Vietnam & Cambodia
Kuala Lumpur 2 nights, Hanoi 1 night, Overnight train 1 night, Sapa 2 nights, Hanoi 2 nights, Hoi An 3 nights, Ho Chi Minh 2 nights, Angkor Wat 3 nights

*Fully escorted
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing 22 March, 2009 

Read what some of our past passengers say about this trip:

"Thank you for one of the best tours I have ever done.  Everything was  perfect and we had time to see all the sights
of each place without feeling too rushed and still have time to explore.  We saw so much more than you had listed on your itinerary. 
Brian was a great escort, our local guide was full of knowledge and the group were terrific fun'.    ....  David,  Victoria

"Vietnam & Cambodia was everything everyone said it would be and more.   The country seemed full of surprises at every turn and the people - especially the children -  were absolutely charming. 
It was great fun to travel with your group - I will have no hesitation in recommending your tours to my friends and will definitely travel with you again"  ........   Carolyn,  Victoria

"This was the first group tour I've ever done as I've always travelled alone or with my ex-wife.   What a pleasure not to have to worry about anything - Brian took care of all the details and nothing was ever a problem for him.  Vietnam and Cambodia were fascinating.  I loved every moment and look forward to the next trip I do with you.  ....... Steve, NSW

"It was such fun travelling with a small group.    To be honest I was a bit worried travelling 'alone' but I soon realised that even though everyone started off not knowing anyone we soon became friends and have already exchanged photos and plan to keep in touch.  The hotels you used were all in great spots, the local guide was fabulous and had a good sense of humour,  the shopping was amazing - put my name down if you ever do a shopping trip as I'd go back to Vietnam in a heartbeat"               -     Amanda, WA

 

 

Day 1   22 March, 2009   Australia - Kuala Lumpur   Fly with Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur.  Accommodation:   Park Royal (or similar)  2 night

Day 2   23 March, 2009    Kuala Lumpur  (B)   Full day at leisure to relax, shop or take an optional sightseeing tour.

Day 3   24 March, 2009  Kuala Lumpur -  Hanoi  (B,D)  On arrival we will transfer to our hotel for evening at leisure.  Join your tour escort for dinner in a local restaurant.  Accommodation: Guoman (or similar)

Day 4  25 March, 2009   Hanoi - Lao Cai  (B,L)   Morning tour of Hanoi by cyclo for an hour along the Hanoi Old Quarters, pass by Dong Xuan market then continue to the Old Citadel to Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam.  We then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda and  continue to visit the Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda with lunch at a local restaurant.  Afternoon is free before our transfer to Hanoi train station for night train to Sapa at 21:00. Overnight on Victoria carriage. - soft class.  (4-share accommodation on the train)

Day 5  26 March, 2009  Lao Cai - Sapa (B,D) Arrival at Lao Cai station at 07.00. Transfer to Sapa by minibus (30 km, one hour drive). Buffet breakfast upon arrival. Free morning to wander around the central town or relax as you wish and enjoy the hotel facilities (heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool - sauna - tennis court - massage…)     This afternoon we transfer to Ta Van village.  Distance is approx. 10km twisty road from Sapa's town to this village. Along the road you will see many H'Mong, Dzay, Dao ethnic people dressed in their traditional colourful costume. Two-hour trekking tour through a terrace paddy field and discover lifestyle of the Dzay. Dinner at the Ta Van restaurant of Victoria hotel. Accommodation: Victoria Sapa (or similar) 2 nights

Day 6  27 March, 2009   Sapa (B)
Free day to relax or explore at your leisure this beautiful town. Suggestions: visit Ta Phin village, Cat Cat village, Ham Rong mountain, Silver waterfall and Rattan bridge. Located 1,500 m above sea level, Sapa lies high up in the HoaLien Son Mountains, 333 km northwest of Hanoi. Sapa has an amazing diversity of flora, ranging from flowers to tropical and temperate fruit; among the area's most popular products are apples, pears, peaches and plums.  Sapa has many outstanding natural wonders such as Thac Bac, Thuy Cung Grotto, Gio Cave, Troi Gate and Truc Forest. It is also the starting point for climbers and scientists who want to climb Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina at 3,143 m. The Hoang Lien Son mountain range is known as the alps of the north. The pyramid-shaped Mount Fansipan is covered with clouds all year round and temperatures often drop below zero, especially at high elevations. 

