Grand Indochina

A memorable journey discovering the highlights of this fascinating region . . . enchanting towns, bustling cities, historic temples, ancient monuments and spectacular scenery.

A fast paced yet intensely rewarding tour with the added benefit of a UK tour manager accompanying you from start to finish.

Tour overview
•   Discover UNESCO World Heritage town Luang Prabang
•   Visit Vientiane's markets and temples
•   In Hanoi see Ho Chi Minh's former residence
•   Explore mysterious Halong Bay and its caves
•   Stay in former royal capital Hue
•   Experience Hoi An's mix of architecture and cultures
•   See the sights of Ho Chi Minh City
•   Enjoy a day trip along the Mekong Delta
•   Tour Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh
•   Discover the cultural hub of Siem Reap
•   See awe-inspiring Angkor Wat
•   Choose to extend your trip on one of Thailand's beaches

Guide

UK ESCORTED TOUR

This tour is escorted from Heathrow and back to the UK on the flights specified. If you choose to travel on alternative flights, you will be met on arrival in Luang Prabang and meet your tour manager at the start of the tour.
Also included is:
•   A local guide in each destination
•   All tips for drivers, guides and tour manager
•   Porterage of 1 suitcase per person
•   Transport by coach or minibus and any internal flights
•   Sightseeing as indicated and all entrance fees
•   Return flights by scheduled airline

NB

•   Extensions are not escorted but assistance will be provided locally in each destination.

MEAL PLAN
Rather than offer three meals per day, every day, our itineraries are designed to include meals only where necessary or where they add to your overall experience. Where meals are not included, there will be a wide local choice of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Prices include breakfast throughout
•   Lunch on Days 3-11, 12 and 14-16
•   Dinner on Days 2, 4-6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 16
•   Full breakfast in Phuket and Hua Hin

ACCOMMODATION
•   4 star accommodation as described. 

GROUP SIZE
•   Maximum 25 passengers.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
•   This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers, please call for further details.

GRATUITIES

•   Tips are often the main source of income for those working in the travel industry.
•   All tips for drivers, guides and your tour manager and porterage of 1 suitcase are included.
•   Additional tipping is at your discretion.

TRAVEL TIPS
• Bring comfortable footwear and light, durable clothing. During the visit to the Royal Palace and Angkor Wat shoulders and legs must be covered. Long sleeve shirts and tousers/skirts are required. Asian Trails will assist guests who are wearing clothing that does not conform to the dress code.
• Visitors must also observe the rules for photography and filming , as well as rules of conduct in the temples.


NB
•   Vietnam celebrates New Year’s Day (Tet) on Jan23 when domestic travel increases dramatically and transport availability is limited. Many markets, shops and restaurants close although hotels remain open.
•   Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday and throughout October and November.
•   Children under the age of 16 are not permitted on this tour, unless travelling on a private journey.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO LUANG PRABANG
Fly Thai Airways from Heathrow overnight to Bangkok and Bangkok Airways to Luang Prabang. Arrive the following day and transfer to the Grand Luang Prabang Hotel or similar. Dating back to the 1300s, this pretty town sits central between the mighty Mekong and Khan rivers. Rest upon arrival. Later, climb Phousy Hill and absorb the panoramic views as the sun sets over the Laotian landscape from atop the World Heritage Site of Mount Phousi. Enjoy a welcome dinner.

DAY 3 - LUANG PRABANG TO VIENTIANE
Your day begins at the beautiful 16th Century temple of Vat Xieng Thong, still an active part of the Buddhist community. A visit to the former King's Palace, now a National Museum, precedes a cruise on a traditional boat upstream to the Pak Ou Caves, home to hundreds of Buddha statues brought by devoted villagers. En route gain a glimpse of local life at the village of Thin Hong. Following lunch return to Luang Prabang and stop by Ban Xiang Khong, a village renowned for its handmade paper artefacts and Ban Xieng Lek, a silk weaving village. Evening at leisure.

DAY 4 - LUANG PRABANG TO VIENTIANE
Arise early to witness the morning ritual of ‘Tagbat’, the daily collection by monks of alms through the town. Drive to the Kuangsi Falls, visiting the H’mong village of Ban Na Oune en route. Take a short walk through the forest to the multi-tiered waterfalls with the option to swim in crystal-clear pools. Return to Luang Prabang for lunch at L‘Elephant before your Lao Airways flight to Vientiane and one night at the Salana Boutique Hotel in a Superior room.

