Day
1 Arrival in Hanoi
Arrival
in Hanoi Meeting & greeting at the airport upon your arrival and
transfer to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits
we will take an orientation tour around central Hanoi.
Day
2: Hanoi (B)
Today
we'll be on a full day tour to discover the most outstanding attractions
of Hanoi. First we pay a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho
Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the Single Pillar
Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding of the
two driving forces in Vietnam culture.
Afternoon
we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection
of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country.
Next we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, a
series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way
they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old
house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century.
Later we walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre
and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created
by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.
Day
3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
This
morning we journey east to Halong Bay, Vietnam's greatest natural
wonder. Board a beautiful traditional wooden junk and spend a full
day and night cruising the bay's 3000 magnificent limestone islets.
In
the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning
lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity
for an evening swim from the side of the boat.
Stay
overnight aboard. NOTE: Kayaks are available if specified at time
of booking.
Day
4: Halong - Hanoi - Saigon (B, L)
Wake
up to fresh coffee then further cruising and more sightseeing. En
route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations that invite
comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further!
Disembark
and return to Hanoi for a flight to Saigon, the largest city of
Vietnam. Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and transfer
to hotel.
Day
5: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon (B, L)
After
breakfast we travel west to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network
of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the
Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Now the tunnels
are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those
interested in Vietnam's military history.
Return
to Ho Chi Minh city and continue sightseeing the Former Presidential
Palace, the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central
Post Office, the Opera House, the City Hall, and Ben Thanh Market.
Day
6: Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho in Mekong Delta (B, L)
We leave
the hustle and bustle of Saigon behind and journey to Mekong Delta,
a world that lives and works on the waters.
Arriving
in My Tho, a prosperous town just 80 km from Saigon, we take a boat
to an insular village to visit family workshops producing handicrafts
and candy from coconut. Tasting seasonal tropical fruits in an exuberant
orchard, we ride a horse cart to a typical Delta house and enjoy
folk music by amateurs.
Proceed
by local sampan through the small canals and side arms of the river
to further experience river life. For lunch we'll sample regional
specialties such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc…
After
a pleasant break we travel to Can Tho where we take a spin around
Ninh Kieu Quay - bustling and exciting with river life on Hau River.
Day
7: Can Tho - Saigon - Siem Reap, Cambodia (B)
Early
morning, we take a boat to the extraordinary market of Cai Rang.
Famous as one of the largest markets on the complex of waterways
that comprise the Mekong Delta, hundreds of boats packed
with local produces gather and make for an exciting maze. Boats
come to us from all sides, offering fruits, vegetables, plants,
foods, etc… Sellers advertise their wares by hanging samples high
atop bamboo poles so that their customers can find from afar. It
is a great view of how commerce actually happens in the Mekong.
The
boat tour is capped off with an orchard visit. We then return to
Saigon to take a flight to Siem Reap. Meet up with our local guide
on arrival and drive to the hotel.
Day
8: Siem Reap (B, D)
Today
we start exploring the wonders left by a highly complex civilization
that controlled the greater part of Southeast Asia for four centuries.
Enter the Great City of Angkor Thom through the South Gate
and visit the temples of Baphoun and Phimeanakas, the Terraces of
Elephant and Leper King, and the mysterious smiling Bayon.
Take
a break then continue with the fascinating temples of Ta Prohm,
Banteay Kdei, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda, and the Royal
Bath of Sras Srang. Hike up Phnom Bakheng to behold the magnificent
sunset into the land of temples.
Enjoy
dinner with entertainment from Apsara dancers and a leisurely
walk in the merry tourist centre, taking in the Night Market.
Day
9: Siem Reap (B)
This
morning we'll be touring the epic Angkor Wat complex. Built
in the 12th century as the capital of King Suryavarman II's kingdom,
this is the largest and best-preserved of the Angkor temples. It
is the apogee of classical Khmer architecture and has become a symbol
of Cambodia, appearing on the national flag, and stands on par with
such other monumental achievements as Machu Picchu and the Great
Pyramid.
In
the afternoon we drive out of town to the rural village of Pour
Krom and walk through this lovely village to see local life. We
enjoy an ox cart ride through the village before transferring
to Chong Knies village to enjoy a boat trip on Tonle Sap great
lake to see the fascinating floating village communities. Back
in town, we tour Les Artisans d'Angkor, the rebirth of Khmer Arts.
Day
10: Departure (B)
Free
before transferring to the airport for the departure flight.
Small
Group tour starting every Saturday
Dates & Price (per
person)
Ref
|
Weekly
Departures- 4 Star hotels
|
Departure
Dates
|
Twin
share (£)
|
VDY
|
|
Weekly
|
£1520
|
VDY
|
Oct
2016 -April 2017
|
Weekly
|
£1590
|
Prices
are based upon a small group tour excluding international flights
from UK. As an agent for airline consolidators, we can obtain your
international flights at a competitive rate to suit your preferred
departure date. Contact
us to discuss your requirements.
Hotel
upgrade to 5-Star is available and private tailor-made tours can
also be arranged.
Buy
your flight tickets Now
and save £££s
on your holiday!
|
Price
Includes (The
prices shown are 'per person')
- All
flights within Vietnam including airport tax.
- All
airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
- Sightseeing
tours including entrance fee by professional English-speaking
tour guide.
- Selections
of superior/deluxe (choice of 3 or 4 star) hotels
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary.
- A
bottle of water provided on coach.
-
Air conditioned transportation
- Guaranteed
Departure
Price
Does Not Include
- International
Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
- Visa
letter of ariival fee (please contact us for
details).
- Visa
stamping fees at Airports
- Travel
Insurance.
- Tip
for driver and Guide.
Meals:
As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner
FAQ
and further Tour information
Please
see our FAQ
page for further essential tour information.
The itinerary
is designed according to the most updated information of the flight
available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are
visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to
local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary
highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day.
Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which
will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities.
We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although
we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please
refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.
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