Accommodation
Hotels (8 nights).
Transport
Plane, bus, boat, on foot.
Meals
4 breakfasts, 1 lunch.
Staff
Group leader.
Age Restriction
Minimum of 18 years unless accommpanied by a legal guardian.
Optional Activities
All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
Optional Activities: USD30 for optional activities not included in the trip.
Approximate costs (per person) for popular optional activities taken in free time are -
The Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City - USD2
Saigon Water Park, Ho Chi Minh City - USD4
National Museum, Phnom Penh- USD3
The Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh - USD7
The Grand Palace, Bangkok - USD5
Landmine Museum, Siem Reap - USD1
What To Bring
Suitcases are not recommended. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible (try to stay under 10 kg /22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances are never great. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.
The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.
Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher,
Health requirements arranged,
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card,
Money pouch,
First aid kit,
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day,
Alarm clock,
Torch/flashlight,
Mosquito repellent,
Hat,
Sun cream and sun glasses,
Refillable water bottle and water purification method
Tampons can be difficult to buy in Cambodia,
Cambodian travel guide - great for history and general information,
Raincoat or umbrella for the afternoon showers during the wet season (May to October),
Comfortable walking shoes,
Swimming costume,
Vacination certificate (if you have one).
When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Shorts should be knee-length. Singlets and tank tops are not suitable. Topless sun bathing is unacceptable.
Group Size
Min 1, Max 12
Other Information
While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.
Allow USD $200 for meals not included.
With the exception of our Comfort trips, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip, in accommodation ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note some of our itineraries have accommodation booked on a mixed gender share basis - where applicable this will be specified in our Trip Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice of sharing or paying a single supplement. Please note that this only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation will be booked on a single room basis.
The itinerary of the trip may change at short notice to ensure the safety of our passengers, and the trip will be cancelled if we consider travel in Cambodia unsafe.
The land border from Cambodia to Thailand is sometimes closed due to flooding. If this is the case, we will need to alter the itinerary and fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok at our clients' expense. Please allow extra funds in case this occurs.
Trip accommodation is on a twin share basis. If you have booked additional accommodation on a single basis you may need to move to a twin room on the trip arrival day. Contact the hotel or your leader on arrival day for instructions.
Please note that most establishments in Asia will not accept foreign currency notes that are old, torn or faded and they can be very difficult to exchange or extra fees added when exchanging at banks. Please ensure that you have new, clean notes. This applies to your Local Payment as well as everyday spending money.
Please note that due to safety concerns, we can no longer offer, or recommend the bamboo train at Battambang as an optional activity.
Travelling in Vietnam during TET (held annually generally in late January or early February). A huge celebration throughout the country, the annual TET Festival celebrates the New Year and is the biggest event of the year. Traditionally a time for friends, families and loved ones to come together, it is also a time to pay respects to deceased ancestors. Most shops and businesses close for at least one day over the holiday period and transport throughout the country will be very busy. Whilst we do our upmost to ensure as little disruption as possible to our trips over this period, it is sometimes impossible to follow our planned itinerary, use our planned forms of transport or visit some sites due to the Tet festival.
Although we make bookings many months in advance, transport and accommodation providers tend to overbook their services at this time so we also ask for a flexible approach from our travellers who choose to visit Vietnam over this period.
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