Day 7  28 March, 2009  Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi (B,L,D)
Transfer to Lao Cai train station for day train to Hanoi departure at 1000am. Lunch box on train. Enjoy the fantastic view of the West Northern mountainous area along the railway. Arrive in Hanoi at 1930pm. Dinner is included at our hotel tonight.  Accommodation:  Guoman (or similar) 2 nights

Day 8  29 March, 2009   Hanoi (B)  Day at leisure to shop, relax or take explore Hanoi with its fascinating warren of streets known as the Old Quarter. There are over 600 pagodas, and there is water everywhere, with dozens of hectares of lakes lying tranquilly among the tree-lined streets. The most notable are fabled Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the city, and the vast expanse of West Lake. Many traditional handicrafts are also practiced. in Hanoi including bronze casting, silver carving, lacquer work and embroidery.

Day 9 30 March, 2009   Hanoi - Halong (B,L, D)     We leave this morning after breakfast for our drive to Halong Bay and board our boat in time for lunch.  Spend the day enjoying the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay and wonderful evening sunset.  Overnight on board our private boat.

Day 10    31 March, 2009   Halong Bay – Hanoi - Hoi An (B,L)    After breakfast we  travel by road to Hanoi and transfer to the airport for our flight to Danang and Hoi An. En-route to Hoi An we'll visit China Beach, Cham museum in Danang, sculptures on stone village at Marble mountain. Accommodation:  Hoi An Beach Resort (or similar)  3 nights

Day 11  01 April, 2009  Hoi An     Sightseeing this morning includes Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old house, Assembly Hall, Chinese Phuc Kien Pagoda and  Hoi An Museum. Remainder of day is at leisure.  This evening attend and assist at a cooking demonstration and celebrate the fruits of your labour over dinner.

Day 12   02 April, 2009   Hoi An    Day at leisure to relax, further explore, and collect your tailoring.  Made to measure garments at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay.   The ancient town of Hoi An, 32 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Known to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century.    Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. All the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. Tourists can visit the ruins of the Sa Huynh and Champa cultures. They can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the romantic Thu Bon River, Cua Dai Beach, and Cham

Day 13  03 April, 2009   Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L) Flight   Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)   Afternoon sightseeing tour and remainder of day is at leisure.  Accommodation: Grand Hotel Saigon (or similar) 2 nights

Day 14   04 April, 2009   Saigon  - Cu Chi Tunnels  (B) Today we'll journey west from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi. On arrival you will be guided through the famous tunnels used by the communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. The tunnel network stretches over 250km and extends to three levels underground, providing you with a remarkable insight into the hardships, courage, determination and terror of a guerrilla war.   This afternoon why not join me on a cyclo ride to the markets and this evening we'll dine at a local restaurant.

Day 15  05 April, 2009  Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap (B, L) Flight    Morning transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Siem Reap. 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), Bayon Temple(unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King

In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. The temple complex cover 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 tower symbolize Meru's five peaks, the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolizes the ocean beyond.   Sunset from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat. Accommodation:  Victoria Angkor (or similar)   3 nights

 Day 16   06 April, 2009   Visit Angkor wat ( B, L) Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, you will continue your temple visits. Included are Prasat Kravan (with its unique brick sculptures)Srah Srang ("The Royal Boths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the "Mountain Temple" of Pre Rup until sunset. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue to the temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Visit Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples.

Day 17   07 April, 2009   Siem Reap  (B)  After breakfast visit the floating village of the Chong Khneas where you'll take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia and the largest in Asia.  In the afternoon, visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor – Chantiers Ecoles" of Siem Reap and time at leisure at the local market.

Day 18  08 April, 2009   Siem Reap - Kuala Lumpur - Australia   Morning at leisure before our transfer to the airport for flight to Kuala Lumpur and connecting flight to Australia

Day 19  09 April, 2009   Arrive home.

 

Tour cost $AU5975 includes:

 

Tour cost does not include:

 

*  Please note that prices are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge
 


 

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net

Lic. TTA 156054