INDOCHINA LOOPS
Trip Code | : | MIL | Price | : | From US$3,859/Adult | ||||||||||||
Trip Style | : | Duration | : | 14 Days | |||||||||||||
Country Visit | : | Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam | |||||||||||||||
Region Visit: | : | Siem Reap, Luang Brabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay | |||||||||||||||
Activites | : |
Health & Physical Rating
Types of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Adventure Touring: Our diverse range of natural history and cultural adventures combine our expert knowledge of remote regions with our ability to devise exhilarating journeys. Accommodation at night we stay as camping, comfortable hotels, local inns or well-appointed lodges. Types of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Diving Activities: Spirit Asia Travel Adventures offered an opportunity to dive amongst the underworld of marine life in the ocean of Asia. Enjoy diving in Gulf of Thailand with beautiful corals and amazing diving at world heritage site of Nha Trang in Vietnam. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Kayaking Activities: Spirit Asia Travel adventures offered some kayaking trips along the Mekong River in Laos and Cambodia. During the cruising day in Halong Bay in North-Vietnam we also include kayaking on the coastlines to enjoy the sites. No special requirement for this adventure as it is a highlight of Indochina. Jump in… and let do it! XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Day Walking Activities: Spirit Asia Travel itineraries designed most of the day include some walking or hiking. We walks through city streets, villages, market, temples, and require the ability to climb stairs and ramps. Day walking/hike is part of our multi-day adventures activities, the ability to navigate narrow paths and moderately steep climbs is required during the trip. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Family Adventure Activities: Our Family Holidays are designed to suit families with children as young as 2. Types of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Mountain walking Activities: Mountain walking involves walking on remote and rough roads, in variable weather conditions for up to five or eight hours a day. Kulen Mountain in Angkor provide a great memorable experience for mountain walking to explore the ancient city of Angkor, Thousand Linga, Reclining Buddha, Waterfall, Thousand years old of Hindu temples, as well as local villages on the mountain. Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for two or three months to prior to departure, preferably on mountain roads/trails, and in variable weather conditions. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Cruising Activities: We offered many Spirit Asia Travel cruises throughout the Lake, River and Mangrove to enjoy water adventure in Indochina, which visit Tonle Sap floating communities in Cambodia, Mekong River in Laos, Mekong Delta in Vietnam and some others remote river in the regions. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Forwarding Activities The vehicles we use on our Spirit Asia Travel adventures are often Toyota Land cruisers or Old model Jeeps during the American War in Indochina. Our trip arrange from clients 2 up to maximum 15. On the trip you will have a lot experiences through the rural villages and tropical forest in South-East Asia. All our vehicles are registered as commercial tourist (passenger carrying) vehicles XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Cycling Activities: Spirit Asia Travel adventures designed some great cycling itineraries throughout Indochina. Cycling from Angkor to Ho Chi Mint City, Cycling around Cambodia include the beaches till the Khmer Empire site of Angkor. Day cycling through villages and rural area to meet poor kids, visit their school, give them some basic needed such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and school supplies. The ride can vary from moderately hilly paved roads to off road rides of 40 to 80km a day. Adventures with multiple days of riding can include up to 8 hours per day of strenuous cycling, requiring an above average level of fitness. Remember that we always have a support vehicle behind with the group during cycling. Email our office if you have any special needed or you have your own route to ride the bike in Indochina XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Charity Challenge: Our trip designed to involve all our activities during the trip with local NGOs that who work on the field. We often run this trip to raise money for the local charity that works and support the local communities and the orphanage. We will bring our travellers to eat at their training restaurant, learning about their training school, tested their blind massage, we visit their sites try to understand more about their goals and responsibility. Small money to help but it will make big change in the future of the regions! XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Rafting: Rafting in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are one of the great fun during exploring Indochina. If you have never been in a raft before don’t worry we can teach you the basics and ensure that your trip lives up to expectations. Although rafting does not require any previous rafting experience the water rapids and the terrain necessitates a solid outdoors background in order to fully participate. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Community Project : This unique range of community project travel itineraries offers travellers the opportunity to participate in fantastic small group adventures that include time spent working on projects which improve the living conditions of isolated communities or remote and fragile environments throughout the Indochia. A component of each trip cost goes towards the materials and local expertise necessary to complete the project. All these trips require participants to be in good health and fitness depends upon the destination chosen XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Trekking : Since the early days we have maintained that trekking is ideally suited to exploring villages and monasteries in remote regions and getting close up to inspiring mountain scenery. We design trekking holidays to perfection as so many of our past trekkers will testify. Our treks help you discover the remote trails of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Trekking generally requires that you carry a daypack to hold your requirements for the day. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Wildlife Safari : Spirit Asia Travel takes you to some of wildlife sanctuaries in South-East Asia. Depending on the location, a Wildlife Safari requires a keen eye and patience! At all wildlife viewing opportunities you will have an experienced guide along with you to provide commentary and insight. Bring your binoculars! XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Canoeing : We can take you on a canoe ride along the mighty rivers of Mekong and the Tonle Sap Lake along the mangrove, through the floating villages and enjoy life on the water! No previous experience is required, just a sense of fun. Life vests are provided during the trip XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Culinary tours : The food and flavours of a destination are integral to the overall travel experience. With this in mind we have recently introduced several culinary tours to tempt your taste buds. Our expert in the office will help you uncover the culinary secrets of the world’s most tantalising cuisines, including behind the scenes cooking classes and visits to the best local kitchens in the region. It goes without saying why Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos have been selected as our inaugural culinary adventures. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Photography Trips : Discover how you could travel to some of the world's most photogenic destinations in Indochina. There are a lot of great opportunities during this trip to capture a lot great photos from the region of Angkor, Lung Brabang and Halong Bay in Vietnam. You can practice your skills include light, colour, composition, creativity, perspective, exposure options and how to get the most out of your film or digital camera. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Multi activities : Our exciting range of multi activity itineraries are packed full of fun and may include any number of activities such as cycling, walking, canoeing, cruising, culinary experience and more. A multi activity adventure is perfect for those who prefer the flexibility to experience a country to the fullest in an active way, be it walking the hills, paddling along the river and lake or cycling through countryside and enjoy homestay in the village. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Snorkeling: It is activity of beach day, we normally include some nice spot for our travellers to enjoy more time at the beach. The boat will stop close to islands with rocky reefs providing a rich marine life for snorkelling before to shore to an island with uninhabited sandy beaches where you will relax while your guide will prepare BBQ lunch. This type of adventure is designed for whom looking for the relaxing day and also enjoys the day at the beach with the white sand. XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Bird Watching: We designed the trip watching means to offer the great view of various birds in Asia. At Break Toal floating village on Tonle Sap Lake is a biggest place in South-East Asia to enjoy the bird watching. There is plenty of different kind of birds. Bring your binoculars! XTypes of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Beach Holidays: Dreaming of relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach - listening to the sounds of the waves - sipping cocktails or long fruit drinks - with everything taken care of for you to have the best holiday of a lifetime? If you are looking for an independent holiday - with plenty of time to enjoy snorkelling, swimming, eating wonderful local seafood and the opportunity also to go diving in pristine waters let us help you plan your trip. We will individually design the perfect itinerary for you - and take out all the stress of travel and search for the right places to go. Enjoy with the peace of mind that we will share with you. X |
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Service Level | : | ||||||||||||||||
Start Location | : | Siem Reap | |||||||||||||||
End Location | : | Hanoi | |||||||||||||||
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Garuda (Holy Bird)
The Garuda (Sanskrit/Javanese/Balinese/Indonesian: garu?a, "eagle"); P?li garu?a; Thai/Lao/ Khmer: khrut; Malay: garuda; is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature (Half human and half bird that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and the Brahminy kite and Phoenix are considered to be the contemporary representations of Garuda. Indonesia adopts a more stylistic approach to the Garuda's depiction as its national symbol, where it depicts an eagle (being much larger than a kite).
Garuda is known as the eternal sworn enemy of the N?ga serpent race and known for feeding exclusively on snakes, such behavior may have referred to the actual Short-toed Eagle of India. The image of Garuda is often used as the charm or amulet to protect the bearer from snake attack and its poison, since the king of birds is an implacable enemy and "devourer of serpent". Garudi Vidya is the mantra against snake poison to remove all kinds of evil.
His stature in Hindu religion can be gauged by the fact that an independent Upanishad, the Garudopanishad, and a Purana, the Garuda Purana, is devoted to him.
You prefer travelling alone, in family or with your friends, or you are just looking for an extension of your SAT (Spirit Asia Travel) trip? You can book one of our Independent itineraries. If an itinerary in the other styles interests you, you can contact us and we will organize it for you. For the price, refer yourself to the individual, duo and group size.
Included : All accommodation and main transportation as well as the assistance of a leader. For the rest, it will depend on your request.
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This journey begins in Cambodia and takes you through into Laos and Vietnam. You will experience the culture of both with guides who are expert in local knowledge and will take you into the hidden gems of these lands to get a real feel for the magic of Indochina. Discover the delicious local foods, meet the people, and the children of these lands. Have a chance to give back to them as you travel - enjoy a journey that will stay with you forever. Come with us… we look forward to serving you well.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL SIEM REAP
Today you will arrive in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor (Wonder of the World). During our three full days enjoying this area we will visit the world famous Angkor complex and step up and give back with some time at with the local school kids and our favourite orphanage. Siem Reap itself is a lively town with great cafes and for those of you who like nightlife the club scene is lots of fun.
