Start Location: Hanoi Vietnam

Finish Location : Vientiane Laos

Country : Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Group Size : 2 to 16

Trip Style : Signature

Joining Point 

La Sante Hotel

Address: 42 Châu Long, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
Phone:84 24 3513 2222

Airport Arrival Transfer Included Only available On The First Day Of Your Trip

Finishing Point

Vayakorn Inn
Address: Street, 19 Rue Hengbounnoy, Vientiane, Laos

Phone: +856 21 215 348

Airport Departure Transfer Included Only available On The Last Day Of Your Trip

Essential trip information

A balance between natural wonders and man made structures, sample the sensational as well as the cerebral as you chart a course through the main cities and regions of the country while looking introspectively at a culture that has shaped the attitudes of modern Vietnam . Then take a bite sized chunk into the cultural miasma that is Cambodia, drifting fleetingly at first but then growing clearer and firmly cementing its place your heart. From scenes of a country that derives both pain and pride from its history, Cambodia is particularly like two sides of a coin flipping between the horrific Killing Fields and Genocidal Museums and the sublime Angkor Wat complex that mesmerizes with its colossal presence. Food that makes your salivary glands double its work allocation, snaking rivers, quaint villages and exotic treasures envelop the senses every step of the way, until you get to Thailand where you finish with a flourish in the thriving, multifaceted capital Bangkok. As languid as the Mekong gliding alongside the jungle clad mountains– sometimes clear, sometimes muddy. Laos constructs and reconstructs itself like a changing scenery, all at an unhurried pace. Transitioning from the many Wats and saffron clad monks that epitomizes its religious culture to the colonial buildings that mark its cities French character -Laos has just about all to make for a dreamy escape. From adrenaline inducing adventure activities to secret waterfalls, breathtaking sunsets and rice fields that sweep across the earth everyday is an exercise in delight.

DAY 1

HANOI

Welcome to Hanoi! Our representative will be at the airport to make sure you’re headed for the right direction! Check in at your hotel and get your bearings before you meet your tour leader at 6 pm. Get the inside scoop on the tour during the meeting and then get to know your travel companions, over a welcome dinner.

Accommodation: La Sante Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 2

HA LONG

Don’t trip over yourself at breakfast this morning in anticipation of the drive to Halong Bay complex, one of Vietnam’s most enduring natural attractions. Step on board your cruiser once you’re done with your drive and get an eyeful of the thousands of towering limestone pillars that rise imperiously from an emerald sea. Depending on the weather, take a plunge in the gentle waters or kayak through some of the hollowed out Karsts Mountain. Hunker down for some delicious food on board and let the day take its gentle course as you hit the beaches, caves and perhaps a secret treat from the floating market.

Accommodation: Oriental Sails or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

Day 3

HANOI

Wake up to the gentle rhythm rhythms of the sea this morning and open your eyes to the giant like Karst Mountains that still keep sentinel over the sampans and junks that float with increasing ardour as they go about making their first catch of the day. Plunge and indeed soak yourself brain deep in these idyllic locales until the clock urges you to head back to Hanoi to check inn to your hotel. Browse through the streets of Hanoi at your own pace or sampling some street food as the day closes out.

Accommodation: La Sante Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast and Light Lunch

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 4

HUE

Attend to your stomach over a local breakfast and make your way to airport. Dust yourself off as you arrive in Hue and make your way to the hotel to drop off your bags. Strap your shoes on and hit the pavement as we head to the Imperial Citadel where further exploration takes you to the threshold of the Forbidden Purple City, so called because, no one apart from the royals were allowed to enter its precincts. Walk through some of the ruins here that were razed to the ground during the American War, since renovated – and deconstruct the life of the emperors and their entourage that housed them during the 1800s. Visit the Dong Ba Market if you’re up to it after the tour and sample some locally made goods, fresh produce and some good old lip smacking street food.

Accommodation: Alba Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Imperial Citadel

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Rural Hue by Motorbike with vegetarian lunch at a Biodynamic Garden and special Education Centre.

DAY 5

HUE

Ride out on cycles to the 18^th century Thanh Toan Bridge that straddles a canal midst the lush green Vietnamese countryside and then walk through a local market nearby. Get a sense of Vietnam’s history as you walk along the vast grounds of Tu Duc Tomb that houses among other things a temple where the emperor and empress were worshiped, the oldest theatre in Vietnam and a lake fringed with a reception area. All harking back to a time of excesses practiced by the ruler, as his country stepped unaware into an impending storm with the approach of the French at Da Nang in the south.

