Embrace this rare opportunity to explore Vietnam by Private Train on the legendary Reunification Express - one of the world s great rail journeys.

Transcription

1 Japanese Bridge Hoi An Embrace this rare opportunity to explore Vietnam by Private Train on the legendary Reunification Express - one of the world s great rail journeys. Welcomed onto your private rail coaches in Ho Chi Minh City you will travel in stages including some legs by coach and plane, enjoying Vietnam s most iconic destinations on a 1,700-kilometre odyssey all the way north to Hanoi. The adventure includes side trips to the colourful colonial hill station city of Dalat, the ancient trading port of Hoi An and a special charter on the normally inaccessible last steam railway in Indochina. An overnight cruise around the islands of the stunning World Heritage listed Ha Long Bay is the icing on the cake, and extending your journey to the scenic hill station of Sapa by rail will showcase more fascinating aspects of this diverse country. Exceptional fully escorted adventure Six world Heritage Sights Private train travel on the Reunification Express Dalat Mountain Railway Indochina s last working steam railway Luxury overnight cruise to Ha Long Bay Optional extension by train to Sapa Luxury accommodation throughout Enjoy luxury hotels, most meals and personal attention from your host and his team of guides. Along the way discover the rich culture of Vietnam: its ancient kingdoms and colourful colonial past, the fascinating ethnic diversity and triumphant post-war reconstruction. Legendary food, friendly people and excellent shopping complete the experiences of this wonderful and unique railway adventure.

2 Day 1 Thursday 9th October Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City Suggested flights Vietnam Airlines departing Sydney (ex Melbourne option available): Depart Sydney am Arrive Ho Chi Minh City 4.15 pm Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Later this evening enjoy a welcome dinner with Scott McGregor, our local guiding team and our fellow travellers. Overnight at the newly renovated Grand Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (D) Day 2 Friday 10th October Ho Chi Minh City Scott McGregor has been involved in the media for over 30 years as an actor, presenter, writer and producer. Graduating from NIDA in 1979, he appeared in a wide range of stage, film and TV roles and has presented and hosted numerous prime-time ratings winners including two series of his own Railway Adventures programs. His antique shops with a decidedly railway theme, under the banner of Off The Rails, were legendary through the 1990s and Ruwenzori, his Orient Expressstyle retreat near Mudgee in NSW, which he established in the 1980s, has been a popular boutique tourist accommodation for the last decade. Over the last 10 years Scott has led a score of tours to destinations all over the world and in 2012 he established Railway Adventures, focusing on the quality and character of the journey as well as the destination. Begin exploration of Ho Chi Minh City with a leisurely introductory city tour stopping at the Ben Thanh Market, the historic City Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. After lunch at a local restaurant take a look at the Vietnam War Remnants Museum and the old Presidential Palace now known as the Reunification Palace including a little-visited secret VC hiding place used to store weapons for an attack on the Independence Palace in Overnight at Grand Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (B, L) Day 3 Saturday 11th October Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Mekong River After breakfast follow the path of Vietnam s very first railway line (opened in 1885, abandoned in 1958) to My Tho, 70 kilometres southwest of Ho Chi Minh City in the Mekong Delta. On the way we are introduced to the railway history of southern Vietnam and see some of the surviving vestiges of the abandoned line. From the site of the former railway station on the My Tho quayside, take a boat cruise on the Mekong River to a nearby island where we can walk through rice fields and orchards, sample local fruit and rice wine and listen to a musical performance. Afterwards row along the island waterways and canals in a sampan to another island where we will have lunch, sampling the delicious local specialty elephant ear fish. Then it s back to Ho Chi Minh City and an afternoon of leisure before dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Grand Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D) Day 4 Sunday 12th October Ho Chi Minh City - Thap Cham - Dalat After breakfast we head for Saigon Railway Station where our private railway carriages are coupled onto Train SE6, departing at 9.00 am. The first of our scenic train journeys takes us along the southernmost section of the former Transindochinois railway, built between 1904 and It meanders across the rice paddies and busy towns of the fertile south while morning tea and, later, lunch is served in your private buffet car. Reaching Thap Cham ( Cham Tower ) Station at 2:57 pm, we are conveyed by luxury coach up the mountains to the old French hill station of Dalat, stopping for sightseeing along the way. This was once the favourite retreat of the French colonialists in the cool climate of the Central Highlands. We will reside in the old world grandeur of the Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel. Dinner will be served in the opulent dining hall at the hotel. Overnight at Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel, Dalat (B, L, D) Day 5 Monday 13th October Dalat This morning we take a tour of Dalat in the coach, visiting the summer residence of the last Emperor, Bao Dai, who was forced to abdicate in 1945; then the quirky architecture of the Crazy House Art Gallery and the Truc Lam Temple on scenic Tuyen Lam Lake. On the way, stop at the Prenn Waterfall. After lunch head for the old Dalat Railway Station, an art deco masterpiece completed in 1938 and the terminus of the former Langbian Cog Railway ( , now earmarked

