Luang Prabang Holidays
Sample Itinerary - REF SOUTHEAST ASIA 68
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Day 1: Saigon
Welcome to Saigon! You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Saigon is a bustling, dynamic and industrious urban center. It is the largest city in Vietnam, the economic capital and the cultural trendsetter whilst within the teeming metropolis are the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture. This evening join your tour guide for a welcome dinner. Overnight - Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel (Park room).
Day 2: Saigon
After breakfast, travel beyond Saigon and spend the day boating the waterways of the lush Mekong Delta region. Arriving in Cai Be district visit a local orchard and the Cai Be floating market.Leaving Cai Be visit to some cottage industry workshops making coconut candy, crispy rice cakes, rice paper and more. Continue on along village pathways to visit a local house for lunch where you will be served local delicacies such as Elephant’s-Ear fish. After lunch, take the time to explore the village as local's go about their daily lives. Returning to Saigon vist the Vinh Long markets en-route. ernight - Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel (Park room).
Day 3: Saigon - Hue
This morning discover the Saigon, taking in the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and Chinatown. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to take a short flight to the imperial city of Hue. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy some free time.
Day 4: Hue
Today take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River and stop off at the Thien Mu Pagoda on the banks of the river to see the 7-storey Stupa, the pagoda is also home to the old Austin car driven to Saigon by the Venerable Thich Quang Duc. Continuing, visit the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841), built between 1841 and 1843. Later visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy some free time at Dong Ba Market before transferring back to your hotel.
Day 5: Hue - Hoi An
Today visit the mausoleums of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. On the way to Danang, stopping for a refreshment at Lang Co beach en-route, one of the World’s most beautiful bays. In Danang visit the Cham Museum before continuing to the World Cultural Heritage Site of Hoi An before checking in to your hotel. This evening enjoy some free time exploring the narrow lanes of the town, lined with century-old buildings and illuminated at night by hundreds of colourful lanterns.
Day 6: Hoi An - Hanoi
In the morning take a half-day excursion to My Son Sanctuary, a religious site dating back to the Kingdom of Champa, and also a burial place of Cham royals and Vietnamese national heroes. After lunch at a local restaurant the afternoon is free to explore Hoi An Ancient town. Why not join our optional cooking class and learn the secrets to Vietnamese cooking, alternatively head to nearby Cua Dai beach or observe local life on a sunset cruise on the peaceful Thu Bon River.
Day 7: Hanoi
In the morning transfer to Danang airport for the short flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Rich in culture and history, this diverse city draws on its influences from both French and Chinese culture. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest in Hanoi and located beside the dazzling West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. Afterwards, take a short drive to Van Giang Village to attend a cooking demonstration given by a local family. Afterwards join the Vietnamese family in their home for a delicious lunch. Overnight - Sofitel Legend Metropole - Premium room.
Day 8: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi in the morning for the scenic drive through the countryside to Ha Long Bay. On arrival board one of the traditional vessels for an overnight cruise through the 3,000 limestone islands, many punctuated by caves and grottoes. Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as your junk boat heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets. Opt to take a row boat to visit the Vung Vieng fishing village or enjoy a range of fantastic recreation or relaxation activities onboard.
Day 9: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Rise early to take part in some morning exercise and witness the spectacular sunrise before weighing anchor. Today's cruising takes you through the Bay passing the beauty spots of Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves and Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet. Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot) before a buffet brunch is served onboard. Later we cruise leisurely back to Halong harbor where upon disembarkation transfer back to Hanoi where a visit to the Temple Of Literature, dating back to 1070 and the first university in Vietnam. This evening is free to explore Hanoi further.
Day 10: Hanoi - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang, perhaps the best preserved traditional city in all of Southeast Asia. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the late afternoon visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, picturesque Wat Mai, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground. To top it all off climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded Stupa. In the evening walk through Luang Prabang to visit the lively night market in the streets. Overnight - La Residence Phouvao (Garden View Junior Suite).
Day 11: Luang Prabang
Today take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered statues of the Buddha in various postures and sizes. En-route stop off at the village of Ban Xanghai, renowned for producing local rice wine. On return, stop to visit Ban Chan before travelling overland to the local villages at Ban Xiengmene to visit the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, once belonging to the royal, and nearby Sackarine Caves. If time permits this afternoon a visit will be made to visit the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong. Overnight - La Residence Phouvao (Garden View Junior Suite).
Day 12: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the short flight to Siem Reap. After being met on arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple to be met by the marvellous wonders of the eerie Bayon, Phimean Akas, the terrace of Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King. Enjoy the sunset view over Phnom Bakheng
Day 13: Siem Reap
In the morning visit famous Angkor Wat, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. The largest and best preserved of the Angkor temples, it is also the most well known world wide and a source of pride for the Khmer people, Angkor Wat has appeared on the Cambodian flag for almost 150 years. After lunch, visit Preah Khan Temple, built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. Then take a half hour journey to Banteay Srey, one of the most unusual of the Angkor temples, constructed from elaborately carved red sandstone.
Day 14: Siem Reap
After breakfast, continue the journey of discovery through the wonders of Angkor. This afternoon set out for a cruise on the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake, passing a floating village and witnessing the daily life of the locals. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with an Apsara performance.