Today we will transfer you from the airport to your boutique hotel and if you arrive early you will have free time to relax by the pool.
In the afternoon, our guide will come and meet you and share useful information for the next couple days. Then for our first evening we will enjoy a Champagne cruise on Kongkear Angkor a unique Khmer traditional boat service through the Siem Reap-Angkor archaeological park. We will travel along the water way where history, nature and culture come alive. The late afternoon light is perfect for photography along the great wall of Angkor Thom, Royal Secret Path and City Guard Post. And we view the beautiful sunset on top of the Great wall. Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Welcome Dinner
DAY 2: ANGKOR COMPLEX AT SUNRISE
We will rise in the darkness to ensure a great spot to enjoy the famous sunrise take our breakfast at the temple, and will explore Angkor Wat.
Later we will go to the Children’s Hospital - the Jayavarman 7 hospital run by Swiss doctors to support the poor children. (If you wish to help these kids, you may choose to donate blood - this is entirely voluntary - and then our tour will continue to visit more temples).
Lunch is provided at a local restaurant after which we will visit Angkor Thom Capital starting from the South Gate. There are many temples in this capital such as Bayon, Baphuon, Elephant terrace and the terrace of Leper King. We continue on to the jungle temple called Ta Phrom built in the late of 12th century devoted to the King’s mother. Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3: TONLE SAP LAKE - ORPHANAGE
Afterbreakfast at the hotel we will join a boat trip to the fishermen’s village of Kompong Phluk. We visit the village, local school, the pagoda on the only butte (the only building which is not on stilts) and see the activities of the villagers before doing a traditional boat cruise. Small canoes, paddled by villagers, will take you deep into the dense flooded forest - a peaceful quiet and special place. Returning to town for lunch afterwards, we visit to the Happy Family Orphanage where about 44 orphans live. We will take time to buy some food for them in the market, clean, paint, and play with the children.
Tonight we will enjoy our dinner with a traditional dancing show at one of the many excellent restaurants in town. Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4: SIEM REAP FLY TO LUANG PRABANG
As there is only one flight in the early afternoon from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang this morning you will have another half day to explore the town of Siem Reap on your own or relax by the pool at the hotel before pick up and transfer to airport.
Our guide will meet us on arrival at airport and transfer us to our hotel. Tonight, before dinner we will visit the Hmong night market along the main street which is a highlight in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 5: ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM
Early this morning we will rise to see the morning procession of monks along Sisavangvong Road lined with the local people waiting to make their offerings of food. Then after breakfast at hotel, then we will start our walk at the bustling Talat Dala, the city’s main market. The area surrounding this market is Luang Prabang’s commercial nerve centre, and you’ll find all sorts of intriguing shops and vendors here. Then, we will go to Wat Wisunalat, one of the city’s oldest temples. At the eastern end of the temple compound is the bulbous That Makmo – the Watermelon stupa. Adjacent to the northern side of the temple is another older temple, Wat Aham which is known for its two large and venerable banyan trees. We will continue to visit a temple of Wat Xieng Thong considered the most magnificent temple of Luang Prabang. It was built in 1560 by Setthathirat King in the classical Lao architecture style. Our afternoon will be spent exploring more of the city, visiting the Royal Palace Museumandthen ascending the steps to the summit of Phu Si for the beautiful views of the town. In the late afternoon, we will walk to the Lao Red Cross where you will be able to enjoy a traditional steam bath, using more than 25 different locally-grown herbs, or a professional massage to release the fatigue of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6: ELEPHANT VILLAGE
Early in the morning, we leave Luang Prabang and drive 15km along the banks of the Nam Khan River to the Elephant Village. This project brings the elephants a more comfortable retirement by providing professional medical care, nutritious food, caring staff, and a natural environment. You will be able to take a scenic ride on an elephant or learn about the training of younger elephants in the skills needed for tours, about how to take care for the elephants with some basic “mahout training” or even how traditional technology can transform elephant dung into biogas, fertilizer and hand-made paper. We return to Luang Prabang for another overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 7: COOKING CLASS & PAK OU CAVES
After breakfast, we transfer to join an interesting cooking lesson at Tamarind cooking school - one of the best cooking venues in Luang Prabang. You will visit the fresh morning market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Then gather at the school to cook and eat Laos’s specialties (seasonal menu). In the afternoon, we will enjoy a boat ride about 25km from Luang Prabang along the Mekong River, and at the mouth of the Nam Ou, are the famous Pak Ou caves. The lower cave – Tham Ting – is entered from the river by a series of steps and can easily be seen in daylight, however, the upper cave – Tham Phum – requires artificial light (be sure to bring a torch). These caves, dug into a limestone cliff facing the river, are crammed with Buddha images of all styles and sizes.
