22 Days Panorama of Indochina Tour

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Saigon, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport then escorts you to hotel. Check in hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: B / L / D

Today you will visit the famous site Cu Chi Tunnels and highlights of Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, your guide will greet you at the lobby and escort you to the Cu Chi Tunnels. An immense network of connecting underground tunnels used during the war, you'll explore the complex and see the ingenious traps, bomb holes, and narrow tunnels between underground bunkers.
In the afternoon, you'll come back to Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Reunification Palace, which was the home to the President of South Vietnam during the War, and the place of the end of the war during the fall of Saigon. The Notre Dame Cathedral constructed by French colonists during their settlement. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office a neoclassical architectural building which is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the city. The next stop is Cholon , the Chinatown of Saigon, a thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.To finish the tour, you'll visit the Emperor Jade Pagoda, also know as the Tortoise pagoda. This figurine-filled site of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest.When we finish the tour, you will be escorted back to hotel and rest of the day is leisure time for you.
In the evening, join a unique dinner experience in Bonsai Cruise is the perfect way to soak up the activity of the Saigon River. Transfer to Saigon pier to take a 2-hour cruise on a traditional junk and enjoy a delightful evening dinner. You will be greeted by the captain and crews once you board the junk. Relax on the upper deck and enjoy the panoramic view of the city lights. Enjoy several traditional dishes, including rice flower pancakes Banh Xeo or pork pineapple skewers made on the BBQ grill for dinner. Enjoy live traditional music show and dance during dinner.

Meals: B / L

Today you will discover the Mekong River and villages at the Mekong Delta region, essential to Vietnamese life
Your private guide and car will take you to the remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First you'll Vinh Trang Pagoda which is decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens packed with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Next, you'll take a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. You'll stop at the Tortoise Island where you'll enjoy lunch in the orchard.
After lunch you'll visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island. Then enjoy seasonal fruit, honey tea, and delicious coconut candies all to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals. When the tour is finished, you'll transfer to Can Tho. Upon arrive in Can Tho, you will check in hotel and have a rest.
In the evening, you may wander around the night market in the centre of the small town, or enjoy some drinks at the riverside bars.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L / D

Rise early in the morning for breakfast at your hotel where your private guide and driver will meet you to escort you to the pier of Can Tho for an adventure on the river. Your motor boat and captain will greet you and help you on board. You'll be taken to the largest floating market in Can Tho where local farmers bring their bulk produce for sale. The trip there will see the banks with various flowers scattered throughout.
When you arrive at the market, you'll see boats with colorful fruits and vegetables local to the region being traded in bulk. After this, you'll venture up narrow canals to find a local fruit farm hidden in the natural landscape of the creek. You'll have the chance to see local fruits such as mango, limes, jack fruit, durian and more being grown. Then you'll have the chance to sit and enjoy fresh cut fruit before returning to town by boat.
After the tour, relax at hotel for short time and check out, then you will be driven back to Ho Chi Minh City airport for onward flight to Danang.
Upon arrival, you will meet your local guide there and transfer to hotel in Hoi An. Check in and rest of the time at your leisure.

Meals: B / L / D

In the morning, you'll transfer to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lay the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes.
Transfer back to hotel after the tour, rest of the day is at leisure.
In the afternoon, visi the you'll continue to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it's imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town.
Finish today with a Cooking Class to learn to cook some Vietnamese cuisine, dinner will be what you cooked by yourselves, good luck and bon appétit!

Meals: B

Enjoy full day free time at leisure. You may relax and enjoy the beach in Hoian.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L / D

Enjoy some free time in the morning then transfer to airport for fly to Hanoi.
In the afternoon, you'll go on to see the museum of ethnology to learn about the different ethnicities in Vietnam. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. You'll also be able to visit the Ngoc Son Temple, which rests on the lake with a narrow bridge for access.
Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. In the Hanoi Old Quarter, you'll enjoy streets full of life with genuine shops and cafes frequented by locals.
The tour finishes with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You'll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood.

