Day 1: Phnompenh Arrival

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight meet your tour leader (or local guide) and the rest of the group in the reception area of the hotel, for welcome drinks and a tour briefing.

Day 2: Phnompenh Visit (B)

PhnomPenh city tour includes the Central market, National Museum, Silver Pagoda with its floor of silver blocks, the outside of the Royal Palace, now home to King Sihanouk and Wat Phnom, after which the city takes its name. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Phnompenh flight to Siemreap (B)

Transfer to airport for morning flight to Siem Reap. Explore the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon all surrounded by dense jungle. Lunch at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Siemreap Angkor Temple (B)

Further exploration of this archaeological gem including the Taprohm jungle temple, and the Roluos group: Lolei, Preakho and Bakong. Lunch at local restaurant. Boat trip on TonleSap river to visit floating villages. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Siemreap flight to Saigon (B)

Today you will fly from Siem Reap to Saigon, the commercial capital of Vietnam. Enjoy some time this afternoon to explore this bustling, lively city.

Day 6: Saigon Half day city tour and Cu chi Tunnels (B)

Morning visit to the famous Cu Chi tunnels to experience how the Viet Cong lived underground during the American war. Lunch during visits. Afternoon, Saigon city tour will include an orientation tour of Saigon’s main boulevards, Notre Dame Cathedral, the splendid Post Office, the bustling Ben Thanh market and ChoLon China town. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Saigon- Mekong Delta Day trip (B,L)

Depart by road to My Tho province ( one and a half hour drive ). On arrival board a motor-boat and leisurely cruise along the small canals in the Mekong Delta passing by lush green vegetation. Off the boat enjoy a stroll in a village road leading to an orchard, home to southerner farmers and various fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch with the unmissable crispy elephant ear fish, seasonal fruits, return to Ho Chi Minh for overnight.

Day 8: Saigon flight to Hue and Hue Half day City tour (B)

This morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue – a cit which provides a unique window into Vietnam and its complex past.

Begin your exploration of this city by visiting the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors (1802-1945), the Citadel. Continue the day with a visit to the much revered and tranquil Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful religious monument.

Day 9: Hue drive to Hoian and Hoian Half day tour (B)

Drive to Danang via the breathtaking HaiVan pass. Stop at the Marble Mountains to climb Water Mountain and explore the cave pagodas before visiting Cham Museum with its collection of relics from the Cham Kingdom. Car transfer to the ancient town of HoiAn where the mix of Japanese and Chinese architecture reflects its past history as an important trading port. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in HoiAn at hotel

Day 10: Hoian - Nam Thanh Fishing Tours (B,L)

We’ll ride bike to Nam Thanh fishing village and walk around to talk to local fishermen and learn the unique fishing techniques as well as their fishing tools.  Take boat ride with some local fisherman and try casting the net while talking to them and share experiences. Come to Dai Chiem estuary to visit the peaceful waterways with great views of local fishing boats and floating community. Lunch at a local restaurant before return to Hoi An

Day 11: Hoian – Halong city (B)

Today you’ll be transferred to the airport for flight to Hanoi in the morning and take  a scenic drive for 3.5 hours to Halong city with stop to have to see authentic locals farming rice and taking photos. Overnight in hotel in Halong city.

Day 12: Halong Bay day trip cruise- Halong drive to Hanoi. Water Puppet performances (B,L)

This morning you will experience the beauty that is Halong Bay. Halong Bay achieved international fame as a key location in the

French film ‘Indochine’ starring Catherine Deneuve. The bay has assumed an important position in Vietnamese legend for many centuries and continues to capture the imagination of visitors through its beauty and mystique.

Transfer to the port for a magical four hours aboard your boat cruising around the bay. Considered Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay boasts over 3,000 islands that rise dramatically out of the sea to provide a spectacular natural environment.

Admire its beauty and scale before stopping to enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board your boat—there’s even time for a quick swim if you’d like.

This afternoon travel back to Hanoi. Enjoy waterpuppet performance in a theatre nearby historical Hoankiem lake.

Day 13; Hanoi city tour (B,L)

A day to visit some of the most prominent historical sites of Hanoi and take activities which helps you explore the landmarks and also daily life of the locals. That includes:

Visit Hochiminh complex, Sacred One-Pillar Pagoda, 

Strolling around Temple of Literature- a former well-known " schooll for the sons of the Nation" and an interesting local market vegies nearby .

Have lunch in a local restaurant with tasty authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

Visit interesting Museum of Ethnology to get to know about the diversity, richness of colourful ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Take a cyclo ride for 45 minutes around the old quarter of Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi flight to Vientiane and Vientiane visit (B)

Transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. An afternoon Vientiane city tour includes the impressive Pha That Luang, Wat PhraKeo and the Arch of triumph. Laos welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane at hotel.

Day 15; Vietiane Flight to Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang visit (B)

Morning visit Vientiane central market before transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang ( 11:50 – 12:30 ). On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Luang Prabang. After lunch guided city tour including the former royal Capital, where you will visit some of the many exquisite temples including Wat Xieng Thong located on the banks of the Mekong River, Wat Visoun, containing the largest Buddha in the city and Mount Phousi, a tree covered hill in the centre of the town. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Luang Prabang Visit (B)

Boat excursion to the holy caves of Pak Ou where there is a collection of hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch en route. Visit to ethnic villages producing local rice wine. Evening enjoy sunset panoramic view from Phousi mount and Luang Prabang night market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17: Luang Prabang visit (B)

Morning drive to Kuang Si Falls, one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Luang Prabang wih stop at the Traditional Arts andEthnology Centre to gain a detailed insight in to the various ethnic minority groups and also a stop at one of the larger local markets in Luang Prabang where you can see many products produced by the various ethnic minorities and learn more about the diverse range of natural products onoffer. Have a chance to swim and relax, surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters and thick jungle vegetation of Kuangsi Falls. Travel back to Luang Prabang in the early afternoon.

Day 18: Luang Prabang departs (B)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your ongoing flight.

( Legend:  B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Diner)

Notes:

• To customize this  sample itinerary to suite your travel plan and personal interestes, please send your request to : info@travelauthentic.com
• Our tour operation depends on many factors some of which are beyond our control. We reserve the right to amend programmes in case of unexpected problems caused by weather, airlines, transport companies and local organisations.