Southeast Asia BANGKOK, CAMBODIA, LAOS, VIETNAM October 27- November 18, 2015

Transcription

1 PMB 191, 150 Dorset Street. South Burlington, Vermont Southeast Asia BANGKOK, CAMBODIA, LAOS, VIETNAM October 27- November 18, 2015 Day 1 Tuesday, October 27 Departure Depart US for Bangkok Day 2 Wednesday, October 28 In transit Day 3 Thursday, October 29 Arrive Bangkok We will clear immigration formalities and collect our luggage. Then, we will be met by our English speaking guide, Suda, and will be escorted to our air-conditioned coach for the transfer to the hotel in Bangkok. In the afternoon we will visit the canals of Bangkok. Nineteeth-century Bangkok earned the name Venice of the East. Surviving canals, and the Chao Phraya River provide memorable vignettes of traditional waterborne way-of-life that has remained essentially unchanged over the centuries. The main attraction along Klong Bangkok Noi is the Royal Barge National Museum. Traditional houses many of which are on stilts line the banks. We will pass several temples constructed in the Ayudhaya style. For the remainder of the afternoon, we shall continue on to Pak Khlong Talaat, Bangkok s fragrant flower market. From dawn to dark, the floral perfume of a thousand blossoms fills the city streets surrounding the market. The vendors prepare fresh bouquets of lilies, orchids, roses, marigolds and many other flowers. We will return to our hotel and have dinner at leisure. Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel Day 4 Friday, October 30 Full day Best of Bangkok Excursion B/L Morning departure by boat for the Grand Palace. Contiuing on to the Reclining Buddha Temple, Jim Thompson s House, followed by either the Golden Buddha Temple or time on your own.

2 First, we will visit The Grand Palace, which is the most important shrine in Thailand since it was established in The complex houses not only the Royal residence and throne halls, but also government offices and the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The architecture is stunning. Then we will proceed to Wat Po, which is the home of the enormous reclining Buddha and the Chedis of Thailand s previous Kings. Wat Po is also the spiritual home of authentic therapeutic Thai massage. Lunch, after which we will visit The Jim Thompson House. Jim Thompson s House is a museum filled with Asian antiques and historical memorabilia. The extensive collection is housed in six old teak houses, all built along ancient Thai architectural styles and by Jim Thompson himself. Jim Thompson came to Thailand at the end of World War II and revitalized the Thai Silk industry. His disappearance into the Malaysian jungle remains a mystery until today. There will be time to view and shop for Thai silk products at the Jim Thompson s silk store. The variety of silk products there has been favored and admired by visitors to Thailand. For the remainder of the afternoon, participants can choose between visiting Wat Trimitr/the Golden Buddha Temple or have free time to explore the streets of Old Bangkok. The Golden Buddha is the largest golden Buddha in the world. It is made of pure gold, and is unrivaled in beauty measuring 12 feet 5 inches in diameter, and has a height of 15 feet 9 inches from the base to the crown and weighs approximately 5 tons. Now, more than 700 years old, it is a valuable treasure of Thailand and of Buddhism. Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel Day 5 Sat, October 31 Flight to Cambodia B Morning departure transfer, by air-conditioned coach, with our guide, from the hotel to Bangkok International Airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Met by guide and transfer to our hotel. Check in and have lunch. Depart for afternoon visit for the main Angkor Wat Temple. Dinner at leisure. Hotel Somadeviangkor Day 6 & 7 Sun and Mon, November 1 & November 2 Siem Reap and Angkor Wat B During the next 2-day stay in Siem Reap we will have a guide and vans at our disposal to explore more of the Angkor Wat ruins, which cover an area of 60 miles. Each day we will have 2 visits scheduled, a morning and an afternoon visit. For those who wish to spend the afternoon by the pool, or explore on their own, we will return to the hotel for lunch and they can remain in town for the afternoon, while those who wish to visit more temples can continue on after lunch.

3 On one of the days we will also arrange a boat tour of nearby Lake Tonle Sap, with its floating villages and spend time in the community of Tro Peng Tnal, where we will visit the local primary school and get a closer look at life in a rural Cambodian village. Hotel Somadevi Angkor Day 8 Tue, November 3 Siem Reap - Luang Prabang, Laos B Free time until we depart for our afternoon flight. Depart for airport for our flight to Luang Prabang. Transfer to hotel. Check in. Dinner and evening at leisure. Day 9 Wed, November 4 Kuang Si Waterfall B/L After breakfast, we will visit the Living Land Lao Organic farm at Phoung Van village. We will learn about how rice is grown and harvested and have an opportunity to participate in the farm s activities. From there we will go to the Khouang Si Waterfalls, where there will be a chance to splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. In the afternoon free time or optional climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang Day 10 Thu, November 5 Luang Prabang B Today we will explore the city s oldest temples, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. In the morning, we also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. Following lunch, free time or visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Day 11 Fri, November 6 Luang Prabang B/L An early start will give us the unique opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. Laos,is the only Buddhist nation still preserving this tradition. Today, we will participate in a local cooking class. Our chef will take us to a large food

