Compare Exploring Mysterious Indochina by My Way Travel vs Big Indochina Adventure(Twin Room,Start Bangkok, End Hanoi) by Contiki

Day 1: Welcome to Saigon

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we will welcome and make sure that you are transferred to your hotel safely. The rest of the day is free & easy, allowing you time to settle in and begin your exploration of this amazing, vibrant city, still called Saigon by many. In the evening, you’ll meet your fellow My Way Travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Surprising Saigon

After enjoying your breakfast, you set out for a half-day exploration of this marvelous former capital of French Indochina. The main landmarks include: the Reunification Palace; where the Vietnam War ended when the Vietcong stormed its gates; the People’s Committee Building, with its magnificent colonial style; the Municipal Theatre, also known as the Saigon Opera House; Notre-Dame Cathedral, with its red bricks and isolated location in the midst of the traffic on a large square; and the imposing Central Post Office. After lunch at Cuc Gach Quan Restaurant (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were known to dine here), where you will enjoy beautiful yet simple, traditional Vietnamese food, you’ll visit the home of Tuyet Mai and Dinh Linha, famous husband and wife musicians. The couple’s home is a museum filled with an extensive collection of traditional musical instruments, many of which they made themselves. The day comes to an end with a visit to Ben Thanh Market, where locals shop amongst visitors. Dinner is at your leisure and there is no shortage of restaurants from which to choose. Your guide will be more than happy to recommend a restaurant to suit your taste.

Day 3: Hanoi Vietnam’s Charming Capital

Relax in the morning whilst awaiting transfer to the airport and your flight to Hanoi. Our guide, will assist your exploration of the diverse architecture of old historical Hanoi and its small, less-visited streets. These sit among the famous 36 streets that make up the Old Quarter. Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the city, we will pass along the street known for its coffee, Hang Hanh, literally “coffee street” as you head toward the Catholic Church. A delightful dinner will be taken at the famous Cha Ca La Vong restaurant. This restaurant serves only one traditional delicacy: cha ca; made from firm white fish fillet marinated in turmeric, garlic and ginger, before being cooked with onions and dill. It is then served as a salad with rice noodles, peanuts, fish sauce and even more dill showcasing the simplicity and freshness of Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 4: Remembering the Vietnam War

Your day begins at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the communist revolutionary leader in an imposing structure on the side of one of the city’s major squares. Then we will visit his former residence; a traditional stilt house. The One Pillar Pagoda, is a reconstruction of a famous Buddhist temple that was originally built in 1049. This is one of the most important and revered buildings in the whole of the country. Next, you’ll meet with a coffee expert to delve into the famous Vietnamese coffee culture. A way of life here, you will be introduced to a true a Hanoi specialty, egg coffee. After lunch, we have a meeting with a truly interesting character; Chuck Searck settled in Vietnam in the 1990s and now works to clean up unexploded bombs, helping victims of the war. The rest of the day is free easy for you to enjoy as you wish. We recommend you could continue your journey to understand the Vietnam War including the Hanoi Airforce Museum or the infamous Hoa Le Prison or ‘Hanoi Hilton’. There is an optional traditional water puppet show in the early evening, if you prefer. Dinner is also at your leisure and again our guides would only be too happy to help.

Day 5: Sailing Halong Bay

This day is spent in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We travel to Halong Bay, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with almost 2000 islands of towering limestone rising improbably out of the waters in the Gulf of Tonkin. The waters were heavily involved as a theatre of conflict in the war, but now offer a tranquil location for the hundreds of tour boats that ply their trade here. We will board a private junk (a traditional Vietnamese wooden sail boat) which has been specially designed for overnight cruising. Throughout your cruise of Halong Bay your boat is staffed with your own captain, chef and waiter. Enjoy a superb meal of fresh seafood on deck as you enjoy the limestone formations amidst the tranquil waters..

Day 6: Laos - Luang Prabang an Ancient Way of Life

After breakfast on board your delightful junk, you will return to Hanoi (lunch provided en route) and later take an evening flight to Luang Prabang. This former capital of Laosis now yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits surrounded by mountains at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. It is home to numerous Buddhist temples or “wats”, the sights, sounds and smells of the temples, make this a beautiful experience.

