Angkor Wat
A visit to the temples of Angkor is a profound experience, as few sights on earth can match the immense majesty of Angkor Wat, the overgrowth of nature run amok at Ta Prohm, or the mysterious faces of the Bayon. The temples of the Angkor complex are situated in the northwest province of Siem Reap, close to the town of the same name. There are more than 1000 temples, built between the 9th and 13th centuries and the remaining structures are the sacred skeleton of what was once the social, religious and administrative centre of the Hindu Khmer Empire. Almost a thousand years ago, this was the largest city in the world, and truly is one of our planet’s most special places.
Make sure you see it in your lifetime! Nestled under the hill of Phnom Krom, the floating village of Chong Kneas changes location with the waters of the lake. Floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, even floating karaoke bars… Let’s get on the water to discover more about this way of life.
Vietnam
Saigon – Ho Chi Min City
Cu Chi Tunnels, a 124 mile long network of tunnels built by the Vietcong with only hand tools over a 25-year period, connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters, and weapon factories to defend against French and American troops which were never discovered.
Hoi An
Hue : We’ll visit a local rice paper workshops, nice paddy fields are pleasant sights on the way. take a Dragon style boat trip on Perfume river to visit the ancient Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) pagoda. Hue is also very famous for its historical relics including King’s tomb. Your boat will stop by Tu Duc tomb, one of the nicest King’s tomb which is set in hamony of Earth, Heaven, Green trees, Water and monuments.
Forbidden Purple City, the former living place of the Royal family during the Nguyen dynasty in from 19th century to mid 20th century. Although most of palaces were distroyed during the American War (Vietnamese War) especially in Tet offensive (1968), this place still worth a visit with many palaces and temples. Your guide will help you to understand more about this period in Vietnam history as well as the daily life of the Royal family.
Hanoi. On an an insightful city tour you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda (ad 1049), and The Temple of Literature (ad 1070). Following lunch, you will visit the Ethnology museum which will give you an overview of 54 ethnic minorities in Vietnam including the Thai people who you will meet in Mai Chau and Hmong, Dzao, Dzay… people who you will meeting in Sapa. After that, you will take a fascinating 2 hour tour of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter by Cyclo. The history of the Old Quarter dates back some 2000 years with it’s 36 narrow streets each named after the trade or merchandise made and sold there. With various influences in the architecture and the many temples dedicated to the patron saint of each guild, this is truly a shoppers and photographers delight. You’ll have free time to have dinner before taking the Victoria Orient Express train to Lao Cai..
Sapa trekking : Golden Stream valley, stop at Lao Chai village (Black H’mong hill tribe). The trekking tour is very interesting as you’ll challenge yourselves by balancing on the rice terraces passing villages of H’mong people and Dzay people in Ta Van village. You will visit a few shools on the way and one of them, in Lao Chai village was built with the big help from Handspan Travel and Southest Asian School Foundation. After a picnic lunch, you will walk down to and along the stream to get back to the main road where your driver is waiting and take you back to the comfort of Victoria Sapa hotel.
Sapa market where local hilltribes from villages come to sell and buy. Start trekking down hill to Cat Cat Waterfall and the nearby Black H’mong village. The 3 hour trekking is not very difficult as you mostly going down hill on steps. After that, our driver will take you back to town and you’ll have free time to explore the town by yourselves. In the afternoon, you will take a short ride to Ta Phin village of the Red Dzao. The insightful trek of 8km around this verdant valley offer you a chance to visit a few Hmong and Red Dzao hill tribes.
Ky Son Moon Garden homestay
Ky Son is an ancient Viet village of the most friendly local farmers who you will meet and interact with through this two days trip. There are more than a hundred families living in this village, and most of them are farmers. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a local speciality ‘welcome drink’: green tea with lemon grass, ginger and local molasses. A short introduction to the house, kitchen and garden before we enjoy a home-cooked lunch.
After lunch, you will have a brief discussion with the host about the village, the local life, learn some basic Vietnamese words and the traditions of the Vietnamese. We will continue walking or cycling through the village, visit families along the way as you will be invited in for a cup of tea and a very friendly chat… The host will not forget to ask you to bring a long a bamboo basket which you will take to the village field, pick up some herbal medicine for the traditional style bath this afternoon. You will be meeting with many local farmers in the field, who will teach you some basic farm work, and give you sweet corn, sweet potatoes and vegetable for you to take back to the home stay for snack…We will also visit a kindergarten on the way. We are back to the home stay later in the afternoon and go fishing. This village is very famous for its carps which were only saved to serve the Royal family in the old days. You will have a chance to fish many fish for dinner.
The night here is the most precious moment after a full afternoon activities. You will help the host to make the peanut candies that you can enjoy tomorrow morning after breakfast with the fresh green tea from the garden. Enjoy the quiet night in the court yard and a traditional therapy for your leg using all the herbs found in the village before going to bed.
Halong Bay Dragon’s Pearl junk: Cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring by the fascinating formations of the Bay. Cruise to Cap La area, you will have free time for the enjoyable paddling around the fishing village by kayak. More time for swimming and relaxing at the beach before getting back to the boat. Enjoy the tranquil evening on boat with your savory dinner.
