Itinerary Brief: Day 01: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tours
Day 03: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta
Day 03: Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh
Day 04: Phnom Penh City Tour
Day 05: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Day 06: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
Day 07: Siem Reap - Kompong Cham
Day 08: Kompong Cham - Kratie
Day 09: Kratie - Pakse
Day 10: Pakse - Bolaven Plateau
Day 11: Pakse - Hinboun
Day 12: Hinboun – Ban Na Hin
Day 13: Ban Na Hin – Vientiane
Day 14: Vientiane Departure
Summary:
In the first part of our journey we tour Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and explore the famous Binh Tay Market, visit the Thien Hau Chinese temple, the War Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. We then go up north to see the Cu Chi Tunnels, and then south to An Binh Island in Mekong Delta and visit the floating market.
In Cambodia we travel up the Mekong to see the endangered Irrawadi dolphins, and go to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. When we reach Siem Reap, we visit the famous smiling temple of Bayon, and are in awe of the breathtaking Angkor Wat.
As we travel through Laos, we see the unique Tad Fan Water fall, visit hill tribe villages, explore the heaven cave of Kong Lor, and swim and relax in the Mekong River at the Thousands Islands.
We also visit Vientiane and take a tour of all the temples and monuments the city is famous for, including Wat Sisaket, the royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, the Patouxai Monument, and the That Luang Stupa.
This is where we end our tour of these three ancient and incredible countries and cultures.
* For Adventure Tours, accommodation is in budget hotels, with breakfast included.
Trip Grade:
Easy - Suitable for travelers with an average level of fitness and mobility
Letters from our Travelers: Click here to see letters from our guests regarding this tour -Doug (United States)
Trip Tips: Most of the things offered for sale in gift shops, souvenir shops, and markets like the Old Market & Central Market in Siem Reap, and the Russian Market in Phnom Penh, are Angkor reproductions and tourist souvenirs. However, there are some shops that sell “antiques”, and in amongst the souvenirs in some place you may find “old” items. When buying so called “antiques” you need to be very careful for several reasons. Many ancient sites have been looted of statues and carvings, and of course it is illegal to take any such items out of the country. Also, people here have become adept at making new things look old.
Recommended:
In Siem Reap there are a great many optional tours available, and many activities you can do. One such trip is to the Kbal Spean Mountains, about 50 km northeast of Siem Reap. After a 30min. walk in the forest you will come to the Sahasralina, or the River of a Thousand Lingas. These are extraordinary 11th-century rock carvings carved into the riverbed depicting a host of gods and celestial beings.
Indochina Loop - 14 Days
Itinerary Details:
Day 01: Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Upon your arrival in Saigon, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel.
Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City Tours
After breakfast, our first stop is at the Binh Tay Market in Cho Lon, then on to Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese Temple, and we also visit a lacquer ware workshop, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the War Remnants Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Central Post Office.
Overnight in HCMC hotel. Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 03: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta
After breakfast, we drive past green rice fields stretching away to the horizon to get to Cai Be where a boat takes you to the floating market with people bargaining and exchanging their goods from boats. Then we take a boat ride through a maze of shady canals to visit Vinh Long on An Binh Island, and we enjoy the taste of local tropical fruits and see how the farmers cultivate their orchards. We also see people making their living from ceramics, and rice paper. If time permits, we will go bicycle riding through the village and look at the local handicraft shops. We continue driving on to the town of Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 03: Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh
After breakfast, it will be a full morning’s drive to Moc bai on the border with Cambodia. Then by car to the capital of Phnom Penh. Free time in Phnom Penh after checking in to your hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 04: Phnom Penh City Tour
After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Toul Sleng Museum, the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, and also Wat Phnom, the symbol of Phnom Penh. That afternoon we enjoy a visit to the National Museum and go shopping at the Central Market as well as at the famous Russian Market.
Overnight in Phnom Penh hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 05: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Breakfast in the hotel, and then by public bus to Siem Reap. When you arrive in Siem Reap, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. After checking in to the hotel, you will have free time in the afternoon to check out the town, and maybe do some shopping and find a great place to have dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 06: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples
If you are into viewing sunrises, this is your chance to get up before dawn and go to see the sunrise over Angkor. After breakfast, we visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, and see the South gate, the Bayon and Baphuon temples, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper king. Next we explore the jungle temple of Ta Phrom which has been left largely unrestored, with vines and massive trees growing over it. In the afternoon we explore the wonders of Angkor Wat, and then watch the sunset from the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight in Siem Reap hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 07: Siem Reap - Kompong Cham
After breakfast we travel to Kompong Cham by bus, and in the afternoon we visit Wat Nokor, and then cross to Koh Pan to observe the life of the farmers there. In the dry season we cross by driving over a bamboo bridge, or in the wet season we cross using a ferry boat.
