Day 1 Bangkok
You and your fellow travellers will be arriving at all times from all around the world today, so there are no arranged activities. Your leader will organise a pre-trip meeting for the early evening followed by an optional group dinner. Look for a welcome note at reception in the joining-point hotel explaining when and where to meet. For those who arrive early, there is sightseeing information on the Intrepid noticeboard at reception. Hotel check-in time is 12:00pm.
Please note that your group leader will collect your local payment (USD600) cash at the group meeting on day 1. Note also that we only accept new bills/notes in large denominations.
In the morning of day 2, we depart early on the overland journey to Siem Reap. It takes approx. 4 hours to reach the Thai-Cambodia border at Poipet. After clearing customs, we change buses and continue on our journey. The road between Poipet and Siem Reap varies in condition according to the season and travel time should be between 6 and 8 hours. We anticipate few problems during the dry season (which starts around October and lasts until the end of April) but during the wet season, this road may flood and become impassable. If this occurs (your leader will notify you in Bangkok) and we will need to fly. This flight will incur extra trip cost.
Days 2-4 Siem Reap/Angkor Wat
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and we have 2 full days to enjoy this small but burgeoning Cambodian town and its surrounds. Upon arrival, your tour leader will take you on an orientation walk around the centre of Siem Reap, introducing you to the various markets and points of interest. As your schedule here is completely up to you, you may choose to spend most of your time exploring the Angkor complex nearby, and skip back into town only for a meal and some nightlife.
Entry fees to the Angkor complex are USD20 for a 1-day pass. A tuk-tuk for a day around the ruins should be around USD10 per vehicle (you can bargain the price with the driver). And on the way out to the temples, do include a visit to the Land Mine Museum (free admission but donations are appreciated) to see the wonderful efforts this organisation has put in towards the elimination of land mines in this area.
If you are tempted to explore Siem Reap and its surroundings, you may wish to visit the very scenic floating village near Tonle Sap. While here, do include a visit to the Gecko Environment Centre, which is designed to help manage and sustain this fragile area. The local market in Siem Reap is a great place to shop or to try some delicious, cheap street food and in the evening, several restaurants around town offer traditional Khmer cultural performances. These shows usually include a buffet dinner and cost around USD12 per person.
Day 5 Kompong Cham
4 hours of travelling takes us to Kompong Thom, a busy commercial centre on the banks of the Stung Sen river. Here, we have the option to travel out to the impressive pre-Angkorian complex of Sambor Prei Kuk. This complex consists of more than 100 temples scattered through the forest, and these structures are among some of the oldest in the country.
A further 2 hours travel by public bus takes us to the riverside town of Kompong Cham. This peaceful town was once an important trading hub and is now a great place to experience life in small-town Cambodia. While here, you can explore the serene 11th Century Wat Nokor or hire a bike to explore the rural island of Koh Paen, linked to Kompong Cham by an elaborate bamboo bridge (passable only in the dry season. Take a ferry in the wet!). The locals here make their living fishing, growing tobacco and sesame so it’s a good place to go for a closer look at Cambodia’s cottage industry.
A little further afield (approx. 7 km) are the twin ‘mountain temples’ of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Translated to mean “Man Hill” and “Woman Hill” respectively, legend has it that these temples were built by two teams, one all-male, the other all-female competing to complete their temple by daybreak. The women ingeniously started a large fire, which the men mistook to be sunrise, and accordingly, gave up construction. The women thus won, and as a result, no longer had to ask for men’s hands in marriage as tradition once dictated. It is also possible to hire a motor boat (around USD10 per boat) to travel up the river and enjoy some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia from the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey.
Day 6 Homestay
Leaving Kompong Cham behind, we drive to our family homestay (approx. 2 hours to Phnom Penh and a further 2 hours to the homestay). The homestay could be at either Chambok or Takeo, depending on the timing of your trip. Facilities are very basic, but this is an opportunity to experience the everyday life of rural Cambodians. In the evening, we enjoy a traditional dinner with our host family.
Days 7-9 Sihanoukville
A 2-hour drive takes us to the beaches of Sihanoukville. Here, we have three nights to unwind and enjoy the relaxed tropical environment.
Boat trips are available - and day trip including a barbeque lunch costs approx. USD12 per person. Nature lovers may wish to make the trip out to the Ream National Park, 21 ha of coastal mangrove forest, which hosts a great variety of animal and bird species. You may also like to venture out to the riverside French colonial town of Kampot (around 2 hours each way, costing USD2 per person in a share taxi). For a bit of nightlife, the quaint streets of Kampot are lined with atmospheric little bars and restaurants, perfect places to linger over a cold drink or glass of wine.
On day 10 we travel by public bus from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (around 4 hours).
Days 10-11 Phnom Penh
On arrival, your tour leader will take you on an introductory walk around the Cambodian capital, and there will be ample free time for you to explore further on your own.
