Inside Indochina - On The Go Tours · Inside Indochina - 22 days updated on 14-10-2015 ... are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The

TRIP NOTES

Inside Indochina22 days | Vientiane to Siem Reap

Inside Indochina - 22 days updated on 14-10-2015

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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Take an exciting journey through

Indochina. Discover Laos with

its grand royal palace, golden

Buddhist monastery temples and

friendly ethnic minority people,

before continuing to Vietnam to

uncover the highlights of north and

south including Halong Bay, Saigon

and the Mekong. The finale is the

captivating kingdom of Cambodia,

where we explore the jungle clad

Ta Phrom and the majestic Angkor

Wat emerging from the early

morning mist.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Vientiane - capital of Laos,

Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, the COPE Centre,That Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument andthe Buddha Park

• Thalat Market and ethnic minority villages• Vang Xang - an 11th century archaeological

site• Vang Vieng - a picturesque riverside village,

Tham Jang Caves, Ban Huai Ngai village• Luang Prabang - the UNESCO Listed former

royal capital, Temples of Visoun, Ahan andSene, a weaving centre, the former RoyalPalace, superb views from Mount Phousi

• Pak Ou Caves - crammed with Buddhastatues and Khouangsi Waterfall

• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the AncientQuarter

• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region withthousands of beautiful limestone peaks andislets

• Hue - ancient citadel, Imperial PurpleCity, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda andmonastery

• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town,famed for its beautifully preserved old city,tailors, handicraftsmarkets and nearby beaches

• Saigon - Notre Dame Cathedral, Old PostOffice and War Remnants Museum

• Mekong Delta - a maze of waterways andfloating villages incl. Cai Be waterways,cottage industries and mansion home

• Can Tho - lively market town in the MekongDelta and nearby Cai Rang floating market

• Cu Chi Tunnels - HQ of the Viet Cong• Phnom Penh - Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda,

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and theKilling Fields

• Siem Reap - base for exploring the templesof Angkor incl. Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom,Preah Khan, Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat!

What's Included• 21 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinner• 19 nights 4 star and special class hotels,

1 night deluxe junk boat and 1 overnight

sleeper train (Junk boat: private cabin,Sleeper train: basic, 4 berth cabin.)

• Economy class flights Luang Prabang -Hanoi, Danang - Saigon, Phnom Penh - SiemReap

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

• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cookingdemonstration

• Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure

transfer day 22• Guided sightseeing - Vientaine, Vang Vieng,

Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, HoiAn, Mekong Delta, Saigon, Cu Chi, PhnomPenh and the temples of Angkor

• Escorted by an English speaking Laotian,Vietnamese and Cambodian tour guides.

• All relevant transfers and transportation inprivateair-conditioned vehicles

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

• Maximum group size: 24 travellers

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: $60 - $70 USD• Entrance Fees: $125 - $135 USD• International flights and visas. Vietnam

visa letter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

• Tip for your tour guides. We recommendyou allow USD$3 - 6 per day, per traveller.

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Tipping your guides is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : VientianeSaturday. Welcome to Laos! Airport arrivaltransfer and hotel check in. Spend the afternoonand evening at leisure. Overnight - Vientiane

Day 2 : Vientiane city tour

After breakfast we explore the charming andlaid-back capital of Laos with a city tour. Wevisit the oldest Buddhist monastery temple inthe country - Wat Si Saket – and the formerroyal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, built to housethe famed Emerald Buddha. Today it servesas the national museum of religious art. Learnabout Laos’ tragic past and present sufferingat the COPE Centre, an organization that workswith victims of unexploded bombs and mines.Next visit Pha That Luang, the most importantmonument in Laos and a symbol of bothBuddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

We also stop to view the imposing Patuxaymonument - Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.Later in the afternoon enjoy time exploringthe hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist sculpturesscattered throughout Buddha Park. End the daywith a sunset dinner besides the Mekong River.Overnight - Vientiane (B, D)

