Indochina Adventure, Bangkok, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

This is the ultimate loop of Indochina, encompassing Bangkok, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Incorporating 10 days of meaningful volunteer projects throughout Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the trip offers travellers a fantastic combination of cultural sightseeing and the opportunity to have a truly authentic local experience, helping

Highlights

* Combining seeing the highlights of Indchina with putting something back by getting involved in much needed development projects
* There are too many highlights to mention here, we think the whole trip is FAB!

Good for. . .

* This trip is suitable for the young and those wanting to join a group tour but do more than just see the highlights of each country.
* The accommodation used can be simple at times so for those looking for a luxury holiday we recommend a private itineary that is
custom designed towards your needs.

Price

From: USD2587 per person (43 Days)

Price Includes

• Airport transfer to Hotel on day 1
• Service of experienced Local leaders
• Transport: Private Van/Public Coach, Sleeper train, Boat, Elephant ride
• Accommodation: (all the accommodation are based on Twin share)
• Simple hotels- 27 Nights
• Sleeper air-conditioned train-4 Nights
• Boat- 1 Night
• Home-stay- 9Nights

Price Excludes

• US$2587 per person sharing accommodation US$600 local payment (to be paid in cash on arrival) US$353 supplement for those wanting their own room All the Entrance fees during sightseeing days or on Optional visit International Flight ticket from Hanoi- Vientiane Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary Visa and visa costs Insurance (compulsory) Personal expenditures Tips and other costs not mentioned in the itinerary. Police Background check or similar official document from home country

Day 1: Bangkok

Today is arrival day so no activities planned. This evening your guide will meet you for the tour briefing. No meals.

Day 2: Bangkok

Guided tour of the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha in the morning. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own (B).

Day 3: Bangkok - Battambang

After breakfast leave Bangkok for the Thai-Cambodian border. Travel the whole day from cosmopolitan Bangkok to the quiet Cambodian town of Battambang. You will meet with your Khmer leader at the border. Approx 8hrs drive. (B)

Day 4: Battambang Homestay

In the morning enjoy a guided tour on the Bamboo Train. In the afternoon transfer to a homestay at Tapon Village, about 15 km away from town. Be introduced to your homestay family and then have a guided tour of the village, where you will learn about their daily life. In the evening, have an opportunity to get involved cooking your Cambodian dinner with the family (BD).

Day 5: Battambang - Siem Reap

After a traditional breakfast at your homestay, take a boat along the Mekong River to Siem Reap. Option to visit Angkor complex to watch the sunset from Mount Bakeng. Approx 5hrs boat ride. (B)

Day 6: Siem Reap

Today wake in the early morning to watch the sunrise from the famous Angkor Wat Temple, followed by a full day sightseeing to Bayon, Ta Prom and Elephant Leaper King Temples (B).

Day 7-8-9: Volunteer Project

The next three days will be rewarding as you depart from the main tourist routine to do community development work helping at a local orphanage (B).

Day 10: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

Today drive to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. After a brief walking tour organised by your guide you are free to explore the old market on your own. Approx 5hrs drive. (B)

Day 11: Phnom Penh

Guided tour of the National Museum and adjacent complex of the Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace, Toul Sleng Museum, Killing Fields and the Russian market. Free afternoon to further explore the capital (B).

Day 12: Phnom Penh - Mekong Delta

Today continue on the boat to Chau Doc, Vietnam. You are expected to arrive in the late afternoon, where you will be met by your Vietnamese leader. Watch the sunset or wander through the local market in the evening. Approx 4 hrs boat ride. (B)

Day 13: Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, embark on a small traditional boat to witness life in the Mekong Delta region, then drive to the commercial capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. Approx 2 hrs drive. (B)

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang

Embark on a walking tour of the city in the morning, visiting the Old Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Re-unification Palace, War Museum and the vibrant Ben Thanh Market. In the evening, will board the overnight Re-unification Express train to Nha Trang. Approx 8 hrs. (B)

Day 15: Nha Trang

Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning. Relax on the beach, take a boat trip, or perhaps visit nearby historical sites. Optional activities can include a boat trip to nearby islands for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Day 16: Nha Trang - Danang

Full day to relax or indulge in more optional sightseeing, a mud bath or simply sunbathe by the South China Sea. In the evening take an overnight train to Danang. Approx 12 hrs train ride. (B)

Day 17: Hoi An

From Danang, take a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An, an old trading town where you will still notice a strong Southern Chinese influence. Afternoon walking tour of the Old Town

Day 18: Hoi An
Free day to get a wardrobe of clothes tailormade, relax at cafés by the river front or hire a bicycle and venture out to the countryside or beaches (B).

