Indochina Legends

11 days visiting

• Siem Reap
• Phnom Penh
• Saigon
• Hanoi,
• Vientiane
• Luang Prabang

From $3406 AUD pp (2 pax)

Day 1 Siem Reap (Dinner: Local Restaurant (Cambodia) )
Arrival in Siem Reap
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 2 Siem Reap (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Local Restaurant (Cambodia) )
Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Angkor Wat
The crown jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. Upon entering the main structure, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface of the temple, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted from the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.
Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle.
Visit Ta Prohm temple
Ta Prohm is one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.
Visit a temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 3 Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Local Restaurant (Cambodia) )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Let’s see what Cambodia’s capital city has to offer! The riverfront promenade is a hive of activity, from the chaotic traffic to busy pavements full of street-side vendors and pedestrians. We’ll visit the National Museum and the Silver Pagoda, and then rub shoulders with the royals in the Royal Palace, where King Norodom Sihamoi still lives today. But the city still bears the scars left by the Khmer Rouge. In particular the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Formerly the high school, it became the main interrogation and torture facility. Largely unchanged, it bears witness to the thousands of victims that passed through the doors
only seven of whom survived. It’s a distressing place to visit, but it’s necessary to understand the resilience of the Cambodians. And of course, there’s time for shopping in one of the city’s fabulous markets to barter for locally made silk, crafts, jewellery and lots more. Today’s Highlights: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, Central Market or the Russian Market
Transfer to/from restaurant
Enjoy traditional dance performance at the National Museum by Cambodian Living Arts on Stage
Cambodian Living Arts on Stage is a non-profit organization based in Cambodia that focuses on Cambodian arts. The troupe, featuring live singers and musicians, present eight Classical and folk dances on the stage in the beautiful grounds of the National Museum. This vibrant show presents an array of dances from Khmer and different ethnic minorities that reside in Cambodia, ranging from the traditional elegance of Apsara to the folkloric romance of Nesat (the fishing dance). The performances will captivate you through their beauty and poise, enhanced with outstanding costumes and colour with the most enjoyable pieces set in the splendid gardens of the National Museum – Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 4 Phnom Penh – Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Phnom Penh to Saigon
Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Saigon
Ever-vibrant, ever-changing – this is the buzzing city of Saigon, where sleek skyscrapers loom over incense-infused temples and motorcycles rule the roads. There’s classic European-style landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, the ornate City Hall and the art-deco Post Office. Reminders of a recent past can be seen in the Reunification Palace, famously stormed by tanks in 1975. We’ll visit all the main sights of the city and make time to browse the stalls in the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Today’s Highlights: Reunification Palace, Emperor of Jade Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Saigon

Day 5 Saigon – Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Saigon to Hanoi
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Hanoi
There’s no arguing – Hanoi has to be the coolest city in Vietnam. And no, we’re not just referring to the climate. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage – the Temple of Literature is one of the oldest landmarks. More recent history can be seen in Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, while the man himself, lies embalmed in an austere mausoleum. There’s picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Let’s jump right in and experience it all. We’ll even go green and explore the Old Quarter by electric buggy. Today’s Highlights: Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter by electric buggy.
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Hanoi

Day 6 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) / Dinner: Le Tonkin )
Excursion to Halong Bay with boat trip including lunch
Halong Bay was formed by dragons who used their tails to gouge out valleys and crevasses, and spat out jewels that turned into islands. Or so the Vietnamese believe. Whether true or not, this is an otherworldly landscape. On a traditional wooden junk we’ll drift through a fairyland of sheer limestone islands that rise from the emerald water. We’ll pass by unique rock formations and discover caves in the rocks. We can explore even closer on a kayak or bamboo rowing boat. Today’s Highlights: Boat trip through Halong Bay, Thien Cung Cave
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7 Hanoi – Vientiane (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Hanoi to Vientiane
Arrival in Vientiane
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Vientiane
Vientiane confuses us! Is it Asian or French? There are beautiful Buddhist sites such as Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving Buddhist temple in Vientiane, and the gleaming golden stupa of Pha That Luang. Yet turn a corner and you come face to face with Patuxai, a monumental arch resembling the Arc de Triomphe, but covered with Lao motifs. You decide after visiting these sights plus more. Today’s Highlights: Pha That Luang, Ho Pha Keo (former royal temple), Wat Si Saket, Patuxai
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Vientiane

Day 8 Vientiane – Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel / Restaurant )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang (half day)
Make sure your cameras and phones are fully charged for today’s tour of the charming UNESCO-protected town of Luang Prabang. Golden Buddha images adorn gilded temples with sweeping roofs, while saffron-clad monks drift silently by. One of the most photographed sights is the unique pink mosaic of the tree of life at Wat Xieng Thong. We will, of course, visit this temple, along with many others that line the streets of the tiny town. Today’s Highlights: Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat), Wat Aham, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop, Wat Sene
Transfer to/from restaurant
– Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 9 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Local Restaurant (Laos) )
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
How about grilled insects for breakfast today? Only kidding, but these are just some of the exotic produce that we will see at the morning market. It’s a great place to get a flavour of local culture
and if you do have a craving for fried crickets, you can get them here too! We’ll then go to see the rich treasures in the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. Check out the royal family’s private quarters. They have been preserved just as they were when the royal family were forced to leave. Nearby is Hor Phra Bang, an ornate temple housing a sacred Buddha shrouded in legends. At New Year, the Buddha is carried to Wat Mai. So we’ll go there too! Today’s Highlights: local market, National Museum (Royal Palace), Hor Phra Bang, Wat Mai
Excursion by boat to Tham Pak Ou Caves
Let’s get spiritual as we follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to the Pak Ou Caves. These ancient limestone caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues, many broken and crumbling, covered in dust and cobwebs. But first, relax on a cruise down the Mekong River observing life on the sleepy riverbanks. If there’s time, we’ll stop at a village where the eye-watering Lao Lao whisky is made. Be warned, it’s potent! Today’s Highlights: River cruise to Tham Pak Ou Caves, Ban Xang Hai Village
Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong
Visit Ban Xang Khong, a village near Luang Prabang well known for its traditional handwoven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local sa (mulberry) paper.
Transfer to/from restaurant with a visit to Night Market
– Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 10 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls
Pack your swimsuit for a unique swimming experience at the spectacular Kuang Si Falls. Water tumbles over limestone rocks into numerous turquoise pools that are used as natural swimming holes. It’s refreshingly chilly and impossible to resist! On the way back to Luang Prabang stop for a walk around a local village. Today’s highlights: Kuang Si Waterfall, local village (Ban Ou or Ban Na Ouane)
Afternoon at leisure
– Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 11 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle