Essence of Indochina & Myanmar – 17 Days

The 17-day tour package offers you a chance to discover stunning landscape as well as meet super friendly locals from 4 beautiful countries including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Visit the magnificent Luang Prabang with silver Kuangsi Waterfall, impressive Wat Xieng Thong, and amazing Pak Ou Cave. Set your foot on the charming S-shaped country from the bustling Hanoi Capital, sacred Bai Dinh Pagoda to the spectacular Halong Bay, ancient Hoi An, and stunning Mekong Delta, all of them guarantee you a ton of memorable experiences. Move to Cambodia – the land of Hindu temples to discover some special highlights such as Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom – the world heritage. Finish the journey with a trip to Myanmar to explore the tropical Yangon city.

Tour Route: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Wat Xieng Thong – Kuangsi Waterfall – Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Hai Phong – Halong Bay – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – My Son – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Cu Chi Tunnels –  Siem Reap –  Angkor Wat – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom – Floating Village – Bangkok – Yangon
Duration: 17 Days/ 16 Nights
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/ End: Luang Prabang/ Yangon
Tour Customizable: Definitely! Tell us about your specific requirements
Tour Category: 4 Countries – 1 Destination
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles

Brief Itinerary

LAOS
Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival
Day 2: Luang Prabang Sightseeing – Pak Ou Cave
Day 3: Wat Xieng Thong – Kuangsi Waterfall – Flight To Hanoi
VIETNAM
Day 4: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Dinh – Trang An – Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay
Day 6: Cat Ba Island – Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi City Tour – Flight to Hue
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoi An
Day 9: My Son Holy Land & Hoi An Sightseeing
Day 10: Hoi An – Danang – Flight To Ho Chi Minh City – Half-Day Sightseeing
Day 11: Mekong Delta Day Trip
Day 12: Cu Chi Tunnels – Flight To Siem Reap
CAMBODIA
Day 13: Angkor Wat – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom
Day 14: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Bangkok – Yangon
MYANMAR
Day 15: Yangon Sightseeing Tour
Day 16: Yangon – Bago – Yangon
Day 17: Yangon Departure

Laos Itinerary in 3 Days

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival (D)

On arrival In the afternoon, you will take a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a local guide and be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang Sightseeing – Pak Ou Cave (B, L)

Start your day with a visit to Luang Prabang which was once the religious capital of Laos. In particular, you will visit the Royal Palace, which is today the National Museum. Then, you will have a chance to admire the impressive architecture of Wat May. Built at the end of the 18th century, Wat May is a capped sanctuary featuring a five-sided roof surmounted by three parasols.

Wat Visoun – the oldest temple in the city with its wooden windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Wat Phou. Then, you will go to the pier and join a traditional boat to cruise along the Mekong River. Have lunch at Muong Keo village, before heading to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of Buddha statuettes. On the way back to Luang Prabang, enjoy the beautiful sunset on the river. Have dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Wat Xieng Thong – Kuangsi Waterfall – Flight To Hanoi (B, L)

In the morning you will discover Wat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City – a vast collection of sacred buildings and the most beautiful temple in the city before heading off to KuangSi Waterfall on a return journey of around 50 miles. The road is bordered by villages and rice fields and you will stop in some of these villages and also have a countryside lunch at the waterfall. If weather permits, you can swim in the waterfall which scatters into many basins.

On the way back, we will stop by some local villages to witness the traditional Saa papermaking process as well as admire the traditional weaving textiles skills. Take a flight to Hanoi. Have dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

Vietnam Itinerary in 9 Days

Day 4: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Dinh – Trang An – Hanoi (B, L)

Pick you up at the hotel after breakfast, we will be driven to Ninh Binh to visit Bai Dinh Spiritual and Culture Complex which is the largest Buddhist pagoda complex in the North of Vietnam. The compound consists of the original old pagoda and a newly created larger pagoda, which is considered the biggest pagoda in Vietnam at this stage.

