Connoisseurs Experience

ITINERARY
Feb 4, 2018 Arrival in Hanoi, Welcome to Vietnam!
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be greeted by our tour guide then transfer
to hotel. The balance of the day is free at leisure.
Apricot Hotel Hanoi or similar
Feb 5, 2018 Hanoi (B/D)
Hanoi is noisy, busy and motorbike-clogged but it’s still a joy to experience
the serene views, street-food scene and culture. Today we visit the
Temple of Literature, one of the best-preserved examples of traditional
Vietnamese architecture and the site of Vietnam’s first university, Ngoc
Son Temple, Rising Sun bridge, Nha Tho Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison aka
‘The Hanoi Hilton, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was recommended
because it is the only place in Hanoi where you can take pictures of soldiers
and not worry about losing your camera in the process.
During the tour, we will have breaks and try the local coffee, as there is
no lack of coffee shops in Hanoi offering up many java varieties, different
kinds of iced and hot blends.
Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at Press Club Restaurant
After dinner, take a short, pleasant walk along the Hoan Kiem Lake back
to your hotel.
Feb 8, 2018 Halong Bay - Hanoi - Luang Prabang (B/L)
Join an early morning Tai Chi session on the sundeck while tea, coffee
and assorted pastries are being served. Relax on board or go visit Titov
island. Back on board enjoy breakfast while the cruise sails back to pier,
check out and return by vehicle to Hanoi airport where we will fly to
Luang Prabang.
Welcome to Laos! On arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by a
local guide and transferred from the airport to your hotel.
Luangprabang View Hotel
Feb 9, 2018 Luang Prabang ~ Pak Ou Caves (B/L)
After breakfast, visit Wat Xieng Thong which is often described as Luang
Prabang’s most beautiful temple. Continue to the river to begin a relaxing
Mekong River trip to visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves which
overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers from on high,
have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed
here by local people since 16th century. After exploring the caves and
lunch at a local restaurant nearby return to Luang Prabang by boat.
On arrival back in Luang Prabang visit the textile village of Ban Xang
Khong, where traditional Laotian textiles are woven on wooden looms.
If time and energy levels permit it may be possible to also visit some of
the other handicraft villages around Luang Prabang town.
Climb 328 steps starting from the entrance on the opposite side of National
Museum or 410 steps on the other side of Khan River to the small
temples atop Phou Si, the 150m high hill which sits in the middle of the
town, offering beautiful Sunset views over the temples and river.
Feb 6, 2018 Hanoi (B/L)
This morning, visit the bustling Chau Long market located just off of
Truc Bach Lake. Walk through the narrow and busy passages with a
crowd of vendors’ stores displaying all sorts of colourful groceries and
foodstuffs and feel the energy in the air with the excitement from the
locals who are working on the ingredients for their upcoming meals at
home. Twist the way through the crowd to find some interesting street
food stops. There will be the tasty rice vermicelli with grilled pork patties
(bun cha) with the famous deep fried Vietnamese spring roll. Continue
your culinary exploration with some creative variations of the popular
“pho”. Next, go to an old café that has been handed down through a few
generations to enjoy the aroma of the coffee made with special family
brewing technique.
Afternoon is free at leisure or to join an optional cooking class.
Tonight, enjoy a Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form originating in
northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi.
Feb 7, 2018 Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
This morning, travel by road from Hanoi to Halong and on arrival, board
the Paradise Halong Cruise.
Have a cold welcome drink - cruise briefing, safety instructions and
check into your cabin. Enjoy lunch while the cruise sails passing by magnificent
sceneries of the World Heritage site.
In the afternoon, explore Sung Sot cave, hiking up and down steps to the
magnificent limestone formations of the biggest and most marvellous
cave in Halong bay or enjoy kayaking (with supplement) around Luon
cave area. Back to the vessel and participate in cooking demonstration
with cruise’s chef. Dinner on board Paradise Halong Cruise.
Feb 10, 2018 Luang Prabang (B/D)
This morning visit some of these priceless monuments under UNESCO
protection as a World Heritage Site. The National Museum (former Royal
Palace), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao
and French beaux-arts motifs. One of the palace’s most prized art pieces,
is the Phrabang, cast of a gold, silver and bronze alloy. Continue on to
visit nearby Wat Mai - the five-tiered roof of the wooden sim epitomizes
the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style.
The afternoon is free for you to relax, shop or head out on your own to
continue exploring the town or visit the local markets.
Enjoy Dinner tonight at Tamarind Lao restaurant, a great introduction
to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine.
After dinner take a stroll around Luang Prabang’s fabulous night market
with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local
handicrafts on offer.
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