Indochina Unplugged - 27 days

Drifters Price: £437.00

RRP: £460.00

Trip Code: INTIU

Local Payment: USD$400.00

Day 1 Bangkok

You and your fellow travellers will be arriving at all times from around the world today, so there are no arranged activities.Your leader will organise a pre-trip meeting for the early evening followed by an optional group dinner. Look for a welcome note at reception in the joining point hotel explaining where to meet. For those who arrive early, there is sightseeing information on the noticeboard in reception. Hotel check-in time is 12 noon.

Note that your group leader will collect the first part of your local payment (USD200) cash at the group meeting on Day 1. Please bring new bills/notes in large denominations. The second part of your local payment will be collected in Ho Chi Minh City.

On the morning of Day 2, we depart early on the overland trip to Siem Reap. It is approximately 4 hours to the Thai-Cambodia border at Poipet. After customs we change buses and continue on our journey. The road between Poipet and Siem Reap varies in condition according to the season and travel time should be between 6 and 8 hours. We anticipate few problems during the dry season (approximately October to the end of April) but during the wet season this road may flood and become impassable. If this occurs (your leader will notify you in Bangkok) we will need to fly. This flight will be an extra trip cost.

Days 2-4 Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and we have 2 full days to enjoy the town and its surrounds.You may choose to spend the days out at the world-famous Angkor complex. Entry fees are USD20 for a 1-day pass. A tuk tuk for a day around the ruins should be around USD10 per vehicle (you can bargain the price with the driver). On the way out to the temples, include a visit to the Land Mine Museum (free admission but donations are appreciated) to see the wonderful work this organisation does towards the elimination of land mines in this area.

You may also wish to visit the floating village near Tonle Sap, including a visit to the Gecko Environment Centre which has been designed to help manage and sustain this fragile area. The local market in Siem Reap is a great place to shop or to try some delicious, cheap street food. In the evening, several restaurants offer traditional Khmer cultural performances. These shows usually include a buffet dinner and cost around USD12 per person.

Day 5 Kompong Cham

Four hours travelling takes us to Kompong Thom, a busy commercial centre on the banks of the Stung Sen river. Here we have the option to travel out to the impressive pre-Angkorian complex of Sambor Prei Kuk. There are more than 100 temples scattered through the forest and these are some of the oldest structures in the country.

A further 2 hours travel by public bus takes us to the riverside town of Kompong Cham. This peaceful town was once an important trading hub and is now a great place to experience life in small-town Cambodia. You can explore the 11th Century Wat Nokor, and why not hire a bike and explore the rural island of Koh Paen, where you can see many local cottage industries in action?

A little further afield (around 7kms) are the twin 'mountain temples' of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. It is also possible to hire a motor boat (around USD10 for a boat) to travel up the river and enjoy some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia from the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey.

Day 6 Kratie

This morning we take a fast boat to Kratie (around 3 hours). Please note this boat is seasonal - during those times when it doesn't run we take the public bus instead. Kratie is a charming river town with some lovely examples of French-Khmer architecture and some great riverside restaurants. A wonderful place to enjoy the Mekong views, and the best place in Cambodia to try to catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin. There are only 4 freshwater dolphin species in the world, in Brazil, India (though how they survive in the Ganges is a miracle!), here in Cambodia and in China.

Excursions can be arranged at a cost of around USD5 per person.

Day 7 Phnom Penh

We travel from Kratie to Phnom Penh a journey of around 5 hours.

For a graphic reminder of this country's tragic recent history, you may like to visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Tuol Sleng, or S-21, was a former school taken by the Khmer Rouge and transformed into a torture and detention centre. (Admission USD2, open 8am-11.30am and 2pm-5.30pm daily.) Between 1975 and 1978 Choeung Ek was the site where about 17,000 people who had been detained at Tuol Sleng were transported and killed. (Admission USD2, open 7am-5.30pm daily.)

Day 8 Takeo

After lunch, we drive to our family homestay near the rural town of Takeo. We have the chance to walk around the village and see the way this villages spends its evenings. Our guide will help us to get to know our hosts by translating for us. Facilities for the evening are very basic. This evening we will join the family for a local dinner.

Days 9-10 Sihanoukville

A 2-hour drive takes us to the beaches of Sihanoukville. Here we have a full day to unwind and enjoy the relaxed tropical environment. Boat trips are available - a day trip including a barbecue lunch is approximately USD12 per person. Nature lovers may wish to make the trip out to Ream National Park which is home to a variety of animal and bird species. You may like to venture out to the riverside French colonial town of Kampot (around 2 hours each way, USD2 per person in a share taxi). There are many restaurants and bars waiting to be explored for those wanting a bit of nightlife.

On Day 10 we travel by public bus from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh (around 4 hours).

Day 11 Phnom Penh

Today is a free day in Phnom Penh.

