Indochina & Beyond: 5-Nation Discovery

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered). After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue to the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We come back city in the afternoon, stop to visit Ban Xang Khong, famous for Saa paper making. This evening is free on your own to stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel. Rooms available until 12h00. Free at leisure until transfer back to Luang Prabang airport for your next flight to Hanoi. Xin chào Vietnam! Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to the hotel for relaxing. The remaining time, you can relax or take a walk around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of a sleepless night in the capital of Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast

Hanoi, located in the Red River Delta, in the center of North Vietnam, and is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam, the center of culture, politics, economy, and trade of the whole country. Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars, and natural calamities, Hà Nội still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Famous sites include the One Pillar Pagoda (built in 1049), the Confucius Temple (built in 1070), Thang Long Citadel, Hà Nội Opera House, President Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum, and so on… Itinerary of Hanoi City Tour full day: 08h00-08h30: We will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Opera House. In the morning, we will visit:

• Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the east side isle of the West Lake (Tay Ho district), is considered the most ancient pagoda in Thang Long – Hanoi with its historical progression in 1500 years. It has a harmonious combination between the majesty, hoariness of architecture, and peaceful landscape of West Lake. From the Ly and Tran dynasties period, it had become the Buddhist center of Thang Long.
• Visit the complex of President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (Mausoleum and Stilt house) – Where the great leader lived and worked until the last years of his life. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about Uncle Ho’s simple life. In addition, you will stop by One Pillar Pagoda to admire one of the 4 symbols of Hanoi.

Note: with departure days on Monday and Friday, Mausoleum Management Board will carry out maintenance of the mausoleum, you will visit only outside of Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, stilt house, and One Pillar Pagoda.

• Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: This is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museum in Hanoi and Vietnam. There are indoor and outdoor sections, and while the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display and activities make the museum stand out. There are a number of houses modeled after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in Northern and Central highlands.

On Monday, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed, instead of the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Noon: Return to the Old Quarter to have lunch at the restaurant. After lunch, you will see 36 streets from the car and listen to the guide tell stories about the streets of the ancient urban marketplace. Afternoon: We will visit:

• The temple of literature (The first university in Vietnam): Being an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage that gives tourists a deeper understanding of Hanoi’s years of culture and tradition.
• Hoa Lo prison: Built-in 1899. The French held mainly political prisoners here, along with those awaiting sentencing at the nearby Court of Justice, as well as American pilots who had been shot down and captured as prisoners of war. The pilots sarcastically called it the “Hanoi Hilton. John McCain was held here at various times during his five and a half years as a POW.

16h00: End of Hanoi City Tour, the car will take you back to the hotel Overnight in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire stunning scenery with thousands of limestone mountains at Halong Bay
• Explore the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine with buffet on board
• Explore Sung Sot Cave – one of the biggest caves in the bay
• Kayaking in Luon cave
• Enjoy the panoramic view of Ha Long Bay while climbing to the top of Titop island
• Great chance to join in interesting activities on board like Outdoor Jacuzzi, sunset party, relax and admire the sunset at Halong bay.

06:45 – 07:15: Our car will pick up guests from various hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. 09:45: Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Harbour, you will check-in, get on board, enjoy welcome drink then starts a trip to discover the Halong bay. 10:00: The cruise departs from Tuan Chau Harbor for a joyful journey to discover the beauty of the world heritage. Along the way, you will have chance to pass through the grandeur of the legendary bay with thousands of limestone islands such as: Fighting Cock, Incense Burner,… 11:00: Have a huge buffet lunch with variety of dishes including seafood and Vietnamese traditional food. 12:00: The cruise heads to Luon Cave. In this area, it’s time for you to heat up with kayaking, about 30 minutes. 13:15: Our tour guide will take you to Surprising Cave, the largest and the most beautiful cave in Halong bay. You will discover the cave in about 45 minutes before getting back to the cruise. 14:30: Stop at Titov Island. On this island, you can climb halfway up the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Halong bay. Looking down from high above gives you a wonderful sensation; at the same time offers you a spectacular view of every corner of the bay. 16:00: After that, you will get back to cruise and ready for our Sunset Party. Vietnamese tea, cakes, fresh fruits and snacks will be served when you’re relaxing on the sundeck or in the Jacuzzi. On the way back, cruise will pass by Hoa Cuong area, one of the most beautiful spots in the bay. 17:15-17:30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Harbour. 20:15 – 20:45: Drop off our guests in Hanoi Old Quarter, end of the trip. Thank you for choosing Maia Day Cruise. See you in the next journey!  Note: Due to operation or weather conditions, itineraries and food may change without prior notice. Thank you for your kind understanding!   Overnight in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Danang International airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat, meet your local guide then transfer to your city hotel for check-in  and relaxation. The rest of the day is for you to spend at your own leisure. Explore the bustling nightlife of the city that never sleeps of Vietnam, you can enjoy the night market with food stalls opening till as late as 3 am. Discover why this was deemed the national busiest city! Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Meals: Breakfast

Group size: 4 – 12 people At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the local restaurant Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we return to Ho Chi Minh City. Notes: *The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside. *Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.   Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Time will be free until our car arrives at the hotel to take us to the airport in good time to board our flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Siem Reap! On your arrival, our guide and car will meet and transfer us to the hotel in the city centre for around 45 minutes. After check-in, you will spend the rest of the day relaxing. Overnight in Siem Reap Meals: Breakfast

This morning, we start to visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and Ta Prohm is one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. After lunch time (on your own account), we will start the afternoon visiting the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Pre Rup temple Overnight in Siem Reap Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at KAMPONG PHLUK VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” move from place to place following water levels and current. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for flight to Singapore. Arriving in Singapore, our private car will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Overnight in Singapore Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast and proceed for a full day tour. Our first stop, the Royal Selangor Pewter, is the largest and most modern pewter factory in the world, renowned for high quality products and exceptional craftsmanship. During the tour of the factory, you will get a chance to learn the different processes, such as casting, filing, polishing, soldering, hammering and engraving of pewter products. Next, we stop at a Batik Factory to see how batik is being designed and printed. Our last stop will be at the limestone hills of Batu Caves. A flight of 272 steps will lead up to the sacred Hindu temple cave where the shrine of Hindu deity, Lord Murugah lies. Another cave, called the museum cave, is filled with images of deities and murals depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures. Next, we go to the KL city tour will take you to many of the highlights that this beautiful city has to offer. By the end of the tour, you will probably feel as if you have “seen” the soul of Kuala Lumpur!

• Petronas Twin Towers (Photo stop)
• King’s Palace (Photo stop)
• National Monument ( Photo Stop)
• National Mosque (Drive pass)
• Sultan Abdul Samad Building & Independence Square

Note: EXCLUDE: Any entrance fee Note:

• In respecting the Batu Caves Temples as a religious place of worship, kindly reminded to dress appropriately.
• Visit to Batu Caves not available 3days during Thaipusam (normally end January/ early February)

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast and Free at Leisure. Overnight in Kuala Lumpur Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast and leisure till check out time. Proceed to the KLIA airport for the Departure Level for your onward flight check in home. Trip ends!