The Best of Indochina

What travelers love about this tours

Wandering through the temples and historical highlights of Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh
Living out your travel dreams exploring the famous ruins of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples
Experiencing the peaceful ambiance of Luang Prabang and visiting its cultural heritage sites
Discovering the hidden alleyways of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter
Cruising through the dramatic Karst islands of Halong Bay
Feasting on local specialties in charming Hoi An
Discovering the Cu Chi Tunnels & Cao Dai Temple
Gliding through the waterways of the Mekong Delta, enjoying the slow rhythm of life

Description

Indochina has an incredible amount to offer travelers. From history and culture to culinary marvels and breathtaking nature, it’s rapidly becoming one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Our Best of Indochina tour covers some of the region’s most fascinating and appealing destinations in a comprehensive 18-day itinerary. What’s included? Spend some time in Vietnam exploring the karst formations of Halong Bay and the heritage-lined streets of Hanoi and Hoi An; wander the magical lanes of Laos’ Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-celebrated cultural enclave; encounter the rich and poignant history that fills the air in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and soak up the archaeological marvels of Angkor with some time in Siem Reap. All this and more is covered in a comprehensive 18-day itinerary.

Features

By Day	Destinations	Activities	Meals
Day 1	Phnom Penh	Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, Our guide will escort you to your hotel	None
Day 2	Phnom Penh	Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & The Mekong and the Tonle Sap	B
Day 3	Phnom Penh, Siem Reap	Phnom Penh flight to Siem Reap	B
Day 4	Siem Reap	Explore the famous ruins of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples	B
Day 5	Siem Reap	Explore the traditional Khmer culture & the village of Krabei Real	B & L
Day 6	Siem Reap, Laos: Luang Prabang	Siem Reap flight to Luang Prabang	B
Day 7	Luang Prabang	Experiencing the peaceful ambiance of Luang Prabang and visiting its c...	B
Day 8	Luang Prabang	You are free & leisure at your hotel	B
Day 9	Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi	Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi	B
Day 10	Hanoi	Discovering the hidden alleyways of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter	B
Day 11	Hanoi - Halong Bay	Cruising through the dramatic Karst islands of Halong Bay	B, L & D
Day 12	Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An	Hanoi flight to Hoi An	B & L
Day 13	Hoi An	Visit Myson Holy Land	B
Day 14	Hoi An	Hoi An street food tour	B & D
Day 15	Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City	Feeling the metropolitan pulse of Ho Chi Minh City and experiencing it...	B
Day 16	Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels	Visit Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai temple	B
Day 17	Saigon, Mekong Delta	Gliding through the waterways of the Mekong Delta, enjoying the slow r...	B & L
Day 18	Departure Ho Chi Minh City	Transfer to the airport	B

Phnom Penh

Meals:
None
Activities:
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, Our guide will escort you to your hotel

Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh’s international airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free & leisure.

Phnom Penh

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum & The Mekong and the Tonle Sap

Tour the city that lies at the confluence of two great rivers, The Mekong and the Tonle Sap. Start your whirlwind day with stops at the Royal Palace and the National Museum. Then walk to the top of Wat Phnom and have your fortune told. Next, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which documents atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s – a chilling window into Cambodia’s violent past. Then, on a lighter note, shop for anything under the sun at Phnom Penh’s airy Central Market.

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Phnom Penh flight to Siem Reap

Today you will flight to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temple complex. Explore the mysterious royal city, Angkor Thom, and visit the intricately carved and awe inspiring Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. End the day from one of the many vantage points around Siem Reap.

Siem Reap

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Explore the famous ruins of Angkor Wat and surrounding temples

Today we visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, a city founded by King Jayavarman VII. Visit some of the astounding masterpieces such as Bayon Temple, Terrace of Elephants, and Ta Prohm. Sit back and relax as you're picked up from your hotel in Siem Reap. Then travel north to Angkor. En route, stop at Angkor Thom, the city that was founded by Angkor's greatest king, Jayavarman VII, and the last capital of the Khmer Empire. As you walk in, pass by the gorgeous 65 foot (20 m) tall gates, and take in the beautiful views of the surroundings, remains of 10th-century stone monuments. Next, wander around the gorgeous Bayon Temple, a Buddhist shrine that retains elements of Hindu cosmology. See the Terrace of the Elephants and see the bas-reliefs of the Terrace of the Leper King. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a quiet monastery with a maze of courtyards and galleries, located in the jungle with overgrown trees and vines. Continue your tour to Angkor Wat, UNESCO-listed and a national symbol of Cambodia. Upon arrival, marvel at its architectural grandeur and snap photos of the majestic Khmer shrines, intricate Apsara carvings, and gorgeous sculptures around the temple. After a day of exploration, hop back in your coach and relax on the journey back to your hotel.

