Sunday, August 12, 2012

Great Indochina Expedition Travel Tour 19 days/18 nights

Price: from $ 1675/pax
Duration: 19 days / 18 nights
Tour route: Bangkok - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh....
Transportation type: Airplane, Boat, Car, Cruise
Tour code: IET - IN 16
Day 1: Bangkok - Siem Reap
Fly Bangkok to Siem Reap with Bangkok Airways **issued by Indochina Explorer Tours**
You will meet your guide upon arrival. He will transfer you to the hotel.
After having settled in you will embark on your first visit of the sprawling ruins of Angkor. The world famous ruins of Angkor were rediscovered in 1900 by French archealogists.
Angkor is truly the symbol of Cambodia and is a source of great national pride. A depiction of Angkor Wat is part of the Cambodian national flag, the only building to appear on any national flag.
Overnight: in Siem Reap | Meals: Lunch | Transport: Air | Car

Day 2: Siem Reap
This morning drive to the walled city of Angkor Thom. Visit, amongst others, the Bayon, the Gate of Angkor Thom, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. Return to the hotel in the late morning for a break for lunch and a swim. In the afternoon return to Angkor. You will have the whole afternoon for a visit to the main temple, Angkor Wat. Sunset at Phnom Bakeng.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight: in Siem Reap | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car

Day 3: Siem Reap
Early departure from the hotel. Drive to Banteay Srei, a small but exquisite temple, approximately 45 kms from Siem Reap. You will return to Angkor for lunch.
Continue to Angkor. Visit Ta Phrom, the gem of Angkor. This temple has been largely taken over by the jungle. The sight of temple ruins overgrown with the roots of huge fig trees is unforgettable. Visit Preah Khan where the World Monument Fund has a project.
On the way back to Siem Reap stop at the Krouasah Thmei school that houses an excellent exhibition about the Tonle Sap Lake.
Overnight: in Siem Reap | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car

Day 4: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
After breakfast you will drive to Kompong Thom. Along the way you will stop briefly at Spean Praptos, a fantastic stone bridge from the Angkor period. The bridge is used only for pedestrians and two wheeled vehicles and stands as proof of the craftmanship of the Khmers. The road to Sambor Prei Kuk is hobbly and unpaved. Sambor Prei Kuk was the capital of the Chenla Kingdom which predates Angkor by several centuries. The ruins are spread out over a vast distance. Sambor Prei Kuk gets very few visitors and you can enjoy the beautiful ruins in peace and quiet
After your visit it's back to the main road and start the last leg to Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is 314 km. far from Siem Reap and this will take approximately 6 hours for driving.
At the end of the afternoon you will reach Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia and a city of great charm and athmosphere.
Overnight: in Phnom Penh | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car

Day 5: Phnom Penh
In the morning visit of Choeng Ek, the location of the infamous Killing Fields. Continue to Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer prison where thousands of Cambodians perished in the darkest hours of Cambodian history.
Afternoon free at leisure. You can visit sights such as the Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace on your own or visit one of the interesting markets such as the Central Market and the Russian Market.
Overnight: in Phnom Penh | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: Car

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Chau Doc
After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel for the short drive to the pier where the boats to Chau Doc in Vietnam are leaving. It's a scenic trip. The boat is a regular service from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh, not a private boat.
You will need a Vietnamese visa to cross the border today (see our visa section for more information).
The comfortable boat will bring you to the Vietnamese-Cambodian border and passes villages and picturesque delta scenery. At the Cambodian border checkpoint you have time to stretch the legs before entering Vietnam.
As soon as you enter the Vietnamese part of the Mekong Delta there are humans everywhere. The Delta is very densely populated and you will see many children's smiles the next few days.
After approximately 5 hours you will reach Chau Doc, a sprawling riverside city.
Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight: in Chau Doc | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car | Boat | Car

