperial past at the imposing former royal residence and the
Chinese-style Imperial Citadel. From here the Hguyen family ruled Vietnam from
the 16th to the 20th century.
We will also
explore the charming Minh Mang tomb, devoted to its
founder’s love of the arts.
Depart Hue for Danang across the spectacular Hai Van
Pass (the Pass of Clouds) past stunning rural and coastal scenery,
pretty red-tiled villages with fruit orchards, enjoying spectacular views
of sky and sea.
After lunch in
Danang, we Visit Cham Museum with its unique Hindu style sculptures,
Marble mountain. We
drive south to famous China Beach and then to the enchanting town of Hoi An, a
port town since the Middle Ages.
Day
11. Explore Hoi An by
bicycle, by boat and by foot
Today we explore Hoi Ann, a UNESCO world Heritage Site
and a living museum.
We depart from our hotel by bicycle to the market,
noisy and bustling in the morning with lots of vendors and goods arriving at the
jetty and later transferred to the market. We will pedal through the village
roads and paddy fields of Hoi An, visiting local houses on the way. We will have
a close look at people’s daily life and learn how they earn their living.
We will cook our own lunch today! Prepare yourself a Vietnamese meal at the kitchen of Red
Bridge restaurant on the bank of Thu Bon River and taste your own self-made
dishes.
After lunch, we have a boat ride back to Hoi An through
tranquil rural scenery and small
hamlets on the banks of the river, known for their traditional craftsmanship of
woodwork, pottery, silk and fish sauce preparation.
It’s nice to end the day with a drink at a river café
before heading back to our hotel and dinner.
Day 12.
To Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). City tour
After
breakfast, we transfer to Danang and catch our flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
We spend a
full day exploring the legendary metropolis. We visit History
Museum, the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame
Cathedral.
After lunch at a local restaurant we visit a lacquer
ware workshop, and then carry on to
Cholon (the Chinatown), Thien Hau Pagoda and the lively Ben Thanh afternoon
market.
Day
13. The Great Cao Dai temple.
Cu Chi Tunnels
This
morning, we drive to
Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Grand Temple, the headquarters of the Cao Dai
religion, which combines Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism.
After
lunch, we explore the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground
tunnels used during the Vietnam War. The
tunnel system once stretched as far as the Cambodian border and extended for
over 150 miles.
Day
14. Mekong Delta boat trip
After
breakfast, we drive to Mai Tho, a prosperous town of the Mekong
Delta, which retains some of the French era riverbank houses. We embark on a
boat ride on the mighty Mekong River to explore Vietnam’s most fertile region known for its exuberant
orchards and immense rice fields. We will make a stop at the Vinh Trang Pagoda,
sample tropical fruit, visit local farmhouses and travel by sampan through the
intricate canals of the Delta.
On the way
back to Ho Chi Minh City, we visit a snake farm to look at some remarkable
reptiles.
Day
15. To Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace
Today, we
leave Vietnam and fly to charming Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. After
lunch, we visit the National Museum, the impressive Silver Pagoda and the Royal
Palace
We will have
some time to explore the waterside ambience and colonial architecture of Phnom
Penh before our dinner at one of the interesting local restaurant
Day
16. Angkorian Temples. Tuol
Sleng Museum
Following
breakfast, we will explore the two Angkorian era temples of Tonle Bati and Ta
Phrom. We continue to a Silk weaving village and the Prasat Neang Khmao, the
temple of the Black Virgin.
After lunch,
we visit the "Khmer Rouge" prison Tuol Sleng and the Killing Field of
Choeung Ek, witnessing the tragedy of Cambodia’s recent past.
Day
17. To Siem Reap. Angkor Wat
– UNESCO World Heritage Site
Early in the
morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Rep, gateway to the
monumental temples of Angkor. For
the next 3 days we will explore in depth one of mankind’s most magnificent
creations, the temples of Angkor. Built between 9th and 14th
centuries AD, when the Khmer Empire was at the height of its artistic
expression, Angkor’s 100 temples (today) are one of the architectural wonders
of the world.
Today we
proceed to visit the magnificent South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon
Temple, Royal Enclosure, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King.
And finally,
we relish our first approach to the breathtaking Angkor Wat… We stay till
sunset, watching the sun go down and twilight settle in over the world’s
largest and most inspiring religious monument. Get carried away by the
monumental scale, grandeur and beauty of it all.
Day
18. Temples of Angkor.
Classical Cambodian Dance
We continue to
admire the monumental scale, grandeur and beauty of the palaces of Angkor. In
the morning, we visit the Roluos Group: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei temples. The
temples are amongst the earliest temples build by the Khmers.
Following
lunch, we visit the fascinating Prasat Kravan, Sras Srang basin, Banteay Kdei,
Eastern Mebon and Pre Rup temples until sunset.
Tonight we
have dinner with accompanied by an
“Apsara” traditional dance performance.
Day
19. Banteay Srey and other
temples
In the
morning, we visit the exquisite Banteay Srey (“A Citadel of the Women”),
which includes the finest three-dimensional stone carvings ever created. We
carry on to Banteay Samre temple.
After lunch, we visit Preah
Khan, Preah Neak Pean and finally the atmospheric Ta Phrom temple. We will view
the sunset from the Ta Keo temple.
Day
20. Boat trip on the Tonle
Sap Lake. Fly to Bangkok
Today’s
adventure begins with a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, including a visit to
the fascinating floating village. On the way back to Siem Rep, we stop at a
local market. After lunch, we visit
"Les Artisans d'Angkor", which provides training to young Cambodians
in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and
wood-sculpting.
We fly to
Bangkok later this afternoon, taking with us fond memories of the timeless magic
of Angkor and all the moving experiences we’ve had in this extraordinary land.
SUMMARY
Inclusions:
8 international and domestic
flights, 2-day cruise, all boat trips, all meals, transportation,
entrance fees, escorted throughout
Start and Finish:
Bangkok
Group Size: Maximum 16 travelers
Accommodation:
Comfortable accommodation with private facilities. 1
night on a cruise in Halong Bay
Trip Grade: Moderate
Dates:
Jan
12-31, 2008
Nov 15 - Dec 4, 2008
Jan 10-29, 2009 (price TBA)
Land Cost: US$ 5,345
Note: Please note that all itineraries and prices are
subject to change.
1-866-318-5050 office@50plusexpeditions.com