After visiting the pagoda, we will transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a pleasant boat rowing in Hoang Long River to visit Trang An Eco-Tourism complex. The complex is surrounded by the picturesque landscape with thousands of hectares with more than 100 caves which can be explored by boat. Trang An Eco-Tourism complex is famous for its ecosystem diversity with 600 kinds of flora and over 200 kinds of fauna that many of them in the Red book of Vietnam. You also can visit the poetic beauty of many valleys as well as stunning water caves there. You also can visit the poetic beauty of many valleys as well as stunning water caves there.

In the late afternoon, we will be driven back to Hanoi for overnight accommodation.

Day 5: Hanoi – Hai Phong – Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will proceed by highway directly to the pier in Hai Phong city for the cruise. Arriving at the office on the pier, you will be welcomed by our crew. Embarking on the cruise, you will be served a welcome drink and provided with a cold towel. After checking into your cabin, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in Mon Cheri’s luxury restaurant while admiring the stunning beauty of the canals on our way to Halong Bay.

Arriving at Light and Dark Cave, you can indulge yourself in a ton of interesting activities such as kayaking or bamboo boat rowed by local people. After that, we will turn back to cruise to admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoy a complimentary sunset party. Then, you will enjoy an impressive cooking demonstration which can help you learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. In addition, you can also relax with the massage service which is available onboard. (Please book directly with the Cruise Manager on the boat). You will have a tasty dinner on the cruise.

After dinner, you can relax on the top deck while appreciating the magnificent landscape of the bay at night. You also can soak into the romantic ballad music and enjoy cool drinks at a bar. Have fun with squid fishing is a great idea. Overnight on board.

Day 6: Cat Ba Island – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Start your day with an interesting Tai Chi class. Then, you will sit on the top deck sipping a cup of coffee or hot tea while admiring the stunning sunset. Then, you will have a buffet breakfast in the restaurant. After checking out your cabin, you will head to pristine Cat Ba Island.

Next, we will move to Hospital Cave by bus to learn more about the history of Vietnam during the resistance war against America. During your trip, you can appreciate the natural scenery of the wild, fresh of Cat Ba Mountain. Return the boat, then have lunch in the restaurant while the cruise sails back to the pier. The bill will be settled the bill at the end of the trip. Disembark the boat and return to port. Then, back to our private car and transfer back to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Hanoi City Tour – Flight to Hue (B, L)

Full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital city, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his traditional stilt house, the One-Pillar Pagoda, and the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature also known as the First University of Vietnam. In the afternoon, visit the Ethnology museum to understand the diversity of Vietnamese ethnic. After that, make a walking tour to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Transfer to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for your onward flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a local guide and then transfer to your hotel in Hue. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B, L)

In the morning, you will visit Imperial Citadel. Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long, the Citadel was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. After that, you will take a boat trip toward Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. You will also visit Tu Duc Tomb before heading to Hoi An. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 9: My Son Holy Land & Hoi An Sightseeing (B, L)

Depart by private vehicle to My Son – the most important Cham archaeological site in the center of Vietnam. The construction of My Son sanctuary is incredible. The towers are a combination of perfectly fitted, mortarless, fired brick and elaborately carved sandstone bas-relief panels. The remaining ruins after the war’s destructions and the gorgeous jungle make My Son a precious and sacred site really worth seeing.

After that, we’re back to the town for lunch. In the afternoon, we will be taking a walking tour in Hoi An town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. Back to your hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 10: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City – Half-Day Sightseeing (B)

In the morning, you will be transferred to Danang airport and take a flight to Saigon. In the early afternoon, take a half-day tour to set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon but now officially named Ho Chi Minh City. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, the Reunification Palace, and War Remnant Museum. Round off your day with a visit to the Ben Thanh Market. Be sure to use your bargaining skills to get the best price on anything you buy there. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11: Mekong Delta Day Trip (B, L)

In the morning, transfer to Ben Tre province. You then walk in the flower fields and feel the daily life of the people in the coconut land. Visit the handicraft workshop by bus and walk into the paddle pier. Afterward, take a crowing-boat through with the coconut’s stretches that you can see the daily life of the people at the riverside. Stop to visit the grapefruits, coconut gardens that you can pick up and enjoy coconut water and tropical fruit. Take motor-card on the village road through the green coconut’s forest and coca garden to enjoy lunch with featured dishes of Mekong River region at the garden of Mr. 10 Ua (Thuy Uyen restaurant).

