Thailand — South East Asia — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

SOUTH EAST ASIA THAILAND " LAOS " VIETNAM " CAMBODIA VIETNAM " CAMBODIA Mekong Delta & Angkor CYCLE GRADE A Ref CVE JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 15 DAYS HOTELS/HOMESTAY SAIGON TO SIEM REAP This classic journey through Indochina links the fascinating cities of Saigon and Phnom Penh with the breathtaking temples of the Angkorian kings, scattered in the Cambodian jungle near Siem Reap. Our cycle routes take us into rural landscapes; emerald green paddy fields and fruit orchards of the mighty Mekong River Delta, to remote villages and hidden temples. Old Saigon & the Mekong Delta Arriving in the Vietnamese capital we discover the city on foot before taking to our bikes in the countryside near the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels an underground base that hid 10,000 Viet Cong troops during the war. Our meanderings take us south to the stunning Mekong Delta for the chance to discover more about village life at a homestay and explore the floating markets and stilt houses that line the waterways. Cambodia by Boat & Bike From Chau Doc we board speedboats to journey along the Mekong into Cambodia and on to the fascinating capital Phnom Penh. As well as sightseeing in the city we cycle out of town on a thought provoking visit to the horrific Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Following the river north we pass through the country of the Chams, a Muslim minority people with their own language and cultural identity. At Kompong Thom we ride along an old logging trail to the pre-Angkorian temple site at Sambor Prei Kuk. Lost Cities of Angkor Our journey ends in Siem Reap, the base for our discovery of the vast ruins of the fabled royal city of Angkor, which lay lost and forgotten for over 5000 years in the Cambodian jungle. Some 150 square kilometres are scattered with walled cities and magnificent stone temples, sculptures, reservoirs and causeways and an exploration by bike is probably the best way to investigate both the main highlights and some of the lesser known and newly opened sites. A Journey Through Indochina Ref IL JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 25 DAYS HOTELS/RAFT HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS AND CONTRASTS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA Including four of South-East Asias most fascinating countries, this all-embracing voyage takes us to many of the regions major sites. It also provides a unique insight into the varied customs and lifestyles of its peoples both in the cities and the most remote rural enclaves. Thailand & Laos Our journey starts in Thailands busy and cosmopolitan capital, Bangkok, where we explore its cultural heritage on foot and by boat (optional). We then journey into the jungle by longtail boats, upstream along the Kwai Noi River. Here we stay in raft houses, a type of floating hotel, and spend time in a Mon minority village, enjoying bamboo rafting and an elephant ride. We fly on to Luang Prabang in Laos, where we appreciate the complex of ornate and beautifully preserved wats overlooking the Mekong River noticeably different in style from anything seen in Thailand. Our last stop in Laos is the tranquil colonial capital of Vientiane. Highlights of Vietnam From Hanoi a charming town exuding a certain French colonial air we drive to Ha Long Bay for a cruise through breathtaking cliffs and islands, before continuing to the old imperial capital of Hu�. Our coastal discovery continues with the quaint sea port of Hoi An, where we recommend an early morning visit to the fish market, as well as a walk through the traditional wooden houses and Chinese temples. As we fly south to Ho Chi Minh City Old Saigon the heat increases, as does the pace of life. We The Bayon at Angkor/Rachel Harfield A Journey Through Indochina Ref IL VIETNAM HANOI HA LONG BAY Cruise caves Limestone cliffs LAOS Pak Ou Caves boat trip on Mekong river LUANG PRABANG Gulf of To n k i n Perfume River Imperial City Waterways of the Mekong Delta/L. Stone FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City; orientation walk. 3 Drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, visit tunnels, cycle in countryside. 4 Cycle to Mekong Delta, boat trip, cycle to homestay at Ben Tre. 5 Cycle and drive via Vinh Long to Can Tho. 6 Cruise on Mekong, visit floating market and explore villages by bike. 7 Drive and cycle to Chau Doc. 8 Speedboat to Phnom Penh, PM city tour. 9 AM cycle to Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields PM optional cycle to Cham Craft Village. 