Indochina Explorer
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cultural Tour by Air | 23 days
This trip starts in Laos — an entrancing country with hill-tribe villages, temples and beautiful countryside. Cambodia is renowned for its art and architecture — no visit here would be complete without a tour of the magnificent temple complex at Angkor. In Vietnam explore from south to north with the bustling markets in the Mekong Delta, the modern and colonial mix of Saigon, Hue’s old imperial capital and an absorbing journey by Chinese-style sailing junk in Halong Bay.
Day 1: Fly to Luang Prabang (Laos)
Days 2&3: Tour Luang Prabang, a beautifully preserved traditional city
Day 4: Visit the famous caves of Pak Ou
Day 5: Swim in the clear pools at the base of the spectacular waterfalls of Kuangsi
Day 6: Fly to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos
Day 7: Vientiane
Day 8: Fly to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
Day 9: Tour Phnom Penh’s infamous Killing Fields and the Royal Palace
Day 10: Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat, the last capital of the Khmers
Days 11&12: The temples of Angkor at Siem Reap and boat trip to Tonle Sap
Day 13: Fly to Saigon (Vietnam)
Day 14: Saigon
Day 15: Explore the fertile Mekong Delta
Day 16: Fly to Danang, the centre of the Cham Dynasty and explore the UNESCO town of Hoi An
Day 17: Explore rural communities in Danang
Day 18: Drive to Hue, the old imperial capital
Days 19&20: Cruise down the Perfume River before flying to Hanoi
Day 21: Explore Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital
Day 22: Full day visit to some of the 3000 spectacular limestone outcrops, cliffs, arches and coves of Halong Bay
Day 23: Fly to London
Guide price £4,745 per person
Trip Reports for Indochina
Map
Travel Tips
Comments
Fiona’s travel tips
FOR THE ACTIVE: Kayaking in Halong Bay.
MY FAVOURITE PLACE: Luang Prabang — sitting cross legged on the pavement at dawn watching the silent procession of orange-robed monks coming down the street towards me during the giving of alms.
BEST TIME TO GO : November to March
JOURNEY TIME:
Cambodia: 14½ hours (indirect)
Laos: 15 hours (indirect)
Vietnam: 16 hours (indirect)
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Clients’ comments
“We would definitely recommend this trip to our friends and we would say that we were some of the youngest on board so it is suitable for the fit 80 year olds! The hotel in Chang Rai was particularly lovely being on the river front – here we were able to take a longboat to see some Elephants.”
Vicki and George Jessel, Laos Mekong Expedition
“The Laos to Thailand trip up the Mekong River was a wonderful experience on the Sabaidee Pandaw Boat. Pre departure I had many questions about flights etc. all of which were answered and arrangements made for me. Your service was very efficient. Booking forms , flight tickets etc all very clear and efficient. The Sabaidee Pandaw was a beautiful boat. It has extremely comfortable cabins and the crew went out of their way to make sure we were well looked after and the culinary experience was very good. An evening spent on a sandbank for a barbecue and music when the local children joined in trying new dance moves by the crew and the lighting of fire lanterns was very memorable.”
Catherine Thomas, Laos Mekong Expedition
“All your information was detailed and clear. The guides were excellent, especially in Siem Reap. Quite the best holiday we have ever had!”
Mr and Mrs Nigel Paton and family, Vietnam and Cambodia
“We had a brilliant hugely enjoyable trip and liked the Pandaw Mekong very much.”
Euan and Su Bowater, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand
“With the sole exception of the road to Ha Long Bay, we loved our three weeks in Vietnam travelling from Hanoi to Saigon, via the old imperial capital of Hue, the charming 17th-century trading post of Hoi An, the beaches of Nha Trang, the kitsch-veneered, faded elegance of Dalat (an old French hill station, where Graham tried the splendid golf course) and a couple of delightful days boating and cycling along the Mekong Delta. We didn’t want to leave Saigon. Particularly when we found it was snowing in London. But here we are, from 35C to freezing in 12 hours.”
Sue & Graham Bell, Vietnam
“The Vietnam trip was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed it – memorable for all the right reasons. In particular the hotels were well-chosen and uniformly of a very high standard, and each had its own individual character. Our local guides were also excellent – friendly, efficient and very informative.”
Andrew and Suzanne Mounstephen, Vietnam
“The trip was awesome. I think the best I can say for our group is that we did not want it to end. We are still talking about how wonderful it was.”
Mrs Kate Huey and family, Indochina
“A fascinating historical and cultural insight and a wonderful trip all round.”
Mr and Mrs Stephen Scott-Smith, Cambodia/Vietnam
“All made very easy for us which is what we wanted… Excellent choice of hotels and flights”.
Mr and Mrs Walter Johnson, Pandaw River Cruise, Vietnam/Cambodia