UNESCO Indochina Tour

UNESCO Indochina Tour

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13 Days From

$2690

UNESCO Indochina Tour

13 Days Starting in Luang Prabang, Laos and ending in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Visiting: Luang Prabang, Halong Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, Siem Reap, Angkor

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

225

Group Type:

Private

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 20

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

8-95

Special diets catered:

Please advise request

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2690

NB: Prices correct on 18-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Indochina with the UNESCO Indochina Tour. This cultural adventure begins in the enchanting town of Luang Prabang, where you'll explore vibrant night markets and the mystical Pak Ou Caves. Experience the serene beauty of Halong Bay aboard a traditional wooden junk, and delve into the wonders of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Wander the ancient streets of Hoi An, a heritage-listed riverside town, and marvel at the iconic Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Travel seamlessly with internal flights and private transfers, and enjoy comfortable accommodations with daily breakfast. This tour offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, history, and nature, providing a rich tapestry of experiences across Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Highlights

  • Discover the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

  • Spend a night on a traditional wooden junk in Halong Bay.

  • Explore the World Heritage Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

  • Stroll the streets of ancient Hoi An, a heritage-listed riverside town.

  • Wonder at the long lost city of Angkor, including the iconic Angkor Wat.

  • Visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves filled with thousands of Buddha statues.

  • Experience the vibrant night markets of Luang Prabang.

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrive Luang Prabang

Location: Luang Prabang

Accommodation Name: Luang Prabang hotel

Meet and greet at airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day if free for you to start exploring the local area.

Day 2 : Luang Prabang City Tour, Pak Ou Caves, & Night Markets

Location: Luang Prabang

Accommodation Name: Luang Prabang hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On arrival back in the city, we will visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. Afterwards, we will visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. From there, we will transfer to visit Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the really peaceful place to catch the last beauty of the day. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Day 3 : Luang Prabang Alms Giving, Kuang Si Waterfalls, Fly To Hanoi

Location: Luang Prabang

Accommodation Name: Hanoi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life. After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. We then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers. Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 Apr – 30 Jun; 01-14 Sep, & 01 Jan every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. You'll then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, where upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 4 : Hanoi, Halong Bay

Savoir Aimer (Admin)
Md. Parvej Chowdhury

Location: Halong Bay

Accommodation Name: Junk boat

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to the coastal town of Halong where we transfer you to your private traditional wooden junk where you'll enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise into the bay. The scenery is just amazing as you pass close to the towering limestone karsts jutting up into the sky. At the end of the day you can enjoy a drink on deck whilst watching the sun set over the bay. Dinner will follow, freshly prepared seafood served under the stars, then it's off to your cabin for the night.

Day 5 : Halong Bay, Overnight Train To Dong Hoi

Savoir Aimer (Admin)
Md. Parvej Chowdhury

Location: Halong Bay

Accommodation Name: On board sleeper train

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After an early breakfast we rise to see daylight emerging from the mist, revealing the dreamlike rocky formations of Halong Bay. Whilst sailing back to the mainland, why not join the onboard Tai Chi Class. From here, we return to dry land and make our way back to Hanoi for the overnight train to Dong Hoi.

Day 6 : Dong Hoi, Phong Nha Cave

Location: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Accommodation Name: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive into Dong Hoi station and transfer to Chay Lap village, a 45 minute drive and just on the edge of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Upon arrival at the village, you will then be warmly welcomed by a local family and invited to their house. You'll stay the night in a traditional, yet very comfortable house built built from local materials. Your day will be filled with activities including a Dragon Boat tour into the Phong Nha Cave. This enormous cave is one of the best in the world and holds for records: the longest underground river, the highest & longest cave, broadest and most beautiful fine sand beaches inside the caves, and the most spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. After returning to the village you can explore the local life of the villagers, and participate in social activities such as fishing in the pond, planting and gardening, or even playing football with the local children. In the evening you will be served dinner using fresh locally grown food.

