Indochina Explorer 19 days

Itinerary
DAY 1 – ARRIVE PHNOM PENH
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight meet your tour leader (or local guide) for welcome drinks and a tour briefing.
SUNWAY HOTEL – 2 nights

DAY 2 – PHNOM PENH
Explore the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Visit the Childsafe Centre and later learn about the Khmer Rouge at Toul Sleng and The Killing Fields.

DAY 3 – PHNOM PENH TO SIEM REAP
Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor and take a boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake.
SOMADEVI ANGKOR HOTEL – 2 nights

DAY 4 – SIEM REAP
Explore Angkor Wat by tuk-tuk then board a regular vehicle for the outer-lying temples of Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm and more.

DAY 5 –SIEM REAP TO SAIGON
Today you will fly from Siem Reap to Saigon and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax or begin exploration of Saigon’s bustling city streets.
DUXTON HOTEL – 3 nights

DAY 6 – SAIGON
See the sights of old and new Saigon in the central ‘French quarter’ and the Chinatown district, then visit Cu Chi Tunnels.

DAY 7 – MEKONG DELTA
Explore the Mekong Delta’s canals, orchards and towns by boat and interact with the friendly locals.

DAY 8 – SAIGON TO HUE
Fly to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Wander the last empire’s Forbidden City - the Citadel and visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit the workers of Spiral Foundation.
SAIGON MORIN - 1 night

DAY 9 – HUE TO HOI AN
Visit the tomb of the former Nguyen Dynasty Emperor - Tu Duc before driving south to nearby Hoi An. Enjoy the architecture, local delicacies and friendly locals that make Hoi An a true Vietnam highlight on an afternoon walking and market tour with the students of ‘Streets’ organisation.
HOI AN HISTORIC HOTEL - 2 nights

DAY 10 – HOI AN
Today is at leisure to enjoy Hoi An with its many galleries, tailor shops and restaurants.

DAY 11 – HOI AN TO HALONG BAY
Free time before you fly to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to Halong City.
ROYAL LOTUS HOTEL - 1 night

DAY 12 – HALONG BAY TO HANOI
Spend the morning cruising the spectacular Halong Bay, with its thousands of limestone islets that rise out of the sea, as you enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch onboard. In the afternoon journey to Hanoi before an evening theatrical water puppet performance.
SILK PATH HOTEL - 2 nights

DAY 13 – HANOI
Discover the Old Quarter on a walking tour, then explore Hanoi with visits to historic Ba Dinh Square, the infamous Hoa Lo (Hanoi Hilton) prison and the peaceful Temple of Literature, then, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

DAY 14 – HANOI TO VIENTIANE
Fly to the sleepy Lao capital city, where you will be transferred to your hotel. Choose to either explore the waterfront area of the Mekong or relax by the hotel pool this afternoon.
MERCURE VIENTIANE - 2 nights

DAY 15 – VIENTIANE
Spend the day exploring the capital’s most famous landmarks and temples, then pay a visit to a fair-trade silk weaving organization. In the afternoon, visit the COPE Centreand cap off your day with a traditional Lao Baci welcome and blessing ceremony.

DAY 16 – VIENTIANE TO LUANG PRABANG
Fly to Luang Prabang this morning. Spend the afternoon walking around the city’s many beautiful wats. In the evening participate in a cooking class of traditional Lao cuisine where you have the chance to taste your own creation.
SALA PRABANG - 3 nights

DAY 17 – LUANG PRABANG
Visit the National Museum, then on to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, where you will gain insight into Laos’ ethnic groups. Travel up river by slow boat to visit Pak Ou (thousand Buddha) caves, enjoying a picnic lunch en route. Return mid-afternoon for some free time to relax.

DAY 18 – LUANG PRABANG
Rise early to witness of monks perform the morning alms tradition. Visit a local market then drive to the beautiful Kuang Si falls for swimming. finish off the day with a game of petanque and sunset drinks on the famous Mekong River.

