Tour Type: Private tour
Destinations: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay
Featured Highlights:
Journey through Laos and Vietnam, beginning in Vientiane. Make your way through Luang Prabang, and onto Northern Vietnam to explore Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay.
Day 1: Arrival In Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane Highlights
Day 3: Vientiane- Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang- Pak Ou Caves- Ban Xang Hai
Day 5: Luang Prabang- Khouang Si Waterfalls
Day 6: Luang Prabang- Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi Highlights
Day 8: Discover Sapa
Day 9: Sapa- Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi- Halong Bay Cruise
Day 11: Halong Bay- Hanoi Departure
Welcome to Vientiane, a charming backwater capital of smiling locals and steaming noodle stalls. Upon arrival, a friendly local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to soak in the city’s rich delights.
After breakfast at your hotel, your journey of discovery starts with a fantastic city tour, beginning with the fascinating National Museum, where you’ll have a chance to gain a foundation understanding of Lao history that will help you get the best of the sights you’ll see later on the trip. After the museum, it’s on to Wat Sisaket, the oldest wat (temple) in Vientiane serving as home to a host of gorgeous murals and a beautifully ornate ceiling. The final stop of the morning is Wat Prakeo, housing some of the country’s finest sculptures.
After lunch, you’ll be driven the short journey northeast of the city to Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos. This beautiful golden temple sits at the centre of a high-walled cloister with tiny windows and is said to enclose a piece of Buddha’s breastbone. After the Lao national icon, you’ll call in on a more recent monument, erected after Laos claimed independence from France, as you make your way back to the city. You’ll round off the day with a trip to Wat Si Muang, famed for its supernatural powers. The rest of the day is yours to relax, perhaps taking a sunset stroll along the Mekong before retiring to your hotel.
In the morning you will be driven to Vang Vieng, a sleepy riverside town nestled between towering limestone karsts. En route, you’ll stop at the beautiful salt farms of Ban Bor village, and take in a local lunch amid the beautiful mountain scenery.
When the time comes, your guide will take you to the airport for your flight to the stunning town of Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your new guide who will take you to your hotel for check-in. Tonight is yours to explore this iconic city on your own.
This morning, your journey of discovery begins with a serene cruise down the Mekong, idling past scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular mountain scenery until you reach the Pak Ou Caves. Nestled among the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and and Nam OU rivers meet, the caves are split into two: one called Tham Ting; and the other Tham Theung. Both are filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over the centuries.
A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves, we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai, which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays, the village also specialises in producing a wide range of ‘Lao Lao’ whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head back down to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
After your trip to the caves, enjoy private tour of the city, calling in at Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang’s stunning Golden City Temple, Wat Aham, with its depictions of Buddha’s life painted on the walls, and the Royal Palace Museum, where you’ll have the chance to learn more about Lao history and culture. In the evening, you’re free to relax, or do a little exploring on your own.
You’ll start the day by observing the early-morning alms ritual of the saffron-robed monks that call this city home, perhaps even receiving a blessing. After breakfast at your hotel, you will head to explore more of Laos’ natural beauty at the stunning Khouang Si Waterfalls. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a variety of Lao Minority Group villages, learning about their unique traditions and cultures, experiencing a totally different way of life. Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, or venture out on your own.
Today is yours to relax until it’s time to head for airport for your ongoing flight, leaving this beautiful country with many wonderful memories and stories to share with your loved ones back home.Upon arrival to Hanoi, your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own. An irresistible balance of big city and cultural charm, this lively city is the heart and soul of Vietnam.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a lovely morning touring around Hanoi city. You will begin with a visit to The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and Museum. Then, you will discover the One Pillar Pagoda, a temple which rises from the centre of one pillar and is said to be have been built in the shape of a lotus. Finish your day with a stroll around the Fine Arts Museum; showcasing pieces from a range of historical periods.
Following a delicious local lunch, your afternoon will be spent at the fascinating Ethnologic Museum, where you can learn a bit about the many different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. After this, you'll be taken to visit the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals enjoy practicing their Tai Chi and Vietnamese aerobics. Today’s tour ends with a special tour where you may discover the picturesque Old Quarter by cyclo or rickshaw.
