Wonderful Indochina 2024: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos Departure from Poland

Departure to Hanoi

The group will meet at the airport 2-2.5 hours before the departure time. After the check-in and baggage drop-off, we will embark on our journey to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Hanoi

Upon arrival in Hanoi, we will proceed to the city center to check in at the hotel and rest after the journey. For those interested, there will be a stroll through typical Vietnamese streets. In the evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant serving delicious Vietnamese cuisine.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi

After breakfast, we will begin a full-day tour of the capital of Vietnam. We will visit the key landmarks, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his humble stilt house. This complex also includes the One-Pillar Pagoda, dating back to the founding of the city. We will also see the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam), considered the most beautiful temple in Hanoi. Established in the 11th century by King Ly Thang Long to honor the philosopher Confucius, it housed Vietnam’s first university within its walls. Next, we will visit the Imperial Citadel known as Thang Long.

Another highlight of the day will be a stroll through the streets of the Old Quarter, named after specific goods that were once offered in these places. We will stop by Hoan Kiem Lake for some photographs. To end the day, we will head to a Vietnamese restaurant in the city center for dinner. After the meal, our guide will take us to the train station, from where we will take an overnight train to Lao Cai.

Lao Cai, a tribal village in Sapa

Upon reaching Lao Cai in the early morning, we will head straight from the station to the mountain town of Sapa. We will have breakfast at a local restaurant in town and then embark on a half-day trekking adventure to explore magnificent rice terraces, valleys, mountains, and villages of the mountain tribes. An alternative 3.5-hour trekking route will also be available, including round-trip transfers by vehicle.

During the expedition, we will visit the village of the Black H’Mong people, whose traditional costumes are made of indigo-dyed hemp fabric adorned with batik flowers. We will continue along the trail to the village of Ta Van, nestled in the picturesque Muong Hoa Valley, admiring the spectacular scenery of terraced fields, vegetable plots, and green hills. This area is also home to the largest rice field in Sapa. These lands are inhabited by the Dzay people.

After the trekking, we will return to the hotel for some rest. In the evening, we will take a short walk to the Red Dao Restaurant to enjoy a delicious Vietnamese dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Sapa.

Sapa, night train to Hanoi

After an early breakfast, we will embark on a journey towards O Quy Ho. Along the way, we will pass through the Sin Chai Valley, where flower and vegetable farms are located. We will follow a narrow road through the wild region of dense rainforest, passing several waterfalls before reaching Ban Khoang. This is a village of the ethnic Red Zao people, known for their unique way of life and well-preserved traditional values.

We will spend over an hour exploring this remote village to learn about local life. Then, we will drive to the Ta Giang Phin Valley inhabited by the Black Hmong people. We will stroll along the village path, witnessing the daily activities of the local community, such as plowing and harrowing fields, harvesting crops, or doing household chores. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing herbal steam bath and foot massage by the Red Dzao people. Relaxing in a hot wooden tub offers amazing health benefits. Afterward, we will return to Lao Cai station for dinner at a restaurant near the station. After the evening meal, we will take the night train back to Hanoi.

Hanoi, Halong Bay

Upon arrival at the railway station in Hanoi, we will head to the hotel to have breakfast and refresh after the journey. Then, we will embark on a bus journey towards Halong Bay, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the pristine, emerald waters.

We will reach the port around noon, and after boarding the boat, we will begin our cruise. As the boat sails through waters dotted with rocky islets, caves, fish farms, and beaches, we will enjoy a lunch served on board with fresh seafood. Later, there will be free time for swimming or relaxation on deck. At sunset, when we anchor our boat, we will watch a cooking demonstration.

Afterward, we will taste Vietnamese dishes for dinner. We will spend the night on the boat.

Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hoi An

It’s worth starting today’s day even before dawn. The sunrise over Ha Long Bay will surely be an amazing experience. To feel even better, we will begin the new day with a short Tai Chi session on the deck of the boat. During a peaceful cruise on the boat, we will have breakfast while admiring the beautiful views.

After returning to the port, we will head back to Hanoi to catch a flight to Da Nang. Upon landing, we will be picked up by our local guide and take a private bus to the ancient city of Hoi An, located 35 km away. We will check into our hotel in Hoi An, where we will spend the night.

Hoi An

In the morning, we will take a short bike ride to the Tra Que herb village. We will take a short walk through the vegetable garden, and the farmers will tell us about their daily work. We will help rake the soil, sow, water, harvest vegetables, and engage in other gardening activities. After the gardening session, you will have the opportunity to relax your feet in a wooden basin during a traditional Vietnamese foot massage. We will also witness a cooking demonstration of local delicacies such as “tam huu” spring rolls, Banh xeo, or Vietnamese pancakes.

