Asia eBrochure (Asia) 2010-11

asia Incl. Laos, Vietnam Cambodia & Thailand

2010-11

GO contiki.com

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SAPA HANOI HALONG BAY PAKBENG

This is your playground…

LUANG PRABANG CHIANG RAI VANG VIENG

LAOS

HUE DA NANG HOI AN

THAILAND

VIETNAM

BANGKOK

Vibrant Vietnam has it all. Beautiful beaches, delicious food, stunning scenery & a rich history. East really does meet West in a fuse of traditional culture & modern life.

SIEM REAP CAMBODIA NHA TRANG

PHNOM PENH

HO CHI MIN CITY

Relatively unexplored, Laos offers preserved culture, open people, archaeological treasures & a history of Communism that makes it a unique & intriguing place to visit.

From the French colonial boulevards of Phnom Penh & the spectacular jungle setting of ancient Angkor Wat to the tortuous past of the Khmer Rogue regime, Cambodia is now most definitely a country on the rise.

VIENTIANE

CHIANG MAI

There’s bustling Bangkok, where skyscrapers tower over temples & Mercedes compete with tuk-tuks, as well as off the beaten track experiences in the mountains & jungle of the North.

Find out why Thailand is a traveller’s favourite.

Gulf of Tonkin

Gulf of Thailand

MEKONG DELTA

What’s inside 2–3 4–5 6–7 8–9 10 11 12–13 14–15 16 17 18

Intro to Contiki & Asia Why Contiki Asia?

Compare our value Meet Contiki Asia travellers Included sightseeing Optional activities Eat & sleep Contiki style Transport & the Contiki crew Travelling responsibly Deals Special Stays incl. Sapa trekking

19 20–21 22– 23 24–25

Vietnam Highlights 10 days Vietnam Experience 12 days Asian Adventure 14 days Big Indochina Adventure 25 days

26 27

Got a question?

Booking conditions

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Asia.

Contiki.

See Asia.

An elephant ride in the jungle. A slow boat down The Mekong.

The beaches of Nha Trang. Let us take you there.

Share Asia.

Meet 18-35 year olds from all over the world.

Make friends for a week, and know them forever.

Love Asia.

We’re a family-owned business and we’ve been travelling the world since 1962. We’ll never stop.

It’s always different. It’s always fun. It’s always an adventure.

That’s the Contiki spirit.

See more, explore more at contiki.com/contiki-experience

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Why Contiki Why Contiki Asia Our Asian holidays aren’t like other tours.

They’re different. Here’s why.

18-35. No older.

No younger.

Free time.

Your time.

Travel with us & you’ll meet people your age from all over the world, with the same goal to see, smell, taste & share incredible experiences in Asia together. We’re the only tour operator in Asia that runs tours exclusively for 18-35 year olds.

All our tours have a balance of free time everyday so you’ll get plenty of time to do your own thing.

Explore the backstreets, find a great place for a bite, or sit back & just chill. Plus there’s Contiki’s Explore More optional activities. Whatever you’re into - culture, adventure, sports or food, we can organise it all for you. More on page 11.

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Unique to Contiki Asia

Our know-how.

The best bits.

More included.

For less.

Where to go? What to see? What to eat? How to get there? Our crew has studied hard, made the grade & they’re ready to share it all with you.

Our Tour Managers are mostly expats who now call Asia ‘home’. Many have worked with Contiki before in other parts of the world, so they know all about the Contiki spirit. They’re perfectly complimented by our expert local guides who’ll share their in-depth knowledge so you’ll discover even more.

Get more for your dollar with Contiki in Asia there’s so much included. Like private coach transport, internal flights, lots of sightseeing & plenty of meals. They’re all included, plus more.

You’ll know exactly what you get for your money so you can plan your trip & budget before you go. More on page 6.

Plenty of included meals.

Lots of holiday.

Less hassle.

All our tours include breakfast every day, as well as some lunches & dinners. We like to keep it varied – eat at a local restaurant one night & in the hotel the next. We don’t include every meal for a reason, so you have the flexibility to explore in your free time, meet some locals & try all kinds of Asian delicacies.

Lugging a heavy backpack in the rain. Getting lost. Not with us. We do the hard work for you so you can get on with having a good time. Air-con coaches, door to door service, a professional onroad team to look after you. Sit back & relax.

Mix of ways to get around.

Authentic.

In Asia, we don’t just travel in a coach. You’ll experience lots of different angles on this destination with over 10 different modes of transport, giving you the best of both worlds. Mix it with the locals on shorter journeys & take private, more comfortable transport on the longer routes, getting you there faster, with more free time in the places that count.

More on page 14.

We include some special stopovers like locally owned & run guesthouses in Sapa, Pakbeng & the Mekong Delta. There’s also a fantastic overnight experience onboard a traditional Chinese junk boat on Halong Bay. More on page 18.

Quality accommodation.

Our hotels are always comfortable & often have great facilities like pools & WiFi. They’re also central - so you’ll have more time exploring & less time travelling. Rooms are for 2, so there’s plenty of space & if you’re a couple, you’ll never share with anyone else. We also look after solo travellers. More on page 13.

Only with Contiki

The perfect group size.

We average 25 in a group on Contiki Asia, meaning it’s small enough for a more intimate, ‘real’ Asian experience, but large enough to meet plenty of other 18-35 year old travellers to hang out with.

Make a difference.

Wherever we can, Contiki supports community projects in the areas we visit. Like visiting an orphanage or eating at restaurants that train street kids in hospitality. More on page 16.

Get even more value with our ‘Only with Contiki’ special inclusions like an elephant ride through the rainforest, a private cruise down the Mekong River or a locally guided city bike ride.

Check the ‘Only with Contiki’ section on tour pages. More on page 7.

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See how far your money goes.

An experienced Tour Manager & Local Guides Heaps of sightseeing inclusions

Breakfast. Transport. Entry to the sights.

Accommodation. Travelling on your own adds up fast (yes, even in Asia).

(see Included Highlights on each tour page)

See the difference in what you get included on a Contiki tour. They’re the kind of inclusions & value that means you really get the most out of your trip.

Contiki from G

Overnight trains & cruise Local taxes & service charges

*

GO 70 p/day

Transport & driver (mostly private services just for Contiki)

Domestic flights

* Price based on Vietnam Experience & includes local payment.

Local payment based on local currency equivalent of US$160 at exchange rate at time of print.

Central & comfortable superior accommodation Lots of breakfasts, lunches & dinners

GO

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Our ‘Only with Contiki’ special inclusions are exactly what they say they are. They’re only with Contiki. Check out our exclusive experiences below or on the ‘Only with Contiki’ section on each tour page.