Siem Reap

Meals:
Breakfast & Lunch
Activities:
Explore the traditional Khmer culture & the village of Krabei Real

Today provides the perfect opportunity to gain a better understanding of Cambodian rural life, along with an insight into traditional Khmer culture; something which few visitors are lucky enough to experience. Departing after breakfast accompanied by your guide, you’ll spend the day travelling through a number of relatively un-touched villages and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local people. This is a world away from Siem Reap, and provides you with the perfect opportunity to get ‘off the beaten track’. Your first stop is the village of Krabei Real, where there is time to explore the local market and to purchase some supplies for your lunch. Continue on, this time without the benefit of air-conditioning, using a more typical method of transportation for this region. The (almost!) pollution free ox and cart is still widely used throughout Cambodia, and allows you to travel at a gentle, almost hypnotic pace along the narrow, sandy, village roads. Winding your way through the rice fields, you’ll pass houses, schools and pagodas. Many of the families in this area are skilled rattan weavers, using techniques passed down through the generations to create a wide variety of crafts and day-to-day items to sell in the markets of the nearby towns. After around an hour, arrive at the home of a local family who have been carefully chosen by Discover Indochina. Having been welcomed by your hosts, there will be plenty of time to relax and chat with the family as they prepare lunch using the produce selected at the market (with your guide acting as interpreter). If you wish to assist then you are very welcome to do so, and this is also a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of typical Khmer cuisine. This is likely to be very different from the dishes you may have sampled in the more westerner-orientated restaurants of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh! Having enjoyed your lunch, there is plenty of time to relax and explore the village before returning to Siem Reap. En route, stop to visit the workshops of the Artisans d’Angkor, and explore Siem Reap’s market before arriving back at your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Siem Reap, Laos: Luang Prabang

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Siem Reap flight to Luang Prabang

Enjoy feel good tourism with a visit to a rural village supporting a proven model of tourism. Learn about rural life and roll up your sleeves and help out the community with their daily activities. Bid farewell to Cambodia and fly to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed town of Luang Prabang, with its golden temples with glittering spires.

Luang Prabang

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Experiencing the peaceful ambiance of Luang Prabang and visiting its cultural heritage sites

Explore the temples of Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai the spiritual hub of Luang Prabang with their sweeping roofs and gilded facades. Visit the National Museum that was once the former Royal Palace to view the relics from Laos’ royalist past. Then head out of town to the Kuang Si waterfall, where the cool turquoise pools have a magical appearance and visit the Sun Bear refuge centre to say hello to the furry residents. Pop into the Living Crafts Centre, where artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive and arrive back into Luang Prabang later in the afternoon.

Luang Prabang

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
You are free & leisure at your hotel

Today you are free & leisure at your hotel.

Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi

Your morning is at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, ranks amongst the world's most attractive and interesting cities. It was first the capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010, and though the nation's capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city continued to flourish after the French took control in 1888. In 1954, after the French departed, Hanoi was declared Vietnam's capital once again. The remnants of over 1,000 years of history are still visible here, with that of the past few hundred years wonderfully preserved.

Hanoi

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Discovering the hidden alleyways of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter

Today, journey to see the highlights and hidden gems of Hanoi at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing structure that houses the remains of the revered former president who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from colonial rule. Next, head to the Temple of Literature, an ancient collection of courtyards, gardens and architecture built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Considered the oldest university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature dates back nearly one thousand years! Enjoy lunch at a restaurant specialising in traditional Hanoi delicacies. Follow your guide’s lead while you weave through some of the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, all named for the products historically sold here. Head through labyrinthine back alleys well off the tourist trail and see Hanoi at its unpolished best. Wrap up your guided walk with a strong Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, before heading to your final stop at Ngoc Son Temple on the tiny island on the lake. Enjoy a water puppet show for a look at traditional performance art in Vietnam before heading back to your hotel.

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities:
Cruising through the dramatic Karst islands of Halong Bay

You will arrive into Hanoi in the early morning where our guide will be waiting to pick you up and bring you out to a local breakfast. After breakfast you’ll be transported out to Halong Bay (3-4 hour ride). One of Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations, Halong Bay, or the Bay of Descending Dragons, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its limestone karsts and pristine waterways. Upon arrival into Halong Bay (around noon), you’ll be assigned to your traditional “junk” cruise ship where you’ll be spending the evening & following day. Once on board, you’ll be served a delicious (and super-fresh) seafood lunch as the boat makes its way out into the mystical waters of the bay. In the early afternoon you will be brought to some of the region’s most famous sites including the Dinh Huong & Ga Choi Islands, Thien Cung, Dau Go & Sung Sot Caves (the region’s 3 largest) and a pristine white sand beach where you’ll have the chance to swim in the area’s placid waters (weather permitting). Back on board you’ll be able to catch an unforgettable sunset, enjoy another delicious local meal and watch the stars come out as they saturate the Halong night sky. Allow the lapping of water & the boat’s light rocking to soothe you to sleep in your private cabin.

Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An

Meals:
Breakfast & Lunch
Activities:
Hanoi flight to Hoi An

Wake up early to catch the Halong sunrise (not to be missed!) and enjoy some Tai Chi on the top deck of the cruise boat to kick off your Day 12. Enjoy a light beverage before heading out to explore some nearby islands via rowboat. After a brief morning tour you’ll return to the junk for breakfast and have the chance to soak in some last minute limestone karsts along Bai Tu Long Bay. Before you disembark, you’ll be treated to a lovely brunch before our transport picks you up and brings you back to Hanoi. Once arriving at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, you’ll board a quick flight to Hoi An. Our guide will pick you up in the airport and transport you to your hotel.

