Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
I N C L U S I O N S
Accommodations: Ha
Noi 2 nights, aboard
cruise in Ha Long Bay 1
night, Hoi An 2 nights,
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) 3 nights, Siem
Reap 2 nights, Luang
Prabang 3 nights
Meals: Continental
breakfast daily, lunch and
dinner as noted
Air-conditioned, private
coaching
English-speaking
assistants and guides
Admission tickets as
outlined in the itinerary
When selecting this
itinerary for your
group, please let us
know which flight
segments you would
like us to provide.
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam:
an Adventure through Indochina
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y | C A N B E C U S T O M I Z E D
1 4 D A Y S / 1 3 N I G H T S | G R O U P T R A V E L
This itinerary contains much of the same incredible sightseeing that your group can experience
on our 10-day itinerary to Vietnam and Cambodia, but if you can manage to tack on four
additional days to your travel dates, it is undoubtedly worth it. This 14-day itinerary includes
two nights at a beach resort on the amazing East Vietnam Sea, another fantastic Angkorian
sightseeing tour in Cambodia, and three nights in the extraordinary Laotian city of Luang
Prabang. All in all, if your group has always dreamt of visiting Indochina, this is the trip of a
lifetime.
DAY 1 • ARRIVAL TO HA
NOI (HANOI)
Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival to Noi Bai
International Airport, an assistant will meet
your group in the terminal’s arrivals hall
and accompany it to the hotel in Ha Noi by
private coach. As today is your arrival day
and many of your fellow group members
might still be adjusting to the time change,
we have not scheduled any touring.
Instead we suggest you venture out and
begin exploring Ha Noi. (Please note that
should your group arrive before the hotel’s
official check-in time; generally 2:00 pm;
you are more than welcome to store your
baggage with the hotel’s reception staff.)
Vietnam's capital is often described by its
visitors as an “old-fashioned” city. Old-
fashioned in style and appearance, Ha Noi
is a city made up of lakes, parks, trees,
villas, mansions and a neighborhood called
the Old French Quarter, where historic
houses are crammed into narrow alleyways
that still bear the names of their original
trades such as “Silk Street,” “Gold Street,”
and even “Fried Fish Street!”
Old-fashioned in ambience, Ha Noi has
preserved its sidewalk cafes, street barbers,
elegant colonial mansions; and wide, tree-
lined (and bicycle-filled!) boulevards. The
grandeur and solemnity of the Ho Chi Minh
Mausoleum memorial; the modest, wooden
house in which “Uncle Ho” lived out his final
years; the barely-concealed misery of the
Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton” where many
prisoners of war were incarcerated); and the
religious pride that constructed the
magnificent Temple of Literature; along with
many other integral aspects of Vietnamese
culture, can all be found here in Ha Noi.
DAY 2 • HA NOI
SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast in the hotel, a
local guide will meet your
group and take it on an exciting, full-day
sightseeing tour of Ha Noi’s top attractions,
beginning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh
complex. (Note: the mausoleum is only
open in the mornings and is closed all day on
Mondays and Fridays. It is also closed during
the months of October and November.) The
monumental tomb of Vietnam’s famed
revolutionary leader was constructed of
marble, granite and precious wood, and just
behind it you will see the tranquil, wooden
house and lotus pond where Ho Chi Minh
resided. Ho Chi Minh’s belongings are on
display, and visitors can walk up the steps of
his house to see his bedroom. Nearby you
will see one of Vietnam’s most famous
sights: the astonishingly-beautiful,
H I G H L I G H T S
Cooking class in Laos
Tour Angkor Wat,
Angkor Thom, Ha Long
Bay and Hoi An
Visit Cu Chi tunnels,
“Hanoi Hilton” and the
Reunification Palace
Lunch on a local farm in
the Mekong River delta
Travel through the
Cambodian jungle to
reach the 12th-century
temple of Beng Mealea
See Laos’ Kuang Si
Waterfalls and the
famous Pak Ou Buddha
Caves
11th-century Buddhist temple called the “One
Pillar Pagoda.”
