 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Tours
By Region |
|
| |
 INDOCHINA
CLASSIC
A cultural tour of Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia
This extraordinary 18-day tour takes in three astounding countries and 5 World Heritage Sites. Enjoy the contrast of the ethereal and ancient beauty of Angkor one day, the quaint French colonial styles of Indochina the next and the intricate Hindu and Buddhist architecture following that. These extreme contrasts make this tour one of extraordinary texture and variety. In these 18 days we journey back in time to many different stages of development and progress in this extraordinary part of the world.
Day
01 Wednesday: Arrive Phnom Penh (CAMBODIA)
Sohm swaakohm! (Welcome in Khmer) We arrive in Phnom
Penh, the Cambodian capital, located at the confluence
of the beautiful Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers.
The city is considered to be the loveliest of the French-built
cities of Indochina and was founded as a small monastery
in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman by the name of Penh after
she found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the
bank of the Mekong. She set up the monastery at a nearby
hill or “Phnom”.
Overnight: Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh (2 nights)
Day 02 Thursday: Phnom Penh
We start the day with a visit to the Wat
Phnom temple, where the first pagoda was
built. Later we explore Wat Ounalom, built
in 1443 to house a single hair of Buddha
and comprised of 44 structures facing the
Silver Pagoda. Next we tour the National
Museum containing a fine collection of Khmer
art including a beautiful 6th century bronze
statue of Vishnu. The Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum
of Genocide) became the Khmer Rouge’s
main torture and interrogation center and
was known as Security Prison 21. We culminate
the day with a visit to the Central Market,
distinguished by its central dome and filled
with shops selling jewelry, fabrics and all
kinds of souvenirs making it a great place
for shopping. (B)
Day 03 Friday: Phnom Penh/Siem
Reap (Flight)
This morning we take a short
flight to Siem Reap where we
tour the majestic Angkor Wat.
This temple was constructed over
a period of 30 years and illustrates
some of the most exquisite examples
of Khmer and Hindu art. In 1992,
the monuments and the city of
Angkor were declared a World
Heritage Site. Our next stop
is at the Angkor Thom, a fortified
Royal City (10 square kilometers/4
square miles) encircled by a
moat 100 metres/109 yards wide
with five monumental gates. In
the center of the walled city
are the most important monuments
including the Baphuon, the Terrace
of Elephants and the Bayon -
Jayavarman VII’s temple
mount standing at the center
of Angkor Thom. This is one of
the most popular and interesting
of Angkor’s monuments with
its narrow corridors, steep flights
of stairs and an amazing collection
of towers.
Overnight: Angkor Century
Hotel, Siem Reap (2 nights) (B)
 Day
04 Saturday: Siem Reap
We spend another day at Siem
Reap and visit more interesting
sites. Banteay Srei, built late
in the 10th century, is a square
Hindu temple with entrances on
the east and west. We also visit
the three central towers decorated
with male and female divinities
and beautiful filigree relief
work. Banteay Samre, Ta Keo and
Ta Prohm. One of the most popular
attractions of Angkor, Ta Prohm
looks very much as most of the
Angkor monuments would have appeared
when European explorers first
stumbled across the site. Pre
Rup and Eastern Mebon wrap-up
an extraordinary day of sightseeing. (B)
Day 05 Sunday: Siem
Reap/Ho Chi Minh
City (VIETNAM) (Flight)
Our morning tour
includes Chau Say
Tevoda, built during
the 12th century,
where we visit the
Thommanon temple,
Neak Pean Buddhist
and Prasat Kravan.
Here five brick towers
were built for Hindu
worship in 921 and
are notable for the
intricate bas-reliefs
cut into the bricks
on the interior walls.
Later this afternoon
we take our flight
to Saigon (Ho Chi
Minh City), the largest
of Vietnamese cities
where we experience
the hustle and bustle
of city life; street
markets, pavement
cafes and sleek new
coffee shops and
pubs, the city churns
and bubbles. Within
this teeming metropolis
are 300 years of
timeless traditions
and culture.
Overnight: Duxton
Hotel, Saigon (3
nights) (B)
 Day
06 Monday: Saigon
We have a whole day
to explore some of
the most interesting
sites, including
the beautiful neo-Romanesque
Notre Dame Cathedral,
the Central Post
Office, the Opera
House also known
as “Saigon
Concert Hall”,
the Jade Emperor
Pagoda with its colorful
and mysterious ambiance,
the Reunification
Palace and Ben Thanh
Market. We also visit
the Giam Lam Pagoda
built at the end
of the 17th century
and the oldest pagoda
in Saigon, Binh Tay
Market, and finally
the Thien Hau Pagoda,
one of the most active
in Cholon. (B)
Day 07
Tuesday:
Saigon
Today
we take
an interesting
excursion
to My
Tho,
the capital
of Tien
Giang
Province.
