The Very Best of Indochina

Day 1 & 2 Depart London to Luang Prabang
Today you’ll board your overnight flight to Laos, and arrive in time to relax in Satri House. Built at the turn the
last century as the residence of Prince Soupha-nouvong, this will be your home for 3 nights. Later, you’ll venture into the charming capital of Luang Prabang, situated on the banks of the Mekong River and visit the beguiling night market
finding perhaps the most extensive collection of traditional and ethnic handicrafts for sale in Laos, the stalls overflowing with colourful textiles, carvings, ceramics, and handmade paper goods.
Day 3 Luang Prabang
On today’s exploration of atmospheric Luang Prabang, you’ll see Wat Xieng Thong with its low sweeping roof symbolising traditional Laotian architecture,and the gilded carved façade of Wat Mai. Also visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace, where relics from Laos’ royalist past remain. In a unique evening, you’ll experience a private Baci ceremony. This spiritual ritual is linked to the ancient belief that Baci is invoked religiously to synchronise the effects of 32 organs of human body as well as social and family bonds to maintain balance and harmony. Dinner is included following the ceremony.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Luang Prabang
An early start allows you the opportunity to participate in the tranquil morning alms giving, as hundreds of saffron robed monks line the streets in silence. Afterwards, you’ll
visit the morning market and see the array of meats, vegetables and spices the locals use in their cooking, before returning to Satri House for breakfast. You’ll then travel
out of town to the Kuang Si Waterfall, stopping en route at the Living Crafts Centre, to meet weavers and talk to them
about how they are helping to keep theirtraditions alive. The falls cascade into idyllic turquoise pools, where it is possible to swim. You’ll also visit the nearby Sunbear Refuge
and enjoy a picnic lunch by the waterfall before heading back to Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 5 Luang Prabang to Siem Reap
You have a free morning where you may wish to take the optional Living Land Experience. This afternoon’s flight will bring you to neighbouring Cambodia and Siem Reap town, the home of the World Heritage listed Temples of Angkor. Tonight you’ll enjoy dinner in the elegant Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, where you’ll stay for 3 nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 6 Siem Reap
Your first call will be to the famous Angkor Wat – built in the 12th century and the best preserved of all the monuments, where there is ample time to explore this huge architectural wonder and its Hindu and Buddhist imagery. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll discover the hidden corners of Ta Prohm Temple, affectionately known as the Jungle Temple.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7 Siem Reap
You’ll return to the Angkor Complex and the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where you will begin your exploration of the centrepiece of the Bayon. This ancient city holds 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatically smiling stone faces. This morning’s tour also visits the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Indulge yourself in the elegant surroundings of your luxurious hotel or explore the market town of Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 8 Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Your flight will bring you to Cambodia’s capital for your 2 night stay at the riverside Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra set
amongst landscaped gardens in the old quarter of the city.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 Phnom Penh
Your full day tour will encompass all the highlights of this bustling, vibrant city, including the fascinating Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. You can climb the hill to Wat Phnom, the city’s main temple, where you’ll find throngs of worshippers and troops of monkeys. After lunch, you’ll visit the sobering and poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide
Museum, the former school, which now documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against the Cambodian people.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 10 Phnom Penh to Chau Doc
This afternoon you’ll board your speedboat to take the 5 hour scenic trip down the Mekong River and over the border into
Vietnam. After the border formalities you’ll arrive deep in the Mekong Delta and spend 2 nights at the beautiful Victoria Chau Doc, built in the French colonial style.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 11 Chau Doc
In the morning you’ll return to the Mekong on a traditional sampan, a small wooden vessel, and discover the fascinating floating market with boats selling Mekong fruits and vegetables, as well as the local floating village. Your journey continues to a Muslim Cham Village, where the descendants of the 7th to 8th century Kingdom of Champa, still reside, with their traditional customs and locally built stilt homes. After lunch you’ll continue by sampan to
visit Tra Su Nature Reserve, an 845-hectare ecological haven. It is the habitat of many unique water birds, colonies of bats and various rare animal species. Turtles, snakes and other reptiles and freshwater fish can also be found in the meandering canals. En route, you will visit a Khmer Village and learn about local techniques of palm sugar producing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City
This morning you’ll take a guided tour of this sultry city’s greatest landmarks, including the historic Reunification
Palace, virtually unchanged since the gates were stormed by a North Vietnamese tank, marking the end of the Vietnam conflict in 1975. You’ll also see Notre Dame Cathedral built during the
French colonial period and the War Remnants Museum an interesting but moving reminder of the country’s recent history.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City
You’ll journey out this morning to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground passageways which played a significant part in the conflict. You’ll learn about how they were constructed and it’s even possible to experience these first hand as
you have the option of squeezing through the small spaces below. The rest of the day is free to explore the city, shop
for souvenirs or simply relax and enjoy your hotel’s facilities, before this evening’s dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day 15 & 16 Ho Chi Minh City to London
If you’ve chosen to end your journey today, you’ll be transferred to the airport, arriving in the UK the following day.

Tour includes

Local guides, with an insider’s knowledge, who give a true insight into the culture, history and lifestyle
Return scheduled flights including all UK taxes, plus domestic flights
Exceptional, hand-picked hotels
13 breakfasts, 7 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”