3 for reconstruction) to take a short diesel-hauled train trip along a reopened 7-kilometre (adhesion rail) stretch of the old line and learn about the line s fascinating history. Take time to see the tall Linh Phuoc Pagoda before the return journey behind the vintage Russian diesel railcar. Overnight at Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel, Dalat (B, L) Day 6 Tuesday 14th October Dalat - Nha Trang Danang - Hoi An After a leisurely breakfast head back down the mountain, taking in the breathtaking scenery on the way, to resume our train journey in Nha Trang, stopping to view some surviving vestiges of the old Langbian Cog Railway and the extraordinary views stretching out over the coastal plain. After lunch at the wonderful beachside Sailing Club restaurant we will visit the Poklong Garai Temple, built by the Cham in the early 14th century, to discover more about this ancient people who left their architectural mark on the entire south-central coastal region of Vietnam. Down at the station we will reboard our private coaches, coupled onto Train SE8, departing at 1.42 pm and travel overnight along the final section of the Transindochinois railway built by the French colonial government in This is a stunning section of the coastline-hugging railway. Mountains and lakes are also a part of the ever-changing scenery. Dinner will be served in the private buffet car as the countryside rolls by in the deep glow of evening. As we travel, enjoy a talk on the history of the line we are riding and then enjoy the on-board karaoke and movie system. The train pulls into Danang station at pm and the coach will then transfer us to our luxurious resort hotel in the heart of old Hoi An. Hanoi Opera House Overnight at Anatara Resort, Hoi An (B, L, D) Day 7 Wednesday 15th October Hoi An Enjoy a morning free to take your time over breakfast, soak up the facilities of the hotel and explore the district. Our guided walking tour of the town begins just before lunch, exploring the Thien Hau Temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge and several ancient houses. Hoi An is also renowned for its skilled tailors who can make up any type of clothing within 24 hours, so today will also provide an opportunity for a fitting session. A leisurely lunch is unfurled at the Cargo Club in the heart of the old town and afterwards you are free to stroll around the ancient town, return to the hotel in your own time or be fitted for the latest tailored fashions. Overnight at Anatara Resort, Hoi An (B, L) Halong Bay Grand Hotel Saigon Day 8 Thursday 16th October Free day at Hoi An The day is free to enjoy and explore the wonders of Hoi An or take in the many options available. Highly recommended is a cooking class where you can study how to cook some Vietnamese traditional dishes in the company of an experienced chef. You will be taken to Tra Que organic herb gardens to purchase ingredients at the local village market, then it s in-depth hands-on cooking followed by lunch and a return trip to Hoi An by boat; OR an early morning side trip by road to the My Son temple complex, a cluster of stone towers and sanctuaries built by the Cham from the 7th to the 14th centuries which is often compared to South East Asia s other major temple complexes such as Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Bagan and Ayutthaya. In 1999, My Son was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Arrive back in time for a late lunch. Numerous other options are available which Scott and our guide will also be happy to arrange. Overnight at Anatara Resort, Hoi An (B) Day 9 Friday 17th October Hoi An - Danang - Hue Today we find ourselves back on the rails. Departing Hoi An after breakfast, we will visit the busy Danang Railway Workshops and meet the manager who is passionate about the work they do and the future of the national railway system. Hai Van Pass

