Available Travel Dates 2020:
- January: 1, 8, 15*, 22*, 29
- February: 5, 12, 19, 26
- March: 4, 11, 18, 25
- April: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- May: 6, 13, 20, 27
- June: 3, 10, 17, 24
- July: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- August: 5, 12, 19, 26
- September: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- October: 7, 14, 21, 28
- November: 4, 11, 18, 25
- December: 2, 9, 16
(*) Surcharge is applicable if you are travelling on 15 or 22 Jan 2020
Inclusions:
- Pre-approval letter for visa on arrival
- Hotel pick-up and return
- Accommodations (twin/triple share)
- Minivan with air-conditioning
- All entrance fees
- Boat trip in Ha Long
- Mineral water
- Meals specified in the itinerary
- English speaking tour guide
- Domestic flight ticket (Ha Noi – Da Nang) - 20kg checked baggage, 7kg hand baggage
- Asian flight ticket (Luang Prabang - Ha Noi ) - 20kg checked baggage, 7kg hand baggage
- Group tour of maximum 10 persons
Exclusions:
- Visa stamp fee USD25 (paid to the Visa office at Noi Bai Airport)
- Visa to Laos USD30 (paid at the airport)
- Surcharge on public holidays and compulsory dinner on New Year's Eve and Christmas
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals except for those specified in itinerary
- Personal expenses
- International flights
Itinerary:
Day 1: Luang Prabang (Laos) - arrive
Pick-up and welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang - day at leisure (B)
Relax and discover Luang Prabang by yourself. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - city tour (B,L)
Wake up before dawn (optional) to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks - an awe-inspiring sight dating back generations in Laos. Walk through the morning market, watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, start your visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum and houses the precious exhibits that used to be possessions of the former Laos Royal family. Continue with the exploration of the main Buddhist temples of Luang Prabang including; Wat Visoun, a 16th century temple which serves as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, built in the early 19th century temple; and Wat Xiengthong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture.
Take the opportunity to interact with the monks at the Wat Mai temple before ending the day with a climb of 328 steps to the top of Phousi Hi, where you can watch the sunset over Luang Prabang.
Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Kuangsi Waterfall (B,L)
After breakfast, embark on a two-hour cruise in a long-tail boat on the Mekong River and visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. En route, typical Laotian villages are barely visible behind thick foliage.
Wooden canoes bobbing by the shore attached to bamboo poles can be seen everywhere while floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Arrive at Pak Ou and explore the sanctuaries which consist of two large caves. Both repositories house thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimetres to two meters in height. Return to Luang Prabang by car.
After lunch, drive south to one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights, the Kuang Si waterfall. On arrival, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Kuang Si waterfall. For the more adventurous, continue to the top of the main waterfall where you may choose to swim in a large pool. Transfer back to your hotel by private vehicle.
Free time to explore the colourful night Bazaar. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Luang Prabang - Ha Noi (Vietnam) (B) - by flight
Transfer to airport without guide to catch the departure flight. Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 6: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B,L,D) - by shuttle bus
The shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel and depart for Ha Long Bay within 4 hours, going through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town, embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Ha Long Bay. This exciting cruise will provide a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way, anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Overnight on the Junk Cruise.
Day 7: Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi - Da Nang - Hoi An (B,L) - by shuttle bus & flight
After breakfast, enjoy swimming and sunbathing. After lunch, return to Ha Noi. Transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An City Tour - Ann Tailor for a free tailor-made item of clothing - My Son Sanctuary (B)
Hoi An on foot is one of the best ways to absorb the beauty of this city. The unique atmosphere combines elements of Vietnam, China and Japan. The most remarkable views are from the ancient houses, reminding visitors of a long gone past and providing a momentary glimpse of a more subdued and simple time. The tour includes visits to Hoi An’s Museum, many of the town’s renowned Ancient Houses which boast remarkable architecture, Assembly Halls of Chinese influence, a handicraft workshop, and of course the Japanese Covered Bridge. After the tour, contact Ann Tailor to have a free tailor-made item of clothing.
My Son Sanctuary is an experience that should not be missed while visiting the beautiful city of Hoi An. Enjoy a half-day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectuals and a religious centre. My Son is considered to be Cham’s counterpart to the grand cities of South-East Asia’s other Indian influenced civilizations: Angkor (Cambodia), Bagan (Myanmar), Ayuthaya (Thailand), and Borobudur (Java). Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoi An - Foodie tour (B,L)
Discover Hoi An’s countryside and its local food by bicycle. Start your tour by going through the countryside and stop to enjoy a bowl of Cao Lau. Cao Lau is a speciality and a traditional Hoi An dish composed of flat noodles, pork, bean sprouts, and greens served in a savoury broth.
Continue your visit to Tra Que, a famous vegetable village, and on to Cam Ha. You will have the opportunity to enjoy My Quang noodles, another very famous local speciality. Before the end of the tour, you will go to Cam Nam to enjoy the Ying and Yang food.
Day 10: Hoi An - Scooter Tours Countryside (B)
The tour kicks off in style with coffee at local coffee shop in the centre of Hoi An. After that it’s time to hop on your scooter to start exploring Hoi An’s hidden gems and charismatic locals. Take a drive past the old town to Cam Nam Island where you’ll visit some local houses and places where people live and work traditional lives such as a local ship repair yard, local shoe-making shop, a rice cracker place and lantern making house.
Afterwards drive through the countryside, and experience the resplendent beauty of the rice paddies, grazing buffalo and monkey bridges, all of which you can take photos of. Continue to Tra Que Village, a beautiful herb and vegetable garden which supplies vegetables for the restaurants in the ancient town. At the end of the tour, guests can unwind at a stunning beach lounge overlooking one of the best beaches in Vietnam, An Bang Beach, with a refreshing drink. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 11: Hoi An - dinner & shows (B,D)
At night Hoi An ancient town transforms into what’s also known as lantern town. The night market is filled with beautiful handmade arts and crafts but the real charm lies in the colourful lanterns that adorn all the buildings and streets.
You can capture some unforgettable shots from your boat passing through the Hoai river. Treat yourself to the spectacle of twinkling evening lights which rival the stars overhead. After that, enjoy a Water Puppet show in Hoi An before heading to a nice restaurant located on a bank of Hoai River. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An - Da Nang - departure (B)
After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to Da Nang to catch your departure flight.
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Accommodation:
Three-Star
- Luang Prabang - Villa Lao Wooden House (Deluxe)
- Ha Noi - Flower Hotel (Superior)
- Ha Long Bay Cruise - Majestic Cruise (Deluxe)
- Hoi An - Sunshine Hotel (Superior)
Four-Star
- Luang Prabang - Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe)
- Ha Noi - Flower Garden Hotel (Deluxe)
- Ha Long Bay Cruise - Lavender Elegance Cruise (ROH)
- Hoi An - Tropical Beach Resort (Superior)
Five-Star
- Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang View Hotel (Superior)
- Ha Noi - Sheraton Hanoi Hotel (Deluxe)
- Ha Long Bay Cruise - Bhaya Classic (Deluxe)
- Hoi An - La Siesta Resort & Spa (Deluxe)