• Private 2 day boat cruise along the Mekong River • Rainforest elephant ride • Locally guided bike tour of World Heritage Listed Luang Prabang • Entry & guided visit of the COPE support & rehab centre • Traditional Laotian meal at a restaurant that trains street kids in hospitality • All private coach transport • Guided bike ride through the Vietnamese countryside • Cyclo ride to Hue’s ancient Citadel • Traditional Vietnamese meal at a restaurant run by a deaf-mute family

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Meet the people that travel

Contiki Asia No one person is the same & Contiki tours aren’t either.

Young people from all over the world come to explore Asia with us, here’s what some of them had to say about their experience.

Nicole, 25. Nurse, Canadian —Big September 2009 parts of “I likedIndochina, that you got to see different countries. We weren’t only visiting the big cities, we went off to smaller stops. I felt like more of a traveller than a tourist – that’s what I really liked about it.”

Eddie, 25. Firefighter, Australian —Asian Adventure, Aug 2009

“It was nice to be travelling with people around the world that were my age. I knew they’d have similar interests & want to do the same kind of things that I did. I definitely feel it was an adventure trip with culture, not just a relaxing trip.”

Dana, 28. Dentist, American —Vietnam Explorer, July 2009

“Other than flights to & from Asia, you can get by with very little money once you’re on tour. All our transport was included, plus hotels & breakfasts. You got people from all walks of life, I think it was a great price that made the tour accessible to anybody.”

“All our accommodation was really good.

We stayed in guesthouses a couple of times which were really different & interesting. I really liked it because this variety made it a really authentic experience. It really gave you a chance to meet some of the locals to see what they do. It wouldn’t have been the same if we’d stayed in hotels the whole time.”

Matt, 28. Law student, American —Asian Adventure, July 2009

Nicole, 25. Nurse, Canadian —Big Indochina, September 2009 “I looked at doing it myself & couldn’t have done it as cheaply, in the same timeframe.

I appreciated walking into a hotel, being given my key & having a guaranteed place to stay – that saved a lot of time. Arrive, chuck your bag in & get straight out to do the great optional activities.”

Find lots more past traveller feedback on contiki.com/community

Paris, 23. IT Consultant, British —Asian Adventure, May 2009

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“We got a great balance of time. Since there are other couples & lots of singles, you never feel the pressure to be with either your partner or the group 100% of the time.

Usually at night, the group would walk to the local market, where we could either eat together - just the two of us, or with the rest of the group.”

Jose, 29 & Madeline, 32. Doctors, Puerto Rican —Asian Adventure, March 2009

10 E XP E RIEN CE IT A LL

Must-see Sights.

All included.

e, Bangkok Royal Palac

Kuang Si waterfalls, Luang Prabang

On every Contiki tour, every day, you’ll get lots of Included Highlights. They’re all included in the price of your tour.

Included Highlights are the things you can’t wait to see, like the beaches of Nha Trang in Vietnam or the Royal Palace in Bangkok. Wherever you are, we’ll line up trips to famous monuments, walking & cycling tours with a Local Guide, organised nights out & some entrance fees. Every day. No more to pay.

The Mekon g Delta ang Beaches of Nha Tr

ur o y d Fin uded Incl lights High Palace, Reunification City Ho Chi Minh

Cruise stop on Tonle Sap Lake

Look for Included Highlights in the itinerary section on every tour page. They’re marked in a different colour, like this.

Why not share your experiences with other travellers. check out contiki.com/community

C u Chi tunnels, Vietnam Views over Halong Bay

Night markets in Siem Reap

re Your experience he

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Optional Activities!

Enjoy your free time.

As well as all the Included Highlights on our tours, you get plenty of free time to do your own thing – every day.

Spend more time at one of your new favourite sights, wander round the shops, or just relax.

You can also make the most of your free time with our Explore More optional activities. They help turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. We’ve handpicked them because they’re the things our past Contiki travellers loved. Best of all, we’ve negotiated great prices & we can organise everything for you.

Boat cruise off the islands near Nha Trang

NB. It’s important that you check your insurance includes your participation in adventure activities & be aware that some of our optionals can be physically demanding and therefore involve some risk.

Kayaking, Luang Prabang

To find Explore More choices, look for the orange arrow on every tour page Boat cruise off Nha Trang

Chiang Rai hill tribe visit Authentic Thai cooking experience Kayaking on Nam Ou River

KOTO restaurant dinner in Hanoi Enjoy a mud bath

Cruise to Cham Island

Cooking class in Hoi An

Speedboat cruise & swimming near Hoi An

River fun, Vang Vieng

Cooking class in Hoi An

To find out more go to contiki.com/exploremore

Hmong hill tribe women

12 ON THE ROA D

EAT ASIA

All our tours include breakfast every day and quite a few lunches & dinners. We don’t include every meal for a reason. We give you the flexibility to explore in your free time, mingle with the locals & try all kinds of local delicacies.

We also like to give back to the communities, so we’ll eat together at a few restaurants that support the less fortunate. These restaurants train & educate local street kids & the disabled.

More on page 16.

Asia has some of the best food in the world & our Tour Managers & Local Guides are fantastic at helping you uncover the most popular & authentic restaurants in the region or city you are visiting – at bargain prices.

Taste South Eas:t Asia with

The ‘White Rofamous se’ in Hoi An Goi cuon —fresh sp in Vietnam ring rolls Amok—A Cambo special cu dia/Khmer rry Bia Hoi— locall beer in Hay brewed noi

13 There’s facilities you’ll appreciate Often our hotels have a pool, great to escape the heat, & regular access to computers to check emails & Facebook.

At times, you’ll even get WiFi, if you’re carrying a laptop.

Special stays We’ve mixed it up a little to include a taste of some real Asian overnight experiences. Like locally owned & run guesthouses in Sapa, Pakbeng & the Mekong Delta. And a fantastic overnight experience onboard a traditional Chinese junk boat in Halong Bay. More on page 14.

Share Basis Hotels & the cruise are twin share. Guesthouses & Thai overnight trains are multi share. Vietnam overnight train is quad share.

Travelling Solo?

HOTEL COMFORT Contiki Asia is almost entirely hotel accommodation. All our hotels are well-located, very comfortable & have some great facilities.

Comfort means a clean room with an ensuite bathroom, amenities & a TV. It’s a place for you to relax at the end of a busy day’s sightseeing.

For a small supplement, you can book your own room on the majority of nights. Or we can share you with another Contiki traveller (same sex) for no extra cost.

Halong Bay cruise cabin interior

To find out more go to contiki.com/asia

EASY ACCESS LOCATIONS Our hotels have been picked to give you easy access to the action, like: Van Loi Hotel, Hoi An

Elephant Crossing Hotel, Vang Vieng

Bangkok We’re just 2 minutes from Khao San Road.

Siem Riep 5 minutes walk to night markets & Pub Street.

Ho Chi Minh Right in the heart of District 1 (sightseeing & nightlife central).

Nha Trang We’re directly across the road from the beach.

Hoi An 5 minutes walk to Old Town.

14 ON THE ROA D

TRANSPORT – GETTING THERE One of the best things about your trip to Asia will definitely be getting around on our many different modes of transport.

