If you couldn’t join the spring, 2010 tour to Vietnam and Cambodia, please join the February, 2011 Vietnam and Cambodia tour for women.
Vietnam & Cambodia Tour for Women
13- to 16-day Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia
Itinerary dates: February 27 – March 14, 2010
Tour leader: Beth Whitman
Registration Form Vietnam & Cambodia Tour 2010
This 13-day women-only tour to Vietnam, with a 3-night add-on to Cambodia, is an opportunity to explore these Southeast Asian countries including their history, culture, ethnic communities, landscape and food.
A local guide, knowledgeable in the culture, history, food and religion, will accompany the group throughout the tour.
Consider arriving in Hanoi, where the adventure begins, at least one day early in case of delays.
February 27, 2010
Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi (D)
Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be met and transferred to our hotel. Our local tour leader will meet you at the hotel where a trip briefing will be held, followed by a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant and an opportunity to sample specialty dishes of Hanoi.
February 28, 2010
Day 2 — Hanoi (BL)
This day will be spent exploring Hanoi to see what this vibrant and cosmopolitan city has to offer. During the morning, we will visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his former house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda and the ancient Temple of Literature. We then sample some of the wonderful fresh dishes that Vietnam is famous for over lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a one-hour rickshaw journey through the 36 streets that make up the “Old Quarter” of town.
Mai Chau Lodge
March 1, 2010
Day 3 — Hanoi – Mai Chau (BLD)
After breakfast, we will depart for Mai Chau Lodge, located 3.5 hours from Hanoi. We will be driving through the mountains and seeing beautiful rice fields and landscape during this journey.
We will stop for lunch and then in the afternoon the group will take a 2.5 hour walk through the Mai Chau Thai Ethnic Valley. We will then head back to the Lodge and have dinner there.
March 2, 2010
Day 4 — Mai Chau Trek (BLD)
On this day, we will drive to Sa Linh, part of the H’mong Ethnic community. We will enjoy a 2 hour trek through the mountain to Hang Kia Valley.We’ll have a picnic lunch in a local H’mong house and then continue walking to Pa Co village. We will then visit a tea farm and meet the driver for a transfer back to Mai Chau Lodge (2 hours).
March 3, 2010
Day 5 — Return to Hanoi (BL)
After breakfast, we will drive to Phuc San. From there, we will walk 2 hours to Pho Moi, part of the Muong Ethnic group and then take a boat back to Mai Chau Lodge. We’ll enjoy lunch and then return to Hanoi.
March 4, 2010
Day 6 — Hanoi – Overnight train to Hue (BL) In the early morning, the group will have the opportunity to join the locals around Hoan Kiem Lake for Tai Chi. After breakfast we will learn the secrets to preparing a great Vietnamese dish on this half-day cooking tour in Hanoi. We’ll begin with a quick walk to the famous Chau Long market, where we will learn more about the various ingredients that go into a Vietnamese dish. Two-minutes away from the Chau Long Market is the Hanoi Cooking Centre. The Vietnamese cooking class will allow for interactivity with the Australian head chef and Vietnamese sous chef. We will have one cooking station between 2 people for a hands-on lesson. You’ll then have a chance to enjoy your own Vietnamese creations accompanied by local beer or wine and receive detailed recipes cards to take home!
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy your time in Hanoi before transferring to the station for the overnight train to Hue.
March 5, 2010
Day 7 — Arrival in Hue (BL)
Arriving in Hue in the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided tour to the Citadel, the Imperial City, and The Forbidden Purple City. At midday we will transfer to a pagoda where we may watch the monks chant and then join the nuns for a vegetarian lunch. (Subject to availability and festivals.) After lunch the group will board a dragon boat cruise down the Perfume River visiting the Thien Mu Pagoda and Royal Tombs.
March 6, 2010
Day 8 — Hue to Hoi An (B)
This day takes us on a drive over the Hai Van mountain pass to Danang, and a visit to the Cham Museum. On arrival in Hoi An, check in to the hotel and spend the afternoon on a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese covered bridge and the colorful market.