Day 3 : Vang Vieng

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. We leave thecapital early and journey north through lushcountryside to Vang Vieng. Along the way wevisit Ban Keun, famous for its salt extractionplant and a village of local Lao rice wine whiskeydistillation. A next stop is the busy and colourfulmarket of Thalat, where local hill tribes come totrade and shop and also visit the archaeologicalsite of Vang Xang that dates back to the 11thcentury. Arriving at Vang Vieng, nestled on thebanks of the Nam Song River is our delightfulhotel. What this hotel may lack in comfort itcertainly makes up for in rustic appeal and,breathtaking views and scenery. The remainderof the day offers free time, perhaps opt toexplore the local caves, take a bicycle ridethrough the surrounding countryside or gotubing along the river. Overnight - Vang Vieng(B, D)

Day 4 : Tham Jang Cave, BanHuai Ngai villageVang Vieng – Luang Prabang. This morning weexplore the famous caves of Tham Jang onceused by the local people as a hideout duringChinese invasions. We observe the lifestyles ofthe local people at Ban Huai Ngai village beforemaking our way further north to the UNESCOWorld Heritage listed city of Luang Prabang.Overnight - Luang Prabang (B)

Day 5 : Temples of LuangPrabangConsider rising early this morning to viewthe daily ritual of saffron-clad monks andtheir procession down the streets of LuangPrabang collecting alms from the residents.After we commence our sightseeing tour of thisenchanting city, starting with a visit to the oldesttemple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun, and thebanyan tree graced grounds of Wat Aham, westop at the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. Later

we marvel at the former Royal Palace, now anational museum and home to gilded roomsand 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)

Day 6 : Wat Sene & WatXieng 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, L)

Days 7-8 : Fly Luang Prabang- HanoiFriday. Luang Prabang - Hanoi. Today offersfree time for you to relax by the swimmingpool or further explore Luang Prabang. Elephantrides, cycling and kayaking 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.

Tomorrow offers free time for you to exploreVietnam’s gracious capital. Lively markets,beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s and thethriving, historic old city, are all easily navigatedon foot. Early this evening our welcome meeting

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takes place. Please check the our welcome lettergiven to you upon arrival for the exact time.Overnight - Hanoi (B:2)

Day 9 : 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 the pristine waterway known as 'Dark & BrightLagoon' Tonight, there's a Vientnamese cookingdemonstration held on the sundeck before animpressive seafood dinner is served. Overnight- Halong Bay, Deluxe Junk Boat (B, L, D)

Day 10 : Hidden grottoes,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.

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 various

guilds 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 11 : Imperial Hue

Breakfast boxes will be served on the train.Arriving to Hue we embark on a sightseeingtour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital.We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to theoldest monastery in the city, whose 21m hightower has become something of a symbol forHue and the citadel. Within the citadel is theImperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of theForbidden City in Beijing, with its impressiveramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces,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 minute's walk from our hotel. Overnight - Hue(B, L)

Day 12 : Road of the OceanClouds

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An.Today we take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Roadof the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificentviews of beaches to one side and lush hills tothe other. En route we stop for a walk alongChina beach before arriving to the charming,old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbledstreets, traditional homes and tiny shop housesis a perfect place to lose yourself in a by goneera. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along thewaterfront, delightful craft shops and artisansincluding some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors(whose services come at a nominal price), all canbe 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. Overnight -Hoi An (B)

Day 13 : Tra Que village

A bicycle ride into the countryside, leads usto 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(B, L)

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Day 14 : Hoi An - your way

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. Youmay wish to take a relaxing rowboat journeyalong the river or spend the day lazing bythe beach or hotel pool. It’s also possible totake an optional excursion to the most holiestand evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites, MySon or to Quang Ngai, the site of the MyLai massacre memorial. The massacre was asignificant turning point in the Vietnam War andthe story is told through photo presentation ona walk through the village. Overnight - Hoi An(B)

