Day 1: SIEMREAP
Arrival in Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, declared a World Heritage Site in 1992. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu by King Suryavarman II and was constructed over a period of 30 years. It evidences some of the most beautiful examples of Khmer and Hindu art created and features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world. Tours with Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 2: SIEMREAP
Breakfast at hotel. Full day tour of Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom, a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers / 4 square miles) built by King Jayavarman VII. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters / 109 yards wide. In the center of the walled city are the city's most important monuments including the Baphuon, the Bayon and the Terrace of Elephants, Phnom Bakheng to enjoy the sunset over Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3: SIEM REAP – DANANG – HOI AN Breakfast at hotel. Free until transfer to airport for departure for Danang. Arrival Danang, and then go to visit the charming and historic city of Hoi An. Known as one of South-East Asia’s major international ports of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and other trading vessels with name of Faifo. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 4: HOI AN Breakfast at hotel. Fullday to visit Hoi An known as one of South-East Asia’s major international ports of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and other trading vessels with name of Faifo. We will visit the ancient houses, Japanese Covered Temple Bridge, Phuc Kien Temple, and Hoi An market. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: HOIAN – MYSON - HOIAN Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to the Holy Land of My Son - the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious centre under King Bhadravarman in the late 4th century. Back to Hoi An for overnight.
Day 6: HOI AN - HUE Breakfast at hotel. Take a very scenic trip to Hue across the Hai Van Pass - " Pass of the clouds". through the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. The mountainous stretch of the highway offers spectacular views. Stop in Danang for a visit of Marble Mountain, Sculpture Village and Cham museum. Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: HUE Breakfast at hotel. Take a boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and then explore Hue, the 19th Century Imperial City which was for a long time the cultural and intellectual center of Vietnam. Our Hue tour includes the Citadel that was built in the early 19th century. Ngo Mon Gate is the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and faces the Flag Tower. The Forbidden Purple City was reserved for the personal use of the emperor and the only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs. We continue with tombs of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: HUE – PHONG NHA - HUE Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Dong Hoi. We will pass the 17 Parallel (known as the temporary border for the North and South of Vietnam from 20 July 1954 to 31 April 1975). Arrival Phong Nha, we will take boat along the Son River about 30 minutes to visit the down wet caves and then walk up to dry caves. We enjoy the beauty of marvelous shapes decorated by thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Back to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: HUE – HANOI Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure until departure for flight to Hanoi. Short city tour: Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: HANOI – HALONG BAY Breakfast at hotel. Morning city tour with Literature temple, Ngoc Son temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, History museum, Old Quarter. Afternoon drive to the famous Ha long Bay. Arrival at leisure. Overnight in Halong.
Day 11: HALONG BAY - HANOI Breakfast at hotel. Take a boat to visit Halong bay - a unique site where some 3,000 islands emerge from the waters of the Gulf of Ton kin. Cruise through thousands of Karstic and limestone rock formations. Discover Thien Cung and Dau Go caves and a panoramic view. Drive back to Hanoi for overnight.
Day 12: HANOI – VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG Breakfast at hotel. Free until transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang via Vientiane. We explore Luang Prabang - the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Famous for its historic temples and beautiful mountainous setting, this site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. This town reflects the exceptional fusion of traditional architecture and urban structures built by 19th and early 20th century European colonial rulers. This unique township is remarkably well preserved, illustrating a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions. This afternoon we visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 13: LUANG PRABANG Breakfast at hotel. We take a day-trip to the Pak Ou Caves located on a steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers. These caves are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. Next stop is Wat Xieng Thong, situated on the banks of the Mekong River; this is reported to be the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang with its old religious artifacts and ancient masterpieces of Lao art. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 14: LUANG PRABANG – XIENG KHOUANG Breakfast at hotel. Overland to Xieng Khouang – the one of Lao’s three ancient kingdoms, rich in history and extraordinary natural beauty. It was damaged by war but the province is still boasts archaeological wonders and great historical interest. Stop on the way to visit villages of ethnic groups. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
Day 15: XIENG KHOUANG Breakfast at hotel. Fullday to visit the Plain of Jars carved from 3000 years ago including over 300 giant stone jars. Its stone artifacts are fascinating and mysterious. A quite special experience between old culture and new barbarism. And then we continue to visit Muong Khoun - the former Capital city. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
Day 16: XIENG KHOUANG - VIENTIANE Breakfast at hotel. At leisure until flight back to Vientiane. Arrival pick up and transfer to hotel. At leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 17: VIENTIANE Breakfast at hotel. Vientiane is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets. We visit Pha That Luang (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa) built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, a symbol of both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty. Patuxai is a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris; the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang also gives an excellent view of the city. Haw Pha Kaew is the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565, now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures. Wat Si Saket was constructed in 1818 in the early Bangkok style; the interior walls of the cloister are punctured with small niches that contain more than 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha images. We end the day with a visit to the Talaat Sao Market to examine the fabrics, jewels and electronic goods available here. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 18: VIENTIANE DEPARTURE Breakfast at hotel. Free until transfer to airport for departure.
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