Dear Phoebe,
Thank you so much! Everything was perfect. Tours, suggestions, guides, hotels, gifts and surprises during the trip. 24h online to answer our doubts. 100% recommended!
Hoi An was the best place we visited! We really loved there.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018!
Bruna and Raul
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Mon 18 December 2017 : Luang Prabang arrival (-) | Guide and driver
*Flight: BKK - LPQ QV634 (10.20 - 12.00)
On arrival at the airport at 12h00, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.
After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.
If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old. Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 02 . Tue 19 December 2017 : Luang Prabang - Kuangsi Waterfall - Flight to Hanoi (B) | Guide and driver
Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life.
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.
We then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals
We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.
Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, & 01 JAN every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.
We transfer back to hotel at Luang Prabang then to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.
*Flight: LPQ - HAN QV313 (17.10 - 18.10)
Pick up upon arrival and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 03 . Wed 20 December 2017 : Hanoi city tour (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a 1 hour cyclo tour. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 04 . Thu 21 December 2017 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, you depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta.
12:00 – 12:30: Embark the LaFairy Sails at Tuan Chau International harbor. Enjoy welcome drink, cruise briefing & start cruising.
13:00 – 14:30: A sumptuous lunch is served while cruising into the magnificent Halong Bay with its thousands of extraordinarily shaped limestone islands, considered as the heaven on the Earth.
15:15 – 15:45: Explore Lờm Bò area and be charmed by this outstanding masterpiece of Mother Nature. Visit Mê Cung Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and climb up to see the panoramic view of the bay from above
16:00 – 16:45: Explore Ngoc Trai area by kayaking.
17:00 – 19:00: Return to the LaFairy Sails for a Sunset party to admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Enjoy everyday promotion HAPPY HOUR - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE all beverages from 5 to 6pm.
19:00: Savor a sparkling and dreamlike dinner on top deck under the light of a thousand stars in middle of the tranquil Bay with extremely delicious food and be awed by a fascinating fruit and vegetable carving show. Delight in traditional music performances. Afterwards, socialize with the artist, new friends and crew members, join squid fishing.
Overnight onboard.
Day 05 . Fri 22 December 2017 : Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B, L) | Guide and driver
06:30 – 07:00: Start your new day with a Tai Chi session or a photo hunt.
07:15 – 08:00: Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the Bay.
08:15 – 09:15: Visit Titov Island for swimming in the emerald water. Then hike up to the top of the island to take the breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay.
09:45 – 10:15: Pack your luggage and check out of the cabin while cruising towards the harbor.
10:15 – 11:45: Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an exceptional Buffet lunch.
12:00 – 12:30: Disembark the LaFairy Sails & Farewell. Drive to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. On the way, visit Yen Duc, the beautiful village in Dong Trieu.
*Flight: HAN - HUI VN1545 (19.15 - 20.30)
Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 06 . Sat 23 December 2017 : Hue - Thuy Bieu village (B, L) | Guide and driver
The morning will be spent visiting Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City or Tu Cam Thanh. Then, we will take a boat trip on poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 - the symbol of Hue city. Cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid back village situated on the bank of Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards. Arrive in the village, and join our cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by lush trees. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing. Back to the hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 07 . Sun 24 December 2017 : Hue - Danang - Hoian walking tour (B) | Guide and driver
In the morning drive on the Mandarin road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. Take some photos en route of Danang Beach and visit Cham Museam before arriving in Hoi An’s ancient town.
In the afternoon, explore Hoi An ancient town, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 08 . Mon 25 December 2017 : Hoi An - Fish and Chips tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
Guide pick guests up at hotel, take bicycles along De Vong River to Cam An wharlf. Embark on the boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fisher man. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduce to the history there. Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river, Fisherman will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 paxs/boat).
Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people and learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf. Then get on board to Cam An wharf, continue to take a bicycle to Tra Que village and join in the daily activities with local farmer there. Enjoy lunch before riding back to hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 09 . Tue 26 December 2017 : Hoian - Danang - Flight to Siemreap (B) | Guide and driver
Pick up then transfer to the airport for your flight to Siemreap.
*Flight: DAD - SGN VN123 (12.15 - 13.40) // SGN - REP VN813 (16.20 - 17.30)
Meet your guide and transfer to hotel in Siemreap.
Overnight in Siemreap.
Day 10 . Wed 27 December 2017 : Siemreap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Siemreap (B, D) | Guide and driver
We will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom also referred to as "Great City", the famous Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century and the Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas known as "Heavenly Palace". In the afternoon, we will tour the World Heritage site "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building. We continue our day with a visit to Bakheng Hill Temple and watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Back to the hotel. Dinner with special Aspara dance show.
Overnight in Siemreap.
Day 11 . Thu 28 December 2017 : Siemreap - Kbal Spean - Banteay Srei - Siemreap (B, L) | Guide and driver
We will start our day trip by visiting Kbal Spean referred to as “The river of a Thousand Lingas” which is situated 30km north of Angkor Wat, roughly a one hour drive. It closes at 3pm. We will take a forest walk and then return for lunch. We will continue from there straight to Banteay Srei, "The Citadel of Women" built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power. Like numerous others, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is a masterpiece of Khmer art with its intricate, pink sandstone construction and ornate design. On the way back to Siem Reap, we will visit Srah Srang, "The Royal Bath" and Banteay Kdei, a richly decorated Buddhist temple.
Overnight in Siemreap.
Day 12 . Fri 29 December 2017 : Siemreap departure (B) | Guide and driver
Free time till your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. You room is available until noon only.
*Flight: REP - BKK WE589 (09.15 - 10.20)