Cambodia & Vietnam holiday

country:	Cambodia, Vietnam
location:	Indochina holidays
trip type:	A small group adventure.
departures:	2009: 6 Nov, 10 Nov, 11 Nov, 12 Nov, 13 Nov, 15 Nov, 17 Nov, 18 Nov, 19 Nov, 20 Nov, 24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 1 Dec, 2 Dec, 3 Dec, 4 Dec, 6 Dec, 9 Dec, 10 Dec, 11 Dec, 13 Dec, 15 Dec, 16 Dec, 17 Dec, 18 Dec, 20 Dec, 22 Dec, 23 Dec
price:	From £870 (18 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $300. We can arrange flights from the UK. All departure dates are guaranteed
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

read 4 travellers reviews

Asia overland holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

A blend of inspiring history and exhilarating modern-day life.

This is a magnificent journey of discovery through three lively capital cities, centuries of intriguing history, beautiful scenery and tantalising shopping opportunities.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Bangkok. Kick off your journey with a spicy Thai curry and lazy boat ride down the Chao Praya River.
Day 2-4:	Siem Reap. The history of the Khmer Empire comes to life as our guide leads us through the temples of Angkor, including the crumbling jungle-covered Ta Prohm, the incredible faces of the Bayon and, of course, Angkor Wat.
Day 5-6:	Phnom Penh. Cambodia's lovely riverside capital offers an opportunity to delve into the country's glorious, and not so glorious, past. Be moved by the stark exhibitions at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and awed by the splendour of the Royal Palace.
Day 7:	Chau Doc. Head down the Mekong on a cross-border boat journey to Chau Doc in Vietnam, watching river life unfold along the way.
Day 8-10:	Ho Chi Minh City. Take to the fascinating streets of Saigon on a cyclo tour and enjoy free time to shop and explore. Also head into the countryside, where we descend into the tunnels of Cu Chi for a glimpse of Viet Cong life.
Day 11-12:	Hoi An. The old-world charm and friendly locals of Hoi An are bound to seduce. The food is fantastic and the shopping is cheap.
Day 13-14:	Hue. We traverse the scenic Hai Van Pass and head on to Hue, centre of Vietnamese education, Buddhism and Nguyen imperialism.
Day 15:	Hanoi. We pay our respects to Ho Chi Minh at his Soviet-style mausoleum, built in the midst of Ba Dinh Square, where he first declared Vietnam independent in 1945. Uncover a different side to the city on a wander through the crowded Old Quarter, where traders sell their wares the same way they've done for centuries.
Day 16:	Halong Bay. Unwind on a boat trip among the limestone islands, stalagmite-filled caves and floating villages of mystical Halong Bay.
Day 17-18:	Hanoi. Take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake before enjoying a farewell meal.

travellers' tales

So many highlights it is difficult to choose! - the boat trip round Halong bay, the motor bike ride through the countryside at Hue, the motor cart and the boat rides across the Mekong delta. (more)

small group adventure holiday

This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more)

Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

Traversing three countries and many different communities, it is important for travellers to learn as much as possible in advance about the many cultural differences so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimising any negative impacts. Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will help to break down barriers in your interactions with local people.

The ruins of Angkor are protected under UNESCO World Heritage listing and as such, part of the money received from entrance tickets contributes to the amazing site’s conservation. Your local guide will also give you plenty of guidance on what is appropriate when visiting the ruins and you will have the chance to interact with many of the local kids.

This trip includes visits to Friends in Phnom Penh and KOTO in Hanoi – restaurants with training schools set up for less fortunate kids, helping them to gain some practical skills.

Travellers will have the option of visiting the land mine museum in Siem Reap and any donations are gratefully accepted. Also in Siem Reap, there is a local children’s hospital where the local kids put on a show on some nights. All money and blood donations are for the hospital and provide free services for children from the area. At the end of our journey, travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages, which are distributed to appropriate local charities.

Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people.

We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel.

'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays.

We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism.

This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards.