Inside Indochina - 22 days go guide...temples of Angkor incl. Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan,...

Inside Indochina - 22 daysgo guidedon't leave home without it

A World Of Discovery

Inside Indochina - 22 days updated on 28-11-2014

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This Go Guide has been compiled with care and good faith. It gives an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or otherreasons could force us to make changes to this itinerary. This document does not form part of a contract between the traveller and on the go and their affiliates. Any costs shown are subject to change though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go

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Take an exciting journey through Indochina.Discover Laos with its grand royal palace,golden Buddhist monastery temples andfriendly ethnic minority people, beforecontinuing to Vietnam to uncover thehighlights of north and south includingHalong Bay, Saigon and the Mekong.The finale is the captivating kingdom ofCambodia, where we explore the jungleclad Ta Phrom and the majestic Angkor Watemerging from the early morning mist.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Vientiane - capital of Laos,

Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, the COPECentre, That Luang Stupa, PatuxayMonument and the 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 Ngaivillage

• Luang Prabang - the UNESCO Listedformer royal capital, Temples of Visoun,

Ahan and Sene, a weaving centre, theformer Royal Palace, superb views fromMount 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 peaksand islets

• 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 theMekong Delta and nearby Cai Rangfloating market

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

Pagoda, Toul Sleng Genocide Museumand the Killing Fields

• Siem Reap - base for exploring thetemples of Angkor incl. Ta Prohm, AngkorThom, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei andAngkor 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 overnightsleeper train (Junk boat: private cabin,Sleeper train: basic, 4 berth cabin.)

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

• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and

cooking demonstration• Sampan and row boat journeys in the

Mekong Delta

• Airport arrival transfer day 1 anddeparture transfer day 22

• Guided sightseeing - Vientaine, VangVieng, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, HalongBay, Hue, Ho Ain, Mekong Delta, Saigon,Cu Chi, Phnom Penh and the temples ofAngkor

• 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: $45 - $50 USD• Entrance Fees: $110 - $115 USD• International flights and visas. Vietnam

visa letter included - stamping feerequired upon arrival

• Tip for your tour guides. We recommendyou allow USD$3 - 6 per day, pertraveller. Tipping your guides is an entirelypersonal gesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : VientianeSaturday. Welcome to Laos! Airport arrival transferand hotel check in. Spend the afternoon andevening at leisure. Overnight - Vientiane

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Day 2 : Vientiane city tour

After breakfast we explore the charming and laid-back capital of Laos with a city tour. We visit theoldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country- Wat Si Saket – and the former royal temple ofHaw Pha Kaeo, built to house the famed EmeraldBuddha. Today it serves as the national museumof religious art. Learn about Laos’ tragic pastand present suffering at the COPE Centre, anorganization that works with victims of unexplodedbombs and mines. Next visit Pha That Luang, themost important monument in Laos and a symbol ofboth Buddhist 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 the capital earlyand journey north through lush countryside to VangVieng. Along the way we visit Ban Keun, famousfor its salt extraction plant and a village of localLao rice wine whiskey distillation. A next stop isthe busy and colourful market of Thalat, wherelocal hill tribes come to trade and shop and alsovisit the archaeological site of Vang Xang thatdates back to the 11th century. Arriving at VangVieng, nestled on the banks of the Nam SongRiver is our delightful hotel. What this hotel maylack in comfort it certainly makes up for in rusticappeal and, breathtaking views and scenery. Theremainder of the day offers free time, perhaps opt toexplore the local caves, take a bicycle ride throughthe surrounding countryside or go tubing along theriver. 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 once usedby the local people as a hideout during Chineseinvasions. We observe the lifestyles of the localpeople at Ban Huai Ngai village before making ourway further north to the UNESCO World Heritagelisted city of Luang Prabang. Overnight - LuangPrabang (B)

Day 5 : Temples of LuangPrabangConsider rising early this morning to view the dailyritual of saffron-clad monks and their processiondown the streets of Luang Prabang collectingalms from the residents. After we commence oursightseeing tour of this enchanting city, starting witha visit to the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, WatVisoun, and the banyan tree graced grounds of WatAham, we stop at the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre.Later we marvel at the former Royal Palace, nowa national museum and home to gilded rooms andBuddha artifacts.