On the way to Pak Ou, you will see a lot of small villages. We will stop at Ban Xang Hai (Jar-Maker Village) a village famous for distilling Lao traditional rice alcohol. On the way back, we will be able to visit also a village making paper using traditional methods. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG FLY TO HANOI
Today after breakfast, our guide will take us to Luang Prabang Airport to catch our flight to Hanoi Capital of Vietnam before 9am. Upon arrival in Hanoi we will be transfered to our hotel for check in and here we can relax until lunch.
The afternoon will be exploring the Old Quarter by Cyclo, an area characterised by narrow roads and alleys and a lot of attractive old buildings as well as the relaxing Hoan Kiem Lake area, situated in the heart of Hanoi, with the beautiful Ngoc Son Pagoda on an island accessible by an old red wooden bridge, the Bridge of the Rising Sun. Our last spot will be the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater where we will enjoy a performance of the traditional art of roi nuoc or water puppetry. Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 9: TAY TUU FLOWER VILLAGE
After breakfast, a short drive will take us to Dong Ngac Cultural Village 15 Km away from the city centre. The village is well known in North Vietnam thanks to its history and people. There are not many high buildings but ancient wooden houses, paved incline lanes – vestiges of history, the village gates or calm ponds. On arrival, we will firstly stop at a local market to see a morning market of local people then to purchase some offering for families we visit. After that, we take a short walk to the hosting family’s house for a welcome drink and get ready for the biking around the village.
As we cycle we will venture deeper into the village to visit the Communal House, the grounds and architecture of which are built in the shape of a dragon, the oldest house in the village belongs to the Do family and is more than 300 years old. Also visiting the Nguyen family with a house given by the King; passing by the oldest school in the village built in 1921. We then continue cycling to Tay Tuu Flower village where there are many beautiful colourful flowers.
After our cycling tour, we go back to the host to join her cooking demonstration finally rewarding ourselves with a rest time in the reclining chairs in the fragrant retreat of our host’s village garden.
In the early afternoon we will drive back to the city centre, on the way visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple which are located by the West Lake. We then continue to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda for a short visit before ending the tour in the Temple of Literature. Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10: HANOI - HALONG BAY
We will leave Hanoi in the morning to drive to Halong City where we will board to a traditional junk. Our boat journey will include a delicious lunch while cruising this fasscinatingHalong Bay. We will stop in one of the numerous limestone caves formed by a selective erosion over the millennia and filled with many strange-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Then as the day comes to a close, we will anchor in a secluded bay where you will have the chance to enjoy a swim in the emerald waters (weather permitting) before enjoying our dinner on board during sunset. Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 11: BOAT CRUISE
This morning, you will wake to enjoy your breakfast overlooking the bay. We will spend the day cruisingaround spectacular Halong Bay, a labyrinthine seascape of about 2,000 pinnacles-shaped limestone and dolomite outcrops, isolated caves and sandy coves. According to legend, the bay was formed by a gigantic dragon plunging into the sea which gave its name to the bay as ha long means descending dragon. In the morning, we will explore some more caves; in the afternoon, we will relax on the Junk, by reading, sunbathing or swimming. Overnight again on cruise at Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 12: HALONG BAY - HANOI - DEPARTURE
Today our boat cruise will return to Halong City and then we will drive back to Hanoi Capital and your tour will end after we arrive Hanoi. There are international flights from Hanoi to Bangkok, Singapore and many other Asian destinations. If you still love to explore more of Vietnam it is also possible to travel by train from North to Central and Southern Vietnam. Also, it is possible to join some of our adventures in Vietnam if you wish to extend your holiday in this region.
Meals: Breakfast only
End of services…
Service included:
- Entrance fees during guiding
- Accommodation on twin share basis inc taxes
- An experienced English-speaking guide
- All private transfers with air-conditioning vehicles
- Boat trips
- Meals as stated on the itinerary
- Water and cool napkin during the trip
- Elephant trekking
- Halong Bay boat cruise
- Cycling
- Cooking Class
Service excluded:
- Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)
- Donation during visit to NGOs
- Airfare, airport taxes & excess baggage charges
- Visa & visa fees, passport & vaccination charges
- Arrival and departure transfer
- All optional tours & activities during free time
- Expenditure of a personal nature, such as souvenir, laundry, postage, Phone calls…
- All beverages during the included meals
- Tips
Experience Indochina, the local way…
Our adventures are designed to be flexible with comfortable accommodation arranged depending on the itineraries and the areas visited. We use a combination of Guesthouse, Motel, Homestay, Camping, Boutique Hotel and 3, 4, 5 star hotels with swimming pool depending on your choice of journey. Each will be suitable to your choice and stay during your holiday. All accommodation is carefully chosen - hotels are clean, with unsuited bathroom, air-conditioning and television. The Guesthouse, homestay and camping will have shared bathroom facilities. All are clean and comfortable. We really care about your accommodation during your holiday and as we are local Khmer people ourselves, we understand the accommodation that we will choose for you and your family.
