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The Grand Tour of Indochina

From $6,465 - 27 Days, Fully Inclusive from selected Australian cities

Encounter breathtaking scenery, diverse cultures, captivating history and gracious people on this Grand Tour of Indochina.

Vietnam will fascinate you with bustling Saigon and the mighty Mekong River. Board the overnight train to the charming town of Sapa where you will explore villages of the minority tribes. In the neighbouring country of Laos, you will see some of the most stunning landscapes, dominated by beautiful mountains and cascading waterfalls. Immerse yourself in history as you tour some of the country’s oldest temples.

The magnitude of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat will astound you, as will the beauty and serenity at Ta prohm.

Embrace this extensive journey of discovery through the three countries of Indochina, and you will be rewarded with lasting memories.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO SAIGON

Fly with Vietnam Airlines to Saigon for a four night stay.

DAY 2: SAIGON

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and the lively Ben Thanh Market, where you can enjoy some shopping.

DAYS 3-4: SAIGON

Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta and explore the river by boat. Tomorrow, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels where you are led by a War Veteran and travel to Tay Ninh where you will experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion.

DAY 5: SAIGON TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An, stopping at Marble Mountains en route.

DAY 6: HOI AN

Tour Hoi An on foot. Visit an old merchant’s home, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Market and a local Chinese temple.

DAY 7: HOI AN TO HUE

Drive over the Hai Van Pass to Hue. Upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang.

DAY 8: HUE

Take a cyclo this morning to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Later, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and cruise along the Perfume River.

DAY 9: HUE TO HANOI (via Danang) TO SAPA

Hue Airport will be closed from the 20th of March until the 20th of November 2013. During this time our group tours that fly in/out of Hue Airport with Vietnam Airlines will be flying in/out of Danang Airport instead.

Transfer to Danang Airport through the Hai Van Tunnel and fly to Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you will see the Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Visit the Temple of Literature before boarding your overnight soft sleeper train to Sapa.

DAYS 10-11: SAPA

Early this morning you will arrive in Sapa. Over the next two days explore some of the different minority villages on foot. On the second night you will board your overnight sleeper train back to Hanoi.

DAY 12: HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi this morning. Later, visit the Ethnology Museum and watch a performance of the famous Water Puppets, which have a history dating back thousands of years.

DAY 13: HANOI TO HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay where you will spend the night on board a junk boat relaxing and watching the sun set over the bay.

DAY 14: HALONG BAY TO HANOI

Continue cruising this morning before returning to Hanoi.

DAY 15: HANOI TO LUANG PRABANG

Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Tour the city by tuk-tuk visiting Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, Wat Sene and the National Museum. Later, climb Phousi Hill for panoramic views of the city.

DAYS 16-17: LUANG PRABANG

Rise early this morning to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat. Cruise the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, visiting Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves en route. Return to Luang Prabang, stopping along the way at Ban Xang Khong. Tomorrow you will travel to the Kuangsi Waterfalls. Stop at Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre before returning to Luang Prabang.

DAY 18: LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG

Travel to Vang Vieng, stopping along the way in Phoukoune to visit the local market.

DAY 19: VANG VIENG

Visit Tham Chang Cave followed by Tham Loup Cave. Walk through the peaceful Laos countryside along the Nam Song River.

DAY 20: VANG VIENG TO VIENTIANE

Continue south to Vientiane. This afternoon you will visit the Patuxai Victory Monument, Wat Si Saket, Wat Phra Keo and That Luang Stupa. This evening enjoy dinner while watching a traditional Lao dance performance.

DAY 21: VIENTIANE TO PHNOM PENH

Fly to Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. This afternoon you will visit the majestic Silver Pagoda to see the Emerald Buddha and explore the National Museum.

DAY 22: PHNOM PENH

This morning you will learn about the atrocities of Pol Pot at the emotional Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes. Afterwards, visit the Apsara Association, where underprivileged children are taught traditional dance and music. End the day with a visit to the Russian and Central markets.

Day 23: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Visit Wat Phnom, from which the city got its  name, before you are transferred to the airport to board your flight to Siem Reap. This afternoon visit Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Enjoy the sunset from the summit of Pre Rup, overlooking the Cambodian rice fields.

DAY 24: SIEM REAP

Rise early to explore the amazing temples of Angkor, starting with the fabulous Ta Prohm. Continue to Angkor Thom, the Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and the magnificent Angkor Wat.

