Starting PointNew World Lodge Hotel
Soi 2 Samsen Road
Banglumphu
Bangkok
Thailand
Phone: +66 (0) 2 281 5596
Fax: +66 (0) 2 282 5614
Joining Point Instructions
Metered taxi ranks are located outside the airport entrance on the ground floor. Go out of the customs hall and walk outside the airport where there is a table with a sign saying "metered taxis". The cost is the metered fare plus a THB50 surcharge. If the taxi uses the toll way it is up to an extra THB70. The total fare should be about THB400 Baht (US$11). Non-metered taxis are also available, where you will be given a docket to pay the driver a set price of THB700 (US$20).
Our Joining Point Hotel
The New World Lodge is in a great location in the old part of Bangkok. Although not new, the rooms are clean and comfortable, with all amenities such as air-conditioning, tv, telephone, fridge and bathroom. The hotel has a lobby and reception area which is attended 24 hours a day so you can come and go at any time. On the ground floor is a restaurant or you can head to the nearby streets to sample the gastronomic delights of the local food hawkers. There is also an abundance of restaurants and moneychangers in nearby Khao San Road, Bangkok's backpacker area. Within walking distance of the New World Lodge are many of the main tourist attractions in Bangkok - the Grand Palace, the National Museum, the National Library and Wat Po to name a few.
Normal check in time is after 12 noon.
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Finishing PointGold Hotel
146 Nguyen Trai St
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Phone: +84 (0) 8 3839 9523
Fax: +84 (0) 8 3832 3590
Finishing Point Instructions
From May 2009 all departures will finish at the Gold Hotel. A metered taxi from the hotel to the airport should cost about US$7 (VND 120,000) and should take around 30 minutes (depending on traffic). Check-out time from the hotel is 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Physical Rating - EasyYou are required to carry your pack on and off trains and buses, up hotel steps, etc. Your itinerary may include easy paced walks or bike rides, but these are on mainly flat ground.
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AccommodationHotels (11 nts), homestay (1 nt)
Some of the accommodation along the way is very basic, staying in local guesthouses and homestays with limited facilities. Some facilities are shared and some accommodation has cold water only.
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi share basis. Please note there may be times when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
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MealsWhile 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. Please check the 'meal inclusions' section below for details of meals included.
Allow USD $250 for meals not included.
Meal Inclusions
1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
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Single Supplement
A single supplement fee is not available on this trip.
Single travellers will be paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
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IncludedOrientation walk - Siem Reap
Rural homestay, including dinner and breakfast - Chambok or Takeo
Orientation walk - Phnom Penh
This is a list of included activities on this trip. All other activities are optional and at your own expense. For a list of optional activities and sightseeing available on this trip, see the optional activities section below. If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary, the cost will not be refunded.
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Not IncludedInternational Flights
Optional Activities
The Grand Palace, Bangkok - US$8
Wat Po, Bangkok – US$2
1 Day Angkor Temples Pass, Siem Reap- US$20 (transport additional)
Tuk-tuk to Ankor complex, Siem Reap - US$15
Boat trip on Tonle Sap lake, Siem Reap - US$3 (transport additional)
Tuk tuk to Tonle Sap lake, Siem Reap - US$10
Khmer cultural performance and dinner, Siem Reap - US$12
Landmine Museum, Siem Reap - US$1
Half day village visit, Siem Reap – US$10
Island bicycle ride, Kompong Cham - US$2
Wat Nokor, Kompong Cham - US$1
Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, Kompong Cham - US$10
Island boat trip, Sihanoukville - US$15
Ream National Park, Sihanoukville - US$10-15
National Museum, Phnom Penh - US$3
The Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh - US$7
Cyclo tour, Phnom Penh - US$3
Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh - US$1
Tuol Sleng Museum, Phnom Penh - US$2
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, Phnom Penh - US$2
Transport to Killing Fields of of Choeung Ek, Phnom Penh - US$10
The Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City - US$2
Saigon Water Park, Ho Chi Minh City - US$4
We list the following optional activities for your information. This is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
They are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by the tour operator/agent nor included in price of this trip. If you do any of them, you do so at your own risk and it must be clearly understood that your participation is your own decision and does not form part of your contract with tour operator/agent.
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TransportBus, walking
There are some long travel days and some of the transport can be quite cramped.
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What to TakeWe recommend the use of a duffel bag or backpack (whichever you find easiest to carry). A good size daypack is also essential.
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Health & SafetyFor vaccinations please visit the
MDtravelhealth website.
Sun:
It is very important that you wear sun block, even on a cloudy day when it feels cool as we are near the equator and the sun is very strong. A sunburn can turn a pleasant trip into a painful trip.
Hydration
Even when days are cool please be sure to drink a minimum of two litres of water and refrain from drinking to many diuretics, as while when travelling outdoors the breeze can dehydrate you quickly as well as the heat.
Diarrhoea:
It is normal for people travelling overseas to get an upset stomach due to a change of climate and food. Please make sure that you wash your hands and stay away from street food.You will be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip.
Participation Form
You will be required to complete a participation form on day 1 of the trip.
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Important InfoPlease Note | While we operate successful trips in Vietnam throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables. During the rainy months (approximately October to January), transportation mode can be changed at short notice due to weather conditions.
TET is Vietnam's New Year festival, held annually generally in late January or early February; please see Country Information - Vietnam for the exact dates. You should expect shop closures and extremely busy transport. Some tourist sites are also closed. Although we make bookings far in advance, transport and accommodation providers tend to overbook their services at this time so a flexible approach from travellers is needed. Our itinerary, transport and visited sites may change in response to TET festivities.
The land border between Cambodia and Thailand is sometimes closed by flooding at short notice and an additional flight for this sector may be necessary.
The homestay on day 6 could be at Takeo or Chambok depending on departure date.
Disclaimer | The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and tour operator/agent. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. This tour is run by Intrepid Travel.
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader.
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