Tour Itinerary – subject to change

October 7, 2024 - Depart USA for Hanoi, Vietnam

October 8, 2024 - Arrival in Bangkok - overnight

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DAY 1 - 09 Oct 2024: ARRIVAL LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR (B/L/D)
Upon arrival, meet your local guide who will take you to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Standard check-in time is 14h00/15h00. Early check-in upon availability.  In the afternoon, visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace which exhibits a fine collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating back to the times of the first kings to the last ruler. Then you will reach Wat Visoun, the holiest temple in the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invasion of the Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa in the shape of the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue to the small Buddhist temple Wat Aham, whose origin dates back to 1500. Climb the 328 steps of Mount Phousi for a pleasant exploration of the sacred golden stupa thus being able to enjoy the splendid sunset view over the city and the Mekong River. Stroll through the Night Market, where you can find a fine selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.  Lunch and Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu.

October 10, 2024: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Khouang Si (B/L/D)

After breakfast, Visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong complex with its roofs that descend to the ground,
which represents classical Lao architecture. Embark on a counter-current cruise on the Mekong River, which offers the wonderful panoramic view of the peaceful countryside. We will reach the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, full of thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims, lacquered in gold and of various shapes and sizes. On the way, we will stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled.  Lunch to be provided on board (set menu) as we enjoy the view of Mekong River.  Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, visiting Ban Xang Khong village, well known for hand weaving silk and traditional Saa paper making. Then transfer to Khouang Si waterfall., we will take a short hike in the national park passing by the Asiatic bear rescue center. We return to Luang Prabang by afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu.

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October 11, 2024: Luang Prabang - Alms Giving - Hanoi (B/L/D)

Wake up early this morning to witness a typical rite in Luang Prabang: hundreds of monks dressed in saffron who pass along the street to receive alms. Please inform your guide a day in advance if you would like to make an offering so that he can prepare some food to deliver to the monks. This morning ritual, when the city begins to come to life, dates back to ancient times. You can return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the almsgiving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep a suitable distance, observe the ritual in silence and dress appropriately: shoulders, chest and legs covered). We will then visit the market where the most diverse goods are sold such as dried buffalo hides, local tea, and saltpeter, chickens, vegetables and woven wicker from the hill tribes.
After breakfast at hotel, then it’s free time till transfer to the airport to take flight to Hanoi.
On arrival, pick up by our guide and driver from the airport and transfer to downtown. Walk along the historic Long Bien Bridge and view the sunset slipping down to the Red River. End our tour today by enjoying a cup of Egg Coffee at the original café where it began – Café Giang.  Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu.  Then we head to the train station for our overnight train to Lao Cai.  Overnight on A/C train from Hanoi to Lao Cai.

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October 12, 2024: Lao Cai - Ethnic Market Sapa (B/L/D)

We arrive at Lao Cai train station in the early morning and have breakfast at a local restaurant.
After breakfast and a short rest, we transfer to visit the ethnic market of the day. On a specific day of the
week, local ethnic people, especially young men and girls wearing their best clothes converge from many of the surrounding villages in order to trade and exchange goods at the market, and to catch up with each other.  Local farm produce, Tho cam (indigo clothes), dogs, cats, pigs, horses and more are on sale here. This is a golden opportunity for the best photos as the diversity of colors on display is truly magnificent.
Lunch at a local restaurant (set menu) in Lao Cai, then start our drive to Sapa.  The drive is worthwhile though, as the scenery on your northward journey into the highlands is both dramatic and breathtaking.  Check in hotel upon arrival.  Later this afternoon, we go downhill to Cat Cat village with beautiful landscape along the way.  Cat Cat village locates near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak, is home of Black H’mong ethnic people.  Our guide will tell us about the locals’ culture and daily life while we trek down to the valley to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station.  Walk uphill to the main road where our bus picks us up and transfer back to Sapa.  Rest of the day is at leisure.  Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu.  Overnight in Sapa.

