VICISSITUDES OF VIETNAM:
VIETNAM & ANGKOR WAT ADVENTURE

Departures Year-round
(depart virtually any day of the week)

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

Vietnam’s pristine coastline winds in serpentine fashion down the eastern flank of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, skirting the South China Sea for more than 1,850 miles. Vietnam’s considerable attractions — its staggering physical beauty, rich traditional cultures and exuberant people — have until recently been overshadowed by its conflict-ridden past. But today Vietnam is very much a country on the move, the government having loosened its grip on the economy and permitted the Vietnamese people to unleash their abundant talents and creative energy. Along with emerging skylines and modern amenities, you’ll observe many signs of traditional life: farmers sowing rice seeds or tending their fruit orchards, children riding water buffaloes, fisherman casting their nets and boys shepherding ducks across roads.

On your 16-day soft adventure and cultural tour, you’ll stop briefly in Bangkok before heading to Angkor Wat in Cambodia to explore some of the world’s most impressive temple ruins; teach English to Cambodian students (optional); and take an easy elephant trek through the jungle! In Vietnam, you’ll explore the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City; bicycle through tiny Hoi An and the Imperial City of Hue (easy); attend a water puppet show; enjoy a private lesson in Tai Chi; cruise through spectacular Halong Bay; learn about traditional farming techniques at a small village; dine at the home of a former UPI journalist/photographer; enjoy a private dinner cruise in Hue with a Royal Music Show and take a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi. And don’t be surprised if you return home with a suitcase full of Vietnamese art and artifacts!

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Fly to Bangkok, arriving on the evening of day 2. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.
Peninsula Hotel

Note: You may upgrade to The Oriental for a total surcharge of $90 per person.

Bangkok was founded in 1782 as the royal capital by Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty. Bangkok has since evolved into a modern metropolis of 6 million inhabitants that dominates Thailand culturally, economically and politically. Your private tour of Bangkok begins with a long-tail boat trip along the Chao Phraya River before stopping to visit the Grand Palace and the incomparably beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Afterwards, you’ll visit Jim Thomson’s House and Wat Pho, which houses the gigantic, gold leaf-covered Reclining Buddha. Peninsula Hotel (B, L)

Private airport transfer for your short morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, you'll visit Banteay Srei, a stunning temple that is somewhat isolated from the other monuments of the Angkor Region. Built in red sandstone rather than usual grey, it is one of the very few temples not endowed by royalty. It was built by Yajnavaraha, a Bramhin priest and key figure at court in the 10th century. Banteay Srei is virtually complete in its decoration, with a wealth of religious symbolism.

This evening, enjoy a cultural show featuring traditional Cambodian dancing and music. Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (B, D)

This morning, embark on a short elephant back trek to the Bayon. Constructed during the reign of King Jayavarman VII (1181 - 1201), the Bayon is considered the single most outstanding monument of Khmer culture. It also the most venerated of the city’s temples. Archaeologists have long debated the identity of the 172 smiling faces adorning the temple’s 49 towers, with many believing the temple to be a shrine dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, others to Brahamas, while modern Khmer specialists have generally concluded that this was a Mahayana Buddhist temple dedicated to the benevolent Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara.

Next you’ll visit Angkor Thom, a heavily fortified city that was the capital of the Khmer Empire from 802 until 1431, when it was conquered by the Thais. With a population exceeding one million, Angkor Thom covered an area of 10 square kilometers and was larger than any city in Europe at the time. You’ll visit the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper-King, named for King Yasovarman (899-910), who founded Angkor and later died of leprosy.

Another highlight is your visit to Ta Prohm, a beautiful temple that is literally intertwined with luxuriant tropical vegetation. The huge roots of giant trees coil themselves like enormous snakes around the temple, penetrating its stonework.

This afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, a magnificent example of classical Khmer architecture that reflects Indian and Indochinese influences Angkor Wat is considered by many to be one of the world’s most beautiful monuments. Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (B, L, D)

This morning, you will embark on a boat trip to visit a floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake. The villagers reside permanently in their floating houses, and you’ll cruise by floating schools, post offices, police stations, businesses, bars etc. Tonle Sap was the lifeline of the Khmers, a source of fish and rice to an agrarian society. Afterwards, you’ll see how silk is woven in one of the local workshops.

You’ll then have the option of visiting a BuddhistMonastery and observing or even teaching an English class to high school students normally taught by monks. No prior teaching experience is required. Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (B, L, D)

Private airport transfer for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon by most locals. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel.