Accommodation: Alba Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Thanh Toan Covered Bridge, Tu Duc Tomb

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Bao Vinh Ancient Town, Perfume River Cruise, Paper Flower Craft – a social enterprise for people with a disability.

DAY 6

HOI AN

Follow the scenic coastal train route to Hoi An. Breeze through the old town with your tour leader in the afternoon, slack jawed, eye in the sky and not worrying about having to fling yourself to the sidewalk to dodge a wayward vehicle-because none are allowed entry here! Plenty of time then to discover the makings of this 16^th century port town that stopped being one when the river silted. Yet, despite running out of favour with the merchants, Hoi An is one of the most loved destinations of Vietnam with its weathered yellow buildings that use to be shop houses in the past but have now transitioned comfortably in their contemporary role of cafes and coffee shops. Submit to the amalgam of European, Chinese and Japanese architecture that defines the buildings and temples here along with a street grid system that hasn’t changed even with the encroachment of modernity. Communal houses, assembly halls, trading centres each wait patiently -waiting for their stories to be heard . Once you’re done with this cultural scene, perhaps head out to the beach for some R&R. 

Accommodation: A Hand Up Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Orientation Walk

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Cooking Class, Scuba Diving (seasonal), Lantern Making

DAY 7

HOI AN

You’ve got a free day at your disposal to take time out and wander off on your own through the Old Quarter. Between strolling through the street corners, consider approaching some of the tailoring shops that are a quintessential part of the Old Quarter scenery. Get some advice on the cut of a suit or the nuances of different fabrics and have it ready to don your back in just a couple of hours. Alternatively, swing up and on that saddle and bike your way to An Bang beach or wind your way through the rural areas of Hoi An, making way for the occasional buffalo or reaching out to some school kids ready to practice their language skills on you. Later in the afternoon, float down the Thu Bon River on board a local boat and make the most of a barbecue on its lazy banks.

Accommodation: A Hand Up Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Fishing Nets and BBQ

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Explore Rural Areas on a Bike

Day 8

HO CHI MINH CITY

We take a short flight to Saigon early this afternoon to avoid the hectic morning commute. Head off for an orientation walk around the vicinity with your tour leader and if you’ve got time, flip a coin between a visit to the War Remnants Museum or the Reunification Palace. Later in the evening, morph into the skin of a true Vietnamese as you swing by the Saigon nightlife on board a scooter and join its inhabitants on a street food tour.

Accommodation: Dyn Opera Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Orientation Walk, Street Food on Scooter

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 9

HO CHI MINH CITY

Travel approximately 40 km northwest this morning to discover the Cu Chi Tunnels, a living reminder of the country’s fractious relation with France and later, America. Lower yourself under the surface and get a first hand experience of how the Viet Cong personnel flitted in and out of these warren like passages, building an underground city and working out ingenious ways and means to paralyze an enemy that was far more well equipped. Drive back to Saigon and wander around the city centre to get a last sense of the city and as the evening closes in, gather along with your travel companions for a final dinner together.

Accommodation: Dyn Opera Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Cu Chi Tunnels

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Optional activities: Nil

DAY 10

HO CHI MINH

Today's a free day, so wake up at your leisure and say goodbye to some of your new friends and tour leader. Some people leave and new travel companions and your tour leader will join us. At your leisure explore more of the city, enjoy the markets and stores, before starting this section of the tour with a group meeting at 6 pm. Begin by familiarizing yourself with some authentic Vietnamese fare over an included dinner.

Accommodation: Dyn Opera Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Welcome Dinner

Included Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 11

HO CHI MINH

Ho Chi Minh City’s pulse and character reflects the bewildering mix of cultural influence and class that has brushed its history through the ages. Trade relations with the Chinese, French, Malay, Thai and Indians enriched its own Khmer customs and thus sprouted a cultural crucible that’s immediately noticeable as you step out for a tour of the city this morning. Start from the General Post Office that’s tinged with a Gothic and renaissance flavor. Walk through some of the elegant colonial buildings past the Paris Square and then enter the Reunification Palace that seems eerily like a slice of history arrested in time with its tunnels, war rooms, radio transmitters and card tables sitting mutely as if waiting for the clock to start ticking again. Follow this up with a visit to the War Remnants Museum to get a more personal understanding of the Vietnam War as well as the First Indo China War through exhibits, photographs, documents and so much more. Later in the evening, strike out for a street food tour where a variety of local dishes sizzle, pop, crackle and make as much noise as the vendors trying to vie for your attention.

