The Golden Triangle, as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are called, is one of the most intriguing destinations in the world, with a culture based on ancient and gentle Buddhist influences. Now that stability and peace has come to the region, all the treasures of Indochina are available to the rest of the world. Ancient pagodas, temple complexes and palaces are scattered throughout the land, along with pristine rainforest and wilderness, beaches and remote locations, which offer the traveler some of the best treks in Asia. Come and share with us the splendor that is our region.
Domestic/regional flight & tailor make itinerary: A Class Travel can organize our flights in and out Vietnam from/to the neighbor countries. We also offer any additional accommodation and tailor made itinerary.
Dinner
Airport arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free time to explore the city or rest after our long flight.
Breakfast + lunch
This morning, we explore Vientiane, the capital of Laos. We visit the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the afternoon we discover Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. Shooping in the Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale: fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. Transfer to the airport for late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang.
Breakfast + lunch
The day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the Ban Khia Luang school. We then head north by car along route 13, before taking an unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. Here we’ll visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. We also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where we can see weaving and visit the local temple. After lunch, the drive to Ban Khoklin takes us through beautiful mountains scenery and paddy fields. We then board a private boat, and travel down the Nam Ou River for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Continuing on, we cruise down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang.
Breakfast + lunch
Today we cross the Mekong River by boat, to the picturesque pottery village of Ban Chan. We visit the Phousi Market, where we will see produce such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today we will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. We continue to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where we can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon.
Breakfast + dinner
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi, where we meet and transfer to hotel for tour briefing. Take a leisurely cyclo tour and then it’s the famous Vietnamese Water Puppet Show.
Breakfast + lunch
This day tour is our first introduction to the history that is Vietnam. We spend the morning visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex comprising his Mausoleum and the impressive house on stilts that was his residence, and view the One Pillar Pagoda. We learn more about the historical and cultural events at the peaceful Temple of Literature, known as the Vietnam’s first university since the 11th century. In the afternoon, we visit the Ethnologic museum and followed by a one-hour cyclo tour through the bustling Old Quarter. A walk through its exciting streets is fascinating as we witness different lifestyles and bargain for goods.
Breakfast + lunch + dinner
This morning we depart for Ha Long Bay. We board a wooden junk and cruise past astonishing limestone islands that rise vertically from an emerald sea, enjoying a sumptuous seafood. Later we stop to explore one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. Witness a splendid sunset. Dinner and overnight on boat.
Breakfast + lunch
We continue exploring magnificent Ha Long Bay and some of its many caves before leaving the junk and travelling back to Hanoi. On the way we stop at Bac Ninh Province, where we take some minutes to travel by horse drawn carriage or ox cart to Do temple. This temple was built during the Le Dynasty and has been altered several times since. The major reconstruction took place under the reign of Le Trung Hung in the 17th century. Enjoy the traditional Quan Ho Folk song show. Transfer to the airport for flight to Da Nang. Continue to Hoi An.
Breakfast + lunch
Nestled a couple of kilometers inland on Thu Bon river, Hoi An has many superb examples of 16th century Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architecture. A full day city tour is a chance to see the Japanese Bridge, Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the ancient house Tran Phu and the Hoi An museum. In the afternoon we walk in the old town, soaking up the atmosphere and the local culture, shopping with tailor-made clothing, lanterns, shoes and food, or simply relaxing on the beach.
Day 10 Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue
Breakfast + lunch
This morning we visit Vietnam’s finest Cham Museum and the Marble Mountain. Crossing to Hai Van Pass to Hue, we see the Forbidden Citadel and cruise on the Perfume River to the Old Thien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day is free for we to explore the crowded market of Dong Ba where we can bargain for anything from souvenirs and bronze goods, to Hue sesame sweetmeat and conical poem hats.
Breakfast + lunch
This morning we continue to discover Hue by visiting the impressive tombs of King Minh Mang and Tu Duc. Transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.
Breakfast + lunch
Today we have the opportunity to visit the controversial War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post office and Ben Thanh Market. In the afternoon we visit the former Viet Cong guerrilla base of the Cu Chi tunnels. Here we will gain an insight of the sacrifices and hardships of the Vietnamese people during the French and American Wars. Return to Sai Gon.
Breakfast + lunch
After journeying south to My Tho town, the gateway to the Mekong Delta, we take a motor boat on Tien Giang River to visit Thoi Son Island, where we stroll through cottage industries and enjoy fresh tropical fruit, orchard gardens and a way of life that is truly unique to the Mekong. Then back Ho Chi Minh City for some free time and leisure at the hotel.
Breakfast + dinner
Free time until we are transferred to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Meet and transfer to our hotel.
Breakfast + lunch
The temple complex of Angkor Wat, one on the Seven Wonders of the World, covers 81 hectares. It is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. In the afternoon, we visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, the South Gate, with huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean. We see the Bayon Temple with its 54 towers decorated, with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then continue to view wonderful sunset from Phnom Bakheng Hills.
Breakfast + lunch
This morning, we visit the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei Ta Keo, constructed between the late 10th and early 11th centuries, and Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. We visit this masterpiece and nearby temples including, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevada. Upon leaving this area we see various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup. Transfer to the airport for flight to Phnom Penh.
Breakfast + lunch
A full day of exploration takes us to Silver Pagoda, the Toul Sleng Museum and the impressive Khmer National Museum. Pol Pot’s reign of terror may shock and disturb you, so be prepared. Free time in town for shopping at the Russian Market or New Central Market.
Breakfast
On the final day, it’s time to relax until transferring to the airport for departure flight, taking in all you’ve seen on our Grand Indochina Tour.