The Best of Indochina

Today depart the UK on the British Airways flight to Bangkok.

Arrive Bangkok and connect onto a flight to Siem Reap. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a three night stay. Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor – some of the most spectacular religious monuments ever built. Capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, Angkor was abandoned in 1431 and reclaimed by the thick Cambodian jungle only to be rediscovered 400 years later by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. After check in, why not opt to visit the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, Cambodia’s first nature conservation centre which aims to rescue, rehabilitate and breed threatened wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to see various endangered species, reptiles and a beekeeping project.

This morning visit Angkor Thom, the spacious walled capital of Jayavarman where highlights include the temple ruins of Bayon, Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and 12th century Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the epic Angkor Wat. Explore its extraordinary architecture and enjoy the beautiful Khmer architecture and reliefs which adorn this ancient monument. Departing Angkor Wat, travel to Pre Rup, a pyramidal temple surrounded by lush rice paddies. This lesser-known and quieter temple offers visitors a peaceful setting to catch the beautiful evening light and watch the sun set behind the impressive structure. That evening embark on Siem Reap’s ‘Dining for a Cause’ culinary tour where you can enjoy drinks and dinner at four social enterprise restaurants throughout city.

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Today visit the outlying Roluos group of temples which are located away from the main Angkor complex. Over 1,100 years old, the initial sanctuaries were built by Indravarman and his son Yashovarman, however, at a later date the site was to become one of Jayavarman’s capitals. The Roluos temples are considered the best preserved of the earliest monuments and are adorned with sculpted human figures and guardian spirits. After lunch, enjoy an authentic tour to Tonle Sap Lake where you have the opportunity to learn about local life. Discover the stilted houses on the lake, pass the boats and nets used by fisherman and meet locals who inhabit Tonle Sap’s floating villages.

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This morning transfer to Siam Reap Airport and fly to Luang Prabang for a three night stay in the town. Encircled by the mountains of northern Laos and resting on the banks of the Mekong River, the former Royal capital of Luang Prabang is an eclectic mix of historic temples and beautiful old French colonial mansions.

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With its historic temples and colonial architecture Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wonderfully atmospheric place to explore. With your guide start the morning with visits to the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, a temple known for its ornate carvings and mosaics, and That Makmo, known locally as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’. End the tour at the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre to learn about the various ethnic groups in Laos and to see the displays of colourful costumes and traditional tools. Have lunch at a local restaurant located inside a traditional Lao weaving centre before taking a private cruise along the Mekong River. As you sail to Pak Ou, witness local fishermen and riverside villages as you traverse this bustling waterway. On arrival to the Pak Ou Caves, go ashore to see the cavernous limestone structure that is filled with impressive Buddha images, making it one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Laos. As you drift back towards Luang Prabang, enjoy traditional Lao snacks and drinks as you watch the picturesque sunset.

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Today visit the picturesque falls at Kuang Si which are on a tributary of the Mekong. Crystal blue, there a numerous sheltered pools ideal for swimming and walking routes through the lush vegetation. It is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where spectacular views await. You will also have the chance to visit Free the Bears Fund Inc, a sanctuary that houses 23 Asiatic Black Bears who have been saved from poaching. Return to Luang Prabang and later this afternoon and travel to the foot of Mount Phousi, a 100-metre-high hill in the city’s old town. Ascend its 328 steps that take you to the top, where you are rewarded with magnificent views over the nearby mountain ranges, rivers and the city below, a view that is particularly unforgettable at sunset. After visit the colourful night market where several ethnic minorities gather to buy and sell their produce.

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For early risers there is a very special opportunity to watch the local monks collecting the alms at dawn. As the sun beings to rise, orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot through the street to collect offerings from the residents of Luang Prabang. This serene ceremony highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people and is an unmissable experience. Return to the hotel to spend some time at leisure before taking the afternoon flight to Hanoi in Vietnam. A handsome city of tree-lined boulevards, temples, lakes, parks and a frenetic, vibrant old colonial centre, Hanoi’s charm lies in the preservation of a distinct North Vietnamese culture and way of life.

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Today explore Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi with your guide. Begin your day at the former Presidential Palace where you will Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before continuing to his house. Other highlights in Hanoi include the One Pillar Pagoda, the wonderful Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and the island temple of Ngoc Son. End the day exploring the narrow lanes and historic buildings of the atmospheric old quarter, and sample on Hanoi’s speciality – pho noodle soup.

