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TRIP NOTES

Bangkok to Angkor Wat25 days | Bangkok to Siem Reap

Bangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Join us on a journey through the

incredible countries of Indochina

from bustling Bangkok and the hill

tribes of Chiang Rai to enchanting

Luang Prabang in Laos and on

through Vietnam’s spectacular

Halong Bay and historic cities to

Cambodia, home to the stunning

temples of Angkor.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Cu Chi Tunnels - HQ of the Viet Cong• Bangkok - Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Original

Thai Massage School, 24hr Flower Market &Khao San Road

• Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep and the summittemple, Hilltribe Museum and the nightmarket

• Ta Thon - karst scenery, lush junglelandscapes

• Wat Rhon Khung - the modern and unusual‘White Temple’

• Chiang Rai - night market, Cabbages &Condoms restaurant, hill tribe villages of theKaren tribe, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen and theOpium Museum

• Chiang Khong - Thai/Laos border town• Mekong River - cruising from Chiang Khong

to Lao town of Pak Beng

• Luang Prabang - Wat Visoun, Wat Aham,Ock Pop Tok weaving centre, former RoyalPalace, Khouangsi waterfall, Wat Sene, WatXieng Thong and Pak Ou caves

• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and AncientQuarter

• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed World HeritageSite

• Hue - Imperial Citadel, Royal Tombs & ThienMu Pagoda

• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town• Saigon - Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post

Office and War Remnants Museum• Mekong Delta - Cai Be waterways, cottage

industries and mansion home & Cai Rangfloating markets

• Phnom Penh - Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda,Toul Sleng and Killing Fields

• Siem Reap - temples of Angkor, floatingvillages of Tonle Sap Lake

What's Included• 24 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinner• 22 nights 3 - 4 star & special class hotels,

1 night deluxe junk boat and 1 overnightsleeper train (Junk boat: private cabin,Sleeper train: basic, 4 berth cabin)

• Economy class flights Bangkok - Chiang Mai,Luang Prabang - Hanoi, Danang - Saigon,Phnom Penh - Seim Reap

• Longtail boat ride in Bangkok, on the RiverKok and from Thailand to Laos. Sampanboat trips in the Mekong Delta

• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim,kayak or explore caves

• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cookingdemonstration

• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departuretransfer day 25

• Guided sightseeing - Bangkok, Chiang Mai,Chiang Rai, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, HalongBay, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Saigon,Cu Chi, Phnom Penh and the temples ofAngkor

• Escorted by English speaking Thai, Lao,Vietnamese and Cambodian tour guides

• All relevant transfers and transportation inprivate air-conditioned vehicles

• Visa approval letter (excl. stamping feerequired upon arrival)

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$85-95, paid in USD• Entrance Fees: USD$190 - 200, paid in USD• International flights and visa. Vietnam visa

letter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

• Tip for your tour guides. We recommendyou allow USD$3 - 6 per day, per traveller.Tipping your guides is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

TRIP NOTES

Bangkok to Angkor Wat




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Days 1-2 : Discover BangkokWednesday. Welcome to Thailand and the startof your holiday! Upon arrival to Bangkok'sSuvarnabhumi Airport, after attending toimmigration, please proceed to the Arrivals Hall,EXITING VIA DOOR B, where you will be met byan On The Go Tours representative, carrying anOn The Go Tours sign. Note: our representativewill be waiting for you outside Door B, shouldyou happen to exit via Door A or Door C, pleasewalk to the Door B exit – 100m away where ourrepresentative will be waiting for you. Pleaseshow this tour voucher to our representativesupon arrival and ensure it is returned to you asyou may need it later on your travels. If, for anyreason you are unable to commence your tripas scheduled, or on arrival, you are unable tomake contact with our representative within 30minutes of waiting, please call the emergencycontact persons as listed on your tour voucher.Please do not exit the airport and make yourown way to the start hotel, please follow theadvice given by our emergency contact persons.

If arriving to Bangkok via Don MueangInternational Airport, our arrival procedure isthe same as above with the exception thatafter attending to immigration and enteringthe Arrivals Hall, please proceed to the'Information' counter near Door No 5 where ourrepresentative will be waiting for you.

Once you have met our representative you willbe escorted to our awaiting transportation and adriver will transfer you to our hotel. Upon arrivalplease give your name to the hotel receptionistand check into your room. Now, the adventurebegins!

For those arriving a day or two earlier thanDay One of the tour, you can spend yourtime exploring and getting acquainted with thecity. Nana BTS Station (Sky Train) is locatedapprox 500m from our hotel. The Sky Train isinexpensive and a great wayto travel around the city and connects into theunderground rail network truly making all mainsites easy to reach.

Day One is designed to be an arrival day forall passengers. Spend the day discovering thecity, your way before heading back to the hotel

this evening for our welcome meeting hostedby your tour guide, scheduled to commence at6pm. After you might like to join your guide andother members of the group for a meal.

Day 2: This morning we visit the spiritual andreligious heart of the city - the striking GrandPalace. Topped by golden stupas, the complexhas been the site of royal coronations and ishome to the legendary Emerald Buddha. We’llalso visit the House of the Reclining Buddha,the Original Thai Massage School and the 24hrFlower Market before boarding longtail boats toexplore the city’s canals. Known as khlongs, thecanals enable surface water to make its way tothe sea and have long been a way of gettingaround Bangkok. On our journey we’ll glide bycurious stilted houses and gleaming templeswhilst old men fish and children folic about onthe waters edge.