Day 15 : Cruising the MekongHoi An - Saigon. Early morning flight to Saigon.Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to asthe ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile MekongDelta is famous for its abundant harvests oftropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as itfantastic views while boating along the canals.Taking our sampan from Vinh Long we’ll cruisedownstream through the maze of waterwaysof Cai Be visiting local cottage industries thatproduce popcorn, coco candies and paper alongthe way. Lunch is served today in a traditionalwooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.Overnight - Can Tho (B, L)

Day 16 : Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. Early today we visit theever lively Cai Rang floating market. Watchas melons, pineapples, fresh greens, sacks

of rice and children's toys get tossed fromone sampan to another at great heightsand speed 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)

Day 17 : Cu Chi Tunnels &Phnom Penh

This morning we visit the famous Cu ChiTunnels, a sprawling underground network oftunnels and living quarters used by the VietCong during the war. Then we drive to theCambodian border (crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet)and continue on to the capital of Phnom Penh.Today the nation’s capital offers a bustling mixof Asia’s past and present, a city quickly takingits place amongst the trendy capitals of theregion with superb restaurants and a number ofattractions. Overnight - Phnom Penh (B, D)

Day 18 : Royal Palace, ToulSlengToday we’ll enjoy a full day sightseeing tourof Phnom Penh. The National Museum of FineArts, a graceful terracotta building of traditionaldesign, houses the world’s finest collection ofKhmer sculpture. We continue with the RoyalPalace and Silver Pagoda, famed for its lavishdecorations – the floors are paved with silvertiles and statues of Buddha are encrusted withthousands 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 was

gruesomely transformed into a torture chamberunder the Khmer Rouge, and visit the KillingFields where over 10,000 people were executed.Overnight - Phnom Penh (B)

Day 19 : 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 theevening we enjoy a walking tour of the oldmarket. Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 20 : Ta Phrom -swallowed by the jungle

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 Hindu

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temple 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. Swallowed by the jungle, vast muscularroots envelop the crumbling towers and wallswhilst the trees’ foliage dapples the temple inshadow. There are plenty of great bars andrestaurants in the compact city centre, easilynavigated on foot. Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 21 : Roluos Temples &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 Pluk. Housesbuilt on soaring stilts hover over the TonleSap Lake whilst nearby, the petrified trees of aflooded forest are revealed whenever the waterlevel drops. Note: Between April - July the waterlevels at Kompong Pluk 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, L)

Day 22 : Siem ReapSaturday. 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 -02 Sept 2016If travelling on our tour departing 02 Sep2016, 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 - 7: Arrangements as per normalDay 8: 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 9 - 12: Arrangements as per normal

Day 13: 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.

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 14: 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 15 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(the amount is noted under exclusions). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Cambodia forentrance fees are payable 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.

Water

Tap water in Cambodia is not considered safeto drink. It's recommended to only drink bottled

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mineral 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 - 25 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 or Saigon) or endtheir tour when you continue on.

Guiding: In Cambodia, a Cambodian nationalguide is offered for arrangements through toPhnom Penh, then a specialist local guide, willtake over for your sightseeing of the Temples ofAngkor.

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.• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and 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.

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 andvisa 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). A breakdown of theentrance fee total is provided upon arrival. Allfunds collected in Laos for entrance fees arepayable in USD.



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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.

Water

Tap 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 - 25 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 or Saigon) or endtheir 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 such

all 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 theyare 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 'What you

Get' section of this Go Guide) 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'What you Get' section of this Go Guide) wewill be at the airport, ready to transfer youto your 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 and

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that 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.

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(the amount is noted under exclusions). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Vietnam forentrance fees are payable in USD.



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 6

weeks 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 VietnameseEmbassy 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.

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Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours we offer (with the exception of ourVietnam with Teens and Flavours of Vietnamtours) are sectors of this larger tour. As such onyour holiday you may have travellers join youpart way through your tour (in Luang Prabang,Hanoi or Saigon) or end their tour when youcontinue 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!

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.

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

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 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) 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 the'What you Get' section of this Go Guide) wewill be at the airport, ready to transfer youto your 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 can

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be 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

Inside Indochina - On The Go Tours · Inside Indochina - 22 days updated on 14-10-2015 ... are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The