Escorted Tour to Vietnam & Cambodia. October 2010
A wonderful way to see Vietnam and Cambodia. Flying Singapore Airlines our of Auckland. Peruse the complete (and very detailed) itinerary here and have a chat with Dale if you think this might be your cup of tea. Dale's been there and done that... and took photos to prove it.
Program : Auckland – Singapore – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Mekong – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Singapore – Auckland
Thu, 14 Oct Auckland – Singapore - Hanoi (D)
12:50 am Depart from Auckland on flight SQ282
6:40 am Arrive in Singapore
On arrival in Singapore, please proceed in transit to board your onward Singapore Airlines flight to Hanoi
10:00 am Depart from Singapore on flight SQ176
12:30 pm Arrive in Hanoi
Arrive at Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam and after completing customs and immigration formalities you will be met & assisted by our representative for your arrival transfer to the hotel.
Your accommodation in Hanoi is in Hotel Mercure la Gare for 02 nights including breakfast
Afternoon is at leisure to relax or to explore this bustling city on your own
This evening, you will be taken to a local restaurant for a Welcome Dinner
This morning you will be taken on a brief walking tour of the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi, and Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a visit some of Hanoi's historical sites, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (from outside) and Ho Chi Minh’s house, as well as One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.
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This evening, visit perhaps Vietnam's most famous performing art form, the Water puppet theatre for a one hour show. During a performance the puppets are directed by puppet masters who stand submerged in the water behind a screen and direct the puppets through the use of long sticks. Traditional musical instruments are used to accompany the story.
Sat, 16 Oct Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)
In the early morning, transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Arriving in Halong, board a sailing Junk to discover this World Heritage site, known as the 'land of 3000 islands'. Rising from the sea the islands offer a wealth of opportunity for the local people. Your visit includes exploring the beauty of this area up close.
A fantastic cruise this afternoon visiting Long Bay, visit Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titov beach. A delicious seafood lunch and dinner will be on board this evening (options available for those who do not like seafood).
Sun, 17 Oct Halong – Hanoi – Hue (Brunch/D)
Enjoy the sunrise on your junk. Tea and Coffee is served before you board small bamboo boats to visit Luon Cave and then cruise to pass so that tourists can have a look Man’s head island, Tortoise Island from the Junks. Enjoy a good brunch on board before returning back to Hanoi enroute visiting Dong Trieu ceramics factory.
On arrival in Hanoi, proceed to railway station to connect an overnight train (in 4-berth air-conditioned sleeper compartments) to Hue
7:00 pm Depart from Hanoi on Livitrans Train (Livitrans provide complimentary water, tea, confectionery, toothbrush, toothpaste, magazines, comb, slippers).
8:06 am Arrive in Hue
On arrival at Hue railway station, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel to leave your luggage and for breakfast.
Your accommodation in Hue is in Hotel Huong Giang for 1 night including breakfast in Deluxe River View Room
After breakfast, proceed for a boat cruise through the centre of hue on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of Minh Mang along the riverbank. Return to the Hotel to check-in.
After a short rest, you will be collected again from your hotel and taken for sightseeing of Old Imperial City -Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and Dong Ba Market. Later, continue to visit the elaborate mausoleums of the Emperors Khai Dinh and Tu Duc.
Tue, 19 Oct Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B)
This morning depart Hue, and transfer to Hoi An by coach. Discover the spectacular Hai Van Pass, rated by National Geographic as one of 50 'must-do' journeys in the world. This scenic road winds along the coast and along the way a stop is made to visit the Marble Mountains, China beach (have a swim if you wish) and the Cham Museum in Danang.
Arrive in Hoi An and check-in at the Hotel.
Your accommodation in Hoi An is in Vinh Hung Resort for 2 nights in Superior Garden View Room including breakfast
This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of this quaint town visiting ancient merchants' houses, a Hokkien temple (or Fukien Chinese Congregation), a 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the vibrant riverside market and an old pagoda. Travelers can also see local residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry. Afternoon at leisure to explore Hoi An. Hoi An is an excellent place to purchase tailor-made clothes, and has many handicraft shops for souvenirs.
Full day at leisure to enjoy this fascinating town on your own
Thu, 21 Oct Hoi An – Danang – Saigon (B)
Today, you will be collected from your Hotel and transferred to Danang Airport to connect with your Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City (as known as Saigon)
TBA : Depart from Danang by flight
TBA : Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival at HCMC Airport, you will be met by our Representative, who will arrange for your transfer to a Hotel.