While in the complex, you will also have time
to go inside the interesting Ho Chi Minh
Museum before continuing your sightseeing
tour of Ha Noi with a visit to the Hoa Lo
Museum (the former prison famously known
as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam
War), followed by a visit to Temple of
Literature (the Van Mieu Pagoda). This
exemplary example of traditional Vietnamese
architecture was constructed almost 1,000
years ago. The Confucian pagoda (or
“temple”) was home to Vietnam’s first
university, which was established in 1076 for
the city’s upper-class citizens. The temple,
which was dedicated to Confucius, consists
of five walled courtyards that lead to a
pavilion containing 82 ancient stones (of an
original 117) which record the names and
places of birth of students who passed the
grueling examinations from 1498 to 1787,
during the years of the Ly dynasty. The
stones or “stelae” sit on the backs of giant
turtles, a symbol of longevity; these emblems
along with the crane (another creature that
represents longevity) can also be found in
the main, red-lacquered temple nearby.
After the visit your group will have lunch in a
local restaurant. In the afternoon, your
sightseeing will continue as you explore Ha
Noi’s tree-lined avenues and French-colonial
architecture, including the recently restored
Opera House. Pass by Lake Hoan Kiem,
which is also known as the “Lake of the
Restored Sword,” before taking a walking
tour of the Ancient Quarter (the “36 Streets
District”). This historic, densely-populated
corner of the city was once a center of
commerce where goods were sold under the
street name of a particular guild. As an ever-
thriving community of vendors, you will still
encounter streets named “Sugar Street,” “Tin
Street” and “Paper Street.” Today this
vibrant area hosts a wonderful hodgepodge
of historic homes, market stalls, temples
and souvenir shops.
Early this evening several “cyclos” (also
called a “pedicab,” this is Vietnam’s most
traditional form of transport) will take you
and your fellow group members to the
theatre for a performance of traditional
Vietnamese water puppetry! In this art
form, the stage is actually a pool of water,
in which a hidden puppeteer must stand
(waist deep!) and skillfully maneuver
puppets that are attached to bamboo poles
on the surface. The skits are generally
short and portray scenes of everyday life
such as “returning from school after
graduation” or “raising ducks and chasing
foxes.”
At the end of the performance, enjoy the
remainder of your evening at leisure.
DAY 3 • HA NOI – HA
LONG BAY
After breakfast and check-
out, your group will board a
private coach and travel east to what surely
will be a highlight of your trip to Vietnam:
Ha Long Bay. The beauty of this UNESCO
World Heritage Site will take your breath
away, and tonight you will spend the night
aboard a traditional Vietnamese junk boat!
Ha Long Bay has been dubbed Vietnam's
“eighth wonder of the world,” and once
visited it is hard to dispute that claim.
Three thousand spectacular limestone
outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves
compete for space in an area that is,
without a doubt, the most outstanding
natural site in Vietnam.
Upon arrival to the city of Ha Long, your
group will board a traditional junk boat and
then enjoy a delicious, fresh seafood lunch
while cruising Ha Long Bay. During the
cruise you may visit a nearby fishing village
by rowboat, relax, and enjoy the solitude
and beauty of the bay. Dinner will be
served onboard, and tonight after the sun
sets, enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in one
of the world’s most beautiful locations.
DAY 4 • HA LONG BAY –
DA NANG – HOI AN
After waking up in the
paradisal Ha Long Bay, your
group will begin the day with a Tai Chi
session on the sundeck while
complimentary tea, coffee and light
breakfast items are served. You will then
explore the bay’s famed Surprise Cave
(Sung Sot) before returning to shore
(between 10:30-11:00 am) to board a
private coach and travel four hours to Noi
Bai Airport for your 1-hour flight to Da
Nang.
One of the most ancient cities in Vietnam,
Da Nang was an important center during
the reign of the Cham Dynasty, which was
established in the 2nd century. Da Nang
continues to draw visitors because of its
excellent Cham Museum and because of its
proximity to both Hoi An and the
extraordinary ruins of My Son. Unwelcome
visitors have made their mark here too; Da
Nang was the first landing point for
invading French troops and also for US
Marines during the Vietnam War. Today,
Da Nang is the fourth-largest city in
Vietnam and is a major port and center of
industry. Also nearby Da Nang is Non Nuoc
Beach, which is considered one of the most
spectacular beaches in Asia.
Upon arrival to Da Nang Airport, a local
guide will meet your group and accompany
it to the resort hotel in Hoi An for check-in.