After the meal, we will return to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will embark on a guided walking tour of the ancient town of Hoi An. We will visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese Assembly Hall, a typical Vietnamese merchant house, a museum, and the local market. We will also visit the monument of Polish architect, Mr. Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, who played an important role in preserving Hoi An from modernization and made tremendous efforts to help Hoi An be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the evening, for those interested and for an additional fee, we can attend the Hoi An Memories Show. This is a musical performance depicting the history of Hoi An as a bustling trading port in Southeast Asia. The history dates back over 400 years and will be presented to us by 500 actors during the largest outdoor spectacle. Actors will showcase the culture and history of Hoi An through folk and contemporary dances, all accompanied by state-of-the-art lighting and sound effects. There are also art galleries, tailor shops, and souvenir stalls in the city where we can spend our free time.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi Ann, Sieam Reap

After breakfast, we will take a bus to the Ba Na Hills station. We will board the cable car to admire the area’s biggest attractions from above, including the Golden Bridge – Hands of God. The Golden Bridge is supported by giant divine hands. It was opened to the public in 2018, sits at an altitude of 1414 meters, and is 150 meters long. The view from it is impressive as it offers a blend of mountainous landscape with the sea.

We will also visit the Flower Garden of Love, which consists of several gardens designed in different styles, and the Linh Ung Pagoda. In the afternoon, we will take the cable car back down, where the bus driver will take us to Da Nang International Airport. In the late afternoon, we will fly to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival and completing all immigration procedures, we will meet our local guide. Then, we will head to a hotel in the city center. We will have dinner at a restaurant of our choice serving local dishes. We will spend our free time getting to know the nightlife on the streets. We will return to the hotel by tuk-tuk. Overnight stay at a hotel in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap, Angkor Temples

Today we will explore the beautiful Angkor temples with a local tuk-tuk. We will start with the West Gate of Angkor Thom, undiscovered by mass tourists, which encompasses the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). We will see the South Gate, the Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara, the Baphuon Temple – located north of Bayon, representing the pyramidal shape of the mythical Mount Meru, the Royal Garden, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Leper King Terrace. Then, we will take a bus to the enchanting Ta Prohm, surrounded by the roots of giant fig trees and massive creepers.

Ta Prohm was built in the 12th century. We will walk around to see the mighty Preah Khan temple, also known as the “Holy Sword” temple, which was built by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. We will also see the elegant Neak Poan arches. The highlight of the trip will be the famous Angkor Wat temple, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. It is renowned for its beauty and grandeur. Angkor Wat houses the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer walls of the gallery and depicts stories from Hindu mythology. At the end of the day, we will have dinner at a restaurant serving Khmer cuisine and enjoy Apsara dance.

Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap, Jezioro Tonel Sap, Luang Prabang

In the morning, we will take a walk to the Khmer village to learn about their daily customs. Then, we will embark on a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village and witness the life of fishermen. Tonle Sap Lake is one of the most incredible lakes created by nature.

During the rainy season, due to the changing direction of the river, the lake expands significantly, flooding the surrounding areas. As the river recedes, carrying fertile sediments, this lake becomes one of the most fish-abundant freshwater reservoirs in the world. It is also famous for its stilt settlements and floating fishing villages. After the boat trip, we will head to the airport and fly to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, our guide will pick us up and we will have dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to our hotel in Luang Prabang.

In Luang Prabang, the Kuang Si Waterfall.

For the early birds, we have prepared a special attraction. At the first light of dawn, you will have the opportunity to observe the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of monks in orange robes leave their pagodas and walk barefoot through the streets, collecting offerings from the residents of Luang Prabang. It is a beautiful, peaceful ceremony that highlights the spirituality of the people of Laos. We will also visit the morning market, where you can find all the ingredients for local dishes.

After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we will journey through the lush green surroundings of Luang Prabang towards the picturesque Kuang Si Waterfall. Along an unpaved trail that gradually ascends through the forest, we will reach the natural blue pools. We will take a walk through the nature park next to the Asian Bear Rescue Center, which is home to over 20 Asian black bears rescued from tragic circumstances.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the Royal Palace, which has been transformed into the National Museum boasting valuable collections of royal artifacts. We will leisurely stroll through the famous temples of Luang Prabang, including Wat Xieng Thong. The tour will conclude at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, where we will learn about the traditional customs and culture of the ethnic minorities inhabiting the Luang Prabang area. During leisure time, at the night market, we can purchase local masterpieces that are hard to find elsewhere. Dinner will be enjoyed at a restaurant of our choice in the city center. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Jaskinie Pak Ou

In the morning, we will board a traditional boat to sail to the famous Pak Ou caves. Upon arrival, we will begin exploring the magical cave systems. In the lower cave, there is a photogenic group of Buddha statues.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will stop in the villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban XiengLek, specializing in silk weaving and Saa paper production. In the evening, a bus will take us to Luang Prabang Airport for our return journey.

CRUISE ON THE MEKONG RIVER

After breakfast, we will embark on a full-day excursion to Ninh Binh. We will visit places such as the Bich Dong Pagoda. We will also hike to the top of Ngu Nhac Son (Buddha’s Palm Mountain). Then, we will explore Tam Coc, known as the “Three Caves,” from a boat ride. Optionally, for an additional fee, there is a possibility to climb Hang Mua Mountain, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tam Coc Valley.

After a day filled with impressions, we will return to Hanoi by bus for our return flight to Warsaw.

Full of memories, we will bid farewell to the group and head back to our homes. We hope that the Wonderful Indochina will stay in your hearts for a long time. If so, we invite you to join other adventures with Rek Travel Adventure, such as our tours to Thailand.

Wonderful Indochina 2024: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos