Grand Tour of Asia - Southeast Asia Trip

Grand Tour of Asia (2012)

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ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 - FLIGHT

Overnight flight

Overnight flight
Board your overnight flight, bound for Asia.

DAY 2 - HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! After clearing customs, you’ll meet your full-time tour director and the rest of your group. Vietnam was once a French colony, and in the boulevards, parks and architecture of Hanoi you still see an interesting mix of Asian and French influences.

Welcome dinner

Welcome dinner
Get to know the other travelers in your group over an included dinner.

DAY 3 - HANOI

Sightseeing tour of Hanoi (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Hanoi (local guide)
A local guide shows you around this unique capital. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a pilgrimage site for many Vietnamese. The stone monument houses the embalmed remains of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s national hero. (Note: the Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays.) Also visit the Temple of Literature, a quiet area of walled courtyards and gateways.

Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison
First used by French colonists for political prisoners, Hoa Lo Prison became famous as the “Hanoi Hilton” when it was used by North Vietnam to hold POWs during the Vietnam War.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 4 - HALONG

Overnight junk boat cruise in Halong Bay

Overnight junk boat cruise in Halong Bay
Travel to Halong, and get a nice long look at the scenic beauty of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise. Halong Bay, famous for its limestone outcroppings, cliffs and coves, is known as Vietnam’s eighth wonder of the world. You’ll sail on a traditional Chinese-style junk boat, stopping at an islet for a chance to climb through a series of caves and grottos—these caves have some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations in the world.

All meals are included on cruise

DAY 5 - HANOI • HUE

Return to Hanoi

Return to Hanoi
This morning, disembark your junk boat cruise and get back to Hanoi. En route, stop in a local village to browse the handmade ceramics and pottery.

Fly to Hue

Fly to Hue
Board your evening flight to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam.

Lunch and light dinner are included today

DAY 6 - HUE

Boat excursion on the Perfume River

Boat excursion on the Perfume River
Explore Hue by boat as you travel down the Perfume (Huong) River, which cuts through the city. You’ll see the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda, two important structures that highlight the city’s history.

Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh

Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
See two very different tombs from the Nguyen dynasty. First, visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Built with traditional architecture, the tomb has paved walkways, peaceful pavilions overlooking lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. Then, continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which was designed with a bold colonial flair.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 7 - DANANG • HOI AN

Travel to Danang

Travel to Danang
Arrive in Danang, a major Vietnamese port city and one-time center of the ancient Cham civilization.

Cham museum

Cham museum
Check out the unique sculptures left behind by the Cham people. This culture, which was Hindu in origin, abandoned Danang when they were pushed southward by Vietnamese invaders around the 15th century.

Photo-stop at the Marble Mountains

Photo-stop at the Marble Mountains
En route to Hoi An, stop for photos at the Marble Mountains. These five rocky outcrops are said to represent the natural elements. The source of many mysterious legends, the mountains were also once temples and even served as an army hospital.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 8 - HOI AN

Half-day bike tour

Half-day bike tour
Explore the heart of rural Hoi An on a half-day bike tour, and get a glimpse of everyday life in a local village. As you bike through the village, pass by local homes, gardens, a village temple and a husking mill. Depending on the season, you might see the local farmers threshing and harvesting.

Walking tour of Hoi An

Walking tour of Hoi An
Walk through the old town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hoi An was once an important port and trading post, and now it’s a picturesque historic town. Browse the shops selling handmade crafts and sample the regional cuisine at the local restaurants.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 9 - HO CHI MINH CITY

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Board your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, known to much of the world as Saigon.

