Vietnam & Cambodia

Hanoi to Angkor Wat....

the mighty temples of Angkor Wat are home to one of man’s most spectacular and stunning creations.

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VIETNAM

Today, almost 30 years after the end of the what is referred to as the “American War” Vietnam is rushing headlong into the 21 st Century. Yet for most, daily life remains largely unchanged - oxen plough the fields and the rice is planted and harvested in time tested ways. Families shop in local markets and fishermen harvest the sea from little woven boats or huge web like nets suspended from tall poles. Yet Vietnam is on the move, reaching out to capture the dubious delights of the modern world – Honda scooters, cars, Internet, TV.....Sadly, change will come, but not too soon we hope. The people are lovely and the overwhelming impression which soon envelopes you, is the warmth and friendliness of the people, especially the little children.

This journey through Vietnam is fascinating – involving bus, train, boat, plane and a host of other novel modes. Many memories will linger, the smiles and warmth of its people, conical hats and bustling markets, verdant green paddy fields and young girls cycling, so elegant in their flowing white ao dais.

• Ethnic Minority Hill Tribes - 3 days in the beautiful Bac Ha region, renowned for its mystic landscapes and colourful minority tribes. Walk in the terraced countryside, visit ethnic villages and browse the local markets.
• Hoi An – Once an old trading port, today Hoi An is a World Heritage Site, perhaps the most charming spot in all Vietnam. Great for countryside cycling and custom made clothes. Take part in a cooking demonstration and enjoy a day trip to My Son Cham culture ruins.
• Mekong Delta - 2 days exploring this vast maze of waterways and twisted channels, visit home industries and crafts, fish farms and floating markets. Stay one night in a small simple riverside “home stay”, the second in a hotel close to the Cambodian Border.
• Hanoi – French Colonial heritage, bustling markets, “Water Puppet” theatre.
• Halong Bay – A World Heritage Park, cruise amidst 3,000 islands in a traditional junk. Stay on board overnight and explore the hidden beaches and coves by kayak.
• Hue – dragon boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Imperial Tombs and a Forbidden City.
• Ho Chi Minh City - where the old and new ways blend, wonderful markets.

CAMBODIA.

From the Vietnamese Border travel by river boat along one of the busiest waterways in South East Asia, the Mekong River to enter Cambodia. This newly emerging country has seen little tourism to date but it has some wonderful things to see and experience. Spend time in the capital Phnom Penh, a city of faded colonial glory, before travelling by road to the magnificent temple complexes of Angkor Wat. Built by the Khmer Kings between the 9 th and 13 th centuries Angkor Wat lay hidden by the jungle for 500 years, lost and forgotten. Now uncovered its vast structures are regarded as one of the Wonders of the World..

Draft Itinerary Outline

Day 1. Auckland to Hanoi – flight departs Auckland very early morning, arrives Hanoi around midday
Day 2. Hanoi - sightseeing of the Old City by cyclo, evening Water Puppets Show
Day 3. Hanoi to Train - outer city sightseeing, overnight train to Bac Ha
Day 4. Bac Ha - arrive early morning, local markets, village visits
Day 5. Bac Ha - Bac Ha Sunday Markets, sightseeing by jeeps and trekking
Day 6. Bac Ha to Train - countryside exploration by jeeps and trekking
Day 7. Train to Halong Bay - overnight cruise on a traditional junk, island visits and kayaking.
Day 8. Halong to Train - cruise conintues, afternoon return Hanoi, overnight train to Hue
Day 9. Hue - city tour, Perfumed River cruise, Royal Tombs and Citadel
Day 10. Hue to Hoi Ann - via Hai Van Pass, Marble Mountain, China Beach and Cham Museum
Day 11. Hoi Ann - walking Heritage Tour, afternoon free
Day 12. Hoi Ann - My Son Cham site visit
Day 13. Hoi Ann - countryside cycling with home industry visits, afternoon free
Day 14. Hoi Ann to Saigon - fly, afternoon free
Day 15. Saigon - city sightseeing, afternoon free
Day 16. Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels excursion
Day 17. Saigon to Mekong Delta - overnight riverside home-stay guest house
Day 18. Mekong Delta - continue Delta programme, overnight Chau Doc
Day 19. Chau Doc to Phnom Penh - by river boat, Phnom Penh sightseeing
Day 20. Phnom Penh - sightseeing
Day 21. Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - by bus
Day 22. Siem Reap - visit Angkor Wat complex
Day 23. Siem Reap - visit Angkor Wat complex
Day 24. Siem Reap to flight
Day 25. Arrive Auckland

Transports

For the most part we will travel by private bus, giving us the freedom to stop and explore the many places which I just know will take your fancy. There will be one internal flight from Danang to Saigon and three overnight train journeys; to and from Sapa and the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue. All using AC Soft Sleeper class, a light blanket is provided.

We will often make use of traditional modes of local transport – cyclo’s for cruising city streets and a variety of boats and canoes of all shapes and sizes, as we cruise the coastline, journey up rivers, and wend our way through the intricate maze of canals and tributaries which make up the Mekong Delta. In addition there will be a bike ride in Hoi An.

Meals

We have deliberately not included the cost of food, other than breakfasts and the occasional lunch and dinner, as it will be cheaper, more convenient and certainly more interesting for you to choose your own menu. Vietnamese cooking is great, with a wide range of fruit and vegetables and cooking styles, allow NZ$25+ a day, you will eat well.

Accommodations

Our hotels are comfortable Star** to Star*** grade. Rooms are normally twin share with private facilities and breakfast included. However, for the first Mekong night stay in a communal-styled family home-stay on the banks of the canal and there is one night on a traditional junk boat.

Trip Data

Price will include - Flights AKL/AKL, Meals – all B, 3D, 2L, hotels, transport and a very inclusive programme of sights and activities as per itinerary.

Group Size - 11 to 17 plus leader

Important Notice 2009 Pricing

Regrettably the pricing for this trip cannot be ascertained this far in advanced. We anticipate being able to offer a more accurate figure by late March/April.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for important general information. For more specific details about this trip (including an itinerary) please Contact Us.