Travelling in Asia 2011

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I'm inviting you to my adventure -- enjoy!
China > Thailand > Laos > Vietnam > Cambodia > Thailand

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2011 February-March

From the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok to Halong Bay's magnificent limestone karsts, this trip encompasses the highlights of Indochina. Marvel at the wonders of Angkor Wat, sail the Mekong and savour noodles in Chiang Mai. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside cafe in Hanoi. With hotels, transport and a number of included activities arranged by our CEOs, this adventure offers up the perfect combination of must-see highlights and free time.

Bangkok klong trip. Wat Po entrance and guide. Doi Suthep entrance (Chiang Mai). Pak Ou caves entrance. Traditional Arts & Ethnology Museum guided tour (Luang Prabang). Kuang Si waterfalls trek (half-day). Laotian homestay experience. Water puppets performance (Hanoi). Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum entrance (when open). Halong Bay caves entrance. Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner. Imperial Citadel and Tomb entrance (Hue). Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour (Ho Chi Minh City). Mekong Delta day trip. Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh). Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) entrance and guide. Angkor Wat complex entry and guide, including sunrise tour (Siem Reap). Local Khmer dinner in nearby village either at the Planeterra-supported New Hope project or with a local family (depends on departure).

Day 1 Bangkok
We spend this evening in Bangkok. Our hotel is located in China Town, next to the central train station and MRT (Subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc.

Day 2 Bangkok (B)
Enjoy a one-hour long tail boat tour of Bangkok's famous klongs, or canals. Our boat trip finishes at the Royal Temple of Wat Po. Our included guide will introduce you to Thai Buddhist culture and show you the famous reclining Buddha. When your guided tour ends there will still be time for some afternoon shopping, a visit to Grand Palace or a stroll through the backpacker area. We will meet back at the hotel within easy walking distance to the train station where we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Tonight's accommodation is an overnight sleeper train. Beds are dormitory style, with bunks on two layers along the side of the train carriage. There are curtains along each bunk for privacy. Your luggage will be accessible during the journey. The train has air-conditioning and clean bedding is provided for each bunk. There are both western style and asian style toilets at the end of each carriage. Food and drinks are served on the train but you can always bring your own food from the shops and restaurants in the train station.



Overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 12-13 hours.

Day 3 Chiang Mai
We arrive in the early morning and have free time to explore for the rest of the day. To fill your free time you can chose from a large range of optional activities or stroll the city independently. Surrounded by rolling hills, Chiang Mai is the cultural center of Thailand. Enclosed by a moat and crumbling walls, the old city features great cafes, shops and over 300 temples. Many visitors come here to attend cooking courses, massage classes or yoga lessons. It is also a mecca of handicraft production, with a long history of silverwork, woodcarving, pottery-making and weaving. A trip out to the countryside is available for those interested in riding elephants or cruising down a stream on a bamboo raft. The fun does not end when the sun goes down, as the night bazaaar opens. The bazaar is a series of covered markets, shops and stalls that offer the best selection of handicrafts in Thailand.

Late afternoon we set off to visit the temple complex, Doi Suthep. Here we can delve deeper into Thai Buddhist culture and we may be fortunate enough to witness the chanting of the monks.

We overnight in Chiang Mai. Our hotel is well located within walking distance to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and other city destinations. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. Free wifi is available.
Private transport Chang Mai to Doi Suthep temple: 45 mins each way.



Day 4 Chiang Kong

A 5 hour bus drive takes us to Chiang Khong where our guesthouse affords spectacular views of the Mekong River. Enroute we can visit Wat Rong Khun - the dazzling White Temple. Wander the local food market or sit back and enjoy the slow pace of life as we spend our last evening in Thailand peering across the Mekong into Laos.

We spend one night in Chiang Khong, a small border town which is a part of the trade route between Laos and Thailand. Free wifi is available in the lobby at no charge. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom.