Our boats drop us off within walking distanceof Khao San Road, popular with backpackersand hippies. Late afternoon offers free time foryou to enjoy the many bars, restaurants, streetperformers, market stalls and tailors - that willmeasure you up for a new suit, that line thisvibrant road. Overnight - Bangkok (B:1)

Day 3 : Northern Thailand

This morning we transfer to the airport to catchour flight to the northern capital of ChiangMai. With its more temperate climate, lushvegetation and blend of hill tribe cultures thecity is popular with both Thais and their guestsin equal measure. Upon arrival its a quick breakfor lunch for those looking to refuel. We thenset off for Doi Suthep, standing like a sentinelover Chiang Mai, with one of the most importanttemples in the country on its summit. We thenreturn to the city stopping at the HilltribeMuseum to learn more of the diversity of theregion. In the evening your guide will take you

to the night market so that you can samplesome of the many regional dishes from thenumerous small restaurants and stalls foundthere. Overnight - Chiang Mai (B)

Day 4 : Chiang RaiToday we journey through spectacular karstscenery to the River Kok where we board privatelongtail boats for a glimpse of rural life along theriver banks. Arriving at a small village and takean enjoyable elephant ride through some of thesurrounding countryside. From our arrival pointcontinue to Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) -a beautiful complex of newly built white andgolden temples that are still a work in progress.

After checking into our hotel in Chiang Rai earlythis evening. We'll head down to the nightmarket for dinner at a local restaurant. Followingdinner you are free to head back to the hotel oryou may wish to do some last minute bargainhunting and to sample some of the delicacies ofthe region.Overnight - Chiang Rai (B)

Day 5 : Local Hill TribesChiang Rai - Chiang Khong. The city of ChiangRai is a great base for visiting local hill tribesand this morning we visit a Karen village wherewe may encounter the famous Long Neck tribe,so known for the neck rings that the womenwear to elongate their necks. Continuing to theborder frontier town of Mae Sai, we may havethe chance to cross briefly into Myanmar andenter the Burmese town of Tachilek (optional).At Chiang Saen we stand at a viewpoint that letsus see both Myanmar and Laos. We take timeto visit the Opium Museum before followingthe banks of the Mekong to Chiang Khong.This evening offers free time, though you mayconsider a nice dinner at our resort as tomorrowit's an early start. Overnight - Chiang Khong (B)

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Day 6 : Cruise The Mekong

Monday. Chiang Khong - Pakbeng. Bright andearly we head to the immigration & customsoffice to exit Thailand. Bidding farewell toour Thai guide we cross the river by longtailboat. Meeting up with our Lao guide weattend to immigration formalities before we'reback on the water, cruising by traditional longboat down the Mekong River. Border crossingPoint: Chiang Khong Thailand/ Ban HoueyxayLaos. Journey time by boat: approx 6 hours.Serene and timeless Laos is often overlookedby travellers. A peaceful nation of peopleoffering legendary hospitality, resilience andfriendliness, Laos is old Asia preserved. As wetravel downstream we stop off at a number ofminority villages such as the Hmong, Yao andKhmu to get an understanding of their cultureand way of life. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, wevisit the local market to watch the colourful hilltribe trade their wares before retiring for thenight. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight -Pakbeng (B, L, D)

Days 7-8 : Luang PrabangPakbeng - Luang Prabang. We continue ourcruise arriving to the golden city of LuangPrabang mid afternoon, lunch included. Journeytime: 6 hours. After some rest and relaxationby the hotel swimming pool or a wonderfulmassage at the hotel spa, we meet withour Luang Prabang tour guide for a quickintroduction to the area. (lunch included today)

Day 8 - Consider rising early this morning toview the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks andtheir procession down the streets of LuangPrabang collecting alms from the residents. Ifattending you'll meet another group of On TheGo travellers who commenced their tour inVientiane. Many of the group members you willmeet today will also be travelling all the way onto Cambodia.

Later, together we commence our sightseeingtour of this enchanting city, starting with a visitto the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, WatVisoun, and the banyan tree graced grounds ofWat Aham, we stop at the Ock Pop Tok weavingcentre. Later we marvel at the former RoyalPalace, now a national museum and home togilded rooms and Buddha artifacts.

In the afternoon we stop at ethnic minorityvillages before arriving at the beautifulKhouangsi waterfall. Dip in the turquoise poolsor take a walk along the forest trails. Tonightthere is the option to learn to cook tasty localcuisine at a local restaurant. Overnight - LuangPrabang (B:2, L:1)

Day 9 : Wat Xieng Thong

Discover more of Luang Prabang’s holy siteswith a morning visit to Wat Sene and themagnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Then we set sailon a scenic cruise up the Mekong River to visitthe incredible Pak Ou caves, which are crammedwith Buddha images of all shapes and sizes,stopping at villages en route to sample local ricewine and shop for local handicrafts. Overnight- Luang Prabang (B)

Days 10-11 : Fly to HanoiFriday. Luang Prabang - Hanoi. Today offersfree time for you to relax by the swimmingpool or further explore Luang Prabang. Cycling,kayaking and other activities can be arrangedlocally. Late this afternoon we fly from LuangPrabang to Hanoi in Vietnam. Our flight arrivesat approximately 19:20 and hotel check in islikely to be around 9pm. It's a good idea to havea late lunch before leaving Luang Prabang andto pack some snacks as arriving to the hotel willbe the first opportunity to have dinner.

Day 11 - Today offers free time for youto explore Vietnam’s gracious capital. Livelymarkets, beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s andthe thriving, historic old city, are all easilynavigated on foot. Early this evening ourwelcome meeting takes place. Please check theour welcome letter given to you upon arrival forthe exact time. Overnight - Hanoi (B:2)

Day 12 : Junk boat cruising

Hanoi – Halong Bay. A scenic drive early thismorning leads us to the stunningly beautifulUNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.Boarding our traditional wooden junk boatwe cruise the emerald waters soaking up thepanoramic vista of the thousand or so karstlimestone islands that stud the bay.

Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of themany sheltered coves before taking row boatsto to the pristine 'Dark & Bright Lagoon'. Tonight,there's a Vietnamese cooking demonstrationheld on the sundeck before an impressiveseafood dinner is served. Overnight - HalongBay, Deluxe Junk Boat (B, L, D)

Day 13 : Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Start the day witha Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditionalmassage. After exploring a lofty grotto hiddenbeneath towering cliffs, we return to port.