Originally built on the site of an ancient Khmer city, Saigon became an important trading center at the end of the 18th century. Today, Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam and its main commercial hub. This afternoon, you’ll enjoy a private tour of Saigon, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the bustling Chinese district of Cholon, the 19th century French Colonial Post Office and the Thien Hau Temple. Built by the Canton Congregation in the early 19th century, this temple is dedicated to the Chinese Goddess of the Sea who  protects fishermen, sailors, merchants and other sea travelers. You'll then proceed to the home of the former American ambassador in 1960s, Mr. Henry C. Lodge, where you'll have a cooking class/demonstration and enjoy the dishes for dinner! Caravelle Hotel (B, D)

Note: You may upgrade to the Park Hyatt Hotel for a total surcharge of $170 per person.

This morning, you’ll drive outside of Saigon to visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels to explore a portion of the amazing 155 mile underground tunnel network built by Vietnamese guerilla fighters during the war. Dug by hand between 1948-1968, the Cu Chi tunnels extended beneath the boundaries of a huge American military base, from which they were able to launch surprise attacks. You’ll see command posts, living quarters, field hospitals, and weapons factories.Then stop at a rice paper making village to see the people at work.  After lunch at the Mandarin Restaurant, you’ll visit the former Presidential Palace, the War Museum and Ben Thanh Market. Caravelle Hotel (B, L)

This morning, you will travel overland to Cai Be with a stop at a beautiful bonsai garden for a tea break. In Cai Be, you’ll cruise in a motorized sampan to a floating market, where you’ll see sellers and buyers busily bargaining and exchanging goods on their colorful boats. Then visit some nearby pop-corn cake and rice paper making shops.

Enjoy lunch in the private garden of Mr. Sau Giao. Thentake a leisurely biking tour (45 minutes) through local villages, visiting honeybee farms, fruit gardens and a pottery workshop. Return to Ho Chi Minh via Vinh Long town. Caravelle Hotel (B, L)

Note: If you are not pressed for time, you might consider spending two nights in Dalat, a delightful highlands town with great weather and a profusion of French chalets, lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forests and gardens.

Private airport transfer for your flight to Danang. You’ll be met and transferred to visit the Cham Museum, which houses artifacts from the Kingdom of Champa (which ruled central Vietnam for 1000 years). Continue on to the Marble Mountains, consisting of five marble hillocks that were once islands. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe: Thuy Son (water), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (fire), Kim So (metal or gold) and Tho Son (earth). The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, houses a number ancient Buddhist sanctuaries. You’ll also stop at China Beach, a popular rest-and-relaxation spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.

You’ll then drive to Hoi An before stopping for lunch at a nice restaurant. Nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An is a charming small town with an eccentric mix of western and eastern-influenced architecture. During the 17-18th centuries, under the Nguyen Lords, Hoi An was a flourishing international trading port that was visited by many westerners. Most of Hoi An’s lovely pagodas contain elements from three religions — Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. This afternoon, enjoy a private walking tour along Hoi An’s narrow cobblestone streets, visiting former merchants’ houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar. Furama Hotel or Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort (B, L)

This morning, take an easy, scenic bicycle ride to the village of Hiep Phuoc. Afterwards, you’ll be privately transferred (3 hours) to Hue via the Hai Van Pass (Pass of Clouds), which offers spectacular panoramic views of the central coastline. You will have the option of hopping off the vehicle and bicycling down to Lang Co beach. Then continue to Hue by car and check in the hotel.

Between 1802 and 1945, Hue was Vietnam’s Imperial City, serving as the seat of 13 Nguyen emperors. Today, the city is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In the late afternoon, you’ll have a private tour of the very impressive Imperial Citadel and Forbidden city. The Imperial Citadel of Hue was built in 1804 under the orders of the Emperor Gia Long, who consulted with geomancers (diviners) to choose an auspicious site. The Citadel contains all of the major imperial residences and administrative buildings. Private dinner cruise with Royal Music Show performed by students from Hue Music School. La Residence (B, L, D)

This morning, you’ll take a cruise along the Perfume River to Con Hen Island to observe conical hat weaving and traditional candy making.  You’ll continue upstream to visit the Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) pagoda, Hue’s most revered religious monument. You’ll then board your bikes for a 1 1/2 mile ride along the river bank to the village of Kim Long. Afterwards, attend special prayer ceremony at the Ba La Mat Pagoda with a wish of luck, happiness and longevity followed by a small Buddhist gift offered by the head monk. An opportunity to interact with the monks to learn more about Buddhism and the life of being a monk, then enjoy vegetarian lunch at this pagoda. In the afternoon, continue to explore the town briefly before bicycling for another 4-5 miles  through shady, scenic landscape to arrive at the majestic, serene  tomb of Nguyen Emperor Tu Duc, set amid frangipani trees and a grove  of gaudy mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh. This evening, enjoy a home hosted dinner at the restored Royal home of Ms. Vinh Tu. La Residence (B, L, D)

Private airport transfer for your morning flight to Hanoi. You will be met and privately transferred to your hotel. Hanoi is a charming capital city with wide tree-lined boulevards, lovely lakes, ancient temples and French colonial architecture. Your private tour begins with a scenic drive through immense paddy fields. You'll then visit the Temple of Literature, a centuries old university, for a memorable but informal lecture on the culture and history of Hanoi (delivered by Dr. Huu Ngoc, a well-known Vietnamese historian or by Dr. Cao Xuan Pho.) Enjoy lunch at Wild Rice Restaurant.

