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Small Group Programs to Cambodia 2004-2005
This is not for everyone.
You will only do this if you want to be totally exhausted at the end of your
trip - by fun, lots of walking, lugging your back packs all over, overnight trains, small hotels with
basic amenities, and with a group of 11 other international travelers usually between ages of 20 to 50.
These programs offer great value.
If you prefer to move at your own pace, or want more upscale accommodations or private guides, please
contact us for independent programs.
Road to Angkor
9 days Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City or vice-versa from 732.00
Bangkok, Siem Reap, the temples of Angkor, Phnom Penh, Mekong Delta
Combine the diversity of Cambodia with the excitement of Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. With magnificent ruins to explore, a history to understand and two of Asia's most bustling cities, this is an exciting overland journey from Thailand into southern Vietnam. Allow US$180 for meals not included and US$75 for flights to be purchased en route.
| Itinerary |
| Day 1 | Bangkok |
Bustling and beguiling, Bangkok has grand palaces, temples, frenetic streets, quiet enclaves and a colourful array of shops and markets. |
| Days 2-4 | Bangkok - Siem Reap |
It is a long drive through rural Cambodia to Siem Reap, our base for visiting the magnificent remains of the ancient Khmer empire of Angkor. A boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake is optional. |
| Days 5-6 | Angkor Wat |
Experience the changing times of Phnom Penh at the beautiful Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the lively city markets in stark contrast to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. |
| Day 7 | Chao Doc |
Travel by riverboat across the border to Vietnam and the Mekong Delta town of Chao Doc. Spend a wonderful day watching rural life slip by. |
| Days 8 | - 9 Ho Chi Minh City |
Take to the streets in Ho Chi Minh City in rickshaws to explore this exhilarating hub of southern Vietnam. |
Heart of Cambodia
15 days ex Phnom Penh from 1029.00
Phnom Penh, Kompong Cham, Angkor Wat, Battambang, Kep, Sihanoukville
Architectural feats, powerful history, magnificent beaches and sleepy rural villages. Explore the heart of Cambodia, a nation of scenic beauty with discordant legacies of its remote and recent past. Temples, remnants of French colonialism, Killing Fields, palaces and pagodas are interspersed with palm-fringed beaches and sleepy rural villages. Allow US$220 for meals not included.
| Itinerary |
| Days 1-2 | Phnom Penh |
In Phnom Penh we can enjoy great river views from the coffee shops, browse the busy Russian Market and explore the delightful city palace. For extreme contrast visit the chilling Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. |
| Days 3-4 | Kampong Cham |
It's up the Mekong River by fast boat to Kompong Cham and Wat Nokor. Stop in sleepy Kompong Thom, sample a dish of fried spiders and climb a stunning mountain temple with dozens of reclining Buddhas. |
| Days 5-7 | Siem Reap |
Angkor's tantalising blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences make it one of Indochina's most famous sites. Visit Angkor Wat, jungle-covered Ta Prohm and check out the delicate carvings of Banteay Srei. |
| Days 8-9 | Battambang |
We travel by boat to Battambang, an attractive town with friendly Khmer people and interesting architecture from Cambodia's French colonial past. |
| Day 10 | Kampot |
A stay in the forgotten seaside resort of Kep offers time to walk, swim or laze in a hammock with a drink as the sun sets over the islands. |
| Day 11 | Kampot |
From Kampot we walk through the hills to the French hill station of Bokor with its summer palace and sweeping views over Cambodia's coastline. |
| Days 12-13 | Sihanoukville |
Untouched beaches, palm trees, blue waters and friendly people are the hallmarks of Sihanoukville, Cambodia's only seaport. Sample the seafood and enjoy the nightlife. |
| Days 14-15 | Phnom Penh |
Returning to Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, the afternoon is free for further exploration and shopping or writing last-minute postcards in the river front cafes of elegant Sisowath Quay. |
Premium Cambodia and Vietnam
20 days Siem Reap to Hanoi; Twinshare $2206 ,Single $2915
Angkor Temples, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, South China Sea, Hue, Halong Bay, Hanoi.
Discover Indochina in style. Experience the grace of Cambodia and the beauty of Vietnam as you discover their incredible diversity, dramatic pasts and hopeful futures. Allow US$340 for meals not included and US$255 for flights to be purchased en route.