Accommodation: Dyn Opera Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, City Tour, Street Food Walking Tour

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 12

PHNOM PENH

Rise and shine, have some breakfast and say good bye to Vietnam. As we leave Vietnam and take a short flight to Phnom Penh we enter Cambodia’s capital. If you’ve got some time on your hands this evening and you’re itching to get a taste of the city, hop on board the eco-friendly cyclo – a remnant of a colonial past as it gently negotiates Phnom Pehn’s roads and allows you to breeze through some of the city’s most popular landmarks.

Accommodation: Pacific Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour

DAY 13

PHNOM PENH

Today is a day for remembrance and reflection.  After breakfast we will be cycling to S-21 and thereafter, to Choeung Ek, two sites that chronicle a grim past. Yet as grim as it is, these are stories that need to be told, heard and preserved for generations to come because, they serve as a reminder and a testament to Cambodia’s brutal past. Tuol Sleng, code named S-21, was originally a school that was converted to an interrogation centre where not less than 12,000 people were tortured and murdered on the orders of Pol Pot when his Khmer Rouge movement took control of Cambodia in April 1975. Sometimes graphic and almost always heart breaking the museum hosts photos, accounts and tools that were used to torture the detainees here. Much of that dark history follows you as you head for the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre or the Killing Fields where prisoners from S-21 and elsewhere were taken to be exterminated.  Rows of bones and human skulls feature in this surprisingly well kept field underscoring the irony of all human intentions.

Accommodation: Pacific Hotel or similar

Included Activities: S-21 School, Choeung Ek Centre

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Sunset Boat Cruise

DAY 14

SIEM REAP

We board a private vehicle to bridge the journey between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap this morning. Although the journey is typically 6 hours, we’ll be making several pit stops in between to get a wide variety of experiences just to keep things interesting. Stop by the Skun Spider Market, plonked right in the intersection of two highways playing host to local delicacies that includes locusts, tarantulas and other creepy crawlies! Make a bet or two with your travel companions by testing your squeamish quotient and then wheeze your way up the 809 steps to Phnom Santuk where images of reclining Buddhas, pagodas and recalcitrant monkeys survey a kingdom of exposed boulders and a green forest cover. Kick some dust as you walk across the Dragon Bridge that hangs over a muddy Kampong Kdei River, your next and last stop before reaching Siem Reap. Marvel at the 12^th century engineering that still keeps it standing over rough wars and weather.

Accommodation: Grand Bayon Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Skun Spider Market, Phom Santuk, 11^th Century Bridge

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Floating Village Tour

DAY 15

SIEM REAP

If ever there is a single memory that lodges itself on the mind of people travelling through Cambodia, it is the one of the sun crawling cat-like upon the ancient stones of Angkor Wat, breathing life yet again upon it just as it has done centuries and centuries ago. Rise in the early hours of the morning to catch this brilliant spectacle and then sink deeper into the historical, religious and cultural associations of this monument that has come to define Cambodia more than anything else. Though gigantic in aspect, walk through this fascinating complex taking in the little details as well that warrant a pride of place in the Cambodian heart.  Finish the tour with a picnic lunch and then return to the city centre to do as you please for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Grand Bayon Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Guided Tour

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 16

SIEM REAP

As impressive as the Angkor Wat is, the other sites around the Angkor complex are equally as impressive. Weave your way through the giant silk cotton trees that wrap themselves around the Ta Phrom temple like constrictors reluctant to let go of their prey as well as the Angkor Thom lined with busts of Gods, bas beliefs and a stone tower. Discovering as you do so, their own independent architectural details and history. Later during the day take a guided quad bike tour just outside of Siem Reap and snatch impressions of daily life that resides out of the cities.

Accommodation: Grand Bayon Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom Thom, Sunset Quad Bike Tour

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Nil

Day 17

BANGKOK

We leave Cambodia today and catch a flight to Bangkok. Before you’ve got time to settle your hair in its place you’ll be sitting in the super efficient sky train and heading straight to the Bangkok Grand Palace, the number one site to visit while you’re in the country’s capital. A stunning amalgam of Thai and European architecture, the palace dazzles with its beautiful grounds, gilded buildings, detailed murals and its crowning glory-the Wat Phra Kaew or the Emerald Temple. Take time to soak in the palace complex and after you’re done head for your hotel. For the latter half of the day, follow your tour leader around the riverside enclave of Rattanakosin district or the old quarter where the side streets lined by weathered buildings and 16^th century temples still recall a time when the first monarch of Thailand’s present ruling dynasty, founded the kingdom in 1782. Flit through the ghosts of colonial buildings and open your senses to the smell of flowers, fruits and incense as street vendors sell their wares through holes in the wall cubicles. Later in the evening, raise your glasses and settle in for one final meal with your tour leader and other travel companions as some will leave the tour tomorrow.

