Full Brochure - STA Travel Hub

FR$4,44929 DAYSSOUTH EAST ASIAHalong Bay, VietnamChiang Mai, ThailandRoyal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia12-1314-151617-1920-212223-2425-272829HanoiA flight on Day 12 takes you away from quiet Laos and into the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital ofVietnam. A leisurely walk through the Old Quarter and a traditional Vietnamese meal are the perfectways to kick off your visit to this diverse country. On Day 13, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleumand Presidential Palace before setting off to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and theMuseum of Ethnology. Late afternoon or early evening attend a performance at the famous WaterPuppet Theatre, a timeless tradition representative of the culture of rural Vietnam. (2B)Halong BayThousands of islands rise dramatically from the crystal-clear waters of Halong Bay. From the comfortof your sailing junk you can stop off at some of these islands, explore the many caves and jump intothe enticing water. Have a splash about before dining on delicious fresh seafood and chatting withyour new friends beneath a clear star-speckled sky. On the evening of Day 15, take the overnighttrain to Hue. (2B, 2L, D)HueArrive early into Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Visit Tien Mu Pagoda and the tomb of oneof the Nguyen Emperors or get out into the gorgeous surrounding countryside.Hoi AnIn the morning of Day 17, you will have a guided tour of Hue’s old Citadel, containing the ForbiddenPurple City modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. Next you’ll cross over the scenic Hai Van Passon your way to Hoi An where you’ll stay for three nights. Stroll the historic streets, pause for lunchat riverside restaurants and hit the shops! Tailors here can produce virtually anything overnight, soit’s a great opportunity to refresh your wardrobe! For sun-worshippers, the sandy shores of Cui Daibeach are only 4km from town. (3B)Ho Chi Minh City / Cu Chi TunnelsFlight to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that was once the capital of South Vietnam. Onthe morning of Day 21, you have a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels; a complex network of tunnelswhere the locals lived during the Vietnam War to keep safe. You have free time in the afternoon toexplore the city’s many sights. A visit to the immense Ben Thanh Market is a great way to while awaya few hours. (2B)Mekong DeltaTravel out of town to the start of the Mekong Delta, where the mighty Mekong River approachesand empties into the sea through numerous waterways. Board a boat and navigate the small canals,observing riverside life in the villages. (B)Phnom PenhCross into Cambodia and continue to Phnom Penh, where your time in this fascinating country beginswith a cyclo ride around the riverside capital. Day 24 gives you the opportunity to learn about thedarker side of Cambodian history with visits to Choeng Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields andTuol Sleng Prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge jail where thousands of Cambodians perished underthe regime of Pol Pot. (2B)Siem Reap / Angkor WatAfter a bus trip through the Cambodian countryside you arrive in Siem Reap, the stop-off point toexplore the magnificent Angkor Wat. This is the world’s largest religious building, and so expansiveis it, it’s hard to believe that it lay undiscovered until relatively recent times. As the former capital ofthe Khmer Empire and one of the wonders of the archaeological world, Angkor Wat is sure to takeyour breath away. Watch the sun rise over this ancient capital and see the famous ‘Tomb Raider’temple. Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food either at the Planeterra-supported New Hope projector in a local home. (3B, D)BangkokSay your goodbyes to Cambodia and re-acquaint yourself with the Kingdom of Thailand. Stare agogat the skyscrapers of Bangkok, a world away from Cambodia’s ancient sights. Tonight is your lastevening together, so make the most of it! Bangkok certainly has all you need for a great last nightout with your travel buddies, including some stylish rooftop bars for a celebratory cocktail. (B)BangkokSadly your trip ends today. Depart at any time, taking your fantastic memories with you. (B)23