DAY 5 • HOI AN
SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast in the resort,
your group will travel into
the very heart of rural Hoi An on a bicycle
tour for a special look at everyday life in a
Vietnamese village. Your group will see
small communities nestled amongst endless
rice fields. Places like Cam Thanh will reveal
the very backbone of Vietnam's rural
culture. The short bicycle ride through the
countryside will surely be one of the
highlights of your time in Vietnam; and it
will give you the opportunity to travel with
the locals’ preferred form of transportation:
the bicycle! And depending on the season,
you may see local farmers threshing and
harvesting.
After lunch your group will set out on a
walking tour of Hoi An, a remarkable town
that was once a bustling port city of trade
from the 15th to the 19th century. Hoi An’s
harbor eventually became too silted to be
desirable to traders, and later its rail lines
were heavily damaged, rendering the town
isolated, unscathed by war, and frozen in
time. Today Hoi An serves as an example of
an outstandingly-preserved, Southeast
Asian trading port of its era, which led to its
being declared an official UNESCO World
Heritage Site. While visiting Hoi An, your
group will see Japanese, Chinese, French
and Indian architecture right out of the
history books. You will also visit the unique
Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese
communal home before visiting one of Hoi
An’s numerous art galleries.
The rest of the afternoon and evening are at
leisure. Feel free to relax on the beach,
explore the city on your own, or indulge in a
bit of shopping.
DAY 6 • HOI AN – DA
NANG – HO CHI MINH
CITY
This morning is free to relax
on the beach, enjoy the facilities at your
resort, or to continue exploring the historic
town of Hoi An. Breakfast is included at the
resort. After checking out, your group will
drive by private coach to Da Nang Airport
to catch a flight to Saigon, or as it’s officially
called today, Ho Chi Minh City.
As one of the most evocative destinations
in Asia, Saigon is surely one of the world’s
most extraordinary cities. Of all of
Vietnam’s cities, Saigon has been most
influenced by Western culture. It has a
population of 8 million and a booming, free
-market economy. Saigon is a city of
amazing contrasts: elegant new
international hotels, exclusive restaurants
and trendy bars coexist amidst roadside
noodle stalls and traditional cyclo drivers.
Golf courses, bowling alleys and shopping
malls vie for space with fruit and vegetable
markets, temples and karaoke rooms.
Bustling, booming, crowded and noisy;
these words barely scratch the surface
when describing the infectious and often
mesmerizing chaos that is alive and well in
Saigon. That being said, while on vacation
in Saigon you will also discover elegant,
French-colonial boulevards, the peaceful
riverfront, and serene sidewalk cafes. So
while in Saigon, you’re likely to find the
best of both worlds!
Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat International
Airport, a private coach will meet your
group and transfer it to your hotel in
Saigon. After checking in, enjoy an evening
at leisure in Saigon.
DAY 7 • HO CHI MINH
CITY
After breakfast in the hotel,
your group will set on a
fascinating guided sightseeing tour of
Saigon by private coach, beginning with a
visit to the extensive Cu Chi underground
tunnels, which were originally constructed
as a defense against the French; and were
later expanded during the Vietnam War
(known as the “American War” in Vietnam).
It was from here that the North Vietnamese
waged their guerrilla warfare. You will be
amazed with the detailed construction of
the tunnels. See secret trapdoors,
underground kitchens, living areas and
meeting rooms. The adventurous members
of your group may explore deeper by
visiting the second and third levels of the
tunnels. And should you prefer to remain
above ground, no worries; many areas have
been excavated, which you can peer into
from above. Your guide will inform you of
the length and level of difficulty of each
tunnel before entering; some are easily
accessed by stairs. (Note: we recommend
good walking shoes and sunscreen for this
tour and warn you that you may get a little
dirty!)
After the visit your group will return to
Saigon for a late lunch before resuming the
sightseeing tour with a visit to the former
Presidential Palace, which is now called the
Reunification Palace. Having been
preserved as a museum, visitors today can
experience a history lesson like no other by
visiting the former headquarters of the
Saigon Government, whose interiors remain
virtually unchanged. The palace is the site
of the end of the Vietnam War when Saigon
fell to the North Vietnamese in 1975.
Your history lesson will continue as your
group travels to the History Museum
(closed every Monday), which houses an
excellent exhibition on the origins of the
indigenous Vietnamese. You will then see
the neo-Romanesque Cathedral of Notre
Dame, the Hôtel de Ville, and Dong Khoi
Street, which was formerly called “Rue
Catinat” when Vietnam was a French
colony. This street is the site of many of the
most beautiful buildings from the colonial
era. Continue with your guide to the nearby
Central Market (Ben Thanh Market) for
some time to wander the colorful stalls and
stands.
