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Asia Tour Packages
§
World Heritage -
.. Indochina
§ Vietnam Complete
§ Laos Discovery
§ Cambodia Essence
§ Vietnam Essence
'Mix
& Match' Tours
§ City of Hanoi
§ Pagodas & History
§ Ha Long Bay & Yen Tu
§ Ancient Capitals
§ Northern Highlands
§ Cao Bang & Lang Son
§ Central Highlands
§ Hue Monuments
§ Cham Discovery
§ Mekong & the South
§ Cu Chi & Tay Ninh
§ Ho Chi Minh City
Tell us about your particular interests, and we'll
take you to places only the local guides know. Whether it's active travel,
sun worship, study tours, Vietnam War sites, or satisfying your culinary
curiosity, Mikeland welcomes a challenge!
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World Heritage of Indochina (14-16 days)
This stunning
2-week tour will take you to the six places in Indochina that UNESCO
has designated as World Heritage Sites because of their historical and
cultural value: Angkor in Cambodia, Luang Prabang in Laos, and the Complex
of Hue Monuments, the Cham sanctuary of My Son, and the ancient trading
port of Hoi An.
We provide
our suggested itinerary below, beginning with Siem Riep in Cambodia,
but you can visit the sites in any order that you wish.
 Day
1 : Rolous and Angkor Wat
UNESCO designated the Angkor monuments near Siem Riep as a World Heritage
site in 1992, calling it "one of the most important archaeological
sites in South-East Asia." This 400 square mile area includes over
40 temples and several different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from
the 9th to the 15th century.
You'll
begin your tour with a trip to the nearby Rolous group of temples, among
the first that were built by the Khmer kings. Often neglected on other
tours, these temples are especially interesting because some of them
use the Cham style of construction, which we'll see again at My Son
in Vietnam. In the afternoon, tour the expansive temple complex of Angkor
Wat, with its great towers and famous bas-relief murals depicting the
"churning of the ocean" that created the world and the court
of Suryavarman II. In the evening, you'll enjoy the sunset from the
temple-hill of Phnomh Bakheng.
 Day
2: Angkor Thom, the Bayon, and other temples of Jayavarman VII
On the second day, you'll visit the ruins of the vast walled city of
Angkor Thom, built by Jayavarman VII after he defeated the Cham invaders
and restored the Khmer monarchy in 1181. The carvings of the central
temple, the famous Bayon, accurately depict the fierce battles in the
lake of Tonle Sap as well as the more peaceful episodes in the daily
life of the populace. In the afternoon, visit the temple of Preah Khan
and the unique pool of Neak Pan, also built by Jayavarman VII. In the
evening, enjoy a performance of traditional dance and music at a restaurant
in Siem Riep.
 Day
3: Banteay Srei and more
On the last day, we'll travel further north to see the temple of Banteay
Srei, built by a minister to the court and justly renowned for its fine
carvings. Continuing north, you'll be able to cool off and relax from
your temple tour at a hillside stream where the water runs over elaborate
rock carvings.
Day
4: Vientiane
Fly from Siem Riep to the capital of Laos, situated on the Mekong River.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day
5: Luang Prabang
Fly from Vientiane to the remote highland city of Luang Prabang, which
was designated a World Heritage site in 1995 for its "unique, remarkably
well-preserved townscape" that is a unique fusion of traditional
Lao styles and French colonial architecture. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day
6: Luang Prabang to Pakse
Continue your tour of the temples and buildings of Luang Prabang in
the morning and early afternoon. In the evening, we'll take you to the
airport for your flight to Hanoi or to Pakse.
Day
7 : Pakse and Wat Phu (Optional)
The World Heritage site of Wat Phu is relatively new as a tourist destinatoin,
but it's a quick flight from Luang Prabang to the provincial capital
of Pakse. The Champassak Historical Heritage Museum in Pakse offers
a good introduction to Lao culture, history and art, and is worth a
quick look before driving south to (46 km/30 miles) to Wat Phu. Originally
a Hindu sanctuary at the northernmost reaches of Cambodia’s Khmer
Empire, Wat Phu has subsequently become a Buddhist place of worship.
