Overview
Indochina assaults the senses of the first-time Western visitor, with its explosion of colours, scents, and sounds – wholly unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Southeast Asia has everything: teeming cities, sleepy villages, ancient temples, exotic cultures, and untamed jungles. Indochina literally buzzes with life. You could spend months touring Indochina and still not see everything. Don’t worry if you haven’t all the time in the world, as you can at least sample the best of the region
Joining in our trip to Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia of which unique glimpse into its storied past, graciously balancing ancient traditions with modern society while racing to catch up with the outside world.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Yangon Arrival
Arrive at Yangon International Airport and welcome by our tour speaking guide. Transfer to hotel for check in. The tour sightseeing start for visit to the old colonial-style city center with city hall, Mahabandoola Park with Independence Monument, Strand road and Yangon Jetty by Car (if time permit, you can observe and take a rest for drinking tea or coffee at Colonial building Strand Hotel (5 star hotel). Then continue visit to Botahtaung Pagoda and Ahma Mya Nan Nwe, a devotee to the Botahtaung Pagoda. She was known to be a dragon guarding the pagoda and Bogyoke Aung San (Scott) Market, is the most popular market (close on every Monday & Public holiday) and where you can buy luxury item, handicrafts, food stuff, clothing, jewelry, fashion and consumer goods.
At afternoon, the tour visit to Chaukhtatgyi (Reclining Buddha) Pagoda a colossal reclining Buddha and continue visit to Karaweik Hall Royal barge on the Royal lake for photo stop and world famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Witness the golden dome light up sunshine at the sunset. Overnight at Yangon.
Meals: NA
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon
Day 2: Yangon - Fly to Bagan
Early morning transfer to the airport to take domestic flight to Bagan. Arrive at Bagan, transfer to the hotel for check in. The tour visit to the one of Asia’s most popular archeological destination. We will visit colorful Naung U Market and visit some of Bagan most famous pagodas, including Shwezigon Pagoda, which is the most important reliquary shrine and house images of 37 Nats in Bagan. Then, continue visit to Kyansittha Uhmin (Cave), Gupaukgyi Temple, it is a 13th century cave temple with interesting fine frescoes of scences from the Jataka.
At afternoon, the tour continue visit to Htilominlo Temple with old murals and friezes and then approach to Tharabar Gate way into Old Bagan. Then, visit to Ananda Temple it is a whitewashed masterpiece and with four standing Buddha Images, Thetbyinnyu Temple, Dhamayangyi Temple which is famous for its interlocking mortar thickest brickwork. Late afternoon, continue to Shwesandaw Pagoda for beautiful sunset and then transfer to hotel and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan
Day 3: Bagan
After breakfast, today morning continue the Bagan exploration by visiting horse cart. At evening, enjoy sunset river cruise trip on the Ayeyarwaddy River. Overnight at hotel in Bagan.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan
Day 4: Bagan - Mandalay - Amarapura
After breakfast at hotel, fly to Mandalay. Arrive at Mandalay, directly drive to visit Amarapura. Highlights include Mahagandayon Monastery which is a school for young monks and observe the lunch process in morning, U Bein Bridge which is more than two centuries old and at 1.2 km longest teakwood span in the world. On the way, visit to the tradition hand-weaving silk workshop.
