| Day 1: Arrival - Siem Reap (L or D) |
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Upon arrival in Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temple complex, transfer to hotel and check in. After that, begin exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor including Angkor Wat, the south gate of Angkor Thom and the Bayon. The day concludes with a panorama view of the dramatic sunset from the summit of Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap. |
| Day 2: Siem Reap city tour (B, L) |
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Continue exploration with a visit to mystical Ta Prohm where its original structure, embraced by overgrown roots of giant fig trees, have been preserved by archeologists as an example of what the entire Angkor complex may have looked like when it was first rediscovered. Other temples in the area include Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevoda, Thammanon, Bantey Kdei and Srah Srang.
Overnight in Siem Reap. |
| Day 3: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B, L) |
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Morning sightseeing includes Roluos group of monuments, Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, Mebon and Pre Rup temples. Late afternoon flight to Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh. |
| Day 4: Phnom Penh city tour (B, L) |
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City tour includes the National Museum, Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, and Toul Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crime (please be warned that the display are graphic in nature). Overnight in Phnom Penh. |
| Day 5: Phnom Penh - Saigon (B, L) |
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Morning flight to Saigon and transfer to hotel. City tour highlights include the former Presidential Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Chinese district of Cholon with the herbal market located along Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street. Overnight in Saigon. |
| Day 6: Saigon - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - Saigon (B, L) |
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Drive 170 km to Tay Ninh, located near the Cambodian border and birthplace of the Cao Dai religion. Visit the Great Cao Dai Temple and observe the noontime prayer as priests dressed in colorful robes and their followers chant below the "All Seeing Eye." Continue to the famous Cu Chi tunnel to explore the amazing underground tunnel system built by Vietnamese guerilla fighters during the war. On the way back visit a rice paper making factory in Cu Chi district before heading home. Overnight in Saigon. |
| Day 7: Saigon - Danang - Hoi An (B, L) |
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Morning transfer to the airport for a 1-hour flight to Danang with an immediate visit to Marble Mountain and China Beach before driving another 30 km to Hoi An. A former international trading port during the 17-18th century, Hoi An is a charming small town with an eccentric mix of western and eastern-influenced architecture. Take a walking tour on its narrow cobblestone streets visiting former merchants' houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar. Overnight in Hoi An. |
| Day 8: Hoi An -Hue (B, L) |
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Drive 2 hours to Hue via scenic Hai Van Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit before descending pass the fishing village of Lang Co. The former imperial city of Hue offers an insightful look into its regal past with visits to Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's most revered religious monument. Overnight in Hue. |
| Day 9: Hue - Hanoi (B, L) |
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Morning sightseeing of the Royal Tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc before late morning flight to Hanoi. After lunch, begin a tour of this charming capital city visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, Fine Arts Museum, Temple of Literature, Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter of "36 streets of 36 wares." This evening enjoy a traditional performance by Hanoi's famed water puppet troupe. Overnight in Hanoi. |
| Day 10: Hanoi further city tour (B, L) |
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Morning visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, museum, house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Optional visit to the ceramic making village of Bat Trang or free time for individual exploration. Overnight in Hanoi. |
| Day 11: Hanoi - Vientiane (B, L) |
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Morning transfer to the Noi Bai Airport for a 2'hour flight to Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos. Afternoon city tour include visits to Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo (which once enshrined the Emerald Buddha now in Bangkok), the sacred That Luang Monument and Patousai Monument. Overnight in Vientiane. |
| Day 12: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B, L) |
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Transfer to Wattay Airport for a 35-minute flight to the northern mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang. An afternoon city tour includes a visit to the former Royal Palace and several of Luang Prabang's revered temples including Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, and Wat Visun. Climb to the top of Mount Phousi for a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
| Day 13: Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang (B, L) |
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Travel on a long-tailed boat on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where hundreds of gilded and wooden Buddha statues are housed inside a towering limestone cliff. After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Nam Ou River, visit the riverside village of Ban Hang Sae to observe the making of rice wine and a textile weaving demonstration. Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
| Day 14: Luang Prabang - Vientiane (B) |
| Morning visit to the local market with free time for last minute shopping before flight to Vientiane for onward departure. |
