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BANGKOK Amari Atrium Hotel SIEM REAP Angkor Century Hotel HOI AN Life Resort HUE Saigon Morin Hotel
Day 1
Overnight Flight Your tour begins with an overnight flight to Thailand. Lose a day en route as you cross the International Dateline. Day 2 Arrive Bangkok, Thailand You arrive in one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Bangkok. Day 3 Bangkok A captivating city tour of Bangkok introduces you to this land’s religious beliefs. Visit two of Bangkok’s famous temples: the Golden Buddha and the Reclining Buddha. Also tour the Grand Palace, an ornate royal residence built in 1782. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception followed by a dinner cruise on a rice barge along the Chao Phraya River. Day 4 Bangkok Today visit Jim Thompson’s house, a magnificent Thai-styled home containing an extensive collection of art objects and antiques. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. Day 5 Bangkok - Siem Reap, Cambodia Take a morning flight* to Siem Reap, the gateway to the mystical temple complex of Angkor. Enjoy a tour of the remarkable fortified city of Angkor Thom and visit the mysterious temple of Bayon with its astonishing smiling faces and detailed bas-reliefs depicting scenes of everyday life in the 12th century. Day 6 Angkor Wat Angkor Wat is the largest of all monuments in Angkor, and one of the most spectacular architectural achievements in the world. Gain an understanding of the ancient Khmer Empire during a full-day visit. See the grand complex of temples and examine the spectacular bas-reliefs illustrating some of the most beautiful examples of Khmer and Hindu art. After dinner at your hotel, relax or take a stroll down the lively streets of Siem Reap. Day 7 Angkor Wat Travel to the heart of Cambodia for a boat trip on Tonle Sap** (Great Lake). This extraordinary lake swells to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region. The boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages situated on the edges of the lake and pass submerged forests and fishing farms. This afternoon features a visit to a local school*** to learn about education in Cambodia. Day 8 Angkor Wat - Hanoi, Vietnam Spend the morning at Preah Khan, another of Angkor’s incredible sites. At its height in the 12th century, more than 100,000 farmers produced rice to feed over 15,000 monks, teachers and students. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax before your flight* to Hanoi, Vietnam''s gracious capital city. Day 9 Hanoi Discover some of Hanoi''s cultural treasures during visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Lake of Restored Sword, Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda. The afternoon allows time for exploring the Old Quarter, considered the jewel of Hanoi because of its ideal location around the pristine Hoan Kiem Lake, and the labyrinth of narrow streets, each dedicated to particular merchandise. Following dinner in a local restaurant, enjoy a performance at the world-famous Water Puppet Theater. Day 10 Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An Following a short flight* to Danang, drive to the city of Hoi An, the 16th- and 17th-century trading port of Vietnam. Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon in this preserved merchant town which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Day 11 Hoi An Begin your day with coffee at Hai Scout Café before proceeding to the Hoi An market to purchase the ingredients for your cooking class! Next, take a leisurely cruise up the Perfume River arriving at the cooking school. Learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking as you help prepare five traditional dishes to enjoy for lunch. After lunch, take a cyclo (pedal cab) tour of Hoi An where the traditional lifestyle and Chinese architecture have remained unspoiled since the 17th century. Your visit includes historic temples, pagodas and its famous covered bridge. Day 12 Hoi An - Hue Your journey takes you along the coast, traveling from Hoi An to the city of Hue. Travel along the Hai Van Pass, whose name means "pass of the ocean clouds," as the peak of the mountain is above cloud level while its base is close to the sea. Explore two mausoleums of emperors from the Nguyen dynasty before arriving in Hue later this afternoon. Day 13 Hue - Ho Chi Minh City Today you will take a cruise along the Perfume River. The views on both sides of the river with the citadel, gardens, pagodas and temples, and their reflections in the water give this slow-moving waterway a poetic ambiance. You will also visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial Citadel, the “Forbidden Purple City,” and the former Imperial Palace at this impressive site. Later, fly* to Ho Chi Minh City. Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City Experience the extraordinary energy and welcoming atmosphere of Vietnam’s commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City, during a guided tour of the historic city landmarks including the Palace of the Jade Emperor and Cholon, the city’s Chinatown. Later, you may choose an optional excursion to the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast 150-mile-long network of underground rooms and passageways used by the Viet Cong. Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta Travel this morning to My Tho, a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta and visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple and a sanctuary for orphans and other needy children. Board a small boat to explore the Mekong River islands, stopping at a fruit orchard for fruit and tea and to listen to some local music. Later, return to the city and visit the War Remnants Museum, featuring a diverse collection of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars. Join your fellow travelers this evening for a farewell dinner. Day 16 Ho Chi Minh City - Tour Concludes Returning home, you will cross the International Dateline and gain a day, arriving home the same day you departed from Vietnam.
Educational Highlights in Angkor Wat & Vietnam
Renowned for some of the world's finest archaeological sites, Southeast Asia offers a splendid array of ancient treasures. Expert local historians and an archaeologist enhance your journey with discussions that explore the history, culture and modern-day life in this fascinating region of the world. Explore the details and significance of the exquisite Khmer and Hindu art found within the Angkor temples, the 12th century masterpiece of Cambodia's Khmer Empire, in the company of a local archaeologist. Learn about the conservation efforts in Angkor during a specially-arranged session with a member of the World Monument Fund. Enhance your visit to Vietnam with a discussion on the impact of foreign influence and control on current Vietnamese political policies and economic issues. Know Before You Go... Passport & Visa Information Time Zone
Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time and 11 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time. Hong Kong is 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time and 12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Daylight Time. Electricity A voltage converter and an adapter (which changes the physical plug) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance that operates on standard U.S. appliances. The voltage in Thailand is 220 V, in Cambodia it is 230 V, in Vietnam 127/220 V, and in Hong Kong it is 200/220 V. Many hotels in Hong Kong provide adaptors. |
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Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.
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