Detailed Itinerary Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Trail to the South China Sea Oct 30/13 Halong Bay. Rice paddies tended by farmers in conical hats, a two-thousand-mile coastline with sandy beaches and mountains covered in the vibrant greens of lush tropical vegetation. Welcome to Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia s most beautiful countries. We begin in Hanoi, amidst shaded streets, French colonial architecture and the surrounding lakes of the downtown core. At Halong Bay, we travel on turquoise waters amid spectacular, cliff-faced islands and warm water. We spend the night on the bay and enjoy incredible seafood feasts before returning to Hanoi for a famous water-puppet show. Heading south, we visit the first national park in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong. We explore Hue, the former ancient capital modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. We visit the Citadel, Vietnam s Forbidden City and the local Dong Bay market. Traveling over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, we stop at China Beach before arriving in Facts & Highlights 21 land days Maximum 16 travelers Start in Hanoi, finish in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) All meals included Includes 1 internal flight Overnight boat trip on Halong Bay Explore Cuc Phuong National Park Visit the Phong Nha Cave a UNESCO World Heritage Site See China Beach and the Hanoi Hilton Discover My Son World Heritage Site Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta Departure Dates & Price Feb 21 - Mar 13, 2014 - $4995 Nov 07 - Nov 27, 2014 - $4995 Dec 17 - Jan 06, 2014/15 - $5195 Feb 20 - Mar 12, 2015 - $5195 Nov 06 - Nov 26, 2015 - $5195 Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Some long drives and travel on traditional boats. Accommodations Comfortable hotel/lodges with private bathrooms. Features 1 night on a boat on Halong Bay. US/CAN 1-800-741-7956 UK 0808-234-1714 INTL. 001-416-588-5000
Hoi An. In Hoi An, a restored open-air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, we savor the international character of the region s history. We learn about the Cham people at My Son, a UNES- CO World Heritage Site, before flying south to Dala, known as the City of Flowers. Visit a silkworm workshop and see Dalat s Crazy House, the former palace of the emperor Bao Dai. Explore the famous Cu Chi tunnel complex and the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a riverboat trip on the Tein River. Our adventure concludes in the bustling city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Combines with Burma, Laos, Thailand and Angkor Wat extension. Day 1 Arrive in Hanoi Arrival in Hanoi followed by a transfer to our centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore Hanoi s tree-lined streets and wide boulevards. Tonight we have our orientation meeting and overnight in Hanoi. mekong delta hanoi cuc phuong n.p. Ha Tinh dong hoi vinh moc the dmz hue da nang hoi an my son dalat ho chi minh city (saigon) Day 2 Hanoi city tour by cyclo Today our visits include the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch we continue our sightseeing with the Fine Arts Museum, and the Ethnology Museum.. We also enjoy a tour of the old quarter by cyclo (three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw), the best way to explore this busy place. Overnight in Hanoi. 2
Spectacular scenery at Halong Bay. 3
Hanoi. Day 3 To Halong Bay An early departure today to Halong via Ha Bac Province, which is the cradle of Buddhism in Vietnam. We board our boat and have a seafood feast lunch. We spend the afternoon exploring the bay, which consists of thousands of islands and islets formed by wind and water. The many limestone rock formations make for beautiful scenery and wonderful photos. We stop and visit Surprising Cave and Luon Grotto before dinner. We spend the night on the boat. Day 4 Halong Bay, return to Hanoi This morning we will continue to explore Halong Bay by boat. For early risers, the sunrise from the upper deck is a lovely way to greet the day from the water. We may see the fishing boats returning after the night fish. After breakfast, for anyone who wants to explore by kayak, the option is available at an additional cost. We return to the pier and then back to Hanoi. This evening we attend a water puppet performance and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 5 Traditional village visit We visit the village market as well as a Taoist Temple dedicated to Chu Dong Tu and hear the emotional love story of Chu Dong Tu and his wife. We drive to Bat Trang pottery village and take a walk through the workshop to observe how these well-known ceramics are made. We return to Hanoi and there is free time before dinner. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 6 Cuc Phuong National Park We depart Hanoi and drive to Cuc Phuong National Park, the first national park of Vietnam, established in 1962. It is home to over 1983 types of plants, 89 animal species and over 320 types of birds. We visit the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, which was also the first wildlife center in Vietnam. We see Delacour s langur, Cat Ba langur and gibbons. We continue our exploration of the park with a hike. We will split into 2 groups, an easy hike to Sau Tree or a longer hike to the One Thousand Year Old Tree. Overnight Cuc Phuong National Park. 4