Hoi An

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Visit Myson Holy Land

Today you’ll be transported 40 kilometers south of Hoi An to the historic My Son Sanctuary (Vietnam’s version of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat & Thailand’s Ayutthaya). Home to a number of striking Cham temple ruins & statues, this UNESCO World Heritage Site will give you a glimpse into Vietnam’s rich cultural background in connection with the Champa Kingdom. That afternoon you’ll be transported back to Hoi An where you’ll have some more free time to explore the beaches, pedestrian streets & lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An. Feel free to shop, dine, visit the countryside or beaches in Hoi An (always a tourist’s favorite destination!).

Hoi An

Meals:
Breakfast & Dinner
Activities:
Hoi An street food tour

Today we set off on a culinary adventure in Hoi An to discover the flavours and dishes that make this coastal town and its cuisine so unique. Alongside an expert local guide, your journey introduces you to the stories behind Hoi An’s most iconic dishes at the town’s most famous eateries. Start your tour at a local restaurant famous for white rose dumplings, found exclusively in Hoi An. Sit back and enjoy the wonder of the locals working here, who churn out up to 6000 of these dumplings every day! Your visit here includes a chance to try making a few of your own dumplings before sampling a few. In a nearby try another local specialty: banh can crackers. Served with quail eggs, pork and a tasty salad, this dish is a highlight of Hoi An street food culture and a must-try for every visitor. Pull up a small street-side stool and enjoy it with your guide. Continue onward to sample grilled pork satay and spring rolls at a local restaurant. Next up is fried wonton - lovingly referred to as a “Hoi An pizza” - and finally try the famous Cao Lau noodle or chicken rice. Wrap up the tour with a stop at Sky Coffee Bar, a local favourite within the Hoi An Museum. Chat with your guide over a beverage here before heading back to your hotel for a restful evening.

Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Feeling the metropolitan pulse of Ho Chi Minh City and experiencing its highlights

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be transported back to Da Nang where you’ll board a domestic flight to the southern Vietnam city of Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon). Arriving late in the morning, you’ll have a chance to explore some of the iconic sites of Vietnam’s largest city as you make your way to your hotel (with private guide & transport). After check in, you’ll have lunch in a buzzing, local restaurant, followed by a fully guided tour through the southern city. Your visit will include the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Post Office, plus a number of other sites along the way. After your guided tour you have the evening to enjoy free time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Visit Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai temple

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take a short bus ride out to the historic Cu Chi Tunnel Complex. An extensive maze of underground war tunnels, these subterranean hideouts were crucial to the Viet Cong during raids and bombings in the American War. For those who can brave the descent (and don’t mind some serious tight spaces!), you’ll have the opportunity to actually climb into and around the tunnels to see what life was like for Vietnamese soldiers during the wartime period. After visiting Cu Chi, we will visit Tay Ninh’s beautiful Cao Dai Temple (a stark contrast to the wartime tunnels!) where you can observe or take part in a noontime service. This temple practices Caodaism, a peaceful & hybrid religion that observes nearly all major religions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam & Hinduism). After taking lunch in Tay Ninh, you will be brought back to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll have the afternoon free to explore.

Saigon, Mekong Delta

Meals:
Breakfast & Lunch
Activities:
Gliding through the waterways of the Mekong Delta, enjoying the slow rhythm of life

After taking breakfast at the hotel, you’ll begin the ride further south to Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. You’ll first stop off in the riverside town of Cai Be, where you’ll visit a local candy factory, fruit orchard and enjoy a beautiful cultural performance. We will have lunch here at a relaxing riverside restaurant before heading out onto the river via motorboat. From the boat you’ll be able to visit some local villages and have the opportunity to bike your way around the countryside. Our driver will meet you at the Vinh Long pier then drive back Saigon.

Departure Ho Chi Minh City

Meals:
Breakfast
Activities:
Transfer to the airport

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport in time for your onward flight.

Inclusions

Meals

13 breakfasts

Transport

Car, Plane, Walking, Cruise

Included services

Exclusions

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Tour price is indicative only, please inquiry for a best quotation & best offers from us. Don't miss out! We are always here to help you...

The Best of Indochina

What travelers love about this tours

Description

Features

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Siem Reap, Laos: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels

Saigon, Mekong Delta

Departure Ho Chi Minh City

Inclusions

Exclusions

""

Multi-country Tours

Reply within 0.5 ~ 12H

100% tailor-made Tour

Enjoy tour in"My Style"

Best Local Support 24/7

Your smiles are our success

Let us assist you if you couldn't find a perfect trip for you!

The Best of Indochina

What travelers love about this tours

Description

Features

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Siem Reap

Siem Reap, Laos: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Vietnam: Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi - Halong Bay

Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels

Saigon, Mekong Delta

Departure Ho Chi Minh City

Inclusions

Exclusions

""

Multi-country Tours

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