The beautiful Silver Pagoda was part of the Royal Palace complex. This stunning temple gains its name from the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor (admission USD3, open 8am-11am and 2pm-5pm daily). A visit to the National Museum is also worthwhile. Housed in a beautiful traditional building it contains many outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship (admission USD2. Open 8am-11.30am and 2pm-5.30pm daily).

Set on top of Phnom Penh, the mountain from which the city is named, is Wat Phnom. This peaceful temple is a good place to rest fropm the hustle and bustle of the city (admission USD1, open 7am-5.30pm daily). If you are in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art deco designed Psar Thmei (Central Market) which is a great place for browsing, or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.

Days 12-15 Ho Chi Minh City

A long driving day awaits on Day 12 as we travel between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The journey should take approximately 8 hours.

Day 13 is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening there is another group meeting where you meet your new tour leader and travelling companions for the Vietnam sector of the trip. At this meeting your leader will collect the final local payment (USD200) cash.

On Day 14 our morning walking tour takes us to some of the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City, including Reunificaton Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Museum of War Crimes (entrance fees not included). The rest of the day is free for further exploration - why not take a half-day excursion to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels?

Day 15 is free for further exploration of this dynamic city. Ho Chi Minh City is characterised by a vast variety of sights and sounds, from ancient pagodas to busy markets. The French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee. In the evening we head off to the station for the overnight train to Nha Trang. Though bedding is provided, you may like to bring your own sleeping sheet. The trains are not air-conditioned. Most people like to stock up on French rolls, cheese and bottled water for the journey which takes about 14 hours.

The composition of the group may change on Day 13, as some passengers may leave while others can arrive.

Days 16-17 Nha Trang

Arriving in Nha Trang in the morning, we make the short trip to our hotel. You can spend the days lazing on the beach soaking up the sun, exploring the local markets or the nearby historical Cham Towers. Make sure you try some of the excellent seafood restaurants. Optional activities include a massage on the beach (but check the vendor's comment book first!), a boat trip to the nearby islands or scuba diving (fee not included).

On the evening of Day 17 we take the overnight train to Danang.

Days 18-20 Hoi An

We arrive in Danang on the morning of Day 18 and travel on to Hoi An, about 30km by road. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was a major international port during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and many parts of the town still look as they did in centuries gone by. Hoi An is a charming small town easily explored by foot, or you can hire a bicycle if you want to explore further afield.

Make the effort to get up early and watch the action at the local fish market! You can have a whole new wardrobe tailored, take a trip to the My Son Cham Towers, hire a bike for a scenic ride to Cua Dai Beach or just sit in the local cafes and watch the world go by. You can even try your hand cooking at a Vietnamese cooking lesson - your leader will give you the details. There is an entrance fee to the old town of Hoi An of approximately USD5 (not included).

Days 21-23 Hue

On Day 21 we take a bus from Hoi An to Hue over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. The journey over the Hai Van Pass is considered one of the most scenic trips in the world. The journey takes about 5 hours with stops at Marble Mountain, China Beach and the Cham Museum en route (entrance fees not included). Hue is known for the magnificent architecture of its Royal Tombs, pagodas and temples built by the Nguyen Dynasty along the picturesque setting of the Perfume River.

The Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors on the outskirts of the city are easily reached by bicycle. Don't miss the Imperial Citadel - within the Imperial Enclosure is the Forbidden Purple City which was almost totally destroyed during the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, and the museum of royal relics. There is an entrance fee into each of the tombs and the Imperial Citadel of approximately USD5 each (bike hire and entrance fees not included).

The morning of Day 23 is free for more exploration - the Dong Ba market, which sells everything imaginable, is a great place to spend some time, or your leader can help you arrange a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River (fee not included). In the afternoon we board the Reunification Express bound for Hanoi. The journey takes about 13 hours, so make sure you stock up with snacks!

Day 24 Hanoi

We arrive in Hanoi in the morning and walk to our hotel. A walking tour of the old quarter is a wonderful way to spend some of the day. You can find an amazing selection of shops in Hang Gai selling everything from souvenirs to exquisite silk clothing, beautifully embroidered tablecloths and CDs. Today is the day to arrange any tailoring which you can pick up on your return from Halong Bay.

Day 25 Halong Bay

The drive to Halong Bay through the Red River Delta takes about 4 hours and we will stop en route for refreshments at a handicraft village run to raise money for disabled people. There is an entrance fee to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay of approximately USD3 (not included). We board our boat on arrival at Halong Bay and cruise the breathtaking area with its limestone karsts rising from the clear emerald waters. We enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch on board, explore some of the limestone caves in the area and go swimming during the warmer months.

We spend the night on Cat Ba Island where you have the option of visiting the National Park in the morning. Please note there is an entrance fee into the National Park of Cat Ba of approximately USD1 and transport will cost approximately USD4 (not included).

Days 26-27 Hanoi

On Day 26 we travel to Haiphong by ferry, where we transfer to our vehicle for the 2-hour drive back to Hanoi. Out afternoon is free for exploration before our last night's dinner together.

You may depart at any time on Day 27.

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