In the afternoon we stop at ethnic minority villagesbefore arriving at the beautiful Khouangsi waterfall.Dip in the turquoise pools or take a walk alongthe forest trails. Tonight there is the option to learnto cook tasty local cuisine at a local restaurant.Overnight - Luang Prabang (B)

Day 6 : Wat Sene & Wat XiengThong

Discover more of Luang Prabang’s holy sites witha morning visit to Wat Sene and the magnificentWat Xieng Thong. Then we set sail on a sceniccruise up the Mekong River to visit the incrediblePak Ou caves, which are crammed with Buddhaimages of all shapes and sizes, stopping at villagesen route to sample local rice wine and shop for localhandicrafts. Overnight - Luang Prabang (B, L)

Days 7-8 : Fly Luang Prabang -HanoiFriday. Luang Prabang - Hanoi. Today offers freetime for you to relax by the swimming pool or furtherexplore Luang Prabang. Elephant rides, cyclingand kayaking can be arranged locally. Late thisafternoon we fly from Luang Prabang to Hanoi inVietnam. Our flight arrives at approximately 19:20and hotel check in is likely to be around 9pm. It's a

good idea to have a late lunch before leaving LuangPrabang and to pack some snacks as arriving to thehotel will be 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 the thriving,historic old city, are all easily navigated on foot.Early this evening our welcome meeting takesplace. Please check the our welcome letter givento 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 boat we cruisethe emerald waters soaking up the panoramic vistaof the thousand or so karst limestone islands thatstud the bay.

Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of themany sheltered coves before taking row boats tothe floating fishing village of Vong Vieng. Tonight,there's a Vientnamese cooking demonstration heldon the sundeck before an impressive seafooddinner is served. Overnight - Halong Bay, DeluxeJunk 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’ bycyclo (rickshaw). The motorbike swarming narrowlanes are each named after various guilds of the






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city’s artisan who established themselves herecenturies ago. There is Silver Street, Silk Street,Comb Street, Paper Street and more. We explorethe maze of rambling streets framed by narrowfront tube houses and may have a chance tosample the exotic fruits, sizzling noodle dishesand delightfully sticky snacks being offers by thepavement 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. Arrivingto Hue we embark on a sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. We visit the ThienMu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in thecity, whose 21m high tower has become somethingof a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within thecitadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copyof the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressiveramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, someof 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, aminute's walk from our hotel. Overnight - Hue (B,L)

Day 12 : Road of the OceanClouds

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Todaywe take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of theOcean Clouds), which offers magnificent views ofbeaches to one side and lush hills to the other. Enroute we stop for a walk along China beach before

arriving to the charming, old-world trading port ofHoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homesand tiny shop houses is a perfect place to loseyourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hipcafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shopsand artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoketailors (whose services come at a nominal price),all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchanting historicaltown, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, ChineseAssembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, formermerchants’ homes and the 400 year-old JapaneseCovered Bridge. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 13 : Tra Que village

A bicycle ride into the countryside, leads us to TraQue village. Here, we discover age old farmingpractices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s ahands on experience today where we’ll assist withtending the fields and gardens and cooking lunch.Overnight - Hoi An (B, L)

Day 14 : Hoi An - your way

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. You maywish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along theriver or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotelpool. It’s also possible to take an optional excursionto the most holiest and evocative of Vietnam’sCham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai, the site ofthe My Lai massacre memorial. The massacre wasa significant turning point in the Vietnam War andthe story is told through photo presentation on awalk 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 as the‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta isfamous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits,flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views whileboating along the canals. Taking our sampan from