Accommodation: New Siam Palace Ville Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Grand Palace, Old Quarter Walk

Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 18

BANGKOK

Today's a free day so wake at your own leisure and say goodbye to some of your new friends and tour leader that leave us today. Enjoy more of the city or try your hand a cooking class. Join your new travel companions and tour leader with a group meeting at 6pm and then proceed to familiarize yourself with some authentic Thai over an included dinner.

Accommodation: New Siam Palace View Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast Dinner

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 19

CHIANG MAI

Make use of the morning to explore Bangkok. A good starting point would be the Royal Palace, Bangkok’s biggest attraction-with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as its centerpiece. Just 10 minutes walk from the Palace is the Wat Po that houses the famous reclining Buddha. Alternatively, take a quick spin on a bike to see what the city has to offer or try the longboats that glide through the man made canals, its waters washing the walls of houses queuing up along their banks. Get a taste of an alternative lifestyle here – a complete antithesis to the noise and neon often associated with Bangkok. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’ve worked up an appetite because we’ll regroup in the afternoon and go all out on a street food tour. Round off the day by boarding an overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Overnight Train

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Optional Activities: Cycling Tour, Klong Boat Tour, Wat Po, Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, The Iron Fortress, Floating Markets

Day 20

CHIANG MAI

We arrive early in the morning at Chiang Mai. Dust off the remnants of last nights travel and freshen up at the hotel. Follow your tour leader to the old city to get your bearings and to appease your stomach with some local breakfast. There’s much in Chiang Mai that’ll get your heart rate shifting up a gear or two. Primary among these is the Muay Thai experience. Find out what the fuss is all about -these boxing tournaments draw thousands to the ring… and don’t say we didn’t warn you about shouting yourself hoarse along with the locals! Space out the rest of your day between zip lining, abseiling, or white water rafting while keeping an eye out for the Elephant Nature Park or checking in to a cooking class to keep things a bit more steady and sedate. Alternatively, you can explore the ancient walled city, dropping in to have a look at the 19^th Century wall paintings at Wat Phra Singh or wander through some of the typically Thai open markets that spring especially alive in the evening. Feel free to rack your tour leader’s brain so that you get the best out of Chiang Mai!

Accommodation: Hotel M Chiang Mai or similar

Included Activities: Orientation Walk and Thai Boxing

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Flight of the Gibbon Zip Lining, Elephant Nature Park, Abseiling Adventures, Cycling and Trekking, Mountain Biking, Kayaking, White Water Rafting, Cooking classes

DAY 21

CHIANG MAI

Saddle up for some rural experiences as you peddle out of town and into the swaying field of rice paddies, orchards and gurgling streams that adorn the backdrop of local villages. Lift you hands in greeting and stretch your lips into a smile as the locals accost and engage with you as well. Drop by a local restaurant for lunch and then hit your stride again as you wander through the grounds of an old temple and discover the ruins of an old city.
Head back for town after this and as the day wears out, strike out for the 14^thcentury Phra That Doi Suthep Temple that keeps a watchful eye on the city from its elevated height.

Accommodation: Hotel M Chiang Mai or similar

Included Activities: Cycling through rural Chiang Mai

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Phra That Doi Suthep Temple

DAY 22

HOUAY XAI

Although we leave for Laos today, we’re not quite done with Thailand as we make a pit stop at Wat Rung Khun, a temple that’s as visually startling as the contemporary twist its maker gives to an ancient philosophy. Although, not very old- the temple is remarkable in terms of its design and concept and increasingly makes it to the list of any architectural wonder worth its salt in Thailand. Following the visit to the temple we arrive at the Laos border –linked to Thailand by a bridge over the Mekong River – around mid-afternoon. After we’re done with all the paper work we make our way to Houay Xai where we spend
the night. While Houay Xai is a small town and the nightlife is something that needs a little imagination, it might be a good idea to trudge down to some of the restaurants down by the waterfront to get your first taste of Beer Lao and watch the sun leave its mark on the river as it too settles in for the night.