DAY 8 • MEKONG DELTA
(CÁI BÈ DISTRICT)
After breakfast in the hotel,
your group will board its
private coach and set out on another day of
incredible sightseeing in Vietnam. The 2 ½-
hour journey south will take you to the
Mekong River district of Cái Bè. Upon
arrival, your group will board a motorized
sampan boat for a winding introduction to
life on the Mekong River! Cái Bè is known
throughout Vietnam for its large floating
market, where vendors display fruit,
veggies and other goodies from bamboo
poles to entice potential customers. From
here the river journey will continue as you
explore the maze of streams and fruit
orchards. As you sail along, you will see
barges piled high with rice husks, which are
used as fuel for the regions’ numerous
brick kilns.
As part of today’s Mekong Delta adventure,
your group will have lunch in a local
farmer’s home before boarding another
sampan for a relaxing ride back to the pier.
Return to Sai Gon in the late afternoon and
enjoy your last evening in Vietnam at
leisure.
DAY 9 • HO CHI MINH
CITY – SIEM REAP
After breakfast and check-
out, your group will travel
by private coach to Tan Son Nhat
International Airport to catch a flight to
Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Upon arrival, prepare yourself for some
unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime
sightseeing! This afternoon your group will
journey back in time by visiting Angkor
Wat, the largest temple in the world;
whose volume of stone equals that of
Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza! Angkor is
one of the most significant archeological
sites in all of Southeast Asia. Dating back to
the 12th century, the structures that you
will visit in Angkor today are of immense
historical, cultural, religious and
architectural value, and for this reason they
form an official UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Additionally, they truly are the pride
of Cambodia. (In fact, Cambodia’s flag
today features a design of the temple of
Angkor Wat.)
Remarkably, since the late 13th century,
Angkor Wat has been continuously
occupied by Buddhist monks. Construction
began on the Hindu-turned-Buddhist
temple in the early 12th century during the
reign of King Suryavarman II, and many
archeologists believe that the king intended
it to be his burial site. Angkor Wat is world-
renowned for its intricate bas-reliefs with
the most celebrated one being the
“Churning of the Ocean of Milk.” Your
group will remain at Angkor Wat until
sunset, which makes for pretty spectacular
photography!
The tour will finish up back at your hotel.
DAY 10 • SIEM REAP
SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast in the hotel,
your group will drive
northeast to the temple of Beng Mealea,
which literally translates to “Lotus Pond.”
This 12th-century structure was built as a
Hindu temple during the reign of King
Suryavarman II in the early 12th century
(who also commissioned the building of
Angkor Wat). While Beng Mealea is known
for its intricate carvings and for the
innovative way its builders constructed its
hallways, the protagonist here is simply the
jungle. Reaching this temple, which is
hidden in a maze of jungle, requires a
bumpy, off-roading, epic adventure through
the scenic countryside and wild jungle!
After having lunch in a local restaurant,
your group will continue exploring the
world of the Khmer kings as you tour the
archeological site of Angkor Thom, the
magnificent, final capital of the Khmer
Empire. While inside the remarkable,
walled temple complex of Angkor Thom,
your group will see the Terrace of the
Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King
and the stunning Bayon, a 12th-century
architectural wonder of symmetry and
grandeur. This large temple, which lies at
the center of Angkor Thom, is known for its
bas-reliefs, but its most-striking features
are the massive stone faces (over 200) that
grace its towers. Your sightseeing tour of
Angkor will then continue with a visit to Ta
Prohm, an 800-year-old temple that has
been left largely in its natural state since its
“re-discovery” by French explorers.
Surrounded by jungle, over time Ta
Prohm’s maze of stone hallways has
become dramatically enveloped by the
roots and limbs of gigantic banyan trees.
The tour will finish up back at your hotel.
Enjoy an evening at leisure in Siem Reap.
DAY 11 • SIEM REAP –
LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, free time
and check-out, your group
will travel by private coach to Siem Reap
Airport to catch its flight to Luang Prabang,
a city of immense architectural, religious
and historical value located at the
confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong
rivers in Laos’ forested, mountainous north.
