Grand of Indochina

Activities: Visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market.

Upon your arrival, your local driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. The rooms are at your disposal from 14.00. After freshening up, set off on your city tour. In this tour, you will visit some most highlighted sites of this charming city including:

The Reunification Palace - a historical relic of an era that ended only 40 years ago. It is known as the famous historical witness which passed through the two fierce wars against the French and American colonists. The palace was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City.

The War Remnants Museum: Operated by the government, the museum was opened in September 1975 as "The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government”, focusing on exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War.

Notre Dame Cathedral - a cathedral located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters. At the time it was built, Notre Dame was the most beautiful cathedral of this kind amongst all French colonies.

Saigon Central Post Office - one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. The Central Post Office was built around 1886 – 1891 based on Villedieu, a famous French architect.

Ben Thanh Market- the largest market in Ho Chi Minh City. One of Saigon’s oldest landmarks, Ben Thanh offers a great atmosphere that is absolutely authentically Vietnamese. Spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Activities: Travel to the Mekong River Delta, drive to Cai Be, visit a candy factory and orchard garden, take a boat to visit some islands, take a bike to explore the countryside, and transfer to Can Tho.

In the early morning, after breakfast, leave Saigon for the Mekong River Delta. Take a drive to Cai Be- a river-land mixed town in Vietnam. It is a rural district of Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. En route, make a stop at a candy factory and orchard garden to soak in the tranquil ambiance as well as traditional music of the South of Vietnam.

After lunch at a riverside restaurant, take a motorboat to cross the Mekong river, visit enchanting islands and discover the countryside with a stunning bike ride. Afterward, you will be taken to Can Tho city for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Activities: Visit Cai Rang floating market, the famous orchards in the Mekong Delta, explore the countryside, return to Can Tho, drive to Chau Doc, take a boat to tour the Mekong River, and see stilt houses and a fish farm.

Try to wake up early for a visit to the famous Cai Rang floating market- one of the three biggest in the Mekong Delta. During the early morning market hours, larger-sized boat anchor and create lanes that smaller boats weave in and out of.

The waterway becomes a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, and even smuggled goods like cigarettes. After taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market, continue your boat trip to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards where you get a chance to savor some fresh, exotic fruits.

Venturing deeper into the countryside, you can see many traditional houses and the daily activities of the locals. Return to Can Tho for lunch followed by a drive back to Chau Doc- a city in An Giang Province, bordering Cambodia, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. It is famous for its variety of fish sauces (nước mắm) and mainly "Mắm Tai", a kind of anchovy. The town is a busy trading center due to its border position with Cambodia.

After checking into the hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the Mekong River on a private boat. Make some stops to see the stilt houses of a Cham village and a local fish farm to learn more about the rich culture of the region.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc.

Activities: Take a speedboat to Phnom Penh, check in at the hotel, and visit the Russian Market.

In the morning, embark on a speedboat to Phnom Penh - the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Upon your arrival at the deck in Phnom Penh, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Phnom Penh is the vibrant bustling capital of Cambodia.

Situated at the confluence of three rivers, the mighty Mekong, the Bassac, and the great Tonle Sap, it was once considered the 'Gem' of Indochina. The capital city still maintains considerable charm with plenty to see. It exudes a sort of provincial charm and tranquillity with French colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.

Take your time to enjoy lunch on your own at a downtown restaurant. Then, make a visit to the Russian Market where you could encounter the bustling atmosphere of the locals buying and selling their goods.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Activities: Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek, and take a bike ride to visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace.

All day is donated to explore this vibrant city. Get to learn more about the historical period of time of this city. The first visit is to the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes- a museum in Phnom Penh. In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and turned into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21).

This soon became the largest center of detention and torture in the country. Between 1975 and 1978 more than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. S-21 has been turned into the Tuol Sleng Museum, which serves as a testament to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge.

Today the building houses exhibits, paintings, and photographs of many of the victims. Continue onto Cheung Ek- the best-known of the sites known as The Killing Fields. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial, marked by a Buddhist stupa.

After lunch on your own at a downtown restaurant, take a leisurely bike ride down Sihanouk Boulevard to visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace which remains a collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments… and the Royal Palace- one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements.

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Activities: Fly to Siem Reap, check-in at the hotel, and watch the sunset at Phnom Krohm Mountain.

After breakfast, take a flight to Siem Reap- the most prosperous region of contemporary Cambodia. It has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in the city center. In the late afternoon, take a drive to the magnificent Angkor Archeological Complex for beautiful sunset from Phnom Krohm Mountain.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Activities: Take a tuk-tuk to visit Ta Prohm, visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King, and watch Khmer dance.

