Trans Indochina Tour – 24 days 23 nights

Day 1: Arrival In Hanoi

Arriving at Noi Bai airport, after clearing immigration and customs, you will be met and privately transferred to the hotel. Check in and relax after a long flight. Stay overnight at the hotel in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

After having breakfast, meet your guide and start for full day city tour exploring Hanoi. Start with the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh and the Presidential Palace, followed by the serene One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature known as the site of Vietnam’s first university. Next, visit the Hoa Lo Prison Museum.
In the afternoon, cyclo tour around the Ha Noi Old Quarter, ending at the historic Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son, enjoy the Water Puppet Show. Stay overnight at hotel in Ha Noi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and then start a 3-hour driving to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site.

While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Have a dinner on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. Stay overnight on Junk.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Flight To Hue (B, L)

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas; we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival Hue, being picked up & transferred to the hotel in Hue. Stay overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Day 5: Hue City Tour (B, L)

Morning we set out for the exploration of Hue’s famous highlights, boat trip on Perfume River to visit the picturesque Thien Mu pagoda, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang tomb. Transfer back to Hue center for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, take a visit to the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. After that, walking around and shopping in Dong Ba Market. Stay overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Day 6: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An  (B)

After having breakfast, drive to Hoi An ancient town. The scenery on the way is very beautiful, do not forget bring your camera, taking a lot of pictures. Stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Da Nang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed Vietnam Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Check in and overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An – My Son – Tra Que Village (B)

Morning, guide and car pick you up to 4th century Cham religious sanctuary of My Son, located in a beautiful green valley surrounded by impressive mountains. Return to Hoi An for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Tra Que Vegetable Village. Your cycling trip takes you on narrow roads to visit a place of display farming and fishing tools of the local farmers and fishermen. In this place, you will participate in daily activities of the local residents in the old time such as bailing out water with long handles buckets, pounding rice, lifting fishing nets, etc. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight To Nha Trang (B)

Transfer to Danang airport for morning flight to Nha Trang – the country’s premier Resort town. Arrive in Nha Trang, transfer to the hotel for check in. In the rest of day, take free leisure for swimming on Nha Trang beach and city discovery. Stay overnight at hotel in Nha Trang.

Day 9: Nha Trang – Flight To Saigon City Tour (B)

Car and guide pick up for half day city tour visit: Reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum,  Notre Dame Cathedral , Old Post office, Dong Khoi Street, Ben Thanh market, Thien Hau Pagoda, China Town. Free at the rest of day. Stay overnight in Saigon.

Day 10: Saigon – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B, L)

In the morning, car and guide pick up and drive to Cai Be.  Arrive in Cai Be, take a boat trip in My Tho River to visit the Cai Be floating market, visiting the local pop rice, rice paper workshop. Crossing the Mekong River to the island, being along the canals to see many activities of the local fishing and the friendly waving and smiles. Visit Mr Cai Cuong’s Ancient House. Enjoying a cup of tea, some of the local tropical fruits and listening to the traditional music is the best chance for relaxation. Boat trip finishes at Vinh Long, car pick up and transfer to Can Tho. Check in the hotel and overnight in Can Tho.

Day 11: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B)

Check out the hotel in Can Tho, drive and enjoy a boat trip to explore the impressive floating market of Cai Rang. Then transfer to visit Binh Thuy Ancient House. Heading to Chau Doc, stop for sightseeing on the way. Arriving in Chau Doc, check in the hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 12: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B, L)

Breakfast in the hotel. Boat cruise to 4 hours to Phnom Penh. It is one of the interesting boat cruise along Mekong River to see the 2 countries. Say goodbye to Vietnamese guide, take water, food, book etc, for your journey. Once arriving at the pier at Cambodia border, you will get Cambodian visa at the border (please bring 1 passport photo). Then continue cruising the upstream river to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, welcome by our guide, cool towel and lunch at the river front restaurant. Afternoon, city tour to visit this bustling capital city including National Museum of Khmer Arts, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 13: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, L)

Early breakfast at the hotel. Board on speed boat to Siem Reap on Tonle Sap lake. The boat journey takes 6 hours along Tonle Sap river. The boat has life jacket, air-con and toilet. When the boat enters the Great Tonle Sap lake, it is a huge fresh water sea with the level upto 10,000 square Km in the rainy season. The best time to travel by boat is from July to March. From April to June, the water level drops to just about 5,000 square Km. The water is shallow and the boat cannot operate. Before arriving at the dock in Siem Reap, the boat will go through the floating village. It is one of the interesting floating village in Southeast Asia. All the houses are floating including the school, gas station, market, church, mechanic that make up the floating community including Muslims, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Upon arrival, transfer for 20 minutes to your hotel. Late afternoon, departure for sunset at 05h00pm to visit the hilltop Phnom Bakheng overlooking Angkor Wat.