Vinh Long we’ll cruise downstream through themaze of waterways of Cai Be visiting local cottageindustries that produce popcorn, coco candies andpaper along the way. Lunch is served today in atraditional wooden 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. Watch asmelons, pineapples, fresh greens, sacks of riceand children's toys get tossed from one sampan toanother at great heights and speed before drivingback to Saigon. Once called the Pearl of the Orient,modern Saigon is a thriving metropolis on themove. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants,designer malls and swanky bars and spas arescattered between ancient pagodas, colonial eralandmarks and lively street markets. Our walkingtour of Saigon includes visits to the Notre DameCathedral, Old Post office and the sombering WarRemnants Museum. Evening at leisure. Overnight- Saigon (B)

Day 17 : Cu Chi Tunnels &Phnom Penh

This morning we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels,a sprawling underground network of tunnels andliving quarters used by the Viet Cong during thewar. Then we drive to the Cambodian border(crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet) and continue on to thecapital of Phnom Penh. Today the nation’s capitaloffers a bustling mix of Asia’s past and present,a city quickly taking its place amongst the trendycapitals of the region with superb restaurants anda number of attractions. Overnight - Phnom Penh(B, D)






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Day 18 : Royal Palace, ToulSlengToday we’ll enjoy a full day sightseeing tour ofPhnom Penh. The National Museum of Fine Arts,a graceful terracotta building of traditional design,houses the world’s finest collection of Khmersculpture. We continue with the Royal Palace andSilver Pagoda, famed for its lavish decorations –the floors are paved with silver tiles and statues ofBuddha are encrusted with thousands of diamonds.

We later come face to face with the horrors of thePol Pot regime as we visit Toul Sleng (SecurityPrison - S21), a school that was gruesomelytransformed into a torture chamber under theKhmer Rouge, and visit the Killing Fields whereover 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 to SiemReap.

After time to freshen up we visit the last capitalof the Angkorian Empire – Angkor Thom. Thismonumental fortified city is encircled by a 100mwide moat and is famed for the huge statue headsthat glare down from every angle. We continueto the monastic complex of Preah Khan beforeheading to the mother of all temples – Angkor Wat.This breathtaking monument of man’s devotion tohis gods is believed to be the largest religiousbuilding in the world and contains thousands ofwall carvings and extensive bas-reliefs. In theevening we enjoy a walking tour of the old market.Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 20 : Ta Phrom - swallowedby the jungle

Early this morning opt to see Angkor Wat bathedin the spectacular golden light of sunrise. Later, wehead out to Banteay Srei temple, considered bymany to be the art gallery of Angkor with some ofthe best stone carvings in the world. Cut from stoneof a pinkish hue, the Hindu temple is dedicated toShiva and contains highly decorated libraries andintricate reliefs of divinities.

The temple expedition continues with visits toBanteay Samre, East Mebon, Preah Khan, BanteayKdei, Pre Rup and the atmospheric Ta Prohm.Swallowed by the jungle, vast muscular rootsenvelop the crumbling towers and walls whilstthe trees’ foliage dapples the temple in shadow.There are plenty of great bars and restaurants inthe compact city centre, easily navigated on foot.Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 21 : Roluos Temples &Lake Tonle Sap

This morning we visit the Roluos group of temples(Bakong, Lolei and Preak Ko), the earliest largeand permanent temples built by the Khmers. Themonuments mark the dawn of Khmer classical art,dating from the late 9th century, with elaborateinscriptions in the ancient Hindu language ofSanskrit. Later visit the floating village of KompongPluk. Houses built on soaring stilts hover overthe Tonle Sap Lake whilst nearby, the petrifiedtrees of a flooded forest are revealed whenever thewater level drops. 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 before hotelcheck out and included departure transfer to theairport.(B)

Full Moon Festival Hoi An tour- 26 Aug 2014If travelling on our tour departing 26 Aug 2014,your tour includes arrangements and activitiesassociated with the Full Moon Festival taking placein Vietnam at this time of year. Arrangements areas follows:Days 1 - 7: Arrangements as per normalDay 8: This morning offers free time for you toexplore the wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakesand ancient pagoda’s and thriving old city. Meetingwith our guide at 2pm we set of on foot to exploreHanoi’s charming Old Quarter known as the ‘36streets of the old Hanoi’. There is Silver Street, Silk

