PROPOSAL : ETHNIC MINORITIES OF SOUTHERN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA 12D11N DEPARTURE : 01 January 2014 – 30 September 2014 NUMBER OF PAX : TBA PREPARED FOR : TBA VIETNAM - CAMBODIA: COUNTRY OVERVIEW Vietnam: a country with a rich, centuries-deep history, with grand colonial buildings, vibrant markets, temples and pagodas, deserted sandy beaches, glorious mountain scenery which is home to many ethnic minority people, and vast brilliant green rice fields, delicious cuisine and luxurious hotel and resorts. The Northern capital, Hanoi, is known as the artistic and cultural centre of the country, with Hoan Kiem Lake at heart of the city. In the Old Quarter, at the Temple of Literature and in the museums the past comes alive. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), in the South, is the commercial powerhouse of the country, with International hotels, shiny new shopping malls, old markets, museums, China Town, and café-life. The city is truly multi-cultural. The country has seven UNESCO World Heritage sites which stand testament to its history. The Lunar New Year festival ‘’Tet’’ is the most important public holiday and falls on the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar. This event is celebrated by Vietnamese everywhere. Cambodia: bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and by the Gulf of Thailand. The population is 90% Khmer, and their rich culture is shaped around the beliefs and teaching of Buddhism. Cambodia is best known for the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat which lies 5.5 km from Siem Reap. Construction started in 1125 and it is the largest religious complex in the world. Not far from Siem Reap is The Tonle Sap, a combined lake and river system of major importance to Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in S.E.Asia, and is of major ecological importance. Phnom Penh is the capital city, located on the confluence of the Mekong river, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. The city is developing with new cafes, restaurants and hotels, but much of the colonial past has disappeared. However, Tuk-tuks and cyclos are still invade the streets. The Royal Palace has two magnificient pagodas, the Silver Pagoda, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The National Museum houses an excellent collection of art from Cambodia’s ‘’golden-age’’ of Angkor. The Khmer people enjoy all their festivals and the Khmer New Year is the most important. It is celebrated in mid-April, when everything closes down. Day 1: HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL (-/-/-) Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City airport meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Embark on a half day tour to see Saigon’s historic landmarks. A stroll down Dong Khoi Street (rue Catinat) will reveal more colonial classics; the Opera House, the former Hotel de ville constructed in 1901, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office influenced by Renaissance architecture; and the former Presidential Palace. Then visit Thien Hau temple built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century and Binh Tay market, the biggest in Viet Nam. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY – DA LAT (B/-/-) Transfer by private car from Saigon to Dalat. En route visit coffee and tea plantations. Overnight in Dalat. Day 3: DA LAT (B/-/-) Start your day with a tour of Dalat City and its surroundings. Visit Datanla Waterfall, Thien Vien Truc Lam pagoda a place of worship for Zen followers. See Da Lat’s Flower Garden, a natural museum, the summer Palace of the last Emperor of Viet Nam – Bao Dai, and his residence. Then visit the Crazy House, with its unusual architecture. Embark on a back-in-time train ride and visit the Linh Phuoc pagoda. Overnight in Da Lat Day 4: DA LAT – LAK LAKE – BUON ME THUOT (B/-/-) Visit the unknown National Park of Lak lake by boat. Enjoy a Cong Chieng show and an elephant ride. Take a walk to visit the M’nong minority, who now live in many small villages in this region. Overnight in Nha Dai Day 5: BUON ME THUOT (B/-/-) Drive to Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dac Lac province. Visit the coffee museum and the Ethnographic Museum which gives you a good overview of the various minorities living in the region. Visit Ede village and gain into insight the life of this little-known mountain tribe. Overnight in Buon Me Thuot. Day 6: BUON ME THUOT – PLEIKU (B/-/-) Drive through the rural regions of Pleiku. En route, visit some minority villages of the Jarai and Bahnar, who are living in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia. Overnight