At afternoon, sightseeing tour of Mandalay includes Mahamuni Pagoda, gold of hammering, Mandalay Palace, Kuthodaw Pagoda by surrounding 729 inscribed marble slabs, known as “the world’s largest book”, Shwenandaw "Golden Palace Monastery" to observe finest Myanmar wooden architecture, and visit Atumashi Monastery. Sunset from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at Mandalay.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay
Day 5: Mandalay - Heho
After breakfast, fly to Heho. Upon arrive Heho, drive to the hills and across the Shan Plateau to visit Pindaya Cave, is the natural limestone cave and Shwe U Min Paya which is full of Buddha images of about 8000. Continue the picturesque Boutaloke Lake and visit local handicraft workshop in which making traditional Shan Paper and Umbrella. Late afternoon, take a fresh breath and photo stop for beautiful big banyan trees at the base of the Pindaya Hill. Transfer to Nyaung Shwe jetty to take boat transfer to hotel and overnight in Inle Lake.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle lake
Day 6: Inle Lake (By Boat)
After breakfast, morning visit one of the 5 Days rotation market (only on market day) and sightseeing for magical Inle Lake, which is located 1328 meters above sea level and 22 km long and 11 km wide. Highlights include the fisherman rowing in the one-legged style characteristic of Inle Lake boatmen and the gardens of grass and earth floating on the surface of this shallow lake used for growing vegetables. Besides the enjoyment of the scenery we can also visit the holiest religious site Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda, Silk Weaving Village of Inphawkhon, Burmese Cats House, Cheroot making and other cottage industries. Then, visit to Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, a beautiful old teak wood building before transfer to hotel and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake
Day 7: Heho – Yangoon – Hanoi
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Heho airport for domestic flight back to Yangon. Arrival at Yangon, connect to Yangon international airport for flight to Hanoi.
Meet your tour guide on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel in the city center and check-in. (Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge.). Rest of the day is at leisure.
Optional: We introduce two one-of-a-kind traditional performances which are found nowhere else than in Vietnam. You can choose one of below options:
- Water Puppet Show where puppets are performed on water stage with folk music, presenting ancient tales, folklores and daily life in Vietnamese countryside.
- Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show - a very unique show about ritual of spirit practiced in the Vietnamese indigenous religion with music, colors and lively dance performance. The Four Palaces Shows take place on Thursday and Saturday every week.
If you're interested in the shows, please contact our travel consultants to book.
Meals: NA
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi Half day City tour
Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Routes can change subject to client’s interest.
Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel at 08:00 for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.
Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)
After lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant, back to hotel. Free time at leisure for rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
Halong Bay is listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage and voted as a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. You will have a night staying in this world famous bay.
After breakfast in Hanoi, depart the capital for the 3hr 30mins drive to Halong Bay. Arrive to Halong City’s jetty (around noon) and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, on-board activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on the vessel. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On-board an overnight cruise in Halong Bay
Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue
Early risers can enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served shortly thereafter.
Enjoy breakfast (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations back towards port. Upon disembarkation, our driver will be waiting to provide transport to Hanoi for the departing flight. Take a short flight to Hue, check in hotel and overnight in Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Day 11: Hue Half day City tour
08:00 – 08:15 Pick up at your hotel. Enjoy your wonderful day by taking a boat trip to visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda. Thien Mu pagoda is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worshiping in Vietnam now. Then visit Dong Ba market, the biggest and most significant market in Hue in particular and Central Viet Nam in general. Continue your journey to discover the Imperial Citadel then make your way to the Hue Royal Antiques Museum to see a collection of ornaments. Hue Royal Antiquities Museum where preserves royal treasures has a history with many changes. The main exhibition house of the present museum used to be a palace under Nguyen Dynasty, called Long An Palace. It was built in 1845 by Thieu Tri King, located on the north of Ngu Ha River. It was a type of “isolated palace” for the king.
12:00 - 12:30: Drop you off at your hotel. Free at leisure for rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Hue
Day 12: Hue - Danang - Hoi An - Road transfer
In the morning, transfer by shuttle bus to the enchanting town of Hoi An listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage and was once a well-known trading centre in Southeast Asia from the 16th to 18th centuries. Land transfer by shuttle bus or Private car with stop at some sightseeing on the way for short break (admission fee not included). Check in the hotel and relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 13: Hoi An Half day City tour
Tour guide will take you on a stroll through the ancient town. Its friendly inhabitants, narrow streets, old houses, temples and wooden bridge still remain its ancient character. The best way to discover Hoi An, however, is to simply wander. Little more than a maze of a few streets, there are temples, museums and preserved houses to visit; yet with some 850 buildings heritage-protected, the best feel for the town comes from the places which are free to all. As with everywhere in this country, the ‘real’ Vietnam is to be found in unexpected places, such as a back street or turning down an unexpected alley, or talking in broken English to the old lady who sells Chinese scrolls. In hidden nooks and crannies are art galleries, cafes, gastronomic gems, ceramics for sale, shops filled with lanterns and, of course, the silk for which the town is famed. There are woodworkers and carvers, artists at work, craft shops. Plus there are always cold drinks for sale, important no matter the time of year. In this part of Vietnam, it is either hot and dry, or hot and wet.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Day 14: Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy your free time before transferring to airport in Da Nang for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, transfer from airport to hotel. Spend free time to relax, unwind or explore the dynamic city on your own.