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Early this morning depart Hanoi and travel further inland to Ninh Binh which is frequently referred to as the ‘inland Ha Long Bay’. Begin at Tam Coc River where you will take a private sampan through this UNESCO-listed site. Admire the views of the gigantic limestone karsts jutting out from the emerald fields whilst cruising past the ‘three river caves’. After lunch journey to Hoa Lu for an in-depth exploration of the ruins of the first Vietnamese capital. See the ancient tombs of the Dinh and Le dynasties as well as the remains of the once-imposing citadel. Alternatively you may cycle through the rice fields amidst the limestone mountains to visit Bich Dong Pagoda and other cave temples.

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Early this morning travel by road and speed boat to Lan Ha Bay for an overnight cruise. Lan Ha Bay is a wonderful alternative to Ha Long Bay which now receives hundreds of boats a day, making it feel very crowded. Lan Ha Bay is a serene and tranquil alternative which is home to over 300 karst islands, sea caves and the untouched Cat Ba Island. That afternoon visit the sleepy town of Viet Hai on Cat Ba and take a cycle through the countryside and learn about the important part the island played during the Vietnamese War. Enjoy a sumptuous traditional dinner and drinks on deck that evening.

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Enjoy an early Tai Chi session on the terrace deck overlooking Lan Ha’s stunning surroundings before breakfast. That morning sail to Ben Beo to visit one of the area’s floating fishing villages that is home to 300 families. Unlike Ha Long Bay where most of the fishing villages have dispersed, Lan Ha is still home to a large number of authentic fishing communities. In the afternoon travel to a secluded island beach where you can kayak through the limestone karsts, take a swim or enjoy a guided meditation session.

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Return to Hanoi Airport by road and fly to the imperial city of Hue and continue to your hotel for a two night stay. With one foot planted firmly in the past, Hue represents the best of Vietnam and is a city of infinite charm and personality. Home to the powerful Nguyen dynasty, Hue sat at the centre of a vast Vietnamese empire and underwent a building programme designed to reflect its power. Despite the damage caused by the 1968 Tet Offensive, much of this magnificence remains and later travel by boat down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest religious structures in the city.

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Today you will explore the spectacular Imperial City of Hue with your guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is enclosed by ancient walls encompassing a vast complex of palaces, pavilions, gardens and temples. In the afternoon visit the Dong Ba Market then travel to the countryside outside of the city to explore some of the astonishing tombs of the ancient emperors of Vietnam. In Hue a visit to a local Garden House can also be arranged as can scenic cycle rides through the outlying rural villages to the beautiful Thanh Toan covered bridge.

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After breakfast leave Hue drive and south following Highway 1 as it winds its way up the Hai Van Pass – the historic border between the kingdoms of Vietnam and Champa. Soak up the fabulous views along the coast whilst you descend into Danang. Stop off and visit the Cham Museum which houses the largest collection of Cham art in the world and then continue to China Beach, close to Hoi An, where you will stay for three nights.

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Today explore the beautiful riverside town of Hoi An. Wander or cycle down the town’s winding cobbled streets and admire the colourful wooden houses, pretty pagodas and 18th century Japanese Covered Bridge. Around two-hundred years ago Hoi An was a bustling little port home to Chinese traders and a strong commercial link to Japan which, over time, influenced the town’s architecture, food and design. In the afternoon, visit local clothes merchants and craft shops or relax on China Beach.

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The majority of resorts provide a free shuttle service into the old town of Hoi An should you wish to return and discover more of the picturesque UNESCO town. Alternatively, a day trip to the ancient Cham city of My Son can also be arranged where you can explore the abandoned Hindu temples, visit a local fishing community or take part in a local cookery class.

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After breakfast return to Da Nang Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you will stay for the next three nights. Renamed at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the city is still known to many as Saigon. Growing from a small 15th century Khmer trading port, today Ho Chi Minh City is the modern face of Vietnam – a bustling dynamic metropolis of crumbling colonial buildings, chaotic streets, colourful markets and informal pavement cafes.

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This morning embark on a sightseeing trip of Ho Chi Minh City with your guide. Places of interest include the Warm Remnants Museum, which tastefully details the Vietnam War, the former Presidential Palace, the city’s colonial centre including Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office and colourful Chinatown with its historic pagodas and temples. In the afternoon take a walking tour through the busy side-streets ending at a small shop, formerly the secret weapon storage of the Viet Cong that was used during the Tet Offensive of 1968.

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Leaving the city, today drive south to the Mekong Delta and quiet Ben Tre – the heart of Vietnam’s coconut growing region. Travelling deserted country roads, stop and experience local village life, visit a small farmstead and travel by small sampan on the many side streams that criss-cross this riverine landscape. After lunch at a local farm, board a larger boat and, if time permits, visit one of the bank-side coconut factories that line the river before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

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Enjoy the morning and lunch at leisure before travelling to the airport for the flight back to the UK.

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