18-to-Thirtysomethings: Vietnam & Laos on a Shoestring (AVSC)

Countries Visited: Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Thailand, Viet Nam
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Basic
  • Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences
  • Simple and clean hotels, guesthouses and hostels chosen for location and character
  • Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction
  • Plenty of optional activities tailored to your interests and budget
    Physical Demands Rating: 2 - There'll be some light walking and hiking. Suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
    Group Size: Max 18, avg 12.
    Meals Included: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
    Accommodations: Not Availaible

    Highlights
    Explore vibrant cities, snorkel colourful reefs, shop in quaint Hoi An, float among the karsts of Halong Bay, discover sleepy Laos, cruise the mighty Mekong River.

    Description
    Explore some of Southeast Asia's greatest highlights on this 20-day tour. Start your adventure in Ho Chi Minh City and spend some time getting to know your CEO and group. Make your way from city to city, exploring local markets, relaxing on the beach, or visiting historical sites (or all of it if you're really ambitious). You'll get the chance to hike in Vang Vieng, cruise the Mekong, visit the Doi Suthep temple, or catch a Thai boxing match before you go home. We promise you'll find time to sleep.

    • Call (858) 999-3025 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13740465

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    20 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1Ho Chi Minh CityDay 1 Ho Chi Minh City
    Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Once the capital of South Vietnam, this sprawling metropolis is now the country's commercial centre. Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Ho Chi Minh City. Additional Notes: Most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Please check with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy regarding requirements. Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
    Day 2Nha TrangDay 2 Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang (1B)
    Discover the energy of Vietnams biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk and continue exploring with free time. Overnight train to Nha Trang. Additional Notes: During January/February, Tst (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus. Included Activities: Orientation Walk Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (10.00-11.00 hours)
    Day 3Nha TrangDay 3 Nha Trang
    Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
    Day 4Da NangDay 4 Nha Trang/Da Nang (1B)
    In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An. Additional Notes: During January/February, Tst (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (9.00-10.00 hours)
    Day 5Hoi AnDay 5 Da Nang/Hoi An (1L)
    From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. Included Activities: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch Hoi An Orientation Walk Street Food Crawl Transport: Private Vehicle (0.75 hour(s))
    Day 6Hoi AnDay 6 Hoi An (1B)
    Enjoy free time; opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
    Day 7HusDay 7 Hoi An/Hus (1B)
    Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, take a Perfume River cruise or tour the countryside by motorbike. Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
    Day 8HanoiDay 8 Hus/Hanoi (1B)
    Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi. Transport: Basic overnight train (beds) (14.00 hour(s))
    Day 9Ha LongDay 9 Hanoi/Ha Long (1L)
    Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay. Included Activities: Hs Long Bay Junk Boat Trip Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
    Day 10HanoiDay 10 Ha Long/Hanoi (1B)
    Get to know Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter. Included Activities: Old Quarter Orientation Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
    Day 11HanoiDay 11 Hanoi
    Spend time exploring Hanoi.
    Day 12VientianeDay 12 Hanoi/Vientiane (1B)
    Explore a bit of Hanoi in the morning before an afternoon flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by tuk-tuk. Visit Laos most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientianes vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong. Transport: Plane (1.25 hour(s))
    Day 13Vang ViengDay 13 Vientiane/Vang Vieng (1B)
    A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts. Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00-4.00 hours)
    Day 14Vang ViengDay 14 Vang Vieng (1B)
    Why not explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.
    Day 15Luang PrabangDay 15 Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang (1B)
    This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Transport: Private Vehicle (7.00 hour(s))
    Day 16Luang PrabangDay 16 Luang Prabang (1B)
    Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
    Day 17Muang PakbengDay 17 Luang Prabang/Muang Pakbeng (1B, 1D)
    We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong. Included Activities: Mekong River Slow Boat Mekong River Homestay
    Day 18Chiang KhongDay 18 Muang Pakbeng/Chiang Khong (1B, 1L)
    This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon. Included Activities: Mekong River Slow Boat Border Crossing (Laos - Thailand)
    Day 19Chiang MaiDay 19 Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
    Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan. Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00-7.00 hours)
    Day 20Chiang MaiDay 20 Chiang Mai
    Depart at any time.
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

    Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
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