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Vietnam trekking tour

country:Vietnam
location:Central Highlands 
trip type:Introductory / moderate trekking holidays
departures:This trip can be arranged at a time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary.
price:From £326 (5 days) excluding flights
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Trek in Vietnam's Central Highlands

Gialai has a population of more than 1 million of which 48% are from ethnic minority groups, mainly the Jarai and Bahnar people. At an elevation of 600 - 800m, the climate is mild and cool with average temperatures ranging between 23-25oc so Gialai is an ideal holiday destination. As an area of outstanding natural beauty with an abundance of interesting ecotourism potentials, Gialai has charming natural landscapes of primitive forest with abundant and varied fauna and flora, imposing waterfalls, meandering rivers and large tranquil lakes.

This natural beauty is further enhanced by many rubber, tea and coffee plantations as well as national hydro power projects considered to be great exploits of the superb Central Highlands region.

Gialai is also the land of ancient culture of the Jarai and Bahnar people, archaeological sites and the culture of the Rong house, stilted houses, Tomb house, Tomb statues, traditional gong ceremonies and Buffalo sacrifices. All of these significant features have been preserved.  Besides, Gialai has a magnificent historic tradition with many well-known places classified as national vestiges such as Pleiku prison, Stor village (the home of Hero Nup), the historical vestige sites of Tay Son Thuong Dao in An Khe, and many former violent battlefield sites (Victory of Dakpo, Dragon mountain and Iadrang valley), forever remembered in Vietnam's history.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Arrival in Saigon. When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport we wil pick you up and take you to your hotel. You will visit the Unification Palace and China Town. Dinner and overnight in Saigon city. (D,G)
Day 2:Sai gon - Pleiku. Breakfast at hotel, flight to Pleiku and drive to Plei Bloum village, stopping off at the coffee plantation and Phu Cuong waterfall on the way. Take a 2km walk around exploring the custom and culture of Jarai Minority. Dinner and spend the night in a stilted-house in Plei Bloum. (D,G)
Day 3:Plei Bloum - Dekop. After breakfast our local guide takes you to Kon Dong by car for a short trek of 8 km exploring the custom and culture of 4 Bahnar villages (Dektu-Deron-Dedoa-Dekop). Dinner, enjoy the traditional Gong music and dancing performance, overnight in stilted house of Dekop. (B,L,D,G)
Day 4:Dekop - Kontum. After breakfast we leave for Kontum by car, stopping off at T’nung lake which is on the mouth of a volcano of million years of ages. You have time to visit Kontum such as the wooden Catholic church, Orphanage of Vinh Son, seminary and market. After lunch in Kontum, you leave your large luggage at the hotel and you can walk to Konchori village with your backpack, stopping at some beautiful scenery en route. Dinner and overnight at Kontum. (B,L,D,G)
Day 5:Kontum - Pleiku - Saigon (B, G) In the morning you will trek along the Dakbla river via the suspension bridge to Kontum town. Flight from Pleiku to Saigon and your onward travel.
how this holiday makes a difference
To maintain the minority villages of thatched house on stilts, we have been encouraging works with the view to preserving and maintaining their traditions. We have also been investing money in Gong music for the local people to practice the traditional folksongs and unique dances and help the villagers to rebuild the Rong houses(Communal houses). 

With the active participation of local communities, the Government has taken suitable measures to restrain the exploitation of precious timbers. Local members of minority groups are encouraged to learn about the value of and participate in the protection of the eco-preservation zones and have been encouraged to replant some areas of forest that had been exploited.

On our trips, the local guides help educate the minority villagers about environmental issues, such as having dustbins and keeping animals away from water sources. We also work with the local authorities to encourage the trade villages of handicraft weaving and wood article-making to earn more as income.

We deduct 50% for the villages where tourists come to visit and stay overnight and 30% for the local authorities to use on official administration managements and area securities. The villagers can use this money for their community activities such as to repair the Rong houses, village schools, infirmaries, watering spring places, grave abandoning and funeral ceremonies.

We encourage the local people to preserve the values of traditional culture and organise other tourist culture activities which create opportunities for the whole community to have stable income and contribute to the sustainable development of the tourist sites.

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