Three Kingdoms of Indochina Depart Ho Chi Minh City July 10, 2014 with Collette Vacations discovering the three kingdoms of Indochina! $3449.00 per person based on double occupancy! Delve into an ancient and mysterious world. Begin in Vietnam and explore its complex relationship with the west. From there, a colourful mosaic unfolds. Learn unique culinary secrets in the ancient town of Hoi An. Cruise overnight aboard a luxury junk boat on Halong Bay. Venture into the lush jungle to an elephant village. Immerse yourself in a traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. Find inspiration at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple. Come to know this region through experiences like the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks and a journey on the Mekong River. From contemplating the Fall of Saigon to exploring a once forgotten temple deep in the jungle, each day paints a new picture of the rich cultures of Indochina. Itinerary: Day 1: Overnight Flight Begin with an overnight flight to Vietnam. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Tour Begins Arrive in historic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City Tour the city’s colonial landmarks including the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and Opera House • Visit the Reunification Palace where the Vietnam War ended • Learn more about the lasting effects of this struggle at the War Remnants Museum • Join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at a rooftop garden that was a popular hangout for American military officials and war correspondents. Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City Travel to the Mekong Delta and cruise along the bustling river • See floating markets, fruit orchards and the Mekong River islands • Enjoy lunch in a lush tropical garden and explore local villages • Visit Cao Dai Temple and its striking architectural style • Experience the region’s multifaceted culinary heritage with an optional dinner at a French restaurant. Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An Fly to Da Nang • Stop at China Beach where American troops landed • Venture to Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port and a UNESCO World Heritage site • Enjoy a cyclo tour of the preserved town • See the Tan Ky Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Chua Ong Pagoda and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. Day 6: Hoi An Today’s cooking class begins at a local market • Interact with vendors and learn about traditional ingredients • Follow the Thu Bon river to the cooking school and observe local life along the way • Visit the school’s herb garden • Discover the art of plate decorating and prepare five traditional Vietnamese dishes. Day 7: Hoi An - Hue Take an optional sunrise photography class and observe fishermen bringing in their catch in the dawn light • Travel to Hue, the Imperial capital city, via the panoramic Hai Van Pass • En route, savour lunch at Lang Co fishing village • Visit the Imperial tomb of Emperor Tu Duc • Arrive in Hue, home of the Nguyen dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site • Tonight, enjoy a lavish royal feast, complete with music and Imperial costumes. Day 8: Hue - Hanoi Visit the Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City and the Thien Mu Pagoda • Later, fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam • Experience Hoa Lo Prison (the Hanoi Hilton), where American POWs were held • Enjoy dinner in an environment reminiscent of local markets. Day 9: Hanoi Learn more about Vietnam’s diverse culture at the Museum of Ethnology • Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university • Enjoy lunch at a non-profit restaurant that empowers underprivileged children, training them with new skills • Stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake and through the craft guild streets in the nearby old quartre • End the day with a traditional Water Puppet performance. Day 10: Hanoi Visit the mausoleum that holds the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh • Discover Minh’s simple house on stilts • Admire the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water • For lunch, you have the option of embarking on a Hanoi street food tour that delves into authentic culinary delights such as pho noodles. Day 11: Hanoi - Halong Bay Drive to Halong Bay for your overnight cruise on a luxury junk boat • Marvel at the thousands of limestone islands that dot these waters • Transfer to a sampan and visit a floating fishing village • Watch the sunset before sharing a seafood feast. Day 12: Halong Bay - Luang Prabang, Laos Join a sunrise tai chi class on deck as the fog lifts, revealing the morning light • Explore an ancient cave on a nearby island • Enjoy brunch on board and cruise back to the harbour • From Hanoi, fly to Luang Prabang. Day 13: Luang Prabang This morning venture through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si waterfalls, passing rice fields and small villages along the way • Return to town and board a traditional river boat • Cruise up and down the Mekong River and visit Pak Ou Caves, home to hundreds of Buddhas, before mooring below limestone cliffs for a Laotian lunch • Visit the most remarkable temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong. Day 14: Luang Prabang Visit an elephant village nestled in a jungle valley on the banks of a river • Learn how mahouts train their elephants • Opt to take an elephant ride • The afternoon is yours to independently explore quiet and reserved Luang Prabang • You may choose to learn more about the most important crop in Laos during an interactive tour at a local organic rice farm • This evening gather for a traditional Baci ceremony, a “calling of the soul” reserved for special events • Dine tonight in a historic home. Day 15: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap, Cambodia Wake before dawn and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks • Take a guided tour of the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum • Fly to Siem Reap and this evening enjoy a traditional Apsara show with dinner. Day 16: Siem Reap Explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Thom, famous for the Bayon temple and its colossal stone-carved faces • Continue to the haunting Ta Prohm temple, overgrown by creeping jungle • Enjoy a Khmer lunch set in a traditional wooden house • Meet local school children at the JWOC Community Center* • Visit Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and symbol of Cambodia • Stand before the stone carvings and bas-reliefs that adorn the complex • Perhaps choose to remain at Angkor Wat for an awe-inspiring sunset. Day 17: Siem Reap Explore Kompong Phluk, a floating village • Visit the Roluos Group and take an ox cart ride to the Roluos Pagoda where monks celebrate a private blessing ceremony • Enjoy lunch at a local home • You may choose to visit the Landmine Museum and the Banteay Srei complex. Day 18: Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Enjoy a free morning in Siem Reap before flying back to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon • Savour a farewell dinner at a highly-acclaimed restaurant. Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City - Tour Ends Return home with a wealth of incredible memories. Contact one of our travel specialists today to book your spot on this tour.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 22:18:22 +0000
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