JANUARY 12-27, 2014
DAY ONE · SUNDAY/JANUARY 12, 2013
Depart on our overnight flight to Hanoi for the commencement of our two-week stay in Indochina.
DAY TWO · MONDAY/JANUARY 13, 2013
Upon arrival in Hanoi this evening we are met at the airport and assisted with custom formalities and led to our awaiting transfer to our especially selected 5-star deluxe hotel where we commence our stay in this far away land. Dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel after checking in.
DAY THREE · TUESDAY/JANUARY 14, 2013
Hanoi City Tour
Following breakfast at our hotel this morning we embark on a full day tour of Hanoi. Hanoi’s history dates back almost a thousand years. During that time it has witnessed numerous incursions from China, seen a host of Vietnamese emperors come and go and at one time even lose its status as the nation’s capital. This morning we will visit the famous Hanoi Hilton, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. After our picnic lunch, we we will visit the Museum of Ethnology, the Ngoc Son Temple, the Huc Bridge and Hoan Kiem Lake.
Prior to returning to our hotel for dinner we will attend a performance of the famous Water Puppet Theatre.
DAY FOUR · WEDNESDAY/JANUARY 15, 2013
Halong Bay
Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1,500 square km. With more than a thousand limestone peaks rising up from its crystalline emerald waters this area is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and now one of five World Heritage-listed sites in Vietnam. Visitors have constantly marveled at Ha Long Bay’s natural beauty. The tiny islands are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created by the wind and the waves that provide an excellent backdrop for swimming or just lazing about on the boat deck.
We depart Hanoi at 07:00 for the 3 ½ hour drive through the fertile flood plains of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Once at Ha Long City we board our private boat for a five-hour cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the bay. There will also be time for a swim in the bay’s emerald waters. We enjoy our lunch while on board. Upon our return to Hanoi we will have dinner and be transferred to the airport for our late night flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY FIVE · THURSDAY/JANUARY 16, 2013
Depart Ho Chi Minh City in the comfort of either a shared or private air conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival to the Cu Chi Tunnels, watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels. Also on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. For those interested there’s even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.At its height the Cu Chi tunnel system stretched over 250km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American/Vietnam war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!)
DAY SIX · FRIDAY/JANUARY 17, 2013
Our morning tour will acquaint us with some major sights of Ho Chi Minh. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!.
DAY SEVEN · SHABBAT/JANUARY 18, 2013
Shabbat in Ho Chi Minh City is enjoyed with the local Chabad community
DAY EIGHT ·SUNDAY/JANUARY 19, 2013
The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. Mekong Delta is not only the biggest rice basket but also the biggest fruit gardens of Vietnam. After an early morning departure from our Ho Chi Minh City hotel in our private vehicle, we will embark a private boat to cruise towards Kai Beh and Vinh Long, where we will visit a local garden and house to see orchards; rice crisped producing process, etc…
We continue cruising after a break for lunch cruising along the Mekong River to see the peaceful and tranquil life of villagers and admire the marvelous natural setting of the Mekong Delta region. In the mid-afternoon we will arrive to the Vinh Long Market where we will walk around before returning to Ho Chi Minh City stopping along the way at the Mekong rest stop. Dinner is enjoyed at the Chabad Center upon our return.
DAY NINE · MONDAY/JANUARY 20, 2013
We are transferred to the airport this morning for our brief flight to Hue. This small and quiet town was once Vietnam’s feudal capital from 1802 to 1945. We visit the massive Imperial Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. The next stop is an elaborate mausoleum dedicated to Emperor Tu Duc. We see this masterpiece and enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River giving us a chance to visit the beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda and the Khai Dinh tomb and catch the spectacular sunset. The sightseeing also includes Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts . From here we journey southwards to our spectacular resort in Hoi An (apx 2 hours drive) where we will spend the next two nights.
DAY TEN · TUESDAY/JANUARY 21, 2013
We enjoy a spectacular day in Hoi An today including visits to the Chua Cau Temple and the covered bridge. Our walking tour will include crossing the Japanese Bridge as well as a visit to the Phic Kien Pagoda. The day’s highlight may behave some custom clothing made (and ready before we leave for Siam Reap) by one of the exquisite tailors in one of the silk factories or visiting the local market. If possible we will arrange a Cooking Class utilizing vegetables and kosher products brought with us from Ho Chi Minh City. This is still tentative. All meals will be enjoyed at our 5-star resort.
DAY ELEVEN ·WEDNESDAY/JANUARY 22, 2013
This afternoon we fly from Danang to Siam Reap where – some would say we’ve saved the best for last!
Upon arrival and after clearing immigration and customs, be transferred by our local guide to hotel for check in where we take in the amazing breathtaking views from our hotel and enjoy dinner.
DAY TWELVE · THURSDAY/JANUARY 23, 2013
ANGKOR VISIT
This morning after breakfast we will visit of a selection of temples, including the Royal City of Preah Khan with impressive sculptures, Neak Pean built on a small circular island, Ta Som, East Mebon, Preah Rup.
This afternoon we will continue our visits by Thommanon Temple , Ta Keo , one of Angkor’s great mountain temples, Ta Prohm with a part of the jungle, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang a Royal bathing place, Prasat Kravan with unique brick sculptures. We will visit Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siam Reap. Les Chantiers Ecole was founded in 1992 and its aim is to revive that ancient Khmer art. This organization gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone, wood carving, and silk weaving.
DAY THRTEEN · FRIDAY/JANUARY 24, 2013
Siem Reap is the nearest town to the temple complex of Angkor. From the 9th to 13th century, Angkor was the heart of a rich and sophisticated civilization. You will see massive stone monuments, wide majestic causeways, imposing gateways and towers, all in a wonderful jungle setting.
Morning you will visit with your prived professional guide, the “Great City” of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Vat temple.
This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor’s construction.
At the end of afternoon, following the season, since the Mountain Bakend, the sunset on all the temples, with spectacular views over Angkor Vat.
This morning we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the “village” move from place to place following water levels and current.
afternoon, we will visit Siam Reap central market and the Silk Farm in Puok, established by a French NGO to revive Cambodia’s beautiful silk production. We can see every step of silk production .
DAY FOURTEEN · SHABBAT/JANUARY 25, 2013
A peaceful and relaxing Shabbat is enjoyed in Siam Reap. Our guide will lead us in a walk this afternoon. NOTE: No organized Shabbat services are available in Siam Reap and we can’t guarantee a minyan.
DAY FIFTEEN · SUNDAY/JANUARY 26, 2013
Morning we will visit the enchanting Banteay Srei. It appears that the temple was designed to leave no space undecorated, and the fine carvings in pink sandstone are quite unique. The second visit will be to Banteay Samre, with elaborate architecture and exceptional carvings, and we will visit a local village. Afternoon, visit of the earliest temples of Angkor area at the Roluos group. The three Roluos temples have been in years 877 to 889. They are the Bakong Temple Mountain with beautiful carvings on the false doors and lintels, the funerary temple of Preah Ko, and Lolei Temple. Following a farewell dinner at our hotel in Siam Reap we are transferred to the airport for our return flight home.
DAY SIXTEEN · MONDAY/JANUARY 27, 2013
Arrive back in the USA/Canada after a most memorable 15 days in Indochina.
OPTIONAL 3 day extension to Bangkok is available for those that desire (includes 2 ½ days of signtseeing)
COST PER PERSON
$8,995 based on double occupancy (Bangkok Extension $1,295)
Includes air fare from: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or Tel Aviv. Airfares available from other cities upon request.
3 Kosher Meals Daily
All airport transfers
Private Sightseeing as described with all admission fees with an English speaking tour guide
Services of an English speaking tour escort throughout the trip
LAND ONLY Deduct $1,400 (includes air within Asia)
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Visa fees (required for both Vietnam and Cambodia)
Snacks or items of a personal nature
Single Supplement – $1895
DELUXE CLASS HOTELS THROUGHOUT
Hanoi January 13-15
Ho Chi Minh City January 15-20
Hoi An January 20-23
Siam Reap January 23-27
Bangkok January 27-30 EXTENSION
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE