Independent Pre and Post Tours — 2020 EO Cambodia/Vietnam Exploration

Pre-tour

Registration for a Phnom Penh pre-Exploration tour is now open! This event is run by Pacific World Travel Services.

PHNOM PENH PRE TRIP 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS 17-19 February 2020

RAFFLES HOTEL LE ROYAL, stay from 17-19 February 2020

https://www.raffles.com/phnom-penh/

An imposing statement of Khmer, Art Deco and French Colonial style, Hotel Le Royal originally opened its grand doors in 1929. It reopened as Raffles Hotel Le Royal in 1997 after a sensitive extension and refurbishment. To protect this piece of Cambodia’s heritage, local artisans were commissioned to recreate painted ceilings, decorative beaten copper crests and outdoor sculptures.

Raffles Hotel le Royal is an integral part of Phnom Penh’s history and aesthetic. At 90 years old, the building is a constant reflection of the times and the city’s changing circumstances. While Raffles Hotel le Royal strives to honour its past, the hotel also embraces the city’s dynamic future and continues to act as a focal point of the capital’s business and social scene.

Day one: Monday 17th February 2020 – PHNOM PENH ARRIVAL (Dinner included)

Welcome to Phnom Penh!

Guest arrivals from different flights – guests take care of their own transportation to hotel

Dinner at Restaurant Le Royal at the hotel

Overnight stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day two, Tuesday 18 February 2020 – PHNOM PENH VISITS (breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

Breakfast at leisure

On your first morning in charming Phnom Penh, you will be treated to an exciting day of traditional transport – the cyclo! Your guide will introduce you to your cyclo drivers before embarking on a half-day tour. Your first stop will be the National Museum of Cambodia, an example of traditional Khmer architecture which offers a charming setting for a stunning collection of Khmer artifacts. After this, you will visit the nearby Royal Palace on the banks of the Mekong River, followed by a visit to the neighboring Silver Pagoda. The name “Silver Pagoda” is said to have come from the pagoda floor, which is composed of over 4,000 silver tiles! Your cyclo driver will then take you to a local restaurant for lunch.

Lunch at Malis Restaurant

Afternoon at leisure OR unique optional afternoon activity: Exclusive access to the Royal Palace – US$2,500/group (maximum 20 persons)
Appointment at 2:30 pm at the Royal Palace tourist front door. Visit ends at 4:00 pm.

Royal tour guided under the auspices of H.R.H Prince Sisowath Tesso & H.R.H Princess Norodom Chansita
Access and privilege visit of the Crown Throne room, an area normally forbidden to tourists and granted only for special requests by members of Royal families and on the presence of Prince and Princess.
Back to the hotel to refresh before dinner.
Evening (Departure 5.30 pm – 7.00pm): enjoy a sunset cruise on the four rivers (Mekong and Tonle Sap river). Included: one soft drink or draught beer.

Dinner at Topaz Restaurant.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal

Day three, Wednesday 19 Feb 2020 – PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (breakfast included)

Breakfast at leisure

7:30 am: Check out and transfer to Phnom Penh airport. Flight to Siem Reap to join the main group.

Suggested flight K6 105 departure at 09:55, arriving Siem Reap at 10:50

***End of services***

RATES

Rates are per person in a shared twin/double room. Rates are NET and in US dollars*
Supplement: Internal flight REP-PNH (by Cambodia Angkor Air) & tax: US$130.00 per person (subject to change)

Price inclusions:

Transportation in private air-con vehicle with local English-speaking guide (see above)
Two-night accommodations at Raffles Hotel Le Royal (Landmark Room), based on shared twin room with daily breakfast
Sightseeing admission fees where applicable
Meals as indicated (breakfast, lunch, dinner – food only)
Mineral waters during tour
Flight arrival and departure from Phnom Penh
VISA stamping fee to Cambodia (US$30.00 per person) and fast track assistance by Pacific World Travel Services (US$40.00 per person)

Price exclusions

Any tours, transfers, meals not mentioned in itinerary
Any drinks & beverages
Personal expenses ie, telephone bills, laundry, gratuities, drinks & beverages

PAYMENT TERMS
1 December 2019 – 17 January 2020

CANCELLATION POLICY
Before 1 December 2019
Deposit of 50% of total cost is required. Balance payment is required.
No cancellation charge
From 2 December 2019 to 1 January 2020
From 2-31 January 2020
1 February 2020 onwards:
30% of total payment as cancellation charge 60% of total payment as cancellation charge 100% total payment as cancellation charge

Special notes:

The above rates are net and inclusive of government tax, in US dollars and non-commissionable. Payment can be made via wire transfer or credit card with 3% card fee for American Express and 1.7% for Visa or Master Card.
Hotel/cruise will be booked at similar standard when the ones listed are fully booked.
No service is held until we receive written confirmation. Service availability is subject to change upon confirmation.
Pacific World Travel contacts for booking:
- 1st contact: Trang Pham (Ms.) – Account Manager at [email protected] Trang’s WhatsApp: +84 912 022 446
- 2nd contact: Thuy Tran (Mrs.) – Director at [email protected] Thuy’s WhatsApp: +84 908 449 560
- Pacific World Travel’s office landline: +84 (0) 28 3930 9818

Post-tour

Registration for post-Exploration tours are now open! These event options are run by Pacific World Travel Services.

HANOI – HALONG POST TRIP FOUR DAYS THREE NIGHTS 24-27 February 2020

SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI, staying from 24 to 26 Feb 2020

https://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was first opened at the turn of the 20th century by two private French investors. Standing the test of time, the hotel has been recognized as Hanoi’s legendary landmark for its contribution to the history and heritage of the city.