in Pleiku. Day 7: PLEIKU – BAN LUNG (B/-/-) Drive from Pleiku to Banlung, which is known as the "Red City". Overnight in Banlung. Day 8: BAN LUNG (B/-/-) Light trek through dense forests and stunning scenery before we reach the village of Sai Voeune. Further upstream is Kaoh Chak - the residents here make a living out of making grave stones. Through rubber plantations, and on towards waterfalls. Overnight at Banlung Day 9: BAN LUNG (B/-/-) Visit some villages around Kroeung. Pass through the area of Veyrum plang, which is of volcanic origin, with a lake and volcanic rocks. Refresh with a swim in the beautiful Yaklom lake before heading back to the lodge. Overnight at Banlung Day 10: BAN LUNG – KRATIE (B/-/-) Early morning take a stroll through the local market. Drive to Kratie, en route enjoy the dolphins show at the famous Kampi pool. From Phnom Sambok you will have a fantastic view over the mighty Mekong River. Overnight at Kratie Day 11: KRATIE – PHNOM PENH (B/-/-) Drive towards Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Day 12: PHNOM PENH DEPARTURE (B/-/-) Cambodia Capital city tour. Visit the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom hill. Transfer by air conditioned vehicle to the airport for your onward flight. “where journeys begin” TOUR COST : NET PRICE IN USD Valid 01 January 2014 to 30 April 2014 Categories/ Group size 1 pax 2 pax 3-4 pax 5-6 pax 7-10pax Single Supplement Standard Category 3,055.00 1,633.00 1,316.00 1000.00 915.00 326.00 All rates are net, quoted per person in U.S.$ in half twin room. Please add the single supplement if you book a single room (Except on 1 Pax). Valid 01 May 2014 to 30 September 2014 Categories/ Group size 1 pax 2 pax 3-4 pax 5-6 pax 7-10pax Single Supplement Standard Category 3,045.00 1,627.00 1,311.00 995.00 909.00 319.00 All rates are net, quoted per person in U.S.$ in half twin room. Please add the single supplement if you book a single room (Except on 1 Pax). Surcharge 50 USD per group per day for any booking falling on 30th,, 31st January, 01st ,02nd February 2014 (Lunar New Year in Vietnam) Surcharge during Peak Season and Vietnam & Cambodia Public Holidays is applied upon hotels and cruises policies, please kindly contact our Travel Consultant for your detailed information. LIST OF HOTEL USAGES: LOCATION STANDARD CATEGORY HO CHI MINH CITY Elios Hotel Superior Room Add: 233 Pham Ngu Lao, District 1 Tel: 084838385584 Web: www.elioshotel.vn DA LAT Best Western Dalat Hotel Superior 09 Le Dai Hanh, Da Lat Tel: 084636252999 Web: www.dalatplazahotel.com.vn BUON ME THUOT Saigon Ban Me Hotel Suite Room 3 Phan Chau Trinh, Buon Ma Thuot Tel 08450036856666 Web: www.saigonbanmehotel.com.vn PLEIKU Hoang Anh Gia Lai Pleiku Hotel Superior Valley View Room 1 Phu Dong, Pleiku, Gia Lai Tel: 084593718461 Web: www.haglhotelpleiku.vn BAN LUNG Terres Rouge Standard Room Boeung Kansaign, Banlung Tel: 085512845857 Web: www.ratanakiri-lodge.com KRATIE Oudom Sambat Hotel Standard Room Kratie, Laos PHNOM PENH Sunway Phnom Penh Hotel Deluxe Room No. 1, Street 92, Sangkat Wat Phnom Tel: 085523430333 Web: http://phnompenh.sunwayhotels.com/ INCLUDING: Accomodations based on twin share Transportation: private car or coach English-Speaking Guide applied for day-tour only Meals as mentioned in the program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) Entrance Fees Boat Trip, Gong show, Elephant ride as mentioned in the program EXCLUDING: International flight ticket to & out Vietnam and Cambodia Domestic flight ticket (separate quotation) Meals not mentioned Visa letter and Visa stamp fee at the airport Drinks and personal expenses Optional tours Tips and gratuities for tour guide and services Any other items not mentioned Peak Season Surcharge, Compulsory Chrismas & New Year Gala Dinner upon Hotels and Cruises’policies (if any) BOOKING PROCEDURE Booking will be confirmed on receipt of advance deposit only. Asia Destinations (ASD) requires 20% advance deposit to hold the booking. (2) Balance 80% must reach ASD 30 days prior to tour departure date. LIABILITY The prices are subject to amendment should the Transporters/ Hoteliers amend their rates prior to commencement of the tour. REFUND After commencement of Travel, no refund in full or in part will be given for services included in the program, which are not utilized. HOTEL CHECK IN- CHECK OUT TIME Hotel Check in time is usually 12h00. Hotel Check out time is usually 14h00. Extended check in - check out time may be granted subject to availability and agreement with the participating hotels. TRAVEL INSURANCE To travel around ASD highly recommended that participants have travel insurance. .