DAY 19 – LUANG PRABANG
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@footsteptravel.com to get more information and assistance

Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia Holiday 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, attend a performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/-/-)
This morning enjoy a tour of this fascinating city. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, one of the most revered monuments in Vietnam, and his former residence. You will also visit the Temple of Literature which was founded in 1070 as a Confucian temple and went onto encompass Vietnam's first university. The Temple was recently recognised and registered for UNESCO World Heritage status. You will also visit the One-Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure for you to wander the streets of the city at will.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Today you will depart Hanoi for the drive to beautiful Halong Bay.
Board your Cruise boat and set sail through the bay while your buffet lunch is served. Enjoy an Asian Buffet lunch as the vessel sails to Halong Bay passing the Fighting cocks islet, the Elephant leg islet, the Castle islet and the Soi Sim Island. Arrive at Hang Tiên Ông and visit the Cửa Vạn Floating Village to experience the daily life of the local people. There is a possibility of kayaking here if you wish.

After your visit, the boat will continue to cruise through the Bay with an open-air cookery demonstration on the sundeck for those interested. Eventually you will arrive at Tùng Sâu (pearl farm) Area where the boat will dock for the night. Here you can enjoy swimming or kayaking.

Day 5: Halong Bay / Hue (B/-/-)
This morning you have the option to wake early to join in the tai chi lesson on the back sundeck before your buffet breakfast.

After a morning of activities, you will leave your cruise boat and be driven back to Hanoi for your short flight down to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Day 6: Hue (B/-/-)
This morning take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue.

This afternoon drive to the Imperial Citadel which was built along the same lines as the Forbidden Palace in Beijing and was the country's administrative centre. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 7: Hue / Da Nang / Hoi An (B/-/-)
Depart to Danang via the scenic Hai Van pass, offering spectacular views of the mountains, sea, idyllic beaches and villages. Visit the Cham Museum with its wealth of local art and figurines.

We continue further south to the charming historic city of Hoi An, transfer to hotel.

Days 7-8: Hoi An at leisure (B/-/-)
Days at leisure to relax and enjoy the Resort and the region.

Day9: Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Check out and drive to Da Nang airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, drive to visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War.

After your visit, transfer onwards to your chosen hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore or maybe indulge in some last minute shopping at the local markets.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
This morning, you will enjoy a morning tour of Ho Chi Minh City. You will visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, which is dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess and also visit the War Remnants Museum, formerly known as the Exhibition House of American War Crimes.

You will finally visit the Reunification Palace, what used to be called the Independence Palace. This is a restored five-floor time warp to the Sixties left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to the North (construction started in 1962 and finished in 1966). The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City / Phnom Penh (B/-/-)
Today you will transfer to the airport for the short flight across to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel of choice.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure until you transfer to the Mekong river jetty and board the boat for an evening sunset cruise on the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.

Day 12: Phnom Penh (B/-/-)
Today, begin your tour of this charming capital with a visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. Also visit the Royal Palace which was built in 1866 by King Norodom. Visit the Silver Pagoda, so named because of its floor comprised of 5,000 silver tiles.

Continue to the nearby National Museum. Built in 1917, it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 13: Phnom Penh / Siem Reap (B/-/-)
This morning you will transfer back to the airport for the short flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

This afternoon, visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century and was dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with the active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 14: Temples of Angkor (B/-/-)
This morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

Also visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), the Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Finally enjoy sunset at Angkor Wat.

Day 15: Temples of Angkor (B/-/-)
Early this morning transfer to the archaeological site for sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat.
Or enjoy sunrise at Srah Srang. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Late morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples, ithas been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 16: Departure (B/-/-)
Today is at leisure to relax or maybe indulge in some last minute shopping before transferring back to the airport for your onward flight.

Want an independent tour and private tour, please email us at: info@footsteptravel.com to get more information and assistance