Day 7 To Ha Tinh along the Ho Chi Minh Trail Depart Cuc Phuong for our long, scenic drive to Ha Tinh. During our drive, we pass along the infamous Ho Chi Minh trail, with several stops to enjoy the scenic beauty and photograph the beautiful mountainous landscape. Arrive late afternoon in Ha Tinh. Dinner and overnight in Ha Tinh. Day 8 Phong Nha Cave We depart for Dong Hoi, once again driving along the infamous and beautiful Ho Chi Minh trail. Enjoy a boat ride on the Son river to visit Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where we explore some of the longest caves in Vietnam. The cave holds traces of the Cham people, the rulers of central Vietnam before the 17th century. Admire the beautiful limestone rock formations found in the area. We continue our drive to Dong Hoi. Overnight Dong Hoi. Day 9 Dong Hoi to Hue via Hien Luong & Thach Han Bridges (The DMZ) In the morning drive from Dong Hoi, along Highway 1 into the DMZ (the Demilitarized Zone). We first visit the Vinh Moc Underground Village, which is different from the more famous Cu Chi tunnels, as these tunnels and caves were used for living not fighting. The Vinh Moc tunnels have not been altered for tourists. We stop at the Hien Luong Bridge, once the temporary division between North & South Vietnam and Thach Han Bridge built by the French and where the US and Vietnam exchanged POW s in 1972. Overnight Hue. Day 10 Hue sightseeing Today we sightsee in Hue, the most important of the ancient capitals of Vietnam. We visit Dai Noi Citadel and view this fantastic structure, based on Chinese designs in Beijing. We will also visit Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. After lunch we visit the local Dong Ba market and take cyclos to explore the ancient streets of Hue. Overnight in Hue. One Pillar Pagoda. 5
Hue 6
Day 11 Hai Van Pass, China Beach and Hoi An Sightseeing Today we drive to Hoi An via the spectacular Hai Van Pass. We stop at the Cham Museum in Danang and have lunch at beautiful China Beach. In the afternoon, we arrive in Hoi An - a living museum because of its well-preserved architectural styles. Dinner and overnight in Hoi An. Day 12 My Son World Heritage Site We drive today to the holy land of the Cham people, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son. The My Son ruins cover a large area and have beautiful groups of ruins of Cham towers and Hindu temples. From the 3rd to the 13th Century, there were 74 towers built by the Northern Cham (also referred to as the Betel Nut Clan). This afternoon is free to explore Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An. day 13 Hoi An Boat Trip, Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration An early morning visit to the fish market. This afternoon we have a walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site has quaint pastel buildings lining the streets, interspersed with colorful temples, small art galleries and meandering canals. We visit a typical historic house, Hoi An Museum, a Chinese pagoda and an ancient Japanese Bridge. After breakfast we enjoy a morning boat trip on the river to observe local life. We have lunch in a local restaurant in town. This afternoon, you ll visit an orphanage or a local school (depensd on day of the week). We will also try our hand at making lanterns. This evening, enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration and try your hand at some appetizers, followed by dinner. Overnight Hoi An. 7
Hoi an 8
Day 14 Fly to Dalat We leave the little charming town of Hoi An for the drive to Danang airport for a short flight to Dalat. Upon arrival, we will take the cable car up to Truc Lam Zen Monastery for our visit. Built to recreate the spirit of Zen Buddhism during the Trần Dynasty that ruled Vietnam from 1225 to 1400. In the afternoon there will be time to relax and enjoy some free time before dinner and to enjoy Dalat at night. Overnight in Dalat. Day 15 Dalat City Sights This morning we explore Dalat s sights: Crazy House, the former Palace of the Emperor Bao Dai, the Flower Garden. We then have a relaxing stop at a coffee and tea house before enjoying free time to visit the local market or walk around the lake. Overnight in Dalat. Day 16 Scenic drive to Saigon Enjoy a long scenic drive with many stops for photo opportunities as we cross the mountain pass of Preen. Marvel at the impressive views of Dalat with its French villas and pine forest. This area is known for the many green houses, coffee and tea plantations as we pass through Duc trong. Before stopping for lunch in Bao Loc, we stop at the Dambri waterfall. After lunch we continue our drive to Saigon passing by the floating houses in La Nga river, and some beautiful churches of the Catholic community who came to the south of Vietnam under French time. Overnight in Saigon. Day 17 Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels A short drive from Saigon to the Northwest, we will explore the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, the Cu Chi guerrillas underground tunnel system that, at one time, stretched as far as the Cambodian border. The network consists of over 130 miles of tunnels in the Cu Chi district alone; parts of which are several stories deep. There are trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens - all under ground! Parts of this remarkable tunnel network have been enlarged and upgraded and are now open to the public. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. 9
Day 18 Cai Be, Tien riverboat trip, mekong delta We drive today from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Cai Be in Tien Giang Province. Upon arrival we board our boat to travel on the Tien River to the Cai Be floating market. During the day we get on and off the boat to explore local villages where we can see coconut candy, dried longan, rice cakes and fish sauce being made. We will also visit a local house that has a beautiful garden on our way into Vinh Long Province. Overnight in Can Tho. Day 19 Return to Saigon, Floating Market We visit Cai Rang market this morning by boat. Cai Rang is a wholesale market and the sellers hang their products over their boats with a stake to advertise what is on sale. There is time to explore Saigon on your own in the afternoon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 20 Saigon City Sites This morning we explore the sites of this fast paced city. Highlights include: Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic post office, the War Crimes Museum, and Reunification Hall. After lunch in Saigon there is free time to explore on your own for some last minute shopping or massage before our farewell dinner. Overnight in Saigon. Day 21 Depart Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) We depart for the airport to board our international flights homeward. Fruit and vegetable market. 10
Citadel in Hue Saigon 11