Street, Comb Street, Paper Street and importantlyHang Ma street where we’ll browse and learnabout the history and traditions of Vietnam’s FullMoon Festival. there may even be deliciously sweettraditional Mooncakes to be shared. Overnight -Hanoi

Days 9 - 12: Arrangements as per normal

Day 13: Today marks the height of the Full MoonFestival and we will be celebrating with the locals.This morning we ride by rickshaw to a local homeon the outskirts of Hoi An where we will learn aboutthe family’s long tradition of lantern-making andhandcraft our own lanterns for tonight’s festivities.Heading into town we explore the local market stallsand authentic lantern shops before free time to visitone of the many great tailor shops, take a row boatdown the river or spend the afternoon relaxing bythe hotel swimming pool.

Tonight we make our way to the waters edge withhundreds of locals to release our lanterns and enjoythe spellbinding spectacle of hundreds of sparklinglights sailing down river and lighting up the nightsky. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 14: A bicycle ride into the countryside, leadsus to Tra Que village. Here,we discover ageold farming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience today wherewe’ll assist with tending the fields and gardens andcooking lunch. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 15 onward: Arrangements as per normal.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Cambodia Country Guide

Health RequirementsIt is recommended that you be vaccinated forTetanus and Polio, if you haven't had a booster inthe last ten years. Food and waterborne diseasesare more common, so we recommend vaccinationsfor typhoid (valid 3 years), Hepatitis A (validityvaries) and Diphtheria.

Malaria in CambodiaAreas with malaria: Present throughout the country,except none at the temple complex at Angkor Wat,Phnom Penh, and around Lake Tonle Sap.Estimated relative risk of malaria for travellers:Moderate

Information provided by the Centre for DiseaseControl & Prevention, USA and is offered asguidance only.

Yellow fever is not present in Cambodia buta yellow fever vaccination certificate is requiredfrom those travelling from an infected region.Vaccination and health information can change soplease contact your local health care provider forthe most up to date information prior to travelling.






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ClimateCambodia has a tropical monsoon climate with twoseasons; Rainy season from May to November,when the countryside is lush and green, and dryseason from late November to April, when thereare long days of glorious sunshine and clear skies.Temperatures in Cambodia remain fairly constantand warm throughout 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 this largertour. As such on your holiday you may havetravellers join you part way through your tour (inLuang Prabang, Hanoi or Saigon) or end their tourwhen you continue on.

Guiding: In Cambodia, a Cambodian nationalguide is offered for arrangements through to PhnomPenh, then a specialist local guide, will take over foryour sightseeing of the Temples of Angkor.

If travelling on our Thailand & Angkor Templestour, your Cambodian tour guide will meet youupon arrival to Siem Reap Airport and conduct allarrangements from there forward till your return toThailand.

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

The voltage in Cambodia is 230v. In Cambodia 3types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flat prongplugs (type A), the 2 round pin european 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!

CurrencyUSD is also widely accepted in Cambodia andeven preferred in larger stores and supermarkets.However, the Riel is more practical and economicalfor purchasing incidentals and paying taxi drivers.Banks will exchange all major currencies withrelative ease. There are now ATMs withinternational access in major cities which dispenseUS dollars. US Dollars, Euro, Pound Sterlingand other major currencies can be convertedto Cambodian Riel locally in most banks andinternational airports, money exchangers are alsoplentiful and often offer a slightly better rate thanbanks. However foreign currency is also widelyaccepted and often desired more so can give theshopper more buying power. ATMs can be foundin all larger towns and cities and some five starhotels. We recommend you take a mixture of cash(preferably USD) and credit/ debit cards for ATM's.

• USD 1 = KHR4,000• GBP 1 = KHR6,670• EURO 1 = KHR5,500• AUD 1 = KHR3,600

KHR = Cambodian Riel. (subject to fluctuation).

Holiday MoneyFunds collected in Cambodia for entrance fees andtip kitty (if applicable to your holiday) is payable inUSD.