On the full moon of the third lunar month, which usually falls sometime
in February, Champassak celebrates the traditional Wat Phu festival
at the ruins. Festivities include elephant races, cockfights, and traditional
performances of Lao music and dance. Spend the night in Champassak,
or return to Pakse.
Day
8 : Return to Pakse (Optional)
After taking the morning to further explore the region, return to Pakse
by car, where you will spend the night.
 Day
9: Hanoi
Take a day to enjoy the beauties of Hoan Kiem lake, shop, and unwind.
Our guide can point you to the best places to get a therapeutic massage,
to buy necessities or handicrafts, and eat.
Day
10: Hanoi
An optional extra day to explore the cultural heritage of Vietnam: we
recommend the National Museum of History, the Van Mieu Temple of Literature,
and the Museum of Ethnology.
Day
11: Hanoi to Hue
In the morning, fly to Hue and check into your hotel. The "Hue
Complex of Monuments," which includes the citadel and tombs of
the Nguyen Dynasty (1800-1945), were designated a World Heritage Site
in 1993. In the afternoon, you'll begin your exploration by driving
or bicycling to the citadel and royal palace, where you will see the
impressive Ngo Mon Gate (top of this page), the emperor's reception
hall, houses for the royal library and the Queen Mother, and the famous
dynastic urns.
 Day
12 : Boat Ride on Perfume
River
The best way to appreciate the Perfume River is by boat. The first stop
is Thien Mu Pagoda, which was dedicated by the Nguyen lords to a mysterious
"holy lady" who predicted that they would become rulers of
this land.
 If
you would like, we can take you to the tomb of the first emperor, Gia
Long, which is rarely visited by tourists because it is the furthest
from the city. Though the temple to Gia Long is modest in scale, the
natural setting is one of the most remote and peaceful spots in all
of Vietnam. On the way back, the boat will let you off at the tomb of
the second emperor, Minh Mang, which is considered one of the most beautiful
and best-preserved of the monuments of Hue.
Day
13 : Hue Monuments
In
the afternoon, you can visit the mausoleum of Tu Duc, the longest-reigning
of the Nguyen emperors. This elegant complex of tombs, temples, and
pavilions is especially interesting because Tu Duc used it as a retreat
during his lifetime. Nearby is the fantastic tomb of Khai Dinh, the
next-to-last emperor of the dynasty, which incorporates colorful mosaics
and exotic styles.
 Day
14 : Da Nang Arrival
- Hoi An
Arrive at Danang Airport. Pick up and transfer to the hotel. Visit the
Cham Sculpture Museum with more than 300 artefacts dating from the 4th
to the 14th century. Attend a seminar on Cham sculpture, presented by
Cham culture experts in Danang.
In the
afternoon, we'll take you to Hoi An, another World Heritage Site. Hoi
An was a port of entry to the Cham kingdom, and later became an important
trading center that was home to Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, and Portuguese
merchants. Cars are not permitted in the old town, so you are free to
take a leisurely stroll and visit restored houses and temples of the
Chinese community, the Japanese covered bridge, markets, and handicraft
workshops. Overnight in Hoi An.
 Day
15 : Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An
Enjoy a day trip on rural roads to explore Tra Kieu & My Son, 70km
from Danang. Tra Kieu (formerly called Simhapura) was the first capital
city of Champa from the 4th to the 8th century. Onwards to My Son, a
World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1999, the most extensive
religious retreat of the Cham kingdom, dating from the 4th to the 13th
century. The stunning ruins of dozens of tempe towers dedicated to Siva
and other Hindu deities will remind you of Angkor in Cambodia.
 Day
16 : Hoi An
In the morning, finish your sightseeing in the town of Hoi An or enjoy
the beautiful nearby beaches (or both!). In the afternoon, we'll take
you to the airport at Da Nang for your return flight through Hanoi or
Ho Chi Minh City.
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