Indochina Tour Dossier Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery

Transcription

1 Indochina Tour Dossier Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery Discovery Tour 20 Days Active Pace

2 Discovery Tours Designed for those who wish to be further immersed in the authentic charm of Asia; our Discovery Tours include more cultural and active experiences. Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery tour highlights: Visit the home of a Water Puppeteer and watch a private show Take a street food tour of Hanoi s Old Quarter Hike the verdant rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi Cruise on the tranquil waters of Halong Bay Enjoy an invigorating Tai Chi session on Halong Bay Cycle through Hue, the perfect way to see this city s main sights Take a walking tour of charming Hoi An Wander past Saigon s many colonial treasures on a walking tour Head down to the Mekong Delta and explore by rickshaw Browse for wares at the Cai Rang Floating Market Take a tuk tuk ride through the temples of Angkor Head out into the dense forest to find the mysterious temple of Beng Melea Journey into rural Cambodia by ox cart. Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery tour inclusions: Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges All accommodation All meals All sightseeing and entrance fees All transportation and transfers English speaking National Escort and Local Guides Visa fees for UK and EU passport holders Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants Comprehensive travel guides Safe and secure with ABTA, ATOL and IATA For all Discovery Tours, we also include: Cycling and walking through classic sites Unique cultural experiences and encounters Off the beaten track destinations The only thing you may have to pay for are personal expenditure e.g. drinks, optional excursions or shows, insurance of any kind, tipping and early check in or late checkout. These are all payable locally.

3 Active Paced Tour On our Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery itinerary, you will visit Hanoi, Hoang Su Phi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon, Mekong Delta and Siem Reap. Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery is an Active Paced Tour: the most demanding tour Wendy Wu Tours offers. As a whole, Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery requires a high level of fitness. During your tour, there will be long days of touring. There will be extensive periods of time cycling in Hanoi, Hoi an and the Mekong Delta. You will trek for approx. 4-5 hours in Hoang Su Phi on day 5. Of course, our National Escorts and local guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service assistance; however they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. If you require any more information about the pace of our Discovery Tours, please contact our reservations team who will be happy to answer your questions. Destination profile Vietnam/Cambodia Vietnam Vietnam s civilisation is one of the oldest in Asia. Though a fiercely independent and proud nation, Vietnam has often been under the rule of other countries and dynasties, including China, France and Japan. Vietnam s frequent colonial influence has transformed the country into an exciting blend of cultures, architecture and ways of life. Vietnam is home to a wealth of awe-inspiring scenic areas, dynastical and colonial sights, and fascinating people which entice our guests to return again and again to this exciting destination. over 600 years, increasing its control over much of South East. Asia. Cambodia s lifestyle is heavily influenced by its Khmer routes but also by French colonialism. The country s most famous sight has to be the Temples of Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer People. Development in Vietnam/Cambodia - Though Vietnam and Cambodia have developed in recent years, they are still developing countries and as such, many aspects of tourism do not have the solid infrastructure and safety standards as seen here in the west. It is important our guests travel to Vietnam and Cambodia with an open mind and a sense of humour. Roads in Vietnam/Cambodia - Roads in Vietnam and Cambodia have generally been improved over recent years, but traffic and/or weather conditions may extend driving times. Road construction work usually covers an enormous section of road not just 1-2 kilometres as you may be used to. There may be sections of road where the surface may be comparatively bumpy but our drivers will do their utmost to lessen the impact. Cuisine in Vietnam Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its use of fresh ingredients and the healthy qualities of its cooking. Vietnamese cooking relies on lemongrass, ginger, fish sauce and chilli as base ingredients and many of dishes are meat based but there are also a number of vegetarian dishes. It is important to keep an open mind and be adventurous. Please be aware that dishes selected for your meals reflect the cooking styles and signature dishes of the local area you are in. Cuisine in Cambodia Cambodian cuisine is fragrant, healthy and varied. The main staple is rice and accompanies most meals. Amok Trei, a steamed fish in coconut milk, is one of the country s most popular dishes. Cambodia Cambodia has long played an important role in South East Asia. Cambodia was ruled by the powerful Khmer Empire for

