BEIJING TO HO CHI MINH CITY (28 days)

DAYS 1 - 2
XIAN
Welcome to China! Xi'an, our introduction to the country, provides an almost-perfect microcosm for China at large, with both ancient customs and ultra-modern ways existing simultaneously alongside one another. The history of Xi’an spans back more than 6000 years with over 13 dynasties placing their capitals here, and the city of equal importance with Athens, Cairo, and Rome as one of the world's four major capitals of ancient civilizations. Like many other cities in China it has modernised rapidly in recent years, so as well as these historic sites the city also boasts gleaming skyscrapers, high-speed trains and no shortage of places to buy high-tech gadgets.

The first day of the trip is free in Xi’an, giving you the opportunity to visit some of the sights, such as the Bell Tower, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, or to see the well-preserved City Wall that dates from the Ming Dynasty of the early 14th Century.

On day two we will take a trip to the attraction that Xi’an is arguably most famous for, the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. These are considered by many to be the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th Century and work is ongoing at this site. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 in 246 BC, Qin Shi Huang began work on his mausoleum - before becoming the first Emperor of China. It took eleven years to finish and it is believed he built this vast terracotta army to accompany him into the afterlife. The museum covers over 16,000 sq metres, with armies of soldiers and their horses arranged in lines under a giant aircraft hanger type roof. There are over 7,000 figures and it really is a remarkable sight.

DAYS 3 - 9
XIAN TO LUANG NAMTHA
We leave Xi'an and take an overnight sleeper train to Beijing for our included tour of the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. This section of the wall is in a stunning setting. Surrounded by wooded hills and mountains, the wall is well preserved and can be seen far into the distance, dotted with watchtowers.

The following morning is free for you to explore Beijing’s iconic sites such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before we board our afternoon train. This takes us to Chengdu, Sichuan province’s capital city and where the main highlight is the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Centre.

From here we board the bullet train to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the ‘Spring City’, and sat nearly 2000m above sea-level, Kunming enjoys a milder climate than we have so far been used to in China, and walking its tree-lined boulevards makes for a pleasant change of pace, although we are still in China so don’t expect it to be slow or boring! You can check out the Tang Dynasty-era Pagodas or the Yuatong Temple, some 1200 years old and contrasting with the rapid pace of modern China that is changing the city.

Passing through Mengla, we then continue to the border with Laos and bid farewell to China as our journey move on to our next destination.

DAYS 10 - 17
LUANG NAMTHA TO VANG VIENG
We enter Laos, known in antiquity as ‘The Land of a Million Elephants’, a country of verdant tropical landscapes dotted with thick, forested hills and sleepy towns and cities. Its rich history and varied culture make it a fantastic country to explore. Our first stop is Luang Namtha, with surrounding jungle and hills offering hikes, rafting and overnight village stays.

After a couple of nights in Luang Namtha we head to the former royal capital of Luang Prabang. In Luang Prabang, our base for the next four nights, we rejoin the Mekong River, and have the opportunity to explore its many temples, experience a wide range of colourful and varied cuisine and fully embrace South East Asia’s bustling backpacker scene. But for all its tourist appeal, the city has still retained its authenticity, partly due to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, but also because of the reverence paid to the city stemming from its role as a royal and religious centre through the region’s history. Here it is possible to hire a bicycle and explore the streets by yourself, visit the Pak Ou Caves take a cooking course, or just take a seat in one of the many bars or cafes and watch as Buddhist Monks, local traders and bewildered backpackers struggling with the heat and all other life unfolds in front of you. This is also where we will obtain our visas for Vietnam, which by now will be fast approaching.

Next stop, the riverside town of Vang Vieng, known for it's stunning natural scenery and outdoor activities you can spend the day, exploring many caves throughout the area, like Phu Kham or Tham Chang cave and enjoy swimming in the lagoons located within, there are opportunities for mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, inner tubing and much more.

DAYS 18 - 22
VANG VIENG TO SAVANNAKET
Leaving Vang Vieng we continue south to Vientiane, an unusually chilled-out capital city by South East Asian standards! There are many sights of interest, most notably the majestic Pha That Luang. Vientiane’s slow pace and subtle French character, a gentle reminder of its colonial past, make it well worth stopping for a couple of nights. This is also where we will obtain our visas for Vietnam, which by now will be fast approaching.

We leave the city behind us and return to the wilds of Laos as we reach Phu Hin Bun National Park where we take a longtail boat up the river into some spectacular caves and stay in a rustic bush lodge overlooking the river. We continue to follow the river south to Savannaket, a decent-sized town with a sense of faded colonial splendour as crumbling French buildings slowly give way to modern Laos. We have one last chance to enjoy a ‘Beer Lao’ before an early start the next morning to head east into Vietnam.

DAYS 23 - 29
SAVANNAKET TO NHA TRANG
Hue, one of Vietnam’s cultural and religious centres is set on the banks of the Song Huong (Perfume River) and close to the coast. The Citadel(Kinh Thanh) and the opulent tombs of the Nguyen Emperors are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and for those interested in more recent history there is an optional day trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from the Vietnam War.

After our time in Hue we head south to Hoi An, known for its Old Town, criss-crossed by canals and multicultural history as a key trading port throughout Vietnam’s history. There are nearby white sandy beaches and also local cooking courses are available, but the city is perhaps best-known for its many tailors, so this is the place to get a bargain as you plan ahead to the cosmopolitan and modern cities that await us later in our trip! For those less sartorially-minded, there are plenty of water-based activities and adventure activities in the surrounding area, as well as good diving on offer.

We continue to beach hop along the popular backpacker route to the coastal resort city, Nha Trang known for its beaches, diving sites and offshore islands.

DAYS 30 - 32
NHA TRANG TO HO CHI MINH CITY
Feeling fully relaxed and recharged, we reach Vietnam’s frenetic economic centre of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), also known as Saigon. This city pulsates 24/7, as countless motorbikes swarm through its crowded streets and there is plenty to keep us occupied for a couple of days. We will visit the War Remnants Museum and you will have time to see Reunification Palace, or take a day trip to the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels, where the Vietcong dug out an underground network of supply lines during the war. Also, not far from HCMC you can visit the Cao Dai Temple, a unique religious sect that fuses many different elements with colourful and memorable services that visitors are welcome to observe. There are also day trips available to the Mekong Delta, to see where this mighty river finally ends its long journey into the sea