Saturday 31 Dec.
Depart for Airport by 4pm, stop for dinner on the way. Plan to be at airport by 9pm for 12:05am departure.
ParkforU
Sunday 1 Jan
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Day 01 02 Jan 2017(Mon) Hotel Salil (2 nights)
Fly EVA 67 Taipei to Bangkok Depart 0900 Arrive Bangkok 1150
Bangkok Arrival
2 Nights at Hotel Salil Hotel Sukhumvit Soi Thonglor 1 44/14-17 Soi Sukhumvit 53(Paidee-Madee), Sukhumvit Road,Klongton Nua, Wattana,Bangkok 10110 Phone: +66 2 662 5480
Rest and acclimate
Day 02 03 Jan 2017(Tue) Hotel Salil
Bangkok – Full Day City Temples Grand Palace Thonburi Canal Tour
Our tour begins with a a fun way to discover Bangkok’s unmistakable ‘Kwam-Pen-Thai’ (Thai-ness) as we take to tuk tuks and long-tailed boats for tours of the Grand Palace, Buddhist temples including Wat Po, the old canals of Thonburi and the iconic temple of dawn, Wat Arun. Local legend has it that the shards of pottery decorating its 79m tall spire came from a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago.
Day 03 04 Jan 2017(Wed) River Kwai Resotel (2 nights)
Bangkok – Floating Market – Kanchanburi
2 Nights at River Kwai Resotel
Leaving Bangkok this morning we travel to the historic town of Kanchanaburi. Originally founded to protect Thailand from the Burmese the area is known today for being the site of the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai. Occupied by Japanese troops during WWII the bridge and subsequent railway line was built by allied prisoners of war. Travelling by train along the bridge we will also visit the Allied War Cemetery and the local museum. Then we take to the river to our overnight floating raft-house accommodation.
Day 04 05 Jan 2017(Thu) River Kwai Resotel
Kanchanaburi – Erawan National Park
After breakfast we head for the beautiful Erawan Falls National Park. This huge park is home to ancient caves and the spectacular waterfalls named after the 3-headed white elephant found in Hindu mythology.
Erawan National Park is open for visitors 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m everyday all year round. There are restaurants, various facilities, bungalows and a campsite next to the HQ. Bungalows are for 2-50 persons and the price varies from 800 THB to 4000 THB. The entrance fee is 300 THB for foreigners (children 200 THB), 100 THB for locals (children 50 THB), 20 THB for a motorbike and 30 THB for other vehicles. Bear in mind that food is strictly forbidden beyond the 2nd tier. Visitors must pay a 20 THB fee per bottle of any drinks which can be refunded when the bottles are returned.
Attractions of Erawan
Erawan Waterfall
Erawan Waterfall is located in the east side of the park in a convinient walk distance from HQ. Named after three-headed white elephant in Hindu mythology, Erawan Waterfall flowing with emerald water is the major attraction of the national park. It is 7 tiered and spans over 1.5 km, each tier has also number of smaller falls into ponds full of fishes. A series of trails and footbridged will lead visitors all way up to 6th tier, last tear is accessible by scrambling up to few cliffs for those who like a bit more challenge.
Most tears are running into ponds, great for swimming. There are few picnic spots around the lower tiers, food is strickly forbidden beyond the second tier.
Phartat Cave
Located 12 km north west from the HQ, the cave consists of both stalactites and stalagmites withing a limestone hill. It is accessible by a short trail starting from a nearby carpark.
Ta Duang Cave
Located 30 km from HQ at the south east corner of the national park, 700-800 meters into the forest from Tha Thung Na village. The cave has rock paintings of trees and human shapes. Evidence of past human habitation, pottery and used tools may be seen.
Mi Cave
“Mi” means bear in Thai and cave believed to have got it’s name because it thought to be occupied by bears. It has 5 chambers. The cave is located on south side of the park, accessible through Ban Thap Sila village on the south side of the park. The cave consists of of stalagmites, stalactites and stones. 7 km of tracking needed to reach to the cave.
Reua Cave
Reua is a 40-50 meters deep cave situated at the south side of the park, not too far away from Mi Cave. It doesn’t have any stalagmites or stalactites. Several coffins has been found in this cave. It is approxtimately 1 km walk into the forest from Ban Thap Sila village.