For a graphic reminder of this country’s tragic recent history, you might like to visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Tuol Sleng, a former high school, was taken by the Khmer Rouge and transformed into a torture and detention centre, called Security Prison 21, or S-21. Pol Pot’s regime kept detailed records of each prisoner that passed through these doors and the photographs of these unfortunate people, as well as the instruments used to torture them are now on display in this museum, testament to the horrifying genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge. (Admission USD2, open 8:00am-11.30am and 2:00pm-5.30pm daily - not included).
A mere 15km from central Phnom Penh lies the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Between 1975 and 1978, these infamous Killing Fields were the site where some 17,000 people who had been detained at Tuol Sleng were transported for their execution. More than 8000 skulls, arranged by sex and age, are now displayed behind glass panels in the Memorial Stupa and again, you’ll get profound insight into the horrors of the Pol Pot regime. (Admission USD2, open 7:00am-5.30pm daily)
In central Phnom Penh, you can’t miss the beautiful Silver Pagoda. Part of the Royal Palace complex, this stunning temple gains its name from the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor. (Admission USD6.25, open 8:00am-11:00am and 2:00pm-5:00pm daily.) A visit to the National Museum is also worthwhile. Housed in a beautiful traditional building, it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. (Admission USD3, open 8:00am-11.30am and 2:00pm-5.30pm daily.)
There’s also the ancient Wat Phnom, set atop the only hill in the city, which is a haven of peace, away from the noisy streets of the capital. (Admission USD1, open 7:00am-5.30pm daily.) If you’re in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art deco-designed Psar Thmei (Central Market) which is a great place for browsing, or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.
Days 12-15 Ho Chi Minh City
A long driving day awaits on day 12 as we travel from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The journey should take approx. 8 hours.
Day 13 is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening, there is another group meeting where you meet your new tour leader and travelling companions for the Vietnam sector of the trip.
On day 14, a morning walking tour takes us to some of the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City, including the Reunificaton Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum (entrance fees not included). The rest of the day is free for further exploration - why not take a half-day excursion to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels?
Day 15 is free for further exploration of this dynamic city. Ho Chi Minh City is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds, from ancient pagodas to busy markets. The French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes, coffee and colonial buildings. In the evening, we head off to the station for the overnight train to Nha Trang. Though bedding is provided, you may like to bring your own sleeping sheet. Please note that the trains are not air-conditioned. Also, most people like to stock up on French rolls, cheese and bottled water for the journey, which takes about 14 hours, so you might like to do the same.
The composition of the group may change on day 13, as some passengers may leave and new ones arrive.
Days 16-17 Nha Trang
Arriving in Nha Trang in the morning, we make the short trip to our hotel. You can spend the days lazing on the beach soaking up the sun, exploring the local markets or the nearby historical Cham Towers. Make sure you try some of the excellent seafood restaurants. Optional activities include a massage on the beach (but check the vendor’s comment book first!), a boat trip to the nearby islands or scuba diving (fee not included).
In the evening of day 17 we take the overnight train to Danang.
Days 18-20 Hoi An
We arrive in Danang on the morning of day 18 and travel on to Hoi An (approx. 30 km by road). Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was a major international port during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and many parts of the town still look as they did in centuries gone by. The best way to explore the ancient streets is on foot and a single admission ticket (approx. USD5 - not included) gets you into all the streets in the Old Quarter, one museum, one assembly hall, one old house and one temple.
Afterwards, venture into the countryside by bicycle where your leader can get you familiar with the area.
While in Hoi An, make the effort to get up early on at least one of the days you’re here and watch the action at the local fish market! You can have a whole new wardrobe tailored, take a trip to the My Son Cham Towers, hire a bike for a scenic ride to Cua Dai Beach or just sit in the local cafes and watch the world go by. You can even try your hand preparing traditional Vietnamese dishes with a cooking lesson - your leader can help you with joining a class.
Days 21-23 Hue
On day 21, we take a bus from Hoi An to Hue, travelling over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. The journey over the Hai Van Pass is considered one of the most scenic in the world. The road trip takes around 5 hours with stops at the Marble Mountains, China Beach and the Cham Museum en route (entrance fees not included).
Hue is known for the magnificent architecture of its Royal Tombs, pagodas and temples built by the Nguyen Dynasty along the picturesque setting of the Perfume River. The Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors on the outskirts of the city are easily reached by bicycle. Don’t miss the Imperial Citadel - within the Imperial Enclosure is the Forbidden Purple City which was almost totally destroyed during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, and the museum of royal relics. There is an entrance fee into each of the tombs and the Imperial Citadel of approximately USD5 each (bike hire and entrance fees not included).
The morning of Day 23 is free for more exploration - the Dong Ba market, which sells everything imaginable, is a great place to spend some time, or your leader can help you arrange a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River (fee not included). In the afternoon we board the Reunification Express bound for Hanoi. The journey takes about 13 hours, so make sure you stock up on snacks!
Day 24 Hanoi
We arrive in Hanoi in the morning and take a bus to our hotel.