Sightseeing tour of Saigon (local guide)

Sightseeing tour of Saigon (local guide)
Visit the Reunification Palace, once known as the Presidential Palace and now preserved as a museum. Walk through the underground communications bunkers that were the headquarters for the Saigon government during the Vietnam War. Continue to the Vietnam History Museum, which traces the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese. Be sure to check out the water puppet performance. Also see the ‘wedding cake’-style Hotel d’Ville (the former City Hall), the former U.S. embassy, and Notre Dame, an impressive cathedral in the center of city.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 10 - HO CHI MINH CITY

Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels
Head out of the city center to the Cu Chi region. See the vast underground network of tunnels built as a defense against the French and later expanded during the Vietnam War. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare, and you can see their secret trap doors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. If you like crawling through tunnels, you can explore deeper. Otherwise, there’s plenty to see above ground.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 11 - SIEM REAP

Fly to Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap
This morning, board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Angkor Thom

Angkor Thom
Visit the amazing ancient city of Angkor Thom. See the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple, a 12th-century archaeological wonder at the very center of Angkor Thom. Later, watch a memorable sunset over the temple Angkor Wat.

Dinner is included today

DAY 12 - SIEM REAP

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat
Visit Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world. Angkor Wat is generally thought to have been a funeral temple for the king Suryavarman II, and it has been occupied continuously by Buddhist monks since it was built.

Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm

Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm
This afternoon visit more temples, starting at Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm. Unlike most of the monuments of Angkor, over the years Ta Prohm was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, so today it looks very much as most of the area temples did when European explorers first stumbled upon them. You’ll also visit Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda and Srah Srang.

Lunch and dinner are included today

DAY 13 - SIEM REAP

Preah Khan

Preah Khan
Built by King Jayavarman VII to honor his father, the Preah Khan temple was allegedly constructed on the site of an important battlefield. It is one of a group of temples situated on a small artificial body of water called a baray. You’ll also visit Prasat Kravan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Meborn and Pre Rup.

Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei
This tiny temple was built out of red sandstone in the 10th century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. After your visit, do some shopping at a nearby local market.

Dinner and dance show

Dinner and dance show
Tonight eat a dinner of local cuisine and watch a traditional dance show.

Lunch and dinner (show) are included today

DAY 14 - SIEM REAP • BANGKOK

Ton Le Sap Lake

Ton Le Sap Lake
Drive to Ton Le Sap Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and the lifeblood of the Cambodian fishing industry. Hop on board a small shaded boat and see what daily lake life is like as you coast past the floating homes and small fish farms.

Les Artisans d'Angkor Project

Les Artisans d'Angkor Project
On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a development project that teaches young adults stonecarving, woodcarving, and lacquer application. The goal of the project is to achieve local development through traditional craftsmanship.

Fly to Bangkok

Fly to Bangkok
Board your flight for the Thai capital. Bangkok is known for its fun—people here like to have a good time. Like many big cities in this part of the world, Bangkok is an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, with restaurants, bars, clubs, temples and markets.

River of Kings dinner cruise

River of Kings dinner cruise
Take a scenic dinner cruise on Bangkok’s majestic “River of Kings.” Enjoy the sights, the sounds and the great views of Bangkok as you eat a tasty Thai meal.

Lunch and dinner (cruise) are included today

DAY 15 - BANGKOK

Grand Palace

Grand Palace
Visit the Grand Palace, an enormous compound whose high walls once separated the kings from the commoners. Also go inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and see Thailand’s most sacred Buddha image.

Thonburi Klongs cruise

Thonburi Klongs cruise
Travel by longtail boat through Bangkok’s klongs (canals), and see the family homes, temples and daily life that earn the city its nickname “Venice of the East.” Stop and snap some photos at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), whose 260-foot spire is one of Bangkok’s most recognizable landmarks.

DAY 16 - BANGKOK

Optional excursion to Ayutthaya (extra cost)

Optional excursion to Ayutthaya ($75 pre-booked)
Take a full-day trip to Ayutthaya, one-time capital of Thailand. In its heyday, this was one of the most impressive cities in the Orient, and you can still see why. Visit the Summer Palace, an amazing mix of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture. Later, return to Bangkok by boat on a relaxing ride along the Chao Phraya River.

DAY 17 - PHUKET

Fly to Phuket

Fly to Phuket
Fly to the island province of Phuket, which was on one of the major trade routes between India and China. Today Phuket is a huge destination for backpackers looking for a taste of the Thai island life.