Essential Packing• Lightweight cotton garments. Ladies will

need to have their shoulders and legs (tillbelow the knee) covered when visiting theRoyal Palace in Phnom Penh. Please packaccordingly.

• Comfortable walking shoes in addition toflip flogs/ 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 photocopyof your passport

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

and torch

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, SouthAfrican and USA passport holders are able to obtaina 30 day tourist visa upon arrival to Cambodiawhen entering 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. Weuse the Moc Bai/Bavet land border crossing forall our group tours that travelling from Vietnam toCambodia.

At each of these entry points you must submit aphotocopy of your passport (identification page)and one passport size photograph. The cost of thevisa is currently USD30. Note: at the land bordersometimes immigration will ask for more. In thissituation point to the sign above the ticket windowindicating that the cost is actually USD30 (subjectto change). Further, you are best to give the exactamount i.e. USD30 as often if you give more youwill not receive change.

It is also possible to obtain a 30 day tourist visa priorto arrival via the Cambodian Embassy in your homeport, though please note tourist visas arranged withthe embassy are valid for one month from date ofissue, not date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid forat least 6 months after your departure date, if itis not you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change and visaprocurement is solely the responsibility of thetraveller and not of On The Go Tours.

Laos Country Guide

Health RequirementsIt is recommended that you be vaccinated forTetanus and Polio, if you haven't had a booster in

the last ten years. Food and waterborne diseasesare more common, so we recommend vaccinationsfor typhoid (valid 3 years), Hepatitis A (validityvaries) and Diphtheria.

Malaria in LaosAreas with malaria: All, except none in the cityof Vientiane. Estimated relative risk of malaria fortravellers: Very low.


Yellow fever is not present in Laos but a yellowfever vaccination certificate is required from thosetravelling from an infected region. Vaccination andhealth information can change so please contactyour local health care provider for the most up todate information prior to travelling.

ClimateNovember through to April are the best monthsto travel to Laos, when the weather is warmand dry and the nights are comfortable and cool.Temperatures typically begin to rise around Marchand the rain arrives in May or June. From Junethrough to August the humidity can rise and shorttropical downpours are common. September andOctober can still bring the occasional 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 this largertour. As such on your holiday you may havetravellers join you part way through your tour (inLuang Prabang, Hanoi or Saigon) or end their tourwhen you continue on.

Guiding: A local national guide will escort the groupfor all arrangements in Laos.

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

The voltage in Laos is 220AC, 50HZ. Plugs are notstandard as many electical products are importedfrom China and Thailand. As such all sort of socketvariations exist. The most common 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 internationaltravel adaptor!

CurrencyThree currencies are used interchangeably foreveryday transactions. These are Kip (LAK), Thaibaht (THB) and USD. All major currencies areexchangeable in the main towns but USD is themost useful currency (cash) to hold as it canbe exchanged and used in most places. Dollarbills must be in good condition and not torn orripped. In smaller towns and villages, LAK isusually preferred. The rule of thumb is that foreveryday small purchases, prices are quoted inLAK. ATMs are only available in Vientiane andLuang Prabang and dispense a maximum of approx






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USD$70 (in LAK) at any one time. Licensed moneychangers exist in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.Their rates are similar to the banks and they stayopen longer. We recommend you take a mixture ofcash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cards forATM's.

• USD 1 = LAK 7,800• GBP 1 = LAK11,800• EURO 1 = LAK10,800• AUD 1 = LAK7,000

LAK = Lao Kip. (subject to fluctuation).

Holiday MoneyFunds collected in Laos for entrance fees and tipkitty (if applicable to your holiday) are payable inUSD.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchasedin Hanoi 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 airport arrivaltransfer (as indicated in the 'What you Get' sectionof this Go Guide) our arrival procedure is as follows:

Arrive in Laos at Wattay International Airport, attendto immigration by completing an immigration formand submitting your photograph and visa fee, thencollect your luggage and proceed to the arrivalshall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our on the gorepresentative. He/she will be holding a prominenton the go tours logo signboard. After meeting youwill be escorted to our awaiting transportation andtransfered to our 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 call theemergency contact number as stated on your tourvoucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includes anairport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) we will be at theairport, ready to transfer you to your hotel. Furtherif you are booking pre-tour accommodation with usan airport arrival transfer will also be provided. Ifarriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on aflight that arrives very, very early in the morning)you will need to purchase a night of pre-tour

accommodation to save you waiting until standardhotel check in time, which is generally 2pm.