Private transport Chiang Mai to Chiang Kong: 5 hours



Day 5 Mekong River

We cross the river border today to Laos by small local boats to Ban Houay Xai and Lao Immigration. Once we have completed the immigration process we take a songthaew (local bus) to our traditional slow boat. As we travel down the Mekong River you slowly adjust to the relaxed pace of life in Laos. A predominantly mountainous country, we have unsurpassable views of the riverside villages, the tropical jungle and the mountains.

Our private boat is reasonably comfortable and spacious. A toilet is available on board. Fruits, tea and coffee, are provided free of charge for you to enjoy and other drinks, such as water and soft drinks are all available for purchase on the boat. It can be quite cold from November to February.

We overnight in Pak Beng village, a stopover for local traders heading to Luang Prabang. As for tourists, the town offers an interesting vibe and good introduction to Laos. Our guesthouse is located some 200 meters from the pier. All rooms are double or twin share with Fan and en suite bathrooms.



Songthaew hotel to border: 10 min
Songthaew to boat: 10 min
Chiang Kong to Pak Beng: 8-10 hours depending on river conditions



Days 6-8 Luang Prabang (3B,1D)

On day 6, we approach Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Before arriving, we will make a stop outside of town at the Pak Ou caves. This dramatic cave houses thousands of Buddha statues and images and is considered an important spiritual sight by many Lao people. After our visit, we re-board the boat and continue to Luang Prabang, arriving around 5pm. Located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is without a doubt the most charming city in Laos and one of the loveliest towns in the whole of South East Asia.

The center of the UNESCO world heritage listed town is quite small and is accessible either on foot or by bicycle. You can visit the most impressive of Luang Prabang’s 32 temples including Vat Vixoun, Vat Sene, and Vat Xiengthong. Why not pack a picnic to eat on Phousi Hill and watch the sun set over the horizon or rise at dawn to watch the monks walk through the city collecting offerings of food from the locals. Take an afternoon to browse the many textile galleries and relax and enjoy a local coffee in on of the town's cafes.

We take a tour of the Ethnology Museum- a great chance to learn more about the dress and customs of the local people. We also make a half-day trip out to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls. Don't forget your swimsuit. During our stay, we will enjoy a traditional Lao meal experience in a local home partaking in a traditional Buddhist ceremony and enjoying some Laos delicacies.

We overnight three nights in Luang Prabang. Our hotel is centrally located within walking distance to Luang Prabang Night Market.



Pak Beng to Luang Prabang: 8-10 hours depending on river conditions



Days 9-10 Homestay/Vang Vieng (1B,1D)

Embark on a scenic drive through winding mountains to a village to experience a local homestay. Enjoy traditional Laotian food while getting to know your host family. Here, your local guide will explain the life of the people in this village.

Typically, the group is divided into 2 or more homes in close proximity to each other. Mattresses are placed across the floor in the central living area for sleeping. Each mattress will also include a blanket, pillow and a mosquito net. Bathroom facilities are shared.

The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses. The food will be very simple and an excellent opportunity to experience typical Lao cuisine. A vegetarian option will be available.

On Day 10 we drive to the picturesque town of Vang Vieng. Surrounded by limestone karsts, Vang Vieng is ideal for exploring the countryside by bicycle.

Approx travel time: Private transport Luang Prabang to Homestay/Vang Vieng: 7 hours on a winding mountain road.



Day 11 Vientiane

A drive out of the mountains takes us to one of Asia's sleepiest capital cities. Enjoy the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, one of the city's oldest and most fascinating temples and Phat That Luang, Lao's national symbol and one of her most sacred sites. For those who like to shop, don't miss the Morning Market, which, incidentally, is open all day!

Our hotel is centrally located within walking distance of all the town’s main sights.



