Three Kingdoms of Indochina
| Resort: | Three Kingdoms of Indochina |
| Operator: | |
| Destination: | Asia, Cambodia, South East Asia, Vietnam |
| Price From: | £2844.00 |
OverviewDelve into an ancient and mysterious world. Begin in Vietnam and explore its complex relationship with the west. From there, a colorful mosaic unfolds. Learn unique culinary secrets in the ancient town of Hoi An. Cruise overnight aboard a luxury junk boat on Halong Bay. Immerse yourself in a private traditional blessing ceremony. Find inspiration at Cambodias Angkor Wat temple, the worlds largest religious structure. Come to know this region through experiences and interactions with local villagers and a journey on the Mekong River. Hear the history of notorious Khmer Rouge. From contemplating the Fall of Saigon to exploring a once forgotten temple deep in the jungle, each day paints a new picture of the rich cultures of Indochina. ItineraryDay 1: Overnight FlightJourney to a region rich in culture and history, taking in three extraordinary countries: Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Tour BeginsYour tour opens in historic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. For centuries, the city has been the commercial hub of the region, creating a cultural melting pot. Day 3: Ho Chi Minh CityThis morning, head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon youll get acquainted with the citys colonial landmarks on a tour that features the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, and the Binh Tay Market. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh CityToday, explore the famous Mekong Delta, rich with natural and cultural wonders, during a cruise along this bustling river. Be introduced to daily life during a visit to a home where coconut candy and rice paste are made. Enjoy a lunch of regional cuisine in a lush tropical garden. Visit a local residence to learn about their traditional way of life. Later, enjoy a visit to Cao Dai Temple and explore the regions rich architectural style. Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap, CambodiaFly to Cambodia and the village of Siem Reap, our gateway to the wonders of Angkor. Siem Reap brings together colonial and Chinese architecture of days gone by. Today, this ancient place is home to chic hotels and a thriving culinary scene. Day 6: Siem ReapBegin your day exploring the ancient ruins of Angkor Thom, known for its colossal stone-carved faces. Discover its famous Bayon temple, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. Next, explore the famous Angkor Wat, the worlds largest religious building and the symbol of Cambodia. Stand before the stone carvings and bas-reliefs that adorn the complex, the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire. Remain until evening for an opportunity to see a spectacular sunset over the monuments. Dinner this evening is accompanied by an Apsara show. Day 7: Siem ReapSet out to see three impressive Hindu temples: the towering 11th-century pyramid-shaped Temple of Shiva, Banteay Srei Temple with its remarkably intricate carvings, and the well-preserved Banteay Samre Temple. This afternoon, spend time at a local monastery where youll meet the monks who reside there and participate in a private blessing ceremony. Then we continue to the mystical Buddhist temple Ta Prohm, overgrown by the creeping jungle. Day 8: Siem Reap – Luang Prabang, LaosYour day begins at the JWOC Community Center* where youll meet local school children. Then we fly to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Day 9: Luang PrabangThis morning we are off to two of the most remarkable temples in Luang Prabang: Wat Sen or Temple of 100,000 Treasures, and Wat Visun, the citys oldest and most beautiful. Continue through the countryside to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls, passing rice fields and small villages along the way. Return to town in time to gaze over Luang Prabang from atop of Mount Phousi. Later, immerse yourself in the Street Night Market to browse for textiles, garments and crafts made by local residents and people from surrounding hill tribes. Day 10: Luang PrabangBoard a traditional riverboat for a cruise down the Mekong River. Our first stop is to see the Wat Xieng Thong temple with its colorful Tree of Life mosaic. Continue on, pausing along the way to get to know the rural way of life in the small villages of Ban Xieng Maen and Ban Chan. Head for Wat Long Khoun or the Monastery of the Happy once a sanctuary for people looking for spiritual rejuvenation. Our next stop on our journey is at Pak Ou Caves, home to hundreds of Buddhas. