DAY 01 ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE [-/-/D]
Buddha garden, Laos
Arrive Vientiane airport and transfer to your hotel for check in. Lunch on own account Afternoon visit Vientiane, the capital of Laos: Visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, built in 1818 And Ho Phra Keo former royal temple. Continue your visit at That Luang Stupa, 45m. High and the most revered shrine in Laos. On the way back stop at Patouxay (The Victory Gate). If time permit enjoy free time at Talat Sao, the central market to buy some Lao textiles and basketry as souvenirs. Take a walk along the Mekong River at sunset. Dinner and accommodation at Don Chan Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 02 VIENTIANE [B/L/D]
Patuxai arch at night in Vientiane, Laos
Breakfast at hotel Transfer to the airport for departure flight Depart Vientiane by QV 109 for Luang Prabang (See separate price) arrive Luang Prabang and transfer to hotel for check in Lunch at local restaurant After lunch visit Vat Visoune and Tat Makmo, the watermelon shape stupa and stop at Vat Aham, visit Ok Pok Tok (nice weaving work shop) Dinner and accommodation at Villa Santi Resort/Hotel or similar.
DAY03LUANG PRABANG–WATCH TAGBAT–PAK OU –LUANG PRABANG-B/L/D]
Phatadlaung Temple in Vientiane, Laos
Breakfast at hotel Watch Tagbat, the monks’ rounds, early in the morning. It is a ritual that is truly part of Lao people’s life and offers a memorable experience and great snapshots. Your guide will explain how to follow the strict customs and rules involved and visit the fresh local market. Proceed to Vat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temples of Luang Prabang dating back from 16th century. Transfer to the local pier of Luang Prabang on a traditional boat and cruise upstream on the Mekong River to visit the sacred Buddha caves. On the way stop at a picturesque village and discover the secrets of Lao rice wine distillery at Ban Xang Hai. Visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves housing hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at Souan Pak Ou restaurant near the caves On the way back by boat visit Ban Xiang Khong, the hand made paper village, Upon arrive to Luang Prabang climb up the Phousi Hill for overlooking the city and surroundings. Drop in the old city for a walk or shopping at Hmong market. Dinner at local restaurant Accommodation at Villa Santi Resort/Hotel or similar
DAY 04 LUANG PRABANG – HANOI [B/L/D]
Wat Ho Phra Keo, Laos
Breakfast at hotel Visit of the Royal Palace Museum (Tuesday closed) housing the most important treasures of Laos’ recent past. Lunch at local restaurant Transfer to the airport for check in for departure flight.Depart from Luang Prabang airport for flight to Hanoi (See separate price) Meet on arrival at Hanoi/Noi Bai International airport, transfer to Mercure Hanoi La gare Hotel or similar for check in Dinner and accommodation at Mercure Hanoi La gare Hotel or similar Important notice : Clients arriving in Hanoi from Laos or any other destination on an afternoon flight on Wednesday will miss Hanoi city tour on the first day. Asian Trails can not guarantee to be able to organize any of these activities during the rest of the trip and therefore will not be responsible for client’s dissatisfaction for this matter.
DAY 5 HANOI –HALONG [B/L/D]
Floating Market, Halong bay
Breakfast at hotel Drive to visit Temple of Literature and then proceed to Halong for 2 days/1 Night Cruise.
1130 : Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.
1215 : Transfer by tender to the Indochina Sails Junk SIC or similar – enjoy Welcome Drink. Receive cruise briefing and check in to cabins and begin cruise.
13:00 : Lunch - deluxe Vietnamese and International Set Menu. Massage service is available beginning after lunch and throughout the cruise.
1430 : Arrive at Titop Island. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach and climbing the steps to the top of the mountain on the island for fantastic views and photo opportunities. Water and towels supplied. We will spend about 45 minutes on the island.
1515 : Transfer back to the boat and sail for approximately 45 minutes to our second destination - the Bat Cave area.
1615 : Arrive at the Bat Cave area. There are two programs to choose from at this time. One option is a 40 minute kayaking program to the nearby Bat Cave and lagoon and surrounding waters. Kayaking is $10. per person unless already booked as part of your package. Water is supplied. The second option is to visit the largest floating fishing village in Halong Bay. We will travel to the village on the tender and tour the village for approximately 20 minutes.
1830 : Arrive at Luon Bo area - anchor for overnight.
1900 : Dinner - deluxe Vietnamese & Western Buffet or Set Menu Dinner.
2030 : Evening activities include: film entertainment in the dining room at approximately 9:15, board games and playing cards are available, join squid fishing from the boat with our crew, massage services are available. Also at this time we offer, when possible - depending on weather conditions, an excursion to a nearby squid fishing boat. We travel by tender and you will be able to board the squid boat and see how the local fishermen catch squid and other fish, the excursion lasts about 45 minutes.
2100 – 2300 : Happy Hour! Buy one drink - get one free (wine excluded).
2300 : End of program for Day One
(Times of activities may vary slightly. Itinerary and program subject to change when necessary)
DAY 06 HALONG BAY – HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN [B/L/D]
0645 : Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room.
0700 : Arrive at the Surprise Cave area; there is a small fishing village here. Relax on board. You may join Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck at 7:00, duration about 30 minutes.
0800 : Transfer by tender to the Surprise Cave. Walk up the 100 steps to the entrance of the cave and tour on foot for approximately 45 minutes.
0900 : Upon return to the boat take time to freshen up and please check-out of cabins. Please leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins (staff will transfer tothe pier). Depart for Bai Chay/Halong pier.
