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Tour :
| 24 Day Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure Tour |
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| Tour Cost :
| AUD$3,975.00 per person twin share. This price includes airport taxes and levies of $370.00. |
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| Tour Departs:
| 10 June 2010 |
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| What's Included: |
This wonderful tour goes off the usual tourist track and is great value as it includes:
Airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Hanoi and out of Siem Reap with Singapore Airlines and two domestic flights within Asia.A 18 day Vietnam tour by coach, air and train, visiting the Sapa hill tribe area, the former demilitarized zone, the central tablelands and the Mekong Delta.A four day tour of Cambodia visiting Phnom Penh and the wonderful world heritage Angkor Wat complex.
Good 3 to 4 star accommodation, or the best available in isolated areas.All transport including the boat on the Mekong River between Chau Doc in Vietnam and Phnom Penh.Entrance fees to many attractions.
A one day Singapore stopover.Full breakfast daily, plus most other meals.Australian tour leader and Vietnamese and Cambodian tour guides.
We do our best to match up travelers without partners wishing to travel at twin share rates, but this is not guaranteed. For a single room there is an extra charge of $885.
This tour is designed mainly for clients who have already been to Vietnam and done the standard Siagon to Hanoi tour. Virtually everyone who has been to Vietnam loves this destination and would like to go back and see more of the country. |
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| Notes: |
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| Tour Itinerary: |
Note: Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
10.06.10 Australia - Singapore
Depart Melbourne at 10.10am on SQ 238, arriving in Singapore at 4.05pm.
Depart Sydney at 11.30am on SQ 232, arriving in Singapore at 5.45pm.
Depart Brisbane at 2.45pm on SQ 236, arriving in Singapore at 8.45pm.
All passengers will be transferred to your hotel in the central Singapore.
Accommodation: Peninsular Excelsior Hotel.
11.06.10 (D) Singapore - Hanoi
Depart Singapore at 10.00am on SQ 176, arriving in Hanoi at 12.30pm.You will be met and transferred to your hotel. One hour interesting cyclo ride around the French & the old quarter of Hanoi. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel.
12.06.10 (B/L/D) Hanoi - Sapa
Morning city tour visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, residence, One Pillar Pagoda then to the Museum of Ethnology to have a glimpse at different ethnic minorities before going to the north west of Vietnam. Lunch at KOTO. The afternoon is at leisure then head off to a water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art before dinner at a local restaurant.We transfer to the train station to board the TSC Train to Sapa at 9.15pm. This first class sleeper carriage train has four seats to a compartment which converts into four sleeping bunks (2 upper/2 lower) for the overnight portion of the journey. The bunks are provided with sheets, pillows and a blanket, though some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet.
Accommodation: TSC Train.
13.06.10 (B/L/D) Lao Cai - Bac Ha Sunday Market - Sapa
Arrive at Lao Cai station at 5.30am, having breakfast at a local restaurant before heading off to Bac Ha Market, a regular market held every Sunday for ethnic minorities. There you'll see the gathering of thousands of people of H'Mong, Phu La, Dao, Tien and Tay ethnic minorities wearing their colourful traditional costumes. It is a riot of colour and fun, an opportunity to explore the colourful market and meet the local tribal people to appreciate their culture and their own tradition. Lunch in Bac Ha. After lunch we head off to Sapa, on the way a stop at Lao Cai town for an opportunity to take photos at the border gate between Vietnam and China. Arrive Sapa late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel (Mountain View).
14.06.10 (B/L)
A Sapa is a hill station built in 1922. The whole area is spectacular, as Sapa lies in a valley surrounded by paddy fields in a variety of shades of green, but is overlooked by Vietnam's highest mountain, Mount Fansipan. You will see the local minority groups, the H'mong and the Dzao people, the largest and the most colourful ethnic groups in the region. After breakfast take a 4km drive to the rim of a deep valley. Along the road you'll see H'Mong, Dzay and Dzao minority people dressed in their traditional costumes. There is a two hour walk around Ta Van and Lao Chai, home to all three minorities. Observe their daily lives for a rare glimpse into their culture and costumes. Lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel (Mountain View) .
