Everest Trekking, Vancouver, BC, Tours to India, Nepal

Vietnam, Cambodia

The Splendours of Indochina

March 2009
Leader: Judy Moore

Trek Grade: Easy

Vietnam & Cambodia Vietnam & Cambodia


Splendours of Indochina
A tour with Judy Moore

March 2009

 

Join Judy  for a grand spin through Viet Nam and Cambodia. We have researched the best possible tour of these two fascinating countries. 
 
Hanoi, the Paris of the Orient is next with its water puppets, fascinating street life, superb food and teeming motorcycle traffic.
 
We take a side trip to Ninh Binh to see the poetic landscape of karsts and electric green rice fields along the Chicken Canal.  This area is still a secret where you won't see many tourists. 
 
Another flight takes us to Danang and on to Hoi An and Hue, We'll want to learn more about the "American War" and how these warm and friendly people shaped their newly emerged nation. 
 
We'll attend a famous cooking school and perhaps make crab in a banana leaf!
 
Traditional architecture, bike rides in the countryside, and a chance to make your own lantern are other highlights. And don't forget to bring a treasured item of clothing to be copied overnight by expert tailors.
 
Three days in Saigon allow us to explore the southern Vietnamese culture that is bold and brash and definitely on the move. Our sanctuary will be the Majestic Hotel in central Saigon, a character hotel that maintains the charm of the French colonial period.
 
The tour starts at Siem Reap to tour the splendid World Heritage Centre of Angkor. Nearby is the largest lake in Asia, Tonle Sap where we travel by boat to see floating fishing villages and rare birds such as the painted stork and the oriental darter.
 
Resource:  Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia                  Michael Buckley                                    Moon Publications
 

Depart Toronto March 11, 2009            Return Toronto Mar 31

 

Land Price  $3,200 CAD

Single Supplement  $950

Air Price  $2,500 CAD

Prices subject to change

 
 
Land Price includes: hotel accommodation (dble occupancy), breakfast, airport transfers, all domestic air and ground transportation, guides, entrance fees, boat trips and tour staff gratuities.
 
Air Prices includes: Cathay Pacific economy air from Toronto to Hong Kong and Siem Reap, Hong Kong hotel outbound plus airport transfers.
 
 
  

 

 

Splendours of Indochina

ITINERARY

Leader: Judy Moore

 
 
 

Day 1              fly YYZ / HKG                                                                  Wed Mar 11, 2009

                        CX827                        0925        
 
Day 2              arrive Hong Kong            1255                                       Mar 12
                        Park Hotel - Kowloon
 
Day 3              Hong Kong Island – peak                                                Mar 13
                        fly HKG / Siem Reap FT827   1705 / 1845
                        Angkor Village Hotel
 
 

Date

From

To

By

Itinerary

Hotel

13 Mar Fri

HKG

 

 

REP

???

FT Flight

O/A

On arrival, transfer to hotel.

In the evening, enjoy the dinner with Apsara dance show at the hotel's restaurant. ( D)

Angkor Village

Deluxe

14 Mar Sat

REP

 

Road

In the early morning, enjoy the special sunrise at the Angkor Wat. Then, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, get back to this great temple to view its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs.

In mid-afternoon, explore the ancient Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue the journey by viewing the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terraces, the Leper King Terrace.

End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng. (B)

NOTE: Pax don't want to take the tour around the midday because of the heat.

Angkor Village

Deluxe

15 Mar Sun

REP

 

Road

 

Morning pick up from hotel, transfer by car to the dock at close to the Tonle Sap lake. The journey begins on a wooden boat, gliding through floating villages and a flooded forest. Arrive at the Prek Toal bird sanctuary to view indigenous and migrating birds. Observe birds on the brink of extinction, such as local marabous, ibis, storks, and pelicans. A conservation project is underway, and observation posts are being established for bird watchers. Boat back to the dock, pick up and transfer back to the hotel. [B, L]

Breakfast box prepared by the hotel & lunch box by VIDO.

==> The visit to the Preak Toal is up to the water level.

Angkor Village

Deluxe

16 Mar Mon

REP

 

Road

In the early morning, we drive to visit the Bantei Srei temple. On the way back the hotel, visit the Landmine Museum (Canadian funded).

In the afternoon, visit the Ta Phrom & Bantey Kdei temples.

Dinner at hotel. [B, D] 

Angkor Village

Deluxe

17 Mar Tue

REP

1330

SGN

1430

 

 

VN 826

VIDO

 

Transfer to airport for the flight to the flight to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to hotel.

In the afternoon, take a half day city tour of Saigon. Private tour accompanied by your guide. [B]

Majestic

Colonial

 

18 Mar Wed

SGN

VINH LONG

Road

Depart Saigon for a scenic morning drive to Cai Be, stopping en route at the ornate Cao Dai Temple in Ben Luc. From Cai Be, take a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries to view the daily lives of people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. The trip includes a visit to the unique "floating" market at Cai Be, and to a family-run business producing rice paper - a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Lunch is on an island mid-river, in a local house set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees and then followed by a performance of traditional Vietnamese music. Return to Saigon. [B, L]

Majestic

Colonial

 

19 Mar Thu

SGN

1720

DAD

1830

VN 326

VIDO

 

In the morning, take a visit to Cu Chi Tunnels.