The economy
of My
Tho is
based
on fishing
and the
cultivation
of rice,
coconuts,
bananas,
mangos,
longans
and citrus
fruits.
We have
the opportunity
to visit
the centuries-old
My Tho
Church
and experience
the Central
Market,
filled
with
stalls
selling
everything
from
fresh
food
and bulk
tobacco
to boat
propellers.
Cao Dai
Temple
in the
Long
An Province,
is a
smaller
temple
than
the one
at Tay
Ninh,
but is
well
worth
a visit.
The Vinh
Trang
Pagoda
is a
beautiful
and well-maintained
sanctuary
where
charitable
monks
provide
a home
to needy
children.
Finally
we visit
Dragon
Island
with
its many
longan
orchards
and lush,
palm-fringed
shores
lined
with
traditional
wooden
fishing
boats.
(B)
Day
08 Wednesday: Saigon/Hue
(Flight)
A
short flight takes us to
Hue, the 19th Century Imperial
City which was for a long
time the cultural and intellectual
center of Vietnam. Our
Hue tour includes the Citadel
that was built in the early
19th century and modeled
after the Forbidden City
in Peking. Ngo Mon Gate
is the principal entrance
to the Imperial Enclosure
and faces the Flag Tower.
The Forbidden Purple City
was reserved for the personal
use of the emperor and
the only servants allowed
into the compound were
eunuchs. We enjoy free
time in the evening – an
ideal time to mingle with
the local Hue people.
Overnight:
Saigon Morin Hotel, Hue
(2 nights) (B)
 Day
09 Thursday: Hue
A
jaunt to Tu Duc Tomb, once
the Royal Palace of Tu
Duc, begins our day’s
tour. Constructed between
1864 and 1867, its pavilions
are framed in a tranquil
setting of forested hills
and lakes. The Khai Dinh
Tomb, the last monument
of the Nguyen dynasty,
sits magnificently on the
slopes of Chau E Mountain
in Chau Chau Village and
houses a long staircase
flanked by dragons and
decorated with stunning
ceiling murals and ceramic
frescoes. Located just
outside of Hue on the bank
of the Perfume River, Thien
Mu Pagoda was a hotbed
of anti-government protests
during the early 1960s.
The Emperor Minh Mang Tomb
complex built in 1840 is
known for its magnificent
architecture, military
statuaries and elaborate
decorations. It is perhaps
the most beautiful of Hue's
pagodas and tombs, a fitting
end to a spectacular day.
(B)
Day
10 Friday:
Hue/Danang/Hoi
An (Drive 136
kms/85 miles)
We
travel to Danang
through the
Hai Van Pass,
crossing the
Truong Son
Mountain Range
that juts dramatically
into the South
China Sea.
This mountainous
highway offers
spectacular
views. Our
tour of Danang
includes the
Cham Museum,
founded in
1915 by the
Ecole Francaise
d'Extreme Orient,
it has the
finest open-air
collection
of Cham sculptures
in the world.
China Beach,
made famous
in the American
TV series of
the same name,
stretches north
and south of
the Marble
Mountains.
The Marble
Mountains consist
of 5 stone
hillocks made
of marble and
each is said
to represent
one of the
five elements
of the universe.
The largest
and most famous,
Thuy Son, has
a number of
natural caves,
in which Buddhist
sanctuaries
have been built
over the centuries.
We continue
to Hoi An,
a picturesque
riverside town
south of Danang.
Known as Faifo
to early western
traders, it
was one of
South East
Asia's major
international
ports from
the 17th to
19th centuries.
Overnight:
Hoi An Beach
Resort, Hoi
An (2 nights)
(B)
 Day
11 Saturday:
Hoi An
A
full day visiting
the many interesting
sites of Hoi
An, including
Quan Cong
Temple, founded
in
1653. The
Phuoc Kien
Pagoda
was built
around 1690
and is
a typical
example of
the Chinese
'clans' that
were established
in the Hoi
An area. The
Japanese Covered
Bridge, constructed
in 1593 was
built by the
Japanese community
of Hoi An,
to link them
with the Chinese
quarters across
the river.
The Sa Huynh
Museum contains
exhibitions
from the earliest
period of
Hoi
An's history.
Finally we
visit the
Phung Hung
House,
a structure
that combines
Vietnamese,
Japanese and
Chinese architectural
styles and
has been the
home to one
family for
eight generations.
(B)
Day
12
Sunday:
Hoi
An/Danang/Hanoi
(Drive/Flight)
This
morning
we
return
to
Danang
for
our
flight
to
Hanoi,
the
capital
of
Vietnam.