NOTE: Passengers will need the following at the border for their Laos visa:

2 passport photos for the visa application.

30 – 45 USD depending on nationality.

Accommodation: Houay Xai Riverside Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Wat Rung Khun

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 23

PAKBENG

Step onto your slow boat after breakfast and drift down the Mekong, as the mountains recede and the breeze gently worries your hair like a constant companion. Snuggle back in your seat, fish out that book you’ve been lugging around and relax because the journey to Pakbeng is going to take approximately 7 hours.

Accommodation: Pakbeng Riverside Hotel

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 24

LUANG PRABANG

Continue your journey down the Mekong as we head for Luang Prabang this morning. Keep an eye out for the tiny villages that dot the riverbanks as you pass by, as well as the landscape that changes with every bend in the river. Stop by the Pak Ou Caves, it’s entrance marked by steps that look like a giant white tongues from afar, lolling out from the yawning limestone cliffs. Explore the thousand statues of the Buddha with their minor imperfections that call these caves their home and take away with you the feeling of reverence that the locals have for the place.

Accommodation: Treasure Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Pak Ou Caves

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities: Nil

Day 25

LUANG PRABANG

Make for the Kuang Si Falls this morning and fall head first into this idyll, with turquoise waters gently slipping over tiers of terraced outcrops carved over centuries. With the constant gurgle of a watery conversation to keep you company, it’s quite easy to spend hours and minutes here. Slip into your bathers and lower yourself into the clear pool at the base of the fall or go higher up where the upper falls reveals itself in different dimensions to the faithful. Try and tear yourself away from this piece of heaven and when you’ve succeeded, visit a local organic farm on your way back for some lunch and perhaps chug a cold refreshing Beer Lao while you’re at it.

Accommodation: Treasure Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Kuang Si Falls

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Nil

DAY 26

LUANG PRABANG

Although there aren’t any activities planned for the day, you’ve got a choice as varied as the lines on your palm. Try your hand at being a rice farmer for a few hours as you share the paddy fields with water buffalo or just enjoy the settings of terraced fields cradled by mountains and lush forests on all sides. Go biking, visit some of the temples around the city and learn about the stories associated with it. Hit the waters on a kayak or just relax by the pool. In the evening, test your cardio as you trace your way up more than 300 steps to Mount Phousi where a spectacular sunset lurks over the Luang Prabang skyline. End your stay in this laid-back town by ducking under the overhanging canopies that drape the shops of its night market. Browse through its varied offerings and gorge on the food watching tourists and locals alike mirroring your motions.

Accommodation: Treasure Hotel or similar

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional activities: Living Land Rice Experience, Ok Pop Tok Weaving and Textile Dyeing Courses, Cycling, Motorbike Tours, Trekking, Kayaking, Homestay experiences, City Temple Tours.

DAY 27

VANG VIENG

It’s time to leave Luang Prabang early in the morning and journey onwards to Vang Vieng through snaking roads, past rugged mountains which stand as custodians of the little villages that reside in its lap. Take a moment to fish out your camera and keep your finger locked on the shoot button because there will be more than one photo you’ll want to frame on this route. Vang Vieng is a small town that’s as laid back as any but what makes it different from the others is the spectacular scenery and the number of adventure activities that’s designed to make the eye open wider. Consult your tour leader on what’s available and the logistics of going about doing it because you’ve got only until the next afternoon to indulge your options.

Accommodation: Vilayvong Boutique Hotel

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Cycling, Trekking, Tubing, Zip Lining, Quad Bike Adventures, Caving.

DAY 28

VIENTIANE

Before we make our way to Vientiane, make the most of your morning by kayaking down the Nam Song River and skimming though the waters as it parts the jungle clad landscape in half. If you’ve still got some time on your hands, lug it across vistas of rice fields or among the many trekking routes that cut through the karst landscape. Alternatively, combine some zip lining, chase some waterfalls or swim in the Blue Lagoon. While it may not be possible to do all of these, never say never. Catch a short ride out to Vientiane during the latter half of the day.

Accommodation: Vayakorn Inn

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities: Cycling, Trekking, Tubing, Kayaking, Zip Lining, Quad Bike Adventures, Caving.

