Custom Tour: Classic Cambodia and Vietnam for Dominic & Axelle
23 Dec 10 Siem Reap - Arrival
Drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by car. On the way stop off briefly at Skuon to sample the local delicacy....spiders (or look on as locals fiest)!
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
24 Dec 10 Siem Reap - Angkor Wat
Wake up early and after coffee and a snack head to Angkor Wat for sunrise and a morning tour of the temple before the crowds arrive. Mid-morning head back to Journeys Within for a delicious brunch before relaxing in the garden, by the pool, the sitting room, or your own room thru the heat of the day.
In the afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several beautiful spots from which to watch the sunset. Discuss with your guide where you would like to be and then relax and enjoy a memorable end to your day at the temples.
In the evening take an elephant ride up Phnom Bakeng and watch the sun set over Angkor Wat.
Meals Included: Brunch
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
25 Dec 10 Siem Reap - Banteay Srei and the Lingas
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple just 30 km beyond Angkor Wat.
In the morning you will head out of town continuing on a dirt road to Kbal Spean. Once there hike for about two hours to get to the “River of a Thousand Lingas.” In ancient times if water ran over lingas it was said to be holy water. The ancient Khmers therefore made thousands of lingas along this riverbed so the water that flowed to their rice fields was blessed. The lingas and other stone carvings remain today. Have fun exploring the surrounding jungle. Journeys Within will pack a picnic lunch to be enjoyed overlooking the river.
Later in the afternoon head back to the temples where you will visit Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex. Watch the sunset from inside Ta Prohm or from the Angkor Wat promenade.
Tonight join Brandon, Andrea and other guests for Christmas Dinner and Fun.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
26 Dec 10 Siem Reap - Village Tour
Set out on the Journeys Within Village Tour with our guide who will take you to his village, showing you rice paddies and typical homes along the way. Once there enjoy a fresh coconut drink and meet his family and neighbors. Walk from here to West Baray Lake where you can take a local boat to an island with some picturesque ancient Khmer ruins and return to shore where your car will be waiting for you. From here head to Pua District and visit the fascinating Artisans de Angkor silk farm where many local women are trained in the art of silk weaving.
Sunday afternoons are special at JWOC, not only are our scholarship students there, returning from well scouting and loan collecting, but we also hold our art class for local students at 3pm. This class is a no-pressure class where anyone is invited to come, play games, sing songs and do a simple and rewarding art project. Volunteers are great for this class, we break the students into groups of 8 and as a volunteer you can join a group and help the little ones with scissors and other tricky tasks and give the older students encouragement and attention. The class runs to a little after 4pm. Please arrive 10 minutes before it starts so the teacher can explain the project and you can get oriented.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
27 Dec 10 Siem Reap - Cooking Class
Learn more about Khmer food at Le Tigre de Papier Cooking School. A three hour class that first takes you to the Old Market to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to use preparing lunch. After your market trip you will learn to cook some of the restaurant’s recipes to create traditional Khmer dishes as well as how to present a beautiful plate. At the end of the class enjoy what you made!
Take a walk around the old market where the locals and tourists shop side by side.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Journeys Within B&B
28 Dec 10 Hanoi - Arrival
Transfer to the airport in time to catch your flight - Vietnam AirlineVN868 departing at 12:40 & arriving at 15:35 .
Arrive at Noibai airport Hanoi, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Take a one-hour cyclo tour of this charming capital city through the scenic Colonial Quarter, the Old Quarter of “36 streets of 36 wares” and around Restored Sword Lake.
Attend a water puppet show to experience a truly traditional Vietnamese evening.
Enjoy a relaxing meal sampling the delicious cuisine of Vietnam. Your guide will be on hand to transfer you to and from the restaurant, and to help you select your meal.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Hanova Hotel - 1Double Classic Room
29 Dec 10 Hanoi - City Tour
This morning start by discussing with your guide what you would like to do and see today. There are so many options that we like to leave it up to you and your guide to decide what suits you best. Some interesting highlights that you may want to consider are the Hanoi Hilton, where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war, it now houses a museum; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you can see Uncle Ho laid out to rest; or if you like art you can visit the Fine Art Museum or see which local galleries are offering shows. The Temple of Literature is always a relaxing area to stroll through and is a great stop before or after lunch which you will have at KOTO, a restaurant benefiting at risk youths. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hanova Hotel - 1Double Classic Room
30 Dec 10 Halong Bay - Day 1
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will take a private minivan with driver to Halong Bay (Approximately 31/2 hours). Arrive in Halong Bay and board a Vietnamese “junk” (boat) where you will have lunch. Then take a fantastic cruise in Halong Bay, where the cast limestone islands rise vertically out of the water and you will wonder if you are dreaming or sailing into a movie set.
Visit Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog, and Snail Islands before continuing to Sung Sot cave. Jump in for a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on the boat followed by optional fishing and drinking of Vietnamese wine before heading to your air-conditioned cabin.
Overnight on Huong Hai Junk Board - 1Double Deluxe Room
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
31 Dec 10 Halong Bay - Day 2
After breakfast on the boat continue cruising this area known as one of the 'Wonders of the World' to Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands. A small bamboo boat will take you to Luon Cave, then off to Bai Tu Long Bay, Toal Island, Bai Tho Mountain. Once you are back on board the boat will make its way to Halong City as you enjoy your lunch. Return to Hanoi in a private car, stopping en-route at Dong Trieu Pottery.
Compulsory Gala Dinner at your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Hanova Hotel - 1Double Classic Room
01 Jan 11 Hanoi - Day at Leisure
Today you are free to explore Hanoi on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hanova Hotel - 1Double Classic Room
02 Jan 11 Hanoi - Cooking Class Outside Hanoi
Your guide will meet you at 6.30am at your hotel and you will be driven to Van Giang Village, about 20 km from Hanoi. Here you will meet your host and be taken to the local morning market to buy ingredients for the days cooking. Enjoy the bustling atmosphere of villager’s daily life at village market where you will have an opportunity to learn how to choose the freshest ingredients in the village.
After buying the goods, you will be taken to an Ancient House in the village, with a 200 year history. Here you will have a private cooking demonstration and you will be assisted in cooking your lunch. After enjoying what you have prepared you will take a bike tour around the village and into the surrounding countryside, returning to Hanoi by van in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hanova Hotel - 1Double Classic Room
03 Jan 11 Hanoi - Departure
You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Noi Bai airport for your flight - .
Meals included: Breakfast