A Taste of Exoticism - 16 Days - ILU02

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities, with its romantic tree-lined boulevards and colonial houses. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.

A full day spent touring Hanoi, the political, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which offers informative and well-documented information on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes. The display continues in the outside garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses from the Kinh’s to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We will then visit the Temple of Literature,  a temple built in honor of Confucius in 1070, and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about the  Mandarin education that has shaped Vietnam for 1000 years and to relax in this tranquil setting. The afternoon is spent exploring the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or the Jade Mountain Temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. A delightful water puppet show will perfectly wrap up our day. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along  the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark a classic wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald waters of the bay. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. An experienced chef will prepare a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight on board in your private cabin.

Enjoy breakfast and savor the incredible sunrise from the sundeck while the boat sails to Luon Cave and one of Halong’s floating villages then back to the harbor. On the way back to Hanoi, we will stop in Bac Ninh province to visit Vietnam's first Buddhist centre, the But Thap Pagoda, which was built in the 13th century and reconstructed during the 17th century. It is renowned for its valuable statues, the most remarkable of which is a thousand-handed and thousand-eyed Buddha considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese sculpturing. Continue the drive to Hanoi. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel before you are taken to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang.  Upon arrival, you will be driven to Luang Prabang, a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved city in South East Asia. Start exploring this charming town with its impressive Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and Wat Mai Temples. We then climb to the top of Mount Phousi to discover its sacred, gilded stupa as well as  enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sunset over the Mekong. Return to Luang Prabang to visit the night market where lovely handicraft items are sold. Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

In the morning, we visit the oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its sweeping roofs, typical for classical Laotian architecture. We then embark a boat to cruise upstream on the Mekong, a scenic journey with breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside and a glance of waterfront life. Discover the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two caves linked to one another filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes donated by pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at Ban Xanghai village, where local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its amazing woven handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Early rise for the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of the saffron-clothed monks who collect alms, most commonly sticky rice, from residents of faith. Laos is the only Buddhist nation still preserving the tradition of this procession. Visit the morning Phousi market where various local products such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and salt are on offer alongside chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laotians are skilled in traditional handicrafts, as you will discover the in villages of Laos’ ethnic groups in Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene. We then head to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue our discovery of the region at Ban Phanom, a well-known weaving village, we then return to the city to watch the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel. We start our trip by visiting the Roluos Temple Group built between 877-889, situated 13km outside Siem Reap. They were constructed during the first Angkor settlement of the ancient Khmer. The group boasts three temples:

- Bakong is the most impressive of the three, much older than Angkor Wat it features beautiful carvings on its lintels that remain in good shape

- Preahko Temple is close to Bakong and consists of six elegant brick towers with exquisite decorations and statues of Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull.

- Lolei Temple constructed in 893, is an island temple dedicated to members of the royal family and the Hindu god Shiva. 

The afternoon is spent exploring the amazing World Heritage "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building, and Phnom Bakheng  on Bakheng Hill the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor era, marking the move of the Khmer empire's capital from Roluos to Angkor in the late 9th century AD. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom also referred to as "Great City", the famous Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century and the Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas known as "Heavenly Palace".

In the afternoon, we will tour the World Heritage site "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building. We continue our day with a visit to Bakheng Hill Temple and watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Back to the hotel. Dinner with special Aspara dance show. Overnight in Siem Reap.

We will start our day trip by visiting Kbal Spean referred to as “The river of a Thousand Lingas” which is situated 30km north of Angkor Wat, roughly a one hour drive. It closes at 3pm. We will take a forest walk and then return for lunch. We will continue from there straight to Banteay Srei, "The Citadel of Women" built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power. Like numerous others, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is a masterpiece of Khmer art with its intricate, pink sandstone construction and ornate design. On the way back to Siem Reap, we will visit Srah Srang, "The Royal Bath" and Banteay Kdei, a richly decorated Buddhist temple. Overnight at hotel.

Drive to Kompong Thom then transfer direct to Sambor Prei Kuk, which once served as the capital of Chenla built in the early 7th century. This is a group of temples scattered throughout the forest. Lunch at Kompong Thom. Continue the drive to Phnom Penh, stop at a stone-carving workshop and Kuha Nokor Temple. Arrive in Phnom Penh in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, visit the National Museum followed by the Silver Pagoda situated inside the Royal Palace complex and Wat Phnom considered the spiritual heart of Phnom Penh city. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will take a speed boat to Chau Doc in Vietnam. Arrive in Chau Doc in the late afternoon, meet our local guide then transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Chau Doc.

In the morning, take a boat trip to some floating houses and fish farms where you can feed the fish and discover life on the river. Continue the day’s tour at Sam Mountain, which offers fantastic views of Chau Doc and Cambodia’s countryside. Visit the surrounding temples. En route, we will drop by a village of the Cham minority group. Drive to Can Tho for overnight stay.

We take an early morning boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market, as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruit, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. This is the perfect opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fresh tropical fruis. Leave the market, and return to Saigon. On the way back, stop at an old Binh Thuy house 5kms from Can Tho city and Long Dinh mat weaving village where you will witness the making of a mat, a very popular item closely associated with Vietnamese culture. Overnight in Saigon. 

In the morning, visit Cho Lon, Vietnam’s largest China Town where you can shop to your hearts content and sample the fabulous cuisine. The central market in Cho Lon is the Binh Tay Market, which offers a wide range of products from food to clothing. Drop by Thien Hau Temple and Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. Back to the city centre to visit Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877 and the Central Post Office, built by the French. The tour ends with visiting the Reunification Palace formerly known as the Independence Palace. It served as the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Overnight at hotel. 

Free time for a last bit of shopping or exploring the city on your own before we take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home. The hotel room is available until noon only. Asiatica Travel's services end at the airport.