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19 Days Ancient Sites of Wonder along the Mekong - featuring Halong Bay Cruise Extension Tour Package Duration: 19 Days / 18 Nights Priced From: $3,400 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses) Dates: Nov, Feb, Nov 
The first stop in our tour will be in Hanoi and becoming familiar with Vietnam begins with a visit to one of the many museums. So soon into our journey and we will have already encountered immaculate lakes and vast parks, but it only gets better once we take a journey along the Halong Bay, where the sandy-edged islands share the water with many massive limestone peaks. Enjoy a delicious a meal aboard the comfortable ship as you relax amid the rural atmosphere. Once back ashore and traveling deeper into the heart of Vietnam, we will come across a chance cruise the Perfume River. The waters will take us along many points of the short that hold historical significance. What is a trip to South East Asia without a visit to Angkor Wat? Explore these famous ruins and see Cambodia in all its glory. Once in Laos, see how its scenery has been influenced by the inspirations of mankind as the Buddha images along the walls of the Pak Ou caves loom above us. Meandering through the busy street markets of Bangkok, Thailand, provides many an opportunity for you to pick up last-minute gifts for loved ones back home. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Today we arrive in Hanoi. Hanoi is a lovely city with lakes, fine boulevards and flourishing parks, as well as a public centre that is an architectural museum piece. Hanoi is situated on the right bank of the Red River (Song Hong) which is spanned by two bridges, the old Long Bien Bridge and the new Chuong Duong bridge. Overnight in Hanoi. Dinner if required. Day 2 Hanoi - Halong Bay: Huong Hai Junk Cruise This morning we depart for Halong Bay. The route today, via Haiphong, will be our first opportunity to see rural Vietnam. We will arrive at Halong Bay in the early afternoon. Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1500 square km. With more than a thousand limestone peaks soaring from its crystalline emerald water this area is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are dotted with innumerable white sandy beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves. The name Halong means "where the dragon descends into the sea". Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon who lived in the mountains. On arrival at Halong Bay we will board our Huong Hai Junk cruise and enjoy a welcome drink. The Huong Hai ('Ocean Flavours') junks are unique, 'antique' (replica) accommodations that are scrupulously clean, fully-crewed and comfortable. Our junk/s are large boats with private bath, air conditioning and fan, and plenty of deck space. An onboard chef prepares delicious, local seafood dishes (non-seafood dishes available). After lunch on board we will cruise among the islands, stopping at a couple that have interesting cave features (some involve stairs). We enjoy sunset and then dinner on board. Overnight Junk cruise. All meals. Day 3 Halong Bay - Hanoi Fishermen at Halong mount fan-shaped Chinese junk sails on their boats, the same sort of sails once deployed by pirates in these waters. Junks have been used for centuries by the Chinese, Japanese and Javanese for fishing and transportation, and often as living quarters; a junk commonly includes a deck, high masts, and several cotton sails. Halong is one of the last places where junk sails are still handmade by families of sail makers. Coarse cotton panels are sewn together with silk thread -- every seam sewn by hand. To discourage rot and mildew, the completed sail is dipped in a liquid that comes from a beetroot-like member of the yam family. The sail is dipped and dried three or four times; a process that gives its dark red-tan colour. Early this morning, after breakfast on board, we cruise to visit Hang Luon Cave by small bamboo boat. We check out at around 10 am, enjoy brunch on board before disembarking and departing for Hanoi at around noon. Upon arrival we'll visit Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the 'Quarter of 36 Streets', where we enjoy a leisurely walking tour. Overnight in Hanoi. All meals. Day 4 Hanoi: City Tour Today we have a full day of sightseeing, starting with the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known to American prisoners of war as the Hanoi Hilton. This museum was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the American / Vietnam War. We also see the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, a site of pilgrimage (the building has been closed to visitors of late; probably an outside viewing only). The building was constructed from materials gathered from all over Vietnam. Modeled closely on Lenin's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh lies at rest in this Vietnamese version. We continue to the house on stilts, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. Its construction and decor illustrates the importance of simplicity and modesty to this Vietnamese revolutionary. The building is elegantly crafted with lacquered and polished wood, following the model of a traditional communal house on stilts. We will also admire the elegance of the One Pillar Pagoda, originally built in 1049. The temple is lotus-shaped and is situated in the middle of a water-lily pond. We continue to the new Ethnology Museum, one of Vietnam's finest. Dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Vietnam, this museum provides educational displays and descriptions and provides a real insight to peoples found primarily in the high country. Next is the Temple of Literature, the site of the first national university dating back to 1076 and one of Hanoi's best-preserved ancient sites. From here we walk to the Fine Arts Museum, housed within a large colonial building, where we will see contemporary Vietnamese art and handicrafts. Tonight we will enjoy a (+/- one hour) water puppet show. This is a fantastic art form unique to Vietnam and derives from the Red River Delta area. Overnight in Hanoi. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Hanoi - Hue This morning we transfer to the Hanoi airport for our short flight to Hue, a World Heritage Site. Hue was the capital of the old Nguyen Dynasty and traditionally one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centres. Here there are splendid tombs of the emperors, several stunning pagodas and the citadel which houses the Forbidden Purple City, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. This afternoon we tour the Citadel, a fortress surrounded by a moat that has a 10 km (6 mile) perimeter. At the Forbidden Purple City we can see the remains of the former home of the emperors. The city is built on the same principles as the Forbidden Palace in Peking (Beijing). It is enclosed by 7-10 m (23-33 foot) thick outer walls (Kinh Thanh), along with moats, canals and towers. There are ten gates which pierce the four walls of the citadel although many are in poor condition--the city has not only been damaged by war and incessant conflict but also by natural disasters such as floods which in the mid 19th century, inundated the city to a depth of several metres. The complex has undergone partial restoration with the aid of UNESCO. Overnight in Hue. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Hue - Hoi An We begin our day by motorised sampan down the Perfume River to visit the delightful Thien Mu Pagoda, considered to be the finest pagoda in Hue. It was built in 1601 after an old woman appeared to Nguyen Hoang, the governor of Hue, and said that the site had supernatural significance (NOTE: The pagoda has recently been undergoing renovations and is on-and-off covered either partially or completely by scaffolding. Nonetheless, the river trip is still worthwhile and the history of the pagoda makes a good story). Later we continue our sampan ride to Emperor's Tu Duc's tomb which is located in the rural area of Hue and set amidst the pine woods. This afternoon we travel from Hue to Hoi An air-conditioned motor coach. En route we will pass through the Truong Son Mountains, the former border between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. Hai Van Pass, or literally "Pass of the Ocean Clouds" offers spectacular scenery over the South China Sea. After passing through Da Nang, will drive past the nearby Marble Mountains-- five limestone peaks with marble outcrops known for their beauty and their caves. At the foot of Marble Mountain, an important religious site for the Chams, you can see many artisans crafting fine marble objects. We continue to one of the most charming towns in Vietnam, Hoi An. The ancient town (formerly Faifo) lies 32km (20 miles) south of Da Nang on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Overnight in Hoi An. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Hoi An: Walking Tour Today we will be able to soak in the atmosphere of this small town (a World Heritage Site) on a walking tour. The unique architecture, the temples, the market will make Hoi An one of the highlights of your trip. The Japanese Covered Bridge was built in the 16th century, perhaps even earlier. On its north side there is a pagoda, Japanese in style, which protects sailors. Its popular name reflects a long-standing belief that is was built by the Japanese, although no documentary evidence exists to support this. At the Tran Family Temple we will see the fusion between both the Chinese and Japanese styles. This temple has survived for 15 generations. Overnight in Hoi An. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Hoi An - Da Nang, Vietnam - Siem Reap, Cambodia This morning we have a bit of free time to further explore this charming town, know for its relaxed atmospere and excellent shopping. We depart by road to Da Nang, situated on a peninsula at the point where the Han River flows into the South China Sea. It lies close to the various ruins of the powerful Kingdom of Champa, one of the most glorious in ancient southeast Asia. In Da Nang we visit the Cham Museum which houses the largest display of Cham art anywhere in the world (depending on air schedules we may visit the museum earlier on the way from Hue to Hoi An). Later today we fly from Da Nang to Siem Reap (via Saigon), gateway for Angkor Wat / Angkor Thom. Overnight in Siem Reap. Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom This morning we will be visiting the South Gate of Angkor Tom, Bayon Temple, Ba Poon, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper Temple. This afternoon we visit the magnificent grounds of the splendidly preserved 12th century temple of Angkor Wat. Considered the best example of ancient Khmer architectural, it is the largest and most impressive of all Cambodian monuments and generally regarded as one of the finest religious structures in the world. The construction mirrors the concept of the ancient universe and its bas relief carvings and intricate murals tell a fascinating story of life over 800 years ago. The "Apsaras", or Heavenly Dancers, have lost none of their grace and beauty as they dance frozen in time on the walls. PLEASE NOTE: Due to weather, flight times and other scheduling considerations, the order in which Siem Reap area sightseeing is accomplished may change at the discretion of your Tour Leader. Overnight in Siem Reap. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei Today we visit some temples a little farther afield, including the exquisitely carved Banteay Srei. Banteay Srei is something of an anomaly. It wasn't built by a king, but rather a spiritual teacher, Yajnavaraha, the Brahman of King Jayavarman V, in AD 967. At that time it was called Tribhuvana Mahesvara, and stood in a town called Isvarapura. The name Banteay Srei means the "Citadel of Women", and is one of the first temples to be restored by the French. We will also have time to visit the Central Market during our stay at Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap. City River Hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Siem Reap, Cambodia - Bangkok, Thailand This morning is dedicated to seeing the remaining highlights of the Petit Circuit -- Sras Srang (Pool of Ablutions), Ta Keo (the first Khmer temple built entirely of sandstone), and Ta Prohm in its natural overgrown setting. It is not hard to imagine how this vast complex covering several square miles and including carefully engineered canals and reservoirs to control flood waters and survive droughts was once, by some estimates, the largest city in the world housing as many as one million inhabitants. Early this evening we fly to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok (airport area hotel). Breakfast and lunch (dinner on your own). Day 12 Bangkok, Thailand - Luang Prabang, Laos At around midday we fly to Luang Prabang, a World Heritage Site. In the 14th century, this city was established as the royal capital by Fa Ngoum, the first monarch of Lan Xang, the "Land of a Million Elephants." By this time, the city had already been the seat of local kingdoms for 600 years. According to legend, the site of the town was chosen by two resident hermits and was originally known as Xieng Thong -- "Copper Tree City". We have an orientation of this charming town, with its one main street lined with colonial era buildings housing shops sand cafes. We have a chance to explore the town on foot and to climb to the top of Phu Si Hill. Looking directly downwards you can see that the former royal palace has a cruciform ground plan. We finish at Ban Phanom, a 300 year old weaving village is where shawls and sarongs are made from silk and cotton. The people in this area were originally from South China and were traditionally the King's weavers, soldiers and palace servants. The inhabitants make sarongs (pha sin) with dragon motifs (lai naak), and shawls (pha biang) which are often dyed an indigo colour using a natural dye extract from the plant, indigofera tinctoria. Some of the cloth woven in the village is embroidered with delicate silver and gold thread. Girls are taught from a very young age the skills which have been handed down from their forebears in Xishuangbanna District in China's Yunnan Province. NOTE: The order of our sightseeing in Luang Prabang may vary depending on flight schedules which are subject to change. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Luang Prabang: Pak Ou Caves An early departure today takes to the Mekong River for a boat journey to visit the Pak Ou Caves. The boat is long and quite large, covered, with comfortable seat cushions, life jackets and a WC. The Pak Ou Caves are two clefts in the side of a mountain stuffed with thousands of old Buddha images. The site has long been sacred for the Lao, even prior to Buddhism, when they worshipped spirits. The lower cave has over 4,000 images, ranging from 3 inches to 9 feet tall, stuck into nooks and crannies. The upper cave's Buddha images are placed far back into the cliff, so it's handy to have a flashlight. A real highlight of a trip to the caves is the breathtaking view of the mountains, villages, and fishermen during the 2-hour boat ride. We return to Luang Prabang and visit of some of Luang Prabang's most famous and beautiful temples. We tour the 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong, which has a richly decorated wooden interior. Wat Mai is another old temple of classic Luang Prabang design with gracefully curved roofs. We see many 400 years old wooden Buddha statues at Wat Wisunalat. We finish with a visit to Wat That Luang and Wat Saen. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Luang Prabang: Royal Palace This morning we visit the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang, a museum containing a collection of 15th-17th century Buddha statues including the significant Golden Buddha. The last member of the Lao royalty to live here was Sisavang Vong's son, Crown Prince Sisavang Vatthana. The private chapel is one of the most interesting wings of the palace. Here you will see the priceless gold Phra Bang Buddha in Abhayamudra (dispelling fear). It is made from 90% pure gold and is said to weigh 50kg (110 lb). Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Luang Prabang, Laos - Bangkok, Thailand Early this afternoon we transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok, arriving in the late-mid afternoon. Overnight in Bangkok. Hotel Narai (centrally located) or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 16 Bangkok: City Tour This morning we will visit the Grand Palace situated on the Chao Phraya River. Started in 1782, the complex is a collection of buildings covering over 1.5 sq km (0.9 sq mile). Within the grounds we visit Wat Phra Kaeo, known for the venerated Emerald Buddha. Sitting on a golden altar, it is carved from green jade and is only 75 cm (30 inches) high! Since its discovery in the 15th Century, the Emerald Buddha has known many homes, including Lampang, Chiang Rai and two locations in Laos, Luang Prabang and Vientiane. We will start our afternoon with a visit to Wat Pho also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is the largest in Bangkok and it is 200 years old. On its grounds, we will see the tremendous 46m (150 foot) long, 15 m (49 foot) high gold-plated reclining Buddha. The sole of his feet have detailed work of mother-of-pearl. Wat Pho also has more than 1,000 bronze images from Ayutthaya and Sukhothai rescued by Rama I's brother. We will continue our day by crossing the "khlong" (river) by boat in order to visit Wat Arun, or the Temple of the Dawn. It was built in the early 19th Century and its tower is the highest in Thailand measuring 81m (265 feet). The tower, or "prang," is covered with pieces of Chinese porcelain and its beauty is appreciated from a distance. The temple gained its name from the Indian god of dawn, Aruna. Here there are superb statues of the Buddha at the most important stages of his life: at birth (north), in meditation (east), preaching his first sermon (south) and entering Nirvana (west). Overnight in Bangkok. Hotel Narai or similar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Bangkok - Sukhothai: Si Satchanalai Early this morning we fly to Sukhothai, declared in its entirety a World Heritage Site, and begin our sightseeing programme on arrival. We drive to Si Satchanalai Historical Park. Together with Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai grew from a rural area to an urban centre. The ancient town, formerly called "Muang Chailang," was named "Si Satchanalai" during the reign of Phra Ruang Dynasty when new administrative center was established to replace Chaliang. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the parks. Within the town walls of the old Si Satchanalai were Royal palaces and residences of court officials, as well temples, while the townspeople built their homes outside the walls, specifically along the eastern wall which curved along the bank of the Yom River. Moats surrounded the laterite walls and the forts, and altogether there were seven entrances into the enclosed town. We depart for Sukhothai passing through rich agricultural lands and small villages. Rice is a major crop in this area, as well as tobacco which is grown extensively at certain times of the year. NOTE: The order of our sightseeing programme in the Sukhothai area may vary at the discretion of your Tour Leader. Overnight in Sukhothai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Sukhothai & Phitsanulok - Bangkok This morning we visit the museum and archaealogical site at Sukhothai. Wat Mahatat is dominated by a 14th Century lotus-bud tower and encircled by a moat. Some of the best architectural ornamentation is found in the main tower. Dancing figures, and other scenes such as Queen Maya giving birth to Prince Siddharta, and scenes from the life of Buddha are just some of the most notable features. We also see the remains of the Royal Palace. We continue our sightseeing by viewing Wat Si Sawai, a Hindu shrine, later converted into a Buddhist temple. We continue to the onsite Ramkhamhueng National Museum. An excellent introduction to the historic city, including much in the Sukhothai style. Look for the chart showing the evolution of the Thai alphabet, thought to have been invented by King Ramkhamhaeng; a set of photographs showing the overgrown ruins before restoration in 1953; and a copy of a Khmer stone that has told scholars much about the history of the site. This afternoon we make an excursion to Phitsanulok, the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great of Ayuthaya (reign: 1590-1605), and his brother Prince Ekathosarot. Phitsanulok has long been an important center for political and strategic reasons. Phitsanulok was also a major center of recruitment when Ayuthaya waged war with Burma, and was the capital of Thailand for 25 years during the 1448-1488 reign of Ayuthayaos King Boromtrailokanat. We visit the monastery of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, commonly called by the inhabitants as "Wat Yai." This is the most important monastery of Phitsanulok, the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat. It is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the city side of the river. The monastery was built in the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I (Phraya Lithai) In AD 1357. It houses the Phra Buddha Chinnarat regarded as the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand, cast in the attitude of subduing evil. This afternoon we transfer to the Sukhothai airport for our flight back to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok (airport area hotel). Breakfast and dinner. Day 19 Departure Departure from Bangkok. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Vietnam vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/09 |
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