China
and The Far East:
Four Pagodas, 21 Days
"Lets
get away, far away..."
Three
of the countries we visit on Four Pagodas are relatively unknown
to western visitors, because world events made travel to Vietnam,
Cambodia and Myanmar impossible for many years of the recent past.
The loss has been ours. Vietnam and Cambodia are beautiful, kindly
countries whose fascinating traditional cultures are overlaid with
a pleasurable veneer of French influence. Neighboring Myanmar is
another serene, rustic, exotic anachronism, also in sharp contrast
to more forward-moving neighbors like Thailand, the "fourth pagoda"
on this tour. Together, these destinations provide a sampler of
Southeast Asia as it was, as it is, and as it will be in the new
millennium.
Day
1: USA or Canada - Hong Kong, China
We
board our flight to Hong Kong, gateway to Indochina.
Day
2: Hong Kong
This
evening we arrive in Hong Kong, to be met and transferred to our
elegant hotel.
Mandarin
Oriental Hotel
Day
3: Hong Kong
We
are joined by travelers on A&K's Images of Indochina tour as we
begin our tour of Hong Kong. We then continue with a drive to the
south side of the island, a sampan ride through Aberdeen Harbour
and a dim sum lunch. This evening we enjoy a welcome cocktail party
and dinner hosted by A&K.
Mandarin
Oriental Hotel: B.L.D
Day
4: Hong Kong - Hanoi, Vietnam
Today
we fly to Hanoi, capital and political heart of modern Vietnam.
Hotel
Sofitel Metropole: B.L.D
Day
5: Hanoi
A helicopter
ride transports us to one of Vietnam's most picturesque areas, Halong,
the "Bay of the Descending Dragon." This evening we enjoy a nostalgic
rickshaw ride through the old quarter of Hanoi.
Hotel
Sofitel Metropole: B.L.D
Day
6: Hanoi
Our
morning sightseeing includes both cultural and historic highlights,
including the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, father of the modern Vietnamese
struggle for independence; the Confucian Literary Temple; and the
city's fine arts museum. After lunch, we drive to a nearby village
famous for its ceramics, and this evening we attend a traditional
water puppet show.
Hotel
Sofitel Metropole: B.L.D
Day
7: Hanoi - Hue - Danang
Today
we fly to Hue, former imperial capital of Vietnam. Here we tour
the Tu Duc and Kai Dinh Mausoleums, and the Citadel, before continuing
overland to Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass.
Furama
Resort: B.L.D
Day
8: Danang
This
morning we visit the historic trading port of Hoi An, a relic of
bygone days. We return to the hotel stopping briefly at China Beach,
a favorite R&R retreat during the Vietnam War. After lunch we may
visit the Cham Museum or perhaps enjoy the many facilities of our
beautiful beach resort.
Furama
Resort: B.L.D
Day
9: Danang - Ho Chi Minh City
We
board a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), where
afternoon sightseeing includes a visit to the Thien Hau Pagoda and
the Chinatown of Cholon. This evening we dine at a delightful local
restaurant.
The
Caravelle: B.L.D
Day
10: Ho Chi Minh City
Our
morning excursion is to Cu Chi, one of the most intriguing battlefields
of the Vietnamese War. During the height of the conflict, Viet Cong
and North Vietnamese forces dug an extensive network of tunnels
which served as hiding places, storage halls, medical center and
dormitories. This afternoon we tour Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the
Presidential Palace and Cathedral. The day ends with a boat ride
on the Saigon River.
The
Caravelle: B.L.D
Day
11: Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Today
we fly to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, arriving in time for
lunch and a tour of the Royal Palace, with its beautiful collection
of Khmer artworks.
Hotel
Le Royal: B.L.D
Day
12: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
After
morning sightseeing in Phnom Penh, this afternoon we board a short
flight to Siem Reap, where we begin our explorations of the stunning
Angkor Wat complex.
Grand
Hotel D'Angkor: B.L.D
Day
13: Angkor Wat
Today
we continue our explorations of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon
Temple and the jungle-covered ruins of Ta Prohm. From 802 until
its capture by the Thais in 1431, this religious citadel was the
capital of the Khmer Empire.
Grand
Hotel D'Angkor: B.L.D
Day
14: Siem Reap - Bangkok - Yangon, Myanmar
This
morning there's time for some final sightseeing, including a stop
at the magnificent Preah Khan Temple. Later in the day, we fly to
Bangkok (where we bid farewell to fellow travellers on A&K's Images
of Indochina tour) before connecting with our flight to Yangon,
capital of Myanmar.
Strand
Hotel: B.L.D
Day
15: Yangonr
A full
day of sightseeing includes the Sule Pagoda, which enshrines one
of the Buddha's hairs; the Reclining Buddha Temple; the Gems Museum;
the "Lion Throne" and gem-studded Mandalay Regalia in the National
Museum, and the Botataung Pagoda. This evening we visit the magnificent
Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset.
Strand
Hotel: B.L.D
Day
16: Yangon - Mandalay
Today
we transfer to the airport to board a flight for Mandalay, one of
Myanmar's great cultural centers. Here we board 'The Road to Mandalay,'
a luxury river cruiser from the same "stable" as the Orient Express.
We settle into our cabins in time for lunch, then depart on an afternoon
tour of Mandalay.
'Road
to Mandalay': B.L.D
Day
17: Mandalay - Pagan
After
a morning tour to Sagaing, we set sail along the Ayeyarwady River
for Pagan. Today's cruise ends with a cocktail party and dinner
on board.
'Road
to Mandalay': B.L.D
Day
18: Pagan
Few
sights anywhere on earth equal the 5,000 temples and shrines that
rise from Myanmar's central plain at Pagan. We embark on two half-day
excursions to explore this treasure trove of Buddhist art history,
with lunch on board between tours. In the afternoon we can take
an alternate sunset tour or explore Pagan on our own.
'Road
to Mandalay': B.L.D
Day
19: Pagan - Yangon - Bangkok, Thailand
We
disembark after an early breakfast and board our flight to Yangon,
where we have time for a visit to Scott Market. After lunch we take
a flight to Bangkok and transfer to our luxurious hotel beside the
Chao Phraya River, "the River of Kings."
The
Oriental: B.L.D
Day
20: Bangkok
We
take a morning longtail boat trip on Bangkok's klongs (canals),
visit the Grand Palace and see the exquisite porcelain collection
displayed in Jim Thompson's Thai-style house. Tonight we gather
for farewell cocktails and dinner, an opportunity to toast a memorable
journey and our travelling companions on the last evening of our
tour.
The
Oriental: B.L.D
Day
21: Bangkok - USA or Canada
Today
our journey ends as we board our flight to the USA or Canada, or
on to our next destination in the Orient.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
**Departures
limited to 24 Passengers**
Your
Four Pagodas land arrangements include:
- Hotel
accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar
- Meals
as indicated in the itinerary, à la carte wherever possible; domestic
bottled water with all meals
- Arrival
and departure transfers
- All
sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
- Services
of professional escorts (tour will be locally hosted for groups
of less than 6 persons)
- All
baggage handling
- All
gratuities except to your escort
Not
Included:
Personal
expenses such as laundry; travel insurance; excess baggage fees;
communication charges; cost of obtaining passport or visas; meals,
beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary; any airfares.
PRICING:
Please
contact Quality Travel Services for updated prices.
Or use our online Travel
Request Form.
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Quality Travel Serivices, Inc. 2007. All Rights Reserved.