China
and The Far East:
Images of Indochina, 16 Days
"Lets
get away, far away..."
Vietnam
and Cambodia are just beginning a remarkable transition, from bucolic
ex-colonial nations to graceful players on the world stage in their
own right. Images of Indochina has proven popular with travelers
who want to watch that engaging process in action, as well as enjoy
the lush natural beauties and staunchly maintained folkways of these
exotic lands.
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
Joined
by travelers on A&K's Four Pagodas tour, our day begins with a tour
of Hong Kong, then continues 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 - Halong Bay - Hanoi
A helicopter
ride takes 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 Hanoi's old quarter.
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, royal tombs which reflect the
wealth and power of past Vietnamese courts as well as a deep-rooted
belief in the afterlife. We also visit the Citadel before continuing
overland to Danang via the scenic Hai Van Pass.
Furama
Resort: B.L.D
Day
8: Danang
Start
the day with a visit to 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's collection of artifacts from the
ancient Champa Kingdom, 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 dinner will be at a delightful
local restaurant.
Caravelle
Hotel: 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 before our day ends with a boat
ride on the Saigon River.
Caravelle
Hotel: B.L.D
Day
11: Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Today
we board our flight to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, a country
just beginning to find its place in modern Asia. After lunch we
visit the Royal Palace which provided the inspiration for the Grand
Palace in Bangkok. We also see the Silver Pagoda and the National
Museum with its beautiful collection of Khmer artwork.
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, Thailand
Today,
we bid farewell to travelers on A&K's Four Pagodas tour as we fly
to Bangkok and transfer to our luxurious hotel beside the Chao Phraya
("River of Kings"), still one of the city's most important avenues
of transportation.
The
Oriental: B.L.D
Day
15: 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 traveling companions on the last evening of our
tour.
The
Oriental: B.L.D
Day
16: Bangkok - USA or Canada
Today
our journey comes to an end as we board our flight home, or on to
our next destination in the Orient.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
**Departures
limited to 24 Passengers**
Your
Images of Indochina 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.