| Itinerary |
| Days 1-3 | Angkor Wat, the towering gates of Angkor Thom, jungle clad Ta Prohm and the enigmatic faces of the Bayon surpass description. |
| Day 4 | Encounter the darker side of Cambodia's past at Phnom Penh's Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Wander along Sisowath Quay or marvel at the beauty of the Silver Pagoda. |
| Days 5-6 | Ho Chi Minh City is a dynamic city of old and new. Ancient pagodas mingle with French influenced cafes, colonial architecture, colourful markets and emotive museums. |
| Days 7-8 | The tunnels of Cu Chi illustrate the lives of the notorious Viet Cong. In stark contrast the busy Mekong Delta, often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam, sees cottage industries and tropical orchards flourish. |
| Day 9 | Nha Trang is the perfect place for a relaxing day, cruising to local islands and feasting on fresh seafood. |
| Days 10-12 | The historic trading port of Hoi An is a town of impressive architecture, narrow streets lined with tailors, fine art galleries and riverside restaurants offering delicious Vietnamese delicacies. |
| Days 13-15 | Set on the banks of the Perfume River, Vietnam's imperial capital of Hue is a quiet town with an incredible wealth of imperial tombs, tranquil temples, ancient pagodas and tiny wayside shrines. |
| Days 16-17 | Hanoi is a city to thrill the senses. Markets and Old Quarter streets bustle with colour and activity, historic temples inhabit quiet lakes and gardens and innumerable restaurants cater to all tastes. |
| Days 18-20 | Halong Bay is breathtaking with over 3,000 limestone islands rising from emerald waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. Amidst this magnificent scenery we take an overnight boat cruise and dine on incredible seafood. |
Journey through Cambodia
15 days Phnom Penh to Bangkok from 1177.00
Community projects, Takeo province, Ratanakiri, Sihanoukville, Angkor Wat, Battambang
An enriching Cambodian journey that contributes to the communities we visit. Experience the warmth of the Cambodian people, beautiful rural countryside, some of the world's most awesome relics of a bygone era and gain an insight into the nation's history. Allow US$240 for meals not included and $US110 for flights to be purchased en route.
| Itinerary |
| Days 1-2 | Phnom Penh's streets and markets teem with life. Explore the city's temples, memorials, museums and take the opportunity to sample great food at a charity based restaurant helping educate street kids. |
| Day 3 | We head to Takeo by local bus and on to the Oxfam Community Aid Abroad homestay. We experience their work first hand as they assist villagers to develop sustainable livelihoods. |
| Days 4-5 | Sihanoukville, the nation's only sea port, is the gateway to Cambodia's beautiful coastal scenery. We visit projects aimed at helping locals who do not benefit from the town's recent growth. |
| Day 6 | Back in Phnom Penh, Sisowath Quay boasts beautiful French architecture, great coffee shops and excellent restaurants. Visit the lovely Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace and the National Museum. |
| Days 7-8 | The dusty frontier town of Ban Lung offers the chance to swim in a volcanic crater lake surrounded by jungle. A day amongst the villages of this border region allows an insight into community based tourism initiatives supported by Oxfam. |
| Day 9 | Near the bustling riverside town of Kompong Thom is one of Cambodia's most impressive pre-Angkorian monuments - the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk. |
| Days 10-12 | The intricate sculptures and extraordinary bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat and jungle-covered Ta Prohm are awe-inspiring. The landmine museum and the Gecko Project on Lake Tonle Sap reveal other aspects of Cambodian life. |
| Day 13 | By boat we travel to Battambang, home of friendly Khmer people and well preserved French colonial architecture. We may get the chance to speak with those who work to clear landmines. |
| Days 14-15 | It is a long day by bus through rural Cambodia to the border town of Poipet and on to dazzling Bangkok, a whirlwind of people, traffic, street food, temples and markets. |
Best of Vietnam and Cambodia - Northbound
18 days Bangkok to Hanoi or vice-versa from 1249.00
Angkor temples, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay
A blend of inspiring history and exhilarating present. Three lively capital cities, historic intrigue and imperial relics, combine with beautiful scenery and not to be missed shopping opportunities to create a magnificent journey of discovery. Allow US$310 for meals not included and US$160 for flights to be purchased en route.
| Itinerary |
| Day 1 | Bangkok, the bustling heart of Asia, offers fantastic shopping, wonderful street food, busy markets and majestic temples. |
| Days 2-4 | The remains of the ancient Khmer is simply awe inspiring with the stunning Angkor Wat, exotic jungle-covered Ta Prohm and enigmatic faces of the Bayon. Based in the small town of Siem Reap we have ample time to explore. |
| Days 5-6 | The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are testimony to a rich cultural history while Phnom Penh reveals the tragedy of Cambodia's past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and infamous Killing Fields. |
| Day 7 | Riverboat is a fitting way to travel to Vietnam and the Mekong Delta town of Chao Doc. |
| Days 8-9 | Ho Chi Minh City is the hub of southern Vietnam. Jump on a cyclo and discover the museums, cathedrals, boulevards lined with colonial buildings and teeming markets of Chinatown. |
| Day 10 | In the legendary network of tunnels at Cu Chi, we get a taste of a harsh existence where the Viet Cong often lived for weeks on end. |
| Days 11-12 | Today Hoi An is most famed for its variety of tailor shops - get a complete tailor-made wardrobe in hours! While they are busy sewing, explore historic buildings, lovely beaches and rural villages. |
| Days 13-15 | Tranquil Hue, set along the Perfume River, was the capital of the Nguyen emperors. Quiet tree-lined lanes lead through ancient cemeteries to vast tombs, secluded pagodas and tiny villages. |
| Day 16 | According to legend, Halong Bay is where a dragon descended into the sea. In doing so he created this spectacular bay of limestone karst islands with fabulous caves and clear waters. |
| Days 17-18 | Hanoi is a riot of colour and activity as motorbikes pack the streets, cafes nestle beside the lake and laneways thrive with markets. |
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