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, SouthAfrican and USA passport holders are able toobtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrival to Laosat major airports and border crossings includingWattay International Airport in Vientiane (the entrypoint for all our tours in Laos), Luang PrabangInternational Airport and at the Friendship Bridge ifcoming from Thailand.

At each of these entry points you must submit a visaapplication form and two passport size photograph.The cost of the visa for the above nationalities iscurrently ranges between USD30 - USD35. It isimportant that you have an entirely empty(stampfree) page in your passport and that your passportis valid for at least 6 months from your date ofarrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid forat least 6 months after your departure date, if itis not you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change and visaprocurement is solely the responsibility of thetraveller and not of On The Go.

Vietnam Country Guide

Health RequirementsIt is recommended that you be vaccinated forTetanus and Polio, if you haven't had a booster inthe last ten years. Food and waterborne diseasesare more common, so we recommend vaccinationsfor typhoid (valid 3 years), Hepatitis A (validityvaries) and Diphtheria.

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


Yellow fever is not present in but a yellowfever vaccination certificate is required from thosetravelling from an infected region. Vaccination andhealth information can change so please contactyour local health care provider for the most up todate information prior to travelling.

VisasMost nationalities including British, Australian,Canadian, New Zealand, South African and USApassport holders require a tourist visa to visitVietnam. Travellers can choose to independentlyapply (or we can arrange this for you, see notesbelow) for a 30 day tourist visa (single or multipleentry) from the nearest Vietnamese Embassy orvia the more convenient method of applying online.The cost is approx USD$20. After submitting an

application you will receive a confirmation number,then upon arriving to Vietnam you would receive theactual visa and additionally pay a stamping fee ofUSD$45. The stamping fee for a multiple entry visa,for entries within one month is USD$65.

Applying in advance and then collecting yourtourist visa upon arrival is available to alltravellers entering the country via Hanoi - Noi BaiInternational Airport, Ho Chi Minh City - Tan SonNhat International Airport and Danang InternationalAirport.

ON THE GO ARRANGING YOUR VIETNAM VISAUpon confirming a holiday to Vietnam with us,please download a copy of our 'Vietnam Visa DataList' available on our website within the SE Asia,under the title of 'Visa Info'. Should you completethe form and return it as a Microsoft Word documentvia e-mail to us 6 weeks prior to your departure wewill arrange the visa for you (effectively saving youUSD$20).

Then approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior toyour departure we will forward to you a 'VisaConfirmation Letter' which carries a confirmationnumber'.

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$65for a multiple entry visa. A Visa will then be stuckinto your passport and you can enter Vietnam.

Please note: This service is not available for SouthAfrican passport holders who must obtain a touristvisa from the nearest Vietnamese Embassy inadvance and pay the stamping fee directly to theembassy prior to travel.

'The Visa Confirmation Letter' (irrespective ofwhether you apply for your visa independently orthrough On The Go Tours) will contain personalinformation such as your passport number,nationality and date of birth of yourself and othertravellers on one inclusive list.

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

ClimateVietnam has a varied climate due to its geography.The south is hot year round and has two seasons:The wet season lasts from May to October,with brief, daily showers. The dry season fromNovember to April is generally sunny and humid. Inthe north, the summer months (May to October) arehot and there is the occasional burst of heavy rain.In the winter (December to February) temperaturesdrop in the north and it can be damp. The coastalregion of central Vietnam is blessed with longmonths of sunshine, although there is rainfall inNovember and December. At this time there canalso be some typhoon activity in the central coastalregion.






