Indochina Delights

Fly to Saigon. On arrival you will be met by your expert tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Sightseeing today includes a visit to the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Later, visit the Cholon and the Thien Hau Pagoda.

Journey to Ben Tre to take a cruise on the Mekong. This area is called the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, the rich and fertile lands producing a plethora of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruits. Paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and get a glimpse of daily life on the Mekong Delta.

Explore the amazing network of Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll see the legendary maze of tunnels used by the Viet Cong to infiltrate South Vietnam during the war. Later, fly to Danang and transfer to the UNESCO-listed city of Hoi An.

Take a morning walking tour of charming Hoi An, a wonderfully laidback, graceful and wilfully traditional town. Visit one of the oldest homes, still occupied by descendants of merchants that built it over 200 years ago. Also, visit the elaborate Japanese Bridge, Hoi An Market and a local Chinese Temple with a stop en route to visit Reaching Out, a social enterprise craft workshop, and watch the artisans at work. The afternoon is at leisure to relax at the beach or in a riverside café.

Drive out into the countryside to Tra Que, a small farming community where you can enjoy the lush green countryside and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. Later, take a flight to Hanoi, a charming and richly historic city of lakes, parks and shaded boulevards and Vietnam’s capital. In the evening, watch a performance of the famous water puppets.

Spend the day aboard your comfortable cruise ship sailing amongst the spectacular seascapes, fringed by jagged karst formations jutting from emerald waters. Halong Bay, with its 1,600 islands and islets, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is a vision of awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy fresh meals on board and spend the night anchored on the tranquil waters. Return to Hanoi the next day. This evening, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.

Spend the morning exploring Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh complex, the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple – you’ll also take a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy a flavourful Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Fly to the enchanting city of Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is the quintessential image of Laos – a place of vivid colours, an extremely rich heritage and enduring French legacy. Today, rise early to watch a Takbat alms giving ceremony. Ascend Phousi Hill for city vistas, visit Wat Xieng Thong, then cruise along the Mekong River to see the Pak Ou Caves. Return to Luang Prabang and visit Thin Hong and Ban Xang Khong Village en route.

Visit the National Museum before continuing to the cascading turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Return to Luang Prabang via Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre. This evening witness a traditional Baci Ceremony.

Fly to Siem Reap and visit Artisan D'Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts.

The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over a thousand temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Enter the walled city of Angkor Thom and head to its heart to see the enigmatic Bayon, followed by the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm, an atmospheric temple left in the grips of the jungle. This afternoon is dedicated to the magnificence of Angkor Wat and intricate beauty of Banteay Srei temple. Take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems.

High Water Season (Aug to Feb) Visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Enjoy a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Khleang and observing the way of life of these lake communities. This evening sit down to dinner and an Apsara dance show. Low Water Season (Mar to Jul) Head to Beng Mealea to explore this mysterious temple overrun by the jungle and the floating village of Chong Kneas. This evening sit down to dinner and an Apsara dance show.

Enjoy the morning at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Australia, arriving home to same or following day.