The Bay to Temples Tour

The exciting Bay to Temples Tour begins it's journey at the picturesque Halong Bay in the North of Vietnam and continues South to Ho Chi Minh City before continuing to the fascinating country of Cambodia. 

Days 1 & 2

Fly with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow to Hanoi via Singapore.  On arrival in Hanoi you will take a three hour journey through the scenic landscape of the rural North-East.  At picturesque Halong Bay the romance of old Vietnam still lingers, with 3,000 scattered limestone and dolomite islets and the odd red sailed junk clipping across the waters.  Stay overnight at the Halong Plaza Hotel in a superior room.

Day 3

Watch the sunrise across the bay.  Explore and cruise around the bay, enjoying the many photograph opportunities at Trong Mai, Am Chen and Cong Troi island.  Take lunch with the crew before returning to Hanoi, stopping en route at Phu Lang villageknown for its ceramic making.  On arrival in Hanoi check-in at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel  for a two night stay in a superior room.

Day 4

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam is known for its numerous lakes, shaded boulevards and wonderful French colonial architecture.  Following breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Hanoi, visiting the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda.  During the afternoon visit the Museum of Ethnology to enhance your understanding of Vietnam's diverse culture.  Take a short cyclo ride through the old quarter of Hanoi, stop at St. Joseph's Cathedral and Art Vietnam Gallery.    Later in the evening attend a traditional water puppet show, a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form, especially designed for depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 5

Transfer to Hanoi Airport for a morning flight to Hue, the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty.  Enjoy a city tour of Hue, including visits to the Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden City, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of Mandarins and the Nine Dynastic Urns.  Continue to the Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Tombs, the most elaborate royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty.  End the day with a stroll through Dong Ba Market and transfer to the Morin Hotel for an overnight stay in a deluxe room.

Day 6

Following breakfast, take a dragon boat across the triangle of the Perfume River upstream to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's most preserved religious monument.  Continue by road to Danang  over the Cloudy Pass Hai Van which is known for its stunning views.  On arrival in Danang visit the Cham Museum, this displays the best Champa sculptures in the country.  Check-in at the Furama Resort for an overnight stay in a garden view room.

Day 7

Morning drive to the ancient town of Hoi An, begin a walking tour of the ancient town centre and take in the former merchants' houses, the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful market an excellent place to buy silk.  Transfer to Danang Airport for an onward flight to Saigon.  On arrival transfer to the Duxton Hotel for a two night stay in a deluxe room.

Day 8

After breakfast, visit Saigon's historic landmarks including the 1880's General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the former Presidential Palace once the headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War.  Enjoy a vegetarian lunch at the Vien Vanh Hanh Pagoda, with opportunity to interact with the monks.  Afternoon visit to the War Remnant Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, the most colourful pagoda in Saigon and finally Cholon, the Chinese district of Saigon.

Day 9

Following breakfast, transfer to Saigon Airport for an onward flight to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.  Afternoon city tour visiting the National Museum housing Khmer art, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum.  Stay overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel in a deluxe room.

Day 10

Morning transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for a flight to Siem Reap.  Start exploring this mysterious city by visiting the intricately carved ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the World's most impressive ruins.  The temple still has fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.  Afternoon walking tour of the royal city of Angkor Thom.  It's 50-tower temple is an awesome sight.  At first glance it seems shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time.  Visit more of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace and Royal Palace area.  End the day at Phnom Bakheng to watch the beautifully sunset over Angkor Wat.  Return to Siem Reap and check-in at the Angkor Palace Resort and Spa for a two night stay in a deluxe room.

Day 11

After breakfast, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene.  Afternoon drive to Banteay Srei, the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture.  This temple is small but the carvings are very impressive.

Day 12

After checking out of the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa you will be transferred to Siem Reap airport for your Singapore Airlines flight departure to London Heathrow via Singapore.

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