Today, spend all day exploring the mysterious Angkor temples. In the early morning, take a tuk-tuk to visit Ta Prohm- located southwest of the East Mebon and east of Angkor Thom. Ta Prohm is among the largest of the monuments in the Angkor complex. The complex included 260 statues of gods, 39 towers with pinnacles, and 566 groups of residences.

The trees growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm. Continue to visit Angkor Wat- a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. Built in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the best preserved - an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief, and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Proceed to Angkor Thom - undeniably an expression of the highest genius. It is, in three dimensions and on a scale worthy of an entire nation representing ideas that only great painters would dare to portray. Make a visit to the famous temple of Bayon. Dating from the 12th century, Bayon Temple is the spectacular central temple of the ancient city of Angkor Thom.

Continue onto the Terrace of Elephants stretching over 300 meters through the core of Angkor Thom. It is an impressive, two-and-a-half-meter tall, 300-meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and garudas spanning the front of Baphuon. Take a few walks to the terrace of the Leper King-a double terrace wall at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants.  Wrap your day with a delightful performance of Khmer dance in the local restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Activities: Join a cooking class, check out the hotel in Siem Reap, fly to Luang Prabang, visit Wat Xiengthong, Royal Palace Museum, Wat Visoun, and Wat Mai, watch the sunset at Phousi Mountain, and explore Night Market.

This morning, you get a great chance to learn more about authentic Khmer cuisine through an interesting cooking class. Your experience starts with a walk along the village. You will be introduced to Cambodian vegetables, herbs, and other ingredients. Afterward, head back to the classroom to express your cooking talent.

Enjoy your achievement before returning to the hotel for check out and be ready for a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon your arrival, you will be taken to the hotel for check-in. After a short break, set off your short city tour with some highlights including:

Wat Xiengthong or Temple of the Royal City - is one of the most important Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty, and traditional art.

Royal Palace or National Museum- which remains a collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, and musical instruments.

Vat Visoun - the oldest and one of the most beautiful temples of Luang Prabang.

Vat May - is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.

In the early evening, climb Mount Phousi to get a splendid view of the city and surroundings at sunset. On the way back to your hotel, you will encounter a local market that exposes a variety of souvenirs such as souvenirs.

Accommodations: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Activities: Visit Wat Sene, and Wat Xiengthong, take a boat to Pak Ou Caves, visit Ban Xanghai Village, explore mysterious caverns, and fly to Hanoi.

On this day, you have some time to discover some of the oldest temples of the city including Wat Sene -one of the most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang, singular by its restored painting of a deep ochre color, flamboyant and glittering with gold. Another impressive one is Wat Xiengthong- one of the most important Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty, and traditional art.

Afterward, embark on a boat for a stunning cruise along the Mekong river to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves which you will reach in the afternoon. Pak Ou Caves are the “mouth” of the “Ou” River, a famous cave with hundreds of statuettes of Buddha. Overlooking the river shows a splendid view of the Mekong.

En route, make a stop at the Ban Xanghai Village to learn about the interesting making process of its famous rice wine.

In the late afternoon, take a flight to Hanoi.

Accommodations: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: Transfer to Halong Bay, board a ship for a cruise around Dinh Huong and Ga Choi, visit one of three caves Thien Cung, Dau Go, or Sung Sot, and stop at an island to dip in the waters.

This morning, set off your amazing journey to another charming land - Halong Bay. One of the great natural wonders of Asia, Halong Bay is the single most popular trip from Hanoi. The beauty of the bay and its 3000 islands is so awesome that an excursion there should be considered an essential part of any visit to Northern Vietnam.

After a 3.5-4 hour drive, you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular and memorable sightseeing of your trip. The boat trip will take you far from shore, and simply meander among the islands and inlets. When exploring the bay, you will have a feeling of relaxation in a peaceful atmosphere.

And more interestingly, the limestone islands bearing strange shapes, and numerous caves with numerous magnificent stalactites will make you lost in the maze of fairyland. Visiting this enchanting land, you will not only be fascinated by stunning views over the Bay but also be astounded by the fresh seafood served on an excellent menu.

In the afternoon, your cruise will stroll around some beautiful islands such as Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. En route, you have a chance to delve into one of the largest caves of Halong (Thien Cung, Dau Go, or Sung Sot). Make a stop at an island for a dip in the waters of the East Sea.

Accommodation: Cruise on Halong Bay

Activities: Join in Tai Chi class, watch the sunrise, explore nearby islands, navigate back to Halong City, and transfer to Hanoi.