Choosing locally owned facilities helps the Indochina people in their lives - and will support our local families during your journey. These people are friendly welcoming and exceptionally hospitable. We are sure you will sleep soundly and eat very well.
The local foods are delicious. We take great care to select the best restaurants for you during your adventure holidays. Many of the places we eat will support the local communities and some are directly involved with training street youth in the hospitality industry so as you travel you will be giving back. We organise great food, fun picnic lunches in interesting locations, and local treats for you. Many traditional foods will be available - as well as a selection that those who are less adventurous will enjoy. Amok is very yummy! You can try this and more with us.
Here is what one participant said about our beach barbeque on Rabbit Island -
“Mr V cooked up an incredible seafood barbeque. We ate and ate and enjoyed so much .. the food was absolutely wonderful. Not only is he a great guide, but he is a brilliant cook as well. Thanks Mr V! “
You will not be disappointed in our choices for you. The food on our adventures will be memorable - the tastes of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos will delight your palate.
General
- How long have you been in business?
Spirit Asia Travel has been started since 2006 and we provide all the services for each adventure by hand picking the best guides, hotels, vehicles available. Our teams are there to ensure that you book the right adventure that is tailored to your needs and they love nothing more than to recommend places based on past experience. All our guides are first aid trained and have plenty of experiences and a great of information about the country. They are passionate about their job and enjoy working to provide the best adventure to our clients. That’s why 99% of our clients are highly satisfied with their adventure and keep coming back for more!
- Will I be traveling on a private trip or in a group??
The majority of our adventures are on a private basis so it’s just you, your family, friends or group, and your local guide. No long queues or waiting around for people to take photos, you can ask the questions you want to know and really get to know the country. By traveling on a private basis you are less obtrusive when visiting local villages etc and you can really decide on what you want to see and cut out anything that is not of any interest. After all it’s your holiday and valuable time so make sure you get the most out of it!? ?
- How do I book and pay?
All our quotes are in USD so we require a 20% deposit at time of booking to make your trip official and final payment no less than 42 days prior to your trip start-date. We accept payment by Visa/credit card by either directly giving us your card details or bank transfers or directly hand over cash to our office. We also provide secure payment via PayPal to our HSBC account in Australia. A 3% surcharge will be levied if the final balance / full payment is made by credit card.
- What happens after I book a trip?
After you’ve made a 20% deposit we begin making all bookings and arrangements for your trip with us. As soon as your booking is confirmed and full payment has been made before your trip starts we’ll send you a very detailed trip dossier which outlines everything you’re doing day-by-day, includes country/regional tips and details about how to meet your host when you arrive here in South East-Asia. Then all you have to do is get on the plane, leave the details to us and have fun! When you’re here you’ll receive a personalized Adventure Kit with a hard copy of the dossier, mobile phone, maps and other neat tidbits.
- About price?
Most of our trips are private adventure, the price is per person and based on two people travel shared one room. For single traveler please kindly add the single supplement price. Always! Your trip can custom based on your schedule, budget and interest. So complete our inquiry online form and give us much relevant information as possible about your adventure destination. Our specialist will be at your support to arrange the best adventure during your holiday with us.
- What's includes?
Accommodation on twin share basis with all kind of taxes
Homestay at the village as stated on the itinerary
Entrance fees
Airfare as stated on the itinerary
An experienced English-speaking guide
All private transfer with air-conditioning vehicle
Boat trips/Cooking Class/Bamboo train/traditional dance show/circus
Meals as stated on the itinerary
Bottle of water and cool fresh towel during sightseeing
Cyclo tour (Type of transport in Indochina)
Biking/trekking/walking/climbing/elephant trekking/horse riding/snorkeling/bird watching/Cruising…as stated on the itinerary
- What's excludes?
Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)
Donation during visit NGOs
Airfare, airport taxes & excess baggage charges
Visa & visa fees, passport & vaccination charges
Meals are not mentioned on the itinerary
All optional activities during free time
Expenditure of a personal nature, such as souvenir, laundry, postage, Phone calls…
All beverages during the included meals; tipping
- Do I need to be an adventurous to enjoy your trip?
To see places that you wouldn’t normally see, you have to rely on the locals. With Spirit Asia Travel you will be in the hands of local tour leaders who have years of guiding experience and an excellent level of English. Do I need to be an adventurous?
