Best of Indochina
23 Nights / 25 DaysFrom £5665 per person based on shared accommodation.This tour is designed to discover the hidden Indochina visiting some lesser-known areas in the region. Explore South East Asian countries rich in culture, history and beauty: exotic Temple complexes, breathtaking vistas, amazing food and welcoming people. Start off in vibrant Bangkok before travelling to hidden Laos, a little-explored country with scenic hill tribe villages nestled amidst breathtaking mountains. Next stop - Cambodia: home to one of the world’s wonders – the incomparable Angkor Wat Temple. This archaeological site is truly breathtaking - a ‘must-see’ for all travellers. Last, but not least, visit Vietnam, renowned for its spectacular scenery: white sandy beaches, towering mountains, dense jungle and the stunning islands of Halong Bay. London • Bangkok • Luang Prabang • Champasak • Don Khong • Banlung • Kratie • Phnom Penh • Sihanoukville • Siem Reap • Angkor Wat • Ho Chi Minh City • Halong Bay • Hanoi • Bankok • London
Day 1. To Bangkok Morning depart from London Heathrow on direct Thai Airways flight to Bangkok. Day 2. Bangkok Arrive Bangkok and transfer by to the hotel. Three nights Royal Orchid Sheraton. Day 3. Excursion to Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha After breakfast visit the Grand Palace: nowadays only used for ceremonial purposes and no longer a Royal residence. Also see the Emerald Buddha in the Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram: Thailand's most important and sacred Temple. Day 4. Full day excursion to Floating Market and Bridge over the River Kwai Full day excursion to the vibrant Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak and then, on a more sombre note, visit the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai. Lunch at the Floating Restaurant. Day 5. To Luang Prabang (Laos) After breakfast drive to Bangkok Airport to board flight to Luang Prabang. Met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. Two nights La Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel. Day 6. Morning sightseeing tour. Morning city sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest Temple in Luang Prabang, dating to 1513, with its wonderful collection of antique wooden Buddha’s. Wander the nearby Wat Aham before continuing to Wat Xieng Thong, the crown jewel of all the Monasteries and Temples in the city; featuring ornate buildings with exquisite mosaic and gold-stencilled murals. Day 7. To Pakse After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Pakse. Met on arrival, drive to Champasak then, by boat, to the hotel. One night La Folie Lodge. Day 8. To Khong Island (Don Khong) After an early breakfast, depart for Khong Island, crossing the Mekong River by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated Temples. Later continue by motorboat to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong River region, known as ‘the 4000 islands’. It’s one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Two nights Senesothxuen Hotel. Day 9. Khong Island (Don Khong) Day at leisure. Day 10. To Ban Lung via Rhone Phapheng waterfall. Morning transfer to jetty for a boat ride to Ban Nakasung. Then drive to the Lao/Cambodia border visiting Rhone Phapheng waterfall en route. Three nights Terres Rouge Bungalow. Day 11. Afternoon sightseeing – Yeak Loam Lake Morning at leisure. Afternoon sightseeing - visit Yeak Loam Lake, a crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption some 4000 years ago. Time to walk around the lake before visiting the small museum highlighting local farming and fishing. Also see the beautiful Katieng waterfall. Day 12 Morning excursion of a Jarai village Morning excursion to a Jarai village: the Jarai people are a minority group who hold Animistic beliefs, and are renowned for their musical instruments including bronze gongs and bamboo ‘flutes’. Morning visit Ban Lung market before driving to Kratie. Overnight Le Relais de Chhlong. Day 14. To Phnom Penh – Boat cruise to see Irawaddy dolphins. Morning excursion by boat to see the endangered Irawaddy Dolphins. Later drive to Phnom Penh. Overnight Intercontinental Hotel. Day 15. To Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh city tour After breakfast explore the fascinating city with its French overtones and once called ‘The Pearl of Asia’ with its graceful tree-lined boulevards and delightful riverfront promenades. Visits will include the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda. Afternoon drive to Sihanoukville. Three nights Sokha Beach Hotel. Day 16 & 17. Sihanoukville – At leisure. Two days at leisure. Simply relax in the beautifully landscaped gardens, walk the private white sandy beach, swim in the glorious pool or pamper the inner being in the Spa. Day 18. To Siem Reap via Phnom Penh Morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Phnom Penh for flight to Siem Reap. Met on arrival and transferred to hotel. Three nights Hotel De La Paix. Day 19. Full day guided Angkor Wat tour
Day 20. Morning excursion to Phnom Kulen Morning excursion to Phnom Kulen historically revered by all Cambodians as a most sacred place of pilgrimage. It was the site, (then known as Mount Mahendraparvata) that Jayavarman II chose, in 802, to proclaim himself a Divine Universal Ruler. This proclamation heralded the beginning of the Angkor period of Khmer history. Late morning transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Met on arrival and transferred to hotel. Late afternoon city tour driving along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, Municipal Theatre and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Tour the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace) and War Remnants Museum. Finally drive to Cholon, the Chinatown district of the city. Visit the huge Binh Tay Wholesale market, with its multitude of stores selling everything under the sun, before, visiting the ornate Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Overnight Majestic Saigon Hotel. Day 22. Excursion to Cai Be floating Market. Boat trip on the Mekong River to the fascinating Cai Be floating market. Return late evening to Ho Chi Minh City for flight to Hanoi. Met on arrival and transferred to the hotel. Overnight Metropole Sofitel. Day 23. To Halong Bay An early start this morning journeying to Hon Gai, the gateway to Halong Bay. The bay plays an important part in Vietnamese legend and never fails to capture the imagination of visitors. With over 3000 islands Halong Bay is one of Vietnam’s greatest natural wonders. Explore its caves and swim in one of the many secluded bays. Overnight on the colonial style Paddle Steamer Emeraude. Day 24. To Hanoi - City tour. Late morning disembark the cruise and return back to Hanoi. Afternoon sightseeing in Hanoi visiting the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, including the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature then visit the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison. In the evening see a unique display of water puppetry. Overnight Metropole Sofitel. Day 25. To London via Bangkok Morning at leisure. Early evening transfer to the airport to board Thai Airways flight to Bangkok and London. * Extensions can be arranged for beach breaks in Thailand & Vietnam. Please ask for details.If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
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The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor Temples, Angkor, impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout: as well as the amazing artistry of its carvings. 