Day 7: Chau Doc - Saigon
After breakfast make a boattrip to enjoy the waterfront of Chau Doc with its many floating fish farms. The fish are grown in nets under the boat. You will visit a traditional Cham village with its distinctive houses. The Cham that live here are muslims and the women wear colorful dresses. You can walk to the mosque a little further up the road. Return to Chau Doc and depart by car to Ho Chi Minh City.
This is a long drive which will take about 8 hours (345 kms). Lunch will be in Long Xuyen, another sprawling, busy city.
From Long Xuyen  you will continue to Ho Chi Minh City where you will arrive late in the afternoon. Ho Chi Minh city, the city of a million motorbikes......
Overnight: in Saigon | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Boat | Car

Day 8: Saigon
Today you can explore this exciting city on your own.
You can visit some of the most interesting sights of the city such as the Thien Hau Pagoda, wander around the Ben Thanh market or drink a coffee on one of the terraces of the former "Paris of the Orient". Be careful when crossing the streets. Motorbikes won't stop for you.
Overnight: in Saigon | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: None

Day 9: Saigon - Danang - Hoi An
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport.
Fly Ho Chi Minh City to Danang **issued by Green  Trail Tours**
From Danang airport it's only a short drive to Hoi An, the picturesque port formerly known as Faifo. Over the years Hoi An has built a reputation. It is without a doubt one of the most pleasant places in Vietnam. It's packed with historic buildings and has a unique atmosphere. Hoi An boasts some of the best food in Vietnam.
Overnight: in Hoi An | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: Car | Air | Car

Day 10: Hoi An
Free day in Hoi An.
Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoi An is another UNESCO World Heritage on your journey. It's a small town and the sights can be easily visited walking. You can also rent a bicycle and explore the picturesque countryside. Only 4 kms from Hoi An is Cua Dai Beach, a great white sand beach with high waves.
Overnight: in Hoi An | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: None

Day 11: Hoi An - Hue
After breakfast you will be picked up at the hotel by your guide and driver. Distance from Hoi An to Hue is a mere 130 kms, about 3 hours driving.
Visit the nearby Marble Mountains and the famous Cham Museum in Danang. This museum displays artefacts from the culture of Champa. We continue our drive to Hue. Drive to Hue over the Hai Van Pass from where you have fantastic views over the South China Sea. In the afternoon we will enjoy a seafood lunch at a restaurant at Lang Co. After arrival in Hue you will visit the Forbidden Purple City, constructed under Emperor Gia Long's reign in the early 19th century AD. It's located inside the Citadel of Hue, which was badly damaged during the Tet offensive in 1968.
Overnight: in Hue | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car

Day 12: Hue - Dong Hoi
Your guide and driver will transfer you to the boatlanding where you will board a dragon boat for a pleasant boat trip on the Perfume River. You will visit the characteristic Tien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of the emperor Tu Duc before the departure for the drive to Dong Hoi. From Hue to Dong Hoi is 190 kms which will take about 4 hours. You will travel through the former demilitarized zone, scene of heavy fighting during the Vietnam war.  You will pass the bridge over the Ben Hai river, the former line of separation between North and South Vietnam.
After arrival in Dong Hoi you have some time to relax and enjoy the last beach before your trip into the mountains tomorrow.
Dong Hoi is located on the South China Sea. Dong Hoi was largely destroyed during the Vietnam War. Many new buildings have been constructed since then giving this town a distinct atmosphere.
Overnight: in Dong Hoi | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Boat | Car

Day 13: Dong Hoi - Lak Sao
After breakfast you will embark on an adventure that will take the whole day.
Drive to the Nam Phao/Cau Treo border which will take about 6 hours (300 kilometers). You will see a part of Vietnam where few foreigners go. Drive into the Annamite mountains.
You should have a Lao visa before entering Laos as the visa is not available upon arrival (see our visa section for more information).
After having completed Immigration and Customs formalities on both sides you will meet your Laotian guide. Sabaidee. Welcome to Laos
From the border it is not far to Lak Xao, the first major town in Laos. This will take less than one hour, about 30 kms.
Overnight: in Lak Sao | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car | Car