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Arriving to Hanoi mid afternoon an hour or sois spent exploring the quixotic web of streets,known as the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’by cyclo (rickshaw). The motorbike swarmingnarrow lanes are each named after variousguilds of the city’s artisan who establishedthemselves here centuries ago. There is SilverStreet, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Streetand more. We explore the maze of ramblingstreets framed by narrow front tube houses andmay have a chance to sample the exotic fruits,sizzling noodle dishes and delightfully stickysnacks being offers by the pavement vendors.

After time to freshen up we board our overnighttrain (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) onthe ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue.Overnight - Sleeper train (B)

Day 14 : Imperial Hue

Breakfast boxes will be served on the train.Arriving to Hue, we disembark and drive toour hotel. If rooms are ready we can check in,if not we'll depart shortly after on a guidedsightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyenempire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda,home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose21m high tower has become something of asymbol for Hue and the citadel. Within thecitadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exactcopy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with itsimpressive ramparts, formal moats and imperialpalaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of theNguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaboratemausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.As the sun sets opt for a cruise in a long boatalong the gentle Perfume River or enjoy someretail therapy at the ever lively Dong Ba Market,a few minute's walk from our hotel. Overnight- Hue (B, L)

Days 15-17 : Delightful Hoi An

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Todaywe take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of theOcean Clouds), which offers magnificent viewsof beaches to one side and lush hills to theother. En route we stop for a walk along Chinabeach, featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s movie‘Apocalypse Now’. Perhaps enjoy a refreshingswim inthe sea before continuing our journey southalong the coast to Hoi An.

The charming, old-world trading port of HoiAn with it cobbled streets, traditional homesand tiny shop houses is a perfect place to loseyourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants,hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craftshops and artisans including some of Asia’sbest bespoke tailors (whose services come at anominal price), all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchantinghistorical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda,Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Kyhouse, former merchants’ homes and the 400year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day 16 &17 - A bicycle ride into the countryside,leads us to Tra Que village. Here,we discover ageold farming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience todaywhere we’ll assist with tending the fields andgardens and cooking lunch. Day 17, offers freeday for you relax or further sightsee. You maywish to take a relaxing rowboat journey alongthe river or spend the day lazing by the beach orhotel pool. It’s also possible to take an optionalexcursion to the most holiest and evocative ofVietnam’s Cham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai,the site of the My Lai massacre memorial. Themassacre was a significant turning point in theVietnam War and the story is told through photo

presentation on a walk through the village.Overnight - Hoi An (B:3, L:1)

Day 18 : Cruise the MekongHoi An - Saigon Can Tho. Early morning flightto Saigon. Drive to the Mekong Delta. Oftenreferred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, thefertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundantharvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, aswell as it fantastic views while boating alongthe canals. Taking our sampan from Vinh Longwe’ll cruise downstream from Cai Be throughthe maze of waterways watching the hubbub ofdaily life on the river. Passing colourful tradingboats, house boats and children swimming westop to visit some of the local cottage industriesthat produce popcorn, coco candies and paperalong the way. Lunch is served today in atraditional wooden home on Dong Hoa HiepIsland. Overnight - Can Tho (B, L)

Day 19 : SaigonCan Tho - Saigon. Taking longboats wecruise by the colourful and lively Cai Rangfloating markets before driving back to Saigon.Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modernSaigon is a thriving metropolis on themove. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants,designer malls and swanky bars and spas arescattered between ancient pagodas, colonialera landmarks and lively street markets. Ourwalking tour of Saigon includes visits to theNotre Dame Cathedral, Old Post office and thesombering War Remnants Museum. Evening atleisure. Overnight - Saigon (B)

Days 20-21 : Phnom Penh

Saigon - Phnom Penh. This morning wevisit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a sprawlingunderground network of tunnels and livingquarters used by the Viet Cong during thewar. Then we drive to the Cambodian border(crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet) and continue on to

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the capital of Phnom Penh. Today the nation’scapital offers a bustling mix of Asia’s pastand present, a city quickly taking its placeamongst the trendy capitals of the region withsuperb restaurants and a number of attractions.Included dinner this evening.

Day 21 - Today we’ll enjoy a full day sightseeingtour of Phnom Penh. The National Museumof Fine Arts, a graceful terracotta building oftraditional design, houses the world’s finestcollection of Khmer sculpture. We continue withthe Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, famed forits lavish decorations – the floors are paved withsilver tiles and statues of Buddha are encrustedwith thousands of diamonds.

We later come face to face with the horrorsof the Pol Pot regime as we visit Toul Sleng(Security Prison - S21), a school that wasgruesomely transformed into a torture chamberunder the Khmer Rouge, and visit the KillingFields where over 10,000 people were executed.Overnight - Phnom Penh (B:2, D:1)

Day 22 : Angkor Wat

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap. Hotel check out andtransfer to the airport for your included flight toSiem Reap.

After time to freshen up we visit the lastcapital of the Angkorian Empire – Angkor Thom.This monumental fortified city is encircledby a 100m wide moat and is famed forthe huge statue heads that glare down fromevery angle. We continue to the monasticcomplex of Preah Khan before heading tothe mother of all temples – Angkor Wat. Thisbreathtaking monument of man’s devotion tohis gods is believed to be the largest religiousbuilding in the world and contains thousandsof wall carvings and extensive bas-reliefs. In the

evening we enjoy a walking tour of the oldmarket. Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 23 : Ta Phrom

Early this morning opt to see Angkor Wat bathedin the spectacular golden light of sunrise. Later,we head out to Banteay Srei temple, consideredby many to be the art gallery of Angkor withsome of the best stone carvings in the world.Cut from stone of a pinkish hue, the Hindutemple is dedicated to Shiva and containshighly decorated libraries and intricate reliefs ofdivinities.