Wang Bah Dan Cave
Located 54 km from HQ in the south side of the national park, accessible from Chaiyaphruek Village couple of kilometers into the forest. It is a limestone cave with a narrow opening. Chambers contains different stalactite and stalagmite formations. There is a permanent waterstream running through last chamber.
Trails
There are several trails into the forest from the HQ area, of those;
Khao Hin Lan Pee Nature Trail, approximately 5 km and takes 2-3 hours to walk. It ends at 5th tier of Erawan Falls.
Mong Lay Dry Evergreen Forest Natural Trail among waterfall, takes less than an hour to walk.
Day 05 06 Jan 2017(Fri) Regency Angkor (3 nights)
Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya – Fly to Siem Reap arrive 2155
Stay at Regency Angkor VITHEI CHARLES DE GAULLE, PHUM MONDUL III, KHUM SLORKRAM, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA : +855(0)63 767 700-5
We depart Kanchanaburi this morning for the short trip to the former Siam capital of Ayutthaya. Now a UNESCO world heritage site the city flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries and is home to many ancient temples and Palaces.
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Day 06 07 Jan 2017(Sat) Regency Angkor
Siem Reap – Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm & Angkor Wat Full Day Tour
Angkor Wat-best preserved of all the Angkor temples. Explore this huge architectural wonder at your leisure before visiting either Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup temple to watch the sunset. The day begins at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where you will begin your exploration of the centrepiece of this ancient city, the Bayon. The Bayon holds 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatically smiling stone faces. The morning tour also visits the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper Kings. In the afternoon you will visit Ta Prohm Temple which was famously featured in the movie, Tomb Raider.
Day 07 08 Jan 2017(Sun) Regency Angkor
Siem Reap – Banteay Srey & Tonle Sap Lake Full Day Tour
Today, you will discover Tonle Sap Lake at Kompong Kleng, which is a unique village with few tourists visiting this area. It is a large remote village located on the northern edge of the lake approximately 45km from Siem Reap. The main industry for the community is fishing. You will take a boat trip passing markets and villages to the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake where you will enjoy a relaxing, fascinating journey to the flooded forest. Return by boat and vehicle to Siem Reap.
Day 08 09 Jan 2017(Mon) Signature Saigon Hotel (1 night)
Siem Reap – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Depart 1350 Arrive about 1450
Stay at Signature Saigon Hotel Address: 65-67-69 Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Phone: +84 8 3914 1199
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Day 09 10 Jan 2017(Tue) Homestay (1 night)
Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long
Lunch and Dinner Included
We depart Saigon today with a drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be, famous for its floating markets. After touring the markets, board a private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. Here, feast at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular ‘Elephant ear fish’, before continuing to explore the tributaries and canals of the Delta. Towards the end of the day, arrive at the home of a local family. The evening is spent with the family, learning about life in the Delta.
Day 10 11 Jan 2017(Wed) Signature Saigon Hotel (1 night)
Vinh Long to Ho Chi Minh City
Rising to the sounds of life on the Delta, have an early breakfast before boarding a riverboat to cruise to Vinh Long town, stopping along the way to visit local cottage industries. Then, transfer by vehicle to the town of My Tho to visit the Vinh Trang pagoda, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City
City Tour for afternoon
Day 11 12 Jan 2017 (Thu) Lantern Hotel (1 night)
Ho Chi Minh City to Danang. Flight departs 1015 arrives 1135
Transfer to Hoi An (30km)
Stay at Lantern Hotel Address: 288 Nguyen Duy Hieu – Son Phong – Hoi An – Quang Nam
Telephone: 05103 914 345 – Fax: 05103 914 054
Email: info@hoianlanternhotel.com
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| DEPARTURE: THURSDAY 12 JAN Please verify flight times prior to departure |
VIETNAM AIRLINESVN 0120Duration: 1hr(s) 20min(s) Class: Economy Status: Confirmed |
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AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 JET Distance (in Miles): 373 Stop(s): 0 |
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Arriving At:
11:35 Terminal: Not Available |
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Day 12 13 Jan 2017(Fri) Park View Hotel (1 night)
Hoi An – Hidden Hoi An Walking Half Day Private Tour –
Lunch Included
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of this charming traditional town now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Today, it remains a quaint riverside town, renowned for its silk and popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century and much of the town is now heritage-listed.
Drive south along a beautiful stretch of coastline and over the scenic Hai Van Pass, to the picturesque riverside community of Hue.