4 Itinerary Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery Day 1-2: Fly to Hanoi Fly overnight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On arrival into Vietnam on day 2, transfer to your hotel for a 2 night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure. On arrival in Hanoi Airport, be met in the arrival hall by your local guide and/or national escort from Wendy Wu tours. Together, with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer by private transfer to your hotel. The transfer will take approx. 1 hour. The rest of your day is at leisure. Hanoi -. Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks, with a population of about four million. The city centre is like an architectural museum, with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town from the 1930s. Day 3: Hanoi You will view the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum from the outside. Sightseeing in central Hanoi involves approx. 4 hours on foot. You will be given some time in the Old Quarter to explore the many stalls independently. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a large memorial, located in Ba Dinh Square. It is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, who announced Vietnam s independence in the same location in Ethnology Museum At the Ethnology Museum you will learn about the minority groups of Hanoi, including the black and red H mong hill people. The museum is made up of an inside and outside area. The outside area displays traditional Vietnamese houses. Temple of Literature Dating back to 11 th century, the Temple of Literature has long played an important centre for Confucianism and scholarly learning. Day 4: Hanoi Hoang Su Phi After breakfast travel to Hoang Su Phi, one of northern Vietnam s emerald green rice terrace areas. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring. We recommend packing an overnight bag for your trip to Sapa. Main luggage can be left at our hotel in Hanoi and picked up on your return. Start your morning with a wander through Ba Dinh Square and visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, final resting place of Uncle Ho and the House on Stilts. Next, learn about Vietnam s ethnic minorities at the Ethnology Museum before visiting the Confucian Temple of Literature. Take a walking tour of Hanoi s exciting Old Quarter before taking a light stroll along Hoan Kiem Lake, a great place to people watch. You will leave your hotel at approx. 8:00 this morning and you will travel for 9 hours, stopping for lunch en route. Your homestay will have basic accommodation. There will be no western toilets or hot showers. Hoang Su Phi Home to spectacular rice terraces, lush valleys and rugged mountains, Hoang Su Phi is an explorer s dream and Sapa s lesser known, but equally spectacular counterpart.

5 Day 5: Hoang Su Phi Old Quarter Hanoi s Old Quarter is one of its most exciting and colourful sections. The Old Quarter is home to many stalls, selling Vietnamese curios, small eats and souvenirs. Day 8: Arrive in Hanoi Halong Bay After breakfast, hike through the spectacular countryside. You will pass through rice paddies, mountain scenery and tea hills. Next visit the ethnic Red Yao village where you can discover more local culture. Enjoy lunch at the one of the houses of the Red Yao people before continuing your walk to the Long Tunic Yao people. You will hike for approx. 4-5 hours today between Pan Hou and Nam Khoa in Hoang Su Phi. You will walk over some uneven surfaces and at times at an incline. Day 6: Hoang Su Phi In the morning, you meander along the stream to the forest. You will pass mountains, waterfalls and terraced rice fields. You will again hike for approx. 4-5 hours today between Nam Nghi and Giang Ha in Hoang Su Phi. You will walk over some uneven surfaces and at times at an incline. Transfer to Halong Bay and board a traditionally designed junk boat for a serene and unforgettable cruise on the limestone studded waters of Halong Bay. Pass by quaint fishing towns, taste freshly caught seafood and sim in the cool waters of the bay. Watch a mesmerising Halong Bay sunset this evening. You will arrive into Hanoi early this morning. There will be time to have a shower and eat breakfast at a small hotel before you head to Halong Bay. The journey from Hanoi to Halong Bay is approx. 3-4 hours. In the afternoon on your Halong Bay cruise, you will have an option of activities available. Please note, activities are subject to change and are determined by water levels and weather conditions. Halong Bay is regarded as the Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam. Halong Bay has been compared with the landscape of Guilin in China and the limestone islets of Krabi in Southern Thailand, due to its stunning karst scenery. Day 9: Halong Bay Hanoi - Hue Day 7: Hoang Su Phi Hanoi Travel back to Hanoi. This evening take a walking tour of the city s unique street-side night life and food vendors. Taste the varied flavours of Vietnamese street food such as Pho Cuon and Banh Xeo. You will again drive approx. 9 hours back to Hanoi. The pace this evening will be comfortable and you will be given time to explore stalls independently. Start your day on deck with a relaxing Tai Chi session whilst you admire an amazing sunrise over the karst scenery. You will have a chance to explore Surprise Cave before returning to Hanoi. The rest of the day is at leisure.