Day 7 : Hue, Half Day Citadel Tour

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DEUK YOUNG CHOI
DEUK YOUNG CHOI

Location: Hue

Accommodation Name: Hue hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we'll transfer you to Hue. Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty 1802-1945 and this imperial city was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. There are many temples and palaces within the walls and although much was damaged during the Tet Offensive in 1968, there are plenty of impressive structures still standing. Your tour starts with the ancient walled Citadel, which contained the former Imperial Palace. We enjoy wandering through the enclosure during the afternoon before we take a cruise along the Perfume River.

Day 8 : Hue, Drive To Hoi An

Location: Hoi An

Accommodation Name: Hoi An hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your morning is free in Hue before we drive south to the riverside town of Hoi An. The drive follows the coastline along the South China Sea as the road winds its way up Hai Van Pass ("Pass of the Clouds"). From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, renowned for its silk and popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century and much of the town is now heritage-listed.

Day 9 : Hoi An, Half Day Tour

Location: Hoi An

Accommodation Name: Hoi An hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start the day early with a walking tour of this former trading port famous for its restored architecture, home-made silk, expert tailors and delicious noodles and seafood. Our first stop is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653, built in honour of the Chinese general Quan Cong, worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice. Next stop is the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, where we will see the Jinshang Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. A short walk takes us to Tam Ky House, which is a classic example of a 200 year old ancestral house. Finally we cross the well photographed 17th century Japanese covered bridge, which doubles as a temple and is a famous landmark of Hoi An.

Day 10 : Hoi An Free Day

Location: Hoi An

Accommodation Name: Hoi An hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Spend the day at leisure on the beach or having clothes made by one of the expert, inexpensive tailors Hoi An is famous for.

Day 11 : Hoi An, Fly To Siem Reap

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Location: Siem Reap

Accommodation Name: Siem Reap hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we transfer you to nearby Danang for your flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Upon arrival we'll transfer you to you hotel where the rest of the day is free for you to relax.

Day 12 : Full Day Tour Of Angkor

Location: Angkor

Accommodation Name: Siem Reap hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We start your tour of Angkor at the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Next we head to the Bayon, known for the numerous smiling faces that line the towers. These bas reliefs tell a story of daily life and the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. The next stop is Phimeanakas, which is shaped roughly like a pyramid and has two ponds in the rear. A climb to the top of the temple will be rewarded with a fabulous view over the Angkor complex. We move on to the Terrace of the Elephants, a rows of trunks that form the wall and was used as a platform from which King Jayavarman surveyed his army. Close by we visit the Terrace of Leper Kings, which includes a statue depicting Yana, the Hindu god of death. Then it's a short drive to the iconic temple, Ta Prohm. This small, crumbling temple, made famous in the Tomb Raider film, is pierced by giant tree roots giving it an almost magical feel. We head back to Siem Reap for lunch and to get out of the midday sun. Later in the afternoon we explore the mighty Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument. This massive, three-tiered pyramid rises 65m from the ground and is topped by five lotus towers. We end the day watching the sun set over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple, before returning to Siem Reap for the evening.

Day 13 : Transfer To The Airport For Departure

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Location: Siem Reap

Meals Included: Breakfast

Free time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    All accommodation with breakfast daily (Check in 2pm, Check out 12pm).

  • Internal Flights

    Internal economy flight between Luang Prabang & Hanoi and Danang & Siem Reap.

  • Tours and Transfers

    Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle (unless stated).

  • Visa Assistance

    Pre-registration letter for visa on arrival.

  • Guided Tours

    English speaking guide on land tours.

  • Sightseeing Fees

    Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time.

  • Meals

    Meals as indicated in the itinerary.

What's Not Included

  • International Flights

    International Flights into Laos and out of Cambodia.

  • Visa Fees

    Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia visa fees.

  • Airport Taxes

    International airport departure tax.