Tuk-tuks

From 4-wheels, to 2-wheels, to no wheels (with paddles & outboard motors instead), there are up to 10 different types of transport involved on a Contiki Asia trip.

Unlike our Contiki tours in other parts of the world, we run smaller groups of up to 25 people in Asia, so our coach transport ranges in size. But we always use private, air-con coaches instead of local ones, which means we can get you to more remote places, quickly & easily.

To reduce travelling time between destinations, we use internal flights with reliable Vietnam Airlines, giving you more time in the places that count, so you won’t miss stuff.

After that, that’s where the fun really begins – overnight trains, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, long tail boats, bicycles, wooden canoes & a traditional Chinese junk boat are some of the Contiki transport selection.

Much of our transport is private, which represents fantastic value. From the minibuses, to Mekong boats – you won’t be squashed in with a bunch of other travelers. You’ll have the space to really relax, enjoy the travel time & take it all in.

Sampan, Mekong Delta

Traditional Chinese Junk boat

Rickshaws

Overnight trains

Mekong boat

To find out more go to contiki.com/contiki-experience

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YOUR CREW. WHO’S WHO? Our Tour Managers know Contiki & they know Asia.

Meaning you’ll discover & enjoy even more.

Many of our Tour Managers have worked with us in other places around the globe, so they know all about the Contiki spirit & what makes our tours different from others.

They’re English-speaking expats, who now call Asia home. They’re your walking, talking guidebook, there to help you make the most of each day. They know their stuff - facts on where you’re going, the best things to see & ideas for your free time. They buddy up with local English speaking Local Guides who work with our on the ground tour partner, the awardwinning, Trails of Indochina.

Our professional Local Guides compliment our Tour Managers perfectly with their indepth knowledge of specific places within a destination, often their home. Meaning you’ll discover even more.

To find out more go to contiki.com/contiki-experience

“I’ve worked with Contiki in Europe before & it’s actually pretty similar for me here in Asia.

Each day is a new experience. It’s an exciting challenge - that’s what I thrive on, to get out, see new places, try new things & share as much of it with others as I can.

It’s as much of an adventure for me as it is for the people we have travelling with us.”

Dave Contiki Asia Tour Manager

Reduce your carbon t footprin at

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Small Footprint.

Big Commitment.

Local Support

Our Foundation

Responsible travel is about bringing you closer to local cultures & environments, involving & benefiting local people in tourism.

Contiki is a founding partner of the non-profit Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation. So far, the Foundation has committed over US$2 million to help under-privileged communities & support sustainable tourism around the world.

We encourage you to give a little bit back to the special places & people you’ll encounter, through supporting community projects & NGO’s who care about conserving Asia's natural & cultural heritage. We also employ Local Guides who will open your eyes to their cultures & ways of life, also earning a much needed income from you.

onsibletravel contiki.com/resp

Since the Foundation commenced in 2008, it has; – Helped to protect over 3 million hectares of Atlantic Forest in Brazil – Supported indigenous sustainable tourism in The Kimberley, Australia – Supported the construction of 3 conservation wildlife research camps in Northern Botswana – Supported restoration of one of Venice’s finest art treasures, Monument to Canova – Helped develop sustainable tourism practices as a primary sponsor for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

Some of the things you’ll do in Asia with Contiki: – Support the training and education of street kids in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia when you eat in restaurants that have been created to help get youth off the streets and into a job, equipping them with both work & life skills.

UNESCO & Contiki We include visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in all our Contiki Asia itineraries, not just so you can enjoy visiting and learning about these unique places, but also because conservation counts.

– In Laos, those that need an artificial limb or support device, like a wheelchair, are helped

by COPE (Co-operative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise). We visit the COPE Centre, where visitors are educated about what happens to victims of unexploded objects, such as landmines, their support & rehabilitation.

It’s why we’ve chosen to help UNESCO with their efforts by contributing significant funding towards their restoration work in Venice (through our involvement with The Leading Travel Companies Conservation Foundation).

Look for the World Heritage symbol on the tour pages.

– We have the opportunity to visit an orphanage in Cambodia run by an NGO mission & the local community, & meet some of the children who are living there.

6

– Visit the Lao Elephant Camp which cares for elephants & supports it’s local community with employment opportunities & education about caring for their environment.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES VISITED

There are more ways to help, ask your Tour Manager for more info.

See more at… contiki.com/asia

Learn more at… contiki.com/responsibletravel

For a full list of sites visited go to… contiki.com/worldheritagelist

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Save more Pay early. Save more.

Save up to g199 on your tour if you book & pay 12 months before you leave or save up to g99 on your tour if you book & pay 6 months before you leave. See the tour page to find out your pay early discount.

2 tours. Save more.

Book 2 Contiki trips (of 10 days or longer) at the same time.

Save G75 on your booking.

ASIA+ASIA save g75 ASIA+EUROPE save g75 ASIA+AMERICA save g75 ASIA+GREAT BRITAIN save g75

Book together. Save more.

Same tour? Same time? Book together to get group discounts.

4 OR MORE Everyone saves 5%.

7 OR MORE Everyone saves 7.5%.

10 OR MORE Everyone saves 10%.

Or invite an 11th person for free. It’s up to you.

Travelling solo?

For a small supplement, you can book your own room. Or we can share you with another traveller (same sex) for no extra cash.

The facts: all these discounts apply to the land tour price (eg: not flights). You can combine group discounts, multi tour discounts & early payment discounts on tours of 10 days or longer.

Our Guarantees DEFINITE DEPARTURES We are always updating tours online to a guaranteed to go, Definite Departure status. So you can confidently book ahead & take advantage of airlines early booking deals & Contiki’s early payment discounts. Check contiki.com tour pages for the most up to date info on Definite Departures.

NO SNEAKY SURCHARGES As soon as Contiki receives your deposit, the land tour price is guaranteed. Only government action can change the price you’ll pay.

To find out more go to contiki.com/deals

Join in at contiki.com Bags packed & ready to go? Or just thinking about it? Join Contiki’s community online & connect with people who can help you with your trip questions.

Get advice from Contiki travellers & read their comments.

Check out Contiki tour photos. And meet people on your tour before you leave home.

Our Tour Managers & past Contiki travellers regularly update our very own wiki: Contikipedia. From the big questions (backpack or suitcase? How much money to take?) to the little ones (what’s the perfect holiday read? Where’s the best night market in Bangkok?).

The answers are on contiki.com.

You’ll find extra detailed trip itineraries, competitions & video there too. And more.

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ongamDExpeloltrear & Mek the Vietn

rs incl. in Adventure tou Big Indochina

Keep it real with Contiki’s

Special Stays Whilst the majority of Contiki Asia accommodation is in good quality hotels, we have designed our trips to include some unique, authentic & interesting special stays that are a little more grassroots.

ing Tredkdk Sapba n tour le as an a -o availa

Mekong Delta As part of the Big Indochina Adventure & Vietnam Explorer tours, we journey into the Mekong Delta region, about 3 hours south of Ho Chi Minh & also visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Here you can see life along the Mekong River, with it’s sleepy villages, canals & colourful floating markets.

