MOUNTAINS TO THE MEKONG

Transcription

1 From Halong Bay to Luang Prabang, a walking journey through the colourful culture of Vietnam and Laos A unique 3 day journey down Laos Nam Ou river on foot and by long boat Overnight junk cruise and kayaking on UNESCO Halong Bay in Vietnam Meet the hilltribes of Vietnam and Laos on guided walks with village homestays Discover Hanoi, Sapa, Dien Bien Phu and Luang Prabang HOLIDAY CODE VLL Vietnam, Laos, Trek & Walk, Discovery, 15 Days 1 night bungalow, 2 nights guesthouse, 3 nights homestay, 8 nights hotel, 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 9 dinners, max group size: 15, 7 days trekking, 7 days sightseeing and touring, max altitude 2047m VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction This new walking holiday will take you on a unique and active journey through the colourful highlights of north Vietnam and Laos, from the precipitous limestone islands of Halong Bay on the South China Sea, through the mist shrouded mountains and gravity defying rice terraces of North Vietnam, to Luang Prabang and the banks of the mighty Mekong River in Laos. We begin with a day to explore the smoky streets of Hanoi s Old Quarter and a relaxing overnight cruise on Vietnam s Halong Bay. Then, as we work our way north, we ll enjoy 3 days hiking through remote villages and rice terraces, sleeping in traditional wooden stilted homestays and meeting the friendly people of the Thai and H mong tribes. We ll also stay overnight in the old French mountain hill station of Sapa, gateway to the Tonkinese Alps (including views of Mt Fansipan (3143m) the highest peak in Vietnam), and spend time in Dien Bien Phu, where we learn all about the town s fascinating war history. Crossing into Laos, our first night will be spent at the riverside community of Muong Khua, where striking limestone crags dominate the horizon. Here, we will board our traditional long boats and begin our 3 day journey down Laos Nam Ou river to Muong Ngoi, travelling on foot and by long boat, this will surely be the highlight of our holiday. During our expedition we will stay overnight in simple bungalows in a remote H mong village, where they still wear traditional dress, and spend the night at a camp in a stunning riverside location. From Muong Ngoi we drive to our journey s end amongst the beautiful fusion of French colonial architecture and Buddhist temples that is Luang Prabang, 'The Jewel of South East Asia'. This holiday has a real focus on getting in and amongst life in some of the most rural areas of Vietnam and Laos and meeting the exceptionally friendly people who make their home there. Expect memorable walks, delicious and fragrant food, stunning scenery, simple and characterful accommodation and lots of cultural interaction. Is this holiday for you? This holiday is a mix of walking, sightseeing and cultural immersion. There will be 7 days of walking in total. The walking day is typically around 4-5 hours long, though we have two more commiting days of around 6hrs. During our walks in Vietnam we will be hiking mostly on straightforward village trails and through rice paddies. In Laos we will also use jungle tracks and with rougher underfoot conditions. Though generally straightforward when dry, the trails can be muddy and a bit slippery following a rain shower, which can make things a bit more challenging. The heat and humidity can be a little strong in the middle of day, however the mornings and evenings at these altitudes are generally much cooler. Our longest days will be in Laos as we trek up through the jungle to the remote hill top village of Ban Huoi Loo. We will not have access to our main baggage during our stay in the village, so there will be two days where you need to be prepared to carry a slightly heavier pack with you minimal overnight gear (toiletries, sleeping wear, sleeping bag liner etc...). On all other days you will only be required to walk with a light day pack. The focus of this holiday is getting off the beaten track and into remote areas, and as such we will spend a series of nights in very simple, but traditional, accommodation with only basic facilities (see accommodation section for further information). Though the north of Vietnam is becoming more popular with visitors, the same cannot yet be said for delightful Laos. Tourism is very much still in its infancy here and because of this it is essential that you pack your spirit of adventure and prepare for an element of the unexpected! Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Hanoi. A single timed transfer from Hanoi Airport is provided. Meet at the group hotel in Hanoi. A single timed group transfer is provided for the 1hr journey to our hotel in the heart of the charming Old Quarter. Our hotel rooms will be available for check in from 2pm. If you are arriving earlier and would like to arrange an early check in please contact the office. KE Land Only package services begin