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October 13, 2024: Sapa - Waterfall - Ta Phin - Ma Tra - Overnight Train Back to Hanoi (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we transfer to visit Love Waterfall. From the main road, the zigzag, red-soiled path full of
fragrant flower leads us to Love waterfall that is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Sapa.  With a height of nearly 100 meters, Love waterfall starts from Fansipan peak and noisily falling down Golden stream as the great epic or a never-ending song of the immense jungle.  Not only an ideal place for relaxation, but the Love Waterfall also carries a legendary love story that has been told to generations in this land. 
Return to the hotel to check out at standard time 11h00/12h00. Late check-out upon availability.
Lunch at a local restaurant - set menu.  This afternoon, we will commence on a trail running through the beautiful gardens and lush pine forests as we go to Lao Cai train station.  We pass through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hidden away from civilization. The walk continues through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery.  During the day we’ll also be able to visit a local school. Then head to Ta Phin village. Here we learn about the cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 of the largest ethnic groups in the area.  We may recognize them by their dress.  They are both very famous for their handicrafts. We walk among local people and capture some excellent candid shots and portraits.  The walk also offers us the opportunity to visit local village houses as well as time to explore the local caves.  Continue to our drive to Lao Cai.  Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu - then take the overnight train to Hanoi train from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

October 14, 2024: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

We arrive at Hanoi Station around 5.00 am. Before having breakfast, we can join the Hanoians in their early exercises - jogging, yoga, sword dance, fan dance, and taichi-quan.  Head to have breakfast with local food and room use at a day used hotel.  After breakfast and checking out, we transfer via the expressway (2.5 hours driving) to Halong.  Upon arrival in Halong, the basic, but flexible schedule is:

12:30 – 13:00: Enjoy welcome drinks after boarding the cruise, guests, receive a brief introduction to the 3-
day, 2-night itinerary, safety information, and receive room keys.
13:15: Have lunch onboard, savoring fresh and delicious seafood dishes of Ha Long.  The cruise starts its
journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay.
14:30 – 15:00: The first destination is Vung Vieng fishing village, a small, secluded village with beautiful and tranquil scenery.  Here, local fishermen on bamboo boats will take guests to experience the unique life of the fishing community.
16:00: Back to the cruise and enjoy the sunset view over Bai Tu Long Bay.
19:00: Take a rest and enjoy dinner in a peaceful atmosphere on the bay.
20:30: Leisure time; guests can experience squid fishing and have a good night on Dragon Legend Cruise.

October 15, 2024: Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

Relaxation and all the free time you want.  OR

08:00: Have breakfast onboard.
08:45 – 10:15: Explore Cap La.  Enjoy kayaking to discover majestic rock islands and pristine nature (under
favorable weather conditions: no fog, no significant waves or strong winds, etc.).
10:30: Back to the cruise.  Cruise to Cong Dam area to explore the natural beach, take a stroll, relax, and
unwind.
12:30: Enjoy a unique BBQ lunch on the picturesque beach, prepared by the chefs directly on the beach. After the meal, guests can engage in some beach activities.
14:30: Back to the cruise for relaxation and leisure.
17:15: Join a Vietnamese cuisine cooking class.
19:00: Take a rest and enjoy dinner in a peaceful atmosphere on the bay.
20:30 – 23:30: Leisure time, guests can experience squid fishing and have a good night on board.

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October 16, 2024: Ha Long Bay - Pottery Village - Hanoi (B/L/D)

07:00 – 07:15: Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.  Have breakfast in the fresh air.
07:45 – 08:45: Visit Thien Canh Son Cave, the most beautiful natural cave in Bai Tu Long Bay, where guests will be amazed by the mesmerizing stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousands of years.