Private transport Vang Vieng to Vientiane: 3 hours



Days 12-13 Hanoi

A short flight on Day 12 takes us away from quiet Laos and into the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. A leisurely walk through the Old Quarter perhaps followed by a traditional Vietnamese meal are the perfect way to start your visit to this diverse country. On Day 13 we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his Presidential Palace and House on Stilts. The Mausoleum houses the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of unified Vietnam. Please note: the mausoleum and museum are closed for refurbishment from October-November each year.

During the afternoon, your time is free to explore this beautiful city. Visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology or just take a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a virtual maze of fascinating streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Late afternoon or early evening, we attend a performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets before sampling one of Hanoi's amazing eating venues.

We spend two nights in Hanoi. Our hotel is located in the Old Quarter.



Flight Vientiane to Ha Noi: 1.5 hours.
Transfer from airport to hotel: 45 mins

Days 14-15 Halong Bay/Hanoi (2B,2L,1D)

On day 14, we have private transport to Bai Chay harbour, our entry point to Halong Bay. Thousands of islands rise dramatically from the waters of Halong Bay and, to further their beauty, intricate cave systems naturally exist throughout these limestone karst formations. Our sailing junk will take you to visit some of the islands and caves. You could enjoy a pre-dinner swim (depending on the season) and have an evening drink on the deck beneath the stars. Our accommodation tonight is a truly special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts. All cabins are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom.

On day 15, after an early lunch on board the boat we head back to Hanoi. You have time to do some last minute shopping.

The sleeper trains throughout Vietnam are quite comfortable. Each cabin sleeps 4 people in 2 bunk beds. You will be able to lock the door from the inside. All bedding is provided. The train is air conditioned and has squat and Western style toilets with a wash basin at the end of each compartment. Bags can be stored in your cabin and accessed at anytime. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. This is not to everyone’s taste, so we recommend you bring your own.



Private bus Halong Bay to Hanoi: 4 hours each way
Transfer to train station: 15 min
Overnight train Ha Noi to Hue: 14-15 hours



Day 16 Hue (1B)

We arrive early on day 4 into Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. After checking in to our hotel, we start our day with a visit to the wonderful Tien Mu Pagoda. Built over 400 years ago, and at seven stories high, Tien Mu is still the tallest and perhaps the most elegant pagoda in Vietnam. We then visit a tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. These tombs are extremely ornate and embrace the concept of Feng Shui.

Afterwards, you may choose to enjoy a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery and there are various options to head out by bike to explore the local countryside. Please ask your CEO for more information.

In the evening, take the chance to try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). You might want to wash it all down with a Hue beer. Yum!

Our accommodation tonight is centrally located in the main street of Hue.

Days 17-19 Hoi An (3B)

This morning we’ll start our day touring the wonderful ruins of the Imperial Citadel, from where the whole of Vietnam was once ruled. You’ll enjoy exploring the many palaces and gateways, courtyards and gardens of this beautiful complex and of course hearing the stories of the emperors who once lived here.

Please note that if you have booked the Adrenaline Theme Pack you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to a sacred mountain retreat for cave rappelling. Enjoy abseiling from the summit into a cave, then into a temple chamber.

In the late morning we begin our drive to Hoi An. After crossing over the Hai Van Pass, with fantastic views in all directions, we will stop at Lang Co Beach, arriving in Hoi An in the afternoon for our three night stay.
Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections. You can take a walking tour of this living museum which includes the Museum of History and Culture, the Tan Ky house, the Japanese bridge, the Fujian Assembly Hall and lunch at a riverside restaurant to sample some of the local delicacies. Hoi An is also a shopping mecca for tourists in the region. Tailors can produce virtually anything overnight, with clothing, silk lanterns, lacquer ware and many other crafts abound. For sun worshipers, Cua Dai Beach is only 4kms from town and it is an easy bicycle ride to reach.

We overnight three nights in a Hoi An.



Private transport Hue to Hoi An: 4 hours



Days 20-21 Ho Chi Minh City (2B)

Drive to Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that was once the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.

