Treasures of Indochina: A journey between past and present

Hanoi arrival – Personal discoveries and rest (D)

Arrival at Hanoi airport. Greeted by the guide and driver, then transfer to the city center where we check into the hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to rest or make a first discovery of the city. Welcome dinner at a city restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Hanoi – City tour (B/L/D)

A day of in-depth discovery of the capital of Vietnam, filled with timeless grace. We begin with a visit to the captivating Ethnographic Museum, which gathers costumes, tools, musical instruments, and exhibits some typical houses of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups (closed every Monday).

We will then visit the Temple of Literature, which is the "first university of Vietnam," and the oldest Pagoda in Hanoi: Tran Quoc.

Visit the Ngoc Son temple on the shore of the central Hoan Kiem Lake. A walk through the alleys of the old quarter of Hanoi will allow you to fully grasp the local life of the capital.

In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

Around 8:00 AM, we depart for Ha Long Bay, following the arms of the Red River.

Immediate boarding onto our junk for an exploration of the Bay. We will visit caves during the cruise. Seafood meals served by our excellent team.

A peaceful night aboard our comfortable junk in private cabins.

Ha Long - Hanoi (B/L/D)

Visit the fishing village or Luon cave. Continue the cruise in Ha Long Bay amidst countless islets.

Around 11:30 AM, return to the pier and head back to Hanoi. En route, visit the But Thap pagoda. The rest of the day in Hanoi is free for you to rest or for your own discovery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Flight Luang Prabang (Laos) (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Luang Prabang, the ancient and first capital of the kingdom of Lane Xang and also the center of religious life for the Laotians.

The city is enchanting and a haven of peace, accentuated by its semi-colonial architecture, the surrounding tropical vegetation, and its extreme languor...

Visit the most beautiful temples in the city and its surroundings (Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Xiengthong, Mount Phousi...).

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves (B/L)

Boat excursion upstream on the Mekong to visit the Pak Ou cave. Stop at the village of Ban Muangkeo, famous for its rice whisky called "Lao-Lao".

Lunch at a riverside restaurant.

Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, visit the village of Ban Xangkhong, specialized in paper and silk production. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall (B/L)

Departure for the Kuang Si Waterfall, amidst lush vegetation. Stop on the way to visit the Talad Phosy fruit market, the village of Ban Na Oune inhabited by the Hmong, and the village of Ban Tha Pane inhabited by the Kh'mu.

Picnic lunch near Kuangsi waterfall.

Rest in nature. Possibility to swim in the rather cold water. Return to Luang Prabang and visit the Hmong night market. Overnight at the hotel.

Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng (B/L)

Drive towards Vang Vieng, a small, quiet town on the banks of the Nam Song River. We will stop en route at Phoukhoune to visit its lively market.

Lunch at a local restaurant via Kasi. Depending on road conditions and traffic, we will arrive in Vang Vieng in the afternoon or late afternoon.

Walk around the lively central market. Then a small boat excursion on the Namsong River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng - Vientiane (B/L)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Vientiane. Located along the Mekong, this capital will offer you exotic images with a curious mix of Laotian, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences.

Arrival in Vientiane around noon. Visit the Xieng Khuan Buddha Park on the outskirts of Vientiane (28 km east of Vientiane).

This site exhibits hundreds of statues of Hindu deities and Buddha.

We will pass through villages along the Mekong, enjoying beautiful views of vegetable gardens, tobacco plantations, etc. It is pleasant to take photo breaks and observe the rural life of the local population.

We also have a beautiful view of the Friendship Bridge crossing the Mekong, which is also the border crossing to Thailand.

After visiting the Buddha Park, we will return to Vientiane in the evening.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Vientiane – City Tour (B/L)

Visit Vientiane: Vat Si Saket, the oldest and most beautiful temple in Vientiane, Ho Prakeo, the royal temple, Luang Stupa, the most revered sanctuary in Laos, and finally Patouxay (the Arc de Triomphe). Overnight in Vientiane.

Vientiane - Flight Siem Reap (Cambodia) (B/L/D)

In the morning, transfer to Luang Prabang airport for the flight to Siem Reap,

Arrival in Siem Reap, welcome by the local guide and driver team, then transfer to the ancient capital of Cambodia where we will discover the invaluable heritage of the Khmer Empire: the temples of the Roluos group (9th century), ancient Hari Haralaya, the first Angkor, about 20 km to the southeast.

Apsara Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat (B/L)

In the morning, visit Angkor Thom (Great City) starting with the South Gate, the famous Bayon from the 12th and 13th centuries, Baphuon (11th century) dedicated to Brahmanism, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimean Akas (celestial palace).

In the afternoon, discover the marvelous Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage site, and Phnom Bakheng (temple mountain). Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap - Small Circuit - Grand Circuit (B/L)

Breakfast, visit the temples included in the "Small Circuit" group: Ta Prohm, where gigantic trees dominate the monastery, trapping the ruins with their impressive roots like giant octopuses would with their tentacles to hold their prey.

We continue with a visit to Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Banteay Kdei, and Sras Srang terrace. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the sites of the East Baray of the "Grand Circuit": Pre Rup, Mebon, Tasom, Neak Pean, Prah Khan. Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap – Beng Melea (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the temple of Beng Melea, located 60km east of the city (2 hours by road).

It was built in the early 11th century, following the model of Angkor Wat, by Jayavarman VII. This area has only been accessible to the public since 2010! The road is bumpy through beautiful countryside. Few tourists go to this temple, which offers a small moment of adventure. Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: transfer to Koh Keh for visits. Return and overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (B/L)

After breakfast, transfer to Phnom Penh by road. Stops for relaxation and discovery are planned.

En route, visit stone carving workshops and the Kuha Nokor temple. Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh - Chau Doc (B/L/D)

In Phnom Penh, we will visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and the Russian Market.

In the afternoon, you will take a speed boat from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, in southern Vietnam. Welcome by the guide and driver at the Chau Doc pier.

Transfer to the city center and overnight in Chau Doc.

Chau Doc – Can Tho (B/L)

In the morning, you will sail to a village famous for fish farming under houses. The fish are in cages suspended under floating houses on the river.

Continue the journey with a visit to Cham minority houses. Then drive to Can Tho.

Arrival in Can Tho in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel in Can Tho.

Can Tho - Saigon (B/L)

Early in the morning, we will take a boat to participate in the Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most lively floating market in the Mekong Delta.

The setting is magnificent: hundreds of motorized sampans filled with rice, fruits, and handicrafts gather there to trade and sell. Then we go to lush orchards, an opportunity to taste fresh fruits picked on site.

Visit the ancient house of Binh Thuy before returning to Saigon in the afternoon.

En route, visit the Long Dinh mat village. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon - Cu Chi - Tay Ninh - Saigon (B/L)

Departure to visit the Cu Chi tunnels site, located 60 km from Saigon city center. This very complex network of underground passages, 250 km long, was dug day and night by the inhabitants and guerrillas during the war against the Americans.

Then we will drive towards Tay Ninh where we will visit the Caodai Temple. We will have the opportunity to participate in the religious ceremony that takes place every day at noon.

Very colorful and unique, this temple is the center of Caodaism in Vietnam. Its saints include Jesus, Buddha, and legendary figures such as Victor Hugo, Churchill, and Nguyen Binh Khiem! The religious ceremony takes place daily at noon. Return to Saigon in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Saigon.

Saigon – City Tour (B/L)

Saigon – shopping - departure (B)

Free time for your shopping or your own discovery of the city before transfer by the driver only (without guide) to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure.
Please note that the room must be vacated by noon at the latest.