Try to wake up early this morning to enjoy the most beautiful moment on the Bay. Halong Bay is beautiful in every moment, especially at sunrise – the Bay is truly a masterpiece of nature. Nothing can portray the magical beauty as the first rays of morning sunshine down on the crystal-clear sea surface.

Take in the fresh moment at the very first sunrays with a Tai Chi class on the top deck. Taking rhythmic exercises or just allowing yourself lazy to sprawl on the couch and watch the sunrise is enough to make a great start to the new day. The boat continues to cruise quietly through the spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay.

Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Then, turn back to the junk for breakfast and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay while traveling back to Halong City. After lunch on board, you will be transferred back to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda; the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature; West Lake, the sedate Tran Quoc pagoda, fly to Yangon, and check in hotel.

Today set off your full-day exploration of the charming capital. Hanoi is always a must-see destination for every tourist who is interested in the rich culture of Vietnam. This city tour offers the most highlighted sites for you to discover. Your first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum - where the famous President’s body is stored and stilt house).

Walking a few steps, you will pass by the Presidential Palace, right next to the mausoleum. It has a special typical French structure and architecture. Don’t miss out on the impressive One Pillar Pagoda - an ancient one built in 1049 under the Ly Dynasty. Leaving the solemn ambiance of the complex, navigate to the Old Quarter - which remains the rich culture of the city.

Make your way to the Temple of Literature-the famous first university in Vietnam. You will recognize that this is a popular place for Vietnamese students to take commemorative photographs when graduating. This ancient monument is dated back to the 11th century and continues mesmerizing visitors alike in its connection with the past and the architecture's continued beauty.

Its structure combines the Le and Nguyen Dynasty styles. Moving to West Lake, you have a chance to visit the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda - the oldest one among others in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, take a flight to Yangon-the former capital city of Myanmar. Upon your arrival, you will be taken to the city center to check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

Activities: Fly to Bagan, visit Nyang U Market, Shwezigon pagoda, Ananda temple, and other temples, and visit a local lacquer wear workshop.

After your breakfast at the hotel, take a flight in the early morning to Bagan - the World Heritage Site. The thousands of temples that are spread across the plains of Bagan combine to form one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and provide views quite unlike anywhere else on earth.

Start your journey with a visit to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan - where you can get a glimpse of the locals’ lives. Continue onto the impressive Shwezigon pagoda. The golden Shwezigon Paya in Bagan is one of the most significant religious buildings in Myanmar, for it served as a prototype for later stupas built throughout the country and marked an important development in the relationship between traditional Burmese religion and Theravada Buddhism.

The next destination on your trip is another famous temple- Ananda. Ananda temple is considered to be one of the most surviving masterpieces of Mon architecture. On the way, make a stop to visit some other surrounding temples.

In the afternoon, get to learn more about the local culture with a visit to the lacquerware workshop. Here, you will have a chance to learn more about the traditional techniques of craftsmen and admire unique and beautiful products.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Activities: Take a horse cart to visit Nan Paya pagoda, other nearby sites, Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, MyaZedi pagoda, Manuha Temple, and watch the sunset at Shwesandaw pagoda.

After breakfast, take a delightful horse cart to visit Nan Paya pagoda - one of the biggest temples in Bagan. This attractive pagoda is a combination of sandstone and brick, particularly noteworthy are the elegant perforated stone windows. The temple contains four-faced Brahma carved on the four primary stone pillars in the central sanctuary.

Continue onto Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple - noted for the paintings, which cover the walls of the vestibule, the corridor, and the sanctum. Next to the Gubyaukgyi stands the gilded Myazedi. The Myazedi pagoda is a gilded stupa sitting on a number of square receding tiers, located in Myinkaba village South of old Bagan. Make your way to Manuha Temple.

Located at Myinkaba village, Manuha Temple is a rectangular base construction with two white-washed stories built by the Mon King Manuha himself in 1059. Conclude your day with a stunning sunset at the Shwesandaw pagoda- one of the most impressive pagodas in Bagan.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Activities: Drive to Mt Popa, join the pilgrims, admire statues, reach the top for beautiful views, and take a short cruise for sunset.

This morning, leave the temple field for a drive to Mt Popa. Mount Popa is an extinct volcano on the slopes of which can be found the sacred Popa Taungkalat monastery, perched dramatically atop a huge rocky outcrop. While reaching the mountain, join the pilgrims and take in the quaint statues.

Upon reaching the mountain top, you will find a 360-degree panorama and a labyrinth of shrines to explore. Afterward, drive back to Bagan and take a short cruise for a stunning sunset over the Irrawaddy River.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Activities: Fly to Mandalay, travel to Sagaing Hill, visit Budda cave, Uminthonze pagoda, and Sunooponnyashin pagoda, take a drive to Amarapura to visit Mahagandaryone Monastery, walk through Ubein Bridge, admire Mahamuni Image.