We’ll cruise the Delta, visit some of the local industries & taste traditional foods at a typical Vietnamese lunch in a local tea house. Travel on 2 wheels with our Local Guide through the backroads & rural communities on a relaxed bike ride.

Friendly locals

Stay overnight together at a locally owned & run guesthouse, with home-cooked delicacies & a live local music performance it’s the perfect end to this close up view of local Vietnamese life.

Share type basis: multi-share.

Sweet making demonstration, Vietnam

Sapa Trekking This 4 day experience is available to Contiki travellers as an extension, easily added on to the end of your Big Indochina Adventure, Vietnam Highlights or Vietnam Experience tour.

Sapa is an old French hill station, set in the foothills of Mt Fanxipan, near the Chinese border. Surrounded by huge mountains & incredible views, it’s a gateway to some of Vietnam’s most colourful ethnic cultures.

Starting with a free day in Hanoi, an overnight train takes us to the start of our trek. Your Tour Manager & Local Guide will show you along local tracks, passing through a number of villages with traditional wooden houses where you will see the friendly residents going about their daily lives. Scattered through the stunning green rice terraces there’s unique stone carvings from prehistoric times.

Stop off at different hilltribes including a Black Hmong village, where the people are renowned for their handicrafts including silver jewellery & tribal textiles.

To find out more go to contiki.com/sapa-trekking

Accommodation is in a locally run guesthouse, where you can get to know your host family & enjoy this cultural experience first-hand.

What’s included • 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches,1 dinner • Return overnight train • Local guesthouse accommodation Share type basis: multi-share. Don’t forget to pack your hiking shoes & a small backpack or your Tour Manager can organise them for you in Hanoi.

ys p a D 4 285p g from of ent aym p l loca Plus

Hills near Sapa

50 US$ Walking the trail

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10 Days

Asia 10 Days Vietnam Highlights 1 country 9 nights accomm 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners

Vietnam Highlights

Visits: Vietnam

What’s included All as per itinerary • 9 nights accommodation: 8 nights in 3 star hotels & 1 overnight cruise • 9 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 2 dinners (D) • A dedicated crew with an experienced & professional Tour Manager & local English-speaking guides • Local taxes & service charges • 3 domestic flights • Transport & included sightseeing WORLD • Number of World HERITAGE SITES Heritage sites visited VISITED

ys a D 10 610 om G f nt o yme l pa a c lo Plus

† 135 US$

fr

contiki.com/vietnam-highlights

3

Itinerary and included sightseeing Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Formerly known as Saigon, cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh is packed with pagodas, roadside shops, high-rises & reminders of the Vietnam war. Tonight meet your Tour Manager & fellow travellers at the hotel.

Tantalise the tastebuds as you hit the thriving Ben Thanh markets – you can pick up anything from tasty local foods to Vietnam’s iconic conical hats. Hotel.

Days 2-10: Hoi Chi Minh City to Hanoi Refer to days 4 -12 of the Vietnam Experience tour itinerary & included sightseeing on page 21.

Only with Contiki

When to go and how much

VIETNAM

HANOI 2

Halong Bay

Code: VIHI 2009/2010/2011

1

Start Ho Chi

LAOS Laos

1 HUE Da Nang

Thailand THAILAND

2 HOI AN

Cambodia CAMBODIA

NHA TRANG 2

(special inclusions)

• Guided bike ride through the Vietnamese • • •

countryside Cyclo ride to Hue’s ancient Citadel Traditional Vietnamese meal at a restaurant run by a deaf-mute family All private coach transport

HO CHI MINH CITY 1

Places visited 1 1 or more nightstops

South China Sea

Finish Hanoi

g pp

2009 NOV 25 DEC 16 DEC 23 DEC 30

DEC DEC JAN JAN

4 25 1 8

610 610 610 610

2010 JAN 6 JAN 13 JAN 20 JAN 27 FEB 3 FEB 18 FEB 24 MAR 3 MAR 10 MAR 17 MAR 24 MAR 31 APR 7 APR 14 APR 22 APR 28 MAY 5 MAY 12 MAY 19 MAY 26 JUN 2 JUN 9 JUN 16 JUN 24 JUN 30 JUL 7

JAN 15 JAN 22 JAN 29 FEB 5 FEB 12 FEB 27 MAR 5 MAR 12 MAR 19 MAR 26 APR 2 APR 9 APR 16 APR 23 MAY 1 MAY 7 MAY 14 MAY 21 MAY 28 JUN 4 JUN 11 JUN 18 JUN 25 JUL 3 JUL 9 JUL 16

610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610

Start Ho Chi

Finish Hanoi

e pp

2010 JUL 14 JUL 21 JUL 28 AUG 4 AUG 11 AUG 15 AUG 26 SEP 5 SEP 19 NOV 1 NOV 8 NOV 15 NOV 29 DEC 6 DEC 13 DEC 20 DEC 27

JUL JUL AUG AUG AUG AUG SEP SEP SEP NOV NOV NOV DEC DEC DEC DEC JAN

23 30 6 13 20 24 4 14 28 10 17 24 8 15 22 29 5

610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 610 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639

2011 JAN 3 JAN 10 JAN 17 JAN 24 JAN 31 FEB 7 FEB 14 FEB 21 FEB 28 MAR 7 MAR 14 MAR 21 MAR 28

JAN 12 JAN 19 JAN 26 FEB 2 FEB 9 FEB 16 FEB 23 MAR 2 MAR 9 MAR 16 MAR 23 MAR 30 APR 6

639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639 639

Save Money!

If you pay 12 months in advance, you save g59.

Or pay 6 months in advance & save g29.

See pg17 for details.

Sapa Trekking Combine this trip with Sapa Trekking. See page 18.

Prices above are based on twin-share. If travelling alone Contiki will team you with a buddy at no extra cost.

Optional single room supplement is available for G215 (only applicable in hotels). † A local payment of US$135 is collected in cash on first day of tour.

A copy of your valid passport is required at time of booking.

Tour starts 6:00pm & ends approx. 9:00am.

For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger.

Old town, Hoi An

ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME

Busy streets of Hanoi

CHOOSE SOME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

NHA TRANG: Relaxing island cruise off Hon Mun island with swim stops & snorkelling HOI AN: Authentic & tasty Vietnamese cooking class – Speedboat cruise to Cham Island with swimming, snorkelling & a beachside lunch HANOI: Dinner at KOTO restaurant where former street children are trained in hospitality cost).

Gototocontiki.com/vietnam-highlightscontiki.com/optional-europe-camping an additional (atadditional doan extras the optional alloptional for allfor the explore-more extras you you can can do (at Go cost).