Day 29

VIENTIANE

It’s the last day of the tour so you’ve got just enough time to get your head around the country’s capital. Although the typical noise and bustle of a “truly Asian” city is markedly absent in Vientiane, the city is not without its charms. Start by ascending the viewing platform of Patuxai, a war memorial that’s influenced by French architecture but with a distinctly Laotian twist in its details. Drop in at the COPE Centre to learn about the “Secret War” whose devastating effects still play a part in modern Lao. Bear witness to the alms giving ceremony at the 200 years old Wat Si Saket and later in the evening hunker down at the Chao Anouvong Park to people watch and enjoy the shades of pink and orange as the sun sets over distant Thailand. Gather round for a last dinner with your fellow travellers and after the last farewells have been said, amble down along the riverfront to the inevitable Night Market to make your journey last just that bit longer.

Accommodation: Vayakorn Inn

Included Activities: Nil

Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Optional Activities: City Tour, That Luang visit, Wat Sisiket visit, Cycling Tours, Night Market, Patuxai visit, COPE Centre visit

DAY 30

Departure Day

It’s time now to bid farewell to your tour leader and new friends but not without a backpack full of memories. Departure transfers are included on the day. Please consult with your tour leader or the hotel desk to confirm the check out time.

Included Activities: Airport Transfer

Included Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary disclaimer

 

Itinerary Changes

The itineraries for One World Adventures are updated on a regular basis during the year, reflecting the current situation in each of our destinations and customer feedback. Information that forms the Essential Trip information may vary from your initial booking and it is vital that you read and review the information provided before your departure. This will provide you with the latest information. Your itinerary may change once you’re in the country- as a result of transport schedules, changes in weather conditions, public holidays and varying local conditions. To ensure our guests have the best experience, the scheduled activities in each location may vary in order and time depending on the season travelled. Your tour leader will inform you of any changes once on the trip.

 

Optional Activities

Our optional activities selected have been popular with past guests and are listed in the itinerary. This list is only some of the activities you can enjoy and should be used as a guide only to what is available. Prices are for entry only and do not include transport to and from the sites or local guides. Prices are approximate and the activities are subject to availability. Some activities maybe on a join-in basis. It is not possible to participate in all the activities listed due to the limited time in each destination. Planning ahead and choosing the activities that suit you is highly recommended.

Pre-booking recommendations for activities will be noted in the Special information listed in the daily itinerary. Usually, activities can be organized independently on the day or alternatively inform your tour leader and they can assist you make the arrangements.

We have assessed and sighted the credentials and safety of the operators chosen for medium and high risk activities and work closely with them. As such, medium to high risk activities not listed in the itineraries (that may be less expensive) are not recommended as we cannot guarantee there quality or safety. Therefore, our staff or tour leaders will not assist you with organizing these activities. It is at your own risk and discretion if you decide to participate in activities not listed in the itinerary.

 

Feedback

We value the important feedback received by our past guests. All feedback is read and improvements to our itineraries and destinations are made. Share your experiences and let future guest gain valuable insight into One World Adventures. www.oneworldadventures.com/feedback

 

Emergency Contact Information and Issues.

Our aim is to provide the best possible experience for your holiday. Due to the nature of travel and the places we visit, not everything will always go to plan. If issues arise on your tour, please inform your tour leader or local representative so we can try and rectify the issue at the time. This will help mitigate any negative impact on the rest of your trip.

Unfortunately, a resolution to the problem may not be achieved to your satisfaction- in this event please inform your tour leader that you wish to speak to their direct manager.

We recommend guests provide online feedback within 30 days of finishing your trip, acknowledging that it is very difficult to provide practical assistance once the trip is completed. Letting us know at the time allows us to try and resolve any issues promptly.

 

Passport

International travel requires a valid Passport with at least six months validity. Your passport details are required for the completion of your booking. It is important that you ensure that the name on your passport matches exactly the name on your booking and airline tickets. Contact us immediately if they do not so errors can be corrected. It is highly recommended that you carry copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you and also leave copies with family or friends in case required.

 

Visas

All visa requirements are the responsibility of the traveller. Changes to entry requirements may change at any time and therefore, it is import that you check your government’s foreign travel advisories as well as Consular websites for all countries that you are travelling to. This is important so you have the most up to date information that is specific to your nationality and circumstances. Whilst COVID-19 restrictions are in place other sources of visa information available on line may not be up to date or valid.

Once you have booked your trip it is your responsibility to research visa requirements, obtain the necessary documents, now the processing time and application needed for the visas for all countries you are visiting. Visas can take several weeks to process. You can apply directly through a consulate or a booking consultant can advise on a visa processing service.

