Penguin Travel

Have you ever thought about which is the most uncommon and therefore the most interesting place on Earth for us Europeans? America was converted to Christianity a long time ago, the native cultures were assimilated, and the mayan and the inca buildings – just a distant memory from their disappeared civilizations, which were left without a successor. The Orient has also become near and known – the destinies of the Islamic peoples and Europe are too strongly intertwined. Even India, this infinite and unique universe, has something that connects it to us – the Indo-European language and race. It is true that Black Africa and the Eskimos, the Papuan and the Maori people are something different and exotic, but they haven’t created a material culture as an expression of intellectual achievements, there’s no civilization.
The only part of the planet, which has developed independently from European culture, and at that – a development which is adequate and equal to ours, is The Far East and especially Southeast Asia. A thousand year old civilization with incredibly deep foundations, with its own philosophical idea of the world, with striking with respect history and an impressive material expression of its spiritual power and religious creativity – temples and palaces, which Medieval Europe at this time could not even dream about. Everything is different there – so are the nature and the race and the religion. Tropical humidity, yellow faces, melodious language, Buddhism, humble thoughts and immodestly magnificent temples – an obligatory exponent in every true traveller’s collection.
With this trip we offer you the opportunity to get to know three symbolic counties from the legendary peninsular of Indochina- Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. From the monstrously big megalopolis Bangkok with its tiny streets filled with the sweet fragrance of exotic spices, with the golden Buddha statues hidden in colorful temples, with its ultramodern shopping centers; through Siam’s ancient capital – Ayutthaya, surrounded by tropical Thailand’s rainforests; past the most impressive example of human construction genius – the series of temples called Angkor in Cambodia: with the titanic battle between human creation and the all-absorbing nature in Ta Prohm, with the mysterious and impenetrable faces of the Bayon Temple, with the raised eerie towers of the unforgettable Angkor Wat, through the capital city of Phnom Penh, down the mystique Mekong to the colonial architecture of Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) in Vietnam. This is a wonderful cocktail, mixed by Penguin Travel with the basic ingredients for the perfect journey – history, culture, nature. But in order to become really tasty, this cocktail needs you to add the spices – curiosity and enthusiasm.
 

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Departure dates:
05 April 2010
30 November 2010

Price without flight ticket:    1220 EUR

Trip plan:   

Day 1: Arrival - Bangkok
On arrival at the Airport, we will be met and transferred to hotel (the start of your trip will be probably on the day before). Free time. We sleep in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok – Ayutthaya
Today we have sightseeing program in Bangkok with the Royal Grand Palace, the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, the Vimarnmek Museum etc. Upon leaving Bangkok we make our way to Ayutthaya, where we will spend the night.

Day 3: Ayutthaya – Khao Yai National park
City tour in Ayutthaya that includes the temples Wat Phra Sisanphet and Wat Chai. We make our way to Khao Yai National Park, one of the best places to explore the tropical forest and wildlife in the world. Overnight in Khao Yai.

Day 4: Khao Yai National park
We will have a whole day for exploration the beautiful nature of the park, including Heaw Suwat Waterfall or “Leonardo de Caprio Waterfall” where we have a chance to enjoy a leisurely swim. Lunch. Night safari in the park.

Day 5: Khao Yai National Park - Aranyaprathet
We depart Khao Yai National Park and drive for 6 hours to Aranyaprathet, the border town between Thailand and Cambodia. O/N in Aranyaprathet.

Day 6: Aranyaprathet – Poipet - Siem Reap – Angkor Temples
We complete the border formality to enter Cambodia. The local guide will meet up with our group at Poipet gate for a rough journey to Siem Reap - our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor. O/N in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
We explore the well known Ta Prohm and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. O/N in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Banteay Srey
Heading out of town we drive beyond the Angkor Complex through the Preah Dark village to the Banteay Srei Temple. The next stop is Banteay Samre and we return to Siem Reap, where the rest of the day is free. We spend the night in Siem Reap.

Day 9: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
The following destination of our journey is Phnom Penh via a half day drive by tourist bus from Siem Siem Reap. On arrival at Phnom Penh bus terminal, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. Afternoon city tour will follow. We sleep in Phnom Penh.

Day 10: Phnom Penh – Chau Doc
Today we will visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek. We board an express boat by late morning, and sail along the Mekong River to Vietnam. The local guide will meet us at Chau Doc Pier, transfer to the hotel. We spend the night in Chau Doc.

Day 11: Chau Doc – Can Tho
The fascinating boat trip on the Hau River is a perfect way to start our exploration of Chau Doc Town. In today's program it is included a visit to Ba Chua Temple and the nearby Tay An Sanctuary. Our next stop is Can Tho, where we will spend the night.

Day 12: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh
We start the day with a boat trip along Mekong before we head off to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival we will check in at a central located hotel and have free time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh
Today we have an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their war for independence. Then we will return to Ho Chi Minh Center and see some of its major sites. We spend another night in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
The departure time for airport is depending on your flight arrangement. You may have free time for some last minute shopping in the downtown or further exploration on your own. The tour ends after your transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for onward flight.

Good to know: 
- Guide from Penguin Travel 
- Visit to the worlds most famous jungle temples in Cambodia 
- Cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam

Accomodation and food: 13 nights on bed and breakfast; lunch on day 4

Price of extra services: Single supplement is 285 Euro

Included in the price: Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with a driver; meals as mentioned above; local english speaking guides; entrance fees to indicated sights; express boat Phnom Penh - Chau Doc; tourist bus ticket Siem Reap - Phnom Penh; boat trip in Chau Doc and Can Tho

Excluded from the price: flight tickets to Bangkok / from Ho Chi Minh; other meals; tips; drinks; personal expenses; travel insurance; visa; any optional tours or activities;

Nessesary equipment:  light clothes; decent clothes when visiting temples and royal palaces; sun protection products, lip balm, repellent, First Aid kit, closed shoes and long trousers for the walk in the jungle in Khao Yai

Tour difficulty:   A  - B 

No special experience is needed; everyone who is in condition to cope with long Saturday walks in the forest can also cope with these tours. As a rule, the trips are short and at a low altitude. Often, it is your choice to join or skip a day-tour. The routes follow a hilly terrain without steep ascents and descents. Normally we walk 3/5h a day.

Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.

Group Size:   min 8 people

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