March 7, 2010
Day 9 — Hoi An (B)
This morning we will have a short boat trip to visit local handicraft villages and the boat building yard. We’ll then head back to Hoi An and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
March 8, 2010
Day 10 — Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (B)
Today, we drive to Danang and transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City, then transfer to the hotel. The afternoon city tour includes the highlights of this vibrant city including The Reunification Palace, Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Lam Son Square, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau Pagoda and the Museum of Ho Chi Minh.
March 9, 2010
Day 11 — Ho Chi Minh City (BL)
This morning we head out of the city, through the rice paddies, and arrive at the unusual temple of Cao Dai in time for noon prayers. After lunch visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible underground network where over 10,000 Vietcong troops lived and fought.
March 10, 2010
Day 12 — Mekong Delta (BL) Spend the day on the beautiful Cai Be Princess boat exploring the fascinating life on the Mekong River. Visit a floating market, a beautiful island and dine at a superb Indochine restaurant. This day is the ideal way to spend time on the delta.
March 11, 2010
Day 13 – Extension Tour – Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia (B)
On this day, we will depart for Cambodia and be transferred to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, a local English-speaking guide will meet us and transfer the group by air-conditioned vehicle to the hotel. For those not going to Cambodia, you may stay on in Vietnam or depart for home.
March 12, 2010
Day 14 – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat (B)
Today’s highlights include the fortified city of Angkor Thom, the temple of King Jayavarman VII, reputedly Angkor’s greatest king, at the center of which lies the Bayon, one of the most evocative sights at Angkor with its 200 faces smiling down on the observer. Spend the afternoon discovering the sights of Angkor Wat.
March 13, 2010
Day 15 – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat (B)
Today we will have a full day exploring Angkor’s many temples with a guide. This includes Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples, Preah Khan, Preah Neah Pean and Ta Som. This afternoon’s highlights include Banteay Samre and the remarkably well preserved Banteay Srei – its rose-pink sandstone walls being amongst the most elaborately decorated anywhere in Angkor.
March 14, 2010
Day 16 – Depart Siem Reap for Home (B)
Today, drive out to the little visited Rolous group of temples. Built three centuries before Angkor Wat, the temples were constructed from a particularly high grade of sandstone that has weathered incredibly well – the detailing is magnificent. Then, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Participants may fly back to Hanoi or on to another destination such as Bangkok for a connecting flight home.
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Registration Form Vietnam & Cambodia Tour 2010
Price includes: 12 nights accommodation in 3-star hotels; all ground transportation; flights within Vietnam; sightseeing entrance fees, English-speaking guide; and 23 meals.
Cambodia add-on includes: flight from Saigon to Siem Reap; 3 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel; all ground transportation; sightseeing entrance fees; English speaking guide; and 3 meals.
Price does not include: flights to Hanoi; evacuation insurance (highly recommended); some meals; souvenirs; personal purchases (such as books and snacks); beverages; tips (suggested for all guides and drivers) and departure flight from Cambodia (if choosing add-on option)
1/20/10 – Spots are still available! However, please call before mailing check to ensure we can secure in-country flights. Full payment is due at this point. 206-937-6789
Registration Form Vietnam & Cambodia Tour 2010
About Beth Whitman
Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides for women travelers and the editor of www.WanderlustAndLipstick.com.
With 20 years of travel experience, Beth has a deep appreciation for cultures around the globe and has a particular affinity for developing countries. She has been traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia since 1992, when the country just opened to tourism.
She believes that we should all tread lightly so as to leave the smallest possible footprint at our destination, whether that be carbon- or culture-related.
Though Beth encourages independent travel, she has always felt like Vietnam is a second home to her and is eager to share both Vietnam and Cambodia with others.
Registration Form Vietnam & Cambodia Tour 2010
Codes:
B – breakfast
L – lunch
D – Dinner