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving back to the city. En route, learn about locally made rice wine called lao lao in Ban Xang Hai. Discover local artisans creations including jute paper with stops in Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek. Day 11: Luang Prabang – Hanoi, VietnamWake before dawn and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks. Fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. From Ancient Chinese to French Colonial, this diverse city blends many cultures. It is truly a place where the old meets the new. Day 12: HanoiBegin your day in Ba Dinh Square, home of the mausoleum built to honor Ho Chi Minh, a revered figure in Vietnam. Behind this impressive site and standing in stark contrast is Minh’s simple house on stilts. Admire the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Take in the well preserved traditional architecture at the Temple of Literature, Vietnams first university, founded in the early 11th century. Enjoy lunch at a nonprofit restaurant that empowers underprivileged children by training them with new skills. Then, set out on a cyclo tour of Hanoi that takes you through its old quarter. Catch a glimpse of ancient Hanoi and see traditional Vietnamese architecture including the long house. End the day with a traditional water puppet performance. Day 13: Hanoi – Ky Son – HanoiVenture to the countryside to Ky Son Village. Come to know life here as you embark on either a stroll or bike ride through the village. Learn about local culinary traditions during a cooking demonstration with a local chef before a lunch highlighting regional cuisine. Next, head to Duong Lam village. Along the way, meet villagers and see their unique historic homes and communal places of worship. Enjoy a visit to the Mia Pagoda. Stop at the humble Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung temples, built by the locals in the 8th and 10th centuries to honor their kings. Return to Hanoi for an evening at leisure. Day 14: Hanoi – Halong BayJourney to Halong Bay for your overnight cruise on a luxury junk boat. Travel through the rice paddy fields and stop in some of the villages. Marvel at the thousands of limestone islands that dot these waters. Enjoy a lunchtime seafood feast aboard followed by a swim in the crystal clear waters of the bay. Overnight among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea. Day 15: Halong Bay – Hanoi – HueWake as the fog lifts, revealing the morning light. Enjoy cruising through the emerald waters of Halong Bay back to the harbor. Then we return to Hanoi to board a flight to Hue, the Imperial capital city. Day 16: Hue – Hoi AnTravel to the shores of the Perfume River and embark on a cruise that reveals Hues Imperial past. First we make a stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest and most remarkable religious buildings in the country. Then its on to the sprawling Imperial Citadel that originally encompassed 148 buildings. After your cruise, continue through the countryside via the breathtaking Hai Van Pass on our way to Hoi An. En route, pause to see the quaint Lang Co fishing village. Arrive in Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Day 17: Hoi AnLearn about the local cuisine at todays cooking class. Begin with a visit to a local market to interact with vendors and learn about traditional ingredients. Learn how each of the vegetables and herbs are used to create everyday Vietnamese cuisine and enjoy lunch after your class. Then, visit one of Hoi Ans famous lantern workshops and try your hand at lantern making. These colorful handmade creations are a part of the culture of the city and symbolize luck, happiness and wealth to the residents. Set out on a walking tour of this well-preserved town. Feel like you have stepped into the past as you stroll by the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, the ancient merchant house, and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. Later, enjoy a peaceful boat trip along the Thu Bon River before time at leisure to explore the old town. Day 18: Hoi AnCatch a glimpse into the Champa Kingdom at the remarkable ruins of My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in a remote jungle valley. This once thriving epicenter of religion and politics dates back to the 4th century and has more than 20 well-preserved monuments to explore. Then its off to Tra Que Herb Village, a small farming community. En route, stop to see 17th-century Japanese tombs, the only ones of their kind outside of Japan. Arrive in town and observe the local farmers tending to their crops and sample some local delicacies. Relax as you soak your feet in an herbal bath before returning to Hoi An. Tonight, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Day 19: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh CityFly to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon. Tonight, toast to the end of a remarkable trip while savoring your farewell dinner. Day 20: Ho Chi Minh City – Tour EndsReturn home with a wealth of incredible memories. |