3 PAGE 3 with a 'Welcome' dinner in one of Hanoi's traditional restaurants where we can sample some delicious North Vietnamese cuisine. HOTEL MEALS D Day 2: From Historic Hanoi to Halong Bay. Kayaking and overnight Junk cruise. If jet lag wakes you early we can recommend taking a pre breakfast wander down to Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword). At dawn this area comes alive as the pavements around the lake fill with joggers and tai chi enthusiasts taking advantage of the cooler early morning air. After breakfast we leave Hanoi behind and drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. We are sure to see scenes of everyday Vietnamese village life along the way, such as figures in conical hats tending rice fields and water buffalo. On reaching Halong Bay, we board our traditional junk on which we will cruise among the thousands of spectacular limestone islands that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board, while the captain steers us out into the bay. We visit one of the most beautiful grottos and we will also have the opportunity to go kayaking on the bay. In the evening we will enjoy another meal of fresh seafood, careful prepared by our fantastic crew. After watching the sun go down in this fairytale-like environment we sleep on board of our boat. We stay in comfortable cabins, with private bathrooms (complete with showers), on board. Drive Time: 3-4hrs HOTEL MEALS BLD Day 3: Morning cruise Halong Bay. Return to Hanoi. Sightseeing Hanoi and traditional water puppet show. We will take breakfast on board as we continue the cruise passing the extraordinary rock formations that tower out of the bay. We will also have the chance to take a small boat out through the arch of Luon cave. Returning to the port at Halong we disembark and make the drive to Hanoi. We have the chance to take a short city tour, visiting the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and his disciples and a walking tour of the atmospheric Old Quarter. The Old Quarter, consisting of around 35 streets is essentially the original pre-20th century Hanoi. Prior to the modern age each street was known for a particular trade and the street names still reflect this. Although only a few of these streets now carry on this tradition, the architecture still conjures up this former era and the street are still alive with industry. In the evening, we will head out to watch a traditional water puppet show. Drive time: 3-4hrs. HOTEL MEALS BL Day 4: From Hanoi to Muong Lo. Trek through rice terraces and traditional Thai villages. We breakfast at our Hanoi hotel before driving through the Red River Delta and into the mountains of Yen Bai province. This area is home to the Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma people. We will break our journey at the home of Mr. Tung where we will discover how to make green tea the traditional way. Driving on we eventually arrive into Muong Lo and the town of Nghia Lo, which claims the second largest rice field in the Northwest Vietnam. This area is the homeland of the Thai who first came here to grow rice around 700 years ago. The landscape is dotted with their traditional houses, made from iron and bamboo. We stretch our legs after our long drive with our walking tour around the nearby villages where we can learn about the Thai ethnic culture and their day to day life. Drive time: 6hrs. HOMESTAY MEALS BLD TIME 2 HRS WALKING HOURS

4 PAGE 4 Day 5: Hike on a balcony path through the rice terraces to La Pan Tan. Transfer to Mu Cang Chai. Overnight Homestay. Today we enjoy a gentle walk through a magnificent landscape, to La Pan Tan, the capital of Vietnam rice terraces. We follow a stunning balcony path, which connects the H'mong villages of Mi Hang Tau, Trong Tong and La Pan Tan. The landscape here is a stunning tapestry of rice fields, misty mountains, and wooden stilted houses. Many of the friendly people we will meet here will be clothed in tribal dress. Life is still very traditional here so this is a fantastic place to spend time if you are interested in learning about the culture of rural North Vietnam. Our vehicle will be waiting to meet us at the end of the trail and we will transfer to Mu Cang Chai. Mu Cang Chai is an attractive town with impressive, and extremely photogenic, terraced rice fields. We stay nearby in a traditional village homestay. Drive time 2-3hrs. HOMESTAY MEALS BLD ASCENT 400M DESCENT 400M DISTANCE 8KM TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 6: Trek from the homestay to the village of Hang Dang De. Drive over the Tram Ton Pass (2047m) to the old French hill station of Sapa. This morning's walk begins from our homestay and takes us through a stunning landscape of terraced rice fields, mountains, and villages of wooden stilted houses. We will pass through villages belonging to the Blue H'mong people, it is common for villagers to still dress traditionally in their unique tribal costume. We will meet our vehicles near the village of Hang Dang De and begin our drive to Sapa. This drive takes us high up over the Tram Ton Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam (2047m). We can spend a little time on top of the pass to take photos and enjoy the cooler (and very often windier!) atmosphere. From here, weather allowing, we should be able to see Fansipan (3143m) the 'roof of Indochina', though usually partially hidden behind its ever present shroud of cloud. We should arrive into Sapa in the late afternoon where we will check into our hotel accommodation. This evening we are free to look around Sapa or rest at the hotel. There are a range of dining options in Sapa, so tonight's dinner is not included leaving you free to choose the budget and style of your evening meal - you might want to head out and find some delicious street food. Drive time: 3-4hrs HOTEL DESCENT 400M ASCENT 400M TIME 3-4 HRS WALKING HOURS DISTANCE 8KM MEALS BL Day 7: Walking around Sapa. Transfer to Muong Lay. After breakfast we transfer the short distance to the village of Lao Chai from where we will enjoy a leisurely 2hr walk through the forests and amongst rice terraces to Ta Van where our vehicle will be waiting for us. This is a great opportunity to stretch our legs ahead of our drive to Muong Lay. Though will be our longest drive day, the compensation is that the road from Sapa to Phong Tho (Paso) happens to be one of the most beautiful mountainous stretches of road in the whole of Vietnam! If we are travelling through on a Sunday or a Thursday we should hopefully also get to experience the colourful market at Phong Tho as we are pass through. The road weaves its way through the picturesque valley, past many small villages of Red and White H'mong, Black Dao and White Thai ethnic minorities. We eventually reach Muong Lay in the late afternoon, where we will overnight in a hotel. Drive time: 6hrs