We
spend
the
day
visiting
this
beautiful
city
including
the
One
Pillar
Pagoda
built
by
the
Emperor
Ly
Thai
Tong
and
the
Ho
Chi
Minh
Mausoleum,
final
resting
place
of
Ho
Chi
Minh,
North
Vietnam’s
great
leader.
Time
permitting
we
visit
the
local
market
to
take
advantage
of
the
bargains.
Overnight:
Anise
Hotel,
Hanoi
(2
nights)
(B)
 Day
13
Monday:
Ha
Long
Bay
A
trip
to
Ha
Long
Bay
includes
a
boat
ride
to
Hang
Dau
Go,
a
huge
cave
consisting
of
three
chambers
that
are
reached
climbing
90
steps.
The
cave
derives
its
Vietnamese
name
from
the
third
of
the
chambers,
which
is
said
to
have
been
used
by
Tran
Hung
Dao
during
the
13th
century
to
store
bamboo
stakes
that
were
used
against
Mongol
invaders.
Bo
Nau
is
the
'Pelican'
cave
of
interest.
Thien
Cung
is "Heaven
Palace".
(B)
Day
14
Tuesday:
Hanoi/Vientiane
(LAOS)
(Flight)
A
short
flight
gets
us
to
Vientiane,
the
Laotian
capita
located
on
a
bend
of
the
Mekong
River,
amidst
fertile
alluvial
plains.
Vientiane
is
a
laid-back
city
with
interesting
wats
and
lively
markets.
We
visit
Pha
That
Luang
(Great
Sacred
Reliquary
or
Great
Stupa)
built
between
the
11th
and
13th
centuries
AD,
a
symbol
of
both
Buddhism
and
Lao
sovereignty.
Patuxai
is
a
large
monument
reminiscent
of
the
Arc
de
Triomphe
in
Paris;
the
huge
arch
at
the
end
of
Thanon
Lan
Xang
also
gives
an
excellent
view
of
the
city.
Haw
Pha
Kaew
is
the
former
royal
temple
of
the
Lao
monarchy
built
in
1565,
now
converted
into
a
museum
containing
some
of
the
best
examples
of
Buddhist
sculptures.
Wat
Si
Saket
was
constructed
in
1818
in
the
early
Bangkok
style;
the
interior
walls
of
the
cloister
are
punctured
with
small
niches
that
contain
more
than
2000
silver
and
ceramic
Buddha
images.
We
end
the
day
with
a
visit
to
the
Talaat
Sao
Market
to
examine
the
fabrics,
jewels
and
electronic
goods
available
here.
Overnight:
Green
Park
Boutique
Hotel,
Vientiane
(1
night)
(B)
Day
15
Wednesday:
Vientiane/Luang
Prabang
(Flight)
A
short
flight
gets
us
to
Luang
Prabang,
the
ancient
capital
city
of
the
Lan
Xang
Kingdom.
The
city
is
famous
for
its
historic
temples
and
an
ethereal
mountain
setting.
Wat
Xieng
Thong,
built
in
1560
is
situated
on
the
banks
of
the
Mekong
River,
is
considered
the
most
beautiful
monastery
in
Luang
Prabang
with
ancient
masterpieces
of
Lao
art.
Wat
Wisunalat,
the
oldest
operating
temple
in
the
city,
boasts
a
collection
of
exquisite
gilded
wooden
Buddha
statues
dating
from
the
15th
and
16th
centuries.
Wat
Mai,
constructed
in
1821,
was
once
the
residence
of
the
Phra
Sangkharaj
(the
Patriarch
of
the
Buddhist
clergy).
We
complete
this
incredible
day
with
a
visit
to
Phousi
Hill
to
take
in
the
sunset.
Overnight:
:
Santi
Resort & Spa,
Luang
Prabang
(2
nights)
(B)
 Day
16
Thursday:
Luang
Prabang
Today
we
embark
on
a
day
excursion
to
visit
the
Pak
Ou
Caves,
located
on
a
steep
rock
cliff
at
the
confluence
of
the
Mekong
and
Ou
Rivers.The
two
caves
are
filled
with
Buddha
images
of
varying
styles,
ages
and
sizes.
Ban
Xang
Hai,
located
near
the
Pak
Ou
Caves,
was
once
a
'Jar-Maker
Village'
where
the
community
fills
jars
with
láo-láo,
the
local
rice
whisky.
Ban
Thing
Hong
is
located
opposite
of
Ban
Xang
Hai
and
close
to
Pak
Ou.
Recently
an
excavated
cave
has
yielded
artifacts
dating
back
8000
years,
including
stone,
bronze
and
metal
tools,
pottery,
skeletons
and
fabrics.