6 You will disembark from your junk boat around midday. You will enjoy breakfast and a brunch on board and you will have an evening meal in Hanoi. The journey back to Hanoi is approx. 4 hours. Your flight to Hue is approx. 1 hour. On arrival you will be met by your local guide who will transfer you 1 hour to your hotel. Hue was the former imperial capital of Vietnam and the imperial palace is based on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Day 10: Hue Cycle through Hue for a tour of the imperial sights. Start at the imperial City, then continue to Phu Mong Garden House, part of Hue s legacy from the Nguyen Dynasty. Return to your bike and stop at Thien Mu Pagoda which overlooks the Perfume River. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You will drive 3-4 hours to Hoi An, stopping en route at the Museum of Cham Scupture. You will enjoy a comfortable stroll around Hoi An this afternoon, enjoy the sights of the this charming town. Museum of Cham Sculpture Located on the Han River, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is the world s largest collection of Cham architecture. The Cham people are an ethnic group of South East Asia, living in Cambodia and Vietnam. Hoi An - Perhaps more than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of centuries past. Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was an influential port along the Silk Road. For over 500 years merchants from China, Japan, France and Portugal settled in the prosperous town resulting in a distinctive blend of culture, cuisine, religion and architecture. In 1999, the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage listed site for having the most unique architecture in Southeast Asia. It has been restored and protected by both the UNESCO fund and proud locals ever since. Day 12: Hoi An You will start cycling at 08:30 this morning and end around 16:00. You will enjoy lunch half way through. You will be provided with helmets. The roads are mostly flat. Imperial Citadel is a walled fortress and palace in Hue. It was the former home of the Emperors of Vietnam. Thien Mu Pagoda is seven stories tall and is the largest religious building in Vietnam. Day 11: Hue Hoi An Drive to Hoi An, stopping en route at the Museum of cham Sculpture. On arrival into Hoi An, enjoy an afternoon walk past Chinese traders houses, local artists and the 16 th century Japanese Bridge. Jump back on your bike today and wheel through the scenic rice paddies outside of Hoi An. Pay a visit to local farmers where you can try your hand at traditional farming techniques. Enjoy a calming boat ride to a fishing village where you can try and make fishing nets and paddle bamboo basket boats. Return to Hoi An and take a cruise along the river where you will meet a fisherman who will teach you the secret Vietnamese fishing techniques. Next hop into a basket boat and have the opportunity to paddle it yourself. Later head to Danang for your flight to Saigon.

7 At the farming community, activities you may be able to get involved in include hoeing, harvesting or even riding a water buffalo. In Hoi An you will be required to get on and off the boat and basket boat. Your flight to Saigon will be 1 hour. Saigon - Saigon is one of the world s truly cosmopolitan cities with a history, culture and style obtained from colonial France, ancient China and the art deco era. Once the main port of Cambodia's Mekong territory, Saigon became the capital of France's Cochinchina and later the capital of the Republic of Vietnam. It remained the capital of South Vietnam until reunification at the end of the American War in Vietnam in 1975, when the capital was moved to Hanoi. Day 13: Hoi An - Saigon customers may find the War Remnants Museum upsetting. You will be provided with a helmet on your vespa tour. Cu Chi Tunnels are a large network of underground tunnels used by the Vietcong as part of their guerrilla warfare tactic during the Vietnam War. Wildlife Rescue Centre Is a small centre dedicated to the protection of wildlife, including bears, otters and gibbons. Reunification Palace Is the former residence of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Palace has become a symbol of South Vietnam s defeat to North Vietnam. Central Post Office Is a French Gothic building designed by Gustave Eiffel, architect behind the Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame Cathedral Is a 19 th century French colonial cathedral in downtown Saigon. It is still a centre for Catholicism in Vietnam. This morning discover the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way back to Saigon there is an opportunity to visit a Wildlife Rescue Station, aiming to stop the endangered wildlife trade in Vietnam. Continue to Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. This evening take an exhilarating ride on the back of a vintage Vespa. Stop for a cocktail before tasting mouth-watering dishes in Chinatown, District 4 and the backstreets of Saigon. Remember to take insect repellent today as mosquitoes are more common in the Cu Chi district. Transfer 2 hours (70km) to Cu Chi. Sightseeing here involves 2 hours on foot on uneven mud paths through the bush and, if you choose, crawling through some of the tunnels. Transfer back to Saigon via the Wildlife Rescue Station. Sightseeing in central Saigon will be approx. 3 hours. Some War Remnants Museum Is a war museum containing exhibits from both the Vietnam Wat and the first Indochina War. Day 14: Saigon Ben Tre Mekong Homestay Head south to Ben Tre: gateway to the Mekong Delta. Set off on a boat trip through winding, forest-lined canals. After lunch, cycle through rice fields and coconut groves and visit the Cao Dai Temple, local markets and a flower and bonsai village. Spend the night at a local homestay. You will drive just over 2 hours to Ben Tre. You will need to get on and off your boat in the Mekong Delta. Sightseeing in the Mekong delta will be comfortable. Your homestay will have a yard, orchard and riverview. Your bedroom will have a mosquito net, soft bed with blanket, pillows and bath towel. Your evening meal will be home-cooked at your homestay.