The temple expedition continues with visitsto Banteay Samre, East Mebon, Preah Khan,Banteay Kdei, Pre Rup and the atmospheric TaProhm, a temple slowly being swallowed by themuscular trees of the jungle. There are plentyof great bars and restaurants in the compactcity centre, easily navigated on foot. Overnight- Siem Reap (B)

Day 24 : Lake Tonle Sap

This morning we visit the Roluos group oftemples (Bakong, Lolei and Preak Ko), theearliest large and permanent temples built bythe Khmers. The monuments mark the dawnof Khmer classical art, dating from the late9th century, with elaborate inscriptions in theancient Hindu language of Sanskrit. Later visitthe floating village of Kompong Phluk. Housesbuilt on soaring stilts hover over the Tonle

Sap Lake whilst nearby, the petrified trees of aflooded forest are revealed whenever the waterlevel drops. Note: Between Feb - July the waterlevels at Kompong Phluk village maybe too lowto go boating, if so we will visit Chong Kneasfloating village, where it will still be possible togo boating. Afternoon and evening at leisure.Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 25 : Siem Reap - yourwaySaturday. Today marks the end of our holiday.Lap up the hotel facilities this morning beforehotel check out and included departure transferto the airport.(B)

Full Moon Festival departure -30 Aug 2016If travelling on our tour departing 30 Aug2016, your tour includes arrangements andactivities associated with the Full Moon Festivaltaking place in Vietnam at this time of year.Arrangements are as follows:Days 1 - 10: Arrangements as per normalDay 11: This morning offers free time for you toexplore the wide tree lined avenues, beautifullakes and ancient pagoda’s and thriving old city.Meeting with our guide at 2pm we set of on footto explore Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter knownas the ‘36 streets of the old Hanoi’. There is SilverStreet, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Street andimportantly Hang Ma street where we’ll browseand learn about the history and traditions ofVietnam’s Full Moon Festival. there may even bedeliciously sweet traditional Mooncakes to beshared. Overnight - Hanoi

Days 12 - 15: Arrangements as per normal

Day 16: Today marks the height of the FullMoon Festival and we will be celebrating withthe locals. This morning we ride by rickshaw toa local home on the outskirts of Hoi An wherewe will learn about the family’s long tradition oflantern-making and hand craft our own lanternsfor tonight’s festivities. Heading into town weexplore the local market stalls and authenticlantern shops before free time to visit one of themany great tailor shops, take a row boat downthe river or spend the afternoon relaxing by thehotel swimming pool.

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Tonight we make our way to the watersedge with hundreds of locals to release ourlanterns and enjoy the spellbinding spectacle ofhundreds of sparkling lights sailing down riverand lighting up the night sky. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 17: A bicycle ride into the countryside, leadsus to Tra Que village. Here,we discover age oldfarming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience todaywhere we’ll assist with tending the fields andgardens and cooking lunch. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 18 onward: Arrangements as per normal.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Cambodia Country Guide

Entrance Fees - collected inUSD.Entrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Cambodia, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (theamount is noted under exclusions on page oneof this document). A breakdown of the entrancefee total is provided upon arrival. All fundscollected in Cambodia for entrance fees arepayable in USD.

Tipping Kitty - collected in USDAt the start of your tour, we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted underexclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage handlers, bus drivers, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.

This amount does not include a tip for yourtour guides. For a job well done, we wouldsuggest USD $3 - 6 per person per day. Tippingyour guide is an entirely personal gesture andultimately the amount is up to you.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Cambodia from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diptheria and Polio arerecommended.

There is the risk of malaria in parts of Cambodiaso it is very important to check with yourdoctor before you go, to see whether malarialmedication is required for the areas you arevisiting. Yellow fever is not present in Cambodiabut a yellow fever vaccination certificate isrequired from those travelling from an infectedregion.

WaterTap water in Cambodia is not considered safeto drink. It's recommended to only drink bottledmineral water, which is readily available inhotels, shops and restaurants.

ClimateCambodia has a tropical monsoon climatewith two seasons; Rainy season from May toNovember, when the countryside is lush andgreen, and dry season from late November toApril, when there are long days of glorioussunshine and clear skies. Temperatures inCambodia remain fairly constant and warmthroughout the year, apart from in thenorth, when winters (December to March) aregenerally colder.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 23 day tour. All othergroup tours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you mayhave travellers join you part way through yourtour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Saigon or PhnomPenh) or end their tour when you continue on.

Guiding:In Cambodia, a Cambodian national guide isoffered for arrangements in Phnom Penh. Uponarrival to Siem Reap you will meet a specialistregional guide who will lead your tour from hereon.

If travelling on our Thailand & Angkor Templestour, your Cambodian tour guide will meet youupon arrival to Siem Reap Airport and conductall arrangements from there forward till yourreturn to Thailand.

Time & VoltageCambodia is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT).

The voltage in Cambodia is 230v. In Cambodia3 types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin europeanplug (type C) and many of the new 4 and 5star hotels use the British standard 3-pin plug(type G). To cover all bases, it is best to pack aninternational travel adaptor!

CurrencyThe official currency of Cambodia is theCambodia Riel but USD is also widely acceptedand sometimes preferred in larger stores andsupermarkets.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged in Cambodia atvarious bureau de changes in major cities andtowns. However foreign currency is also widelyaccepted and often desired more so it can givethe shopper more buying power. ATMs can befound in all larger towns and cities and some fivestar hotels. We recommend you take a mixtureof cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cardsfor ATM's. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Essential Packing• Lightweight cotton garments. Ladies will

need to have their shoulders and legs (tobelow the knee) covered when visiting theRoyal Palace in Phnom Penh and AngkorWat. Please pack accordingly

• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flipflogs/ thongs

• DEET based mosquito repellant &antihistamine cream

• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 roundpin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho/umbrella

• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy ofyour passport

• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs

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• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costumeand torch

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,South African and USA passport holders areable to obtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrivalto Cambodia when entering via PochentongInternational Airport in Phnom Penh, SiemReap International Airport (in the Angkor WatRegion) and at the Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Bavet(Cambodia) land border. We use the Moc Bai/Bavet land border crossing for all our grouptours that travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia.