Day 14: Rolous Group & Angkor Temples (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the pre-Angkorian temples in Rolous Group including Preah Ko, Bakong and Lo Lei. Rolous was the first Angkor capital when they settled closer to Tonle Sap lake. It was a good location to get water from the lake for agriculture purpose and easy to succeed over the enimy get up of the boat from Tonle Sap lake. The period of Angkor started the year 800AD and declined in the year 1432AD. Afternoon, visit the jungle temples Ta Phrom embraced by giant trees and creepers. Then visit the former capital of Khmer Empire in the 12th century Angkor Thom including the four faces Bayon temple. The end of the day, we extensively explore Angkor Wat, the 7th Wonder of the World. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Banteay Srei and River of Thousand Lingas (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to visit the most beautiful temple Banteay Srei known as citadel of women. Banteay Srei was built by pink sand stones. Then transfer another 30 minutes to Kbal Spean known as the River of Thousand lingas to hike about 45 minutes to visit the Lingas. Afternoon, visit pre Angkorian temple Pre Rup, and Preah Khan. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom – Sambor Prei Kuk (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we begin with a transfer 2 hours to visit 12 century Naga bridge in Kampong Kdei. Visit pre-Angkorian temples in Sambor Prei Kuk (615-650). Sambor Prei Kuk was served as the capital before Angkor period during the Chenla Kingdom. Enjoy packed lunch under the shade of the big trees and relax on the mat. After lunch check in at the hotel. Late afternoon, we visit the hilltop Phnom Santuk temple with some of the famous reclining Buddha carved in 15th century. Overnight in Kampong Thom.

Day 17: Kampong Thom – Kampong Cham (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer 40 minutes to Kampong Thmor and visit the rubber plantation in Chamkar Andong before arrving in Kampong Cham. It is the 3rd biggest province in Cambodia. It depends mainly on the farming, big production of the fruit such as banana, jack fruit, tobacco and rubber plantation. Visit Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey and enjoy the picnic lunch from the hill top pagoda.  Afternoon, arrive in Kampong Cham, wander around to see the town (optional biking to the nearby Koh Pen island). Situated on the Mekong river, Kampong Cham has a great benefit of the delta to do the farming. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 18: Kampong Cham-Kratie  (B, L)

After breakfast, visit Phnom Han Chey. There are some graves of the victims from the Khmer Rouge regim on beside the hill of Phnom Han Chey. Enjoy the water stop, local fruit, snack and drink. Then we board on the local ferry to cross Mekong river at Steung Trong. This area used to be the Khmer Rouge headquarter in early 1970s before they took control of Phnom Penh in April 1975. Afternoon, arrive in Kratie and check in at the hotel. If time permits, take the local ferry to visit the opposite Koh Trong island. Or view the sunset at the river front. Overnight in Kratie.

Day 19: Kratie – Stung Treng (B, L)

Breakfast in Kratie. Transfer to board on the boat to see the endangered Irrawady dolphin, then visit Wat Sarsar Moy Roy, the buddhist temple has story related to King Ang Chan Racha in 15th century. Afternoon, transfer to Stung Treng. The speciality of local food in Stung Treng is Ngem, made from fresh fish and garlic wrapped in banana leaves. Overnight in Stung Treng.

Day 20: Stung Treng – Laos border – Don Khone (B, L)

Breakfast in Stung Treng. We visit Ou Svay community before crossing the border to Laos. Immigration process, Laos visa cannot be obtained at the border. It has to be done in advance. Say goodbye to our Cambodian guide and driver. Welcome by Laos guide, transfer to Khone water fall and enjoy the swimming. Dinner and overnight in Don Khone.

Day 21: Don Khone – 4 Thousand Islands (B, L)

Breakfast in Don Khone. Today, we visit 4 Thousand Islands known as Si Phan Don in Laos. The 4 Thousand Islands situated on the Mekong River. Enjoy lunch at the 4 Thousand Island. Make sure we keep the empty bottle of water and can in the rubbish bin to keep the environment clean. Afer lunch, we visit Don Daeng. Dinner and overnight in Don Daeng.

Day 22: Don Daeng – Se Pian National Biodiversity and Conservation Center (B,L)

Breakfast in Don Daeng. We drive to Se Pian Biodiversity Conservation Center located near Cambodia border to Rattanakiri province. Visit the community of the ethnic minority. Enjoy the lunch in the community. Afternoon, cycle back to Don Daeng. Dinner and overnight in Don Daeng.

Day 23: Don Daeng – Wat Phou – Pakse (B,L)

After breakfast, drive along the Mekong river. Then we follow the Mekong river and cross the ferry and continue driving leaving the Mekong river on the backdrop. There, appear the Wat Phou temple on the foot of the Champasak hill. It is a 12th century temple built by a great Khmer King Jayavarman VII. Visit the temple 45 minutes to 1 hour. Afternoon, transfer to Pakse and check in the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pakse.

Day 24: Pakse Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for departure flight.