09:00: Back to the cruise.
09:45 – 10:00: Check-out procedures.
10:15: Enjoy an A la carte lunch while the cruise slowly returns to the port.
11:30: The cruise arrives at the port.
Note: The cruise itinerary can be changed according to weather conditions.
Arrive at Halong Wharf around noon time, pick up by our guide and driver, we transfer back to Hanoi with stop en-route to visit Phu Lang - one of the well-known pottery village in the north of Vietnam, which is situated in Phu Lang commune, Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province.  Arrive at our hotel and check in.
Later this afternoon, we visit the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son temple – Temple of the Jade
Mountain, Hanoi's most visited temple sits on a small island in the northern part of the lake, connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge called Cau The Huc.  We then take a leisure cyclo ride for 45 minutes around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ – each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics, medicines to crafts.  Here we visit Ma May ancient house, an open attraction preserved to introduce Hanoi's ancient architecture and way of living.  Later, enjoy a fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam.  Or maybe some street photography.  Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu. Then we have time to enjoy the night street scenes of Hanoi and capture some fun shots tonight.  Overnight in Hanoi.

October 17, 2024: Hanoi - Siem Reap (B/L/D)
After breakfast and check out hotel, we will visit Hanoi's French Quarter.  Lying to the south and east of Hoan Kiem Lake, The French Quarter has grand boulevards and elegant French colonial buildings.  These include the stately Opera House (based on the neo-Baroque Paris Opera) complete with gray slate tiles imported from France.  One block east of the Opera House is Hanoi's Museum of History, which is an elaborate blend of Vietnamese palace and French villa, a style that came to be called Neo-Vietnamese. Trang Tien, the main artery of the French Quarter, is still a busy shopping street where we find bookshops and art galleries as well as cafés and hotels.  Lunch at a local restaurant - set menu.  This afternoon, transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap.  On arrival, pick up by our guide and driver from the airport and transfer to check in hotel.  Dinner at a local restaurant - set menu. Overnight in Siem Reap.

October 18, 2024: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, the famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century.  Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meters tall, 300-meter-long terrace wall adorned with carved
elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon - huge temple mountain in
the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas - impressive rite and sandstone pyramid.
Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nag as, demons and other mythological beings.  We then visit other highlights of Small Circuit including: Thommanon - small attractive temple in very good condition, built at the same time as Angkor Wat.  Chau Say Tevoda - built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.  Takeo - King Suryavarman I commissioned this temple in the 10th Century, but it was never completed so has no elaborate decoration like its contemporaries.  It is a pyramid on 5 levels and is dedicated to Shiva.  Last visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty!  Giant trees have grown here for centuries!  Lunch at a local restaurant - set menu.  This afternoon, we visit Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia's ancient temple is one of the wonders of the oriental world.  Masterpieces of decorative details as well as of architectural style, its awe-inspiring ruins survive as testament to the spectacular achievements of Southeast Asia's greatest civilization.  It is a replica of the universe according to the Hindu mythology.  It is composed by the Mount Meru, surrounded by the continents and the oceans.  Its extraordinary bas-reliefs, describe some Khmer epics and myths. Angkor Wat's five famous towers rise into the sky, a geometrical arrangement of numerous galleries, adorned with beliefs and the stone images of celestial Apsara dancers, as well as portals, chambers and courtyards.  Enjoy sunset at Phnom Bakheng which rises almost 70 meters above the plain where the rest of the temples are located, which gives a magnificent view of Angkor.  This evening enjoy a buffet dinner (local food) with Apsara dance show – a taste of classical Khmer culture.  Then
we have time to enjoy the colorful night market.  Overnight in Siem Reap.

October 19, 2024: Siem Reap - Floating Village - Departure (B/L/D)

After breakfast and check out hotel at 6:30 AM (packed breakfast will be prepared in advance), we transfer to visit Kampong Pluk Floating Village, 20km from Siem Reap Town.  Arrival at the dock, take a boat trip a long a small stream to the village.  Over 3000 inhabitants are real Khmers, their households made of wood and bamboo built on stilts of about 6m to 7m high.  In wet season while the water level rises up again, the dwellers move back to their permanent houses on the flood plain, the stilts now hidden under the water. People make a living by catching fishes produce as well as smelly fish paste, fermented fish, smoked fish, dried fish, dried prawn, etc.  Time to freshen up at hotel before transfer to the airport for our departure flight.

October 20, 2024: Arrive home depending on flights.