5 PAGE 5 HOTEL DISTANCE 6KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 400M TIME 2 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Drive to Dien Bien Phu. Enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing around this historic town. This morning we drive the last stretch into historic Dien Bien Phu. We can spend the rest of the day exploring around the historical sights of this remote town, which in 1954 was the setting for a climactic battle between Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh communist revolutionary forces, led by legendary Vietnamese general Vo Nguyen Giap, and the French Union. After a bloody battle and a 57 day siege the French forces finally surrendered. This was a decisive victory for the Viet Minh and one that would ultimately lead to North Vietnam finally gaining its independence from colonial rule. Among the sites we'll visit today are French General De Castrie's bunker, the excellent War Museum and the former French position of Eliane, known to the Vietnamese as A1 Hill, where we can see a monument to the Viet Minh casualties and a recreation of the French defences. Afterwards, we return to our hotel and have the evening free to discover some more local Vietnamese dishes on what will be our last night in Vietnam. Drive time: 3hrs. HOTEL MEALS BL Day 9: Depart Vietnam and cross the border into Laos at Tay Trang. Drive to Muong Khua. After breakfast in hotel, we take a short transfer to Tay Trang, where we will say goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Laos! Once across the border we will be met by our new driver and our local Laotian guide. A further 3hr drive will take us to Muong Khua. The drive is scenic and we will pass through many villages, homes to the Red and Black Thai ethnic tribes and we will stop where possible to hop out and experience a bit of village life. We will arrive into Muong Khua in the early afternoon. This is a pretty and laid back little town, which is built on a steep hillside at the confluence of two rivers, the famous Nam Ou and the Nam Phak. Overnight in hotel. Drive time 3-4hrs. GUESTHOUSE MEALS BLD Day 10: Long boat journey to Ban Pak Boud. Hike to the remote Hmong Village of Ban Huoi Loor or Ban Kong Muan. Today will be our longest walking day. In the early morning, we head to the famous Nam Ou River and board our traditional river boat, which will carry us 2hrs downstream to Ban Pak Boud. Nam Ou, literally translates as 'rice bowl river', and this one of the most important rivers in the whole of Laos and is a tributary of the Mekong. We will see some stunning scenery as we cruise along the river, flanked by tall limestone out crops and thick green jungle. From here we leave our main baggage behind, taking with us only what we need for one night, and continue our journey on foot through the beautiful mountain landscape inland and uphill to the village of Ban Huoi Loor or nearby Ban Kong Muan, villages of the Hmong people. It is an uphill trek through real jungle up to the villages, and the conditions will be humid, but worth the effort for this rare opportunity to spend the night in this unspoilt and traditional village. As we arrive into the village we will be welcomed by the local people, some of whom will still be wearing traditional dress. Tonight we will enjoy some traditional homecooked Laotian cuisine and sleep in small and simple wooden stilted bungalows. River journey: 2hrs

