Three Kingdoms of Indochina

br />Save $500 per couple on 5/1/12-4/30/13 departures. Offer valid on new bookings only made between 9/2/11-12/31/11. Restrictions apply, based on availability. Ask your agent for details today! Click here for terms and conditions. Delve into an ancient and mysterious world. Begin in Vietnam and explore its complex relationship with the west. From there, a colorful mosaic unfolds. Learn unique culinary secrets in the ancient town of Hoi An. Cruise overnight aboard a luxury junk boat on Halong Bay. Venture into the lush jungle to an elephant village. Immerse yourself in a traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. Find inspiration at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple. Come to know this region through experiences like the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks and a journey on the Mekong River. From contemplating the Fall of Saigon to exploring a once forgotten temple deep in the jungle, each day paints a new picture of the rich cultures of Indochina.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Begin with an overnight flight to Vietnam.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - Tour Begins
Arrive in historic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City
Tour the city’s colonial landmarks including the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and Opera House • Visit the Reunification Palace where the Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon • Learn more about the lasting effects of this struggle at the War Remnants Museum • Join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a rooftop garden that was a popular hangout for American military officials and war correspondents.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City
Travel to the fertile Mekong Delta and embark on a cruise along the bustling river • See floating markets, fruit orchards and the Mekong River islands • Enjoy a leisurely lunch in a lush tropical garden and explore local villages • Visit Cao Dai Temple and its unique architectural style • Experience the region’s multifaceted culinary heritage with an optional dinner at a French restaurant.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An
Fly to Da Nang • Stop at China Beach where American troops landed during the war • Venture to Hoi An, an ancient merchant trading port and a UNESCO World Heritage site • Enjoy a cyclo tour of the preserved town • See the Tan Ky Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Chua Ong Pagoda and a 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge • Take advantage of the option to have a suit or dress made by one of Hoi An’s world-famous tailors.

Day 6: Hoi An
Today’s cooking class begins at a local market • Interact with vendors and learn about traditional ingredients • Follow the Thu Bon river to the cooking school and observe local life along the way • Visit the school’s herb garden • Discover the art of plate decorating and prepare five traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Day 7: Hoi An - Hue
Take an optional sunrise photography class and observe fishermen bringing in their catch in the dawn light • Travel to Hue, the Imperial capital city, via the panoramic Hai Van Pass • En route, savor a seafood lunch at Lang Co fishing village • Arrive in Hue, home of the Nguyen dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site • Visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc • Tonight, enjoy a lavish royal feast.

Day 8: Hue - Hanoi
Cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda • Visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City • Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local monastery and converse with monks to learn about their daily life • Later, fly to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam • Enjoy a dinner that showcases authentic flavors in an environment reminiscent of local markets.

Day 9: Hanoi
Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university • Enjoy lunch at a non-profit restaurant that empowers underprivileged children, training them with new skills • Continue to Hoa Lo Prison (aka the Hanoi Hilton), where American POWs were detained • Stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake and through the craft guild streets in the nearby old quarter • Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet performance.

Day 10: Hanoi
Visit the mausoleum that holds the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh • Discover Minh’s simple house on stilts • Admire the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water • For lunch, you have the option of embarking on a street food tour of Hanoi that delves into authentic culinary delights such as pho noodles • Tonight, you may choose to enjoy French cuisine.

Day 11: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Drive to Halong Bay for your overnight cruise on a luxury junk boat • Savor a welcome drink and lunch on board • Marvel at the thousands of limestone islands that dot these waters • Transfer to a sampan and visit a floating fishing village • Watch the sunset before sharing a seafood feast.

Day 12: Halong Bay - Luang Prabang, Laos
Join a sunrise tai chi class on deck as the fog lifts, revealing the morning light • Explore an ancient cave on a nearby island • Enjoy brunch on board and cruise back to the harbor • From Hanoi, fly to Luang Prabang • Tonight, enjoy a tasting menu sampling local Laotian delicacies.

Day 13: Luang Prabang
Visit an elephant village nestled in a lush jungle valley on the banks of a river • Learn how mahouts train their elephants • Opt to take an elephant ride • Proceed to the three-tiered Kuang Si waterfall and have a picnic lunch • Stop at a local village to learn the traditions of ethnic minorities • Attend a traditional Baci ceremony, a “calling of the soul” reserved for special events • Share a communal dinner with your fellow well-wishers.

Day 14: Luang Prabang
Wake before dawn and participate in the offering of alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks • Stroll the local market and watch the town come to life • Cruise the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims • Stop at Ban Xang Hai, famous for its rice wine, and Ban Xang Khong, known for silk weaving • Return to Luang Prabang and take a guided tour of the National Museum, the former Royal Palace • Visit the sacred temples of Wat Aham, Wat Visoun and Wat Xieng Thong • Climb to the top of Mount Phousi to watch the sunset.

Day 15: Luang Prabang - Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap and visit Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building and the symbol of Cambodia • Marvel at the stone carvings and bas-reliefs that decorate this 12th century complex, a prime example of classical Khmer architecture • Perhaps choose to remain at Angkor Wat until sunset when the golden light creates an awe-inspiring sight • Enjoy a traditional Apsara show with dinner.

Day 16: Siem Reap
Explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Thom, famous for the Bayon temple and its colossal stone-carved faces • Continue to the haunting Ta Prohm temple, overgrown by creeping jungle • Enjoy a Khmer lunch set in a traditional wooden house • Meet local school children at the JWOC Community Center* • Visit Artisans d’Angkor which teaches young Cambodians to revive ancient traditions like stone carving.

Day 17: Siem Reap
Sail on Tonle Sap – the Great Lake of Cambodia • Explore Kompong Phluk, a floating village • Visit the Roluos Group and take an ox cart ride to the Roluos Pagoda where monks celebrate a private blessing ceremony • Enjoy lunch at a local home • Afterwards, you may choose to visit the Landmine Museum and the Banteay Srei complex.

Day 18: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Travel to Phnom Penh and enjoy lunch at a non-profit restaurant that trains and employs former Cambodian street children • Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a notorious Khmer Rouge prison • Continue to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda • Enjoy a farewell dinner at a highly-acclaimed restaurant.

Day 19: Phnom Penh - Tour Ends
Fly home with memories of an unforgettable journey.

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
9/20/2012 - 10/8/2012	$3,249
11/1/2012 - 11/19/2012	$3,249
1/24/2013 - 2/11/2013	$3,249
2/28/2013 - 3/18/2013	$3,249
3/7/2013 - 3/25/2013	$3,249
4/25/2013 - 5/13/2013	$3,249
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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