At each of these entry points you must submita photocopy of your passport (identificationpage) and one passport size photograph. Thecost of the visa is currently USD30. Note: at theland border sometimes immigration will ask formore. In this situation point to the sign abovethe ticket window indicating that the cost isactually USD30 (subject to change). Further, youare best to give the exact amount i.e. USD30as often if you give more you will not receivechange.

Alternatively, it is now also possible to obtainan e-visa in advance of travel. The e-visa allowsfor a length of stay up till 30 days. The e-visa isvalid for 3 months from date of issue, not date ofarrival, so please ensure that you do not obtainthis visa to far in advance. Online processingtime for this visa is 3 days. The e-visa is validfor entry via Pochentong International Airportin Phnom Penh, Siem Reap International Airport(in the Angkor Wat Region) and at the Moc Bai(Vietnam) and Bavet (Cambodia) land border. Itis not valid at any other land or water border.To obtain an e-visa for Cambodia go to: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/Default.aspx

It is also possible to obtain a 30 day tourist visaprior to arrival via the Cambodian Embassy inyour home port, though please note tourist visasarranged with the embassy are valid for onemonth from date of issue, not date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change and

visa procurement is solely the responsibility ofthe traveller and not of On The Go Tours.

Laos Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Laos, we collectentrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (the amountis noted under exclusions on page one of thisdocument). A breakdown of the entrance feetotal is provided upon arrival. All funds collectedin Laos for entrance fees are payable in USD.



Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Laos from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diptheria and Polio arerecommended.

There is the risk of malaria in parts of Laos so it isvery important to check with your doctor beforeyou go, to see whether malarial medication isrequired for the areas you are visiting. Yellowfever is not present in Laos but a yellow fevervaccination certificate is required from thosetravelling from an infected region.

WaterTap water in Laos is not considered safe to drink.It's recommended to only drink bottled mineralwater, which is readily available in hotels, shopsand restaurants.

ClimateNovember through to April are the best monthsto travel to Laos, when the weather is warm anddry and the nights are comfortable and cool.Temperatures typically begin to rise aroundMarch and the rain arrives in May or June.From June through to August the humidity canrise and short tropical downpours are common.September and October can still bring theoccasional shower.

Guides & GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 23 day tour. All othergroup tours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you mayhave travellers join you part way through yourtour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Saigon or PhnomPenh) or end their tour when you continue on.

Guiding: A local national guide will escort thegroup for all arrangements in Laos.

Time & VoltageLaos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT).

The voltage in Laos is 220AC, 50HZ. Plugs arenot standard as many electical products areimported from China and Thailand. As suchall sort of socket variations exist. The mostcommon types found are: 2 flat prong (type A),the 2 round pin (type C) plugs. To cover all bases,it is best to pack an international travel adaptor!

CurrencyThe official Laos currency is known as theLao Kip, although three currencies are usedinterchangeably for everyday transactions.These are Kip, Thai baht and US Dollars. All majorcurrencies are exchangeable in the main townsbut USD is the most useful currency (cash) tohold as it can be exchanged and used in mostplaces. Dollar bills must be in good conditionand not torn or ripped.

In smaller towns and villages, Kip is usuallypreferred. The rule of thumb is that for everydaysmall purchases, prices are quoted in Kip. ATMsare only available in Vientiane, Vangvieng andLuang Prabang and dispense a maximum ofapprox USD$70 (in Kip) at any one time -it isn't advisable to rely upon them as they

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are commonly not working. Licensed moneychangers exist in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.Their rates are similar to the banks and they stayopen longer. We recommend you take a mixtureof cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cardsfor ATMs.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5

• Lightweight cotton garments• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flip

flogs/ thongs• DEET based mosquito repellant &

antihistamine cream• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 round

pin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy of

your passport• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as indicated in the Inclusionssection of these Trip Notes) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive in Laos at Wattay InternationalAirport, attend to immigration by completingan immigration form and submitting yourphotograph and visa fee, then collect yourluggage and proceed to the arrivals hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our onthe go representative. He/she will be holding aprominent on the go tours logo signboard. Aftermeeting you will be escorted to our awaitingtransportation and transfered to our tour starthotel

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the

Inclusions section of these Trip Notes) we willbe at the airport, ready to transfer you toyour hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,South African and USA passport holders areable to obtain a 30 day tourist visa uponarrival to Laos at major airports and bordercrossings including Wattay International Airportin Vientiane (the entry point for all our toursin Laos), Luang Prabang International Airportand at the Friendship Bridge if coming fromThailand.

At each of these entry points you must submita visa application form and two passport sizephotograph. The cost of the visa for the abovenationalities is currently ranges between USD30- USD35. It is important that you have an entirelyempty(stamp free) page in your passport andthat your passport is valid for at least 6 monthsfrom your date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change andvisa procurement is solely the responsibility ofthe traveller and not of On The Go.

Thailand Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Thailand, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (theamount is noted under exclusions on pageone of this document). A breakdown of theentrance fee total is provided upon arrival. Allfunds collected in Thailand for entrance fees arepayable in USD.

Tipping Kitty - collected in USDAt the start of your tour, we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted under

exclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage handlers, bus drivers, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.


Voltage & TimeThe voltage in Thailand is 220v. In Thailand thereare 2 types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2flat prong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin plug(type C). To cover all bases, it is best to pack aninternational travel adaptor! Thailand is 7 hoursahead of GMT and does not observe daylightsaving.