6 PAGE 6 HOMESTAY ASCENT 950M DISTANCE 14KM GPS DATA VIEW NOW MEALS BLD DESCENT 400M TIME 6-7 HRS WALKING HOURS Day 11: Trek through Khamu villages to Ban Phon Sana. Travel by Long boat to our river side bungalow/ camp at Pha Sou. After enjoying a typical village style breakfast, we set of on foot for the village of Ban Mok Laep (an ethnic village of the Khmu people). We will have a little time to look around the village before we continue our journey back down towards the river and the village of Ban Phon Sana where we will meet our long boats again. We will take lunch in the village before cruising down to our riverside bungalow/fixed camp on the riverside at Pha Sou. Tonight we stay directly on the riverside amongst truly breath taking surroundings, a really unique experience. We will enjoy a BBQ dinner in this unforgettable setting. River journey: 1.5hrs BUNGALOW MEALS BLD ASCENT 400M DESCENT 950M DISTANCE 14KM TIME 5 HRS WALKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 12: River journey to Muong Ngoi. Visit the Tham Kaang cave and trek through rice fields to ethnic villages. We will breakfast at our riverside jungle camp, before returning to our long boat for the short journey to Muang Ngoi, where we end our river journey. Though Muang Ngoi has only recently become accessible by 4x4, this small community will feel deceptively urban in comparison to the hill top village and riverside camp where we have spent the previous two nights! We will enjoy a much gentler walking day today, without any real ascent and descent, beginning with a short hike to visit the small limestone cave at Tham Kaang; a place where the local villagers hid during Indochina War ( ). We will then take a path that meanders through the rice fields to Ban Na, a village of T'ai Deng ethnic, and Ban Houai Sene, a village of T'ai Deng and Khamu ethnic, where we will eat lunch at a simple local restaurant before returning to Muang Ngoi in plenty of time to be able to watch the sunset over the Nam Our river one last time. Tonight's accommodation is in a simple guesthouse, right on the banks of the river. River journey: 30 mins GUESTHOUSE MEALS BLD ASCENT 300M DESCENT 300M DISTANCE 12KM TIME 5-6 HRS WALKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 13: Drive from Muong Ngoi to the beautiful city of Luang Prabang. Visit Pak Ou caves. This morning we return to our long boats and the Nam Ou for the final cruise downstream to Nong Khiaw. Here we are met by our vehicle and begin the drive to Luang Prabang. We will break the journey at the caves at Pak Ou. These two caves, cut from the limestone karst are crammed full of hundreds of statues and images of Buddha all of varying shapes and sizes. We take lunch nearby at local restaurant located right on the banks of the mighty Mekong River before continuing on to Luang Prabang, which is situated at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Kahn rivers. We head straight to our hotel to check in and the rest of the afternoon/evening is free to explore or relax, you may want to head out to find the night market. With numerous dining options available the venue and budget for dinner tonight is up to you! Where ever you choose to dine you are sure to be surrounded by beautiful colonial inspired architecture. Drive time: 4hrs

7 PAGE 7 HOTEL MEALS BL Day 14: A full day to explore Luang Prabang, the Jewel of Indochina. We breakfast at the hotel before heading out to make the most of our day in the stunning Luang Prabang. Exploring by foot is the best way to take in the tranquil ambience of the town and today we will start early! After an early wakeup call and breakfast we will head out amongst pathways and alleys of the town, which are so atmospheric in the early dawn. It is at this time of day that hundreds of saffron-robed monks leave their monasteries with brass alms bowls to collect rice and offerings from the local people and visitors alike - a spectacle worth witnessing. Our first job today is to climb the 365 steps of the Phousi Mountain to enjoy a panoramic view at sunrise, a time when this popular site is still calm with the town shrouded in morning mist. After watching the sun come up, we'll head back down into town and begin our guided walking tour. We'll aim to see as many of the architectural and historical wonders of this UNESCO-protected town as we can. We'll begin at the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum - closed Mondays) where we can learn about the history of Laos. We will also visit many of the main temples including Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. We'll also Wat Visoun, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 having been destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the afternoon we head out to see the famous waterfall at Kuangsi, stopping to look around some local villages on our way. We return to our hotel late in the afternoon with time to change before heading out to celebrate the last night of your holiday. Tonight your guide will take you to the night market where there will be an absolute smorgasbord of traditional food to try, for this reason we have not included dinner on this final night. HOTEL MEALS B Day 15: Departure Day. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. A single airport transfer is provided. If you would like to extend your stay in Luang Prabang additional hotel nights can be arranged, or you may want to consider adding an extension to visit neighbouring Cambodia, and the magnificent temples at Angkor Wat. MEALS B Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit.