  • Hotel Check-in/out

    Early/late check in/out service at hotels.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel Insurance (compulsory).

  • Additional Meals

    Meals not indicated in the itinerary.

  • Personal Expenses

    Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.

    g.

    laundry).

  • Unmentioned Items

    Any other items not mentioned above.

More Info

This is a sample private tour itinerary and we can customise the daily itinerary, duration and accommodation levels and styles as much or as little as you wish.

Mode of Transport

Travel conveniently with internal economy flights between Luang Prabang & Hanoi and Danang & Siem Reap, private air-conditioned vehicle transfers, and an overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable stays at various accommodations including Luang Prabang hotel, Hanoi hotel, a traditional junk boat, a homestay, Hue hotel, Hoi An hotel, and Siem Reap hotel, with breakfast included daily.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is used during the UNESCO Indochina Tour?

    The tour includes internal economy flights between Luang Prabang & Hanoi and Danang & Siem Reap, private air-conditioned vehicle transfers, and an overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Dong Hoi.

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

    You will stay in various accommodations including hotels in Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Siem Reap, a traditional junk boat in Halong Bay, and a homestay in Chay Lap village. Breakfast is included daily.

  • Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?

    Yes, the tour includes guided tours with an English-speaking guide on land tours, covering various cultural and historical sites.

  • What activities are included in the visit to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park?

    The visit includes a Dragon Boat tour into the Phong Nha Cave, exploring the local life of villagers, and participating in activities such as fishing, planting, and playing football with local children.

  • Will I have free time during the tour?

    Yes, there are several instances of free time, such as on the first day in Luang Prabang, a free morning in Hue, and a free day in Hoi An to explore at your leisure.

  • What is the highlight of the visit to Angkor Wat?

    The highlight includes exploring the iconic Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, and watching the sunset over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews of this operator

Jasmine Montaque (Google Reviewer)  

We had a Great 9...

30-Aug-2023

We had a Great 9 day trip to Egypt ! Everyone we “encountered” were excellent! We absolutely loved our guide. We are Looking 👀 to book another trip with Encounters Travel!

sandra mooney (Google Reviewer)  

From the time we landed...

24-Aug-2024

From the time we landed in Cairo we were treated as VIP’s. Nadine our Tour leader kept on checking on us throughout the journey. We were fortunate to have Fayed and Hossam as the tour guides, they took their time to explain the sites throughout each excursion. Everyone made us feel safe and well looked after.

Miriam Huguet (Google Reviewer)  

I did the Discover Egypt...

06-Jan-2022

I did the Discover Egypt and I definetely recommend it. They take care of every detail (they manage to do our PCR with the stamp that we needed). They book quite comfortable hotels and the guide and the local guides are extremely good and passionate about their work. I would repeat it!! :)

Aries FFPro (Google Reviewer)  

Wish I could rate Encounters...

04-Dec-2021

Wish I could rate Encounters higher! From the onset, Anthony (Ant) was professional and extremely knowledgeable, and far more helpful than I had hoped. He always had time to respond to my inquiries and never showed any sign of frustration...no matter how many times I asked the same question. Meeting Saul at the Cairo airport shows just how valuable the RIGHT travel rep is: he had us go from the gate to getting our visas to picking up our luggage and out to the waiting van in 15 minutes! UNBELIEVABLE! Saul also checked in with us almost daily to make sure everything was to our satisfaction. Our guides Big Mu and Mahmoud were fantastic in their knowledge of the sites, the history of the area and where to get the best bargains. Encounters Travel made this trip of a lifetime 100x better than anything I had hoped for. I cannot recommend Encounters strongly enough...if you have Egypt on your bucket list, like we did, book safely and securely with Encounters!

Renee Hage (Google Reviewer)  

I so appreciated the care...

18-May-2024

I so appreciated the care taken by all the staff ensuring that we were well taken care of and had no problems. They were very responsive to all of our questions. The tour itself was incredible!