8 Mekong Delta Known as the Rice Basket of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is an intricate mix of verdant fields and calm waterways. Due to the rich soil of the area, the Mekong Delta is a high populated area and many farmers work here. battle between the Khmer people and the Thai Siam people. Day 17: Siem Reap Day 15: Mekong Delta Saigon Take a relaxed morning cycle around the village, stopping to visit a garden nursery and an orchard where you can enjoy fresh fruit. Pay a visit to the Cai Nhum Cathedral before returning to Saigon. Your cycle this morning will be very relaxed and you will go at a leisurely pace. You will drive 2-3 hours back to Saigon. Day 16: Saigon Siem Reap This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, gatweway to the Angkor complex. Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. This evening watch a performance by the PHARE Cambodian Circus, an NGO which teaches street children to become internationally renowned circus artists. You will transfer 1 hour to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. You r flight will be just over 1 hour. Transfer approx. 1 hour to your hotel in Siem Reap. The show this evening will begin around 20:00 and last approx. 1 hour. Siem Reap Known as the gateway to Angkor, the architecture in Siem Reap is heavily influenced by Chinese, French and Khmer styles. Siem Reap literally translates as Defeat of Siam, a reference to a historical What better way to see the world famous Angkor Wat Complex than from the back of a traditional tuk tuk? You will explore Angkor Wat, the centrepiece of the Complex, before visiting Angkor Thom and the Bayon. Lastily, visit Ta Prohm, atmospherically buried deep in the jungle. Two people plus one guide can travel in each tuk tuk. The complex can get very hot so always bring water with you and weath comfortable, light clothing. You will tour the Angkor Complex for approx. 5 hours. Angkor Complex is the former seat of the Khmer Empire and was a flourishing city between 9 th and 15 th centuries. The word Angkor is derived from sanskrity and means Holy City. Day 18:Siem Reap Visit Kompong Kleang, a settlement of 20,000 houses, where houses tower 10 metres above water. Here you can glimpse Cambodia s countryside culture and enjoy a picnic lunch. Next, head into the jungle to find the mysterious temple of Beng Melea. Return to Siem Reap. You will drive 2 hours out of Siem Reap to Kompong Kleang. You will enjoy light sightseeing around Kompong Kleang. During the low water season, you will ride an ox cart before touring the local village where you can participate in fishing or farming.

9 Kompong Kleang is a floating village outside of Siem Reap, a perfect example of life on the water in Cambodia Day 19-20: Fly Siem Reap to UK Fly to the UK, arriving home the following day.

10 Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery Tour Info Visas - A visa is required for entry into Vietnam and Cambodia. A standard visa processing service is included in your tour cost. We will require your passport, completed visa application form, and 1 passport photo, taken within the last 6 months, to process your visa. As per our standard visa processing service, we will have your passport for at least 4 weeks. We will require all this information 8 weeks prior to departure. In rare cases you may be required to provide further information or documentation to the Vietnamese Embassy and Cambodia Embassy. Insurance - It is a condition of booking with us that you take out suitable travel insurance. You must provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number when you book with us or as soon as possible thereafter. Wendy Wu Tours will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking. Accommodation - Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities. Hotels are generally rated as local three to four star standard, but please note that there is no international classification system for hotels and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Vietnam/Cambodia. All group tour hotels have private western bathroom facilities, air conditioning, TV and telephone. Plumbing and electricity supplies can be erratic and quite often the power in hotel rooms is turned off while guests are out of the room. If you experience any difficulty please speak to your National Escort/Local Guide. Rest assure that all hotels used by Wendy Wu Tours are regularly inspected by our staff and our partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. Meals - All meals (excluding drinks) are included in our fully inclusive group tours from the groups arrival until the groups day of departure. Our schedule of meals is designed so that you can experience the local dishes, their individual flavours as well as the different ways they are prepared and cooked throughout Vietnam and Cambodia. Transport: Roads Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. Transport: Air Internal flights are based on economy class, with reputable airlines. Group Size In most cases the group will operate with a minimum of 8 travellers with local guides only. If there are 10 travellers or more, your group will be accompanied by a national escort as well as local guides. As part of the Discovery Tour features, this tour will have no more than 18 passengers. Climate - Please refer to our website or brochure for detailed temperature charts. After your booking - Once you have booked with Wendy Wu Tours, you will receive a confirmation invoice followed by deposit documentation, which includes a visa application form (if applicable), and a help sheet. Your final documentation pack will be sent to you approx. 2 weeks prior to departure, and will include a travel wallet, badge, lanyard, a travel guide (which includes a suggested packing list) and phrase book, along with your final itinerary and international e-tickets. Last updated: 18 Sep 2015