ClimateThe best time to travel to Thailand – central andnorth including Bangkok, Kanchanaburi andSukhothai is from November to April, with littlerain, if any expected throughout this time. Afterthe cooler winter months, from mid Januarytemperatures start to rise reaching 30°C andmore between March – May. Between May andJuly the south west monsoons arrive, travelduring this time can still be pleasant with therain coming in the form of short downpours,lasting an hour or two, clearing the way forwarm, clear skies.

In August and September the rain continues tofall and temperatures remain high, though byOctober the mercury has fallen and Novembermarks the start of of the dry season in the centraland north once again.

The far north and Chiang Rai are generally coolerthan the surrounding regions with an annualaverage temperature of 25o C and with a lowerhumidity. The best time to travel is either the‘cool’ season from Oct – Feb or the wet season(Jun - Sept) when aside from the rain, conditionsare mild with temperatures around 25oC. March– May is warmer with temperatures rising to36oC.

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The Gulf of Thailand, including the Hua Hincoastal region has three defined seasons. FromDecember to February you can expect blueskies, plenty of sunshine with refreshing seabreezes to keep temperatures at bay. FromMarch – June there is still plenty of blue skyand temperatures will rise above 30°C. Rainis unlikely till till the end of June when itcomes in the form of hour-long afternoondownpours, clearing the way for more blue skiesand bright sunshine. In late-August/Septemberthe monsoon arrives and you can expect sunnyspells interspersed with rainy periods. Rainfallusually peaks between October and November.

CurrencyThe official currency in Thailand is the Baht.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged at banks or or atany one on of the numerous exchange boothsthat line the streets of the big cities. You mayalso choose to purchase currency in advance,though its possibly not necessary as ATMs canbe found everywhere with the exception of thehill tribe areas of Chiang Rai and if enroutebetween Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong borderif crossing to Laos. It is not common to paywith a credit card at restaurants, cafes or shopsfor small purchases and if you do often therewill be a surcharge applied or minimum chargerequired. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.


Essential Packing• Lightweight cotton garments including

some items that cover your shoulders andknees

• Torch is staying overnight at the Jungle Rafts• Two spare passport photos & 2 photocopies

of your passport. You will need the passportcopies if you are planning to cross intoMyanmar

• Sleep sheet, towel and some warm clothesfor your village stay if travelling on ourThailand, Temples & Tribes Tour

• Comfortable walking shoes (again especiallyif joining our Thailand Temples & Tribes Tour)in addition to flip flops/ thongs you can wearin the shower

• DEET based mosquito repellent &antihistamine cream

• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 roundpin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho• A daypack for your day-to-day needs. Also

handy if you don't want to take all yourluggage with you to the Jungle Rafts

• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as noted in the 'Inclusions'section of these Trip Notes) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi InternationalAirport OR Don Mueang International Airportand attend to immigration formalities beforecollecting your luggage and proceeding to thearrivals hall. Please enter the arrival hall viaDoor 5. Our On The Go Tours representativewill be waiting in front of Door 5, holding aprominent On The Go Tours logo signboard.After meeting you will be escorted to ourawaiting transportation and transferred to ourtour start hotel.

If for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer as noted in the'Inclusions' section of your Trip Notes) we willbe at the airport, ready to transfer you toyour hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Thailand from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideHepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus are stronglyrecommended. If travelling to remote areas,further vaccinations including TB, Hepatitis B,Rabies, Diphtheria and Japanese encephalitismay also be necessary.

MalariaAreas with Malaria: Rural only. Includingforested areas that border Burma (Myanmar),Cambodia and Laos, and rural, forested areas inthe districts of Phang Nga and Phuket. Malaria isnot found in the cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai,Chiang Rai, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Pattaya,Phang Nga and Phuket. The risk of contractingMalaria in Thailand is low.

BilharziaMay be present in some rivers and lakes andwe recommend it best to avoid swimming inuntested waterways.

WaterThe tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink,only drink bottled mineral water, which is readilyavailable from shops, hotels and restaurants.

Guides And GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 23 day tour, with theexception of our Time for Thailand, ThailandTemples & Tribes and Bangkok, Beach & Beyondtours, all other group tours that we offer aresectors of this larger tour. As such on yourholiday you may have travellers join you partway through your tour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoior Saigon) or end their tour when you continueon.

Guiding: A Thai guide will escort allarrangements throughout Thailand. If your tourcontinues to another country a qualified guidenative to that country will escort the tour fromthere forward.

If travelling on our Time for Thailand, ThailandTemples, Tribes and Bangkok, Beach & Beyondor Thailand & Angkor Temples tours, guests will

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travel together for days 1 to 8 and go thereseparate ways for the remaining days of the tour.

TransportationOn all our tours we use a combination ofvehicles including mini buses, small and largesize coaches. When travelling in the northof Thailand our vehicles of choice are minibuses as they are best equipped at navigatingnarrow winding roads and mountain passes.In these areas a number of mini buses ratherthan one large coach. Each vehicle comfortablyaccommodates 8 persons and tour guide willswap between vehicles offering commentaryen-route, in addition to making stops to givemore further information at points of interest.

ShoppingBangkok is rapidly gaining a reputation as a keyshopping destination in Asia, with visitors beingdrawn by the variety of products and shoppingenvironments, as well as the great prices.Chatuchak, is a market that gains momentumover the weekend to become arguably thelargest in Southeast Asia, everything can befound here, from hand made jewellery to thelatest fashions.

This city is blessed with a number of top qualityshopping malls, perhaps the most popular forvisitors is MBK. This 8 floor monstrosity offerseverything from telephones to sushi, designerlabels to unique designs. It is safe to assumethat anything with a brand that is being soldout of a store bearing the same brand may notnecessarily be the ‘real deal’. There is somethinghere for everyone, including a multi screencinema showing the latest movies in English forthose who would like to rest their weary feetwhilst others continue on their spending spree.