Formerly known as Saigon, todays Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who traveled along the Saigon River.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City
Today morning you will drive 55 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District famous for the amazing complex of underground tunnels. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Experience traditional noodle for your lunch.
In the afternoon, gain an insight into the city’s development through a walking tour to the most significant landmarks including the Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office (all magnificent sights from the French colonial period). Your next stop will be the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho
This morning you will be transferred to Can Tho. The lush, riverine tapestry of the Mekong Delta makes the perfect escape from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. You can savour blissful peace in Can Tho – where they can explore orchards, farms and fisheries and survey the scenery by bike or from a boat.
Enjoy the fresh air and immerse yourself in the tranquility in this part of countryside in Mekong Delta, still untouched by tourism.
Board on a long tail boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms.Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a geography textbook. Many visitors spend a day or two in Can Tho, the delta’s biggest settlement, to take advantage of its decent hotels and restaurants and to recharge batteries before venturing out to the floating markets nearby.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
Day 17: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Chau Doc
Early wake up with a “should not be missed” floating market in Can Tho. Travel along the Mekong and the natural network of canals by motor boat and sampan under the shadows of water coconut trees. Taste seasonal fruits right from the orchard, meet friendly locals, and visit the region’s lively floating markets.
Northwest of Can Tho meanwhile, and a stone’s throw from the Cambodian border, is the ebullient town of Chau Doc, south of which Sam Mountain provides a welcome undulation in the surrounding plains. The opening of the border here has brought a steady stream of travellers going on to Phnom Penh by boat
Afternoon road transfer to Chau Doc and spend one night at this sleepy little town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc
Day 18: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
Have breakfast at hotel.Head to the boat station, take speed boat to Phnom Penh. Transfer to your hotel and have a short rest. Then visit significant landmarks of Phnom Penh: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh
Day 19: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
07:45 Transfer to Mekong Bus station for departure to Siem Reap (6 hour drive). Your guide will be not with you on bus but he/she will meet you in Siem Reap. The bus will stop at Arunras Restaurant for restroom and where you can find your own meals or snack before continue to final destination. Upon arrival Siem Reap, meet your guide at Borei Seang Nam station and transfer to check in at hotel for refreshment.
This afternoon, take a fun by Rermork “Tuk Tuk” ride to visit the Angkor National Museum, learn about “the Legend Revealed” and see how the Khmer Empire has been established during the golden period. Continue to Preah Ang Check Preah Angkor, the secret place where local people go praying for good luck or safe journey. Tonight enjoy buffet dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at Amazon or Kulen II restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 20: Siem Reap
Morning, visit to jungle Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. The temple of Ta Prohm was once used as a location to film the famous Hollywood film Tomb Raider. Begin tour to the antique capital of Angkor Thom, start from the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Afternoon, explore Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. 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. Last but not least, view a wonderful sunset from Angkor Wat or somewhere possible.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap
Day 21: Siem Reap – Kampong Phluk – Departure
After breakfast at hotel, we drive to visit Kampong Phluk Floating Village, located at 16 km at north-south of Siem Reap. the villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. During the dry season when the lake is low (March – July), the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts exposed by the lack of water. At this time of year many of the villagers move out onto the lake and build temporary houses. In the wet season when water level rises (Aug – February), the villagers move back to their permanent houses on the floodplain, the stilts now hidden under the water. Kampong Phluk's economy is, as one might expect, based in fishing, primary in shrimp harvesting.
Free until transfer to Siem Reap International airport for boarding home sweet home or next destination.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: NA
Locals Navigate Through The Mangroves In Kampong Phluk Village
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