12 Days Vietnam Experience

s y a 12 D 725 G from Plus

†

0 $16 f US o t n yme l pa a c o l

Visits: Vietnam

VIETNAM

HANOI 2

Only with Contiki (special inclusions) • Guided bike ride through the Vietnamese countryside • Cyclo ride to Hue’s ancient Citadel • Traditional Vietnamese meal at a restaurant run by a deaf-mute family • All private coach transport

Burma

Halong Bay

1

Laos LAOS

1 HUE Da Nang

Thailand THAILAND

2 HOI AN

Cambodia CAMBODIA

2 NHA TRANG

2 HO CHI MINH CITY

contiki.com/vietnam-experience

ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME

CHOOSE SOME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Places visited 1 1 or more nightstops

MEKONG DELTA 1 South China Sea

NHA TRANG: Relaxing cruise off Hon Mun Island with swim stops & snorkelling

21 Itinerary and included sightseeing

city, known for it’s colourful cloths and made to order tailors, then taste why Vietnamese food has such a good reputation with an optional cooking class! Hotel (B)

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Formerly known as Saigon, cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh is packed with pagodas, roadside shops, high-rises & reminders of the Vietnam war. Tonight meet your Tour Manager & fellow travellers at the hotel.

Tantalise the tastebuds as you hit the thriving Ben Thanh markets – you can pick up anything from tasty local foods to Vietnam’s iconic conical hats. Hotel.

Visit the city’s Old Quarter & Japanese covered bridge

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta It’s a 2 day journey into the Mekong Delta.

We’ll try out sanpans (local boats), take in local industries & see floating markets & fish farms – giving a peek of everyday waterway life. Back on dry land, we’ll get on 2 wheels as we ride past rural communities. Tonight, perhaps see a musical performance before dinner at our local guesthouse. Guesthouse (B,L,D)

Day 7: Hoi An Maybe head to the untouched Cham Island on a speed boat cruise. With snorkelling, secluded beaches & delicious local food prepared at a beach-side restaurant, this is a great way to spend the day. Otherwise there’s galleries, antique shops in the old town or take a walk along the historic waterfront to the local markets. Hotel (B)

Mekong Delta cruise

Day 8: Hoi An to Hue There are stunning coastal views while driving over the “Pass of the Ocean Clouds” to the former Royal City of Hue. Visit the colourful imperial Tu Duc tomb with its intricately decorated pavilions & the 7-storied Thien Mu Pagoda before we board a dragon boat & drift down the Perfume River before dinner at a family-run restaurant. Hotel (B,D)

See local demonstrations

Cross the Hai Van Pass

Visit a local tea garden

Perfume River cruise

Day 3: Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City We head back to Ho Chi Minh City via the Viet Cong’s legendary tunnels in Cu Chi. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand – you can even go down into the skinny tunnels & experience them first-hand! Hotel (B)

Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda & the Tu Duc Mausoleum

Visit to the Cu Chi tunnels Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang View the Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office & the Presidential (or Reunification) Palace on our city tour. We also visit the War Remnants Museum for some history on the Vietnam War. Explore the city before catching a flight to Nha Trang, famous for its golden beaches & idyllic turquoise waters. Hotel (B) View the Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office & Presidential Palace

Day 9: Hue to Hanoi Start the morning with a cyclo tour before our flight to Hanoi. Full of French flair, Chinese culture & Vietnamese vitality – it’s an open-air museum. Walk the wide Parisian-style boulevards & take in the shuttered mansions, or relax with bia hoi (draught beer) & peoplewatch. Hotel (B)

Asia 12 Days Vietnam Experience 1 country 11 nights accomm 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners Bamboo boats, Nha Trang

What’s included All as per itinerary • 11 nights accommodation: 9 nights in 3 star hotels, 1 night in a guesthouse & 1 overnight cruise • 11 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) & 3 dinners (D) • A dedicated crew with an experienced & professional Tour Manager & local English-speaking guides • Local taxes & service charges • 3 domestic flights • Transport & included sightseeing WORLD • Number of World HERITAGE SITES VISITED Heritage sites visited

Phuc Kien Pagoda, Hoi An

3

When to go and how much Code: VIEP 2009/2010/2011

Cyclo ride Day 10: Hanoi to Halong Bay Today we board a traditional junk boat on Halong Bay for our overnight cruise. See amazing views as we pass hidden coves, sheer cliffs & stunning beaches. We check out the Sung Sot Caves & stop for a swim in an idyllic lagoon before docking at the magical Dao Titop for sunset. Junk boat (B,L,D) Visit the Sung Sot Caves

Visit to the War Remnants Museum

Boat cruise of grotto island

Day 5: Nha Trang Sink into the laid-back beach lifestyle with a free day to enjoy the sun & sea. Do your own thing or take off to the gorgeous offshore islands on our optional cruise with swim stops, snorkelling & banquet lunch. Afterwards perhaps, indulge in a mineral mud bath & hot springs experience before getting a taste of Nha Trang by night! Hotel (B)

Entry to Dao Titop

Day 6: Nha Trang to Hoi An Fly to Danang & travel down to Hoi An. We take a guided walking tour through the Old Quarter, before some free time. Explore this

View the Temple of Literature

Day 11: Halong Bay to Hanoi Wake to more fantastic views from the junk before we return to Hanoi. Later you could try Hanoi’s world-famous water puppet performance before our optional farewell dinner at KOTO restaurant, where former street children are trained in hospitality skills.

Hotel (B,L) Day 12: Depart Hanoi Your tour ends after breakfast, so it’s time to say farewell to your group. (B)

Start Ho Chi

Finish Hanoi

G pp

2009 NOV 23 DEC 14 DEC 21 DEC 28

DEC DEC JAN JAN

4 25 1 8

725 725 725 725

2010 JAN 4 JAN 11 JAN 18 JAN 25 FEB 1 FEB 16 FEB 22 MAR 1 MAR 8 MAR 15 MAR 22 MAR 29 APR 5 APR 12 APR 20 APR 26 MAY 3 MAY 10 MAY 17 MAY 24 MAY 31 JUN 7 JUN 14 JUN 22 JUN 28

JAN 15 JAN 22 JAN 29 FEB 5 FEB 12 FEB 27 MAR 5 MAR 12 MAR 19 MAR 26 APR 2 APR 9 APR 16 APR 23 MAY 1 MAY 7 MAY 14 MAY 21 MAY 28 JUN 4 JUN 11 JUN 18 JUN 25 JUL 3 JUL 9

725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725

Start Ho Chi

Finish Hanoi

G pp

2010 JUL 5 JUL 12 JUL 19 JUL 26 AUG 2 AUG 9 AUG 13 AUG 24 OCT 30 NOV 6 NOV 13 NOV 27 DEC 4 DEC 11 DEC 18 DEC 25

JUL JUL JUL AUG AUG AUG AUG SEP NOV NOV NOV DEC DEC DEC DEC JAN

16 23 30 6 13 20 24 4 10 17 24 8 15 22 29 5

725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 725 759 759 759 759 759 759 759

2011 JAN 1 JAN 8 JAN 15 JAN 22 JAN 29 FEB 5 FEB 12 FEB 19 FEB 26 MAR 5 MAR 12 MAR 19 MAR 26

JAN 12 JAN 19 JAN 26 FEB 2 FEB 9 FEB 16 FEB 23 MAR 2 MAR 9 MAR 16 MAR 23 MAR 30 APR 6

759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759 759

Save Money!