Vietnam Visa

An eVisa is available for some nationalities including passport holders from Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America, valid for a single entry of a maximum of 30 days stay in Vietnam. For information on obtaining an eVisa visit the immigration website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/

eVisas take up to 3 days to be processed. You will need a clear electronic copy of your passport data page and passport photo, and to make a non-refundable payment as outlined on the immigration website. Keep the customs and immigration form you receive on arrival, as you need it to complete exit formalities on departure.

 

Cambodia Visa 

Visa on arrival is available for most nationalities at airports or land border crossings for approx. US$35 (cost subject to change). You will need a passport photo for your visa. eVisas are now available for most nationalities through the official website: www.evisa.gov.kh Please note there have been reports of fraudulent eVisa websites that mirror the official site.

Thailand Visa:

If entering by air most nationalities will be granted a 30 day stay on arrival. If entering by a land border, you will be granted a 15 day stay only (some exceptions are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, who are eligible for 30 day visa at land borders). A visa extension can be obtained in Thailand at an immigration office for approx. 2000THB or alternatively you can apply for a Thailand visa in advance from your embassy or consulate that will allow a 30 day stay when entering at an overland border.

 

Laos Visa:

We ask all our travellers to obtain their Laos visas at the border, and NOT in their home country prior to travel. When the whole group does this together it allows us to cross the border more efficiently and to minimise delays.

Please ensure that you have at least 1 passport photo and up to US$45 cash for your application. Please provide your sales agent with accurate passport details prior to the departure of your trip as these details will be passed on to your tour leader to help speed up the process. Those without a photo, or who are arriving on a weekend, holiday or after hours, will have to pay an additional one or two dollars. All visa fees are payable in cash only.

 

Health Screening

If you are unwell before travelling, please stay at home. Contact us to make alternative arrangements.

If you are displaying any symptoms or have any health concerns at this time, we will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required.

 

Food and Dietary Requirements

Experiencing the different and amazing foods of the places we visit during your tour is part of the experience in travelling. Not all meals are included in the tour price and this allows for flexibility in choice. Choice of where, when and with whom you want to eat with. Your tour leader can provide some recommendations of places to eat and this allows for better budgeting for you.

Please advise any dietary requirements. Our group meals provide an opportunity to try many dishes as well as enjoy the company of your fellow guests.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation during the tour may vary- some may be basic and simple with shared bathroom facilities-some with cold water. Air-condition rooms are available. Some countries experience daily load shedding where the power may be turned off at set times during the day-usually early afternoon. Many of the hotels have cafes or restaurants that serve local meals. Please be aware that some hotels and restaurants may not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws.

 

Showers

Hot water peak times for showers are usually morning and evenings in some accommodation. Outside these times you may need to speak with the reception to obtain hot water.

 

Room Issues

Addressing any issues with your room requires immediate attention-please speak with the reception or tour leader so issues can be resolved promptly. Speaking with the travel agent will delay the issues being addressed.

 

Transport

Our tours will involve travel on may forms of transport. Theses include- bus, private vehicle, rickshaw and cycle rickshaw, metro, train, taxi, shuttle buses, jeeps,vans, boats-ferries and airplanes. Some of these modes of transportation will not be the same standard as you are use to. One World Adventures audit our suppliers regulaly to make sure transportation is of a safe standard.

 

Contingency Funds

We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

 

Your Tour Leader

Tipping your tour leader for outstanding service provided to you on your tour is a personal preference and the amount is discretionary. However, as a guide US$3- US$5 per person (in local currency), per day can be used. You are free to tip more or less, depending on how you feel the service was provided. Please remember that tipping is not compulsory and should be given for excellent service. Giving coins, dirty or torn notes or small denominations is considered culturally an insult.

 

Tipping Kitty:

Your tour leader pays for all tips for drivers, local guides and hotel staff only. Restaurant tips are not included nor tips for your tour leader.

 

Spending money:

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

Commissions:

The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. Rather than turning a blind eye to this unavoidable issue in some areas, monies collected will be distributed to local businesses, One World Adventures Charities and to providing sustainable travel.

 

Main Luggage

Depending on the time of year you are travelling, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible. You need to to be able to lift and carry your luggage and walk short distances. This includes up and down stairs and busy railway stations. The smaller your luggage the easier it is to store above or under bunks on overnight trains and public transport. Aim for around 15 kg. Small wheeled suitcases are easy to pick up and carry. Backpacks are also a good option. Our guests find that lighter luggage cause less worry and lead to a more enjoyable trip .

