Itinerary
Insights of Vietnam and Laos
Day 1: Saigon Arrival (B)
Our local guide and driver pick you up and transfer to your hotel . In the evening, we'll have a special dinner out at a stylic restaurant, where our guide will summarize the itinerary for coming days.
Day 2: Saigon 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.
Day3 : Saigon – Day trip to Mekong Delta (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 4 ; Saigon Flight to Hue-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 5: Hue – Hoian- Hoia visit (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. Afternoon walking tour of enchanting Hoi An visiting an old merchant house, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Overnight in Hoian
Day 6: Hoian Free on your own (B)
Today is at leisure, you can choose to explore the countryside further on your bike, or visit Hoi An‟s tailors, galleries
Day 7 : Hoian flight to Hanoi- Drive to Halong city. (B)
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. 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 8: Halong Bay day cruise – Drive back to Hanoi- Water Puppet Performance (B,L)
Board a boat to Halong bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a leisurely 5 hour boat trip through the bay stopping to explore some of the many islands, caves and grottoes. Transfer to Hanoi following a lunch on board of freshly caught seafood. Overnight at hotel
Enjoy waterpuppet performance in a theatre nearby historical Hoankiem lake.
Day 9 : Hanoi city tour (B)
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 10: Hanoi flight to Vietiane - Vietiane 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 11: Vietiane -Luang Prabang (B)
Morning visit Vientiane central market before transfer to airport for flight to Luang Prabang. 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 12 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 13: Luang Prabang visit (B)
Morning drive to Kuang Si Falls, one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Luang Prabang with stop at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to gain a detailed insight in to the various ethnic minority groups which have been so central to the formation of present day Laos. En route to Kuang Si falls you shall also make 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 on offer. On arrival at the waterfalls, you will have a chance to swim and relax, surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters and thick jungle vegetation. Travel back to Luang Prabang in the early afternoon to enjoy some time at leisure to soak up the ambience of one of Asia’s special towns.
Day 14: 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:
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To customize this sample itinerary to suite your travel plan and personal interestes, please send your request to : info@travelauthentic.com
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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.
Rates
All Travel Authentic tours are private and specially arranged for you. You will not join a group when you arrive at your destination.
As a guide, this tour costs from 1758 USD per person.
This price is indicative (low-season) pricing only, and is the price per person, based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin/double room in standard hotel accommodation.
Prices include: all accommodations with daily breakfast, transfers and land tranportation in private air-con vehicle with driver, local & international flights in Indochina, professional English speaking guide, other meals as detailed in the tour itinerary, all entrance fees and boat fees.
Price does not include: visa fees, airport departure taxes where not included in air fares, tips and other personal expenses
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The exact price of your holiday depends on the date of travel, number of travelers, your special needs and request. Our quotation will be sent to you by email and will include prices for standard accommodations, 3 stars boutique hotels and 4 stars deluxe hotels.
How to minimise the cost of your holiday
- Avoid travel at peak times, i.e. Christmas, New Year and lunar New Year.
- Take more friends with you! Larger parties lead to price reductions as many costs are shared;
- Avoid single supplements by making sure your group comprises an even number of travellers;
- Consider taking a more in-depth tour of one country rather than trying to visit too many countries in one trip. International flights between countries add cost. If you like one country, you can always go back to a neighbouring country next year!