Day 14: Lak Sao - Vientiane
Wake up for the next part of this exciting journey. You're in Laos!
Today our destination will be Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It's a long drive. Vientiane is about 320 kms from Lak Sao and this drive will take approximately 6 to 8 hours.
Until we reach the Mekong River we will pass through some of the most dramatic and breathtaking limestone scenery in Southeast Asia. The Khammouan Limestone NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area) is one of the most stunning landscapes of Laos. You can ask your guide to stop anywhere else along the way to make pictures or for other purposes. The landscape is simply spectacular.
After a couple of hours we will reach the main highway in Laos, running paralel to the Mekong River, the river you travelled on downstream from Cambodia to Vietnam on day 6. We'll continue to Vientiane. After arrival we will check into the hotel and you are free to stretch the legs and have a drink on a terrace on the Mekong River.
Overnight: in Vientiane | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car

Day 15: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
In the morning you will make a citytour of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You will visit That Luang, the national symbol the Lao People's Democratic Republic, as well has Wat Ho Pra Keo and Wat Sisaket. Before the transfer to airport you will visit the Morning Market, which is in fact open the whole day.
Fly Vientiane to Luang Prabang **issued by Green Trail Tours**
You will be met upon arrival and transferred to the hotel.
The town Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the French colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. The town has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car | Car | Air

Day 16: Luang Prabang
Free day in Luang Prabang. You can explore Luang Prabang on own. There are plenty of interesting daytrips possible in and around Luang Prabang. Our local office can give you information about this.
From your hotel you can easily explore the town on foot which is what we recommend you to do today. Just breathe in the atmosphere, wander through the small alleys, visit the mystical temples (don't forget to dress properly and take off your shoes). Enjoy the wonderful Lao and French food. Go shopping for textiles (Luang Prabang has some of the best textiles of the country) or take a Bia Lao on one of the terraces along the Mekong River.
From Phousy Mountain you have a commanding view over the town. Luang Prabang has an attractive evening market in one of the side streets of Sakkarine Rd., the ideal place to find some great bargains to take home.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: None

Day 17: Luang Prabang
After breakfast drive to the Ban Sankhong, a village where weaving and sa papermaking takes place. Continue to Ban Don. In this village you will see local blacksmiths at work. Proceed to the village Ban Xang Hai famous for the local production of Lao Lao, the local whisky. Cross the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves There are two caves in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River: Tham Ting, the lower cave and Tham Phum, which can be reached by a long stair case. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and size. Enjoy a picnic lunch, catered by a restaurant from Luang Prabang, nearby the caves.
Afterwards board a boat for a leisurely cruise down the Mekong back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival transfer back to your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Transport: Car | Boat | Car

Day 18: Luang Prabang - Bangkok
Transfer to the airport.
Fly Luang Prabang to Bangkok **issued by Green Trail Tours**
Meet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Grand China Princess Hotel | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: Car | Air | Car

Day 19: Bangkok
Check out time is at 12.00 hours (noon).
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of services
Overnight: No Accommodation | Meals: Breakfast | Transport: Car 
This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel. An indication of the cost for this itinerary is between US$1675 -US$7387 per person based on four people travelling in high season.

INCLUSIONS:
+Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
+ Accommodation: twin sharing room at  mentioned hotels or similar one
+ English or French  speaking guide 
+ Entrance fee to indicated sights   
+ Meals as indicated : B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
+ Water puppet show
+ Cyclo trip
+ Domestic flight (in Southeast Asia)mention in program
+ Boat trip in mention in program.
+ Train ticket mention in program
EXCLUSIONS: 
+ Other meals
+ Tip
+ Drinks
+ Airport tax
+ Single room supplement
+ Personal expenses
+ Travel insurance
+ Visa
+ Flight in / out of Southeast Asia
+ Any optional additional tours
+ Activities during free time
+ Surcharge for peak season
+ Local holiday days and gala dinner.
 

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