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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 Vietnam tours)are sectors of this larger tour. As such on yourholiday you may have travellers join you part waythrough your tour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi orSaigon) 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 3 typesof plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flat prong plugs(type A), the 2 round pin plug (type C) and many ofthe new 4 and 5 star hotels use the British standard3-pin plug (type G). To cover all bases, it is best topack an international travel adaptor!

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

CurrencyUSD notes are widely accepted and shopkeepersuse both currencies interchangeably. You can oftenpay for items in USD and receive your change inUSD notes and coins in VND. VND is always goodfor small purchases but there is really no need toexchange hard currency into VND prior to arrival.Make sure that your USD bills are crisp and cleanand you will have no problem using or exchangingthese throughout your stay. GBP, Euro & AUDare also widely acceptable though you will needto exchange these into USD or VND at a Bureaude change or bank. ATM machines can be foundin all major cities though it is not common to paywith credit card in restaurants, cafes or shops forpurchases. We recommend you take a mixture ofcash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cards forATM's.

• USD 1 = VND21,080• GBP 1 = VND35,250• EURO 1 = VND29,200• AUD 1 = VND19,100

VND = Vietnamese Dong. (subject to fluctuation).

Holiday MoneyFunds collected in Vietnam for entrance fees andtip kitty (if applicable to your holiday) are payablein USD.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchasedin Hanoi at a cost of USD$5. Ask you guidefor info 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 roundpin (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 costumeand torch

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airport arrivaltransfer (as indicated in the 'What you Get' sectionof this Go Guide) our arrival procedure is as follows:

Arrive to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport,Saigon - Tan Son Nhat International Airport.Proceed to the immigration counter and presentyour invitation letter. Complete an immigration formand submit your photographs and stamping fee ofUSD$25 (this can take some time). After collectingyour luggage proceed to the arrival hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our On TheGo Tours representative. He/she will be holdinga prominent On The Go Tours logo signboard.After meeting you will be escorted to our awaitingtransportation and transferred to our 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 call theemergency contact number as stated on your tourvoucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includes anairport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) we will be at theairport, ready to transfer you to your hotel. Furtherif you are booking pre-tour accommodation with usan airport arrival transfer will also be provided. Ifarriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on aflight that arrives very, very early in the morning)you will need to purchase a night of pre-touraccommodation to save you waiting until standardhotel check in time, which is generally 2pm.

Airline Luggage AllowanceIf your tour includes international or domestic flightswithin the region please be mindful that the freebaggage allowance for Economy class travel isstrictly 20kg and 1 piece of hand luggage up to 6kg.Any additional weight is charged at a per kilo rate.You may wish to keep this 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 on theReunification Express Railway Line between Hanoiand Hue. The particular SE series train that weuse on this journey is the highest class of trainavailable in Vietnam. It's titled as being the nation'sfastest train; though by international standards it'squite the opposite. Never the less, our journeybetween Hanoi and Hue takes approximately 14

hours and travellers are accommodated in 4 berth'Soft Sleeper' cabins.

Aboard each wagon are 9 compartments thatcomprise of 4 bunks per compartment. 4 personsof mixed sex share one compartment. You maybe sharing with people from your tour group, othertourists or Vietnamese people. Who you will shareyour cabin with is ultimately dependent upon howthe Vietnamese Railways Corporation configuresthe bookings.

Cabins onboard are comfortable though notcomparable to European standards. A westernstyle toilet (with a varying degree of cleanliness) islocated at either end of the wagon. Air-conditioning(not always operational in the summer) and lightingare controlled from inside the cabin, which is alsolockable. Luggage can be stored in a compartmentunder the bottom bunk. Linen and a pillow areprovided though we strongly recommend that youbring your own sleep sheet (easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5). The cleanliness ofthe train varies according to wagons assigned tothe journey for that particular day. Some wagonsare spotlessly clean whilst others can be uncleanand should have been decommissioned long ago.Irrespective of the particular train you take, theyall have large clear glass windows that allow foruninterrupted views of stunning landscapes andnever ending rice paddy fields.

Inside Indochina - 22 days go guide...temples of Angkor incl. Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, Preah Khan,...

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