10 Cycle along Mekong River to Kompong Cham, visit Wat Nokor, drive Kompong Thom. 11 Cycle to Sambor Prei Kuk temple; drive to near Roluos, cycle ride and visit to temples, drive to Siem Reap. 12 Drive to Banteay Srei and visit temple, cycle to Siem Reap via temples. 13 Cycle from Siem Reap to Angkor temples. 14 Fly London. 15 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 11nts hotel, 1nt homestay; 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner included. See insert p2.. Bicycle: 21 gear hybrid Taiwanese chopper bikes. Grade & Terrain: Grade A 292km/9 days (Average 32km/cycling day). Cycling will be mainly on level terrain, 1 day is left free. On several of the shorter cycling days, further optional rides are available. Conversely you can choose not to cycle and stay with the support vehicle. We avoid main roads and cycle on back roads. Cycle 70% on tarmac, 30% earth/gravel roads. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and local guides. A bus accompanies the tour in full (although we use different vehicles in the two countries), providing transfers between cycling points and carrying luggage. You are free to travel on the bus if you dont wish to cycle. Cycles are transported by separate truck. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. VIENTIANE That Luang Stupa HUE M ek Danang RAFT HOUSES Visit Mon village THAILAND Bridge over River Kwai Kanchanaburi HOI AN Old merchants houses CAMBODIA Angkor Jungle temples on g BANGKOK Emerald Buddha Grand Palace km 0 Thailand 400 SIEM REAP Lake Tonle Sap PHNOM Gulf of PENH Royal Palace Cu Chi Tunnels Mekong Delta & Angkor Ref CVE Angkor jungle temple complex Sambor Prei Kuk Temple SIEM KOMPONG THOM REAP Lake Tonle Sap Kompong Cham PHNOM PENH Me HO CHI MINH CITY Old Saigon kong include a visit to the nearby Viet Cong Cu Chi Tunnels and the opportunity to explore something of the vast Mekong Delta. Lost Cities of Angkor We have plenty of time to explore the sites of Phnom Penh, Cambodias capital, before continuing to Siem Reap and one of the major cultural highlights of the tour the Lost Cities of Angkor. Built some 800 yrs ago by the Khmer kings and situated in an extraordinary jungle setting, Angkor is also the largest temple complex on earth. After 3 days of sightseeing here, we fly back to Bangkok. City tour Killing Fields Khmer weaving village & pagoda Cu Chi Tunnels CAMBODIA HO CHI MINH CITY CHAU DOC Sam Mountain sunset Old Saigon My Tho Vinh Long Tan An Gulf of Thailand km 0 CAN THO Floating market Mekong delta cruise Mo Home Cay stay BEN TRE V I E T N A M SOUTH 200 FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Bangkok. 2 Arrive Bangkok; optional tour of Klongs. 3 AM city tour; PM drive Pakseang, longtail boat to raft houses . 4 Visit Mon village, elephant ride, bamboo rafting. 5 AM free; PM drive Bangkok via Bridge over the River Kwai. 6 Fly to Luang Prabang. 7 In Luang Prabang; slowboat on Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. 8 Fly Vientiane; city tour. 9 In Vientiane; fly Hanoi. 10 City tour and walking tour of Old Quarter. 11 Drive Ha Long City. 12 Cruise Ha Long Bay; visit limestone caves; overnight train to Hu�. 13 & 14 In Hu�; boat to Thien Mu Pagoda and city tour. 15 Drive Danang via Hai Van Pass; continue to China Beach, drive Hoi An via Marble Mountain. 16 In Hoi An. 17 Fly Ho Chi Minh City; walking tour. 18 Optional excursion Mekong Delta. 19 Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; drive Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 20 In Phnom Penh; see National Museum of Arts, Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Museum and The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. 21 & 22 Drive Siem Reap; visit temple complex. 23 In Siem Reap; fly Bangkok. 24 Fly London. 25 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 19nts hotel, 2nts raft houses, 1nt sleeper train; 21 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train/Flights/Boats/Elephant/ Bamboo raft. Comment: A great overview of SE Asia, taking in many of the regions major highlights. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, local guides, drivers and boatmen. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. CHINA SEA Get close to local life 182 Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement

South East Asia contd… Thailand