Heritage of Indochina Tour
Our Heritage of Indochina tour showcases the cultural highlights of Laos, Vietam and Cambodia; by taking you to the most interesting and varied locations in South-East Asia including some fabulous UNESCO world heritage sites.
Your heritage of Indochina tour starts off in the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, where you can join the locals in the traditional morning alms ceremony, where the monks parade through the streets collecting food and offerings. From here you move on to the early morning local markets, which are simply fascinating, before spending the day visiting the Royal Palace Museum and the country’s most historic and enchanting Temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style.
Exploring Indochina Tour
After a few days exploring Luang Prabang you take a short flight to Vietnam’s sophisticated capital of Hanoi. Once there you can walk down tree-lined boulevards and soak up the splendour of the French colonial architecture and explore the city’s old and French quarter with its extensive markets, art galleries, eateries and coffee shops. Journeying on you will also take a cruise through thousands of sharp limestone islands at the UNESCO heritage Bay of Ha Long; where you get to explore small hidden coves and impressive caves with glittering stalactites. Continuing on your next stop is the old imperial capital of Hue, where you will sail down the picturesque Perfume River, visit the Forbidden Purple Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, as well as getting to sample the refined and unique Hue cuisine.
The last leg of your Indochina tour takes you on a drive along one of Vietnam’s most scenic highways to the picturesque 16th-century harbour of Hoi An, where you spend a couple of nights before a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Once here you have plenty of time to get under the skin of the incredible Angkor Wat temple complex, the Lara Croft Ta Prohm temple as well as Angkor Thom and other important sites, such as the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of Elephants and the Bayon Temple. On your journey through this region, you will leave no stone unturned, meaning you will return home with an array of incredible memories.
Indochina Tour Highlights
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Luang Prabang City Tour
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Stunning views from Mount Phousi
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Nam Ou River Experience
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Pak Ou Caves
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Ha Long Bay Junk boat cruise
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Hanoi City Tour
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Hue full day City Tour
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Hoi An Heritage walk
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Full Day Angkor Temple Tour
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Floating Villages
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Cambodian Circus
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Luang Prabang
Arrival
After enjoying a scenic flight you will arrive at Luang Prabang airport. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Where you have the afternoon to relax as you wish.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: _/_/_)
Day
2
Luang Prabang
Morning Alms & City Tour
Rise early before dawn to experience the fascinating traditions of Luang Prabang by witnessing the daily ‘Tak Bak’ morning alms ritual. Lines of orange-clad monks line the streets which are a truly magical sight. From here you will move on to explore the morning fresh markets before discovering the rest of this chocolate box town. You will take in all the main sites of this beautiful UNESCO town; Wat Visoun, Wat Xiengthong and of course finishing at the top of Mount Phousi to get an ariel view of town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
3
Luang Prabang
Nam Ou Experience
This morning you depart Luang Prabang for a day’s river adventure. Driving north to the village of Ban Don Ngurn you will board a local traditional private longboat for a cruise down the beautiful Nam Ou River. Enjoy a lovely picnic lunch on the picturesque banks of the Nam Ou River, then visit a traditional weaving and dyeing village and the sacred Pak Ou Caves crammed with thousands of Buddha images.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
4
Hanoi
Luang Prabang to Hanoi
Today you have a free morning to enjoy in Luang Prabang as you wish; you could relax at your hotel, take a stroll into town or we could arrange a half-day trip to Kuang Si waterfalls. Then after lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Hanoi. Once in Hanoi, you are free to explore on your own or we can arrange an introductory tour such as an evening Vespa street food adventure.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
5
Ha Long Bay
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay
In the morning you leave Hanoi behind again and travel out to the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay; a world Heritage site of outstanding beauty. You then board your junk boat and enjoy lunch as you set sail. In the afternoon you will stop to explore ‘Sung Sot Cave’, considered to be the most beautiful cave in the Bay. Back on board you then enjoy dinner and settle in for the night.
Overnight on Board (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
6
Hanoi
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Rise early for an amazing sunrise view over the sea and feel the silence of the beautiful misty bay. Brunch will be served while cruising further to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the Wharf. The boat continues cruising toward Ha Long port, where you will disembark at noon and then travel back to Hanoi for your last night in Vietnam’s capital.
Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
7
Hue
Hanoi to Hue
Today, you’ll spend the morning exploring Hanoi and learning about its history and legends which will deepen your appreciation for the city. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Hue, where you can relax for the rest of your day at your leisure.
Overnight in Hue (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
8
Hue
Full Day Heritage Tour
A full day exploring Hue awaits you today, first stop being the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors (1820-1945), the Imperial City and the Royal Citadel. Before continuing on to the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is Hue’s oldest and most beautiful pagoda, thought to be the symbol of religion and spirit of Hue people. After lunch, your journey on to the Tu Duc Tomb which is the solemn permanent shelter of the 4th Nguyen Emperor. Your day then ends with an exploratory cyclo tour around the ancient streets of Hue.
Overnight in Hue (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
9
Hoi An
Hue to Hoi An
Today you will be driven on one of Vietnams most scenic highways by private car to Hoi An, with the journey taking around 4 hours. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. On arrival you have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy at your own leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
10
Hoi An
Half-Day Heritage Walk
Your half-day walking tour of Hoi An starts after breakfast when you get to discover the charming old-world trading port, the towns narrow streets and fabulous traditional houses and former merchants’ homes. A highlight of the day is a trip to the town’s iconic 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful local markets.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
11
Hoi An
Joint Cooking Class
Today you will enjoy a market and Village tour and a fabulous Gourmet Cooking Class. You start by cycling to one of Hoi An’s colourful markets to purchase your ingredients than on to An My village where you will learn about the cultivation of fresh herbs and vegetables as well as discovering the use of them in traditional Vietnamese medicine. Then back in the kitchen, you will get a hands-on experience of how to cook some classic Vietnamese dishes.
Overnight in Hoi An (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
12
Siem Reap
Hoi An to Siem Reap
Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time in the morning in Hoi An before you are transferred to the airport for your international flight to Siem Reap. You will be met at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. Once at your hotel you can relax, explore Siem Reap under your own steam and enjoy the evening as you wish.
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
13
Siem Reap
Full Day Heritage Tour Angkor Temples
On this magnificent day tour you will take a static balloon ride, which gives you an aerial view of the temples. From here you journey to the enchanting temple of Bayon located in the centre of Angkor Thom. Your next stop is the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium. Then continuing along to the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. You will then move on to the Mother of all temples, the Angkor Wat, which is believed to be the world’s largest religious building. Your final destination is the famous ‘Lara Croft; Ta Prohm temple, a structure, which has been abandoned to the elements. You will have a truly breath-taking day!
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
14
Siem Reap
Floating Village & Cambodian Circus
This morning you visit Kampong Phluk, which is a perfect example of one of the many communities living in the floating villages of Cambodia. You will also visit the flooded forest before a brief Tonle Sap boat tour. After the tour, you will return to your hotel where the afternoon is yours to do as you wish. In the evening you will then marvel at the fantastic Cambodian circus, which is a mixture of acrobatics, music, dance and culture.
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
15
Siem Reap
Departure
Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time in the morning before we transfer you to the airport for your departing flight home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Contact Us
Start planning your holiday today
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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1Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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2We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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3We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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4Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Laos
Laos has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
Our Favourite Hotels in Laos
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Laos. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.