Grand Tour of Indochina

23 days

Indicative cost incl. flights:

 

£4,615pp

3 star & low season

£6,350pp

5 star & high season

 

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Siem Reap
Phnom Penh
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Day 1
Depart from the UK, transferring through Bangkok.
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Day 2
Arrive in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand, where you are met and transferred to a riverside hotel in the Golden Triangle. Spend the remainder of the day recuperating after your long international flights.
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Day 3
Cross the border into Laos to board a leisurely 2-day cruise down the Mekong River, heading towards Luang Prabang. Overnight in an atmospheric lodge on the banks of the river in the small town of Pak Beng.
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Day 4
Continue south on the Mekong River and, after visiting the Pak Ou Caves, you eventually reach Luang Prabang at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong River. You are met at the riverside and transferred to your central hotel.
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Day 5
A full day at leisure to explore Luang Prabang at your own pace. We provide electric-powered bicycles, which are the perfect way to navigate the largely pedestrianised streets.
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Day 6
A second day in Luang Prabang. We could organise a tour of the surrounding countryside, including beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls.
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Day 7
A final morning in Luang Prabang – it's a difficult place to leave! In the afternoon its only a short flight to Vientiane and, having been taken to your central hotel, we would recommend dinner in a restaurant on the banks of the river.
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Day 8
City tour of Vientiane, fitting in as much as possible before your afternoon flight to Vietnam. First stop will be the Patuxai Monument, for orientating views over the city, and then it's the Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keow, Wat That Luang and finally the Golden Stupa. In the afternoon it's only a short flight from one capital to another - Hanoi.
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Day 9
A full day city tour of Hanoi, taking in Ho Chi Minh's former home and Mausoleum (if open), the War Remnants Museum, the Temple of Literature, and, if you have time, both the Fine Arts and the Women's History Museum. The chaotic and atmospheric Old Quarter, with its narrow streets and bustling markets, will invariably be where the tour ends.
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Day 10
A full day's excursion in to the remarkable countryside west of Hanoi. You head to the town of Mai Chau in a region which is home to several ethnic minority communities. You have lunch with a local family and have opportunity to walk to several of the surrounding villages.
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Day 11
Morning transfer to Halong, where you will board a traditional Vietnamese junk for an overnight cruise. Spend the afternoon cruising around Halong Bay's thousands of limestone islets and caves, with opportunity to swim, kayak and visit floating fishing villages.
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Day 12
Wake up early to witness sunrise over Halong Bay. The cruise continues for several hours after breakfast, returning to the mainland at midday. Transfer to Haiphong airport for your flight south to Central Vietnam. On arrival transfer to your beachside hotel near Hoi An.
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Day 13
You have the day free to explore the charming riverside town of Hoi An at your own pace. You may choose to spend the afternoon on the beach.
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Day 14
Either spend the whole day relaxing on the beach or, alternatively, head by jeep to My Son to visit Cham ruins which pre-date those at Angkor.
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Day 15
Head north on Highway 1 over the dramatic Hai Van Pass, arriving in the ancient capital of Hue in the afternoon. Evening at leisure, with several excellent restaurants to choose from.
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Day 16
A river trip on Perfume River first thing this morning to the remarkable ancient tomb of Minh Mang and the Thien Mu pagoda. Upon your return to the city in the afternoon visit the Citadel, an important relic from the imperial days. A second night to enjoy Hue.
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Day 17
Fly south from Central Vietnam to Saigon. On the transfer to your central hotel, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels en route - an amazing underground tunnel network once used by the Viet Cong. After lunch, take an orientating tour of Saigon - Rue Catinat, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, the Reunification Palace and the Museum of War Remnants. If you have time you may also like to visit Cholon (Chinatown), to visit the Thien Hau Pagoda and Binh Tay market.
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Day 18
Today you head deep on your cruise in to the Mekong Delta, spending time on small boats on one of the many backwaters that criss-cross the region, before spending the night near the main city, Can Tho.
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Day 19
An early rise to visit Cai Rang floating market, the largest of its kind in the Delta. You then head even deeper in to the Mekong Delta, eventually arriving at Chau Doc, close to the Cambodian border. Again, you spend considerable time on the water, the best way to experience life in this region.
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Day 20
Cross into Cambodia by speedboat, arriving into Phnom Penh for lunchtime. In the afternoon visit the Royal Palace and, for those with the inclination, learn about Cambodia's more recent tragic history through visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields.
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Day 21
A morning at leisure in the Cambodian capital, with time to visit the Russian market and in the afternoon take a very short flight to Siem Reap, close to the temples of Angkor. Dinner in one of Siem Reap's many fine restaurants.
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Day 22
A full day to explore the temples of Angkor. The exact itinerary will be discussed and adapted by your guide, having taken in to consideration your interest, the time of year, your stamina for temple visits and how congested the many sites are likely to be. You location for sunrise and sunset are key. You may choose to stay out all day, or break for several hours' lunch and siesta.
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Day 23
A second day exploring the many temples of Angkor or perhaps spending some time exploring Siem Reap town.
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Day 24
Fly from Siem Reap back to Bangkok and then connect for the lunchtime return flight direct to London, arriving back in the UK this evening.
Similar Holidays

Everything we do is tailor-made; our itineraries are just suggestions to give you an idea of what is possible. Please contact us so we can tailor the perfect holiday exclusively for you.

The best possible itinerary through Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos – heading in a clockwise rotation, without any of the major sights missed and all the iconic experiences included. There are too many highlights to list, suffice to say the itinerary includes the best that the region has to offer, including all 3 capitals (plus the largest city of all – Saigon), the temples of Angkor, laid-back Luang Prabang and Hoi An, the hill tribes of Mai Chau, overnighting on a traditional junk in Halong Bay and cruising through the Mekong Delta from Vietnam in to Cambodia. If time is no obstacle, then this is the ultimate itinerary.

1 night Chiang Rai – 2 day cruise from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang with 1 night in Pakbeng – 3 nights Luang Prabang – 1 night Vientiane – 3 nights Hanoi – overnight cruise around Halong Bay (2 days/1 night, full board) – 3 nights Hoi An – 2 nights Hue – 1 night Saigon – overnight cruise around Mekong Delta (2 days/1 night, full board) – 1 night Chau Doc – 1 night Phnom Penh – 3 nights Siem Reap

When to go:

Nov-Mar

Weather:

Average Temp. - 27C
Rainfall -19mm/month (dry season)
Water Temp. - 26C

Flight time:

14hrs from London

Testimonials:

“The Shinta Mani Resort was truly excellent.”

George, London


Where you'll go

What you'll do

Where you'll stay

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