Vietnam & Laos Discovery

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO SAIGON

Fly with Singapore Airlines to Saigon for a three night stay. Adelaide passengers may need to depart one day earlier.

DAY 2: SAIGON – CU CHI

Explore the amazing network of Cu Chi Tunnels led by a War Veteran. Later, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum.

DAY 3: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA

Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Explore the river by boat, passing stilt houses and fish farms. Paddle through palm-lined canals in sampans and walk through villages, where you can sample local tea. Return to Saigon this afternoon.

DAY 4: SAIGON TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang and transfer to the charming town of Hoi An, stopping at Marble Mountains en route.

DAY 5: HOI AN

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

DAY 6: HOI AN TO HUE

Drive over the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue. Take a cyclo to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Later, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and cruise along the Perfume River.

DAY 7: HUE TO HANOI (via Danang)

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.

This morning you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang before transferring to Danang Airport through the Hai Van Tunnel to fly to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Here you will find a blend of French and Vietnamese architecture alongside lakes and tree-lined boulevards

DAY 8: HANOI – HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay where you will cruise through the emerald waters. After lunch on board, travel back to Hanoi.

DAY 9: HANOI

Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed Sep-Dec), Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. This evening watch a performance of the famous Water Puppets.

DAY 10: HANOI TO LUANG PRABANG

Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Tour the city by tuk-tuk, visiting Wat Visoun, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sene and the National Museum.

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG

Travel to Kuangsi Waterfalls, visiting a local market en route. Later, visit Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre before returning to Luang Prabang. This afternoon climb Phousi Hill to watch the sunset.

DAY 12: LUANG PRABANG

Cruise along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. Afterwards you will stop at Thin Hong and Ban Xang Khong villages.

DAY 13: LUANG PRABANG TO VIENTIANE

Rise early to view the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat and visit the fresh food market before flying to Vientiane. This evening enjoy a traditional music and dance performance.

DAY 14: DEPART VIENTIANE

Visit Thongkhankham Market, Wat Si Saket, That Luang Stupa, Patuxai Victory Monument and Wat Phra Keo. This afternoon you will be transferred to Vientiane airport to board your overnight flight to Australia (via Bangkok).

DAY 15: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home today.

Price guide