Vietnam and Cambodia Special

Tour Single supplement – ZAR4 095.00

Valid for 3 departures only:

05 September - 21 September 2008

10 October - 26 October 2008

07 November - 23 November 2008

Highlights Include:

Temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Tom, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, Hanoi, Lime Karsts of Halong Bay

Package includes:

Return International Economy Class airfares ex Johannesburg

All road transport by modern air-conditioned vehicles

All sightseeing as specified including evening entertainment and ALL entrance fees

All Meals and accommodation in Cambodia and Vietnam.

English speaking local guides in each city

Visa Fees for South African Passport Holders

Domestic China Taxes

Package excludes:

International departure taxes

Personal expenditure such as drinks, laundry and souvenirs

Compulsory Tipping of USD60.00 per person

Cost for Cambodia Visa upon arrival – USD25.00 per person

Other arrangements if required.

Current Airline Fuel Surcharges.

Local airport taxes if applicable

Price does not include camera and video charges (see Tour Facts)

Itinerary:

Day 1-2 : Johannesburg to Siem Reap

Depart South Africa and fly to Siem Reap via Hong Kong.

Upon arrival you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap

After breakfast drive to the incredible fortified city of Angkor Thom.

Start at the Southern Gate, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side. Continue on to ‘The Bayon’ (12th century) and its beautifully crafted central towers. The Bayon is decorated with extraordinary bas-reliefs incorporating over 11,000 figures. From here you visit the Elephant Terrace, which was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall and then continue to the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century the temple took 30 years to build and represents the Khmer civilisation at its grandest. This is also the best preserved temple with its fascinating decorative flourishes and extensive bas-reliefs.

Day 4: Siem Reap

Today visit Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. You continue to Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Kravan, Ta Keo and the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor. Unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle. The temple is cloaked in dappled light, its crumbling towers and walls locked in an embrace of a vast root system of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. This evening enjoy a climb to the summit of Pre Rup temple at sunset for a spectacular view over the surrounding landscape.

Day 5: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

This morning you fly to Phnom Penh, the capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia. With its wide boulevards and pleasant blend of oriental and colonial architecture, Phnom Penh retains much charm. It is built around four river arms formed by a sharp curve in the Mekong near its junctions with the Bassac and the Tonle Sap tributaries. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour visiting the Majestic Silver Pagoda, the Emerald Buddha, the National Museum and the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes.

Day 6: Phnom Penh to Saigon

This morning you bid farewell to Cambodia and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known by its former name, Saigon. Upon arrival, you are met by your National Escort and transferred to your hotel. Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city and claims a population of about eight million. It is the industrial and commercial heart of Vietnam. This afternoon you will visit Saigon’s main markets, Ben Thanh for an introduction to Vietnamese shopping.

Day 7: Saigon

Begin your sightseeing around Saigon by visiting the Presidential Palace, War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Cholon, Ben Thanh Markets and Tien Hau Pagoda.

Day 8: Mekong Delta – My Tho

Explore the famous Mekong Delta, a region nestled along the river and dotted with rice paddies and fruit plantations. You will take a boat trip to the local floating markets, experiencing the rural atmosphere with the locals.

Day 9: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels /Tay Ninh

Today you have an in depth look at the determination and ingenuity of the Vietnamese while exploring the famous Cu Chi tunnels. Continue to Tay Ninh to experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion.

Day 10-11: Hoi An

This morning board your Vietnam Airlines flight to Danang and transfer to the UNESCO listed town of Hoi An stopping at the Cham Museum en route. Tonight you will enjoy a cooking lesson in one of the local restaurants. Tomorrow you undertake a walking tour of the old centre of Hoi An. You will visit old homes still lived in by descendents of the original merchants, the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An market and the local Chinese pagoda.

Day 12: Hoi An /Hue

Leaving Hoi An by coach you will visit Marble Mountains and China Beach before continuing over the Hai Van Pass to the ancient capital of Hue. This afternoon visit the UNESCO listed Citadel, home to the former Vietnamese Emperors in 19th and 20th Centuries.

Day 13: Hue/Hanoi

Take a cruise on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and then visit Tu Duc Tomb.

You then board your Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi. Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. It is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and some have called it the Paris of the Orient. Its centre is an architectural museum piece, with its blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town of the 1930s. You will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before arriving at your hotel. This evening enjoy a performance of the famous Water Puppets, a specialty of the north.

Days 14-15: Halong Bay Junk Boat Cruise

Travel to the area that is regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Vietnam - Halong Bay and commence your cruise on a Junk boat. Spend the night onboard relaxing and watching the sunset over Halong Bay. The following day continue your cruise around the islands. After lunch the boat will berth and you will drive back to Hanoi through the striking rural countryside of the Red River Delta. This evening undertake a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy its night markets.

Day 16: Depart Hanoi

Today you visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh museum and stilt house and wander through the Temple of Literature. After a late checkout at the hotel, you transfer to the airport to board your overnight flight to South Africa.

Day 17: Arrive South Africa

Arrive home in South Africa.

PLEASE NOTE:

Valid on period specified - rates for other periods available on request.

Subject to airfare increases/exchange rate fluctuations and availability.