wheels of hope in vietnam As I wandered down the alleyway to his home, I knew I was about to meet someone special. I heard about him from my guide and friend. Ms. Thuy. The special man is Nguyen Trung. Born in Central Vietnam in 1949, today he lives in Hanoi with his wife and their eight-year-old son. At the age of two, Trung developed polio. At that time only basic medical treatment was available. Wanting to improve his sons mobility, Trung s father ordered a custom made tricycle from a local blacksmith. His first wheelchair came from Germany in 1975, which he found awkward and uncomfortable. After using several poorly designed wheelchairs, Trung began to think he could produce a better model himself. In 1995 he was chosen to participate in a welfare project and impressed the organizers with the small home workshop. After two years and using most of his personal funds, he completed his first wheelchair. At first people were wary of a wheelchair built by a disabled man, but as people saw him using the chair, his first orders started to come in. Trung has now completed over 30 wheelchairs. He has 5 different designs which he builds after seeing photos of the recipient. The Hanoi handicap society as well as friends like Ms. Thuy inform Trung of potential recipients. One wheelchair costs $100 U.S. Trung often donates the wheelchairs, as his aim is to help those less fortunate. He continues to work fulltime to help subsidize his operations. I was delighted to order 4 wheelchairs from Trung with funds raised through the sale of Vietnamese handicrafts and generous donations made by my mother Doreen Burrows and her friend, Audrey Cinar. As part of ElderTreks ongoing commitment to helping others throughout the world, I am pleased to announce that for each Vietnam departure ElderTreks will purchase a wheelchair on behalf of the group. Thank you Trung for fulfilling your vision and improving the quality of life for so many. Roger Burrows, Tour Leader 12
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Questions & Answers 1. How big are the groups? Each group is limited to 16 participants. Small groups are an important ingredient in adventure travel. They allow for more interaction and more personalized service throughout the itinerary. 2. What is included in the tour price? All accommodations throughout; all meals, starting with dinner on day 1 and finishing with breakfast on departure day (i.e. the last day of the ElderTreks tour); bottled drinking water throughout the trip; all internal transportation; airport transfers on day 1 and departure day (i.e. the last day of the ElderTreks tour); all day trips and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary; tips for hotels (porterage), bus driver, restaurants and spot guides; services of a trip leader. 3. What is not included in the tour price? International flights, tips to ElderTreks tour leader, national guide, alcoholic drinks, visa s and travel insurance. 4. Are these educational tours? Yes, in the broadest sense of the word, educational. We visit cultural centers and historical sites, and have discussions on various aspects of Vietnamese politics and history, but these are only a few aspects of what we do. We believe that it is equally educational to meet local people on a non-commercial basis, visit their homes and even try to learn a few words in the native language. Sometimes the most educational moments are spent walking through a street market. 5. How do we travel while in Vietnam? All land transportation is included in the price of the trip. We have our own minivans or bus for road travel, and we fly from Danang to Saigon. We also travel by boat and cyclos. 6. What are our accommodations like? We always stay in good accommodations both hotels and guesthouses, where rooms have a private bath or shower. The accommodations have been chosen on the basis of location, atmosphere, and charm. 7. What about weather? Vietnam has three different climactic zones (southern hot, central warm and northern cool) each of which has very distinct weather patterns. You should be ready for a good deal of sunshine and temperatures into the 80s F (27 C), but you can also encounter cooler temperatures in the north, high 50s F (10 C) low 60s F (16 C) in the winter months. 8. When is payment due? A non-refundable deposit of $500 or 300 GBP (plus insurance if you require it) is due at time of booking and will reserve your place on the tour. Payment of the full land cost is due 100 days before departure. Cancellation charges are applicable and are outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of our catalog. 9. Is medical insurance required? Insurance coverage is not included in the cost of your trip. Please note that medical insurance is not required for this adventure but is recommended. ElderTreks offers comprehensive travel insurance and we are happy to provide you with a quote if you call our office. If you are purchasing insurance elsewhere, please ensure you provide the details to ElderTreks as soon as possible. *Please note those travelers with pre-existing medical conditions must take out travel insurance at the time of deposit 10. What meals are included? All meals during the itinerary are included, starting with dinner on day 1, and finishing with breakfast on departure day. We eat a variety of local foods prepared in a wide range of settings. In many cases, we simply order a number of dishes and share, allowing you to sample new foods and decide what you enjoy best. 11. What should I take on the tour? There is a detailed What to Take list in our Trip Kit, which we will send to you after you have booked the trip. 12. Can you arrange my flights? We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. ElderTreks offers personalized flight itineraries not group flights. Stop over en route, come in a few days early, or extend your stay. Call us for a customized flight itinerary. 13. What if I would like more information? If you have any further questions about the trip, please do not hesitate to contact our office for additional information. A Trip Kit containing further details on the destination will be sent to you once you have booked the trip. 14
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Cham temple 16