Day 7: Buddhist Tradition & Rituals

In the morning, we take you visit just a few of the 100 or more temples here. These are considered among the most beautiful in Laos. Wat Xieng Thong, or the Temple of the Royal City, is a vast sprawling collection of sacred buildings. We move on to explore Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in the city, with wooden-framed windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Wat Phou. We will then drive to the pier and embark on a traditional boat cruise up the mighty Mekong River. We will stop at a local village for you to enjoy a home-cooked lunch. After lunch, we visit the mystical caves of Pak Ou, called Tham Ting by many locals. These caves house hundreds of Buddha statuettes. The local population believe that the caves are the homes of spirits, and take their damaged and old statues of Buddha there, for good luck. Later we will cruise back to Luang Prabang while enjoying sunset over the Mekong, on deck. Your evening is free for you to possibly visit the Hmong Night Market, where Hmong, mountain ethnic people, come to sell their handmade wares.

Day 8: Waterfalls, Pristine Nature & Traditional Crafts

After breakfast, We set out to Kuang Si Waterfalls, a lovely three-tiered waterfall tumbling down the rocks into turquoise pools. We’ll pay a visit to a local house to join in a Lao cooking class and eat the fruits of our labours. The hostess/chef grows all her own ingredient, and will show you round her vegetable and fruit gardens whilst giving a talk about Laotian food. We then go back to the waterfalls, where you may take a dip in the cooling waters if you wish. On the return journey, we’ll stop of at local villages to witness the making of decorative and artistic Saa paper and traditional woven textiles. Dinner is in your own time.

Day 9: Monks at Dawn then Onward to Cambodia

Early morning Luang Prabang is like no other place. Get up early to witness the sunrise and watch monks in their saffron robes silently glide through the town, collecting alms as they go in a tradition spanning hundreds of years. Please be respectful of this holy occasion. We ask that you watch them in silence without disturbing them. If you want to participate, ask your hotel for an offering like sticky rice for instance, and let the monks take it without comment. The rest of the day to mid-afternoon are free to further explore the city. Later, we fly to Siem Reap Cambodia, the gateway to the marvelous Angkor temples. Upon arrival you will enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Day 10: Angkor Wat - Asia’s Most Majestic Temple

Today you will marvel at the incredible temple that is Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site with huge carved towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs filling the walls. This extraordinary temple complex was erected in the 12th century in honor of the Hindu god Vishnu. It is truly awe-inspiring and the largest religious monument in the world. The complex originally had many more buildings than those that survive to this day. The sandstone constructions have no mortar between stones, and are the subject of constant conservation efforts. We will take you by private vehicle or, if available, cattle cart to a remote, untouched temple, for a private picnic lunch. This is an astonishing  place in which to relax for awhile, whilst enjoying a soothing foot massage and contemplating the unique history of the area. In the afternoon, we visit the ancient Ta Prohm, where immense kapok trees have almost consumed the temple nickname the Jungle or Tombraider Temple. Dinner is at your leisure.

Day 11: Towering Temples and Sumptuous Silks

Today we pay a visit to Angkor Thom (the Great City), entering by the south gate and immediately discover the famous Bayon, built in the 12th and 13th centuries.  This temple is a perennial favourite. It is a Buddhist temple composed of 54 gigantic towers featuring no less than 216 gently smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Next it’s a short walk to the Terrace of the Elephants and the raised Terrace of the Leper King.Also built in the 12th century, it features many beautifully sculptured Apsara dancers. After some free time for lunch, we travel to Banteay Srei, to see a most impressive jewel of Khmer art. This beautiful 10th century temple was dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva. It is a small pink sandstone temple, also known as the Citadel of Women. There are some remarkably well-preserved and hand sculptured lintels. This was made famous in 1923, by André Malraux who returned the Apsara heads that he had previously removed. We then return to Siem Reap pausing at a golden silk farm.. The artisans here will demonstrate all the stages of traditional silk production, from breeding the worms to making and dyeing the silk. As evening arrives,  we will gather one final time for a farewell dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Farewell Until We Meet Again

We invite you to spend the last few hours of your incredible trip by the hotel pool. Alternatively you may wish to stroll around Siem Reap as you wait the arrival of your your transfer to the airport. Your Hotel room remains at your disposal until noon. We hope your trip with us has been memorable and rewarding.

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok fellow globe roamers, where a glorious adventure of Asia exploration lies ahead of us. After checking into our swanky hotel you may wish to do some DIY exploring, grab a massage or just lie by the pool soaking up those sweet Thai rays. Later the group will join forces to hear what's in store for the trip, then the night is yours. Maybe take to the streets for some authentic pad thai and eye-popping nightlife, or jump in a tuk-tuk and hit the buzzy Patpong Night Market, with its neon lights and vibrant street life.

