Summit to Sea - Yunnan, Laos, Vietnam (20 Days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Lao, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery…
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Itinerary Map
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Day11 In and around Muang Xai – A day in Laos coutryside Day1 Arrival in Kunming – Preparing for your journey and onto Shangri-La Day2 In and around Shangri-La – Explore Shangri-La’s surroundings Day3 Shangri-La to Deqin – Gorgeous scenery and glaciers Day4 Deqin to Cizhong – To the heart of the Mekong Valley Day5 Cizhong to Tacheng – Along the dramatic Langcang (Mekong) valley Day6 In Tacheng – Walking with the monkeys and a day off the road Day7 Tacheng to Xizhou – To the shores of Lake Erhai Day 8 Xizhou to Kunming – Back to the city Day9 Kunming to Xishuangbanna – Into Yunnan’s tropical South Day10 Xishuangbanna to Muang Xai – Crossing the border into Laos
Day12 Muang Xai to Dien Bien Phu – Through tropical forest to Vietnam Day 13 Dien Bien Phu to Moc Chai – A homestay experience Day 14 Moc Chai to Mai Chau – Wonderful roads & vistas Day15 Mai Chau – In and around Mai Chau Day16 Mai Chau to Yen Cat – On the way south...on the Ho Chi Minh Highway Day17 Yen Cat to Dong Hoi – In beautiful countryside toward Central Vietnam Day18 Dong Hoi to Hue – To the capital of old Vietnam Day19 Hue to Hoi An – Arriving in Hoi An, a quiant old town by the ocean Day20 Hoi An – Life must go on...?
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Yes, it is possible... A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure! This beautiful itinerary is unique in the world. It will take you from Yunnan’s mountains to the old town of Hoi’an in Central Vietnam. A driving journey along this route counts among the finest in the world: along winding mountain roads, some of Asia’s best highways and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh national road from the edge of Tibet, where the air is fresh and invisible, to the beaches of subtropical Vietnam. All along this superb itinerary you will enjoy the best accommodation available, staying in some of Asia’s loveliest hotels and travel through an area steeped in the cultures of many different ethnic minorities and through some of the region’s most stunningly beautiful countryside.
On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey – crossing the Mekong on a local car ferry, winding your way along lush country roads – without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...
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A colourful WELCOME as you APPROACH TIBET...”
Tibetan prayer flags
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Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Along the way, one of the LARGEST MONASTERIES in SOUTH-WEST China…”
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RED-ROBED MONKS in Shangri-La�
At the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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A chance to PURIFY YOUR MIND?�
Prayer Session at Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
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Kawagebo peak in the Meili Snow Mountain range
What a SUNRISE at the EDGE of TIBET …”
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Cizhong, Mekong Valley
A TIBETAN CATHOLIC VILLAGE in Northwestern Yunnan…”
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Lunch in THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…”
In the Tacheng lodge
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In the Tacheng lodge
SLEEPING WELL while FAR AWAY from anywhere...”
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Visiting the CUTEST MONKEYS in the world…”
Yunnan Snub-Nosed monkeys
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The Yangtze’s upper reaches
Your JOURNEY in the THREE PARALLEL RIVERS region...”
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Lake Erhai, Xizhou, near Dali
Take a lake shore DRIVE and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sunset reflections…”
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Xizhou
VIEW from your hotel TERRACE...”
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Rubber trees in Xishuangbanna
XISHUANGBANNA is a FERTILE land…”
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Tea trees in Xishuangbanna
XISHUANGBANNA, where TEA thrives…”
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XISHUANGBANNA, the home of Yunnan’s DAI MINORITY …”
Dai minority village in Xishuangbanna
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Aini minority lady in Xishuangbanna
XISHUANGBANNA, home as well to MANY smaller MINORITIES…”
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Golden-robed MONKS in XISHUANGBANNA are a commonplace...�
A young monk in Xishuangbanna
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Over TEN THOUSAND plant species are found here in this GARDEN...�
Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden
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Explore MINORITY villages along the road sides…”
Laos, on the way to Muang La
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VIEW from the road side...�
Travelling through northern Lao
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Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort
A GEM of a hotel in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE...”
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Northern Vietnam, on the way South
Your COMPANION on the road...”
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One of many MINORITIES in Northern Vietnam…”
Northern Vietnam, on the way South...
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One of many minorities in Northern Vietnam
MARKET DAYS are always a great OPPORTUNITY to see local life...”
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Moc Chau homestay...
Sleep in a TRADITIONAL STILT HOUSE located in the heart of a black Thai village”
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In and around Mai Chau
Mai Chau LIES in a beautiful VALLEY...”
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In and around Mai Chau
Sol Bungalows, a HIDDEN GEM in the middle of PADDY FIELDS...”
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In and around Mai Chau
PADDY FIELDS and the canonical Vietnamese STRAW HATS everywhere...�
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In and around Mai Chau
LOVELY ENCOUNTERS in the paddy fields...”
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A White Thai Village dinner
ENJOY an evening with the LOCALS and RICE WINE...”
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Images of Ho Chi Minh Highway
Roads, mountains, Roads, Berge, transport, Transport, people...” people...”
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Images of Ho Chi Minh Highway
Roads, mountains, transport, people...�
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Images of Ho Chi Minh Highway
Roads, mountains, transport, people...�
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The Sun Spa Resort in Dong Hoi
Right by the OCEAN...”
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Fish Market in Dong Hoi
Ocean, BOATS and our CARS...”
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Fish Market in Dong Hoi
As LIVELY a place as you can IMAGINE...”
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In Hue’s Citadel
Where the KING used to give AUDIENCES...”
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The Hai Van pass
A boundary of KINGDOMS and CLIMATE, often fought over, sometimes tragic but never losing it’s ABILITY to INSPIRE AWE...”
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As last in Hoi An
Another UNESCO World Heritage site...�
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Hoi An
FINISHING off by the SEA...”
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