Day 19: Hoi An - Hue

After breakfast drive to the city of Hue, home to the old Nguyen Emperor Regime. The drive will take you through famous Lang Co beach and over Hai Van Pass. Upon arrival in Hue enjoy a guided tour of the Citadel (B).

Day 20: Hue - Hanoi

You have the option to travel by boat along the Perfume River and visit Tien Mu Pagoda and the tombs of famous Nguyen Emperors. In the afternoon board the overnight train to Hanoi. Approx 12 hrs train ride. (B)

Day 21: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Upon arrival you have the option to sample Hanoi’s famous ‘pho’ for breakfast. Then we drive we drive to Halong City and embark on a boat cruise around Halong Bay in a traditional junk. Approx 3 hrs drive. (LD)

Day 22: Halong Bay - Hanoi

After breakfast, transfer back to Hanoi. Afternoon guided walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter (B).

Day 23-26: Mai Chau Volunteer Project

Spend the next four days in the countryside northwest of Hanoi where modern capitalisation has still not touched the lives of the traditional villagers. This provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about the local ethnic minority groups and help the kids at school by sharing your language skills. Accommodation will be basic at a local family house. All meals included.

Day 27: Mai Chau - Hanoi

Drive back to Hanoi in the afternoon (B).

Day 28: Hanoi - Vientiane

A short flight to the sleepy capital of Laos. Upon arrival meet with your Lao leader and transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon to visit some of the sights around the quiet capital, such as Wat Sisaket, Victory Monument, Wat Simuang and Wat Prakeo (B).

Day 29: Vientiane - Vang Vieng

This morning the drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song River amidst rice fields and limestone karsts. Visit an organic farm and enjoy lunch. Option to explore some of the caves by bicycle, or float down the river in an inner tube. Approx 3 hrs drive (BL).

Day 30: Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang

After breakfast leave Vang Vieng. The route will wind through scenic mountain passes and there will be plenty of opportunity to stop along the way for photos. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on the way. Approx 6 hrs drive (BL).

Day 31: Luang Prabang - Seuang River Project

After breakfast, we introduce our community service project with a survey of Seuang River Community-Based Tourism site, approximately one hour drive north of Luang Prabang. This session will also introduce the principles of Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty – a central theme of our time in the villages (BLD).

Day 32-33-34: Volunteer Project

Over the next three days we will continue to work with our village hosts on the community service project. There will be opportunity to take part in the daily-life of the village: basket making, cooking, farming and of course playing with the kids (BLD).

Day 35: Seuang River Project - Luang Prabang

In the morning say goodbye to your hosts and drive back to Luang Prabang. The remainder of the day is free to explore this wonderful town (B).

Day 36: Luang Prabang - Pakbeng

Early in the morning cross the Mekong by ferry with your guide to the Huay Xai Pier. Transfer to the public boat which will take you on a two-day trip up the Mekong River to the Thailand border. Stay overnight in Pak Beng (B).

Day 37: Pak Beng - Chiang Rai

In the morning, check out and continue your journey upstream to Thailand. Meet your Thai guide and transfer to the hotel in Chiang Rai (B).

Day 38: Chiang Rai

This morning head out of town for the day. Go on an elephant ride and later meet a representative of the Mirror Foundation. Visit one of the villages the Foundation works with to learn more about the organisation. In the afternoon we will go to the Golden Triangle (BL).

Day 39: Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

This morning after breakfast leave Chiang Rai and drive along the mountain roads to Chiang Mai. Stop for lunch along the way and still arrive in plenty of time to allow you to explore this city on your own (BL).

Day 40: Chiang Mai/

After breakfast enjoy a day on your own sightseeing around Chiang Mai’s Old Town, visiting the historical highlights of the city that date back to the mid 14th century. In the evening, board the fan-cooled overnight train for Bangkok. Approx 12 hrs (B).

Day 41: Bangkok

Arrive early in the morning to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. The day is free to explore the many sights of Bangkok. In the evening enjoy a farewell meal sampling amazing Thai cuisine (B).

Day 42: Tour Ends

Tour ends after breakfast (B).

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*Note: Minimum donation of US $1 a day per person is required during the volunteer days.

*Note: Please note, for placements involving children, we may request a police criminal background certificate from your country. This is to protect both the volunteers and the children we seek to assist.