If you pay 12 months in advance, you save G75.

Or pay 6 months in advance & save G35.

See page 17 for details.

Sapa Trekking Combine this trip with Sapa Trekking. See page 18.

Prices above are based on twin-share in hotels & multishare in guesthouse. If travelling alone Contiki will team you with a buddy.

Optional single room supplement is available for G250 (only applicable in hotels). † A local payment of US$160 is collected in cash on first day of tour.

A copy of your valid passport is required at time of booking Tour starts 6:00pm & ends approx. 9:00am.

For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger.

Beaches of Nha Trang

Flag Tower, Hue

HOI AN: Authentic & tasty Vietnamese cooking class – Speedboat cruise to Cham Island with swimming, snorkelling & a beachside lunch HANOI: Dinner at KOTO restaurant where former street children are trained in hospitality Go to contiki.com/vietnam-experience-explore-more for all the optional extras you can do (at an additional cost).

14 Days Asian Adventure

s y a 14 D 1009 G from Plus

†

5 $18 f US o t n yme l pa a c o l

Visits: Thailand, Laos & Cambodia

PAKBENG 1

LUANG PRABANG 2

LAOS

CHIANG RAI 1

2 VANG VIENG VIENTIANE 1

CHIANG MAI 1

THAILAND

11

Only with Contiki (special inclusions) • Private 2 day boat cruise along the Mekong River • Rainforest elephant ride • Locally guided bike tour of World Heritage listed Luang Prabang • Entry & guided visit of the COPE support and rehab centre • Traditional Laotian meal at a restaurant that trains street kids • All private coach transport

Vietnam Burma

BANGKOK 1

SIEM REAP 2

CAMBODIA

1 PHNOM PENH

contiki.com/asian-adventure

ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME

CHOOSE SOME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Places visited 1 1 or more nightstops

South China Sea

CHIANG MAI: Traditional hands-on Thai cooking class experience

23 Itinerary and included sightseeing Day 1: Arrive Bangkok Tuk-tuks, streetside BBQs, neon lights & buzzing street life, it’s bustling Bangkok!

Arrive at the hotel & meet your Tour Manager & fellow travellers, then hit the city for a night out. Hotel.

Day 10: Vang Vieng to Vientiane Arriving in Vientiane, we’ll take a locally guided city tour of the nation’s French influenced capital. Later, we’ll visit That Luang & view Laos’ ‘Arc de Triomphe’ Hotel (B,D) Visit Luang Stupa & Patuxi Dinner at Makphet Restaurant Day 11: Vientiane to Phnom Penh Goodbye Laos & hello Cambodia as you travel by plane to the capital city, once known as the “Pearl of Asia”. View first hand the reminders of the country’s dark history with a visit to the Khmer Rouge ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Tonight, take it easy & maybe enjoy some drinks at a floating bar on the river. Hotel (B)

Visit the Royal Palace & Emerald Buddha

Visit the ‘Killing Fields’ & Genocide Museum

Day 3: Chiang Mai Head for the hills with our local guide; visit Wat Phrathat temple & maybe even receive a Buddhist blessing! Surrounded by a moat & 300 temples, chill out & explore Chiang Mai. You could take an optional Thai cooking class tonight, chill by the pool or visit the famous Night Bazaar. Hotel. (B) Day 4: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Today we head towards Chiang Rai. In the afternoon, opt to visit unique hill tribe villages before heading back to Chang Rai to explore or check out a local night stop.

Hotel (B) Day 5: Chiang Rai to Pakbeng After crossing the Thai/Laos border, we board our private boat & cruise the mighty Mekong River. Drift through towering, jungle covered gorges, taking sneak peeks at local life in remote villages along the river banks. We arrive before sunset in Pakbeng for our overnight stay. Guesthouse (B,L,D) See local riverside villages Day 6: Pakbeng to Luang Prabang Continue cruising the Mekong before arriving in the historic hotspot Luang Prabang. Take a bike tour around town, visit Wat Xiang Thong monastery & perhaps take a walk up Mt Phu Si before perusing the night markets where local people sell their textiles & handicrafts. Hotel (B,L)

Day 12: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Catch a flight to Siem Reap, before taking a private boat cruise to see the unique floating villages found here. Chill out with a visit to the Psar Chas (old market) for handicrafts & exotic fresh produce. Or, for a dose of culture, see an Aspara dance performance. Hotel (B)

Buddhist blessing

What’s included All as per itinerary • 13 nights accommodation: 11 nights in 3 star hotels, 1 night in a guesthouse & 1 overnight train • 13 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) & 2 dinners (D) • A dedicated crew with an experienced & professional Tour Manager & local English-speaking guides • Local taxes & service charges • 2 domestic flights • Transport & included sightseeing WORLD • Number of World HERITAGE SITES Heritage sites visited VISITED

Mae Sa waterfalls, Chiang Mai

2

Tonle Sap lake cruise Day 13: Siem Reap Wake to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world & hear the legends of the sacred sites of the Khmer Empire from your local guide.

Later, we visit Angkor Thom by tuk-tuk & Ta Prohm temple, as seen in the movie Tomb Raider. After a long day of sights relax, play some pool, or venture down Pub Street to explore the nightlife. Hotel (B) Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm Day 14: Ends Siem Reap Our tour ends this morning after breakfast so it’s time to say goodbye to your travel buddies and Tour Manager. (B)

Grand Palace, Bangkok

When to go and how much Code: ASAD 2009/2010/2011

Visit the Pak Ou Caves Visit Wat Xieng Thong temple & Mt Phu Si Day 7: Luang Prabang If you make an early start, take part in the ritual of offering alms (food) to the hundreds of Buddhist monks. If you feel like cooling off, take a trip to the Kouang Si Falls for a swim or visit the Royal Palace. Hotel (B) Day 8: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Today it’s on to riverside & action packed Vang Vieng, known for its dramatic limestone karsts (rock formations) & outdoor adventure activities. Later, check out the buzzing nightlife in this vibrant backpacker town. Hotel (B)

Start Bangkok

Finish G Siem Reap pp

2009 NOV 10 DEC 8 DEC 22

NOV 23 DEC 21 JAN 4

1009 1009 1009

2010 JAN 5 JAN 19 FEB 3 FEB 16 MAR 9 MAR 23 APR 7 APR 20 MAY 11 MAY 25 JUN 9 JUN 22 JUL 13

JAN 18 FEB 1 FEB 16 MAR 1 MAR 22 APR 5 APR 20 MAY 3 MAY 24 JUN 7 JUN 22 JUL 5 JUL 26

1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1009

Start Bangkok

Finish G Siem Reap pp

2010 JUL 31 AUG 11 AUG 23 SEP 6 OCT 31 NOV 14 NOV 28 DEC 12 DEC 26

AUG AUG SEP SEP NOV NOV DEC DEC JAN

13 24 5 19 13 27 11 25 8

1009 1009 1009 1009 1009 1059 1059 1059 1059

2011 JAN 9 JAN 23 FEB 6 FEB 20 MAR 6 MAR 20

JAN 22 FEB 5 FEB 19 MAR 5 MAR 19 APR 2

1059 1059 1059 1059 1059 1059

Save Money!

