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Friday, May 18, 2012
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ROAD TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand
January 16 - 30, 2012 (15 days and 13 nights)
$100 EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
(Deposit must be made by 9/30/2011)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Lacquerware of Tay Son Workshop, Halong Bay, Ba Dinh Square, Hoa Lo Prison, Temple of Literature, Van Phuc Silk Village, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Angkor Archaeological Park, Water Puppet Show, South Gate of Angkor Thom, Angkor War, Apsara Dance Performance, Cruise on Tonle Sap, Les Artisans D’Angkorl, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Mae Ping Elephant Camp, Sankamphaeng Handicraft Village, Phrathat Doi Suthep, Bangkok, Temple of the Dawn, Emerald Buddha Temple, Night BazaarAll meals included
| Twin Rate |
Single Supplement |
Land Only |
| $ 5095 per person |
$ 1060 per person |
call to inquire |
(All arrangements to meet the group are not included)
Monday, January 16 (Day 01)
HONOLULU TO TAIPEI, TAIWAN
Our tour commences this morning when we assemble at the China Airlines lobby at the airport for baggage check-in procedures. We will depart Honolulu on China Airlines to Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan. A meal and a snack will be served on board the flight.
Tuesday, January 17 (Day 02)
ARRIVE TAIPEI
On arrival in Taipei, we’ll proceed through immigration and customs formalities, then transfer to our hotel to spend the night. (Hotel to be announced)
Wednesday, January 18 (Day 03)
ARRIVE AT HO CHI MINH CITY (VIETNAM) (D)
This morning, we’ll transfer to the Taipei airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon. On arrival at the Tan Son Nhat Airport, we’ll clear entry procedures and a representative will meet us to transfer to our hotel, checking in for two nights. We’ll visit the Reunification Palace, a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City and once the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the War Remnants Museum, you’ll see exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War, comprising of eight themed rooms in several buildings. One of the buildings reproduces the ‘tiger cages’ in which the South Vietnamese government housed political prisoners. Located within a walled yard are military equipment, including the UH-1 “Huey” helicopter. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner together with a performance of a traditional show.
Accommodations at Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel or similar
Thursday, January 19 (Day 04)
HO CHI MINH CITY (B)(L)(D)
Today’s excursion is to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the base of operations for the Viet Cong in 1968. The tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. We’ll enjoy lunch at one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the city. Tay Son Lacquerware is one of Vietnam’s leading manufacturers of lacquer ware - producing all types from hand-painted to Mother-of-Pearl inlaid and with a broad product range, from decorative accessories to household products. At the Lacquerware of Tay Son Handmade Workshop, we will observe skillful artisans demonstrating the production process of these elegant lacquerware. This evening, enjoy a delicious Vietnamese PHO for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at Intercontinental Asiana Saigon Hotel or similar
Friday, January 20 (Day 05)
HO CHI MINH CITY - HANOI - HALONG BAY (B)(L)(D)
We’ll transfer to the airport to board a domestic flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. On arrival, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, then proceed on a relaxing drive to Halong Bay (Descending Dragon Bay) located in Quang Ninh Province. Recently honored as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Halong Bay is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel to check-in for the night. Enjoy a walk along the shore of the bay to enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset in the sky.
Accommodations at Novotel Halong Hotel or similar
Saturday, January 21 (Day 06)
HALONG BAY - HANOI (B)(L)(D)
This morning, we’ll transfer to the pier to enjoy a leisure cruise on the beautiful emerald waters of Halong Bay, featuring thousands of awesome limestone karsts and islets in various sizes and shapes. As we cruise on the bay, we’ll view Thien Cung Grotto (Heavenly Palace) - a beautiful grotto located in a small range of islands that resemble a throne, embracing two superb grottoes at its core, and Hang Dau Go (Wooden Stakes Cave) - one of the most beautiful caves in the bay located on a limestone islet featuring spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. A delicious seafood lunch will be served on board. At the conclusion of the cruise, we’ll drive back to the city of Hanoi, en route, stopping at a craft center in the village of Sao Do. On arrival in Hanoi, we’ll do some shopping in the downtown area. After dinner, enjoy the Water Puppet performance - a traditional and unique art of Vietnam. We’ll spend two exciting nights in Hanoi.
Accommodations at Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel or similar
Sunday, January 22 (Day 07)
HANOI (B)(L)(D)
We’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the city of Hanoi, visiting Ba Dinh Square, a famous square in Hanoi where President Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. When President Ho Chi Minh passed away, the granite Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built here to display his embalmed body. Ba Dinh Square is also Vietnam’s political center, housing the National Congress Building, Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including One Pillar Pagoda - a historic Buddhist temple, regarded as one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. This afternoon, we’ll visit the Hoa Lo Prison also known as the “Hanoi Hilton Hotel”, a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later used by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. We’ll visit the Temple of Literature - dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius and later becoming Vietnam’s first university. Enjoy an excursion to Van Phuc Silk Village, well known for its weaving, and silk products. This is an ideal place to explore the Vietnamese traditional industry of silk-making and to purchase some silk products and souvenirs. We’ll hop on a three-passenger tricycle with a driver and enjoy a cyclo tour to explore the beauty of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Accommodations at Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel or similar
Monday, January 23 (Day 08)
HANOI - SIEM REAP (CAMBODIA) (B)(L)(D)
The morning is at your leisure to relax and enjoy some activities on your own. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap is a small but charming gateway to the Angkor region and to the world famous heritage site of the Angkor temples. On arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel and check-in for three exciting nights.