DAY 25: SIEM REAP

Travel by boat to see the floating villages, schools and restaurants along Tonle Sap. Continue to the lesser visited temple of Beng Mealea, enjoying a picnic lunch en route.

DAY 26: DEPART SIEM REAP

This morning is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Siem Reap airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.

DAY 27: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home today.

Tour reviews

Wendy Wu Tours Review:

"The only South African amongst a group that consisted mostly of Australian members, I was fortunate enough to participate in your Grand Tour of Indochina between 19 October to 13 November 2011. It was a fantastic, stimulating, and even adventurous trip with sights and activities well chosen. The tour was especially amazing right from the time our National Escort Mr. Pham Van Anh met us at the airport outside Saigon. To see such a friendly face and receive the welcome he gave us instilled immediate confidence in me that we were going to be in excellent hands. I was also impressed with Mr. Pham’s ability to get to know the names the 19 group members in no time. Mr. Pham’s presence, guidance and incredible knowledge contributed to our enjoyment of every minute of our time with him in Vietnam. But it was particularly his gentle, consistently patient, kind and interested manner in which he dealt with our group, whenever a matter that needed his attention cropped up.  He kept his cool, and entertained us with his great sense of humour and particular sayings all while enthusiastically sharing with us his wealth of knowledge of his country and the places we were visiting. When I needed to say ‘good-bye’ to Mr. Pham Van Ahn it indeed felt as if I were leaving a good friend behind.

Then it was onto Laos where we were met by our sweet, gentle Lao National escort Mr. Khamphouvieng Phetongdy. What a relief, after having practised on the plane to pronounce Mr. Khamphouvieng’s full name, he informed us to call him simply Vieng, which rolled off our tongues quite easily. Again it was impressive that Mr. Vieng learnt our names in a very short time – all that trouble for our far too short week in his beautiful country! I enjoyed Mr. Vieng’s beautiful manner, reminiscent of the beautiful script of written Laotian, in which he informed us about the places we were taken to, so sharing his body of knowledge about his country with us! It was again not easy to bid farewell to such a special person who was endlessly patient with and kind to us.

In Cambodia we were met by Mr. Chen Sokhaeon and after settling into our hotel we were off to see the sights of exciting Phnom Penh under the guidance of a very well informed local guide. Once again we were escorted by knowledgeable Mr. Chen who especially made the Angkor Wat complex temples in Siem Reap come to life for us.

It was a wonderful and very stimulating 27-day trip overall, and in my view with an itinerary well worked out to suit everybody.

My thanks to the Wendy Wu company for a wonderfully comprehensive 27 days but particular thanks for the national escorts who looked after us to the best of their abilities and with such great enthusiasm. I would recommend your company without hesitation."

Riana Rosenbaum, Betty’s Bay, South Africa – June 2012

Price guide

From $6,465 per person 27 Days Fully Inclusive
Departing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra flying Vietnam Airlines.
From Price Includes Tour cost $5,890, Vietnam Airlines Fuel Surcharge $415 & Tipping $160 (Subject to change with Tipping is split and payable on arrival in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Cambodian Departure Tax is now included in your airline ticket.  See Booking Conditions)
From $6,408 per person Departing Perth, flying Singapore Airlines (SQ Fuel surcharge $358)
From $970 Single Hotel and Junk Boat Option
From $405 Single Rail Compartment Option
From $5,503 Land Only (Saigon to Siem Reap) includes Tipping
Tour
Code
Depart
Date
Return
Date
Twin Share Price
AUD#

2013

     
VGT1318  25-Aug  20-Sep $6,465
VGT1320  08-Sep  04-Oct $6,465
VGT1322  29-Sep  25-Oct $6,565
VGT1323  06-Oct  01-Nov $6,465
VGT1324  20-Oct  15-Nov $6,465
VGT1326  10-Nov  06-Dec $6,665
2014      
VGT1402*  19-Jan  14-Feb $6,765
VGT1404  02-Feb 28-Feb
$6,765
VGT1406  16-Feb  14-Mar $6,665
VGT1408  23-Feb  21-Mar $6,665
VGT1410  02-Mar  28-Mar $6,665

*Departure coincides with Tet New Year celebrations and sightseeing may be affected due to public holiday closures.

# Prices are for departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra.

Important Note: Prices include Vietnam Airlines Fuel surcharges and tipping of $575 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD160 is payable on arrival in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book.  Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date. 

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Price Guide

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