Day 2: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

The Royal Palace and its 61 acres of incredible buildings will be number one on today's to do list. We'll start the day early, with so much to see there's no time to waste. We'll start with a tour of the klongs (canals) and some fish feeding, as well as watching locals go about their day and living life along the river. Just listing today's sites gives us the butterflies, and we'll take it all in with our Local Guide leading the charge. Armed with more Local knowledge than we know what to do with, get ready for ME Time. From shopping, grabbing a massage to indulding in delicious local eats, this afternoon is gearing up to be brilliant.
Bangkok, you've been a dream, but the show must go on! Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination, the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi to really get local. We jump straight into the way of life here, visiting sites including learning about the darker times past at the WWII Cemetery and the famed Bridge on the River Kwai, with our guide giving us all the info we need on this riverside spot steeped in history. There's nothing like getting some local transport to keep things interesting, so we'll pop into a boat along the River Kwai where we'll reach our home for the night, the The Jungle Raft Hotel, Kanchanaburi. Rooms lit by candle light are what you'll be greeted with, followed by a delicious included dinner of local specialities at dusk. You can even jump in the river directly from your room. Amazing! Because of course here at Contiki we like to keep things a bit special. Tonight as we watch the sunset over the landscape we'll no doubt be toasting our first full day on the trip and contemplating just how good life is.

Day 3: Kanchanaburi

We’ll wake up in jungle paradise, eat breakfast & if you’re lucky catch a glimpse of the local elephant taking their morning dip. Then, we’ll head to a Sai Yok elephant sanctuary to see how the rescued elephants are cared for. We’ll spend half a day learning about how the haven rescue & care for these beautiful creatures. This afternoon is free to explore Kanchanaburi town.

Day 4: Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai via Ayutthaya - Overnight Train

We’ll start our day with a visit to the breathtaking Erawan Falls, one of the most famous National Parks of Thailand, made up from seven levels of stunning waterfalls. Take a quick dip in the emerald green ponds, dive into the clear waters & get that FOMO Insta shot before we head off to our next stop Ayutthaya.
We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We'll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Ride past ornate temples, towering spires, and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Chiang Mai

The laid-back city of Chiang Mai is ours as we wake this morning. Buddhist rituals, traditional architecture & surrounding countryside will see us smitten. The city is yours to make the most of YOU style - maybe that means roaming the old quarter or the city's heart on foot, maybe it means little more than a Thai massage.

Day 6: Chiang Mai

And with a ziplining experience on the cards today for those feeling adventurous, we'll be thanking ourselves for this chance to return. Tonight, dabbling in the art of Thai cooking will be one activity that most of us can't resist.

Day 7: Chiang Mai to Pakbeng

Taking a border hop we’ll cross out of Thailand and into Laos. After collecting our passport stamps we’ll journey to Pakbeng, taking part of the trip by river cruise on a local boat. Remote, traditional, and endlessly charming, Pakbeng is a true traveller’s dream.

Day 8: Pakbeng to Luang Prabang

Leaving Pakbeng, we make our way to Luang Prabang - get ready for gorgeous waterfalls, biking explorations and a chance to experience the local community and sacred Buddhist rituals.
Ending our Mekong Delta magic we arrive in the much-loved city of Luang Prabang. Temples dusted in gold, historic French mansions, & locals wrapped in saffron robes make this one of the prettiest places in Asia. Our explorations will involve a sunset from a hill-top stupa & a bout of shopping at the local night markets.

Day 9: Luang Prabang

A city cycle and a swim under the 60-metre cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and how relaxed you already feel just one week in.

Day 10: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

This morning early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals kissed by the sun's morning rays. Take part in a sacred Laotian ritual offering alms (food) to Buddhist monks.This morning we take an overland journey to a lively tourist hub filled with opportunities for adventure. It makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a little easier.
Known for its dramatic limestone karsts & world food flair, Vang Vieng will keep you busy. Explore the local rivers and caves or chill out surrounded by like-minded travellers, watching the sun set over the mountains.

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Today is yours to conquer Vang Vieng. Stuck for ideas? Grab a pushbike and allow yourself to get a little lost, stopping at swimming holes and weaving through limestone caves, watching life unfold in the pretty countryside of Laos.

Day 12: Vang Vieng to Vientiane

Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot.
Welcome to the capital of Vientiane. If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised; the vibe in this quaint Mekong town is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to visit the COPE centre, a local charity that provide prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. Our visit here will also provide an insight into Laos’ troubled history, and is a great chance for us to lend a helping hand to the Laotian community.