8 PAGE 8 Highlights Of Angkor Extension Angkor, in northern Cambodia, is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-east Asia. Stretching over some 400 square km, the park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries, including the largest pre-industrial city in the world. The most famous are the Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. Highlights of Angkor Extension 4 days From 330 per person Holiday Information What's Included A professional and qualified tour leader in Vietnam A professional and qualified tour leader in Laos Single timed Airport transfers on arrival and departure Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan All accommodation as described All land and sea transport involved in the itinerary What's Not Included Travel insurance Visa costs Tips for trek staff Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc Meal Plan In the larger towns and cities where there is a wide range of dining options and budgets (from street food to high class dining) it makes sense while staying in these places to leave the choice to you and therefore meals other than breakfasts and the welcome dinner have not been included here. For non-included meals you should allow around $5-10 per meal this is based on a large meal at a mid-range restaurant. If you prefer to sample the street food you can expect to pay around $1-2 per meal. All other meals are included in the holiday cost. Please refer to the itinerary for details of which meals are not included. Food You can expect to feast on an A to Z of delicious Vietnamese and Laotian cuisine during the course of your stay! Start practising your chopstick technique now, as there may be no knives and forks for parts of this holiday. The

9 PAGE 9 cuisine of both countries is fresh, fragrant and flavoursome. Typically, for included meals, a selection of dishes or varying flavours will be served together and each person takes a little of each dish so there will usually be something to please everyone (vegetarians included!) at every meal. A typical meal will include Pho (noodle soup), spring rolls, spiced beef and pork dishes, fish in chilli, tomato served with tofu, stir fried vegetables and rice, with fresh fruit for dessert. In Laos we can expect the addition of traditional Laotian food such as charcoal chicken, sticky rice and fried fish. Whilst on board our junk in Halong Bay we will certainly be treated to a variety of fresh and delicious sea food. Joining Arrangements & Transfers A single timed transfer from Hanoi Airport to the group hotel is included. This transfer is coordinated with the arrival of the preferred flight on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. This transfer will usually depart from Hanoi Airport early morning. At the end of the trip a single timed group transfer will be provided to Luang Prabang Airport. This transfer will usually be in the late afternoon. Anyone may use these transfers regardless of flights. If you are not on the preferred flight but wish to use the group airport transfer, please let us know by calling the KE office. If you are unable to take advantage of these transfers, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements from/to Hanoi Airport. Independent airport transfers can be provided at additional cost. Please contact the KE office for further information. Accommodation There are a total of 6 nights in comfortable hotels and guesthouses; 2 nights in Hanoi, 1 night in Sapa, 1 night in Dien Bien Phu, and 2 nights in Luang Prabang, and 1 night in a simple hotel in Sapa in Muong Lay. In Muong Ngoi and Muong Khua we stay in modest guesthouse accommodation with basic en suite facilities. On board our Junk on Ha long bay we will have cabins with air conditioning, electricity, private bathroom, and en suite facilities. The Junk has a sun deck, dining room, bar and a friendly crew ready to look after you! At the hotels, guesthouses and on board our Junk rooms will be twin share. There will also be 3 nights in basic accommodation, a mix of stilted homestays, small wooden village bungalows and riverside bungalows, where you will require a sleeping bag liner or light sleeping bag if you are a cold sleeper! At the homestays in Vietnam sleeping arrangements will be communal with several people sharing each room and footwear left outside, there will be a shared bathroom with basic shower facilities and a western toilet. The group will share a large room, but each person will have their own foam mattress, with bedding and mosquito net provided - there will be plenty of colourful blankets should the temperature fall in the evenings. At the village stay in Laos we will either sleep in small communal bungalows, or in one of the village houses. This will be the most basic accommodation of the trip and a real cultural immersion. There will be water available to wash with but no shower facilities and a shared Asian squat toilet. At our stunningly located riverside bungalows, accommodation is usually twin share, again foam mattresses and mosquito nets will also be provided. There will be a toilet block with showers and western toilets. Whilst the facilities in Laos will be more basic, the unique experience of staying in the locations we have chosen, will more than make up for any discomfort. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Depending on availability, it is possible to book a single supplement for some of the nights. For hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the holiday on our website. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by two separate professional and qualified tour leaders: one in Vietnam and one in Laos. Whilst walking in Laos we will also have an additional local walking guide and crew. Spending Money