Day 13 14 Jan 2017(Sat) Overnight Train (1 night)
Hue – Full Day City Tour – Train to Hanoi
Today we’ll enjoy a private tour of this beautiful city which is rich in history, culture and ancient temples. We’ll spend the day exploring the Citadel, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site
Soft sleeper compartments have 4 berths, each supplied with pillow, sheet and duvet and an individual reading light. By day you simply sit on the lower berths. Expect even the newer cars to be a bit tatty and grubby by western standards as they are intensively used, but overall soft sleeper is a pleasant and enjoyable way to travel, especially on the best trains, SE1/2/3/4. You keep all your bags with you, there is luggage space beneath the bottom bunks and in the large recess above the compartment door. Lower berths are recommended if you’re tall, as the upper berth has a support chain taking up an inch or two at each end. The most modern cars used on the trains SE1 to SE8 have a 2-pin power socket for recharging your mobile or camera, and you’ll find a western-style toilet usually kept supplied with soap and toilet paper at one or both ends of the corridor. Several windows on the corridor side open, useful for photography, but the compartment windows don’t open. There’s a free water dispenser at the end of the corridor for both boiling and cold water, handy if you have bought some powdered soup, instant coffee or hot chocolate with you, or have bought some dried noodles from one of the stalls at the station. A trolley service comes down the train serving snacks, coffee, soft drinks and beer, and at meal times a member of the train staff will sell you a meal ticket for around 35,000 dong (£1 or $1.60). A set meal with mineral water will then be delivered to your compartment around half an hour later from the kitchen car. At night, you’ll find a lock and usually an additional security lock on the door. Between Hanoi, Hué & Danang, also see this section about the privately-run Livitrans sleeping-car, which is a cut above the regular Vietnamese Railways sleepers.
Update: Trains SE3 & SE4 received smartly-refurbished carriages in January 2015, allegedly with free WiFi. Trains SE5, SE6, SE7 & SE8 got similar refurbished cars in January 2016. Trains SE1 & SE2 were also re-equipped with these ‘5-star’ carriages in mid-2016…
Day 14 15 Jan 2017(Sun) May De Ville Old Quarter (1 night)
Arrive Hanoi – Morning City Tour – Street Eats Evening Tour
Dinner Included
We start our tour of Hanoi this morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum where we’ll learn about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 after dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, and his body was preserved for posterity. Its quite an experience lining up with hundreds of Vietnamese and other tourists to pass by his open coffin.
Next we’ll explore the grounds to see the one pillar pagoda and the presidential palace. before visiting an 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Our exploration of Hanoi continues with a fun cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, named for the products that were sold from their shops. Today, vendors on Tin and Bamboo Streets still sell the same wares.
This evening your guide will take you to enjoy a culinary adventure, sampling street food in the Old Quarter. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and taste all the strange and wonderful foods you’ll see during your time in Vietnam, but just aren’t sure what they are. This should give you more confidence in trying local foods throughout the rest of your time in Vietnam. We start at Bia Hoi corner to try the local brew, a draft beer with roots in Eastern Europe. Then continue exploring while your guide points out a a range of snacks, breads and tasty noodle dishes on sale. The pavements and streets are packed at night with locals perched on stools, surrounded by bubbling pots and sizzling woks. These small pop up restaurants are a nightly feature that all but disappear during the day. We’ll sit down to enjoy a flame grilled Vietnamese barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers before ending the night with a tasty dessert from Hanoi’s best-known ice-cream parlour.
Day 15 16 Jan 2017(Mon) L’Azalee Cruises (2 nights)
Hanoi to Halong Bay – 2 Night Cruise
Day 16 17 Jan 2017(Tue) L’Azalee Cruises
Halong
Day 17 18 Jan 2017(Wed) May De Ville Old Quarter (1 night)
Halong to to Hanoi
Day 18 19 Jan 2017(Thu)
Depart from Hanoi
INCLUSIONS/EXCLUSIONS:
Tour includes:
- Accommodation at selected hotels with daily breakfast
- Check-in time is 2.00PM and check-out time is 12.00PM. Early or late service is subject to availability with surcharge.
- Meals as mentioned
- English speaking guide (Halong, Mekong package as group join-in guide)
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by air-conditioned vehicle
- Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time
- Boat cruises mentioned (group join-in for Halong and Mekong)