If you pay 12 months in advance, you save G99.

Or pay 6 months in advance & save G49.

See page 17 for details.

Prices above are based on twin-share in hotels & multishare in guesthouse & train. If travelling alone Contiki will team you with a buddy, at no extra cost.

Optional single room supplement is available for G255 (only applicable in hotels). † A local payment of US$185 is collected in cash on first day of tour.

A copy of your valid passport is required at time of booking.

Tour starts 6:00pm & ends approx. 9:00am.

For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger.

Scenic drive to Vang Vieng Day 9: Vang Vieng Get hold of a map & explore with a free day. Maybe hire a bike – there are a whole lot of limestone caves, swimming holes, tunnels & bunkers to discover. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar or an island watering-hole. Hotel (B)

14 Days Asian Adventure 3 countries 13 nights accomm 13 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners

Visit to COPE exhibition centre

Day 2: Bangkok to Chiang Mai Visit the incredible Royal Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple. Later, cruise the klongs (canals) & see locals going about their day then dive into the downtown area’s plazas, or shops in Siam Square. Try Chinatown for some Asian delicacies before we board an overnight train to Chiang Mai. Overnight train. (B)

Guided klong (canal) tour

Asia

Angkor Wat

Night markets

CHIANG RAI: Visit to unique Thai hill tribe villages LUANG PRABANG: Kayaking trip down the Nam Ou River Go to contiki.com/asian-adventure-explore-more for all the optional extras you can do (at an additional cost).

25 Days Big Indochina Adventure

s y a 25 D 1955 G from Plus

†

5 $33 f US o t n yme l pa a c o l

Visit: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam

VIETNAM

Burma

contiki.com/indochina-adventure

ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME

CHOOSE SOME OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

PAKBENG 1

LUANG PRABANG 2

2 HANOI

Halong Bay

1

LAOS

CHIANG RAI 1

2 VANG VIENG VIENTIANE 1

CHIANG MAI 1

1 HUE Da Nang

THAILAND

2 HOI AN

11

Only with Contiki (special inclusions) • Private 2 day boat cruise along the Mekong River • Rainforest elephant ride • Locally guided bike tour of World Heritage listed Luang Prabang • Entry & guided visit of the COPE support and rehab centre • Traditional Laotian meal at a restaurant that trains street kids • All private coach transport • Guided bike ride through the Vietnamese countryside

BANGKOK 1

SIEM REAP 2

CAMBODIA

1 PHNOM PENH

Places visited 1 1 or more nightstops

2 NHA TRANG

2 HO CHI MINH CITY

MEKONG DELTA 1 South China Sea

CHIANG MAI: Traditional hands-on Thai cooking class experience CHIANG RAI: Visit to unique Thai hill tribe villages

25 Itinerary and included sightseeing Day 1: Arrive Bangkok Tuk-tuks, neon lights & buzzing street life, it’s bustling Bangkok! Arrive at the hotel & meet your Tour Manager & fellow travellers, then hit the city for a night out. Hotel.

Day 2: Bangkok to Chiang Mai Take in the sights before we cruise the canals & see locals going about their day before boarding our overnight train.

Overnight train. (B) Visit the Royal Palace & Emerald Buddha Guided klong (canal) tour Day 3: Chiang Mai Visit Buddhist temples with our local guide, then explore the city or opt for a Thai cooking class tonight. Hotel (B) Visit Wat Prathat temple Day 4: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai We head towards Chiang Rai, there’s an option to visit unique hill tribe villages before exploring the city’s night bazaars. Hotel (B) Day 5: Chiang Rai to Pakbeng After crossing the Thai/Laos border, we board our private boat & cruise the Mekong River, seeing local life along the river. Arrive before sunset in Pakbeng for our overnight stay. Guesthouse (B,L,D) See local riverside villages Day 6: Pakbeng to Luang Prabang Continue cruising the Mekong before hitting Luang Prabang. Take a sightseeing bike tour before perusing the night markets. Hotel (B,L) Visit to the Pak Ou caves Visit Wat Xieng Thong temple & Mt Phu Si Day 7: Luang Prabang If you make an early start, take part in the ritual of offering alms (food) to the hundreds of Buddhist monks. If you feel like cooling off, take a trip to the Kouang Si Falls for a swim or visit the Royal Palace. Hotel (B) Day 8: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng Today it’s on to Vang Vieng, known for its limestone karsts (rock formations), outdoor adventure activities & buzzing nightlife. Hotel (B) Scenic drive to Vang Vieng Day 9: Vang Vieng Get hold of a map & explore with a free day.

Maybe hire a bike – there are a whole lot of limestone caves, swimming holes, tunnels & bunkers to discover. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar or an island watering-hole. Hotel (B) Day 10: Vang Vieng to Vientiane Arriving in Vientiane, we’ll take a locally guided city tour of the nation’s French influenced capital. Later, we’ll visit That Luang & view Laos’ ‘Arc de Triomphe’ Hotel (B,D) Visit Luang Stupa & Patuxi Visit to COPE exhibition centre Dinner at Makphet Restaurant Day 11: Vientiane to Phnom Penh In Phnom Penh we’ll see reminders of the country’s dark history, then later, take it easy & maybe enjoy some drinks at a floating bar.

Hotel (B) Visit the ‘Killing Fields’ & Genocide Museum Day 12: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Catch a flight to Siem Reap before cruising Tonle Sap lake on our private boat. Tonight, maybe visit the Psar Chas (old market) for handicrafts & exotic fresh produce. Hotel (B) Tonle Sap lake cruise

Day 13: Siem Reap Wake to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat & hear the legends of the sacred sites of the Khmer Empire before we visit Angkor Thom by tuk-tuk! Hotel (B) Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm Day 14: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City It’s free time before we fly to Ho Chi Minh.

Later, hit the thriving Ben Thanh markets & pick up anything from tasty food to Vietnam’s iconic conical hats. Hotel (B) Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City to Mekong Delta It’s a 2 day journey into the Mekong Delta.