10 PAGE 10 Approximately $250-$300 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses. This amount should be enough to cover the non-included meals, tips to local staff, guides, drivers, boatmen etc. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly (credit cards can be useful in this respect). It is not necessary to obtain local currency (Vietnamese Dong or Laotian Kip) prior to travelling. Money can be changed most easily at the airport or at banks in Hanoi. The group hotel in Hanoi will be able to make small exchanges only. There are ATMs in Hanoi that accept foreign credit and debit cards. In Laos, there are few ATMs and these are not dependable. On crossing into Laos you will be able to change money at the border or at a bank in Muang Kua, you guide will be able to offer you advice on where is best to change your money. We recommend that you carry your travel money in US dollars cash rather than travellers cheques. US dollars are acceptable for exchange in Hanoi and in Sapa and can be used to pay directly for goods and services in both Vietnam and in Laos. Guidance On Tipping Tips are the accepted way of saying thank you to your local guides and to your support crews and drivers. They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local crews the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given. For your support crews we recommend that you give a tip if you feel that their services have met your satisfaction. It is best to tip as a group and it is useful to have a group pool for this. As a rough guide we suggest you allow a total of $100 to $150 for tipping. Note that you will have a guide and a driver in Vietnam, a Laotian guide, local walking guide, a small crew of boatmen and a driver in Laos. It is not unusual to tip the families at homestays if you feel that they have provided a great service. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where available) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance There are parts of this holday where your baggage will be carried by local staff, and it will also need to be easily loaded of and on to long boats whilst in Laos. For this reason we recommend that your baggage should not weigh more than 15kg, we would also suggest that a soft hold all style bag (like the KE trek bag) or a large rucsack will provide the best packing solution for this trip. As we will be be spending a lot of time on or beside the water we would strongly recommend that you pack your belongings inside a series of dry bags within your main baggage. When we stay overnight in the village of Ban Huoi Loor we will not have access to our main baggage and therefore there are two days when we will be required to carry a slightly heavier rucksack, containing our minimal overnight gear. The remainder of our luggage will stay with the longboat an its crew. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

11 PAGE 11 Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Vietnam Until 30 June 2021 British Citizen passport holders do not need a visa for durations of stay up to and including 15 days. For stays of longer than 15 days and up to 30 days an e-visa is required. Use of the e-visa is limited to certain entry/exit points which you must select at the time of application. For information about multiple entry visas, longer stays or different nationalities please contact the relevant embassy. The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK is in London. Visa Laos UK and USA passport holders do require a visa. The visa fee is $35 and is obtainable on arrival. You will require 2 passport photos. Payment must be in cash. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Zika virus has been confirmed as active in this country. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that transmit ZIKV are unlikely to be found above 2,000m altitude. For more information, visit the website of the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) at Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

12 PAGE 12 Currency The unit of currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong. The unit of currency in Laos is the Lao Kip. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate September and October are shoulder season in Laos, so we can expect more rain in this period, however this is the best time to visit the rice terraces of North Vietnam, as it is the middle of harvest time and the terraces will be emerald green and a hive of activity! The harvest is usually over my around mid October. The coolest and driest time for a visit is from November to March when the weather is kinder and more stable. Average daily temperatures at this time of year average at around 30 degrees Celsius, and can be much cooler at night. The general daytime humidity will be a lot higher than we are usually accustomed to, and this is also a factor to be considered. Our walking will be on village tracks and jungle trails, through rice fields and sub-tropical mountain forest and you should be adequately prepared and equipped for equal measures of sunshine, rain and humidity. Books A Dragon Apparent: Travels in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam - Norman Lewis Hill Tribes Phrasebook - Lonely Planet Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays.

13 PAGE 13 Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Hanoi, with Vietnam Airlines. Outbound flights will depart from the UK usually in the morning, arriving in the morning of the following day (day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). Return flights will depart from Luang Prabang in the early afternoon of the last day of the itinerary, arriving in the UK the following morning. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Hanoi. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Hanoi Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 34 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.

14 PAGE 14 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of

15 PAGE 15 the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

16 PAGE 16 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: Sheet sleeping bag and a pillow case Hiking boots Daypack 30 litres Dry bags (for keeping luggage dry inside main bag) Sandals/Flip flops (for temple visits and for hopping off and on boats) Training shoes or similar Trekking trousers Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Lightwieght waterproof jacket Underwear Socks Swimwear Casual shirt and/or T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater Travel clothes Sunhat Buff Sunglasses Headtorch Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre x2 Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small towel Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Immodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, antihistamine cream and tablets, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are a good idea. The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Light Sleeping bag Ear Plugs (for use in homestays) Umbrella Camera Shorts (should not be worn in temples etc) Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Small padlock (to lock trek bag)

17 PAGE 17 NOTES *Mosquito nets are generally provided throughout the tour, including at the homestay accommodation. Please note: This document was downloaded on 23 Jul 2018, and the trip is subject to change.