Today, take a flight to Mandalay - which retains a rich history and traditional culture. Continue to drive to Sagaing hill to learn about the different Buddhist education systems for monks and nuns. Make a visit to Buddha Cave, Uminthonze pagoda, and Sunooponnyashin pagoda to admire their beautiful Buddha images. Your journey will be continued with a drive to Amarapura.

Amarapura is known for the ancient Buddhist architecture bearing the stamp of the history of Myanmar. The Mahagandhayon Monastery is one of the largest and most famous monasteries in Myanmar. Coming to Mahagandhayon, visitors will experience the pure life of the monks and learn more about Buddhism.

Take a leisure walk through Ubein Wooden Bridge- a beautiful 1.2-kilometer structure built from teak planks and said to be the longest of its type in the world. Make your final stop at Mahamuni pagoda to admire its Buddha image, the most highly revered Buddha image in the country.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Activities: Take a boat to Mingun, visit Pahtodawgyi Pagoda and Mingun Bell, visit Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery, and Kuthodaw Pagoda, and watch the sunset at Mandalay Hill.

After breakfast, embark on a private boat downriver to Mingun- which is famous for its unique ruins. Start your tour with a visit to the massive brick Mingun Pagoda- an unfinished pagoda built at the end of the 18th century, and was the largest pagoda in the country. Continue onto the Mingun Bell. The bell is housed nearby the Paya in a Zayat, an intricate Burmese-style pavilion with a multi-tiered roof. The bell measuring almost 4 meters high is the largest working bell in the world.

In the afternoon, make your way to Mandalay palace- the first palace to be built in Mandalay, by King Mindon when he shifted his capital from Amarapura in 1861, to fulfill an old prophecy. Continue onto Shwenandaw Monastery. The monastery is the most significant of Mandalay’s historic buildings since this Golden Palace Monastery remains the sole major survivor of the former wooden Royal Palace built by King Mindon in the mid-nineteenth century.

Make a visit to the Kuthodaw pagoda which comprises a gilded pagoda, hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs, and several pavilions. The pagoda is also called “the world’s largest book”, named after the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings. Wrap your day with a stunning view at sunset on the top of Mandalay Hill.

Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay.

Activities: Fly to Heho, take a boat to explore Inle Lake, visit Phaungdawoo Pagoda, Ngaphechaung monastery, cotton, and lotus weaving factory, cigar making houses.

This morning, take a flight to Heho for an exploration of the majestic Inle Lake. . Inle lake is the country's second-largest lake and features floating villages, gardens, various tribes nearby, and fishermen who row with their legs.

Upon your arrival, take a motorboat to travel around the lake. Your scenic boat tour will pass through villages with stilted houses and floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles.

Make a stop at Phaungdawoo Pagoda - the most highly revered monastery in the Inle Lake area. It houses five ancient images of the Buddha that are completely covered in gold leaf. Don’t miss out on Ngaphechaung monastery - an attractive wooden monastery built on stilts over the lake at the end of the 1850s. The monastery is also known for a collection of old Myanmar Buddha images from different areas that are worth seeing.

Proceed to the village of Nam Pan to visit the cotton and lotus weaving factory, cigar making houses. Here you can see Innthar people using their traditional silk weaving techniques to create unique and high-quality products.

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Activities: Visit the market, take a boat to visit the temple of Indein, walk along the corridor, and enjoy columns.

Fill up your new day with a visit to the bustling morning market- where the locals flock together to sell their fresh produce.

The lunch was followed by a boat trip to Indein. Indein is one of the small villages of Inle Lake located on the western bank of the lake. Take a delightful walk and climb to the top of the Indein Pagoda complex to see great views over the lake and the hundreds of small stupas which dot the hill.

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Activities: Transfer to Yangon, visit Sule Pagoda, Chaukhtayi Pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake, discover Shwedagon Pagoda, and go shopping at Scott Market.

This morning, say goodbye to the majestic Inle Lake and depart for Yangon. Highlights in your Yangon exploration include Sule Pagoda- an excellent landmark that is said to be over 2.000 years old, Chaukhtayi Pagoda, and Kandawgyi Lake- surrounded by a green, tree-filled park. Your stunning journey will continue after lunch.

This afternoon, you will explore the impressive Shwedagon Pagoda. The Shwedagon Pagoda is a great cone-shaped Buddhist monument 99 meters high. This pagoda has enhanced the beauty of the lake and the garden manifold. Finish your wonderful day with a beautiful afternoon market.

Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Activities: Free until departing

Today is at your leisure until being transferred to the airport for a departure flight.