Meals: B / L / D

Start at 8:00 am with private transfer to Halong City. Upon arrival, you will board the cruise ship for a relaxing Halong Bay Cruise through the stunning Halong Bay. You could be absolute relax by lying down on the sun deck to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sun shine. A shore excursion will bring you to discover a beautiful cave, visit a local fishing village with opportunity to interact with local people.
When the sun become a drop of burning gold that slid nearer the sea horizon, enjoy your dinner while enjoying acharming sun set.
Sample itinerary of 2 days Paradise Halong Bay Cruise
FIRST DAY
Your heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder.
As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard our luxury facilities in the stunning surroundings.
Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water.
While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of our Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend our chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.
Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L / D

Greeting by the morning sun rise from the sea horizon, you can join a Thai Chi lesson for some morning exercise before breakfast. Visit a limestone grotto in the morning and disembark around 11:00 am then transfer to airport for onward flight to Luang Prabang.
Upon arriving Luang Prabng, you will be pick up and transfer to hotel. Check in hotel and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Sample itinerary of 2 days Paradise Halong Bay Cruise
SECOND DAY
Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colourful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your Paradise Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30am and 11.00am.

Meals: B / L / D

In the morning we start our exciting day trip by leaving Luang Prabang by car. You will proceed to the Nam Khan valley about 15 km out of town to reach the beautiful "Elephant Village". The rugged mountains in front of you and the green lush countryside is the setting for the ultimate elephant experience. Here we find time to relax and the right place for great activities.
Now you will be introduced to our protected Asian elephants in the project area and start your scenic elephant ride. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1 hr. ride through the Nam Khan River and forest. Afterwards a boat will take you to the amazing cascades and pools of the Tad Sae waterfalls. (Waterfall dries between February & August.)
In the afternoon, Head out to Living Land Farm, a working community farm approximately 5kms outside the town. There you will learn all about the rice growing process and have an opportunity to participate in seasonal farm activities such as identifying viable rice seeds, ploughing with a buffalo, hand planting, weeding and harvesting rice and threshing rice seed.
You may be picking vegetable’s form the organic garden or catching fish to cook for your all natural, organic lunch where there will be a variety of local rice products for you to sample.

Meals: B / L

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang.
We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.
Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L / D

We start our city tour with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. We continue to visit the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. The Art and Ethnology Centre to learn about the culture and history of some of the diverse ethnic groups those make up the rich tapestry of the population of Laos.
In the afternoon, fly to Siem Reap, the city where the famous world wonder Angkor Wat Temple locates. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, you will meet your local guide then escort to hotel.
In the evening, enjoy a dinner with traditional Cambodian Apsara Dancing show.

Meals: B / L

After breakfast, you'll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you'll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.
However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace.
First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure hidden under canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.
After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy. As the sun approaches the horizon, you'll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup.

Meals: B / L

Today, you’ll experience the temple relics in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal. After breakfast, you will visit the Banteay Srey Temple which is famed as pink stone temple, it is famous for its beautiful stone statues.
Then you’ll go for a gondola ride through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water.
Finally, be prepared today to enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front in passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.
Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed one many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you won’t forget.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / D

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onward flight to Yangon.
In the afternoon, visit the downtown Area with the Old City Hall, and Maharbandoola Park. Then, take a stroll along Colonial Buildings ending at the old Strand Hotel, the adjacent Australian Embassy, Her Majesty British Embassy, and Red-bricked General Post Office. And then drive to Botahtaung Pagoda which featured by its golden decoration inside the pagoda. Finish the day by visit the most significant Pagoda Shwedagon, which the global scholars describe as One of Wonders in The World. Shwedagon plays very important role in the Old Burmese History not only standing as the holiest structure for the Buddhist all over the world. Enjoy the sunset over the pagoda.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L

Transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan.
Upon arrival in Bagan, you will be welcomed by your local guide at the airport then transfer you to hotel.
Bagan, where you will be amazed by its thousands of Buddhists pagodas spread in the area of the Ancient City of ‘Bagan’. These pagodas used to own by individual families during its prosperous time.
Your will visit the Nyaung Oo Market where local people buying food in daily life, visit the Shwezigon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.
Have a rest in hotel in the hottest time in afternoon. Then enjoy a Horse Cart Ride for the sun set, you will climb up to the top of the Shesandaw Pagoda for sun set then take the horse cart back to hotel. It is a unforgettable feeling of taking the horse cart ride on the off road treks through the pagodas when its quiet in dusk.

