MOC BAI Pass Cambodia and Vietnam Start: Bangkok Finish: Hanoi Minimum Days: 23 To get the most out of your pass we highly recommend you allow extra time to hop off and explore. Your pass is valid for 12 months so take your time and enjoy the journey! Valid for travel from 1 November 2014 Bangkok to Siem Reap (Express day) You ll leave the exhilarating city of Bangkok at 7am, with an unguided public connection heading across the border to Cambodia. Today your destination is the provincial town of Siem Reap, home to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor Temple complex. You ll arrive in Siem Reap in the early evening, so you can either chill out at your guesthouse or check out the action along the iconic Pub Street. Accommodation: Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms USD $8-20 Siem Reap Today is a free day for you to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Temples. Spend the day exploring the ancient city of Angkor - the largest temple complex in the world. See the famous Angkor Wat and the set of Angelina Jolie s Tomb Raider movie, Ta Prohm. Tonight we recommend going to the famous Cambodian circus, where you will be amazed by the incredible acrobatic feats, music and dance, infused with the spirit of Cambodian history and culture. The local circus is a non- profit that teaches young people from the streets, orphans and struggling families in the community how to heal and express themselves through the arts. It s an unforgettable experience! Accommodation: Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms USD $8-20 Optional Paid Activities: Cycle or take a guided tour of the Angkor temple complex, Khmer circus. Siem Reap to Battambang (Homestay) Today you depart Siem Reap at 10:00am, arriving in Battambang for a late lunch. After lunch we ll take a ride on the Bamboo Train, a rail system that was built by the French and destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, but the locals still use it as simple form of transport. Then we make our way to tonight s village stay, located in the picturesque countryside. You ll stay in a Cambodian family s home, experience local community life, visit the school and join in a friendly local game or help the kids with their English. You can wander through the rice paddies, explore the local market, and enjoy a traditional meal with your host family. Accommodation: Village stay includes accommodation in a Cambodian family s home, local activities, dinner, breakfast, and contribution to the village fund/project US$18 Free inclusions: Ride on the Bamboo Train Battambang to Sihanoukville www.straytravel.asia 1
A full day today takes us to the popular seaside town Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast. En- route we pass through the bustling riverside Khmer town Kompong Chhnang (pronounced kom pong ch nang), with its local market and floating village. We make a stop at the 18 th century Khmer stronghold Udong, a site that has had its fair share of conflict. Here you can hike to the impressive mountain- top Buddhist pagoda for some spectacular views across the plains, relax in a hammock and enjoy a local Khmer BBQ! Arriving in Sihanoukville by late afternoon, settle in at your guesthouse and then you are free to wander down to the beach for a refreshing dip or kick back at one of the many beachfront restaurants and bars. Tonight join one of the beach parties or have seafood BBQ on beach. Accommodation: Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms USD $10-25 Free Inclusions: Udong Historical Site entrance Sihanoukville Today is yours to relax in Cambodia s premier beach location. Catch some rays on the beach and go for a swim, or do one of the many water sports including, diving, fishing, snorkelling, kayaking or hire a jet ski. Learn to cook Khmer classics like Fish Amok or deep fried bananas at the Traditional Khmer cooking school, take a trip out to the surrounding islands, or hire a bicycle and explore the nearby beaches. Tonight you can head to Ochheuteal Beach for some partying with the rest of the backpacker crowd, or watch the sun go down at Serendipity Beach. Accommodation: Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms USD $10-25 Optional Paid Activities: Island tour, jet skis, massage, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, party boat, windsurfing, kayaking. Sihanoukville to Kampot A 3 hour drive brings us to the little riverside town of Kampot where you will have a free afternoon to visit the salt and pepper farms, go cycling or trek in the Bokor National Park. There is an option to take a leisurely boat cruise on the Kampot River: a relaxing boat trip where you ll just sit back, enjoy a cool beverage and absorb the spectacular views of Bokor National Park and Elephant Mountain as the sun sets over the river. Tonight we recommend sampling the exceptional seafood at one of the many restaurants on the riverfront try the fried shrimp with green pepper corns, it s delish! Accommodation: Guesthouse with dorm beds or private rooms USD $6-15 Optional Paid Activities: Sunset River Cruise, tour of the pepper & salt farms. Kampot to Koh Tunsay A short drive this morning brings us to the old French resort town of Kep where we board a traditional Khmer wooden fishing boat and travel for 30 minutes to our sanctuary, Koh Tunsay Island. Once on shore you are free to explore the mountainous terrain, relax on the beach, swim in the warm sea waters and just watch the sun go down. Accommodation: Shared bungalows on the beach USD $8-10 per person Koh Tunsay to Phnom Penh Tearing ourselves away from the beach we take the boat back to the mainland. From here we head for the bustling Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, stopping for lunch before we take an afternoon tour of the infamous Khmer Rouge S21 Prison and Killing Fields. This evening you are free to explore the city or mix with the locals and watch the sun set over the Mekong River. Accommodation: Guesthouse near the main tourist area USD $20 www.straytravel.asia 2
Free inclusions: S21 Prison and Killing Fields entrance and tour Optional Paid Activities: Learn a Cambodian art at Backstreet Academy, half day cycling trip, river boat cruise, city tour, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda tour, Russian Market, National Museum. Phnom Penh A free day today gives you the chance to explore this energizing capital city and visit the many markets selling silk, silver, gems and antiques. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, and the Russian Market. See a living art performance at the National Museum, or learn a Cambodian craft, dance or kick boxing at the Backstreet Academy. For something different, why not join the locals at dusk for an aerobic workout at the Olympic Stadium. Here you ll find local ladies garbed in western style pyjamas, getting their groove on to Khmer techno music in order to burn a few calories. It may not be your most coordinated moment, but will be good for a giggle (even if you re just laughing at yourself)! Accommodation: Guesthouse near the main tourist area USD $20 Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City (Express day) This morning you ll board a public bus and head to Moc Bai on the Vietnamese border, where you will be processed through immigration (you will need to organise your visa in advance) and then drive on to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving mid- afternoon. Spend the afternoon exploring the narrow streets on foot, hop into a cyclo for a comfortable cruise among the millions of motorbikes, or choose a restaurant teeming with locals for a taste of the best cuisine. Accommodation: Centrally located hotel or guesthouse USD $15-20 Optional Paid Activities: Mekong Delta Stray Adventure, cyclo tour of the city, War Remnants Museum, Old Presidential Palace, Ben Thanh Market, guided tour of the Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi Tunnels, Water Puppet Theatre. Ho Chi Minh City Today is a free day to explore the hot and lively Ho Chi Minh City. Learn about the history of the American and Vietnam War at the War Remnant Museum, visit the French colonial Saigon Opera House, browse the surrounding shopping plazas or see a cultural show. Ho Chi Minh even has its own Notre Dame Cathedral, which is said to be a connection between the physical and spiritual life for the Ho Chi Minh people. We recommend taking a trip out to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex of over 200kms of tunnels used by the Viet Khong in the war against the US. Discover how the people lived and survived in these tunnels, built schools and hospitals underground and eventually gained victory. This evening enjoy a traditional performance at the Water Puppet theatre, or dine out on delicious street food at one of the city s many restaurants or bars. Accommodation: Centrally located hotel or guesthouse USD $15-20 Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat Leaving behind the chaos and heat of Ho Chi Minh City, we head for the refreshingly cool climate of Da Lat, known as the honeymoon capital of Vietnam. Our journey today takes us through fertile farmlands that specialise in rubber, coffee and tea, locally produced wine, vegetables and flowers. Just a short distance from Da Lat we make a stop at the beautiful 20 metre Datanla Waterfall, where legend has it K ho fairies often come to play and bathe at the base of the falls. You can either walk down to the waterfall or, for those who like a little bit of adrenalin, you can drive your own mini rollercoaster to the site. Afterwards we ll head to Da Lat, where you can spend the rest of the day www.straytravel.asia 3
