Description
General Information
Tour Highlights
- Discover the South of Vietnam
- Cruise on Mekong Delta
- Experience an exhilarating trip to Angkor Wat
- Experience an off-beaten-path in Laos
- Discover the “Golden Pagoda” – Myanmar
Tour Details
Duration: 22 Days/ 21 Nights
Start/ End: Ho Chi Minh City / Yangon
Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi – My Tho – Can Tho – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh – Kratie – Stung Treng – Khong Island – Pakse – Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Yangon – Bagan – Mandalay – Yangon
Tour Type: Tailor-made tour
Tour Customizable: Definitely! Tell us your interest
Vehicle: private air-conditioned vehicle and licensed driver
Guide Service: private English-speaking guide
Tour Departure: No fixed departure. Anytime you wish!
Brief Itinerary
Vietnam
Day 01: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi
Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Can Tho
Day 05: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
Cambodia
Day 06: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
Day 07: Siem Reap City Tour
Day 08: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Day 09: Phnom Penh – Kratie
Day 10: Kratie – Stung Treng
Day 11: Stung Treng – Dongkralor – Khong Island
Day 12: Khong Island Excursion
Day 13: Khong Island – Wat Phou – Pakse
Laos
Day 14: Pakse – Vientiane
Day 15: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Day 16: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave
Myanmar
Day 17: Luang Prabang – Bangkok – Yangon
Day 18: Yangon Day Tour
Day 19: Yangon – Bagan
Day 20: Bagan – Mandalay
Day 21: Mandalay – Yangon
Day 22: Yangon Departure
Full Itinerary
Day 01: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting to warmly greet and escort you to the hotel. Check into the hotel and relax at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Breakfast and we start the city tour consisting of the History Museum which is a special exhibition of the 5thC “Oc Eo” civilization, the Museum of War Remnants which is very partial, but riveting, recollections of the “American War”: not for the squeamish, as well as the huge Ben Thanh market – one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, and the Jade Emperor Temple containing superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries and a lacquer workshop. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi
Today, transfer to Tay Ninh for a visit to the Cao Dai Holy See, and Cu Chi Tunnels which is an intricate network of underground passages and bunkers which became legendary during the 1960′s for their essential role during the war of liberation. Later, farewell dinner and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Can Tho
Breakfast and we travel to My Tho. Upon arrival, boat on a boat to enjoy a cruise on Mekong river to the Thoi Son island: rowing through small canals as well as walking along small village road to head to fruit gardens, elementary school, spirits distilling house, and see the daily life of villagers. On your visit, you’ll have a chance to enjoy some of the tropical fruits and traditional music shows. After lunch at a local restaurant on the island, you’ll continue to cruise to visit a coconut candy workshop. In the afternoon, you’ll drive further into Mekong Delta to Can Tho province. You’ll spend the night in Can Tho.
Day 05: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
Today, we cruise to Cai Rang floating market on the Mekong Delta and then, we lunch at a local restaurant. And in the afternoon, come back to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 06: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
Upon arrival, our representative in Cambodia will be waiting to welcome and escort you to the hotel. Check into the hotel and relax at leisure.
Later, head to Preah Khan temple. Built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulders-hanging corridors. However, unlike Ta Prohm, the Preah Khan temple is in a reasonable state of preservation as well as ongoing restoration efforts should maintain & even enhance this situation. The visit continues to Neak Pean, a fountain structured in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake and travel to the temple of Ta Som and Sunset at Pre Rup. Dinner at a local restaurant. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 07: Siem Reap City Tour
Today, visit the most renowned Angkor Wat. The temple covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing – China. The Angkor Wat’s distinctive 5 towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag as well as the 12th-century masterpiece which is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer architecture and art. Its 5 towers stand for Meru’s 5 peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch at a restaurant.
Head to the old-aged capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). Witness the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara). Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 08: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the pier to for local speedboat trip at 07:00 am to Phnom Penh. Arrival around noon time. At the end of the dry season, speed boat operation is limited because of the low water level. In this case, the journey to Phnom Penh is flight. Afternoon Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Situated within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures which are found inside consist of a solid gold Buddha encrusted as well as weighing 90 kg and a small 17th-century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Our journey will end with a visit to the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can get into vistas over the 3-lined avenues of the city during sunset. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 09: Phnom Penh – Kratie
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kratie via Kompong Cham. Lunch at a local restaurant. Arrival in Kratie and check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of this small provincial town with its excellent examples of sumptuous colonial architecture. This tiny town on the Mekong is truly an unexpected delight, with an unwinding, indolent ambiance. Further north stops at the best riverside vantage point from which to admire the rare freshwater Irrawady dolphins that can be best seen late afternoon. Then, transfer back to Kratie. Overnight in Kratie.
Day 10: Kratie – Stung Treng
Breakfast and transfer from Kratie to Stung Treng, a very laid-back town located on the banks of the Mekong. Journey along the Mekong River basin through the villages of Sambok, Sre Sbov, and Phumi Prek Preah. The Mekong River rising in Tibet flows 315 km through Cambodia before it continues on through Vietnam to the sea. Overnight in Stung Treng.
Day 11: Stung Treng – Dongkralor – Khong Island
Today, breakfast and then, travel to Laos by speed boat. Upon arrival, our representative will warmly wait to meet you in Khong Island which is part of Siphandone, Laotian for ’4000 islands’. During the dry season, thousands of shoals and small islands appear due to the descending water level, giving the impression of a vast area of islets. Overnight in Khong Island.
