Cambodia — South East Asia — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

SOUTH EAST ASIA VIETNAM Living and working by the river/Ashley Toft Inside Vietnam 16 DAYS HOTELS/HOMESTAY HANOI TO HO CHI MINH CITY Ref VN Vietnam Explorer 23 DAYS HOTELS/BOATS/VILLAGE HOUSES ON THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL Ref VE JFMAMJJASOND JFMA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA We experience all the vivid contrasts that make Vietnam unique. The quiet charm and faded elegance of Hanoi, the startling coastal scenery of Ha Long Bay, the sombre memorials and reminders of war, the vibrant streets and busy markets of old Saigon, and the Mekong Delta. Hanoi & Ha Long Bay Arriving in the beautiful city of Hanoi we visit some of the ancient temples of the city and the humble stilt house cottage in which Ho Chi Minh once lived. We also take time to wander through the street markets of the Old Quarter, named after the crafts on sale Silk, Paper and Basket. Then, travelling to Bai Chay, we enjoy a cruise among the awesome limestone cliffs and clear waters of Ha Long Bay one of Vietnams most scenic areas. Reunification Express to Hu� We board the famous Reunification Express train as our journey turns southward. Arriving next morning at the old Imperial capital of Hu�, we have two days to explore this charming city. We see the treasures of the old Nguyen dynasty, the Museum and Citadel, and take a boat trip on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Then, driving via Danang, we visit China Beach and Marble Mountain before reaching historic Hoi An. Old Saigon & Mekong Delta Our sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City includes the colonial buildings of Old Saigon and 1970s kitsch of the Reunification Hall. In the countryside beyond we visit the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels an underground base that hid 10,000 Viet Cong troops. We also visit the Mekong Delta; travelling by boat along its waterways we discover a beautiful and fertile region with colourful markets full of interest, and spend a night with local families at our homestay. Our exploratory journey includes sea-kayaking in Ha Long Bay, trekking and elephant riding to tribal villages in the Central Highlands, and travelling by riverboat through the picturesque Mekong Delta. Ha Long Bay & Imperial Hu� First, we enjoy Old Hanoi, to see the lotusshaped One-Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minhs humble stilt house. We then take a full day cruise around Ha Long Bay, where you can go sea-kayaking among the beautiful islands and limestone scenery we overnight on a boat. At the wonderful old capital of Hu�, we visit the Royal Palace of the Nguyen dynasty and moated Old Citadel, and take a boat ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and Monastery. Hilltribes & Central Highlands After visiting Danangs historic Cham Museum HA LONG BAY Cruise through clear waters, caves & limestone cliffs and China Beach, we spend time relaxing at the historic fishing port of Hoi An. Then, heading into the Central Highlands, our next four days are spent in the Bahnar tribal region. Walking through cassava and sugar plantations, we pass through stilted villages and have dinner in a Rong (communal village house). At Lak Lake we ride elephants, stay in a traditional longhouse and take pirogues on the lake. Making our way down to the idyllic harbour of Nha Trang we swim from palmfringed beaches and discover tropical offshore islands by boat. Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta After sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City, we spend the last few days of the tour travelling by riverboat through the stunning Mekong Delta; we take a smaller boat to explore the colourful floating markets, and on foot we wander through the many fascinating stilt villages that line the waterways. Extend your tour... CAMBODIA EXTENSION This tour can also be extended to visit Phnom Penh and the temples of Angkor in Cambodia Ref. VNC. See right for further details. HANOI CHINA VIETNAM Extend your tour... CAMBODIA EXTENSION This tour can also be extended to visit Phnom Penh and the temples of Angkor in Cambodia Ref. VEC. See right for further details. Visit Pak Ou Caves by longboat LUANG PRABANG Buddhist temples Royal Palace Gulf of To n k i n LAOS VANG VIENG Village caves Perfume River Royal tombs VIENTIANE Laos capital That Luang Stupa City tour Me FACTFILE S O U T H C H I N A S E A Ce Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Hanoi. 2 Arrive Hanoi. 3 AM city tour; PM free. 4 Drive Ha Long Bay. 5 Cruise in Ha Long Bay. 6 Return Hanoi; overnight train Hu�. 7 & 8 In Hu�; tour Museum and Citadel, boat trip on Perfume River. 9 Drive Danang; visit Marble Mountain and China Beach; continue to Hoi An. 10 & 11 In Hoi An; optional tours, excursion to My Son. 12 Drive to Kon Tum in Central Highlands. 13 Hike to Kon Kotu Bahnar village; overnight in Kon Tum. 14 Drive via Dac Lac plateau to Lak; elephant ride. 15 Pirogue trip on Lak Lake; drive Nha Trang. 16 Boat trip to offshore islands. 17 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City; walking tour. 18 & 19 Drive through Mekong Delta to Can Duoc for 2 day riverboat cruise through Delta to Long Xuyen. 20 Drive Ho Chi Minh City; free afternoon. 21 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels. 22 Fly London. 23 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 15nts hotel, 3nts overnight boat, 1nt longhouse, 1nt sleeper train; 19 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Boats/On foot/Elephant/ Flight as itinerary. Comment: An all round in-depth Vietnam adventure featuring some off the beaten track places. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. HUE FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Hanoi. 2 Arrive Hanoi. 3 City tour; PM walking tour of Old Quarter. 4 AM in Hanoi; PM drive Ha Long Bay. 5 Cruise in Ha Long Bay; drive Hanoi and overnight train to Hu�. 6 & 7 In Hu�; visit Museum and Citadel, boat trip on Perfume River. 8 Drive Danang; visit China Beach and Marble Mountain, continue to Hoi An. 9 & 10 In Hoi An; visit My Son, optional visit to My Lai. 11 Drive to Danang; fly Ho Chi Minh City; walking tour. 12 Drive to Vinh Long in Mekong Delta. 13 Explore the Mekong Delta; drive to Ho Chi Minh City. 14 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; return Ho Chi Minh City. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel, 1nt sleeper train, 1nt homestay; 12 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Flight/Cruiseboat/ Riverboat. Comment: This tour offers a great overview of Vietnam including all the major highlights. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18. China Beach Marble mountain Danang ko ng Jewels of Indochina Ref HIC Vietnam Explorer Ref VE Inside Vietnam Ref VN Cambodia Extension Ref /C THAIL AND Angkor C A M Jungle temple complex HOI AN Kon Kotu Bahnar village ntr al Hig KON TUM Pleiku hla BODIA D a c Lac Plateau nd s SIEM REAP Floating villages Lake Buon Me Thout NHA TRANG Offshore islands day trip LAK Tonle Sap PHNOM PENH Stay in Longhouse Pirogue on Lake Lak Ride elephants Cu Chi Tunnels Gulf of Thailand km 0 400 Royal palace HO CHI MINH CITY LONG Old Saigon XUYEN CAI BE Mekong Delta cruise Floating Explore waterways market Stay on riverboat Can Duoc 184 Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information

South East Asia contd… Cambodia