Classic Indochina

Saigon

Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighbourhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.

Overnight: Caravelle Hotel.

Saigon - Can Tho

By vehicle from Saigon to Can Tho, with a boat ride from Cai Be floating market to Vinh Long
From Saigon, transfer to Cai Be and tour the colourful floating market by boat, continuing through the bywaters and canals of the Mekong Delta to Vinh Long. On the way, stop at different Mekong river islands and visit local workshops producing puffed rice, coconut candy, and other local delicacies.

Overnight: Victoria Can Tho Resort

Can Tho

Excursion by boat to Cai Rang Floating Market
Cai Rang Floating Market: the largest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets, Cai Rang is best explored in the early morning hours, before 9 am. Fruit and vegetable vendors assemble from all over, hanging samples of their wares on long poles above

Overnight: Victoria Can Tho Resort

Can Tho - Chau Doc

By vehicle from Can Tho to Chau Doc

Sightseeing in Chau Doc with boat trip
Chau Doc is a riverine commercial centre not far from the Cambodian border in An Giang Province. The city was once known for its dugout canoe races. Chau Doc has quite sizeable Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities.

Overnight: Victoria Hotel Chau Doc

Chau Doc - Phnom Penh

On board the Tu Trang Speedboat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
On arrival in Phnom Penh transfer to your hotel.

Overnight: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Phnom Penh

Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh after she found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a nearby hill or "phnom" in Cambodian.

Overnight: Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom

By vehicle from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham
Journey north through the Mekong River basin. If time permits, visit the spider merchants at Skoun.
Sightseeing in Kampong Cham
Kampong Cham is a lively port on the banks of the Mekong River with some good examples of colonial-era architecture.
By vehicle from Kampong Cham to Kampong Thom

Overnight: Stung Sen Royal Garden Hotel

Kampong Thom - Siem Reap

Sightseeing Kampong Thom
Kompong Thom town is situated on the Stoeng Sen River and is a good base from which to visit the important archaeological sites at Sambor Prei Kup, 35 kilometres from town. SAMBOR PREI KUK: an ancient Chenla capital, also known as Isanapure, this is the most impressive group of pre-9th century monuments in Cambodia, dating from the reign of King Isanavarman in the 6th century. PHNOM Santuk: has 809 steps and an eclectic collection of shrines, carved Buddha, great views of the surrounding countryside and an active monastery. WAT ANDRI: near Route 6 on the way to Siem Reap, the highest ranked Buddhist monk in Kampong Thom province lives here. It is home to 50 monks and 20 nuns.
By vehicle from Kampong Thom to Siem Reap

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and has quickly advanced from a small market town to a sophisticated tourist town with a good range of hotels and restaurants.
Excursion to the Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip
Tonle Sap (Great Lake). Located in the heart of Cambodia, this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix

Siem Reap

Sightseeing in Angkor
Spend the day visiting the temple complex of Angkor including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.
Angkor Wat: a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendour. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site.
Angkor Thom: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometres) built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. In the centre of the walled city are the city’s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix 

Siem Reap

Further Sightseeing in Angkor
The sheer size of Angkor means you are likely to want to return for a second day for further exploration. Some of the lesser known temples include Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre.

Banteay Srei: built in the late 10th century, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square with entrances on the east and west. Of main interest are the three central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.
Banteay Samre: built in the middle of the 12th century under Suryavarman II, and dedicated to the god Vishnu.

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix

Siem Reap - Vientiane

Transfer
Flight from Siem Reap to Vientiane
Transfer

Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets.

Overnight: Settha Palace Hotel

Vientiane

Excursion to the Buddha Park
Buddha Park is an outdoor collection of whimsical but compelling statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods. Together with the Ethnic/Cultural Park, it offers a glimpse into some modern-day practices of Lao culture and tradition.

Overnight: Settha Palace Hotel

Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Transfer

Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Transfer

Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
Overnight: La Residence Phou Vou

Luang Prabang

Excursion by boat to the Pak Ou Caves
Pak Ou Caves: this are two caves (Tham Thing – lower cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes.
Ban Xang Hai: located near the Pak Ou Caves, this village was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the community fill the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo, the local rice whisky.

Overnight: La Residence Phou Vou

Luang Prabang

Excursion to Tad Se Waterfall
Enjoy an elephant ride along the Nam Khan river and a mountain range to Tad Se Waterfall, with a picnic and chance to swim in the nearby river pools. On the way back to base camp, hike past a Khmu village.

Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao

Luang Prabang - Pakbeng

Transfer

On board the Luangsay Cruise from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng
Embark on the Luangsay boat, a traditional style wooden boat with open decks and beautiful views. Cruise upstream towards Pakbeng stopping at Ban Xang Hai to observe the making of traditional Lao rice wine and whisky. Continue to the famous Pak Ou caves, natural shrines which have been filled over the centuries with hundreds of Buddha images in every style and material. Lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to a fishing village before arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Pakbeng - Huay Xai

On board the Luangsay Cruise from Pakbeng to Huay Xai
First thing in the morning the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for a leisurely cruise up the Mekong towards Huay Xai (Lao-Thai border). Several stops along the way offer the opportunity to sample rural life first-hand and marvel at just how little has changed over the centuries. Arrival in Huay Xai is in the late afternoon.
Transfer to Chiang Rai

Overnight: Dusit Island Resort

Transfer to Chiang Rai for your onward flight