checking out the large market near the guesthouse, or one of many friendly cafes selling excellent coffee on every corner. Accommodation: Local guesthouse in the centre of town USD $10-12 Free inclusions: Dantanla Waterfall entrance Optional Paid Activities: Visit the local market and grab yourself a bargain, rock climbing, Crazy House, tandem bike cycling, cycling tours, motorbike tours, coffee & tea plantation tours, abseiling and rappelling. Da Lat Da Lat vaguely resembles a French town with sprawling old villas and towering pine trees. It is not on the main tourist trail so locals are curious and very friendly to western visitors. There are plenty of adventurous activities here, but many people choose to go on an adrenalin packed canyoning trip where you abseil over waterfalls and jump off a 5 metre high drop into the pool below. If that s not for you, you can visit the last Emperor s art deco- style summer palace, explore the never- ending local coffee or strawberry plantations, or hire tandem bikes at the market and cycle to the Hang Nga Crazy House an unconventional exploration of surrealist architecture. Accommodation: Local guesthouse in the centre of town USD $10-12 Da Lat to An Hoa Beach (Beach stay) Leaving behind the cool climate of Da Lat we ll head for the Vietnamese coast, stopping for refreshments and for those who want to hop off at the coastal city of Nha Trang. From here we ll head for the Phu Yen Province and today s destination, An Hoa Beach. Most travellers only catch a glimpse of the mountains, rice fields and lagoons of the Phu Yen Province whilst in transit from Nha Trang to Hoi An, but just over the horizon is some incredible natural scenery and a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Despite its beauty the area has received very little tourism. Here you can enjoy coastal village life with barely another tourist in sight. Go fishing with the locals, swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball and spend a night under the stars with an evening bonfire and BBQ. Accommodation: Beach stay includes one night basic dorm accommodation near the beach, dinner, breakfast, and contribution to the village fund/project US$20 Optional Paid Activities: Cycling tour with BBQ & beach party, surfing lessons, cycling to boat building & shrimp farm, seafood lunch. An Hoa Beach (Beach stay) Today you are free to relax and enjoy this tropical beach location, where you ll barely find another footprint in the sand. Places of interest include the 14 th century Cham Tower that sits up on a hill in the centre of town, and Chop Chai Mountain that has some truly amazing views of the surrounding rice fields and ocean. This is a great place just to chill out, get to know the friendly locals and wander the endless white sand beaches. Accommodation: Basic dorm accommodation near the beach US$8-15 An Hoa Beach to The Haven, Bai Xep Today we travel from one secluded beach to another. Your destination is the tiny fishing village of Bai Xep located along a stretch of sandy white beach. Relax in this peaceful village setting, untouched by rampant tourism, where locals wave and greet you with smiles. Swim, snorkel and take long walks on the beach, learn to paddle a traditional round boat, go fishing and cook your catch for tea, wander the village and get to know the friendly locals or just relax at your friendly guesthouse. www.straytravel.asia 4
Accommodation: The Haven, dorm accommodation on the beach USD $10, includes light breakfast Optional Paid Activities: Hike to waterfall, swimming and all you can eat duck BBQ and beer, local boat trip, snorkelling and beach BBQ, all day cycling trip. The Haven, Bai Xep to Hoi An A coastal drive takes us to the popular tourist spot Hoi An. We ll stop along the way to visit the My Lai Memorial, a site that commemorates an event that marked a turning point in the American War, before arriving in Hoi An. A UNESCO World Heritage town, Hoi An is a must see town, with beautifully restored and preserved French Colonial architecture, funky bars, outstanding restaurants, art galleries, souvenir shops and countless tailor shops. With glorious beaches so close nearby, this is paradise! A great spot to hop off and enjoy the local nightlife; try local delicacies (and beers), then meander home through the motorbike free streets. Accommodation: Centrally located, family run hotel USD $15-30 Free inclusions: My Lai Memorial entrance Optional Paid Activities: Tailoring, bicycle tours, scuba diving, cooking classes, sunrise or sunset cruise, countryside tours, motorbike tours, fishing trips. Hoi An Today is free for you to explore this charming town. Get some tailoring done, take a leisurely cycle to the beach, or just enjoy the tasty local coffee at one of the many restaurants around town. When the sun goes down this is when Hoi An really turns on its charm. Paper and fabric lanterns are lit throughout streets, bathing the historical French colonial and Chinese architecture in a warm glow. Take a sunset stroll through the old town, and try a local delicacy called the White Rose - a dumpling stuffed with shrimp or pork bunched into the shape of a rose. Apparently the recipe is a family secret, held by only one family who supply all the restaurants around town. Accommodation: Centrally located, family