Indochina Highlights Tour

On your arrival, one local guide will be waiting for you with IOT Welcoming Board at the airport then transfer to the hotel. After check in, free & relax on own. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today, we continue exploring the wonderous Angkorian ruins by visiting the south gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal, human faces carved in stone. We also visit the impressive centerpiece of the city, The Bayon Temple, which emerges from the jungle as an incredible forest of heads. We also visit the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace, and Terrace of the Leper King and the famous Wonder of the World, Angkor Wat. Built in the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II honouring the Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva, Angkor Wat, is one of the most breathtaking architectural masterpieces and the largest religious monument in the world. A spectalular view over these sandstone monuments at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Siem Reap

The temple of Ta Prohm, one of Angkor's most atmospheric and popular temples due to it's jungle surrounding has enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embracing themselves in the stone foundations of the temple structure, giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. This temple is an incredible sight; Ta Prohm was used as a location in the film Tomb Raider and unlike most of the other Angkor temples has been left in much the same condition in which it was found. We explore this masterpiece as well as its surrounding temples of Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, TA Keo, Thommanon, and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit including Preah Khan, the Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, TA Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples are also visited this afternoon before walking up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to enjoy the sunset. This hill sits high above the surrounding landscape providing a breathtaking, glowing sunset view of Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at hotel, visit floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake by boat cruise. Then, our local guide will take you to the airport for you flight to Hanoi. On arrival, our local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi

Today's tour begins with the Ho Chi Minh President Mausoleum and Museum. Afterwards we will visit One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pogada and the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam. The rest of the day will be yours to do some shopping or whatever at your preference. In the evening, you will enjoy the Water Puppet Show and very typical dinner in the Old Quarter. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Please note: Uncle Ho has gone for his annual maintenance and the mausoleum is closed on Monday, Friday and whole October-November, but we will see the outside of the mausoleum then continue the program as listed.

Optional: Instead or visiting the Ho Chi Minh President Mausoleum and Museum, which is closed on Monday, you may choose to visit the Ethnology museum where contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. You will meet some of them one day later in Sapa, so it's a good chance to know them a little more of their customs.

08.00 Take a 3-hour scenic drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
11.30 -12.00: Arrival in HaLong Tourist Wharf. Transfer to junk by tender
12.00: Welcome cocktail on board. Check into your private cabin, while we start cruising towards Bai Tu Long Bay
13.15 -14.30: Vietnamese lunch served on board, against the stunning backdrop of limestone formations and islands such as: Coc Island, Cap De Island, Bo Cau Island, Vong Vieng fishing village.
16.00: Arrive in Vong Vieng; visit the life of local people by a sampan. Enjoy one of optional activities
18.00: Stop in Trong cave area /Ho Dong Tien cave area for overnight.
19.00: Have dinner with fresh seafood provided by Vong Vieng fishing villagers
20.00-24.00: Freely enjoying the beauty of Halong at night, join with one of optional activities: Release the wind lamp, fight up the fireworks, enjoy traditional music (on special occasions), enjoy barbecue (up on passenger's request)
Available activities as:
• Visiting the village by sampan
• Swimming in Cong Troi beach
• Kite flying, relaxing on sundeck
Or requested activities as:
• Kayaking
• Diving to discover Bai Tu Long bay
• Massage

6-6.30: Practice Tai Chi on the Sundeck
6.30-8.00: Start your day with an International Buffet Breakfast, then visit the cave by tender
8.00-8.45: Explore the Cave of Surprise (Sung Sot Cave) one of the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay.
9:00 – 9:25: Swimming/relax
9:30: Cruise back to the Tourist Wharf through Halong Bay
10:00: Check-out, clear bills
10.45: Depart to Halong Tourist Wharf, transferred to the restaurant by tender
11.30: Have lunch in a restaurant in Halong city.
12.30: Depart to Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi at 16:00. In the evening, we will wave "goodbye" to Hanoi, take the night train to the border town, Lao Cai. Stay overnight at soft sleeper private cabin with two berths.

It'll probably be a bit of a shock when we rouse you at five in the morning, but
Breakfast and the crisp fresh air of the mountains will soon wake you up.

The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00am. On your arrival, one of our representatives will be waiting for you with IOT Welcoming Board. The drive to Sapa is about 33km, but it takes around 1 hour. Once at Sapa, we will check into the Hotel, and have time to freshen up, and have breakfast at the hotel. Then you will enjoy a free morning to explore around the small & charming town. At 10:00am we will meet you again and start a walking tour from hotel to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, home to H'mong hill tribe minority people. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local people minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Stay overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast we are very pleased to drive you to the beautiful village Ta Phin, which is about 10 km away from Sapa Town, home to Red Dzao Minority people. Also we can arrange Xe-om (the most popular means of transportation in Vietnam, means "bike hug") for you to get there. Once arrived there, you will see and hear the sounds of morning village life. You can join them in some of their activities, like feeding the animals, cleaning the houses, gardening or preparing lunch. Afterwards you can take a short wander around the village. In the afternoon, we will transfer back to Sapa. Stay overnight in Sapa.

Get up early for breakfast, check out of the hotel, and then drive to Bac Ha market (106 km). Just before reaching the market we will see colorful activity, beautiful flower Hmong people carrying hand-crafted products or pulling dogs or buffalos, all on their way to the market. You are free to wonder around the market and become a part of the trading activities. Please be respectful to the locals as they are reluctant to have their photo taken without permission. In the afternoon, we transfer to Lao Cai town. Dinner here on your own before boarding the train at 21:00 pm back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at about 5:00 am.

On your arrival at the train station of Hanoi, we will meet you with IOT Welcoming Board. After breakfast and some rest, we will escort you to the airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh. End of the service.