Day 12: Khong Island Excursion
Morning, cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone. Visit the surrounding islands of Done Ket and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Done Khone Island. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ban Khone. Then visit Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to Sumphamith Waterfall. In the dry season, the Irrawaddy Dolphins which is one of the rarest large mammal species in the world, congregate at the base of the rapids to hunt the fish surviving in the deep pools. Spend a relaxing hour admiring these extremely shy and endangered freshwater dolphins. Later, back to Khong Island. Overnight in Khong Island.
Day 13: Khong Island – Wat Phou – Pakse
Today, departure for Pakse. En route, you will head to Wat Phou which is the World Heritage Site. This Khmer temple was structured in the 5th century thus predating Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The walk to the upper part of the temple is steep, however, the vista over the surrounding countryside is rewarding indeed. Upon arrival in Pakse, check-in hotel. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 14: Pakse Vientiane
Today, we fly to Vientiane and take a break. Later, in the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to head to religious museums of Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 along with its cloister contains over 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo that is the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, however, today it converges a collection of Buddha statues, antiques as well as all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most essential monument in Laos, that was constructed to cover the original small stupa converging a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), structured quite recently in commemoration of those died during the wars in the past and it’s today as the land-mark of Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 15: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Today, we fly to Luang Prabang. We enjoy a tour discovering the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang, consisting of a visit to Wat Visoun, the site of the magnificent Thad Makmo stupa and Phou Si hill standing right in the center of the small city, where you can climb 350 steps upward to get into commanding vistas over the Mekong. Wat Phu Si which sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns. Then, we head to Wat Mai (1796) with its 5-tiered roof, and Wat Xieng Thong considered to characterize the uniqueness of Luang Prabang’s local style, its several roofs that sweep low to the ground. Also, we witness the impressive “tree of life” mosaic here. Later, we head to the National Museum that was once the king’s palace. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 16: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave
After breakfast, we take a cruise heading upstream on the Mekong River, offering a sweeping vista of the peaceful countryside. We will the village of Ban Muangkeo where we begin a short trek to reach the uncanny Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of manifold shapes and sizes. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. On the way, we also visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, and Ban Nong Xai, small villages well known for silk weavings and for Saa (jute) Papermaking. Return and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 17: Luang Prabang – Bangkok – Yangon
After breakfast, you’ll be free to do what you wish and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok where you will connect with your international flight to Yangon. Arriving at Yangon International airport, welcomed by a local guide and transfer to the hotel. Evening sightseeing of downtown Yangon and one wonder of the world, ‘Shwedagon’ pagoda. Dinner with traditional show at ‘Lonmalay’ restaurant.
Day 18: Yangon Day Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, morning tour; visit Botahtaung Pagoda, Nanthida jetty and watch the traffic on the Yangon River. Here luxury cruise liners come to berth at this jetty quite often. Travel to Yangon’s City center featuring Sule Pagoda and colonial buildings and National Museum. In the afternoon, head to Kaba Aye (World’s Peace) Pagoda, Maha Pasana Cave, and Lawka Chanthar Arbayar Laba Muni Buddha Image (Kyauktawgyi) and White Elephant camp. Overnight at the hotel in Yangon.
Day 19: Yangon – Bagan
This morning, fly to Bagan. Check into the hotel and then, head out for a sightseeing excursion around the Bagan Archaeological Zone World Heritage Area. We enjoy a tour discovering Bagan’s highlights consist of the Nyaung Oo market; Shwezigon Pagoda, Myanmar stupas, the prototype of later Kyansittha Umin, Wetkyi-in Gubyaukgyi Temple with an exquisite mural painting of 13th century as well as Htilominlo Temple.
Enjoy lunch and in the afternoon, we continue to Manuha Temple constructed by exile King Manuha, Ananda Temple which is an architectural masterpiece, and Oak-Kyaung monastery which is decorated with multi-colored mural paintings. Get into the breathtaking sunset scenery from one of the temples of Bagan. Overnight at the hotel in Bagan.
Day 20: Bagan – Mandalay
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nyaun U airport for flight to Mandalay. As you arrive at Mandalay airport, transfer to the old-aged capital of Amarapura which is the city of Immortality for a visit to Bagaya Monastery with a renowned collection of Buddha images, U-Bein teak bridge on the Taungthaman Lake as well as witness the lunch process of thousands of monks taking their last meal of the day at 10:00 am in total silence. Traverse to Mandalay and check-in at the hotel.
After relaxing, enjoy a tour exploring Mandalay consists of Mahanumi, a lifelike Buddha image. Mandalay is the last capital of Myanmar, so it makes it the best place to see all the traditional arts and crafts. Begin visiting gold leaf making the workshop and learn how the gold leaf is being traditionally made by hand. Then, head to the Old Palace grounds – Kuthodaw Pagoda which is popularly known as the world’s largest book for its 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Buddha’s Doctrine; Golden Palace Monastery, noted for its exquisite wood carvings and get into the panoramic vista of the city from Mandalay Hill. Overnight at the hotel in Mandalay.
Day 21: Mandalay – Yangon
After breakfast, drive to Jetty for a private boat crossing the river Ayeywarwaddy to go to Mingun. We visit the dedications of King Bodawpaya like the unfinished Pathodawgyi Pagoda a brick counterpart of pyramid in Egypt as well as the Mingun Bell which is the second-largest bell in the world. Then traversing to the Myatheindan Pagoda which is the best representation of the Universe. There, you will refresh your tiredness and fatigue. Back to Mandalay and proceed directly to Mandalay airport for a flight to Yangon. Overnight at the Yangon hotel.
Day 22: Yangon Departure
Time to say goodbye. Breakfast and morning at leisure until getting escorted to the airport for a flight coming home. The trip ends. Hope you enjoyed it and wish that we could serve you next time if you want to enjoy other Asia travel packages.
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