Sadia   USA

Jordan Express

02-Dec-2024

We had a fantastic time exploring Jordan with our knowledgeable and flexible guide, Amer. The tour was tailored to our needs, and Amer's expertise brought the country's history and culture to life. The accommodations were decent, although the first hotel in Amman didn't quite live up to its 4-star rating. However, this was a minor issue, as the tour itself was exceptional. Highlights included a full day in Petra, which was good enough time for us to explore. Wadi Rum had its own unique charm, and we appreciated the comfortable car with WiFi transportation throughout the tour. Jerash was another standout destination, and we're glad we got to experience it. Tips for future travelers: Make sure to get your Jordan Pass, as it will help you save money and time. One day in Petra is sufficient, and I recommend skipping Petra by Night, as it's not covered by the Jordan Pass. Overall, we're grateful for the opportunity to experience Jordan's highlights with Amer as our guide.

Erin Scott (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished a dreamy 9...

05-Dec-2019

Just finished a dreamy 9 day Discover Egypt Tour with our guide, Mohamed El-Maghrabi. I can’t say enough about this tour and Mohamed. Everything exceeded my expectations. Somehow each new day was better than the last. The tour was perfectly laid out and organized, and everything went super smoothly. Mohamed was attentive and thoughtful to each of our individual needs. From early check-ins, delicious pre-arranged restaurant excursions, and assisting with trip add-ons, Mohamed was a superstar. Not to mention his knowledge and passion for egyptology. The additional encounters support staff at each location was an added bonus that enhanced an already smooth operation. The trip went way too fast! I didn’t want it to end. I recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see as much of egypt as possible in a short amount of time! I’ll never forget this whirlwind adventure!

Claire Carter (Google Reviewer)  

I was unsure what to...

25-Oct-2023

I was unsure what to expect but it was far better than I thought. Collected from the airport and thoroughly looked after until I was returned to the airport 10 days later. The times, travelling and food was as advertised. The guide and sights were beyond my expectations. Fantastic tour.

Mary Radoccia (Google Reviewer)  

Northern India solo trip. ...

09-May-2024

Northern India solo trip. Some of the hotels were past their prime as 4 star establishments. Paid a substantial amount for side trip to varanasi which was supposed to be 3 days, 2 nights. It turned out to be really 1 day, 2 nights. Plane left after 8pm and we didn't arrive at hotel until after 11pm. Had to leave at 5.30am the following day and we didn't get back to hotel until after 10pm. The following day we had to leave hotel at 8am for flight back to dehli. We could have left for varanasi in the afternoon as originally implied and left on a later flight back to dehli. Everyone not staying extra days then had to spend 6 to 10 hours waiting for their flight home.The one day in varanasi was great but I wouldn't have gone if I knew the time frame. Not worth money either. Also bus used on trip was old, bad suspension and rattled Window style was old so not very good for taking photos. My view was shared by most of the other travellers. I think the standard of travel via Encounter has dropped over the past years based on comments from some of the others.

Melissa Goodwin (Google Reviewer)  

BUYER BEWARE Before you book anything...

17-Jun-2024

BUYER BEWARE Before you book anything with Encounters Travel, be SURE to read all of the fine print. This is especially important regarding their cancellation policy and the deposit you will forfeit. I didn't find that we'd completely lost our deposit until I contact the company to process a cancellation. I thought I could cancel for a full refund up until a certain point, but apparently I was mistaken. I booked a 3-night late-September boat trip at the end of May, and mid-June we realized we couldn't take it. It's been less than 3 weeks since I booked the trip and it's over 3 MONTHS until the trip will take place, so you know they will have no issue filling our two spots. Even so, we are out $250 each for our trip. They are within their rights to not refund the deposit - I should have waded through the fine print to find this buried detail. But they also have the choice to refund the deposit given the circumstances. Don't make the same mistake I did. READ EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU BOOK. Better yet, consider not booking with Encounters Travel.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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