Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia - Need help with Itin
I have a proposed Itinerary for a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia this coming November. I need to shorten it to 10-11 days. I am looking for suggestions on what is best to eliminate.
Day1: Hanoi Arrival
Our guide will pick you up at the airport, transfer to check in your hotel.
Free. Overnight at the hotel. .
Day 2: Hanoi City tour (B,L)
Sightseeing Hanoi (5-7hrs) - Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. Visit Ho Chi Minh Museum and mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam.
After lunch, visit Ethnology Museum, the miniature of Vietnam with 54 ethnic groups. Take 2 hour cyclo tour to visit Old Street Quarter.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong (B, L)
12h30: Boarding Indochina Sails for departure. Welcome drink is served.
13h00: Lunch is served while cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay
15h30: Cruising to visit Cua Van fishing lillage.
17h00: Trekking or swimming at Soi Sim Island.
18h30: Enjoy sunset on board..
19h30: Dinner.
21h00: Fishing or relax. Overnight on board.
Day 4: Halong- Hanoi- Hue (B, L)
7h00: Tea/ coffee is served.
8h00: Visit the most beautiful grotto in Halong Bay, Sung Sot Grotto.
9h15: Luggage pull out.
9h30: Buffet brunch (breakfast and lunch) while cruising through Halong Bay to the pier.
11h00: Arrive at the pier. Our guide and car transfer straight to Hanoi Airport for flight to Hue.
Overnight at the hotel in Hue
Day 5: Hue (B, L)
Enjoy a nice boat cruise on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang Tomb. Continue to visit Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh's Tombs, shopping at Dong Ba market.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Hue - Hoi An (B, L)
Drive up to Hoi An, stop at Lang Co fishing village for sightseeing, crossing the Hai Van Pass. Visit Cham Museum. Arrive Hoi An. Lunch at local restaurant. Enjoy half-day city tour the ancient town of Hoi An with temples, lantern workshops and old house. Free at leisure for own activities or shopping.
O/N at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An- My Son (B, L)
Enjoy a full day with the tour “2 World Heritage Sites in a destination”: My Son Holy Land and Hoi An Ancient town. Tourist attractions include: architecture treasure of My Son, the land once belonged to Cham Kingdom; the Japanese Bridge, Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Old Merchant House, Quang Dong Assembly Hall.
Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 8: Hoian- Saigon(B, L)
Transfer to Danang airport for flight to Hochiminh. After having lunch, in the afternoon enjoy a tour in the Old Colonial Residential Quarter and discover the old Hotel de Ville, the Opera House, Notre-Dame Cathedral built in the 19th century, the dazzling French-style post office and the Reunification Palace (outside).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Tayninh – Cuchi (B, L)
Excursion to Tayninh, visit Cao Dai Holy See, attend the noontide service ceremony. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit to remarkable underground tunnels of Cu Chi. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho (B, L)
Car and guide will be at your hotel’s lobby for Mekong Tour.
This trip provides a look at a wide variety of the life and scenery of the Mekong Delta. On the way you can see green rice paddy fields stretching towards the horizon. After arrival in Cai Be, a boat takes you to the floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging their goods from their boats. Next, a boat rides on the maze of shady canals visiting the An Binh islands (Vinh Long). We will enjoy the local tropical fruits and see how local people cultivate their orchards, make their living from ceramics, popcorn and rice paper... A nice chance for bicycle riding, roaming through the village and looking at the local handicraft shops. A stop will be landed on Vinh Long market a nice walk around. On our wonderful boat trip, you will enjoy sunset time all the way to transfer back to Hochiminh.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Hochiminh- Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Riep.
On arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. The capital city of Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom, which provides an interesting view over the environs. The next stop of our trip is the National Museum, exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9th to 15th centuries, but some date from as early as the 4th century.
Day 12: Phnom Penh – Siem Riep (B, L, D)
Early morning we take flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at airport you are met and transfer to visit Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Tasom and Mebon.
We go to a very good local restaurant for a lunch.
It is time to visit the world wonder of Angkor Wat and see sunset from Phnom Bakheng Hill.
Day 13: Siem Riep (B, L, D)
Drive out of city to Angkor Thom to discover the impressive Angkor Thom: South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean Akas Temple.
We go to local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Ruin: Thomonon, Chao Say Tevoda, Takeo, Ta Prom, Bunteay Kdey and Sras Srong.
Having dinner with dance Apsaras show at local restaurant & overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Riep Departure (B, L)
Breakfast at the hotel
We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, hospitals, and Les Artisan D'angkor.
Rolling at local market for shopping until transfer to Siem Reap International airport departure flight. Tour ends.
I am considering modifying it to arrive and depart from Ho Chi Minh City
Thanks for the assist
TW
Last edited by Tolarian Wind; Jan 31, 2008 at 7:23 am