This trip offers a good exploration of the most popular highlights through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. You will be exposed to as much splendid tropical nature, interesting old-fashioned daily life, colourful Buddhist cultures, and well-known historic sites as possible.

Schedule: First Tuesday of the month

Code: ST - IN 02

Day 1: Home – Hanoi (D)
Arrival in Hanoi, the ancient intricate capital of Vietnam, bus pick-up, hotel check-in
Afternoon: 1 hour rickshaw tour around the town center to be amazed by the unique hustle and bustle of the city.

Day 2: Hanoi (B-L-D)
Full day for exploring the fascinating city of Hanoi where old and new things blend together, Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures mix together.
Activities: a pleasant walk around the peaceful Ho Chi Minh area, another pleasant walk at the beautiful Temple of Literature, a fascinating walk through the famous 36 busy streets of the Old Quarter, and a good visit at the Fine Arts Museum
The day is ended with an interesting water puppet performance.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong bay (B-L-D)
A scenic drive through rice paddies and mountains to Halong bay, a World Natural Heritage Site.
Check-in aboard, enjoy fabulous lunch and cruise along the terrific sceneries.
Overnight aboard

Day 4: Halong – Hue (B-L-D)
Morning drive to Noi Bai airport, take mid-day flight to Hue, the last Royal capital of Vietnam, a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Afternoon: visit the Royal Citadel of Hue, enjoy a pleasant walk in this interesting area, then visit the amazingly full Dong Ba market.
Evening enjoy Hue Royal Feast.

Day 5: Hue – Hoian (B-L-D)
Morning, take a lovely boat trip on the Perfume River to the beautiful Thien Mu pagoda, and Minh Mang tomb, 1 hour cooking lesson to have some impressions of the artistic style of Hue cuisine; Afternoon drive to Hoian, a charming ancient town, a World Cultural Heritage.

Day 6: Hoian (B-L-D)
Full day enjoy the wonderful features of Hoian: relaxing, charming, and great shopping
Activities: Early morning optional visit to the unique fish market, then enjoy 2 hours’ boating along fishing villages, palm plantations and gardens, pleasant city walk to a temple, old Chinese merchant’s houses, the famous Japanese pagoda bridge, and many beautiful shops.
Afternoon enjoy a uniquely fabulous bicycle ride through the gorgeous sceneries of the countryside.

Day 7: Hoi An – HCMC (B-L-D)
Morning flight from Danang to HCMC, the biggest city of Vietnam, visit the hustle and bustle of China town.
Afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels.

Day 8: HCMC– Chau Doc (B-L-D)
Transfer to Chau Doc through the scenery of the Mekong Delta. Explore this busy town at the border with Cambodia.

Day 9: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B-L-D)
Morning boat trip around Chau Doc, then further to the border, cross the border and continue to Neak Luong ferry station. From here transfer to Phnom Penh by bus. Arrival in Phnom Penh in the afternoon, lunch , city tour visit the most popular attractions : Toul Sleng Museum, Wat Phnom, the Royal palace and Silver pagoda, and the Russian market (time permitting).

Day 10: Phnom Penh - Battambang (B-L-D)
Transfer to Battambang, a lovely small town with French colonial influences.
Afternoon enjoy terrific motorbike trip around the countryside and a unique ride by bamboo train.

Day 11: Battambang – Siem Reap (B-L-D)
Morning: take one of the most scenic boat trip s in Cambodia from Battambang to Siem Reap .
Afternoon: visits to Angkor Wat, truly a World Wonder and Phnom Bakheng for Sun Set

Day 12: Siem Reap (B-L-D)
Full day visits to Angkor Thom (the Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Elephants), Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, Eastern Baray, Eastern Mebon
Dinner: Apsara show

Day 13: Siem Reap – Pakse (PKZ) – Ban Khone (B-L-D) (Sunday)
Arrival at PKZ airport, pick up, then go on to Ban Khone, a very pleasant island on the Mekong river, stop at Phou Asa for elephant ride.

Day 14: Ban Khone – Champasak – Pakse (B-L-D)
Visit French railway, old bridge, Liphi waterfall, boat trip to Khone Papeng the biggest fall in South East Asia, then transfer by bus to Champasak, visit Wat Phou, a pleasant Pre-Angkor temple, a World Cultural Heritage , continue transfer to Pakse by bus . O/N in Pakse

Day 15: Pakse – Vientiane ( VTE )(B-L-D)(Tuesday)
Early transfer by bus to Pakse airport to catch the morning flight to VTE (8:10-9:20), a small charming capital city of Laos.
Afternoon city tour : start at That Luang, Patuxai, Ta Lat Sao market, and end at Wat Sisaket. From here, take a nice walk along interesting streets of Thanon Setthathirat, Thanon Fa ngum, Thanon Pang K han etc. and back to the hotel on foot.
Dinner with music show .

Day 16: VTE – Luang Prabang (B-L-D)
Morning flight to Luang Prabang (PLQ) , the former Royal Capital of Lan Xang dynasty, a laid-back World Cultural Heritage, enjoy city walk to the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, free time for self explore the charming peaceful city, afternoon climb on Phou Si Hill for the sunset over the Mekong river.
Evening visit the colourful night market.

Day 17: Luang Prabang (B-L-D)
Morning excursion to Kuang Si waterfall
Afternoon tuk tuk trip to wood paper village, tin blacksmith village, go on highway 13 for a loop tour, end at a p lace to kayak downstream back to LPQ.

Day 18: Departure (B) Home sweet Home
Transfer to LPQ international airport for flight to Bangkok or Vientiane and then connecting flight to home.

End of service

Price: USD/pax (valid till May 2006)

Inclusions:

• A ccommodation with breakfast (based on twin sharing, superior rooms)
• All meals indicated in the program
• All ground transport on tour with A/C vehicles , boats, motorbike, bicycle, rickshaw, tuk tuk, etc., all the domestic flights and 1 international flight REP-PKZ.
• All entrance fees
• L ocal English speaking guides
• Gifts and maps

Exclusions:

• International flight tickets to Hanoi and from Luang Prabang
• All domestic and international flights tax: In Cambodia: 6USD/pax (domestic
  flights), 25USD/pax (international flights); In Laos:10USD/pax
  (international flights), 1USD/pax (domestic flights).
• Visa upon arrival for VN (40USD/pax), Cambodia (30USD/pax), Laos (35USD/pax)
• Domestic and International Insurance surcharge
• Personal Insurance
• Personal expenses such as drinks, camera fees
• All other accounts not mentioned in the above inclusions.