Absolutely not. While some of our adventures are quite physically demanding, most simply require you to be an adventurous soul. There’s the opportunity to try lots of different activities but they’re very scalable and designed for all active comers. Travel with us you will test all the local experiences, support local communities, directly work on the field with local NGOs to support the country. We combine a lot of activities such as biking, trekking, cruising, climbing,….etc. Whether it is your desire to travel alone or in the company of a small group, you’re able to decide your own level of involvement and will have plenty of free time to explore on your own!
- If I have to cancel my adventure or change my itinerary can I get a refund?
We’re always happy to reschedule an adventure if needed with as little penalty as possible. In fact, we prefer to reschedule than entirely cancel your holiday. For all bookings you will need to sign our terms and conditions on our reservation form. This clearly states our cancellation policy. We insist that all our clients have adequate travel insurance that covers them for cancellation and curtailment. If you wish to change your itinerary after full payment has been made we will try our best to accommodate any changes but it depends on each individual supplier. We therefore take it case by case. Full refund terms can be found on our Booking Conditions.
- Will I meet someone at the airport when I arrive?
We’ll be there, ready and waiting. A Spirit Asia Travel host will be waiting for you in the Arrivals area with your name on the sign board and a cool bottle of water, pack of gum and personally escort you to your hotel and welcome you to your new surroundings. Relax, you’re in good hands of our local hospitality.
- What size are your groups?
We regularly host single travelers and have entertained a corporate group of 58. Private trips can have any number of participants you’d like, but our online tours have an average participant size of 2 and a maximum of 15, keeping things very intimate and enjoyable during your vacation with us.
- How are your family trips?
We experience years of arranging families holiday and love hosting everyone from young travelers to seasoned veterans on the same tour and ensuring everyone has fun together. Trip activities are adaptable, hosts are pros at entertaining kids, each day we ensure that the kids will enjoy activities of the balloon ride, elephant riding, waterpark, horse riding and more…
- Tailor-made your trip?
It’s what we do best and most often. We have put together a few sample itineraries to get your taste buds going but as they are just suggestions its best to email us directly with your requirements so we can help you to get the perfect tailor made. We specialize in listening to your dreams and goals for the trip, asking good questions, offer advice and suggestions based on our expertise, and work with you to create the perfect travel experience. Once you have agreed on an itinerary we will ask for a 20% deposit and start making reservations for you. Once all reservations have been made we will confirm back to you. The final balance is due to Booking Conditions before your holiday start-date.? ?
- DAY TRIPS AND SHORT EXCURSIONS?
For some day trips you can book and pay online by following our easy online payment form or Hand over cash to our local office. For others, please fill in the enquiry form and we will book the adventure for you. Once it’s confirmed we will email you back and ask for full payment. Usually, our day trips will start at the hotel and finish at the hotel after the trip end.
- HOTELS?
As we do not have instant confirmation of hotels please tell us all your requests about the hotel categories, hotel room types, and smoking room/ non smoking room during your process booking. So, that we will request to the hotel for you. Once it’s confirmed we will email you back and ask for full payment? ?
- FLIGHTS??
To inquire about a flight, Please email us at office@spiritasiatravel.com or by Phone at +855 12 315 315, We will need detail information of the destination city, arrival city, the dates and whether it is one-way or a return ticket. After, we’ve got all your information then, we will proceed the booking. When we received the confirmation from Airline Company with the seats available, price and schedule options then we will email you back with confirmation detail. Payment is due on confirmation of the flight either by credit card, bank transfer, secure online payment or cash and a 3% surcharge for the credit card bank fee. Please note that The airline reserve the rights to change the fares at any time, and taxes and airport fees can also be changed at any time.?
- Will you ever ask for more money on top of originally quoted??
All our quotations are in USD so we will take the amount from your credit card/bank account on the day payment is due. Due to fluctuating exchange rates the amount taken from your bank account will change on a daily basis if you bank account is not in USD.? ?For trips and hotels, once the services have been confirmed we will not ask for any more money unless there is an increase beyond our control. For more information please see our terms and conditions.? ?For flights, we will inform you of the fare at the time that you inquire about the booking, but the fare is not guaranteed until the time that you issue the ticket. We therefore suggest that you pay in advance so that we can issue the ticket and guarantee the cost of the flight.?
- Can I find cheaper prices when in country??
In Cambodia, there are a range of budget tour operators that compete with bargain bottom-dollar prices, so you can always find a better price for any of these tours. You pay for what you get. At Spirit Asia Travel, however, we believe that it is important that you have a good experience as at the end of the day who wants to cut corners and risk ruining a once in a lifetime opportunity? We ensure that your holiday is carried out with minimum impact to the environment, we pay our guides well so that they enjoy their job, they all speak very good English and we ensure all our vehicles are of a good standard. We book restaurants that are of a high quality and take time to do routine hotel inspections. Please also bear in mind that Cambodia is a popular place for tourists and many hotels, flights etc get booked up months in advance, so to avoid disappointment and the chance of spending your holiday tying to book your holiday, we recommend booking as much in advance as possible, then you can sit back and relax.?
