Tour
Itinerary
Day 1: SYDNEY –
HO CHI MINH CITY (D)
On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City, we will be transferred
to our hotel where we will freshen up before venturing
out to explore the night life of the city. We will have
a brief discussion about the tour and enjoy dinner before
returning to the hotel for the night.
Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY
– LONG XUYEN (B,L,D)
After exploring Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese
Temple and Binh Tay market in Cho Lon we commence our
journey to the Mekong Delta, where we will take a boat
trip to witness and photograph the peaceful and tranquil
life of the villages up close. After lunch, we make
our way to Sa Dec to photograph brick kilns then Bang
Lang Stork Sanctuary, home to literally thousands of
storks that return each evening to roost. Here we will
also get the opportunity to photograph the local people
on the water. We end our day in Long Xuyen where we
will check into our hotel.
Day 3: LONG XUYEN –
RACH GIA (B,L,D)
We arise early and take a boat trip to visit the local
floating markets where we will photograph locals trading
their goods. Afterwards we visit a floating village
which will offer some unique photography of their houses
and lifestyle. After checking out of our hotel, we commence
our journey to Rach Gia, stopping to photograph people
going about their daily activities. In Rach Gia we will
visit the local fishing port before photographing the
setting sun over the ocean.
Day 4: RACH GIA –
PHU QUOC ISLAND (B/L/D)
We will arise early to catch our short flight to Phu
Quoc Island. After checking into our hotel, we venture
out to explore the colourful fishing villages of the
island, tropical beaches and a fish sauce factory. After
lunch and a swim at a local beach resort, we make our
way back to the hotel, visiting a pearl gallery and
Dinh Cau Temple. There will be opportunities to photograph
the setting sun over the ocean as we return.
Day 5: PHU QUOC ISLAND
– RACH GIA (B/L/D)
We arise early to drive to the fishing village of Ham
Ninh, where we will photograph the sunrise over the
water and long wharf as well as fishing boats returning
with their overnight catch. Afterwards we visit tranquil
Suoi Tranh waterfall before being overwhelmed by the
hustle and bustle of Duong Dong Town market. We then
catch our short return flight to Rach Gia. Late afternoon
we will explore the town of Rach Gia and photograph
the sunset.
Day 6: RACH GIA –
HA TIEN (B/L/D)
We will arise early to photograph Rach Gia as it commences
the new day. After breakfast we make our way along the
coast to Ha Tien, stopping along the way to photograph
the beaches, villages, Hon Phu Tu (Father and Son Rocks)
and also an estuary crammed with blue fishing boats.
In the afternoon we will explore and photograph Ha Tien
with its shuttered terraces, crumbling colonial buildings
and mats of seafood drying in the sun, before enjoying
our last sunset over the ocean.
Day 7: HA TIEN –
CHAU DOC (B/L/D)
This morning we will arise early to photograph the
township of Ha Tien and local market. We then make our
way to Chau Doc, following the Cambodian border. Along
our journey we will stop to photograph vast fields of
rice, a buddist monastery, local villages with their
handicrafts and Tra Su Forest. There will be an opportunity
to photograph the sunset over the water on the final
stage of our day’s journey to Chau Doc.
Day 8: CHAU DOC (B/L/D)
We will arise early to take a boat trip to photograph
the local floating houses and boats. Crossing the river
we visit a Cham Minority Village with its small Muslim
population. Central Market is our next destination,
where we will get an opportunity to photograph the local
wares and people going about their daily shopping. We
then visit some of the local temples and pagodas before
enjoying the sunset from Sam Mountain.
Day 9: CHAU DOC –
PHNOM PENH (B/L/D)
This morning we will say goodbye to Vietnam and commence
our 4 ½ hour boat journey up the Mekong River
to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon we will visit Wat Lang
Ka, a thriving Buddhist temple with many saffron-robed
monks followed by the National Museum of Cambodia in
preparation for our time in Siem Reap and the Angkor
complex.
Day 10: PHNOM PENH (B/L/D)
We arise early to visit Central Market to discover
and photograph the locals going about their daily business
as well as the unusual goods for sale. Afterwards we
make our way to the old French Quarter with its Colonial
style Post Office and architecture followed by Wat Phrom,
the most important temple in Phnom Penh. In the afternoon
we visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
Day 11: PHNOM PENH –
BARAY (B/L/D)
After breakfast we commence our morning journey to
Baray where we will experience a homestay in a Khmer
village. Stops will be provided along the way to photograph
the locals going about their daily lives and Khmer temples.
After lunch we enjoy a pony cart ride as well as visit
local villages to gain an insight into the life of the
Khmer people.
Day 12: BARAY - SIEM
REAP(B/L/D)
We arise early to commence our drive to Kompong Khleang
where we will take a boat through a village of stilted
houses to Tonle Sap Lake. We continue by boat to Kompong
Phlukt, passing floating villages and enjoying lunch
and some fresh local fruit. On arrival we will explore
the stilted village by foot before making our way to
Siem Reap. Tonight we enjoy an Apsara show during dinner.
Day 13: SIEM REAP (B/D)
This morning we will arise very early (approx. 4.30am)
for sunrise at Angkor Wat. After exploring and photographing
Angkor Wat, we return to the hotel to rest during the
heat of midday. In the afternoon we will visit Angkor
Thom, taking the local transport call Tuk Tuk. Here
we will visit Bayon located in the centre of Angkor
Thom, which is the most visited site after Angkor Wat.
We will also visit Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants
and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Day 14: SIEM REAP (B/D)
This morning we will arise early to visit Ta Phrom,
where the ruins are being overrun by the jungle. After
spend a few hours photographing we will make our way
to the quieter but similar ruins of Banteay Kdei. We
then visit Ta Keo before making our way back to hotel
to rest during the heat of the day. In the afternoon
we will visit Preah Khan.
Day 15: SIEM REAP - HO
CHIN MINH CITY - SYDNEY (B/L)
This morning we will arise early to visit Banteay Srei.
The delightful temple of Banteay Srei has some of the
most spectacular carvings of all of the Angkor Temples.
Afterwards we will visit Banteay Samre – featuring
elaborate architecture, exceptional carvings, and uniquely,
two moats within the complex itself. We will then return
to prepare for our return flight to Ho Chi Minh City
and connecting flight to Sydney. |
Details
• Duration: 15 days total, 14 in Vietnam &
Cambodia
• Departure dates:
Saturday 19th November 2011
Saturday 24th November 2012
Saturday 23rd November 2013
• Because of the special nature of this tour,
the number of participants will be limited to approximately
12 people.
• Price: AU$4599 per person twin share as of July 2011.
• We will make every effort to match up single
travellers who wish to travel at twin share rates. For
anyone requiring a single room, there will be an additional
charge of AU$480.
Included
Return airfare from Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City, two
domestic flights within Vietnam, and international flight
from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City an experienced Australian
tour leader, local tour guides, arrival/departure transfers,
in country ground transport by private air-conditioned
vehicle with driver, private boat cruises as indicated
in itinerary, meals as specified in itinerary (B/L/D),
drinking water, clean twin share accommodation (3 star
or best available in isolated areas) plus taxes and
admission fees.
Not included
Departure tax, visas, personal travel insurance, meals
not indicated in program, additional beverages such
as soft drinks and alcohol, activities during free time,
items of personal nature, tips and gratuities, excess
baggage fee. |