4 market, where we will learn about foods and how they are used. We will then transfer to a beautiful countryside garden setting to cook and enjoy lunch together. We will transfer back to the hotel mid afternoon. The rest of the day is your own free time. Day 12 Sat, November 7 Luang Prabang Hanoi B/L This morning we will go to Elephant Village. On arrival, we will be greeted by the camp manager who will talk about the organization s program to protect Asian elephants. After trying your hand at riding an elephant, we will return to our hotel for lunch and final preparations for our departure. Fly to Hanoi. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure. Day 13 Sun, November 8 Hanoi Full Day /City Tour B/L Early morning departure for a full day city tour of Hanoi, including The Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology and the Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake. Free time to explore in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 14 Mon, November 9 Hanoi, night train to Lao Cai B/D After breakfast we will visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, and then enjoy a one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter. The rest of the day is free until we leave for the train for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Saplay train private 2 person cabins Day 15 Tue, November 10 Sapa B/L Early morning arrival in Lao Cai. Visit the Coc Ly Market, a weekly gathering place for the many different tribal peoples of this region. Continue on to Sapa. Lunch in Sapa. The afternoon is free to explore the town of Sapa or relax at our hotel and spa. Victoria Sapa Hotel Day 16 Wed, November 11 Sapa B Drive to Cau May to visit Ta Van village. As we walk through the villages nestled in the valley, we will have a chance to meet and interact with some of the local ethnic minority people. These minority people include Red Zao, Hmong and Tay people. Victoria Sapa Hotel

5 Day 17 Thu, November 12 Sapa - night train back to Hanoi B/D Early morning free time. We start the afternoon by getting some exercise with a trek to the Macha village. The tour begins with a short hike to Suoi Ho Valley. We will then hike along hillside, terraced rice fields, and local ethnic villages until we reach the Ma Cha village, inhabitated by the Black H mong people. We will have a final dinner tonight at the Victoria Sapa Hotel before heading to Lao Cai station for the train back to Hanoi. Saplay train private 2 person cabins Day 18 Fri, November 13 Hanoi B/D Early morning arrival in Hanoi. Free time at leisure to visit and explore other Hanoi sites: such as, The Hanoi Hilton, not a hotel, but a well known prison during the Vietnam War, housing such prisioners as John McCain; the; 54 Traditions, an exhibition of cultural items from Vietnam's 54 peoples past and present, a treasure trove for those interested in understanding something of the people of this wonderful country, their practices and cultural traditions; the Museum of Fine Arts; the Tran Vu Pagoda, a Taoist temple in Hanoi, a masterpiece of Vietnamese bronze casting and sculpture; or consider a performance of the world famous Water Puppet Theater. Evening dinner will include live traditional music. Day 19 Sat, November 14 Hanoi - Halong Bay B/L/D Morning departure for Halong Bay. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our boat and head south on the South China Sea. Our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim from the boat, soak up the sun on the top deck or try our hand at some kayaking. Dragon Pearl private 2 person cabins Day 20 Sun, November 15 Halong Bay B/L/D Today, we continue to move around the Halong Bay area to find additional secluded spots to swim, kayak and explore. Dragon Pearl private 2 person cabins Day 21 Mon, November 16 Halong Bay Hanoi B/L This morning there will be several possibilities to explore some beaches and caves. For those wishing to stay on board, the junk will be close by. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting coach, for our 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Late afternoon and evening at leisure. Day 22 Tue, November 17 Departure Hanoi B Depart Hanoi. Bus transfer from hotel to airport. Return trip home via Singapore and Frankfurt.

6 Day 23 Wed, November 18 Arrive back in the US Tour Includes: Roundtrip international air and air within Southeast Asia 22 day tour (19 nights) 15 nights in superior or deluxe accommodation with daily breakfast, double occupancy. Check-in time is 2.00PM and check-out time is 12.00PM. Early or late service is subject to availability with surcharge. 2 night on overnight train (1st class, soft sleeper cabin for 2 people cabin) Hanoi-Lao Cai Hanoi 3 day-2 night cruise Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, on private junk Dragon Pearl, 2 person cabins Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) English speaking guide on land tours in Bangkok, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam Rice Farm visit Laotian market visit and cooking class Elephant Village visit Tours and transfers as mentioned by air-conditioned vehicles All activities mentioned in itinerary Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time Rural community visits in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Tour Excludes: Passport fees Visa fees for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Inoculations Early/late check in/out service at hotels International airport departure taxes Tips and gratuities Services and Meals and Drinks other not mentioned in itinerary Laundry, telephone calls and expenditures of a personal nature Travel Insurance (Compulsory)