Another wonderful feature of Bangkok areher nightmarkets. It seems that once thesun goes down, the temporary stalls comeout, everywhere. Patpong is famous for itsgenuine fakes, Sukhumvit Road boats a similarreputation. The mixture of bargains, street foodand general vibe of the city make these marketsa highlight to explore by foot. Remember tohaggle, and if you think something is over pricedthen walk away. They will not sell to you at a loss,so if they can make some money on the dealthey will call you back.

Caveat emptor - Let the buyer beware! It isalways safe to assume that anything with abrand on it is a copy and should be treated assuch. Some of these copies can be incrediblygood, leaving the untrained eye incapable oftelling the difference. It is therefore always bestto assume it is a copy unless you really knowwhat you are looking at. The city is also wellknown for its scams. Some tailors will drasticallyovercharge for shoddy workmanship that isdelivered minutes before you leave on yourreturn flight so you cant get it changed. Somejewellers have been known to sell fake or greatlyover priced products. If the jewellers or tailorsdoes not come highly recommended, a largeamount of caution should be used.

IMPORTANT: Any purchases made whilsttravelling are at your own discretion. Make sureyou are completely happy at the product you arepurchasing. on the go will not become involvedat any time, at a later date or once you returnhome should your purchase not live up to yourexpectations. Proceed with caution.

A New Tailored Suit!If you are looking to have suits made up,you might like to consider 'The Grand FashionInternational' tailor shop. The shop is open from9am - 9pm daily and is easy enough to get to bytaxi, the address can be found in your welcomeletter that you will receive upon arrival. Theshop offers quality suiting and garments madeto measure. Customer feedback so far has beenvery good. The shop works with cotton, linen,wool, wool blends and all other suiting fabrics,though it and if you were looking stretch fabrics,inexpensive cotton t's or crazy cheap - off theside of the road kind of stuff this would not bethe place. Head to the night markets instead.Prices: Tailored ladies/men cotton blend shirtsbusiness shirts start at USD$40, Ladies trousersfully lined at USD$60, Mens blazer/jacket fullylined USD$90 and a fully lined suit, with shirtsfrom USD$160.

The catch! You are going to need at least 48hours to have items made. After making yourorder you would need 1 - 2 fittings to ensurethat suit fits just right. The shop can send acar to pick you up from the hotel and transferyou to and from their premises for the fittings.

My best advice would be at the time you areplacing the order, schedule your fittings thereand then so you can plan your time for the daysahead. If for example you arrived a day early, youcould visit the tailor on this day then scheduleyour first fitting at say 4pm on day 1, then afinal fitting (if required) at say 7.30pm on day 2).Don't be afraid to haggle a little with the tailor,they are lovely gentlemen and small savingscan be made. Also do let them know that youare travelling with On the Go. They are awareof our itineraries and what time fittings can bescheduled plus its in their best interest to keepyou satisfied.

It's your choice to shop here, elsewhere or not atall in your free time.

Airline Luggage AllowanceIf your tour includes international or domesticflights please be mindful that the free baggageallowance for Economy class travel within theregion is strictly 20kg and 1 piece of handluggage up to 6kg. Any additional weight ischarged at a per kilo rate. You may wish to keepthis in mind whilst shopping.

It's not like homeTravel to far - flung corners of the earth involveslifestyles and conditions that are sometimesvery different from what you are used toback home. You must come prepared to copewith unusual situations, local inadequacies andunpredictable events as and when they occur.Foreign travel is definitely not suitable forpeople who expect or demand everything togo exactly as planned. With the greatest respectand in the interest of your ultimate enjoymentyou must understand this. Things can and dochange in foreign countries.

Vietnam Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Vietnam, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (theamount is noted under exclusions on pageone of this document). A breakdown of theentrance fee total is provided upon arrival. Allfunds collected in Vietnam for entrance fees arepayable in USD.

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Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Vietnam from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus arestrongly recommended.

Malaria in VietnamAreas with malaria: Rural only, except none inthe Red River Delta and the coast north of NhaTrang. Rare cases in the Mekong Delta. Nonein Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon), Nha Trang, and Qui Nhon.Estimated relative risk of malaria for travellers:Low

WaterThe tap water in Vietnam is generally consideredsafe to drink, but as a precaution againststomach upsets you may want to drink bottledmineral water, which is readily available fromshops, hotels and restaurants.

VisasFrom 1 July 2015 onwards UK passport holderswill not need a visa to visit Vietnam for up to15 days. At customs you will need show yourreturn airline ticket/E ticket as proof of your dateof departure. If you're exiting Vietnam via a landborder then your tour itinerary will be acceptedas proof so please have this available to show toborder police if requested. A visa is required forstays of 16 days or longer and if you are planningto return to Vietnam within 30 days of your lastdeparture you will also need to purchase a visa.

Most other nationalities including Australian,Canadian, New Zealand, South African andUSA passport holders require a tourist visato visit Vietnam. Travellers can choose toindependently apply (or we can arrange thisfor you, see notes below) for a 30 daytourist visa (single or multiple entry) fromthe nearest Vietnamese Embassy or via themore convenient method of applying online.The cost is approx USD$20. After submittingan application you will receive a confirmationnumber, then upon arriving to Vietnam youwould receive the actual visa and additionallypay a stamping fee of USD$45. The stamping feefor a multiple entry visa, for entries within onemonth is USD$65.

Applying in advance and then collecting yourtourist visa upon arrival is available to alltravellers entering the country via Hanoi - NoiBai International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City -Tan Son Nhat International Airport and DanangInternational Airport.

ON THE GO ARRANGING YOUR VIETNAMVISAUpon confirming a holiday to Vietnam with us, ifyou require a visa please download a copy of our'Vietnam Visa Data List' available on our websitewithin the SE Asia, under the title of 'Visa Info'.Should you complete the form and return it asa Microsoft Word document via e-mail to us 6weeks prior to your departure we will arrangethe visa for you (effectively saving you USD$20).