On the morning of Day 21 we take our guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels. A complexed network of tunnels 90 minutes from the city where the locals lived during the American War to keep safe. The afternoon is free time to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Than Market. There is also the Reunification Palace, the residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before 1975, Cholon (literally translated: Big Market),the Chinese quarter and the War Remnants Museum.

We overnight two nights in Ho Chi Minh City. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. The hotel is well located in near the Benh Than Market, backpackers area, war remnant museum and within walking distance to all the French colonial buildings.



Private transfer Hoi An to airport: 45 min
Flight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City: 1 hour
Private transfer from airport to hotel: 30 min



Day 22 Mekong Delta Day Trip (1B)

Today we travel to where the mighty Mekong River approaches and empties in to the South China Sea. We board a small boat and navigate through the narrow canals, witnessing local lifestyle, floating vendors and small industrial boats. You will notice that many of the Vietnamese boats have eyes painted on the front to ward off evil spirits and to help guide the boat and crew safely back to land. We disembark our boat to visit some cottage industries for which the area is famous such as delicious and chewy coconut candy, rice cakes, Vietnamese popcorn and pottery production. Don't miss the chance to try the unique regional 'elephant fish' at a local restaurant during our lunch break.

After a day of touring this unique region, we return to Ho Chi Minh City in time for dinner.



Round trip to Mekong Delta today is approx 4 hours.



Days 23-24 Phnom Penh (2B)

On the day 23, we cross in to Cambodia by public bus. The drive to the border takes about 2 hours. After processing all border formalities, we continue on by bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, arriving mid-afternoon.
After years of civil strife and political turmoil Cambodia is open for visitors. Late afternoon we take a short Cyclo ride around the city.

With our local guide on day 24, we witness the dark side of Cambodian history with visits to Choeng Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished. Afterwards, continue sight seeing on your own.You can explore the cities many sights: the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. There is time to visit the huge Russian Market packed with souvenirs and all the necessities of daily life. Late afternoon is a great time to visit Wat Phnom where the sanctuary for which the city is named once stood. It is a Buddhist shrine, although a Taoist goddess and numerous monkeys also reside here, and one of the pleasure spots for residents of the city. A drink in one of the many riverside café’s watching the sunset is a fitting finale to the day.

We overnight two nights in Phnom Penh.

Public bus Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh: 6 hours including a short lunch at the local restaurant and border crossing

Days 25-27 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat (2B)

After a private bus trip through the Cambodian countryside we arrive in Siem Reap, explore Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom and one of the wonders of the archeological world. Rediscovered at the end of the 19th century by French explorers this vast ruined city is becoming one of the most popular sites in Southeast Asia. Over 2 days, with our professional local guide, visit some of the highlights of this ancient capital, like Sunrise at the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, also known as the 'Tomb Raider' temple.

Trips departing on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays will enjoy a meal in a nearby village at the Planeterra-supported New Hope project. Trips departing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays will visit a local home in a nearby village for a traditional meal. With so many travellers coming through these areas, alternating experiences helps to allow both small businesses to flourish. Both experiences are truly unique and memorable.

We spend three nights in the Siem Reap. Our hotel is located away from the noisy area of city center but still within a walking distance or a short tuk tuk ride to town area.

Private bus Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: 6 hours

Day 28 Bangkok (B)

A long day's private bus ride takes us from the countryside of Cambodia to the modern kingdom of Thailand. It is a scenic drive through a very rurual part of Cambodia. The border crossing formalities can take up to 2 hours. Once we reach the Thailand side we continue on with the drive to Bangkok.

We have time to check-in to our centrally located hotel and head out for an evening meal and time to take in the local nightlife.

We spend this evening in Bangkok. Our hotel is located in China Town, next to the central train station and MRT (Subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc.

Private bus Siem Reap to Cambodian border: 2.5 hours
Private minivans Thai border to Bangkok: 4 hours

Day 29 Bangkok (B)

Last day in Bangkok - we enjoy whatever else left to see and do!



(based on the GAP Adventure Itinerary)

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