Day 13: Vientiane to Phnom Penh

This morning we cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make for the capital of Cambodia.
Although it's easy to find reminders of Cambodia's dark past in the city of Phnom Penh, it is also a place brightened by shy smiles and pretty tree-lined streets. We'll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our Local Guide. With knowledge in hand, we'll lighten the mood by paying a visit to the Tree Alliance Restaurant, where disadvantaged and former street children are trained up in hospitality skills. And wow, do they do it well; their frozen shakes and mouth-watering menu never fail to impress. Later tonight, the night is yours to explore as you please.

Day 14: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Another included flight takes us out of Cambodia's capital this morning, landing us in the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world.
You could relax poolside this afternoon, before seeing what's going on by night! There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with, like local night markets though probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World and something we know you've all been waiting for.

Day 15: Siem Reap

Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn's hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day's first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it's pretty much magic. After a siesta and pool hangs to break up the day back at our hotel, we journey back to the temples to explore Angkor Thom and the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm, which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle. With no early rise on tomorrow's agenda, we can let loose on the city's famous Pub Street and the buzzing local night markets.

Day 16: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

With plenty of free time in Siem Reap before our afternoon flight to Vietnam, you can get busy with some DIY exploring. Head to the local markets to stock up on souvenirs and tasty snacks, or simply unwind by the pool, reflecting on the magnificence of yesterday.
With a coriander filled Bánh mì in one hand and a Vietnamese coffee in the other, hit the road and get ready to explore the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh. Tonight we take on the Ben Thanh markets where you can eat and shop to your wanderlusting hearts content.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta

Today we leave Ho Chi Minh exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam.
Though this isn't the first time we are seeing the Mekong Delta, our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river's fringes can vary. We'll see floating markets, visit a rice paper factory, and sip brewed herbs at a traditional tea house. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local guesthouse.

Day 18: Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City

After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh, detouring past the staggering 250-kilometres of tunnels that make up the Viet Cong’s Cu Chi.
Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang

With some traditional R'n'R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We'll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea.
Golden sand beaches, turquoise oceans, water sports galore - this is Nha Trang. This afternoon why not book in for a mineral mud bath and hot thermal spring experience before heading out to dinner with your crew. Ah, the good life.

Day 20: Nha Trang

Good news - we're kicking it in Nha Trang for another night. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach saving your energy for seaside bar fun as the sun sets.

Day 21: Nha Trang to Hoi An

After a zippy flight north & a short coastal drive we find ourselves in a canal town overflowing with beauty and ancient history.
With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through rice fields, roaming the old quarter & ordering custom made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt onto a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.

Day 22: Hoi An

Visit the ruined Hindu temples of the Champa Empire on Marble Mountain, poke around in galleries & antique shops, and marvel at traditional methods of pottery, silk weaving and wood-carving on display at the local markets. That's how your free day in Hoi An could roll.

Day 23: Hoi An to Hue

Though we'll have grown content with Hoi An life, this morning the show must go on. After all, the former imperial town of Hue has invited us over, and we'd be foolish to turn it down.
Intricately decorated pavilions, lotus flower ponds, and colourful artworks mark our first sightseeing venture in Hue. Totally in awe of Tu Duc Mausoleum, we move on to the 7-story Thien Mu Pagoda & learn of the horrific history of the Hue Buddhist massacre as well as taking in a cyclo ride to see the city from a whole new angle.

Day 24: Hue to Hanoi

Today we fly out of Hue in the direction of Vietnam's time capsule capital. A trio of influences and filled with romance, 2-nights here will see us utterly smitten.
With an epic fusion of French, Chinese & Vietnamese influence, you'll be nothing short of ecstatic as we check-in to our Hanoi hotel, right in the middle of the bustling Old Quarter. Our time will be spent weaving through a maze of 36 trading streets filled with colourful goods for sale, and unwinding in the walled gardens of the Temple of Literature. Later, we'll roam French-style boulevards and maybe dine on a nom ngo sen lotus-stem salad, dau chien ron fried tofu & a few bia hoi beers.

Day 25: Hanoi to Halong Bay

After a Hanoi history 101 lesson we move on to Halong Bay where a night on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site awaits.
A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's, but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We will pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos, & stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful daypacked with No Regrets moments and simply unforgettable experiences.

Day 26: Halong Bay to Hanoi

Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast and a grotto swim - quite possibly being joined by some monkey shaped friends. Make the most of your time on the junk boat & kayak your way around Halong Bay - the views don't get much better than this.
After cruising back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive. The quirky world-famous water puppet performance in Red River Delta makes for the perfect send off, should you fancy opting for something a bit different.

Day 27: Depart Hanoi

Enjoy one final squad breakfast this morning before the tour wraps up. Hug it out and make plans to reunite somewhere fabulous sometime soon - Latin America, perhaps?