(B)
Day
17
Friday:
Luang
Prabang/Vientiane
(Flight)
Our
day
starts
with
a
visit
to
the
magnificent
Royal
Palace.
Wat
That
Luang
contains
the
ashes
of
King
Sisavang
Vong,
interred
inside
the
large
central
stupa.
The
inside
of
the
huge
temple
contains
a
few
Luang
Prabang
Buddhas
and
other
artifacts.
Abbot
Ajannn
Khamjan
was
ordained
here
in
1940
and
is
one
of
the
most
revered
monks
in
Luang
Prabang.
Wat
Tham
Xieng
Maen,
located
in
a
100m/109
yards
deep
limestone
cave,
also
contains
many
Buddha
images.Late
afternoon,
we
take
our
flight
to
Vientiane.
The
evening
is
free
to
stroll
the
local
markets
in
search
of
exotic
bargains.
Overnight:
Green
Park
Boutique
Hotel,
Vientiane
(1
night) (B)
Day
18
Saturday:
Depart
Vientiane
After
an
incredible
journey
of
Indochina
we
bid
farewell
as
we
are
transferred
to
the
airport
for
our
departure
flight.
(B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2010
English Speaking Departures
Jan 06 & 20, Feb 17 & 24, Mar 10 &
24, Apr 07 & 21, May 05 & 19, Jun 02 &
16, Jul 07 & 21, Aug 04 & 18,
Sep 08 & 22, Oct 06 & 20, Nov 03 &
17,Dec 08 & 22
|
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Hotel
Accommodation as mentioned or similar |
International
Airfare |
| Meal
Plan as mentioned (B = Breakfast)
|
Departure
Taxes |
| Regional/Domestic
Air/Trainfare: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap/Saigon/Hue,
Danang/Hanoi/Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Vientiane* |
Insurances
/ Visa Fees |
| All
Sightseeing and Transfers |
Drinks/Beverages
with meals |
| Entrance
Fees to Museums and Sites |
Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides |
| Services
of local English speaking guides |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA
$ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for
clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no modification
has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour
that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download  Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Departure |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2010 |
US
$ 3595 |
US
$ 895 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
N/A |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
N/A |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of
15 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates other
than the above ones or with a customised itinerary,
please contact us and we will be happy to work out
an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|
|
|
| © Copyright 1999-2009 Bestway
Tours & Safaris |
Site last updated Dec 29,
2009 |
| Photographs by Peter
Langer & Mahmood
Poonja |
Website © 1999-2009 Powered
by BTS |
tours
in Afghanistan, tours
in Algeria, tours
in Antarctica, tours
in Argentina, tours
in Austria, tours
in Bahrain, tours
in Balkans, tours
in Bangladesh, tours
in Belize, tours
in Bhutan, tours
in Bolivia, tours
in Borneo, tours
in Botswana, tours
in Brazil, tours
in Brunei, tours
in Bulgaria, tours
in Burkina Faso, tours
in Cambodia, tours
in Canada, tours
in Caucasus, tours
in Chile, tours
in China, tours
in Colombia, tours
in Cuba, tours
in Cyprus, tours
in Czech Republic , tours
in Ecuador, tours
in Egypt, tours
in England, tours
in Eritrea, tours
in Estonia, tours
in Ethiopia, tours
in Ghana, tours
in Greece, tours
in Guatemala, tours
in Honduras, tours
in Hungary, tours
in India, tours
in Indonesia, tours
in Iran, tours
in Iraq, tours
in Israel, tours
in Jordan, tours
in Kazakstan, tours
in Kenya, tours
in Kuwait, tours
in Kyrgyzstan, tours
in Laos, tours
in Latvia, tours
in Lebanon, tours
in Libya, tours
in Lithuania, tours
in Madagascar, tours
in Malaysia,
tours in Mali, tours
in Mauritius, tours
in Maldives, tours
in Moldova, tours
in Mongolia, tours
in Morocco, tours
in Myanmar, tours
in Namibia, tours
in Nepal, tours
in North Korea, tours
in Oman, tours
in Pakistan, tours
in Papua New Guinea, tours
in Peru, tours
in Philippines, tours
in Poland, tours
in Qatar, tours
in Romania, tours
in Russia, tours
in Saudi Arabia, tours
in Sikkim, tours
in Singapore, tours
in Slovakia, tours
in Southern Africa, tours
in Sri Lanka, tours
in Sudan, tours
in Syria, tours
in Tajikistan, tours
in Tanzania, tours
in Thailand, tours
in Tibet, tours
in Togo, tours
in Tunisia, tours
in Turkey, tours
in Turkmenistan, tours
in the UAE, tours
in Uganda, tours
in Uzbekistan, tours
in Vietnam, tours
in Yemen, tours
in Zambia and tours
in Zimbabwe |
|
|