4 We will also visit the world-renowned Cham Sculpture Museum, established in by academics of the École française de l Extrème Orient, containing the world s largest and most valuable collection of Cham sculptures from various temple sites, including Tra Kieu (Singapura), Dong Duong (Indrapura) and Thap Mam (Vijaya) and dating from the 4th to the 15th centuries CE. Finally, head back to Danang Station where our private carriages will be coupled onto Train SE2 departing at pm. Lunch will be served in our buffet car as the train rolls over the stunningly beautiful Hai Van Pass. Stone-lined tunnels and viaducts are a feature of this dramatically engineered line completed by the French in Perched on the cliff and hugging the coast, the railway has wide views across the sea and beyond to our destination, the old imperial capital of Hue. The train will pull into the grand colonial station at 3.00 pm and we are transferred to the new luxury Imperial Hotel. The evening is free to enjoy the many dining options in the busy district around the hotel. Overnight at Imperial Hotel, Hue (B, L) Day 10 Saturday 18th October Hue Hue acted as Vietnam s political and royal capital during the 19th century and remains one of the country s most important cultural and religious centres. Our full-day tour starts with a visit to the vast Hue Citadel, followed by visits to the Tu Duc and Khai Dinh Mausolea and the Royal Arena, where tigers and elephants once fought for the king s amusement. Visit a garden house - a unique architectural feature of Nguyen-dynasty Hue surrounded by flower gardens and orchards. After a picnic lunch we will explore the tranquil Thien Mu Pagoda then take a boat trip back to our hotel along the Perfume River and in the evening enjoy a Royal Banquet featuring dishes once served only in the Forbidden City. Overnight at Imperial Hotel, Hue (B, L, D) Day 11 Sunday 19th October Hue - Vihn Moc - Dong Hoi Early check-out and after breakfast depart by coach for the infamous region known as the DMZ and the resort city of Dong Hoi. From 1954 to 1975 the DMZ served as the demarcation line between the North and the South of Vietnam. Ironically, during the war, it became one of the most militarized zones in the world. The first stop is at the Hein Luong Bridge and associated museum. You have the option to join Scott and our guides on an excursion into the Vinh Moc Tunnels which are immaculately preserved, revealing the lives the villagers lived underground to avoid the mayhem above. Of the many tunnel complexes in Vietnam, these are considered the most complete and easily accessible (no crawling required). Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant right on the beach that was used for smuggling arms and then continue to the resort and port city of Donh Hoi. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure and dinner is provided in the hotel s fine dining restaurant. Overnight at Sun Spa Resort (B, L, D) Day 12 Monday 20th October Dong-Hoi - Hanoi The morning is at leisure and a late check-out allows a chance to re-charge the batteries and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. For those with a sense of adventure join Scott for an optional excursion to the acclaimed Phong Nha Caves, about an hour s drive from the hotel. There are two main cave complexes which both Lonely Planet and Trip Advisor rate as must see. Lunch is on your own with arrival at Dong Hoi Airport scheduled for 1.30 pm and our flight (VN 1599) to Hanoi departing at 2.30 pm. Transfer to the heart of the old quarter in Hanoi and settle into the Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel. The evening is at leisure. Overnight at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel (B) Steam Locomotive at Thai Nguyen On Board Accomodation

5 Day 13 Tuesday 21st October Hanoi Enjoy a full-day tour of Hanoi today. The morning will be spent exploring some of the capital city s more famous sights including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace Vestiges Area, the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. Lunch will be hosted at a local restaurant and then the tour of this fascinating, ancient city continues in the afternoon. An optional visit to the famous Water Puppet Theatre is highly recommended and is easily arranged. Attending an early session leaves you free to join the group at the Gourmet Corner Restaurant situated on the top floor of the Diamond Elegance Hotel. It is an ideal setting for dinner as we can enjoy the views across the lake to the city while dining on a wide variety of Western and Vietnamese dishes. Overnight at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel (B, L) Day 14 Wednesday 22nd October Hanoi - Thai Nguyen Today s exclusive excursion takes us to the industrial city of Thai Nguyen, home of the Thai Nguyen Steel Company (TISCO), now the only place left in Vietnam with working steam trains. Explore the steel works and see the normal working day of this fascinating steam railway inside the factory, followed by a train trip hauled by a Gongjian-class 0-6-0T steam tank locomotive out along the line. Thai Nguyen is also home to the museum of ethnology and our visit to this extensive and well-curated display will illuminate the story of the more than 40 ethnic tribes of the country. Lunch is provided at a local restaurant before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon for an evening at leisure. Overnight at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel (B, L) Day 15 Thursday 23rd October Hanoi - Ha Long Bay The morning coach trip to the coastal port of Ha Long City delivers us to the boarding point for the special overnight luxury junk cruise of Ha Long Bay. After checking in, enjoy a welcome drink as you soak up the atmosphere of the spacious newly built traditional teak cruising junk. It sets sail through the mysterious bay while an exquisite lunch is served and we float amongst the natural rock formations and the picturesque beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage listed seascape. Visit Ba Hang floating village and drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets for swimming, kayaking and an optional visit to Luon Cave. Enjoy the complimentary sunset party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruits and, as the sun sets on the islands, we will hear more from the guide about the customs and lifestyles of the locals. You can also join a cooking demonstration learning about the craft of fruit and vegetable carving. After dinner try squid fishing with the crew, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar or just relax in your cabin with the gentle sounds of the water lapping in the protected bay where the ship drops anchor for the night. Overnight on Glory Halong Premium Cruises on Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) Day 16 Friday 24th October Ha Long Bay - Hanoi Join fellow passengers for a light breakfast while sailing to Sung Sot Cave. Drop anchor to explore Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay and regarded as an opera theatre on Ha Long Bay with three main chambers covering an area of over 10,000 square metres. Once back at the boat, relax and then enjoy a buffet lunch served on board whilst the cruiser makes its way through the bay and back to the port. Transfer by coach to Hanoi. Later that evening enjoy a farewell dinner (drinks included) at one of Hanoi s finest restaurants with Scott and our fellow travellers. Overnight at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel (B, L, D) Halong Bay