Then approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior toyour departure we will forward to you a'Visa Confirmation Letter' which carries aconfirmation number'.

You will need to present the 'Visa ConfirmationLetter' and a 'Vietnam Visa Entry & Exit Form' (wehave a link to this form on our website or you canpick up one upon arrival) to immigration officialsupon arrival into Vietnam along with 2 passportphotos and a stamping fee of USD$45 or USD$65 for a multiple entry visa. A Visa will thenbe stuck into your passport and you can enterVietnam.

Please note: This service is not available forSouth African passport holders who must obtaina tourist visa from the nearest Vietnamese

Embassy in advance and pay the stamping feedirectly to the embassy prior to travel.

'The Visa Confirmation Letter' (irrespective ofwhether you apply for your visa independentlyor through On The Go Tours) will containpersonal information such as your passportnumber, nationality and date of birth of yourselfand other travellers on one inclusive list.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.

ClimateVietnam has a varied climate due to itsgeography. The south is hot year round andhas two seasons: The wet season lasts fromMay to October, with brief, daily showers. Thedry season from November to April is generallysunny and humid. In the north, the summermonths (May to October) are hot and there isthe occasional burst of heavy rain. In the winter(December to February) temperatures drop inthe north and it can be damp. The coastalregion of central Vietnam is blessed with longmonths of sunshine, although there is rainfallin November and December. At this time therecan also be some typhoon activity in the centralcoastal region.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 23 day tour. All othergroup tours we offer (with the exception of ourVietnam For Teens tour) are sectors of this largertour. As such on your holiday you may havetravellers join you part way through your tour (inLuang Prabang, Hanoi, Saigon or Phnom Penh)or end their tour when you continue on.

Guiding: A Vietnamese guide will escort allarrangements throughout Vietnam.

Time & VoltageThe voltage in Vietnam is 220v. In Vietnam 3types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin plug (typeC) and many of the new 4 and 5 star hotels usethe British standard 3-pin plug (type G). To coverall bases, it is best to pack an international traveladaptor!

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Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does notobserve daylight saving.

MoneyThe official currency in Vietnam is theVietnamese Dong.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged locally at theairport, bureau de changes or banks. US Dollarnotes are widely accepted and shopkeepers useboth currencies interchangeably. You can oftenpay for items in USD and receive your change inUSD notes and coins in VND. Make sure that yourUSD bills are crisp and clean and you will have noproblem using or exchanging these throughoutyour stay. ATM machines can be found in allmajor cities though it is not common to paywith credit card in restaurants, cafes or shops forpurchases. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.


Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5. Ask you guide forinfo on where to buy these

• A day pack to carry all your essentials whenout sightseeing each day

• An overnight bag, if you are staying aboardthe Junk boat in Halong Bay. As we will bereturning to Hanoi it is not essential that youtake your big bag/ suitcase with you

• Lightweight cotton garments• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flip

flops/ thongs• DEET based mosquito repellant &

antihistamine cream• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 round

pin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy of

your passport• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as indicated in the Inclusionssection of these Trip Notes) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport,Saigon - Tan Son Nhat International Airport.Proceed to the immigration counter andpresent your invitation letter. Complete animmigration form and submit your photographsand stamping fee of USD$25 (this can take sometime). After collecting your luggage proceed tothe arrival hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our OnThe Go Tours representative. He/she will beholding a prominent On The Go Tours logosignboard. After meeting you will be escorted toour awaiting transportation and transferred toour tour start hotel

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer (as indicated in theInclusions section of these Trip Notes) we willbe at the airport, ready to transfer you toyour hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

Airline Luggage AllowanceIf your tour includes international or domesticflights within the region please be mindfulthat the free baggage allowance for Economyclass travel is strictly 20kg and 1 piece of handluggage up to 6kg. Any additional weight ischarged at a per kilo rate. You may wish to keepthis in mind whilst shopping.

Trains in VietnamIt's not the Orient Express, but Vietnam'sReunification Express. On a number of our grouptours we include an overnight train journey onthe Reunification Express Railway Line betweenHanoi and Hue. The particular SE series trainthat we use on this journey is the highestclass of train available in Vietnam. It's titledas being the nation's fastest train; though byinternational standards it's quite the opposite.Never the less, our journey between Hanoi andHue takes approximately 14 hours and travellersare accommodated in 4 berth 'Soft Sleeper'cabins.

Aboard each wagon are 9 compartments thatcomprise of 4 bunks per compartment. 4persons of mixed sex share one compartment.You may be sharing with people from yourtour group, other tourists or Vietnamese people.Who you will share your cabin with is ultimatelydependent upon how the Vietnamese RailwaysCorporation configures the bookings.

Cabins onboard are comfortable though notcomparable to European standards. A westernstyle toilet (with a varying degree of cleanliness)is located at either end of the wagon. Air-conditioning (not always operational in thesummer) and lighting are controlled from insidethe cabin, which is also lockable. Luggage canbe stored in a compartment under the bottombunk. Linen and a pillow are provided thoughwe strongly recommend that you bring yourown sleep sheet (easily purchased in Hanoi ata cost of USD$5). The cleanliness of the trainvaries according to wagons assigned to thejourney for that particular day. Some wagonsare spotlessly clean whilst others can be uncleanand should have been decommissioned longago. Irrespective of the particular train youtake, they all have large clear glass windowsthat allow for uninterrupted views of stunninglandscapes and never ending rice paddy fields.

Documents

Bangkok to Angkor Wat What's Included What's Not Included ...cdn.onthegotours.com/resources/documents/...to-Angkor-Wat-25-days.pdf · Bangkok to Angkor Wat Bangkok to Angkor Wat -