This afternoon, you’ll visit the Fine Arts Museum, and then enjoy a stroll and one hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi. This evening, attend a traditional Water Puppet show. Water puppetry began as a form of local entertainment in the 10th century but truly flourished during the Tran Dynasty (13-14th centuries), when there was a renaissance of the arts. Dinner is at Emperor Restaurant. Hotel Metropole Sofitel (B, L, D)

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OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY IN HANOI (approx. $200pp surcharge):  You may choose to spend an additional day in Hanoi, enjoying free time or one of two optional excursions.  Your first option is to take a full day private tour to the Chua Huong Perfume Pagoda, a Buddhist temple complex set in limestone caves.  You will take a small sampan through peaceful rural landscape of flooded rice fields. You will then hike a mountain path to reach the temple, located at the summit.  Your second option is to be taken to several handicraft villages in the rural outskirts of Hanoi.  Various crafts of interest include ceramics, wooden furniture and the ancient art of woodblock printing. Hotel Sofitel Metropole (B, L)

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Your day begins with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument made of generous amount of marble and granite. This is where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” may be viewed. Continue to the lotus-shaped One Pillar Pagoda which contains a statue of the Goddess of Mercy with its legendary “thousand arms and a thousand eyes”. You’ll then depart for Halong City, stopping along the way at the Hai Hung village to visit and interact with local families cultivating thousands of acres of rice. You’ll learn about their traditional farming techniques, many of them ingenious.

Continue on to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s scenic and geological highlights. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay contains 3,000 islands of dolomite and limestone that resemble a mountain range rising out of the sea. According to local legend, these formations were formed by a giant dragon that came barreling out of the mountains toward the ocean.

Upon arrival in Halong City, you'll board the Halong Ginger, a deluxe junk. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through Bai Tu Long bay recalling the famous Indochine film featuring charming Actress Catherine Deneuve. Later you may go hiking or swimming on Soi Sim Island. Then, enjoy further cruising to visit Hang Doi water tunnel by rowboat. In the evening the yacht will dock for the night and you'll enjoy dinner on board. You may dance and/or interact with Halong Ginger’s staff / crew. Halong Ginger Cruise (B, L, D)

Note: We can arrange for you to stay at the Halong Plaza Hotel instead if you prefer not to overnight on the junk (yacht).

Get up early to catch the sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. You'll depart for a visit to the splendid Sung Sot grotto and get a glimpse of a nearby fishing village. Enjoy late buffet brunch on board while cruising back through Halong bay to the pier. Arrive at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Free afternoon in Hanoi. Hotel Sofitel Metropole (B)

Note: Depending upon the latest flight schedule, you may be able to take a helicopter ride between Hanoi and Halong Bay for a surcharge.

Private airport transfer for your return flight to the U.S. (B)

Land Cost (per person) Includes:
o All elective "soft" adventures (hiking, elephant back trek, bicycling)
o Accommodations for 14 nights, mainly in deluxe hotels
o 32 meals as indicated
o Private transfers and land transportation
o Entrance/park fees

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. All included adventures are elective and low intensity. Activities include bicycling, elephant back riding, and walking. Adventures may be replaced at travelers request with cultural excursions. Because the trip ventures into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the elements, cultural differences, rough roads and schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations in first class and deluxe hotels based on double occupancy (except in Hue); 32 meals as indicated in itinerary; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges; instruction and leadership.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals not indicated on itinerary; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports or visas, personal insurance, optional lecture; other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in first class and deluxe hotels. Singles who sign up will be subject to a single supplement charge.

Climate: Vietnam is a year-round destination because its climate varies widely from region to region during different times of the year. Overall, the best time to visit Vietnam is between Oct-Dec and between Mar-April.
By region, the best times to visit (less rain, cooler temperatures) are: south (Dec-April); central coast (Jan-May); and Hanoi region (Oct-Dec).

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $500 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures are guaranteed during the season with a minimum of two passengers. Final payment of the land cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds: If you need to cancel your trip, please notify us in writing or by fax immediately. The cancellation penalty is calculated from the day we receive cancellation notice. (For those persons who do travel, there are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities.) In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supercede NEI's policy. The cancellation penalty is calculated based on the schedule below.

Number of days prior to departure. Cancellation fee per person:
    61+days         $500 plus applicable airfare penalties
    45–60 days    30% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    30–44 days    60% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    0–29 days     100% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness. NEI offers a comprehensive travel insurance plan to its trip participants. Please contact us if you have any questions about travel insurance.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company’s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement. NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced expedition. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an expedition except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.

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