6 Hoi An Market Day 17 Saturday 25th October Hanoi - Noi Bai Airport You will have the opportunity for a late check-out today so after breakfast use your free day to make the most of Hanoi s endless opportunities for last-minute shopping, dining or sightseeing. Transfer to the airport for overnight flights to Australia OR evening transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for optional extension up to Sapa. (B) SUGGESTED FLIGHTS, VIETNAM AIRLINES: Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City, 5.00 pm 7.00 pm Ho Chi Minh City Sydney 8.35 pm overnight arriving 26th at 9.15 am OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO SAPA BY PRIVATE TRAIN Day 1 Saturday 25th October Hanoi Our transfer to Hanoi s main railway station will see us settled into our special private and well-appointed railway carriage for the overnight trip to Lao Cai on the Chinese border. Overnight on special HARA TOURS train in twin berth compartment (B) Day 2 Sunday 26th October Lao Cai - Sapa - Dragon Jaw Mountain Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel Welcomed by our local guide at Lao Cai railway station, we will have breakfast and will then be transferred by coach to Sapa, high in the Hoang Lien Range of mountains. After checking into our hotel we will visit Sapa town, Sapa Post Office, Sapa Hospital and be taken to the best valley view walking tracks. Lunch will be enjoyed at the hotel before trekking up to Ham Rong Mountain: take in an amazing panorama of Sapa town, then visit the Orchid Garden and a traditional ethnic village. Overnight at Bamboo Hotel, Sapa (B, L, D) Day 3 Monday 27th October Sapa - Cat Cat - Silver Waterfall - Lao Cai After breakfast take an excursion by road and foot to Cat Cat Village (Black H mong ethnic minority) in the morning. Lunch is at the hotel. Check out then transfer to Silver Waterfall. Continue to Lao Cai City and visit Upper Temple and the Lao Cai international border. We will have dinner at a local restaurant and then board the night train coach back Hanoi. Overnight on train in twin-berth compartment (B, L, D) Day 4 Tuesday 28th October Hanoi Arrive early in Hanoi the next morning at 5.00 am and transfer to the hotel for the day prior to late check-out. Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for return flights to Australia. (B) SUGGESTED FLIGHTS, VIETNAM AIRLINES: Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City Sydney 5.00pm 7.00pm 8.40pm overnight arriving 29th 8.15am Note: unexpected circumstances may cause changes to the events outlined in the itinerary Hoi An River

7 Tour Price Per person twin share AUD $5985 Single supplement AUD $1395 (not available when on the train, twin share will apply in compartment style accommodation) Sapa Sapa Extension AUD $895 Single Supplement AUD $95 Plus airfares Inclusions Hotel accommodation in centrally located 4- or 5-star hotels Train journeys in twin-share cabins on Private Blue Train Coach + 01 Restaurant Car (no single rooming on train) 1 night on board a traditional Vietnamese junk cruise boat in twin-share cabins with private facilities Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Comfortable air-conditioned coach transportation throughout Comprehensive sightseeing including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary Gratuities for local guides, drivers and on board the train Porterage at hotels and railway stations (1 piece per person) Exclusions International flights Visa Insurance Transfers on arrival and departure if not travelling on group flights Drinks with meals, except for welcome and farewell dinners Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, minibar) Pre/Post Travel Pre- and post-travel can be arranged including extended stays in Asia, international flights, and rail travel to and from Vietnam and South East Asia. Call our office on if you would like to discuss options. NB: Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted. Please note that travel in developing countries such as Vietnam can be challenging; government regulations abound and can be changed at any time without notice. These potential situations are beyond the control of Railway Adventures and Guidepost Tours. Such changes may, at time, necessitate amendments to your itinerary. Terms and conditions of this tour are contained in the booking form and can be requested at any time.

8 Air tickets and other travel arrangements can be made with our travel partner Guidepost Tours This tour is operated by Guidepost Tours, a division of SCT Travel Group in conjunction with Scott McGregor s Railway Adventures T/A Lic. No. 2TA5895 Ho Chi Min Mausoleum