THAILAND, CAMBODIA, LAOS, VIETNAM
ASIA NOVEMBER 2-24, 2009 ITINERARY

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02-Nov Burlington to Bangkok, Thailand
Depart Burlington, (probably on Jet Blue) or other cities for New York Depart New York (JFK) Singapore Airlines # 25 20:55PM
04-Nov Transfer to our Hotel: Westin Grande Sukhumvit
Grand Palace Arrive Singapore (via Frankfurt) 06:55AM Depart Singapore, Singapore Airlines # 970 08:45AM Arrive Bangkok 10:10AM Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Relax at the hotel before an afternoon river cruise, dinner and a visit to the Night Market. Overnight Bangkok, Westin Grande Sukhumvit
05-Nov: Bangkok , Thailand (B)
Full day sightseeing in Bangkok, in our own vans, with our own guide. We will see such sights as the Grand Palace, the Golden Buddha, The Reclining Buddha, and Jim Thompson's Museum. Overnight Bangkok, Westin Grande Sukhumvit Flower Market in Bangkok
06-Nov Arrive Siem Reap, Cambodia (B)
Angkor Wat Late morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Meet guide and transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit the main temple of Angkor Wat. Overnight Siem Reap, Prince d'Angkor Hotel
07-08 Nov Siem Reap, Cambodia (B)
During our 2 ½ day stay in Siem Reap we will have a guide and vans at our disposal to explore the Angkor Wat ruins, which cover an area of 60 miles. Each day we will have 2 visits scheduled, a morning and an afternoon visit. For those who wish to spend the afternoon by the pool, we will return to the hotel for lunch and they can remain in town for the afternoon, while those who wish to visit more temples can continue on after lunch. We will also arrange a boat tour of near by Lake Tonle Sap, with its floating villages and spend time in the community of Tro Peng Tnal, where we will visit the local primary school and get a closer look at life in a rural Cambodian village. Overnights Siem Reap, Prince d'Angkor Hotel		Visiting our Guide, Fila's Village
Angkor Thom Temple Educational Snowflake Lesson at the Primary School in Tro Peng Tnal Lake Tonle Sap Floating Village
09-Nov Siem Reap, Cambodia to Luang Prabang, Laos (B)
The Night Market This morning we have time to visit the central market in Siem Reap before lunch. After lunch, we will depart for the airport for our afternoon flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Overnight Luang Prabang, Hotel Le Bel Air - Deluxe room Our Accommodations in Luang Prabang
10-Nov Luang Prabang (B.L)
Today we enjoy a tour around Luang Prabang and we will understand why it deserves its World Heritage title! We will visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Phou Si hill stands right in the center of this small city. Then we will continue on to visit Wat Mai, followed by a visit to the National Museum, once a king's palace, where displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. We will also have a chance to peruse the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, a private museum recently opened to explain about the livelihoods of Laos' ethnic minorities. Overnight Luang Prabang, Hotel Le Bel Air - Deluxe room Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center Laotian Greeting
11-Nov Luang Prabang (B)
Mekong Boat Trip to Pak Ou Buddha Caves After breakfast, we begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with our guide on the Mekong River to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. Overnight Luang Prabang, Hotel Le Bel Air - Deluxe room
12-Nov Luang Prabang (B)
Today we drive with your guide, by car, to the Kuang Si Waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. We can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top! Bring a bathing suit if you'd like to swim. Later in the afternoon return to the hotel to relax or explore on our own. Overnight Luang Prabang, Hotel Le Bel Air - Deluxe room Sunday Market in Luang Prabang
13-Nov Luang Prabang, Laos to Hanoi, Vietnam (B,L)
Lao Rite- Offering Alms to the Monks This morning, we get an early start and witness or participate in the traditional Lao rite of almsgiving. Our guide will be on hand with offerings and explain this beautiful ritual. We will return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we have time to visit Luang Prabang before lunch and an afternoon departure for the airport and our late afternoon flight to Hanoi,Vietnam. Overnight Hanoi, Zephyr Hotel - Deluxe room Abundance in Agriculture
14-Nov Hanoi tour, night train to Lao Cai (BL)
This morning we will take a city tour Hanoi, of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, and Museum of Ethnology. For the rest of the day, soak up the culture of Hanoi before taking night train (soft sleeper berth) to Sapa at 09.00PM. Overnight Hanoi - Lao Cai night train, LIVITRANS private cabins Street Food Ho Chi Minh Complex Flower Vendor, Hanoi