15.06.10 (B/L/D) Sapa - Dien Bien Phu
Depart Sapa for Dien Bien Phu, a long driving journey. Enjoy the most spectacular scenery along 4D and 12 highway. On the way stop at Silver Waterfall and the Heaven Gate. Lunch on the way. Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: At the best available in Dien Bien Phu.
16.06.10 (B/L/D) Dien Bien Phu - Hanoi
In the morning we'll see A1 Hill, the main battlefield in 1954 where the French were defeated by Viet Minh; Dien Bien Phu War Museum; and the shelter of the French commanding general in Dien Bien Phu, then head off to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Early dinner at a local restaurant before heading off to Hanoi Railway Station to board the night train S1 to Dong Hoi.
Accommodation: SI Train (4 berth air-conditioned compartment with tour guide escorting on the train).
17.06.10 (B/L/D) Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - DMZ - Hue
Arrive at Dong Hoi railway station and then proceed for a shower and breakfast at a hotel. Drive up north to Phong Nha, take a boat trip from a critical point of the Ho Chi Minh trail to go inside and visit Phong Nha cave, known as the longest and most beautiful harst cave in the world. Return to Dong Hoi for lunch at a local restaurant, then head south at Hien Luong Bridge crossing Ben Hai River known as DMZ on the way to Hue. Arrive in Hue late afternoon.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel.
18.06.10 (B/L) Hue
In the morning we will visit the historically important Citadel of Hue, scene of savage fighting during the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. This is followed by a boat trip on the Perfume River and a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda. Lunch at a local restaurant. One hour cyclo tour around the city. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel.
19.06.10 (B/L) Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Depart Hue for the ancient town of Hoi An, the major trading port of Vietnam from the 16th to late 18th century. Beautiful drive on the way across the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), passing through many pretty red-tiled villages with fruit orchards, enjoying spectacular views of sky and sea. Stop over at China Beach where the Americans came for R & R during the Vietnam War. Lunch at an excellent restaurant in town Ly Cafe. After lunch a guided walking tour to discover the historic town of Hoi An, which was a prosperous seaport city during the 16th and 18th centuries. Its community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and French influences. It's been known as the "Tailor Capital" of Vietnam.
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel.
20.06.10 (B/D) Hoi An
The day is at leisure. A good place for wondering around and shopping especially tailoring, shoe-making and handbags. A good place to relax just only 4kms to the beach. One hour boat trip in the late afternoon on the Hoi An River before a cooking demonstration at a nice local restaurant "Morning Glory".
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel.
21.06.10 (B/D) Hoi An - Danang - Ban Me Thout
Morning at leisure. Check out of the hotel at 1.00pm heading off to Danang, stop over at the area of 5 Marble Mountain, China Beach then a visit to the Cham Museum and an early dinner at a local cafe before going to the airport for your flight to Ban Me Thout. Arrive in Ban Me Thout we'll attend a performance of ethnic dances, songs and gong music in a nearby village (or in the hotel, it depends on the local authority) and join the villagers in drinking local wine (if you are game!).
Accommodation: Damsan Hotel.
22.06.10 (B/L/D) Ban Me Thout - Dalat
In the morning a visit to an EDE hill-tribe village (it depends on the local authority) and to the spectacular Dry Sap Waterfall then transfer to Lak Lake, there we'll take a scenic boat ride in a traditional dug-out canoe & have a 45 minute elephant ride through the interesting countryside. Lunch in the village then drive through to beautiful, wonderful Dalat. Dinner at a nice restaurant in town.
Accommodation: Hoang Anh Resort.
23.06.10 (B/D) Dalat
In the morning we take a orientation of the city with 15 minute spectacular cable car ride then with visits to the Crazy House, Bao Dai's Summer Palace, the embroidery factory. In the afternoon enjoy a train ride through vegetable gardens to Trai Mat then visit Long Phuoc Pagoda, a famous beer bottle and ceramic fragments Pagoda in town. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hoang Anh Resort.