In the afternoon, walk on the village road and talk with local peoples. You can weed, fertilize, water for the coconut, coca, grapefruit’s garden with the locals. After that, you will have a chance to take a scenic boat along Ba Lai serene river with the coconut’s stretches and visit the coconut coir manufacturing facility. Continue cruising on Ba Lai river and have sightseeing at local people’s daily activities and see coconut processing workshops located along the river and visit the bricks kiln (Mr .4 Lo) to see how to make bricks by local people’s handy methods. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Have dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Cu Chi Tunnels – Fly To Siem Reap (B)

This morning, you will leave the city by private vehicle to visit the amazing tunnel network of Cu Chi. Covering almost 250km in length, Cu Chi Tunnels were sheltered to over 16,000 Vietcong guerrillas during the wars. Initially started in 1948 to provide shelter against the French air and ground sweeps, the network went on to serve as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living quarters for Vietnamese fighters throughout the American war. Exploring Cu Chi Tunnels you will have a chance to learn more about the harsh conditions faced by Vietcong guerrillas.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City late in the morning. In the afternoon, you will take a flight to Siem Reap. Overnight at your hotel.

Cambodia Itinerary in 2 Days

Day 13: Angkor Wat – Ta Prohm – Angkor Thom (B)

Start your day by visiting Angkor Wat, a world heritage site with soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs. It is one of the most amazing man-made monuments in the world, erected in the 12th century in honor of Vishnu. Next, you will visit the ancient Ta Prohm Monastery where you can admire many splendid sculptured Devatas. In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Thom (the Great City) to admire its magic beauty with 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara.

Then, you will visit the Elephant Terrace and the raised Leper King Terrace which built in the 12th century and featured with many beautifully sculptured Apsaras. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Bangkok – Yangon (B)

In the morning, you will leave for Chong Khneas. Here all the houses are on stilts offering an exceptional natural environment offering breathtaking views of floodplains, rice fields, and water views as far as the eye can see. After wandering around the village and chatting with super friendly locals, you will travel by boat over the canals to a large lake where Vietnamese people live when they are displaced from their homes because of the seasons. Return to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Bangkok, connecting your flight to Yangon. Overnight at your hotel in Yangon.

Myanmar Itinerary in 3 Days

Day 15: Yangon Sightseeing Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, you will take a panoramic tour of Yangon with visit People’s Park, Saint Mary Cathedral, Martyrs Monument. We also visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda which is renowned for the 72 meters long reclining Buddha statue that features detailed carvings on his feet. Then you will stop by the Royal Lake located in Kandawgyi Park which is very popular with local residents, especially in the early morning and around sunset. Visit Karaweik Hall and catch a spectacular view of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda. Visit National Museum, Gem Market, Botataung Pagoda, and Sule Pagoda.

After that, you will visit the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda. Ready for an amazing experience? You will witness the colors transform on the 100-meter chedi which is literally enclosed in over 40 tons of gold leaf. You will start at the eastern staircase where you will find a row of shops at the base of the temple selling various religious items from monks robes, alms bowls, offerings to incense as well as other unique Buddhist objects. As you browse the stalls your guide will explain the use and rituals of Myanmar’s Buddhist people. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 16: Yangon – Bago – Yangon (B, L)

Explore Bago, the former capital of the Mon kingdom. Browse through the colorful local market where vendors sell flowers, produce and spices. Your exploration of Bago will continue to Kanbawzathadi Golden Palace. Followed by visiting the thousand-year-old Shwemawdaw Pagoda which features a spire taller than the one of Shwedagon Pagoda.

And then carry on your sightseeing tour to the 55-meter long Shwe Tha Lyaung Buddha, which is recognized as one of the country’s most extraordinary images. You can also, should time allow, visit Hin Thar Kone Pagoda which has some interesting Nat figures and offers views over Bago from its upper platform. Once you’ve arrived back in Yangon (ca. 80 km – 1.5 hours), you’ll be dropped at your hotel. Lunch and Dinner on your own account. Overnight in Yangon.

Day 17: Yangon Departure (B)

Transfer to the airport (with guide) for a flight back home. 17-day Indochina & Myanmar Tour ends