An walking tour of the evocative Old Quarter is a wonderful way to spend some of the day (included). You will find an amazing selection of shops in Hang Gai selling everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, beautifully embroidered tablecloths and CDs. If you’d like to get clothes made while in Vietnam, please note that today is also the day to arrange any tailoring, which you can pick up on your return from Halong Bay.
Day 25 Halong Bay
The drive to Halong Bay through the Red River Delta takes about 4 hours and we will stop en route for refreshments at a handicraft village run to raise money for disabled people. Please note that there is an entrance fee to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay of approx. USD3 (not included).
We board our boat on arrival at Halong Bay and cruise past breathtakingly beautiful limestone karsts rising out of the clear emerald waters. After a sumptuous seafood lunch on board, explore some of the limestone caves in the area and go swimming if the water’s warm enough. We spend the night on Cat Ba Island where you have the option of visiting the national park in the morning. Please note there is an entrance fee into the National Park of Cat Ba of approx. USD1 and transport will cost approx. USD4 (both not included).
Days 26-27 Hanoi
On day 26 we travel to Haiphong by ferry, where we transfer to our private vehicle for the 2-hour drive back to Hanoi. The rest of the afternoon and the whole of day 27 are free for you to explore this city on your own.
The French architectural legacy is apparent all over the streets of Hanoi and the best way to take in these buildings is on foot or from a cyclo, a slow-going cross between a bicycle and a trishaw. There are also numerous pagodas and temples to visit all around town and an early morning stroll around the mirror-like Hoan Kiem Lake is a chance to witness locals practising the graceful art of tai chi.
Day 28 Vinh
In the afternoon of day 28, we head off to the train station for our train to Vinh. A small town completely flattened by the Americans during the Vietnam War, Vinh is slowly being rebuilt and the pine forests surrounding it are slowly but surely recovering.
We spend a night in Vinh before crossing the border into Laos on the morning of day 29.
Days 29-30 Vientiane
Today is a long travel day (approx. 12 hours) and we pass through spectacular mountain scenery before crossing into Laos.
Your leader will take you on an orientation walk of the local area on the morning of day 30 before free time to explore on your own
The capital of Laos embodies the laid-back culture you’ll find all throughout Laos. Mostly untouched by rapid modernization seen in cities throughout Thailand for example, there’s a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by songthaew or jumbo. Visit Laos’ most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane’s vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worth it to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong at one of the many restaurants on stilts along the riverbank.
Days 31-33 Vang Vieng
There is time to explore this small town and admire the fantastic limestone karst scenery, wander through the local markets, or walk along the river. The numerous caves in the surrounding area are also worth the effort to visit, and if you do so, you’ll have the opportunity to travel through small villages and gain an insight into the local life.
Please note that occasionally the road beween Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang may be closed due to poor road conditions in which case we will have to fly between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
Days 34-36 Luang Prabang
Today, we take the bus from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang (approx. 7 hours)
Your leader will take you on an orientation walk of the local area on the morning of day 34 before free time to explore on your own
Luang Prabang has a magical feel about it. Nestled in the hills of northern Laos, on the confluence of the Mekong and Khan Rivers, it is studded with ornate temples and French colonial architecture. We visit the Royal Palace Museum, which seems to have remained untouched since the royal family departed in 1975.
After this introduction to Lao history, we also have an option to hop on a songthaew to the beautiful Kuang Si falls, where pale turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. If you’re feeling active, for a small additional cost, you can take a 3 to 4-hour guided walk through the countryside to the falls instead (please note that in the wet season, it may be too slippery to do this).
At the base of the falls there is a large pool, the perfect place for a refreshing swim. Afterwards, there is free time to experience the charm of Luang Prabang. A climb to the top of Mt Phu Si provides a fantastic view over the town and its surrounds. You can also visit Dala Market, the many temples or take a longboat across the river to a traditional Lao village.
Day 37 Pak Beng/Mekong River
We board our boat for a 2-day journey down the mighty Mekong River to Pak Beng and then on to Huay Xai. Travelling at a leisurely pace, we experience the peacefulness of village life as well as the breathtaking scenery along the river. In the evening, we dock at the small town of Pak Beng to spend the night (approx. 6 hours). The standard of accommodation in this trading port is extremely basic and simple but comfortable.
Please note that the riverboat is of a basic standard. Your leader will help arrange the purchase of food and drinks for the boat journeys. It can also be quite cold from November to February so make sure you have some warm gear packed!
Day 38 Huay Xai/Mekong River
The following morning we re-board our boat and cruise leisurely up the river before arriving in Huay Xai in the late afternoon (approx. 8 hours).
Huay Xai is a small riverside town on the border between Thailand and Laos. The crossroads between China and the Kingdom of Siam for centuries, it still retains its stopover feel with all manner of boats from ferries to barges travelling to and from its port.
Days 39-40 Chiang Mai
Leaving Huay Xai early in the morning, we catch the local bus to Chiang Mai (approx. 6 hours). We should arrive by midday on day 39 so you will have the afternoon to explore Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city. There’s time for a spot of temple-hopping before our final night’s dinner together - a chance to try northern Thai cuisine.
You are free to depart any time on day 40.