- What if I have special needs for the adventure??
If you have special requirements – for example, if you have a large group or young children, if you are handicapped or have physical limitations, if you have special transportation needs, or if you are vegetarian or have other food allergies – please let us know, and we can work with both you to ensure that we can meet your needs.?
- What happens if something goes wrong during the trip?
We try our very best to ensure the smooth running of your trip but some things are taken out of our hands. Before your holiday we will email you out of hours emergency contact numbers so that in the unlikely event of a problem occurring you can always contact one of our staff. We also provide you with the cell phone number of your consultant so that if there is a problem you can call them and they will be able to help. All our guides are first aid trained and if there is a medical problem we will help to get you the assistance you need (providing you have adequate medical insurance). We ensure that we have your emergency contact information for someone at home so they can be contacted if necessary. For any more questions please email office@spiritasiatravel.com and someone will get back to you shortly.
- Pre-departure checklist?
• Travel insurance
• Passport with at least six months validity from date of entry
• Photocopy of passport
• Visa or a passport photo and US$20 for visa on arrival
• Vaccinations
• Foreign currency (US$) and/or ATM card
• All relevant tickets
• Reconfirmed flights
• Lightweight clothing
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers (recommended for evenings and Angkor Wat temple)
• Electrical adaptor: 220V, 50Hz; 2 pin plugs
• A small bag/backpack for day and overnight trips
• Appropriate shoes for trekking, cycling and walking
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Medication/first aid kit
Please note: Domestic airlines impose baggage weight restrictions of around 20kg maximum, so travel lightly where possible.
Our very best wishes for your journey.
For further questions please email office@spiritasiatravel.com and someone in our office will get back to you shortly.
Angela Castro ( Manila , Philippines )
14-08-2018 13:44
We all were totally amazed on how they took good care of us. Naren, our assigned tour guide, had so much knowledge about their country.
Our hotel, City River Hotel, had big rooms and were cleaned everyday. It's a few meters away from Pub Street & the Old Market. Buffet breakfast in the hotel was A-ok.
The tours were so educational.
But the weather was so hot.
I will surely recommend Vireak's office to my friends when they visit Siem Reap.
Carlos Roco ( East Rutherford, NJ , United States )
05-03-2018 02:37
Allyson, Peter and Tom ( Wales )
24-07-2017 09:16
Donna, Steve and James ( Leeds , UK )
21-07-2017 07:28
We spent 3 nights in Cambodia in July 2017. It was our first time visiting the country and our guide Vireak Soung made us feel very welcome. He custom made our 2 day tour to suit our requests of seeing as much of the country in the Siem Reap area. He was very informative, knowledgeable and interesting with excellent English and he made the temples come alive as he told us not only about their history but about the different monuments, stories and statues. We visited Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon and the tomb raider temple. We lunched at Palmboo which is a good restaurant overlooking the royal pool. On our second day we visited the ladies temple which was pink in colour and also an earlier temple made initially of brick. We then lunched again at Palmboo and afterwards, visited the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and sailed in a boat past floating communities including schools and shops. This was less touristic and Vireak explained the changing seasons and water fluctuations.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cambodia in Siem Reap and cannot recommend Vireak Soung highly enough. Upon returning home and looking at our photos with friends and family, we have reflected on what was an amazing holiday, but what was made even more special by having a tour guide who explained so clearly and with such passion about his own country and its History. We were a family group aged 15, 47 and 48 - and we all gained so much from it.
Maree Tassell ( New Zealand )
29-03-2017 12:34
Recently I travelled through Cambodia with my 14 year old daughter and I am so grateful that Spirit Asia Travel was recommend to me as Vireak and the team were fantastic! From the moment we arrived and were picked up at the airport to the moment we left this beautiful country we felt safe and looked after at all times. The accommodation we had surpassed our expectations and the guides were all lovely people who were extremely knowledgeable and spoke great English. We had a wonderful time and I can confidently recommend Spirit Asia Travel to anyone traveling to Cambodia.