0930 : Enjoy Breakfast Set Menu or Buffet served in the dining room. Settle bills inthe dining room after breakfast.
1000 : Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room and enjoy the bay scenery as we approach the pier.
1045 : Arrive at Bai Chay/Halong pier.
1100 : Transfer by tender to the pier; relax inside the pier building while waiting for return transportation.
(Times of activities may vary slightly. Itinerary and Program subject to change when necessary Drive back to Hanoi.
Proceed to Hanoi’s International Airport for the flight to Danang. (Please check hop Asia for separate price) Arrive in Danang, meet our guide and transfer to Hoi An. Dinner and accommodation at Hoi An Beach Resort or similar Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Halong Bay after check-out from the boat. There is neither time nor an adequate restaurant facility on the way to Hanoi Airport. Please note that there will no other meals be served until dinner at hotel in Hoi An in the late evening.
DAY 07 HOI AN [B/L/-]
Breakfast at hotel
Discover the historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Visit the Phuc Kien hall, Japanese covered bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop. Lunch at local restaurant Afternoon: Time at leisure Dinner on own account
Accommodation at Hoi An Beach Resort or similar
Discover the historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Visit the Phuc Kien hall, Japanese covered bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop. Lunch at local restaurant Afternoon: Time at leisure Dinner on own account
Accommodation at Hoi An Beach Resort or similar
DAY 08 HOI AN - DANANG - HUE [B/L/D]
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Danang: Visit carving village at Marble Mountain; Cham Museum Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Hue via Hai Van pass: Visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market Dinner and accommodation at Gerbera Hotel or similar.
Drive to Danang: Visit carving village at Marble Mountain; Cham Museum Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Hue via Hai Van pass: Visit Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market Dinner and accommodation at Gerbera Hotel or similar.
DAY 09 HUE - HO CHI MINH [B/L/D]
Breakfast at hotel
Boat trip on perfume River; visit Thien Mu pagoda then Tu Duc Tomb Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit Khai Dinh Tomb and the incense making village Transfer to Phubai airport for evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (See separate price) Arrive Ho Chi Minh City; meet our guide and then transfer to hotel for check in Dinner and accommodation at Equatorial Hotel or similar. When water level in Perfume River is too high the boat trip will be replaced by a Cyclo tour in the city.
Boat trip on perfume River; visit Thien Mu pagoda then Tu Duc Tomb Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit Khai Dinh Tomb and the incense making village Transfer to Phubai airport for evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. (See separate price) Arrive Ho Chi Minh City; meet our guide and then transfer to hotel for check in Dinner and accommodation at Equatorial Hotel or similar. When water level in Perfume River is too high the boat trip will be replaced by a Cyclo tour in the city.
DAY 10 HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI – HO CHI MINH [B/L/-]
Breakfast at hotel
Morning: Drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of the underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War and then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon: Visit War Remnants Museum, former Presidential Palace and quick photo stops at Notre Dame Church, and Central Post Office. Dinner on own account
Accommodation at Equatorial Hotel or similar
Morning: Drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of the underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War and then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City Lunch at local restaurant
Afternoon: Visit War Remnants Museum, former Presidential Palace and quick photo stops at Notre Dame Church, and Central Post Office. Dinner on own account
Accommodation at Equatorial Hotel or similar
DAY 11 HO CHI MINH CITY - DEPARTURE [B/-/-]
Breakfast at hotel
Time at leisure for own activities before transfer to the airport
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for departure flight to the another destination
END OF SERVICES
Time at leisure for own activities before transfer to the airport
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for departure flight to the another destination
END OF SERVICES
SUPERIOR CATEGORY:
Vientiane
: Don Chan Palace Hotel, Classic room or similar
Luang Prabang : Villa Santi Resort or Hotel, Deluxe room or similar
Hanoi
: Mercure Hanoi La gare Hotel, standard room or similar
Halong
: Indochina Sails Junk, superior cabin or similar
Hoi An
: Hoi An Beach Resort, deluxe garden view room or similar
Hue
: Gerbera Hotel, standard room or similar
Ho Chi Minh
: Equatorial Hotel, deluxe room or similar
DELUXE CATEGORY:
Vientiane
: Settha Palace Hotel, Deluxe room or similar
Luang Prabang : La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Garden view room or similar
Hanoi
: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel, superior room or similar
Halong
: Indochina Sails Junk, superior cabin or similar
Hoi An
: Victoria Resort, superior room or similar
Hue
: La Residence Hotel, superior room or similar
Ho Chi Minh: Caravelle Hotel, deluxe room or similar
Vientiane
: Don Chan Palace Hotel, Classic room or similar
Luang Prabang : Villa Santi Resort or Hotel, Deluxe room or similar
Hanoi
: Mercure Hanoi La gare Hotel, standard room or similar
Halong
: Indochina Sails Junk, superior cabin or similar
Hoi An
: Hoi An Beach Resort, deluxe garden view room or similar
Hue
: Gerbera Hotel, standard room or similar
Ho Chi Minh
: Equatorial Hotel, deluxe room or similar
DELUXE CATEGORY:
Vientiane
: Settha Palace Hotel, Deluxe room or similar
Luang Prabang : La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Garden view room or similar
Hanoi
: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel, superior room or similar
Halong
: Indochina Sails Junk, superior cabin or similar
Hoi An
: Victoria Resort, superior room or similar
Hue
: La Residence Hotel, superior room or similar
Ho Chi Minh: Caravelle Hotel, deluxe room or similar