Optional FantaSea dinner and show (extra cost)

Optional FantaSea dinner and show ($95 pre-booked)
Spend a few hours tonight at Phuket FantaSea, a huge 140-acre theme complex offering every kind of activity and entertainment. There’s a festival village with games, handicrafts, and shopping; a 4,000-seat restaurant with a buffet of Thai and international cuisine; and an eye-opening Vegas-style show, where you can experience Thailand’s traditional myths through state-of-the-art technology and special effects.

DAY 18 - PHUKET

Phuket Island tour

Phuket Island tour
After free time this morning, take an afternoon tour of the island. Visit Phuket Town, with its Malacca-style houses and bustling markets, before stopping to visit one of the island’s most famous temples. All along the way up the coastline, take in the amazing panoramic views.

DAY 19 - PHUKET

Phang Nga National Park

Phang Nga National Park
Here’s a chance to explore true undisturbed nature. On board a sea canoe, discover the sea caves, hongs and tunnels of Koh Panak and Koh Hong. A hong is an open-air, cliff-lined lagoon connected to the outside world only through caves. Also visit Lawa Island, where you can canoe on your own, swim, or just relax on the beach.

Lunch is included today

DAY 20 - PHUKET

Free day on Phuket

Free day on Phuket
Today is your chance to enjoy Phuket on your own. Most will take advantage of a full day by the sea—people consider Phuket’s beaches to be the best in Thailand.

DAY 21 - BANGKOK

Return to Bangkok

Return to Bangkok
Fly back to the capital city for your last night.

Free time in Bangkok (night)

Free time in Bangkok (night)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Cheap Charlie's – Have a beer and strike up a conversation with the locals and tourists who flock to this wooden shack.
2. Joe Louis Puppet Theatre – See the latest take on the ancient art of Thai puppetry (lákhon lék) at this renowned theater.
3. Bamboo Bar – Internationally recognized jazz bands perform live at this bar located in a historic hotel.
4. Q Bar – This is Bangkok's most famous dance club; it has an industrial feel, with thumping techno and an extensive bar.
5. Thai kickboxing – Go to a thrilling match of this traditional sport.

For more ideas and details, see our Lonely Planet city guide for Bangkok.

DAY 22 - FLIGHT

Fly home

Fly home
It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home.

22 DAYS STARTING AT $4,290

Restrictions Apply

Price is valid on specific departure date and standard (triple/quad) rooming. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price may apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.
Prices may be subject to change.

DEPARTURES

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Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at efcollegebreak.com/baggage.

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PRICE THIS TRIP

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•Round-trip airfare plus internal flights
•Hotels

•Travel between cities
•Welcome dinner
•Breakfast daily
•12 lunches
•13 dinners
•Full-time tour director
•Walking tours
•Sightseeing tours
•Entrance to select attractions

• AyutthayaTake a full-day trip to Ayutthaya, one-time capital of Thailand. In its heyday, this was one of the most impressive cities in the Orient, and you can still see why. Visit the Summer Palace, an amazing mix of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture. Later, return to Bangkok by boat on a relaxing ride along the Chao Phraya River.

• FantaSea Show & DinnerSpend a few hours tonight at Phuket FantaSea, a huge 140-acre theme complex offering every kind of activity and entertainment. There’s a festival village with games, handicrafts, and shopping; a 4,000-seat restaurant with a buffet of Thai and international cuisine; and an eye-opening Vegas-style show, where you can experience Thailand’s traditional myths through state-of-the-art technology and special effects.

SIGHTS YOU'LL SEE:

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

Temple of Literature

Hoa Lo Prison

Perfume River cruise

Tomb of Tu Duc

Khai Dinh's Tomb

Cham Museum

Bicycle tour

Reunification Palace

Vietnam History Museum

Chu Chi Tunnel tour

Angkor Thom

Angkor Wat

Banteay Kedi

Ta Prohm

Banteay Srei

River of Kings dinner cruise

Grand Palace

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Phang Nga National Park

CITY GUIDES

• Bangkok

VISA INFORMATION:
U.S. citizens visiting Vietnam will need to get a visa. For the latest information on requirements, and to get started on obtaining a visa, visit ZVS.com.