Meals: B

Enjoy a exciting morning Hot Air Balloon Ride in Bagan.
Ordinarily an average of 45 mins of flight duration is expected. However, the entire experience will last about 2 1/2 hours. On landing, our fully trained Myanmar ground crew will pack the balloon whilst passengers enjoy a glass or two of celebratory champagne.
Balloons over Bagan is a private Myanmar company that is committed to the preservation of Bagan and its environment. A contribution from each flight will be donated to community programmes that directly benefit the local population.
.....drifting over a panorama of a thousand ancient pagodas, silent in the shadow of low-slung mountains and against the banks of the mighty Irrawaddy river.
After the flying ,then back to hotel for breakfast. You can relax in hotel, or take a biking tour through the pagoda area to discover more interesting sites of Bagan.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning. You can relax in hotel, or do a relaxing cycling to surrounding villages where you will see lovely local children, and monks collecting donations from local families.
Transfer to airport for onward fly to Heho. Upon arrive in Heho, your guide and driver will escorts you to Inle Lake.
Check in hotel and rest of the day free at leisure.

Meals: B / L

Full-day Sight-seeings of Inle Lake start with a morning 5-day traditional market at a village on the lake or on the shore of the lake. Here at Inle Lake, the markets come on 5-day basis. Besides the Inthars, some tribal ladies such as Pa-O, Pa Laung can also be seen at the market selling their farm produce and afterwards they go back to their villages on the mountain with the purchase of what they need for the household. The market is a photo opportunity for you. Then visit the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda which is the Holiest Religious Stupa housing 5 buddha images, Silk Weaving village (lotus fabrics weaving technique can also be seen unique only in here!), Blacksmith, Cheroot or Myanmar Cigar factory, the nature of Inthars, Lake Residents with their Floating Garden. Here you will also find the Long Neck ethnic people who move from Thai border to this village. Visit the Jumping Cat monastery which is the oldest one with antique Shan-style Buddhas and Buddhas’ alters. Enjoy the cat show at the monastery.
In the afternoon, continue by boat to Indein Ruined Pagoda Complex along a small river that sustains Inle Lake by flowing into it. Passing the Large green Myanmar Bamboo forests on the way, you will reach the Ruined Indein pagodas that stand on the hill slope providing a panoramic view to the lake.

Flight: Internal flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement
Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, you will be transfer to airport onward flight to Mandalay. Upon Arrival in Mandalay, your tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport then escorts you to hotel. After check in and a short rest, you will start a half day tour in Mandalay, to have your first impression of the country.

You will firstly visit Mahamuni Buddha Image situated on the outskirts of Mandalay City highly venerated and adored by Mandalay Citizens. The Image is believed to have been here from Arakan State, another Kingdom in 18th Century situated at Western Coastal Line as a war trophy. As if all the gold leaves beaten in Mandalay came upon the image, Gold leaves offered by the worshippers form the lumps on the robe of Buddha. Then visit the Handicrafts Workshops such as Gold Leaf Beating, Stone Carvings, Bronze Casting, Marionette and Wood Carvings and so on. Mandalay having built as new Royal Capital City, the king gave plots for the Arts and Craftsmanship around the Palace City and so Mandalay has become the center of all of Myanmar Traditional Handicrafts. Then, check-in at the hotel and take a rest for a while.

In the afternoon, visit Kuthodaw Pagoda which is known as the world biggest book of the world, Golden Palace Monastery where you can see the best wood-carvings. The monastery was at first in the Palace City wall and 5 years before the British Annexation, it was dismantled and reassembled to the present site to be donated to the venerable monks. The Golden Palace so called because the interior and exterior surfaces of wood structure have been gilt with millions of Gold Leaves that are fabricated in Mandalay. Finally, go up Mandalay Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city with sunset.

Flight: International flight on client’s arrangement
Meals: B / L

After breakfast, drive to Amarapura aka the Southern City, the ancient Royal Capital before Mandalay. In Amarapura, visit one of the biggest monasteries with more than 1200 Buddhist monks where under the strict tight-scheduled Rules the monks study very hard the Buddhist Canons day and night in order to be able to carry on the Buddha's teachings verbally like the Noble Theras did after the Buddha’s demise in the 6th Century B.C. Then visit the Silk-Weaving workshop. Here, Amarapura hand-weaving silk Designs are very famous as Lun Yar Kyaw Cheik, More-than-hundred Loom Design, in which many small colorful silk threaded looms wave through the weft creating the unique Myanmar Ceremonial silk longyis. Depending on the designs, to finish a longyi with a hundred or so looms, it can take at least a month! Then drive to U Bein Bridge believed to be the longest wooden bridge in the world that spans Taung Thaman Lake. Take a walk on the bridge and enjoy a photo opp!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request
Meals: B

Enjoy your free time in Mandalay. Then transfer to airport for homeward flight.