 

Day pack

A small day pack is very useful for carrying your essential items when exploring destinations and for overnight stays.

On overnight trains packing essential items provides ease of access. www.oneworldadventures.com/packing-list

 

Wifi

As a rule, WiFi is generally available in most parts of the destinations you travel and in the accommodation we use. Most hotels provide free WiFi in public areas but remember charges for in-room Wifi may occur. Always ask your tour leader on arrival to the hotel.

Usually, in tourist areas-most cafes and restaurants will have free WiFi available- always check and ask for passwords when ordering.

 

Tour Leader

One of our tour leaders will accompany you on all our trips. Their role is to take the hassle out of your travels and provide you with the best trip we can. One World Adventures aim to provide the services of an experienced tour leader. However, sometimes a tour leader may be new to a region or training other tour leaders.

Providing general information on the destinations visited, offering suggestions on available sightseeing and activities, recommendations of local places to eat and introducing you to our local friends is there main objective. A broad general knowledge of the historical, cultural, religious and social aspects of the destinations being visited will be provided.

One World Adventures aim to support the local tour guides that have the knowledge of the specific area visited. If you would like more in-depth knowledge of a specific sight or location , your tour leader can recommend a local guide service for major destinations.

 

Personal Belongings

It is strongly recommended that you use a neck wallet or money belt when travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, airline tickets, cash and other valuable items. Ideally, leave valuable jewellery items t home. Many of our hotels provide safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of safe keeping valuables. A lock for your luggage is recommended.

 

Most National Governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your Government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: www.oneworldadventures.com/safety-policy

 

Free time

Included activities will be supported by your tour leader. However, during your tour there is free time provided to relax, take it easy, pursue your own interests and explore the destination at your own leisure. It is important that your use good judgment when choosing activities during your free time.

Important to note- the tour leader has the authority to cancel or amend any section of the itinerary if deemed necessary for safety concerns.

 

Personal Safety

When travelling in tourist areas and cities there is the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft.

It is recommended that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and preferably walk together or if alone stay in main areas that are well lit. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.

Scams

Scams involving ATM and credit cards, train tickets, taxis, temple donations and tourist guides operate in a lot of countries. If you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to the nearest police station. You may not be able to get your money or goods back- but they can issue you with an official loss report for insurance purposes.

 

Travelling on a group tour

Group travel will expose you to all the pleasures and also the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow guests will likely come from all around the world. We ask you to be understanding of the different needs and preferences of the group. Patience's sometimes a requirement that will benefit everyone’s travel experience.

You too have a responsibility to the group- this includes being on time or at a particular place when requested - this ensures your group isn’t left waiting for you.

The best tours work well when the dynamics of the group work well and everyone is considerate to each other.

Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with the contact details or any personal information about your fellow guests that are booked on your trip-prior to departure.

Solo travellers

One world Adventures is ideal for the solo traveller as they want to meet and share the experience with like-minded people.

Solo travellers will be paired with another traveller that is a the same gender (as identified on your passport or the information provided in our booking system), so if you identify differently, please let us know in advance. We provide a Single Supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room.

Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour.

All pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will be on a single room basis.

 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our travellers and must be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against adventure activities, personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US $200,000 for each categories of cover. We also recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You alone are wholly responsible for arranging your insurance. The period of cover should start no later than the date you make your booking with us. You must provide your travel insurance policy number and the insurance company’s 24 hr Emergency contact number on the first day off your trip; You will not be able to join the trip without this. If you have travel insurance connected to your credit card or bank account please ensure you have details of the participating insurer, the insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you, rather than the bank's name and credit card details.

 

A couple of rules

All travellers have the right to feel safe whilst travelling. One World Adventures do not tolerate any form of violence (physical or verbal), sexual harassment-between our guests or involving our tour leaders, partners or local people. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a guest are strictly forbidden. 

Use or possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. We encourage responsible drinking if you choose to consume alcohol when travelling. Abiding by the local laws regarding alcohol consumption is important.

The sex tourism industry is known to exploit vulnerable people and have negative consequences on communities, including undermining the development of sustainable tourism. For this reason, we recommend no participation in this activity.

By travelling with us you are agreeing to adhere to these rules. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our Responsible Travel Guidelines. 

The decision of the tour leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a tour leader, or interfere with the well-being or operation of the tour group, the tour leader may instruct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund.

One World Adventure reserves the right to refuse you participation in any further tours. 

If someone is behaving inappropriately while travelling with us, please inform your tour leader or local guide immediately.