Itinerary

Show all

1. Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.

   Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk, visiting some of Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants. Meals: Dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

2. Day 2: Hanoi City Tour.

   Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree – lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet–rice culture. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

3. Day 3: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu + Trang An).

   Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu, situated 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD. Visit to temples and walk hundred steps up to top of a mountain for a panorama view of the old capital. After lunch, enjoy a leisure cruise to visit Trang An, a nature reserve similar to Tam Coc however less visited. Limestone hills surround a peaceful river which passes through a series of caves (one which takes 15 – minutes to pass through in darkness). It is an “eco – tourism” area, the only interruptions here are the sound of birds and the gentle paddle of the oar upon the crystal clear river. Overnight at Ninh Binh. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Ninh Binh.

4. Day 4: Ninh Binh – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.

   After breakfast at hotel, your driver will take you on a 4 hour drive passing the countryside of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. A cruise through the towering limestone castes of Halong Bay should be on every Far East explorer’s wish list. Spend nearly 24 hours on a traditional junk cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as you sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot) and kayak along the hidden parts of the bay. Go swimming (weather permits), snap photos or just relax as the sun starts to set on the Tonkin Gulf. Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters. (The itinerary is a sample and it will be different between cruises. Our travel consultants will provide the exact schedule and program if you book other cruise such as Hera Cruise, Halong President Cruise, Emperor Cruise, Halong Violet, Halong Jasmine, Paradise Luxury Cruises, Orchid Cruise, Indochina Sails, Au Co Cruise, Starlight Cruise etc.) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Accommodation: on cruise.

5. Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Yangon.

   Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi to catch your regional flight to Yangon. On arrival in Yangon, your tour guide will welcome you at the airport and drive to your hotel. Free at leisure. Meals: Brunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

6. Day 6: Yangon – Fly to Bagan – Sightseeing Tour.

   Today you will take the morning flight to Bagan. Bagan is Myanmar’s archaeological wonderland, where over 2,000 ancient temples blossom from the countryside. Start your tour with a trip to the bustling Nyang U Market in Old Bagan then explore the beautiful, gold leaf Shwezigon Pagoda and learn about Burmese Buddhist traditions. We continue our tour with a visit to Ananda Temple, stopping along the way on the Bagan plains to admire some of the surrounding temples. In the afternoon, take a tour of a local lacquer ware workshop and learn how this traditional piece of art is made. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

7. Day 7: Bagan Sightseeing Tour.

   After breakfast, enjoy an exotic horse cart ride to one of the biggest temples in Bagan: Nan Paya Pagoda and many other interesting sites nearby. Continue with sightseeing to Minkaba Gubyaukyi Temple, take note of the architectural difference in MyaZedi Pagoda before heading to Manuha Temple. The highlight of today is the panoramic sunset view over temples from one of the hills/ temples in Bagan. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan.

8. Day 8: Bagan – Fly to Yangon – City Tour.

   Take the morning flight back to Yangon. Spend a full day exploring Yangon and its highlights from Sule Pagoda, in the heart of Yangon City; Chaukhtayi Pagoda and Kandawgyi Lake then shopping time at the bustling Scott Market (lloses on Monday and some specific holidays). Save the best for last, discover the most outstanding pagoda in Yangon: Shwedagon Pagoda, known as the “Golden Pagoda”, a real must see while you are in Myanmar. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon.

9. Day 9: Yangon Departure.

   You are free until your departure time. Your driver will take you to Yangon International Airport for your flight. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: N/A.