Since 1901, the Hotel Metropole Hanoi has upheld a tradition of being the go-to luxury venue for prestigious events and a popular rendezvous for business and leisure travelers. During the hotel’s lifespan it has had the historic honour of welcoming famous playwrights, actors, ambassadors and heads of state from all over the world, including greats like Charlie Chaplin, Graham Greene, and Somerset Maugham.

INDOCHINE CRUISE, staying from 26-27 Feb 2020

https://indochinasails.com/en/lan-ha-bay-cruise

Day one, Monday, 24 February 2020 – HANOI ARRIVAL (Dinner)

Guest will be transferred from Four Seasons resort to Da Nang airport to fly to Hanoi

Suggested flight VN168 departure at 11:00 from Da Nang, arrival to Hanoi at 12:20 OR Flight VN 176 departure at 14:00 from Da Nang, arrival to Hanoi at 15:20

Group will be picked up at Noi Bai airport and transferred to Sofitel Metropole hotel for check-in

Overnight stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Day two, Tuesday 25 February 2020 – HANOI VISITS (breakfast and lunch included)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Start your morning in Hanoi with the Vietnamese specialty – a cup of egg coffee! After enjoying your coffee, you’ll start the highlights tour of Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, in the traditional of Lenin, Stalin and Mao, is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh. His body is encased in a glass sarcophagus set deep in the pit of a monumental edifice that has become a pilgrimage site. Then you will continue walking through the beautiful botanical garden of the Presidential Palace to visit Uncle Ho’s humble house. This modest dwelling was built based on rural Vietnamese stilt houses and is where Uncle Ho lived for the last years of his life. From there, you will visit the One Pillar Pagoda (or Buddhist temple). The pagoda is built of wood and stands on a single stone pillar. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a symbol of purity.

The first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, constitutes a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. The various pavilions, halls, statues and stelae of doctors are places where many offering ceremonies, study sessions and strict exams took place.

Optional complimentary tour by hotel at 5pm-6pm (subject to availability)

Path of History – Metropole’s bomb shelter protected guests (including famous visitors like Joan Baez and Jane Fonda) from air raids during the American-Vietnam War (1964 – 1973). After the war, the bunker was closed and sealed, until a chance rediscovery by the hotel engineering department during the renovation of the Bamboo Bar in 2011. The bunker was reopened in May 2012 to honour the extraordinary efforts of employees during the shared hardships of wartime. Today, this space serves as a memorial to their courage and perseverance and a reminder of what should never be forgotten.

In the evening, you will be taken on an iconic “cyclo” – traditional rickshaw – for an orientation tour of the Old Quarter, then to La Table du Chef Restaurant to enjoy dinner. Guests can walk back to the hotel after dinner, as the restaurant is directly opposite the hotel

Day two, Tuesday, 25 February 2020

Vietnamese lunch at Cau Go Restaurant then transfer back to hotel

6 pm-7 pm My Village ‘A O show’ at Opera House

Enjoy the “Lang Toi” show at Opera House Hanoi. Lang Toi, meaning “My Village”, is a cultural show depicting the day-to-day activities of Vietnamese village life – such as fishing and farming – through highly theatrical acts and breathtaking performances. You can marvel at the stunning acrobatics and graceful body contortions of the players, accompanied by harmonious live music from 20 different exotic folk instruments.

Dinner at leisure.

Overnight stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Day three, Wednesday, 26 February 2020 – HANOI – HALONG (breakfast, lunch and dinner included)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Halong to embark on the overnight cruise.

After arrival at Ha Long, guests will be transferred by speedboat/tender from Indochina Sails’s Tuan Chau Pier to Indochine Cruise. Enjoy a welcome drink while you’re briefed on cruise safety.

Enjoy an international buffet lunch.

The cruise arrives at a quiet area in Lan Ha Bay and from here we have two weather-dependent options planned:

Option 1: Passengers take the quick transfer by speedboat to Cat Ba Island where they will have a short excursion to Viet Hai village and stroll around the idyllic enclave, where visitors can see the fabulously rustic homes owned by locals. From there, hop on bicycles and venture through the village paths and lush greenery for which Cat Ba Island is known.

Option 2: Sail over to Van Boi’s floating fishing village, one of the few remaining floating communes in the whole Lan Ha area. Guests can experience kayaking activities around this area or take in the sights and impressive views of the area by speedboat or tender.

Depart and sail to anchor overnight. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day four, Thursday, 27 February 2020 – HALONG – HANOI (breakfast included)

Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. Enjoy Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck.

The crew will take you to visit the Dark and Bright (also known as Bat Cave) grotto, known not only for the stunning limestone structure at every turn, but also as a fascinating natural habitat. The best way to explore this cave is by kayak or a bamboo sampan driven by locals. You will spend most of your time relaxing and enjoying this quiet and natural place. Note: this is the UNESCO Heritage site and also the nature reserve area of Cat Ba National Park.

Return to the Indochine Cruise. Guests will have 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing. You will collect all of your belongings from the cabins and leave heavy luggage outside the cabins.

Enjoy the brunch buffet consisting of both Vietnamese and international dishes in the dining room. As the ship approaches the harbour, you can soak up the last of the magical atmosphere of Lan Ha from the sundeck.

Arrive at Indochina Sails’s Pier at Tuan Chau Port.

Transfer from Tuan Chau pier to Hanoi airport to fly back home

*** END OF SERVICES ***