Dorte, Sophie, Olivia, Sebastian & Poul Weihrauch ( Belgium )
28-03-2017 06:02
Dear Vireak, We are now back in Belgium after a wonderful holiday. The absolute highlight of our holiday was the time in Cambodia spent with you. We learned so much and enjoyed thoroughly the stunning beauty, cultural and historical richness of your country. Had you not been with us in Angkor, we would never had understood the carvings, the symbols and the historical context and significant of the buildings. This was truly spectacular. Our first day in Vietnam, with the youns, we decided to go to Chinatown...in this way we were not with the real youns, so we had a great visit there as well (ha ha). I read the "stay alive my son" which is a fantastic book. Makes you cry on a few occasions, and makes you cry as a father. What bigger sacrifice can one make? Unbelievable book. Another book I read, which I found equally good, but very different was "When the War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution". Fantastic book at explaining the world politics around Cambodia, relationship with China, Soviet and Vietnam and how all of this could happen. I hope you are very well and that you family is doing well. I also hope there is enough work to be done and you enjoy it. We treasure the time with you and Cambodia would not have been the same without your guidance and expertise. Kind regards
PS. Sebastian made a presentation to the class with pictures from Cambodia about "human rights". He showed pictures from our trip and explained the genocide. His American teacher had visited Cambodia twice.
Dave Rogers ( Toronto , Canada )
28-03-2017 05:51
Cambodia - So Many Memories - Just A Few Words
During the visit to Cambodia, the experiences were jammed pack during the 8days Global Sage Summit. Our tour guide, Mr V prides himself on providing authentic Khmer experiences and goes to extremes to share the essence of the Khmer, the flavors of Khmer cooking including tarantula's , and the sites and history of the Khmer people.
From waking up at 430am to visit Angkor Wat, to giving much needed blood to the local blood bank, to visiting our orphanage, to traversing a bamboo bridge to play football with the local kids, to boating to Rabbit Island, to dining at a wide range of local eateries, the week in Cambodia, truly allowed us to eat local, sing local, and party local with Mr V and the Khmer people.
For many first time visitors to Cambodia, the attraction and horror of the genocide of the Pol Pot regime rings loud and can trigger many emotions including sadness, terror, and anger and visits to the Killing Fields and the S 21 Prison remain worthwhile and must see locations during a Cambodia visit. In this trip to Cambodia, my fifth, I reflected on the past regimes and found myself rather pensive and somewhat reflective with the feeling that in the almost 40 years since the regime of 1974-1979, that we as a human species have not really evolved very much if one considers the atrocities and power struggles that have occurred in Liberia, Angola, the former Yugoslavia, and
Iraq. Greed and power continue to be formidable foes for unconditional love, respect, and gratitude.
Mr V , a 37 years old Khmer entrepreneur as our guide, I, as a visitor to Cambodia did find some sense of the "why" from the terror and horror of the past as Mr V's sense of humanity, authenticity, humor, and respect for life shone brightly during our journey of Cambodia. I wish him well in his adventure as a goodwill ambassador for Cambodia, a face of the new generation in Cambodia, and as a product of his environment. To reach Mr V email at soungvireak@gmail.com and vireak@spiritasiatravel.com or Tel: +855 12 315 315
Karen Scharfstein ( USA )
28-03-2017 05:46
We are almost at the middle of our trip and are, in fact, waiting for our flight from Siem Riep to Hanoi. I wanted to take a little time to give you an update of our trip. Every detail and connection has gone smoothly. We were met at each stop. We were surprised to see so many people greeting us in Siem Reap including the GM and Sales Manager of Shinta Mani! We felt like royalty! Although we were sorry to miss staying at the Shinta Mani, the Sofitel was very nice as well. We did participate in the New Year's Eve festivities at the Shinta Mani though; they were a lot of fun! Christian, the GM, once again, made sure we were well taken care of. Our guides in each city have been very good. We found Vireak to be superb. His historical knowledge base along with his wonderful demeanor was amazing. He really is a terrific guide from whom we learned so much. We especially enjoyed his teaching us about the complicated political and sociological aspects of the Khmer people. Our itinerary has been perfect even though it has been so busy. Happy New Year!
Stan Belza and Tish ( Toronto , Canada )
28-03-2017 05:45
Vireak (I think I spelled it right), our guide in Siem Reap, was terrific. We found him articulate, highly intelligent, and motivated by doing whatever he can to move his country forward. His knowledge of history, mythology, temples, geography, politics is fantastic. He has great people skills. Moreover he has a great sense of choosing sites that were highly interesting. The choice of hotel, Steung Siem Reap, is located (as I'm sure you know) in the heart of the French Quarter. I understand that Tish and I ended up there only because the originally scheduled hotel was full. Without seeing the other hotel it's a little difficult for me to comment but I can't imagine that it would be in as nearly a good location. I urge you to reconsider the first choice of hotels for your future guests. Thought you might be interested in our thoughts. All the best
Vida Demarin ( Croatia )
28-03-2017 05:44
Dear Mr.Vireak, Our visit to Cambodia with you as our guide, was extraordinary experience. It was very exciting, completely different and really fulfilling traveling.