Your accommodation in Saigon is in Hotel Duxton for 2 nights including breakfast
This morning, proceed for an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels. One of the highlights of your Vietnamese holiday is bound to be your visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground bunkers about 40 kms northwest of Ho Chi Minh City and near the Cambodian Border. The tunnel system was commenced in the 1940's. During the US War, at one time the tunnels spread out for 350kms and were up to 7 metres deep. They served as shelter, storage facilities and a secret means of communication for the guerrilla army
In the afternoon, you will be taken for a city tour of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) - a fast paced city with a unique mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences, a modern entrepreneurial spirit and numerous temples. On this tour, you will take in the highlights of Ho Chi Minh starting with an exploration of Saigon's turbulent past with visits to the Reunification Palace (from outside) and the War Museum.
The tour continues to Ho Chi Minh's finest examples of colonial architecture with a visit to the Notre Dame cathedral and Post Office. Your Ho Chi Minh tour continues with a visit to Giac Lam Pagoda, the Cholon Chinese district. Tour concludes at the Ben Thanh market where you can try your bargaining skills for clothes, shoes, bags, sunglasses and souvenirs.
Sat, 23 Oct Saigon – Cai Be – Can Tho (B/L)
You will be collected from your hotel and drive to Cai Be, 120 km south-west of Saigon in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop enroute to visit a typical local house where rice is made (visited during harvesting season only).
Arrive in Cai Be and take a boat to the floating market to practice the age-old art of bartering. Visitors will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk etc., which they can then barter for different kinds of local fruits. Continue by river to see family-run businesses producing a local version of popcorn and rice paper.
Lunch is at a local house on Binh Hoa Phuoc islet, set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees. Continue to Vinh Long and drive on to Can Tho and check into your hotel.
Your accommodation in Can Tho is in Hotel Golf Can Tho for 2 nights in Deluxe River View Room including breakfast
Sun, 24 Oct Can Tho (B/L/D)
Morning boat cruise to visit Cai Rang floating market, which is a wonderful spectacle with thousands of small boats barging and jostling for position as their owners attempt to sell their goods. Cruise through small canals and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruits of the Mekong Delta then continue driving to visit the Binh Thuy old house and market. In the afternoon we cycle along quiet towpaths to experience authentic rural Vietnam.
Late afternoon relax on boat with cold drinks then release lanterns on the river for good luck.
Mon, 25 Oct Can Tho – Chau Doc (B/L/D)
In the morning, drive to Chau Doc, a trading port near the Cambodian border. Upon arrival visit the Chau Giang fish farm - where fish are raised in cages beneath houses floating on the river as well as the Cham weaving village of Tan Chau.
In the afternoon, visit the Xu Lady and Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple (visit Sam Mountain if time permits).
Your accommodation in Chau Doc is in Hotel Victoria Chau Doc for 1 night in Superior Room including breakfast
Tue, 26 Oct Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B)
At approx 7:30 am, take a speed boat for a 4-hours cruise to Phnom Penh. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Hotel.
Your accommodation in Phnom Penh is in Hotel Phonm Penh for 1 night in Superior Room including breakfast
In the afternoon, visit some of the capital’s most impressive sites, including the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda containing the Emerald Buddha statue, the Royal Palace and Phnom Penh’s oldest shrine, Wat Phnom.
Wed, 27 Oct Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)
This morning you will be transferred to the airport to connect a short flight to Siem Reap.
TBA Depart from Phnom Penh by flight
TBA Arrive in Siem Reap
On arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you will be met by our local Representative and transferred to your Hotel.
Your accommodation in Siem reap is in Hotel Tara Angkor for 2 nights in Superior Room including breakfast
After check-in, proceed for a visit of the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva - Banteay Srei - and the Banteay Samre temple. On the way back, stop at the three-tiered temple hill of Pre Rup. There view the Bantey Kdei with it's rarely seen sculpted female deities, the Lake of Srah Sran, and the impressive Ta Phrohm Temple which is dramatically enveloped by jungle. Also visit the Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada, and Thommanon temples before returning to your hotel.
Thu, 28 Oct Siem Reap (B)
Today, explore the ancient city of Angkor by entering Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue the journey by viewing the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon, visit the epic Angkor Wat, viewing its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs.
End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng.
Fri, 29 Oct Siem Reap – Singapore – Auckland (B)
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Singapore with onward connection to Auckland.
12:25 pm Depart Siem Reap by flight MI630 for Singapore
3:40 pm Arrive in Singapore
On arrival in Singapore, please proceed in transit to board your onward Singapore Airlines flight to Auckland
9:10 pm Depart from Singapore by flight SQ285
11:50 am : Arrive in Auckland
********* End of an Exotic program*********
Meals mentioned above : B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner
Fri, 12 Nov Delhi - Udaipur (B)
