Halong Bay Vietnam | Ultimate Travel Company

ITINERARY INSPIRATION

ULTIMATE INDOCHINA

The highlights of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
INDOCHINA

ABOUT THE ITINERARY

This captivating journey provides a comprehensive introduction to the magnificent landscapes and fascinating cultural heritage of Indo-China.

The journey begins in Laos and the country’s ‘spiritual capital’, Luang Prabang, with its incomparable architecture and renowned water culture on the Mekong River. Crossing into northern Vietnam, you explore the boulevards of French colonial Hanoi, and nearby Halong Bay, where limestone pinnacles soar from the waters of the South China Sea, before flying south to Hue and the colourful town of Hoi An on the Thu Bon River.

Continue south to Ho Chi Minh City. You then cross the border into Cambodia, to the vast expanse of Tonle Lake and the world-famous ‘lost city’ of Angkor, the extraordinary 10th century legacy of the Khmer Empire – a spectacular climax to this enthralling journey.

Angkor Wat Cambodia | Ultimate Travel Company
ITINERARY INSPIRATION

DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS

Bear in mind, these are just a starting point as all holidays are customised to the specific requirements of our guests. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular interest or to go to a different destination all together, every itinerary is created individually around your preferences.

Luang Prabang | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 1-4

LUANG PRABANG

Arrive in the fascinating city of Luang Prabang, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have two days to explore a fabled UNESCO World Heritage Site set on the mighty Mekong River.

You’ll think time has stood still for centuries as you tour around some of the 100 temples, the ancient monuments and shrines of this one-time religious capital – unmissable destinations like Vat Vishoun, set beside Vat Phou and Vat Aham; almost engulfed by living trees.

You’ll visit the city’s museums as well as witnessing the Tak Bath Ceremony, involving a procession of monks, and taking a boat ride to see Buddhist images in the Pak Ou cave sanctuaries, and secret Lao villages. A fitting beginning to your tour of Indochina.

Stay: Three nights in a Riverside Room at Rosewood Luang Prabang – including breakfast

Hanoi | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 5-6

HANOI

Today you fly to Hanoi in Vietnam where you’ll be able to appreciate the recent history of this involving country, with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the botanical gardens surrounding the Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho’s humble house.

In the afternoon a trip to the grim ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison provides a stark contrast to a bicycle ride through the charming 11th century Old Quarter of Hanoi with its famous 36 streets, culminating at the Ngoc Son Temple on the banks of the Lake of the Restored Sword.

Stay: Two nights in a Luxury Room at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi – including breakfast

Halong Bay | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 7

HALONG BAY

A road journey of over three hours gives you plenty of time to appreciate – and photograph – the beautiful countryside on the way to Halong Bay. Here you’ll board the Jasmine Junk for your cruise across the bay; scene of thousands of sculpted limestone peaks rising like green-cloaked ghosts from the placid waters.

A tender will take you to Tieng Org Cave – a vast cavern full of limestone stalactites and stalagmites dating back 700,000 years. After Tieng Org you’ll visit a traditional fishing village and enjoy an optional cookery class before mooring for the evening.

Stay: One night aboard in a Junior Suite aboard the Ginger Junk – including breakfast, lunch and dinner

Hue | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 8-9

HUE

In the morning you cruise on aboard the Ginger back across the bay. You’ll then drive to Hanoi to catch a plane to Hue, once the Imperial Capital of the country. Today the city is a World Heritage Site featuring the superb Noon Gate leading to the Imperial Palace of the Emperor Gia Long.

On the north bank of the Perfume River stands the Imperial Citadel – similar in purpose to Peking’s Forbidden City – and the seven story octagonal tower of the Thien Mu Pagoda. Your visit is followed by a drive to Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, the most elaborate of the Nguyen dynasty tombs, and a browse around Dong Ba Market.

Stay: Two nights in the Ngu Binh House at Ancient Hue Garden Houses – including breakfast

Anantara Hoi An Resort | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 10-11

HOI AN

Another stunning road trip takes you through the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This was once one of Indochina’s most prosperous trading ports and its eminent position shows in its well-preserved streets, wooden-fronted merchants’ homes, old Chinese houses, the Japanese Bridge, Chinese Temple and Phung Hung Trading House.

Hoi An also offers hectic markets selling souvenirs, silks, handicrafts, antiques and art, as well as a glorious beach famous for its warm sea and irresistible seafood stalls.

Stay: Two nights in a Deluxe Riverview Suite at Anantara Hoi An Resort – including breakfast

Park Hyatt | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 12

HO CHI MINH CITY

After breakfast you’ll drive over to Danang Airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. The Old Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel, the red brick cathedral, Dong Khoi Street and the Palace of Reunification form part of a city tour that will also reveal the Chinese district of Cholon and the Thien Hau Temple.

Stay: One night in a Park Room at Park Hyatt – including breakfast

Vietnam Saigon La Residence Pool Beds | Ultimate Travel Company
Day 13-15

SIEM REAP

Now it’s time to experience one of the spiritual wonders of the world. Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, a cornucopia of temples, huge statues, decorative carvings, soaring towers and enigmatic stone heads staring down from high above you. Stupendous places like the 12th century Bayon – a temple with 54 towers – the Baphou, the Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace greet you as you’re guided around the 10 sq km city complex.

Dream-like images abound, like the causeway flanked by statues of gods and devils, the man-made temple of Ta Prohm that seems to be locked in a struggle with the natural jungle – the all-powerful roots of massive trees inexorably pushing aside huge blocks of stone. Even more astonishing; if you rise early you can watch the sun rise over the world’s most impressive ruin.

On your final day in Siem Reap you’ll discover a different aspect of Cambodia with a trip to Kompong Khleang, a quiet village untouched by mass tourism. Here you can see traditional stilt houses, meet a family who breed crocodiles and take in jaw-dropping views of the floodplains, rice paddies and waterscapes.

Stay: Two nights in a Terrace Villa at Phum Baitang – including breakfast

Day 16-17

FLY HOME

You don’t fly out until the evening so you’ll have plenty of time to revisit the wonders of Siem Reap before flying back to Bangkok for your connecting flight home.

THE PRICE BREAKDOWN
17 days from £6,995 per person

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Flights, transfers and accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary. Based on two people sharing.
  • Domestic flights
  • Private transfers
  • Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
  • Based on two people sharing

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International flights
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED AND PERFECT RECOMMENDATIONS. ”
“What a fantastic trip organised by Ultimate. They listened to what we wanted and set up perfect destinations for us. Everyone was friendly and professional from the office in London through to on-the-ground support. The organisation of pick-ups, connecting flights and so on, went like clockwork.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“MY FIRST PORT OF CALL FROM NOW ON. ”
“Efficient, friendly and helpful throughout. made everything a million times easier, Ultimate Travel Company will by my first port of call from now on.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“FANTASTIC!”
“Sophie went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic honeymoon. We had 0 stress relating to planning and everything was taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane. Sophie anticipated what we wanted when we didn’t even know ourselves. We will certainly be booking with Ultimate again.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“PROBLEM FREE EXCELLENCE.”
“Efficiently organised, everything went like clockwork. This is all the more remarkable since the tour involved considerable complexity.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMPANY.”
“We have continued to ask Ultimate Travel to make our distant overseas travel arrangements for many years and they have always given us great service.”
TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL

ITINERARY INSPIRATION

Hoi An Vietnam | Ultimate Travel Company
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