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to hotel. (B)

Ancient House

Superior

20 Mar Fri

HOI AN

 

Road

Embark on a half-day walking tour of this quaint town visiting ancient merchants' houses, a Hokkien temple, a 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the vibrant riverside market. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Ancient House

Superior

21 Mar Sat

HOI AN

 

Bicycle

Hoi An–Kim Bong Cycling–Thanh Ha– Tra Que Village

Morning boat cruise to Kim Bong village where we visit a ship building yard & cycle through the village with stops at old colonial houses, temples and local cottage factories. Cruise to Thanh Ha pottery village & visit a traditional ceramic workshop. Visitors have a chance to "get their hands dirty" making their own creations. In the afternoon visit a lantern workshop. Learn how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create your own. Drive to Tra Que village to discover the traditional gardening methods, join the farmers in the fields, try some local dishes & indulge in a relaxing foot soak using a homegrown herbal remedy. [B]

Ancient House

Superior

22 Mar Sun

HOI AN

 

 

The morning is left at leisure.

In the afternoon, take a cooking class at Red Bridge. Dinner will be the dishes that the class members have prepared. (B, D)

Ancient House

Superior

23 Mar Mon

HOI AN

HUE

Road

After breakfast, take a private transfer to Hue, optional stopping in Danang to visit the Marble Mountains and the Cham Museum. On arrival in Hue, check in your hotel.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Minh Mang's Tomb. [B]

Morin

Superior

 

24 Mar Tue

HUE

 

Road

In the morning, take a visit to the Khai Dinh and Tu Duc's tombs. In the afternoon, take a visit to the Citadel and the Dong Ba market by cyclo. [B]

Morin

Superior

 

25 Mar Wed

HUE

 

Bicycle

In the morning, cycle through bamboo groves and villages to the Thanh Toan covered bridge. The cycling route continues along local paths and through villages and rice fields to Sam market and Thuong Lam Pagoda. (Total 23km cycling on flat roads). [B]

Morin

Superior

 

26 Mar Thu

HUI

1440

HAN

1550

VN 244

VIDO

 

Transfer to airport for the flight to the flight to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to hotel. (B)

In the evening, Water Puppet Show. (B)

Hoa Binh Palace

Deluxe

27 Mar Fri

HAN

 

Road

Full day city tour of Hanoi. Private tour with your Guid, driver and vehicle.

(B)

Hoa Binh Palace

Deluxe

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 Mar Sat

Hanoi

Ninh Binh

Road

Hanoi–Vuon Thi -Ninh Binh

Drive to Van Long and on arrival enjoy a panoramic bicycle ride taking in paddy fields, pagodas, small villages and the village market. Next stop, Vuon Thi Village where you will be able to interact with local people and participate in daily activities. You will soon discover the lifestyle, hospitality and friendliness of the local Northern people.  Experience the preparation of lunch with a local family and then sit down with them for a feast to remember. After lunch, stroll around the village and discover the traditional techniques used in the growing of rice and local methods of fishing. You can even roll up your sleeves and join the farmers in the fields! Later on, experience the dramatic soaring limestone cliffs on a peaceful river boat cruise. Drive to Ninh Binh for overnight. OVERNIGHT IN NINH BINH. [B, L]

Thuy Anh

Old Wing

 

29 Mar Sun

Ninh Binh

 

Road

In the morning start cycling to Thung Nang valley through pleasant mountain scenery. Boat cruise to Thung Nang valley and take a short walk. Cruise back to dock and optional cycle back to Tam Coc.  [B]

Thuy Anh

Old Wing

 

30 Mar Mon

Ninh Binh

HAN

Road

Drive back to Hanoi. Optional stop at Hoa Lu to visit temples dedicated to two ancient Vietnamese kings.

In the evening, enjoy the farewell dinner at Le Tonkin restaurant. [B, D]

Hoa Binh Palace

Deluxe

 

31 Mar Tue

HAN

1105

HKG

1355

CX790

O/A

Transfer to airport for flight home

[B]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
Day 21                        fly HAN / HKG / YYZ                                                     Mon Mar 31
                        CX790   1105 / 1355
                        CX826            1635 / 1915   same day
 
 
 
 
Inclusive of:
Exclusive of:
Hotel accommodation & breakfast
Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia visa
Private airports transfer & transportation on tours
Personal expenses
Regional ENGLISH speaking guide
Drinks with meals
Entrance fee + boat trip
Meals where not indicated
Vietnam visa processing
Compulsory meals
Flights: REP-SGN-DAD, HUI-HAN (Economy)
Airport tax in Lao and Cambodia
Meals as indicated
Tour staff gratuity
International flight reconfirmation