Tour Code: ANVD Prices start from: $4,660 Ex Australia 14 Days Mystical land with ancient charms - and much more
Angkor Wat, the breathtaking World Heritage site where time stands still, is the highlight of this Asian adventure tour. Experience a tethered hot air balloon ride and travel by tuk tuk and boats to see temples, fishing villages, Vietnam war tunnels and the Mekong Delta. This travel package also journeys northbound through the ‘living museum?of Hoi An, the vibrance of Hanoi and the tranquility of Halong Bay.
Vietnam Map [enlarge]
MON: AUSTRALIA/SIEM REAP
Depart Australia on Singapore Airlines to Siem Reap. Transfer to Grand Raffles Hotel d’Angkor for three nights. (Passengers ex-Brisbane and Sydney will depart one day earlier on the overnight flight.)
TUE: SIEM REAP
Visit Angkor Thom – last capital of the Khmers and home to the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and the 12th century masterpiece, Bayon Temple. Rise above the site in a tethered hot-air balloon for a panoramic view of Angkor, Phnom Bakheng and Siem Reap. The remainder of the afternoon will be spent at Angkor Wat, watching the sunset from the an ancient temple. Enjoy dinner at Amazon Angkor Restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1
WED: SIEM REAP
Explore the temples of Preah Khan, Banteay Samre and Bateay Srei, “the citadel of women”, with its exquisite red sandstone carvings. Also visit Ta Prohm where giant fig and banyan trees are slowly reclaiming the temple. In the afternoon, take a ride in the traditional tuk tuk to McDermott Gallery, including a welcome drink, followed by dinner at the renowned Foreign Correspondents Club.
THU: SIEM REAP/SAIGON
Morning excursion to Kampong Kleang on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. Board your boat and pass by submerged forests, fishing farms and thriving fishing villages. After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza for one night.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1
FRI: SAIGON/CAN THO (MEKONG DELTA)
Transfer to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and board a local boat to explore the islands of Mekong, stopping at a fruit orchard to enjoy fruit and tea. Here in the lush delta area you have the opportunity to observe the daily life of Vietnam’s rural people. Continue onto Can Tho and stay one night at the Victoria Can Tho Hotel.
SAT: CAN THO/SAIGON
An early morning start to the bustling floating markets of Cai Rang where countless boats, loaded with local produce, are moored alongside the riverbank ready for the days trading. Sail through the markets and watch the locals haggle and trade their wares to interested buyers. Explore the rural city of Can Tho, passing the local market and Khmer Pagoda. This afternoon return to Saigon for two nights at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza. A cocktail reception at the historic Rooftop Garden Bar of the Rex Hotel will be arranged.
SUN: SAIGON
This morning you will travel by coach to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Constructed by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War, these tunnels ran directly under military bases and were used both as shelters and to stage surprise attacks. Explore the city, visiting the Reunification Palace, History Museum or Revolutionary Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street. Stop at Cholon (Chinatown) and Ben Thanh Market, the central market of Saigon and one of the liveliest areas in the city. In the evening, enjoy a wonderful dinner at Annamite Restaurant.
MON: SAIGON/HOI AN
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang where you will be met and transferred by coach via Marble Mountain, Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum to the charming ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO listed World Heritage site. Stay at the Boutique Hoi An Resort for two nights. Enjoy dinner at the Secret Garden Restaurant.
TUE: HOI AN
Described as a “living museum” of narrow winding streets and rows of ancient houses, Hoi An is brimming with a unique charm and tranquility. Enjoy a walking tour of the town and see architecture reminiscent of the traders of a bygone era – Japanese, French, Chinese and Indian – as well as the carefully-preserved old houses. Watch the preparation of traditional “pho” noodles and enjoy the lunch that follows. Visit the unique Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese communal houses. Shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy the riverside ambience. Enjoy a boat ride on the Thu Bon River and later visit Thanh Ha to see skilled locals at work producing beautiful pottery.
WED: HOI AN/HANOI
Transfer to Danang Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Transfer to the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel for three nights. Lunch at Koto Restaurant, owned by respected Australian-Vietnamese Jimmy Phan who helps street kids gain work in the hospitality industry. Afterwards take a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, then end the evening at the Water Puppet Theatre next to Hoan Kiem Lake.
THU: HANOI
Morning visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, before setting off on a walking visit to the colourful markets with a chef from the Hanoi Cooking Centre to search for the freshest ingredients. On return to the Hanoi Cooking Centre, your chef will demonstrate the preparation of mouth watering Vietnamese dishes followed by lunch. Your afternoon tour will include a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s wooden cottage and the One Pillar Pagoda. Early this evening, visit an artist gallery where you will enjoy a welcome drink as you browse the impressive display and finish with a dinner at the Press Club Restaurant.
FRI: HALONG BAY EXCURSION
A full day on beautiful Halong Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a seafood lunch onboard a leisurely cruise through the emerald green waters from which thousands of islands and grottoes rise majestically towards the sky.
SAT: HANOI/AUSTRALIA
Your Asian adventure tour comes to an end today when you farewell Vietnam on your overnight flight home.
Meals: Breakfast 1
SUN: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA