Indochina Soft Adventure Tour – 24 Days

Vietnam Itinerary 12 Days

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Welcome upon arrival by local tour guide and driver, we then transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night Train to Sapa (B, L)

Today, we visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hours visiting Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museumand One Pillar Pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature which originally built as a temple to Confucius. This is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.

In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority people. After that, get back to the city center where we take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Lastly, we will have a chance to enjoy the unique Water Puppet show to hear to know Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show. Tonight, we take a night train to Sapa.

Day 3: Sapa Trekking Tour (B, L, D)

Meet up at our hotel in Sapa by the local guide and then we first sneak through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, you will follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before trekking on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You will also enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch near the river.

After lunch, head to Muong Hoa valley and pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Ta Van village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. Spend the night in the local house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby.

Day 4: Sapa – Night Train to Hanoi (B, L, D)

Once you get energy for your last day of trekking by having a delicious breakfast, you leave for Giang Ta Chai village of Red Dao minority. You will trek through the bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park. On the way, you will pass by a waterfall where you will have time to take a rest and enjoy the surroundings. You will find a nice place to enjoy lunch.

After lunch, you continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Here you start your journey back to Sapa by car. Back to Lao Cai for our night train to Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise & Kayaking (B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to Halong with 3.5 hours driving North East taking us over the Red River and through the countryside of our second biggest delta to reach Halong Bay. We would be first dropped off at Tuan Chau International Marina – harbor of Halong’s biggest island. From which we will be tendered to Halong Phoenix Cruiser, welcome drinks would be immediately served for our refreshment while we hand over our cabin’s key.

At noon, put all of our stuff into our cabin and start gliding out to the center of the World Heritage Site. Our lunch will be prepared at the boat’s restaurant with fresh local seafood, but the vegetable menu is always available at our request.

In the afternoon, from the marina area, our cruiser passes by Dog Head and Swan Islands, Ba Hang Floating villages (with floating houses), Incense Burner then Thumb Islands before reaching Surprising Cave for an hour of exploration. Afterward, we tender to visit and swim on Titop Island, which is not far from the cave. Here we can still challenge yourself by climbing up to the top, for a panoramic view, before heading back to swim on its sandy beach.

As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea, and fruits will be available on the sundeck or we can order our favorite drink from our bar. Halong Phoenix Cruiser keeps cruising to Coconut anchorage area, which is away from the crowded center – where most other boats stay, for our overnight escape. Dinner would be served with typically local seafood, we are then free to either drink or experience squid fishing before heading to our bed.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Danang & Transfer to Hoi An (B, L)

We would love to rise a bit early for a breathtaking and practicing Tai Chi on the sundeck, the stunning vista of the serene bay is always the best experience of staying overnight on boat. Then enjoying buffet breakfast and gear up for one-hour kayaking around Luom Bo area (the provincial border between Quang Ninh province and Cat Ba National Park of Hai Phong).

We practice some basic safety guidelines and techniques to paddle before helping us to sit on our brand new sit-on-top kayaks. Kayaking area is so quiet that we will feel like the bay is remaining untouched, we will see neither other boat nor other kayakers beyond our group and our Phoenix Cruiser.

After kayaking, join a cooking demonstration on the boat, learn how to make real Vietnamese spring rolls, just before lunchtime. Lunch will be served on the boat when you are close to the harbor. In the afternoon, say goodbye to Halong Phoenix Cruiser and take the tender back to the harbor. Get back to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi for a flight to Danang. Overnight in Hoi An.

Special Note: Vegetarian menu available on boat but it should be informed in advance
What to Bring

• Original passport
• Insect repellent, camera and sun gears (dry bags provided while kayaking)
• Swimming suits (warm clothes in winter)
• Money for drinks

Day 7: Hoi An Walking Tour (B)

Free at leisure in the morning

In the afternoon, start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. The evening is also your leisure time to visit the ancient town. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An Farming & Fishing Tour (B, L, D)

Our Farming & Fishing Life Tour provides us with a close-up and intimate exposure to both the local farming and fishing communities. Accompanied by our tour guide, we commence the day leisurely cycling along country roads witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand, discovering all manner of photo opportunities – coming and visiting a beautiful organic vegetable village, watering and planting vegetable, hoeing a soil with local farmer, riding a water buffalo in a rice paddy field; seeing ducks swimming along the rice farm or farmers tending their crops. The photo opportunities are endless. As well we will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting us along the way.

Later we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise to meet and engage with local fishermen and enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We will also experience paddling the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat while the waterways of coconut palm paradise. This tour provides us with a cultural window into the ways of life of both our farming and fishing communities.

Day 9: Danang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

This morning, we transfer back to Danang for our flight to Ho Chi Minh city.

Welcome upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city by local tour guide and driver, we then transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, we visit Cu Chi tunnels, where are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Cu Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War and were the Viet Cong’s base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces and helped achieve ultimate military success.