Overnight in Kompong Cham hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 08: Kompong Cham - Kratie
Breakfast in the hotel, then we go by bus to the town of Kratie. We check into the hotel, and in the afternoon we go by local transport (moto-remork) to the dolphin viewpoint, and then by boat to see the dolphins.
Overnight in Kratie hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 09: Kratie - Pakse
After breakfast in the hotel, we board a local bus to cross into Laos. We drive along the Mekong River passing villages, rice paddies and fishing villages. We pass through the town of Steung Treng, and then we cross the border into Laos, and from the border it is on to Pakse where we check into the hotel.
Overnight at Pakse hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 10: Pakse - Bolaven Plateau
After breakfast we take a rather long drive to the Bolaven Plateau to see the Tad Fan Waterfall, and then visit coffee and tea plantations. We also visit the villages of the ethnic Katou Sauy, Kaloum, Lavea, Ngea and Laven groups.
Overnight at Pakse hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 11: Pakse – Hinboun
After breakfast, then we take the long drive to Hinboun. On the way we stop at Savannakhet for lunch. This fast growing town has become an important trading center between Thailandand Laos. We arrive in Hinboun by mid afternoon and we will have some time to walk around and see the town.
Overnight in Hinboun hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 12: Hinboun - Khong Lor Cave – Ban Na Hin
The amazing cave of Khong Lor is 7.5km long and was formed by the Hinboun River, which flows though the cave all year round. Today we drive to the cave, and we stop at Ban Na Hin for a walk to That to Mok, and then take a boat ride through the impressive main cave to the Khonglor Valley beyond. We stop along the way to observe the many interesting stalactite formations.
Overnight in Ban Na Hin hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 13: Ban Na Hin – Vientiane
After breakfast, we then drive to Vientiane which takes about 4 hours, and we have lunch on the way at a local restaurant. We arrive in Vientiane and check into our hotel. After a short rest we then visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane. This amazing temple features remarkable frescos and Buddha statues. We next visit the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which used to contain the famed Emerald Buddha before it was taken to Thailand in1779. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument, known as the Arc de Triumph of Vientiane, and then we continue on to the sacred structure and symbol of Laos, the That Luang Stupa.
Overnight in Vientiane hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 14: Vientiane Departure
Breakfast at the hotel, and then it will be time to get ready for your departure transfer.
Breakfast included.
Please note that hotel check-out time is 12:00 noon.
End of Trip. This itinerary is a specially designed tour to optimize the time available to the traveler. All Travel Loops tours can be designed and customized to your individual needs.
Indochina Loop - 14 Days
Trip Price Includes: - English speaking guide (Other languages available on request)
- Private transfer and transport in safe, clean, well maintained vehicles
- Breakfast in hotel, and other meals as noted in the itinerary in restaurant
- All entrance fees & permits during guided tours
- Budget hotel accommodation w/ 2 person room share. Tax included
- Bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- Private boat trip to Kong Lor Cave
Not Included in Trip Price:
- Airfare and taxes not included in tour
- Food and drink not noted in the itinerary
- Visa fees
- Entrance fees and permits not part of itinerary
- Optional tours during free time
- Personal travel insurance (Compulsory for all travelers)
- Personal expenses (ex. telephone, laundry charges, souvenirs, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities
Cambodia
Tuol Sleng Museum and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. When we reach Siem Reap, we visit the famous smiling temple of Bayon, and are in awe of the breathtaking Angkor Wat. 
& Central Market in Siem Reap, and the Russian Market in Phnom Penh, are Angkor reproductions and tourist souvenirs. However, there are some shops that sell “antiques”, and in amongst the souvenirs in some place you may find “old” items. When buying so called “antiques” you need to be very careful for several reasons. Many ancient sites have been looted of statues and carvings, and of course it is illegal to take any such items out of the country. Also, people here have become adept at making new things look old. 
Lon, then on to Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese Temple, and we also visit a lacquer ware workshop, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. In the afternoon we pay a visit to the War Remnants Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Central Post Office.
shady canals to visit Vinh Long on An Binh Island, and we enjoy the taste of local tropical fruits and see how the farmers cultivate their orchards. We also see people making their living from ceramics, and rice paper. If time permits, we will go bicycle riding through the village and look at the local handicraft shops. We continue driving on to the town of Can Tho. Saigon(Ho Chi Ming) Vietnam 001.jpg)
car to the capital of Phnom Penh. Free time in Phnom Penh after checking in to your hotel.
Bakheng. 
lunch. This fast growing town has become an important trading center between Thailandand Laos. We arrive in Hinboun by mid afternoon and we will have some time to walk around and see the town. 