Accommodations at Angkor Palace Resort or similar
Tuesday, January 24 (Day 09)
SIEM REAP (B)(L)(D)
Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Cambodia, containing the magnificent remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire. We’ll visit the Angkor Thom South Gate, the best preserved and most visited gate of the five gateways in the ancient Khmer city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom features several memorable stone sanctuaries: Baphoun Temple, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Phimean Akas and Preah Palilay. This afternoon, we’ll visit Angkor Wat, a fabulous temple complex built for the King Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital city. Angkor Wat is the best-preserved temple and has become a symbol of Cambodia - noted as one of the ‘seven great architectural wonders of the world’. This evening, enjoy the beautiful sunset view at Pre Rup Temple. No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending a traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as ‘Apsara Dance’ - one of the most popular classical dance pieces. Enjoy this traditional dance performance this evening.
Accommodations at Angkor Palace Resort or similar
Wednesday, January 25 (Day 10)
SIEM REAP (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, we’ll visit Prasat Kravan - a small temple dedicated to Vishnu, and Banteay Kdei - one of the many Angkor temples located in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Included are visits to Sras Srang (royal bathing pool) - one of the few reservoirs at Angkor still holding water and Ta Prohm - a temple built in the Bayon style left in the same condition in which it was found. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings make these Angkor’s most popular temples to visit. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the floating villages on a boat cruise on Tonle Sap (Large Fresh Water River), the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and an ecological hot spot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere. Unusual for two reasons: its flow changes direction twice a year and the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons. We’ll visit Les Artisans D’Angkor, a handicraft school and shopping place together with SRP Maraket. This evening, after dinner, enjoy a relaxing foot massage at a parlor located adjacent to our hotel.
Accommodations at Angkor Palace Resort or similar
Thursday, January 26 (Day 11)
SIEM REAP - BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI (THAILAND) (B)(D)
We’ll proceed to the airport for our flight to Bangkok, Thailand. On arrival, we’ll clear customs and immigration procedures, then transfer for our flight to Chiang Mai, the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. On arrival, we’ll enjoy dinner, then transfer to our hotel, checking-in for two nights.
Accommodations at Holiday Inn Chiang Mai or similar
Friday, January 27 (Day 12)
CHIANG MAI (B)(L)(D)
The highlight for today is to visit the Mae Ping Elephant Camp where Mahouts (elephant handlers) train their elephants to show off their incredible skills and talents at the ’Elephants at Work’ show. The agility of these huge beasts is worth watching them perform. After the show, we’ll have the opportunity to ride the elephants as we cross the river and into the jungle. We’ll return to the elephant village on a cart pulled by an ox, then enjoy a bamboo rafting adventure along the Ping River. We’ll return to Chiang Mai, visiting a Snake Farm en route. The Snake Farm contains an interesting collection of poisonous snakes which are ’milked’ for their venom from which anti-snake-bite serum is produced. This afternoon, we’ll visit the Sankamphaeng Handicraft Village to see some northern handicraft products, including silk, silver, Saa paper, lacquerware, and more.
Accommodations at Holiday Inn Chiang Mai or similar
Saturday, January 28 (Day 13)
CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK (B)(L)(D)
We start the day with a drive up the Doi Suthep Mountain to visit Phrathat Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple that is a sacred site to many of the local people with stunning gold-leaf structures and images. From the temple, enjoy impressive panoramic views of the city of Chiang Mai. We’ll embark on a city tour visiting the Ton Phra Yom Market and Sompet Market, two popular markets where you can enjoy a nice selection of local exotic foods. In the late afternoon, we’ll transfer to the airport to board a flight to Bangkok, the capital and primary city of Thailand. On arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel and check-in for two nights.
Accommodations at Dusit Thani Hotel or similar
Sunday, January 29 (Day 14)
BANGKOK (AB)(L)
Enjoy a boat ride up the Chao Phraya River to visit the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arum) one of the best known landmarks and published images of Bangkok. At the conclusion of the ride, we’ll visit the Emerald Buddha, a figurine of a sitting Buddha, made of green jadeite and clothed in gold. It is kept in the Emerald Buddha Temple, located on the grounds of the Grand Palace. After lunch, the afternoon is free to enjoy shopping at the exciting Night Bazaar, famous for its handicrafts, high-tech items, clothing, toys, and jewelry.
Accommodations at Dusit Thani Hotel or similar
Monday, January 30 (Day 15)
BANGKOK - TAIPEI - HONOLULU (AB)
In the morning, we will transfer to the airport for our flight back to Honolulu. We will arrive in the morning on the same day due to the crossing of the International Date Line.
Special Tour Conditions for this Tour
Tour Fare Includes:
Trans-Pacific airfare from Honolulu to Taipei to Saigon / Bangkok to Taipei to Honolulu
International airfare from Hanoi to Siem Reap / Siem Reap to Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Domestic airfare from Saigon to Hanoi / Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Deluxe hotel accommodations
Admission and meals as stated on the brochure.
Tour Fare Excludes:
Gratuities for national tour guides and drivers
Hotel baggage handling
Cambodia Airport departure tax: $25.00
Vietnam visa processing fee: $90.00
Cambodia visa fee: $45.00
Photo for visa application
Tour fare is subject to change without notice according to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes, additional fuel surcharges, and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between the U.S. and foreign currency. In the event of revaluation, the land portion of the tour price may be adjusted prior to your final statement.
Tour Application Form
Special Condition Form
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