Itinerary
May
Monday 17 New Zealand ? Singapore
Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines with a late evening arrival in Singapore. Overnight at the Airport Hotel.
Tuesday 18 Singapore ? Siem Reap ? Cambodia L D
Today a morning flight to Siem Reap and onto Cambodia. After settling into the hotel and lunch, enjoy an afternoon tour of some of the main Angkor Wat sights. Angkor Wat is perhaps the most stunning temple complex in the world. Rediscovered by the French in 1860 and spanning a period of 500 years, this huge site has over 400 temples in total, Dinner tonight is included.
Wednesday 19 Angkor Wat B L
Sightseeing today will include visits to several sites within the Angkor Complex including Ta Prohm Temple, whose principal attraction is that it has not been rescued from the thick jungle, as the rest of the Angkor Complex has. It looks much the same as it would have done when the French explorers came here 140 years ago, shrouded in undergrowth, with the huge roots of old Banyan trees growing over and down the ruins. Following lunch there will be a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, Asia?s largest inland lake, to see the life of the lake dwelling people ? this has been an unexpected highlight
Thursday 20 Siem Reap ? Ho Chi Minh B D
A morning transfer for a Vietnam Airways flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Time to settle into the hotel and this city of 10 million people. Enjoy a two hour cycle tour of Cho Lon ? the Chinatown of Saigon, founded by Chinese merchants and traders in the 17th century - an experience not to be missed. Enjoy an evening rooftop buffet at the hotel.
Friday 21 Ho Chi Minh City B L
Our morning city tour includes the Reunification Palace, War Relics Museum, the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Lunch is followed by a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels constructed during the Vietnam War. This tour is a unique experience to feel what life was like underground for the Viet Cong during the war years as well as seeing the countryside.
Saturday 22 Ho Chi Minh ? Mekong Delta B L
Today travel by coach to the Mekong. Take a boat and cruise through river islands, and visit local people in their homes. After lunch, travel again by boat to Can Tho with stops to see ?cottage? industries of candy
making, rice paper production and much more. A wonderful and varied day.
An overnight stay at Can Tho is time to experience life in the Mekong.
Sunday 23 Ho Chi Minh City ? Hoi An B L D
A late morning flight to Danang and a drive to Hoi An via the Marble Mountains. Hoi An retains the feeling of centuries past and is a real gem. The ?old town? is a pedestrian and bike-only zone with a maze of shops and tailors. Our hotel is located on the edge of this very special area. On arrival visit some tailors to order any tailor made clothes you may want.
Monday 24 Hoi An B
We plan an early start before it gets too hot and included is a guided walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Old Quarter and the fruit, vegetable and fish markets. The balance of the day is free to shop and explore.
Hoi An has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low tile roofed houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets almost remains intact.
Tuesday 25 Hoi An ? Hue B L D
Today continue northbound by coach visiting China Beach, Danang, a silk factory and perhaps a fish farm en route. The destination today is the Old Imperial City ? Hue. This afternoon visit the Citadel and The Imperial Museum. Tonight?s dinner is at a private home to sample some of Hue culinary specialties.
Wednesday 26 Hue B L
We include a morning cruise along the Perfume River to see more of river life ? dredging for sand and stone, barges laden with produce and tourist dragon boats plying the river. Hue is the former capital and has many tombs of former Nguyen Emperors. Visit Emperor Ming Mong and Tu Duc?s tombs. Visit the Dang Ba Market in the afternoon in your own time.
Thursday 27 Hue ? Hanoi B L D
This morning return to the airport for a short flight to colonial Hanoi and continue to Haling Bay driving through the Red River Delta.
Board a private boat in time for lunch and then soak up the atmosphere of this truly beautiful area located on the Gulf of Tonkin. This is one of four World Heritage sights in Vietnam. Time for a swim, before enjoying a seafood feast.
Overnight is onboard the boat in air-conditioned cabins.
Friday 28 Halong Bay ? Hanoi City B L D
Enjoy breakfast on board and the morning cruising before disembarking for the drive back to Hanoi. Hanoi?s history dates back a thousand years, but the French European influence is clearly seen in the elegant colonial buildings and tree-lined boulevards which contrasts with the Old Quarter ? a bustling area of narrow streets and home to thousands of small businesses. The famous water puppet show and dinner is included.
Saturday 29 Hanoi ? Train B L D
This morning see Ho Chi Minh?s Palace Gardens & Mausoleum (closed at this time). - his former stilt-like residence, the Presidents Palace and the Ho Chi Minh Museum ? plus the Templed Literature, the site of Vietman?s first university dating back to 1070. Visit a village on the outskirts of Hanoi, famous for silk, a great opportunity for some end-of-tour purchases. After lunch visit the Old Quarter with time to shop in this ?Aladdin?s Cave? . Return to the hotel to freshen up for dinner before the overnight train journey. Dinner is included tonight prior to boarding the overnight ?Victoria Express? train at 8.30pm. Tonight?s journey is in a very comfortable sleeper train with two people per four berth cabin.
Sunday 30 Sapa B D
We arrive early at Lao Cai Station, only 3 kms from the Chinese border. Breakfast is a picnic. Continue by coach to Sapa to our hotel, the Victoria Sapa for a two night stay. This afternoon visit the hill tribe village of Ta Van to meet some of the friendliest locals ? the Black H?mong and Dzay people.
Tonight?s dinner is at the hotel.
Monday 31 Sapa B
A day to relax or go for a walk in this mountain village.
June
Tuesday 01 Sapa ? Hanoi B L
After breakfast, travel by coach to the Coc Ly Tuesday Market. This small colourful market is a mountainous area where the H?mong people gather. This visit is followed by a river excursion and a short walk to Trung Do Village.
Wednesday 02 Hanoi B D
The day is yours. Tony will guide those who wish to visit the ?Old Quarter? to explore and shop. The farewell dinner is tonight.
Thursday 03 Hanoi ? Singapore B
A leisurely morning with time to pack for the return journey and transfer to the airport for our early afternoon flight. Change planes in Singapore to a Singapore Airlines flight to Auckland.
Saturday 05 Auckland
Arrive Auckland mid-morning with suitcases considerably heavier than on departure.
B ? Breakfast L ? Lunch D ? Dinner