My Son and beyond from Hoi An

08.30 Your Jeep and guide will meet you at your hotel. We begin our adventure on the coast road headed toward the famed Marble Mountains.

 

09.00 Dominating the skyline, we arrive at Marble Mountains. Its five mountains are named after five elements: metal, fire, wood, earth and water. They are home to numerous tunnels, pagodas, caves and many grottoes ready to be explored. Walk the stone stairs to the top of Thuy Son (Water Mountain) for a panoramic view of the nearby countryside.

 

10.00 After exploring the Marble Mountains, we continue our journey through the countryside and the beautiful rural surrounds, making our way to Hilltop 55. Presently a quiet place to stop and enjoy the views, Hilltop 55 was historically a very significant war time site: featuring in the Indochina and Vietnam wars. Arriving at the top, the sweeping views and strategic advantage offered to those that occupied it can clearly be understood.

 

10.45 We are surrounded by stunning countryside and now it’s time to explore the tracks that are off the beaten path. Journey through the countryside and enjoy the local people working in the rice fields or tending the buffalo or simply enjoying the day. There are many opportunities for photos.

 

12.00 We arrive at a local restaurant where enjoy a delicious local lunch of My Quang. My Quang is a provincial dish, named after the province of Quang Nam. Enjoy a coffee and enjoy your noodles and say hello to the local people also enjoying their lunch.

 

13.00 After lunch we return to the jeep where My Son is only a short drive away. These

8th century Cham Towers are impressive and, with our timing, we should have them mostly

to ourselves. We enjoy a guided walking tour which begins with a short ascent along a track

bordered by jungle. As we reach the top, the fascinating ruins appear. While you explore the

area and your guide will explain the history of the religious site which served as a burial place

for the Cham monarchs many centuries ago.

 

14.30 Our time at the sanctuary has come to an end, and in the mid-afternoon we begin our drive back to Hoi An. Taking a different route to that which brought us here, we take roads parallel to the Thu Bon River. The afternoon light casts a different hue on the farms, water and roads, great for photos or as a scenic backdrop for the trip. All good things must come to an end however, and we’ll reach Hoi An just in time for sunset.

17.00 Return to your hotel and the tour concludes. Tour can also start and finish in Danang.