05-   18 DAYS: THAILAND, LAOS, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Transfer to a domestic flight to the Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. From the airport we travel to the beautiful resort of Anantara in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the perfect place to recover from your long flight and prepare for an adventurous boat journey down the Mekong.

We travel by road to the Mekong town of Huay Xai in Laos to join the Luangsay Cruise on the Mekong River. We journey south on this mighty river, stopping for the night in the Pakbeng Lodge near the small riverside town of Pakbeng. Overnight (B)

Today we continue to cruise south towards the cultural capital of Luang Prabang. We stop at minority villages along the banks of the Mekong and visit the wonderful Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha images. (B)

After breakfast, we travel by road to Kuangsi waterfall, stopping to visit H’mong and Khmu minority villages along the way. Later we return to Luang Prabang and visit Ban Phanom and Ban Xangkhong, the local hand weaving and Saa paper production villages. (B)

In the morning we visit the principal sights of Luang Prabang including Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Visounlat and Wat Aham. After lunch and some free time to browse the charming streets of this World Heritage Site, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Vientiane. (B)

We fly from Vientiane to Pakse, gateway to southern Laos and the Khmer mountain temple of Wat Phu. We enjoy a cruise down the Mekong to the stunning temple of Wat Phu on the slopes of Lingaparvata Mountain and continue to the Don Khong Island, heartland of Si Phan Don or 4000 Islands, where the river reaches its widest extent. We enjoy two nights in Don Khong. (B)

After breakfast, we journey by boat through the 4000 Islands, travelling to the islands of Don Det and Don Khone, visiting the powerful Li Phi Falls. We continue south to the mighty Phapheng Falls near the Cambodian border and we later board boats to spot rare freshwater river dolphins in the Mekong River. We then cross the border into Cambodia and spend the night in the small town of Stung Treng. (B)

Today we travel down the Mekong River by speed boat through a remote part of northeast Cambodia. Birdlife is plentiful and there are many beautiful islands along the way. We visit the Angkorian–era temple of Wat Nokor near Kompong Cham, a Mekong town that is our base for the night. (B)

We depart from Kompong Cham for the provincial capital of Kompong Thom. After lunch, we journey to the 7th century pre–Angkorian capital of Isanapura, one of the first temple cities constructed in South–East Asia. Known today as Sambor Prei Kuk, this impressive and atmospheric collection of brick structures offers the ideal insight into the chronological development of temple architecture during the Khmer Empire. We spend the night in Kompong Thom. (B)

We depart from Kompong Thom for the fabled capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, the temples of Angkor. After lunch, we begin at the temples at Roluos, the earliest of Angkor’s capitals known as Hariharalaya before continuing to Phnom Bakheng for sunset over Angkor Wat. (B)

We begin with a visit to jungle–clad Ta Prohm, long abandoned to the elements, before continuing to Ta Nei from where we take a gentle jungle walk to Takeo temple. We then continue to Banteay Srei where we enjoy lunch and a quiet time in this remote jewel of the Khmer Empire. In the afternoon, we encounter the vast cruciform of Preah Khan, delicate Neak Poan, decaying Ta Som, the elephants of East Mebon and the royal crematorium of Pre Rup for sunset. (B)

Early morning visit to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, to watch sunrise. We enjoy a picnic breakfast at this magnificent temple before continuing to view its architecture and bas reliefs, as there are fewer visitors in the morning. Later we continue to Banteay Samre, built in the same period by Suryavarman II. After lunch in town, we visit the sites of Angkor Thom, including Victory Gate, the enigmatic faces of the Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. (B)

This morning, we fly to the charming riverside Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh for an overnight stay. We visit the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture in the National Museum, the dazzling Silver Pagoda at the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, a landmark of the city, with some time for browsing the city’s liveliest markets. (B)

In the morning, we learn of the gruesome legacy of the Khmer Rouge and visit the S–21 torture centre in Phnom Penh and the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. While disturbing, a visit here is essential for understanding contemporary Cambodia and what its people have been through. After lunch, we depart Phnom Penh by boat for Chau Doc in Vietnam. After border formalities, we arrive in this Vietnamese Mekong Delta town in time for sunset. (B)

In the morning, we take a boat trip on the Bassac River to a Muslim Cham village on a nearby island. We also travel through the many floating villages in this area before returning to town to visit some local temples. We then continue to Cantho, the commercial and cultural capital of the Mekong Delta and our base for the night. (B)

We rise early for a boat trip to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, an incredible sight as everything takes place on the water. Later we make for Saigon via Binh Hoa Phouc Island near Vinh Long. Here we visit local villages engaged in rice wine and candy making, as well as taking a stroll through fruit orchards. Later we reach Saigon, the bustling capital of the south and Vietnam’s largest city. (B)

Today we explore the sights and sounds of Saigon, a city that never stands still. We visit the War Remnants Museum to learn the legacy of war before taking in some of the city’s landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the elegant post office. We leave the afternoon free for shopping and browsing. (B)

We depart Saigon for the regional city of Tay Ninh, home to the famous Cao Dai temple, a fusion of the world’s great religions that includes Buddha, Jesus, Moses and even Victor Hugo among its saints. We witness their daily worship before continuing to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Originally dug by the Viet Cong as a way of avoiding US bombs, this elaborate network of tunnels allowed the Vietnamese communist guerrillas to attack American positions at well. The tunnels remain a fascinating testament to the will of the Vietnamese. Later we return to Saigon where the tour ends (B)

• Private Transportation
• Accommodation in twin shared
• Local English speaking guide
• Admission fee to indicated sights
• Boat trip as mention in the program
• Meals: Daily breakfast
• Gov’t tax and service charge
• Luggage handling, Car park,Toll fees

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• Int’l airport departure tax
• Int’l air tickets to/from Thai, Cambodia, Laos
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Meals:(lunch or dinner, quoted separately)
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Additional tour require beside above sights
• Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others