DAY 5 - VIENTIANE TO HANOI
Explore the Laos capital with visits to the colourful market of Thong Khan Kham and temples including Wat Sisaket, Vientiane's oldest surviving temple and That Luang Stupa, the most revered shrine in Laos. Take a trip to Talat Sao Market with its rich array of produce and handicrafts and the monument of Patouxay. Depart early evening for Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines to its northern capital Hanoi. Spend three nights at the Mercure La Gare hotel in a Standard room.

DAY 6 - HANOI
Morning visit to Ho Chi Minh's former residence, the One Pillared Pagoda, a marble mausoleum housing his embalmed remains (closed October to November) and the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s oldest university. Enjoy a ‘cyclo’ tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. In the evening relax with a cocktail during your introductory talk on Vietnamese history by a local historian. Dinner at the Wild Rice restaurant followed by a traditional water puppet show.

DAY 7 - HANOI (HALONG BAY DAY TRIP)
Depart early morning for Halong Bay. On arrival, board a traditional wooden junk for a delicious seafood lunch and set sail to explore this mysterious bay and its caves. Return to Hanoi for overnight.

DAY 8 - HANOI TO HUÉ
Fly with Vietnam Airlines to Hué, the former royal capital. Following lunch continue to the Imperial Citadel and Khai Dinh Tombs with an afternoon visit to the Dong Ba Market. Enjoy a traditional evening meal at a local restaurant and stay overnight at the Gerbera Hotel Hué in a Standard room.

DAY 9 - HUÉ TO HOI AN
Journey this morning down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda. Pretty red tiled villages and fruit orchards lie en route to Danang in the afternoon. Visit the Cham Museum, Marble Mountain and China Beach before continuing on to the Life Resort or similar in the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An for two nights.

DAY 10 - HOI AN
Experience the eclectic mix of architecture and cultures in Hoi An including the Phuc Kien Hall, the Japanese Bridge and a traditional workshop. Afternoon at leisure in this quaint town, perhaps relax on the golden sand beach, visit a local tailor or take an optional tour to the temples of My Son, the UNESCO listed former capital of the Champa Kingdom.

DAY 11 - HOI AN TO HO CHI MINH CITY
Transfer to Danang for your Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival freshen up at the Duxton hotel in a Deluxe room, then visit the War Museum and the Reunification Hall, stopping en route at the Notre Dam Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

DAY 12 - HO CHI MINH CITY (MEKONG DELTA BOAT TRIP)
This morning drive to My Tho for a boat ride along the Mekong Delta and a visit to a local village. Afternoon return to Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 13 - HO CHI MINH CITY TO PHNOM PENH
Morning at leisure. Alternatively, take an optional tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing underground city dug out during the Vietnam War. Afternoon transfer for your Vietnam Airlines flight to Cambodia and upon arrival in Phnom Penh, rest at the Sunway hotel or similar in a Deluxe room (see our website for details).

DAY 14 - PHNOM PENH TO SIEM REAP
A tour of Cambodia’s capital includes the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom. Fly early evening with Bangkok Airways to the cultural centre of Siem Reap and stay at the Tara Angkor Resort & Spa in a Deluxe room. Enjoy a traditional Apsara Show with dinner.

DAY 15 - SIEM REAP
This morning visit the new Angkor National Museum before departing Siem Reap for your discovery of this ancient site. Over the next two days explore the most renowned temples and sights including Ta Phrom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the subdued faces of the Bayon and the Elephant and Leper King Terraces and the more isolated Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples. Your exploration ends at awe-inspiring Angkor Wat where an atmospheric sunset is enjoyed, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 17 - SIEM REAP TO LONDON
A day at leisure before departing Cambodia in the evening for Bangkok (overnight stays available) on Thai Airways, connecting with your Thai Airways flight to Heathrow arriving the following day. Alternatively arrange to extend your stay via Bangkok on one of Thailand's many beautiful beaches, or fly direct to Phuket.

EXTENSION

HUA HIN/PHUKET
Relax at the end of your tour on one of Thailand’s beautiful beaches.
DAY 17 - CAMBODIA TO BANGKOK OR PHUKET
Transfer to the airport for your morning Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival transfer by road (approx 2½ hours) to Evason Hua Hin in an Evason room for three or more nights. Alternatively, fly direct from Siem Reap to Phuket with Thai Airways and transfer to Cape Panwa in a Superior room for three or more nights.

DAY 20 - HUA HIN/PHUKET TO BANGKOK TO UK
Return to Bangkok by road from Hua Hin or via a Thai Airways flight from Phuket for your evening Thai Airways flight to Heathrow, arriving later the following morning.