It is often said that Luang Prabang is the
best-preserved traditional city in Southeast
Asia, possessing a tranquil, old-world charm
rarely found elsewhere in Asia. This
fascinating pearl of Indochina was the
capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang (literally
“one million elephants”) until the mid-16th
century, and in the French Colonial era, the
city served as the provincial headquarters of
the north. As a result, Luang Prabang’s
wonderful architectural legacy contains a
magical blend of French architectural styles,
European street planning, and more than 30
gilded Buddhist temples.
Upon arrival to Luang Prabang International
Airport, a local guide will meet your group
in the terminal’s arrivals hall and
accompany it to your hotel in Luang
Prabang by private coach. This evening, a
local guide will lead your group on a walk
through Luang Prabang’s fantastic evening
market (presuming it is not raining) where
you will find an abundance of handicrafts on
display, much of which is produced and sold
by locals. Afterwards, enjoy the rest of the
evening to explore Luang Prabang on your
own.
DAY 12 • LUANG
PRABANG ~ LAOS
COOKING CLASS & CITY
HIGHLIGHTS
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will
head to Luang Prabang’s Tamarind
Restaurant for an authentic Lao cooking
class. (Please note that the class is not
private.) Your Lao culinary adventure will
begin with a visit to a local market for an
introduction to the sights, smells and
everyday occurrences related to eating in
Laos! Your group will then return to the
restaurant for the cooking lesson and
today’s group lunch will consist of your
culinary creations.
After lunch your group will set out on a
guided sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang.
Due to its historic temples and colonial-era
architecture, the entire town was made an
official UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1995. The tour will begin with a visit to
Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace Museum
(Haw Kham). Inside you will discover an
impressive collection of personal
possessions of the former Laotian Royal
Family including photographs, musical
instruments and numerous gifts received
from the dignitaries of foreign countries. A
stone’s throw from the Royal Palace lies
another architectural gem in Luang
Prabang: Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-
tiered roof of this lavishly-decorated
Buddhist temple epitomizes the graceful
architectural style found in Luang Prabang.
Your sightseeing will continue with a visit to
Wat Visoun, which is famed for its
impressive lotus stupa. It is the oldest
temple still in use in Luang Prabang. Your
last visit will be to Wat Xieng Thong, the
crowning jewel of all monasteries and
temples in Luang Prabang. The temple’s
numerous ornate structures contain truly
exquisite mosaics and gold-stenciled
murals.
The tour will finish up at the hotel, and the
remainder of the day is at leisure.
DAY 13 • LUANG
PRABANG ~ LIVING
LAND FARM & KUANG SI
WATERFALLS
This morning if you wish, you and your
group members may choose to get an early
start to the day by witnessing one of the
most memorable sights in Luang Prabang:
Tak Bat, a traditional ceremony of
almsgiving. At dawn, hundreds of Buddhist
monks move silently through the streets to
collect offerings of food. Should you wish to
attend, your guide will explain the
background behind this ritual, which is still
very much a part of everyday life in Laos,
and you will have the chance to make
“merit.” Afterwards, return to your hotel to
have breakfast before setting out on
another exciting day of sightseeing in Laos.
Today’s tour will begin with a relaxing boat
ride down the mighty Mekong River,
passing traditional villages along the way
that produce Lao rice wine, to visit the
famous Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These
sacred caves dramatically lie at the
confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou
rivers, and locals have used this special site
as a shrine for Buddha statues (there are
thousands) since the 16th century, when
King Setthathirath discovered the caves and
declared them a holy spot.
After exploring the caves, your group will
travel by coach to the legendary Kuang Si
waterfall. The journey (approximately 90
minutes) will take your group through
beautiful countryside dotted with rice
paddies and quaint villages. Upon arrival to
Kuang Si, you will have time to explore and
(if water levels permit) to enjoy a refreshing
dip in the beautiful waterfall, which
cascades over many calcified tiers, down
several hundred feet into a series of cool,
turquoise pools.
Once you return to your hotel in Luang
Prabang, enjoy your last evening in Laos.
DAY 14 • LUANG
PRABANG – DEPARTURE
After breakfast and check-
out, your group will travel by
private coach to Luang Prabang Airport for
its return flight to the USA or Canada.
Why Should You
Book Your Vacation
with Go-today?
Ease of Use
Experience
Flexibility
Peace of Mind
Destination Expertise
Contact us!
800-290-6685