15-Nov Lao Cai - Bac Ha - Sapa (BL)
Overview of the Bac Ha Sunday Market Meet at Lao Cai station and drive to see the Bac Ha Sunday market. The colorful Flower Hmong converge here to trade and exchange goods. Drive to Sapa check in to Victoria hotel for relaxing. Overnight: Sapa, Victoria - Superior rooms Bartering at the Bac Ha Market
16-Nov Sapa (BL)
Working in the Rice Fields This morning drive out to the settlements of Ta Van and Cau May. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa we meet some of the local ethnic minority people on their way to and from Sapa. These people include the Red Zao, Hmong and Tay. Return to Sapa town for the afternoon. Overnight: Sapa, Victoria - Superior rooms Vietnamese School Children in Sapa
17-Nov Sapa (B)
Time this morning to explore the town of Sapa, and in the afternoon walk down to visit Cat Cat village. Overnight: Sapa, Victoria - Superior rooms Trekking with the Locals
18-Nov Sapa - Hanoi (B)
This morning our exercise involves climbing up Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa and its environs. After lunch we drive out of town and commence an hour-long walk to Ta Phin, home to the distinctive Dao (pronounced Zao) community. From here we drive to Lao Cai station for night train back to Hanoi. Overnight Lao Cai - Hanoi night train, Victoria Express private cabins (with dinning carriage)
19-Nov Hanoi (B)
Arrival at 6AM, get back to Hong Ngoc 1 hotel for day use room with breakfast. Drive to Zephyr hotel for check in. Afternoon available for shopping or sight seeing in the Old Quarter. Cyclo tours available. Overnight Hanoi, Zephyr hotel - Deluxe room
20-Nov Hanoi - Halong (BLD)
Pick up at 0830AM and drive to Halong. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Dao center run for and by people with physical handicaps. Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay (approx. midday) we will be met by the Customer Services Manager and transferred to our luxury junk, the 'Jewel of the Bay'. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Ha Long Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or try our hand at some kayaking. Overnight Halong, Jewel boat - Private cabins Ha Long Bay
21-Nov Halong (BLD)
Staying out in the bay of Halong for relaxing. Overnight: Halong, Jewel boat - Private cabins Floating Village Kayaking in Halong Bay Luxury Cruising Junk
22-Nov Halong (BL)
This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak, and around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in the capital at around 3-4pm. This evening our driver will pick us up to enjoy water puppet show. Overnight: Hanoi, Zephyr hotel - Deluxe room Our Guide and Crew onboard The 'Jewel of the Bay'
23-Nov Departure (B)
Prepare your bags, and drive to the airport for flight out of Vietnam. Depart Hanoi, Singapore Airlines # 175 13:35 Arrive Singapore at 17:50pm Depart Singapore, Singapore Airlines # 26 23:55
24-Nov
Arrive New York JFK (via Frankfurt) 11:00am. Those transferring on to Burlington, Vermont will transfer to Jet Blue.
Tour Includes:
Roundtrip Air: United States-Asia- United States Air transportation within Asia: Bangkok, Thailand -Siem Reap, Cambodia Siem Reap, Cambodia - Luang Prabang, Laos Luang Prabang, Laos -Hanoi, Vietnam Hanoi, Vietnam-Singapore, Singapore 22 day tour (19 nights) 15 nights in deluxe accommodation with daily breakfast, double occupancy. Check-in time is 2.00PM and check-out time is 12.00PM. Early or late service is subject to availability with surcharge. 2 day-2 night cruise Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, in a luxury junk 1 night on overnight Livitrane train (1st class, soft sleeper cabin for 2 people) Hanoi-Lao Cai 1 night on overnight train luxury Victoria Express (2 person cabin) Lao Cai-Hanoi Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) daily breakfast 8 lunches 2 dinners English speaking guide on land tours Tours and transfers as mentioned by air-conditioned vehicle Sightseeing and Touring in Bangkok, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Sapa, and Ha Long Bay Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time Rural community visit in Cambodia
Tour Excludes:
Passport fees Visa fees for Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Inoculations Early/late check in/out service at hotels International airport departure taxes Tips and gratuities Services, Meals and Drinks not mentioned in itinerary Laundry, telephone calls and expenditures of a personal nature Travel Insurance (Compulsory) Click for additional photos Photos by Lee Hoehn, Jan Cronin, & Phil Wagner