run hotel USD $15-30 Hoi An to Hue Today you head for Hue, Vietnam s most liveable city. Here the people are friendly and modern architecture sits side by side with century old buildings. Surrounded by rolling hills and located on the Perfume River, Hue is regarded as the cultural and spiritual centre of Vietnam and is the former home to the Vietnamese emperors. Here you ll see many elaborately decorated temples and beautiful pagodas, including the seven- storied Thien Mu Pagoda - where the most famous Vietnamese monk is buried, the intricate Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. This is a great place to take a motorbike tour of the Vietnamese countryside. Travel on the back of a motorbike through rice paddies, quaint, rural villages and down tiny roads and discover a little bit of the real Vietnam. Accommodation: Local guesthouse USD $10-12 Optional Paid Activities: Dragon Boat Cruise, historic Citadel tour former seat of the Vietnamese government, Forbidden Purple City where the emperor used to bed his concubines, motorbike tour, Thien Mu Pagoda. Hue to Dong Hoi (Phong Nha) This morning we head for the fascinating Vinh Moc Tunnels, an impressive underground complex that was used by more than 90 families to live and work in during some of the heaviest bombings in the American War. From there it s on to Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park, passing through the provincial town of Dong Hoi to the Lakehouse Resort which will be our base for exploring the park. Accommodation: Dorm accommodation, located on the picturesque Dong Suon Lake $10-12 www.straytravel.asia 5
Free inclusions: Vinh Moc Tunnels Optional Paid Activities: Cycling, caving, kayaking, Dark Cave Adventure. Dong Hoi (Phong Nha) Today we visit the spectacular rural area of Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park, 45km from Dong Hoi. This area has pristine rivers (perfect for a refreshing dip or kayak) and boasts a number of impressive caves, including the recently discovered Thien Duong Cave. Inside you ll find glittering limestone walls, phallus shaped stalagmites and stalactites, claw shaped formations, and a limestone waterfall. This afternoon you have the option to go on a guided tour of the Dark Cave, suitably named as such because the rock is black. This is an exciting adventure where you ll explore the caves darkness with the help of a head torch, discover ancient fossils and slide down muddy ridges, all while Asian bats fly overhead. Afterwards, back at the mouth of the cave you can wash off all the mud by spending the afternoon swimming and playing in the river. Accommodation: Dorm accommodation $10-12 Free inclusions: Thien Duong Cave entrance Dong Hoi (Phong Nha) to Ninh Binh Our journey today takes us by train through beautiful countryside and stunning limestone kyrst mountains. We ll stop along the way for a chance to stretch your legs and dip your feet in the ocean before continuing our express journey to Ninh Binh. We arrive late in the afternoon; we suggest if you want to explore Ninh Binh and its spectacular surroundings, you hop off for a few days and discover the stony outcrops and pagodas of Tam Coc and Bich Dong, which is a collection of caves used by the Viet Minh as a hiding place during the first Indochina War. The caves are filled with stalactites carved in the shape of Buddhist images. Accommodation: Locally run hotel with excellent restaurants nearby USD $10-12 Optional Paid Activities: Hop off and explore the surrounding limestone mountains, multi- day trekking options. Ninh Binh to Hanoi This morning we head to the Cuc Phoung National Park and Primate Centre, which is home to many endangered and rescued primates including monkeys, gibbons and other interesting species native to the area. From here we jump back on the bus, bound for the chaotic streets of Vietnam s capital. Hanoi is an exotic city full of excitement and energy, and thousands of motorcycles that make the simple task of crossing the road seem like a real achievement! It has an excellent culinary scene; dine at Restaurant 69, which is said to be over 300 years old, or try some of the delicious street food available on every corner, where the saying goes the lower the chair, the cheaper the beer. This is where your journey with Stray comes to an end, but there is plenty to do and see in and around Hanoi if you have some extra days to spend here. Ask your tour leader what they can recommend. Accommodation: Local guesthouse or hotel USD $15-30 or backpacker- style dorm USD $7-9 Optional Paid Activities: Halong Bay Stray Adventure, Sa Pa Stray Adventure Entry Fees Included: Cambodia Bamboo train ride www.straytravel.asia 6
Udong Historical Site S21 Prison & Killing Fields Vietnam Datanla Waterfall My Lai Memorial Vinh Moc Tunnels Thien Duong (Paradise) Cave Itineraries are seasonal and subject to change. For timetables and full terms and conditions please ask your travel agent or visit www.straytravel.asia. www.straytravel.asia 7