We’ll try out sanpans (local boats), take in local fish farms & industries & see floating markets. Later we’ll take a bike ride through the countryside. Guesthouse (B,L,D) Mekong Delta cruise See local industry demonstrations Visit a local tea garden Day 16: Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City We head back to Ho Chi Minh City via the legendary tunnels in Cu Chi – you can even go down into the tunnels & experience them first-hand! Hotel (B) Visit to the Cu Chi tunnels Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang Take a city tour then visit the War Remnants Museum before we fly to Nha Trang. Hotel (B) View the Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office & the Presidential Palace Visit the War Remnants museum Day 18: Nha Trang Today, do your own thing or opt to take off to the gorgeous offshore islands for some swim stops & snorkelling. Hotel (B) Day 19: Nha Trang to Hoi An Fly to Danang & travel down to Hoi An. Take a guided walking tour, see the countryside at sun-set by bike, before opting for a cooking class! Hotel (B) Visit the city’s Old Quarter and Japanese covered bridge Day 20: Hoi An Head to Cham Island on an optional speed boat cruise for some snorkelling, secluded beaches & delicious local food. Otherwise relax or walk along the waterfront to the local markets. Hotel (B) Day 21: Hoi An to Hue See coastal views while driving to Hue. Take in some sights before we board a dragon boat down the Perfume River. Hotel (B,D) Cross the Hai Van Pass Perfume River cruise Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda & Tu Duc Mausoleum Day 22: Hue to Hanoi Start the morning with some sightseeing of Hue. After our flight to Hanoi, walk the wide Parisian-style boulevards & take in the city.

Hotel (B) Visit to the Imperial Citadel Cyclo ride Day 23: Hanoi to Halong Bay See amazing views from the junk as we pass coves, cliffs & beaches. We stop for a swim before docking at Dao Titop for sunset.

Junk boat (B,L,D) Visit the Sung Sot Caves Entry to Dao Titop Boat cruise of Grotto Island Day 24: Halong Bay to Hanoi Wake on the junk before we return to Hanoi & explore the city before our optional farewell dinner. Hotel (B,L) View the Temple of Literature Day 25: Depart Hanoi Your tour ends after breakfast, so it’s time to say farewell to your group. (B)

Asia 25 Days Big Indochina Adventure 4 countries 24 nights accomm 24 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 5 dinners

Perfume River, Hue

What’s included All as per itinerary • 24 nights accommodation: 20 nights in 3 star hotels, 2 nights in a guesthouse, 1 overnight train & 1 overnight cruise • 24 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L) & 5 dinners (D) • A dedicated crew with an experienced & professional Tour Manager & local English-speaking guides • 6 domestic flights • Transport & included sightseeing • Local taxes & service charges WORLD • Number of World HERITAGE SITES Heritage sites visited VISITED

Laotian textiles

5

Save Money!

If you pay 12 months in advance, you save g199.

Or pay 6 months in advance & save g99.

See page 17 for details.

Sapa Trekking

War Remnants museum

Combine this trip with Sapa Trekking. See page 18.

When to go and how much Code: BICA 2009/2010/2011 Start Bangkok

Finish Hanoi

G pp

2009 NOV 10 DEC 8

DEC 4 JAN 1

1955 1955

2010 JAN 5 FEB 3 MAR 9 APR 7 MAY 11 JUN 9

JAN FEB APR MAY JUN JUL

1955 1955 1955 1955 1955 1955

29 27 2 1 4 3

Start Bangkok

Finish Hanoi

G pp

2010 JUL 13 AUG 11 NOV 14 DEC 12

AUG SEP DEC JAN

1955 1955 2055 2055

2011 JAN 9 FEB 6 MAR 6

FEB 2 MAR 2 MAR 30

6 4 8 5

2055 2055 2055

Prices above are based on twin-share in hotels & multi-share in guesthouse and trains. If travelling alone Contiki will team you with a buddy, at no extra cost.

Optional single room supplement is available for G505 (only applicable in hotels). † A local payment of US$335 is collected in cash on first day of tour.

A copy of your valid passport is required at time of booking.

Tour starts 6:00pm & ends approx. 9:00am.

For departure points & stay longer accommodation options see contiki.com/staylonger.

Wat Phra Kaeo, Thailand

LUANG PRABANG: Kayaking trip down the Nam Ou River NHA TRANG: Relaxing island cruise with swim stops & snorkelling HOI AN: Authentic Vietnamese cooking class – Cham Island speedboat cruise with swimming & a beachside lunch HANOI: Dinner at KOTO restaurant where former street children are trained in hospitality Go to contiki.com/ indochina-adventure-explore-more for all the optional extras you can do (at an additional cost).

p Keeing go h wit ntiki!

Co Worldwide

How to book

Visit: Click: Email: Call:

Australia & New Zealand

Europe Winter

America & Canada

Europe Summer

your local travel agent contiki.com contiki.geneva@bookttcuk.com +41 22 929 9216

• At the time of booking you must pay a non refundable deposit of g100 per person per tour within 7 days.

• Once your deposit has been received, Contiki will send either you or your travel agent confirmation of the details of the booking.

• Contiki will then send you or your travel agent travel vouchers and detailed information about your holiday. The documentation will be sent approximately 21 days prior to your departure.

• You must pay the balance of your holiday no less than 45 days before the departure date or at the time of booking if less than 45 days before departure.

IMPORTANT By paying the g100 deposit per person per tour to your travel agent, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Booking Conditions as set out on page 67, which make up the contract between you and Contiki.

Trade Reservations & sales: Tel: +41 22 929 9216 Fax: +41 22 929 9210

Email: contiki.geneva@bookttcuk.com Internet: contiki.com

Special interest groups

If you’re looking for something completely different our Special Interest Groups Departments in Europe, America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand have been helping those with specific group travel requirements for years! School and university trips, choirs, wine tours, Grand Prix, ski tours - you name it we’ve done it!

From supplying competitive quotations to helping you plan the best itinerary right down to the last detail, our worldwide team of experts is able to arrange a custom designed holiday or incentive trip to suit your requirements. Contact your local travel agent or Contiki - you’ll be surprised how we can make it happen.

Group bookings

If you’re planning to organise a group to Europe, America, Asia, Australia or New Zealand, why not take a close look at the wide variety of tours detailed in any of our Contiki brochures. It is more than likely that one (or more!) of the itineraries will fit in perfectly

with your requirements. As long as everyone on your group is 18 – 35, any date can be reserved exclusively for your group at special, reduced rates – perhaps even a free trip for yourself!!

Contact Contiki or your local travel agent for more information.

A Proud Member of

ABTA No.Y1792 Contiki Holidays is a division of the familyowned The Leading Travel Companies, and is renowned and trusted for its outstanding quality, service, value, reliability and financial stability.

Contiki is represented in Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, USA. Contiki is a registered trademark of Contiki Tours International Ltd, Guernsey. © Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Printed in the UK. Please don’t throw this brochure away, we encourage you to either pass it on to a friend or place it in a paper recycling bin.