Return to your hotel to freshen up and relax. This evening, enjoy a cultural treat! You will be attending a famous Water Puppet Show at the theatre. After the performance, you will be transferred by your local guide to the train station for an overnight train to Sapa, a bewitching mountain town famous for it's fine, rugged scenery and it's cultural diversity. Overnight aboard the train to Sapa.
In the early morning, you will arrive at Lao Cai train station. Here, you will be met by your private guide who will kindly transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have the chance to eat some breakfast and have a short rest. Once you feel rested and refreshed, you will begin your tour of this breathtaking city. The first stop will be a visit to a hill-tribe village and the stunning surrounding paddy terraced fields. Your guide will happily teach you about their rich and unique culture.
After lunch, you will have the opportunity to take a trek through this amazing pastoral region and visit a small local market. Marvel at the water buffalo as they graze and relax in the distance. You may spend the rest of the day hiking or exploring on your own.
The morning is yours to fully admire and appreciate the tranquil and awe-inspiring natural beauty that surrounds you. Today you will continue on into the hills to discover the ethnic minority villages such as the Black H’mong villages of Sin Chai and Cat Cat, Ta Van village of the Dzay.
Next, hidden amongst the majestic mountains, you will find the dramatic Thac Bac Waterfall, also known as Silver Falls. Wander over to the gorgeous waters, and marvel at its beauty. You will then enjoy a lovely last meal in Sapa before returning to your hotel to gather your belongings. This evening, you’ll be taken back to Lao Cai train station for your overnight train to Hanoi. Overnight aboard to the train to Hanoi.
Today, you will be whisked away early in the morning to Halong Bay where you will board your Bhaya Cruise! Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking day-long journey. After a brief check-in and orientation, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as we set sail into the mystical Halong Bay. You will be given a buffet lunch as the boat cruises southeast, passing by Trong Mai Islet and Titov Island. You will then transfer to a small local sampan boat to discover the floating village of Vung Vieng. Once returning to the ship, if weather permits, you will be given kayaks to further explore the surrounding area.
Next, you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. The bar opens at 17:30 with a “buy one get one free” happy hour. A set menu dinner will be served in the restaurant. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, watch a movie in the restaurant, or enjoy a 30% discount at the bar. Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay.
Today, you will begin your early morning with some spiritual and relaxing Tai Chi on the sundeck. Complimentary tea and coffee will be served as your ship cruises through the mysterious and majestic caves of Trong, Trinh Nu, Me Cung, and Sung Sot, along with the islet of Coc Ngoi.
A buffet brunch will be served on board as the ship cruises back towards the harbour. You will disembark at Tuan Chau Marina where you will be transferred back to Hanoi by your private guide.When the time comes, your guide will take you to the airport to continue your onward journey. Vietnam is a unique cultural experience and hopefully you will have a newfound appreciation for this incredible country and it's people.
Inclusions:
Entrance and sightseeing fees as listed;
All meals as listed;
Transportation as listed;
Accommodations as listed;
Domestic flights, car transfers as listed;
Professional licensed English-speaking guide.
Exclusions:
Passion Indochina Travel will provide you with a dynamic professional local private tour guide, a private chauffeur and a transportation that suits your style and gives you pleasure, comfort and security through every points of your destination. All our tour guides in our company are registered English Speaking Guides, they are passionate about their city and they take pride in sharing it with others.With our private local tour guide, you’d get the chance to see and learn more among the historic places in the world and their cultures. Be amazed with the breathtaking scenery of Asia and enjoy some once in a lifetime adventure!
Private Tour Guide
The tour guide is always punctual on every destination he/she is needed. You will be picked up at the airport and will be escorted to your hotel and tend to your stuff til their services is needed again. They will also assist you at the airport at every departure, seeing to it that you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint. All the tour guides in all your choices of destination are Locals. Since they know all the areas of the tours you're taking, they make sure that they share to you all the information may it be historical facts, dates and anecdotes or tell stories about the tour sites to make it more interesting and entertaining. They would also suggest the best spots for picture taking.Our tour guides are also flexible when it comes to the itinerary changes if there's any unexpected reason and will be more than accommodating to any alternative suggestions just to ensure that you will have an incredible experience.
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Arrive in the comfort of your style. Depending on the group size, and the tour packages of your choice, we would accommodate you with the best transportation and a professional Chauffeur to assist you wherever and whenever you need. They would be happy to transport you.
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