On our way there we drive through the pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. At Cu Chi tunnel, we see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank, as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs, dropped by B52 bombers.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Cycling Tour (B, L, D)

Pick up at hotel in Saigon, drive to Cai Be, boat to see floating market, pop rice, rice paper, coconut candy making then keep going by boat to An Binh island, stop at local house for lunch, start to ride around the island on the cement road through fruit garden, in the shade of trees, along canals, check in homestay on the island. In the evening, join a cooking lesson at a local house and interact with the host family.

Cycling Distance: 20km

Day 11: Cycling to Can Tho  (B, L, D)

After breakfast, boat to Vinh Long, ride for 40Km along countryside road to see rice field, farmer’s daily activities, stop for lunch at local restaurant in Tam Binh district, ride 25 Km to Can Tho ferry, cross the river to Can Tho. The evening is your free time to explore Can Tho City. Overnight in Can Tho

Cycling Distance: 80km

Day 12: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B)

Early morning boat to Cai Rang floating market, enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant. You are free to explore the life of local people before getting in bus to travel to Chau Doc. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Cambodia Itinerary 5 Days

Day 13: Chau Doc – Boat Trip to Phnom Penh (B)

We take a morning boat trip to Phnom Penh. Getting a visa to Cambodia at the border gate. Upon your arrival in Phnom Penh, we will be met by our staff and transferred to our hotel for check-in. After checking in, we will have free time for leisure activities in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh Cycling Tour (B, L)

After breakfast in the hotel, set up our bikes for the first part of our tour to the Beoung Cheoung Ek Memorial Monument and to the Toul Sleng Museum. Then after a short lunch break, cycle to the National Museum, the Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda, as well as Wat Phnom and Independence Monument. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Cycling Distance: 40km

Day 15: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)

Leave Cambodian capital and move to Siem Reap, the gorgeous pearl of Cambodia. The rest of the day is your free time to explore the city, especially the Siem Reap night market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Angkor Cycling Tour (B, L)

In the morning after breakfast, cycle to the jungle temple of Ta Prohm, and then to the Angkor Thom complex where we see the ornate entrances decorated by gods and demons. We also see the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit the Bayon Temple with its smiling faces in the heart of the temple complex. In the afternoon, we cycle to the incredible Angkor Wat and explore this fascinating structure and behold the amazing sunset. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Cycling Distance: 28km

Day 17: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake (B, L, D)

Leave the bicycle behind as today we will travel by boat to visit the largest lake of Indochina, Tonle Sap Lake. Take a chance to experience the floating life on stilt houses of local people as well as visit fishing village and learn the fishing skills to catch some fishes there. Enjoy afternoon tea when slowly paddling downstream and wait to behold the miraculous sunset. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Laos Itinerary 7 Days

Day 18: Siem Reap – Fly to Pakse (B)

Take a flight to Pakse today.

On arrival at the airport, we will be met and transferred directly onto a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak. Disembark at this ancient town, known as the Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. It is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built sometime before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries.

In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khone, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we stop to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo and continue driving to Don Khone Island at Ban Nakasung pier to board a long-tailed motorboat to the peaceful Don Khone Island. Overnight on Don Khone Island.

Day 19: Elephant Riding at Phou Asa – Pakse (B)

After an early morning breakfast, begin by re-tracing the French colonial past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. If we have luck, we may catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.

Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’. In the afternoon we drive to Pakse and on the way stop in Phou Asa to visit the vestiges of the temple dating back to the 18th century. (if time permits and elephants available) We may get a chance to experience elephant riding for 2 hours through forest paths. We reach Pakse before sunset; there we will be transferred to our hotel. Overnight in Pakse.

Day 20: Pakse – Boloven Plateau – Tadlo Waterfall (B)

After breakfast, make an excursion to Tadlo via the plateau of Boloven, where tea and coffee plantations produce the famous Lao coffee. You will have the chance to observe the traditional coffee and tea makers. En route, we visit the ethnic villages of Ban Tateng to experience the traditional lifestyles of the Alack, Katu and Nge tribes. We continue to visit the charming village of Tadlo where you will be transferred to the Tadlo resort. We can enjoy swimming in the pool of the Tadlo waterfall which is situated close to the resort. Overnight in Tadlo.

Day 21: Tadlo Waterfall – Pakse – Vientiane (B)

In the early morning, drive to Pakse to board a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. A city tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the sacred Wat Sisaket the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Ho Prakeo which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of That Luang Stupa and stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We enjoy the sunset by Mekong Riverside in the evening. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 22: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

Today, we transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. After checking into your hotel, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as have a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where we can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local people and hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 23: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves (B)

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its sweeping low roofs, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves and stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 24: Luang Prabang Departure (B)

After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays), which was once a king’s palace. Displayed inside this museum is a collection of personal artifacts from the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. You are then transferred to the airport for your departure. Vietnam Cambodia Laos Itinerary 3 weeks ends.