24.06.10 (B/L) Dalat - Saigon
Depart Dalat for Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon), a beautiful drive through rubber, coffee and tea plantations. On the way passing the La Nga floating village. Arrive in Saigon, Pho (traditional Vietnamese noodle soup) and spring rolls for lunch. After lunch a short walk around Saigon down town passing the Town Hall, Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office, then visit the Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace).
Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel or Rex Hotel.
25.06.10 (B) Saigon
The day is at leisure. Saigon is a good place for shopping, there are many little shops selling shirts, T-shirts, imitation watches, lacquer wares. The hotel is very central in the business centre of Saigon and just 10 minute walk from the central market.
Accommodation: Houng Sen Hotel or Rex Hotel.
26.06.10 (B/L/D) Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho
Depart Saigon for My Tho which is a two hour drive from Ho Chi Minh city. A prosperous town of 200,000 inhabitants in the Mekong Delta. It is famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. Enjoy a 4-5 hour boat ride on the Mekong River and visit an orchard on an island, coconut candy workshop, bee farm with lunch at a farmer's house.Continue on the journey, we are crossing an amazing bridge built with help from the Australian Government across the Mekong River in 2000 to Vinh Long then to Can Tho. Dinner at a nice local restaurant.
Accommodation: Saigon Can Tho Hotel or similar.
27.06.10 (B/L) Can Tho - Cai Rang - Soc Trang - Can Tho
Boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Cai Rang floating market. You have the opportunity to stop by an island to watch local villagers producing instant rice noodle (Hu Tieu), a boat builder yard and rice husking then free time before lunch in Can Tho. After lunch proceed to Soc Trang by land visit to Bat Pagoda, Clay Pagoda and a small Khmer Museum.
Accommodation: Saigon Can Tho Hotel or similar.
28.06.10 (B/L/D) Can Tho - Long Xuyen - Chau Doc
Depart Can Tho for Chau Doc with an en route visit by boat to the Bang Lang stork sanctuary in Thot Not, which offers also the view of the local people on the water. Transfer to the hotel then lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon a boat trip visit to a floating fish farm and a Cham village then driving up the mountain to see a spectacular view of the area from Sam Mountain. Farewell dinner at the hotel. From your hotel balcony you can see the very busy shipping activity from this amazing port on the Mekong River.
Accommodation: Victoria Chau Doc (River View).
29.06.10 (B/L/D) Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
Depart Chau Doc for Phnom Penh, a 4 hour boat trip on the Mekong River with 'Blue Cruiser' crossing the water boarder.Transfer from Phnom Penh boat pier to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon there is a Phnom Penh city tour. Visit the Independence Monument and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures from throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighting 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel.
30.06.10 (B/L/D) Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure to Siem Reap. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel (rooms may not be ready until the afternoon). In the morning, visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm. One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon. Lunch at hotel. Visit Preah Khan Temple, built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prom, however, Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Continue your visits to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain lake and visit the temple of Ta Som as well as Srah Srang (The Royal Baths), undoubtedly used in the past for ritual bathing. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort.
01.07.10 (B/L/D) Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolise Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch at hotel. In the afternoon visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century),. See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort.
02.07.10 (B/L) Siem Reap - Singapore - Australia
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning visit Banteay Srei Temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Visit a floating village and take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Lunch at the hotel. After lunch visit Les Artisan d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market (if time permits). Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport, departing at 6.10pm on MI 617 (Silk Air), arriving in Singapore at 9.25pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 11.35pm on SQ 237, arriving in Melbourne at 8.55am (03.07.10).
03.07.10 Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 12.10am on SQ 255, arriving in Brisbane at 9.35am.
Sydney passengers depart Sydney at 12.30am on SQ 231, arriving in Sydney at 9.55am.
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