Snapshots of Indochina

Itinerary

Welcome to Vietnam!

Day 1 Tuesday
After meeting and greeting your flight leader and the other students joining Snapshots of Indochina, we’re off to Asia! This is an easy, non-stop ride across the Pacific – and most students find that after dinner and a movie or so, they’re able to manage dozing off to sleep for a while. So sit back, have a chat with your new friends, and enjoy the flight!

Day 2 Wednesday
This day is ‘lost’ as you cross the International Date Line. But worry not – you’ll get it back when returning home.

Day 3-4 Thursday & Friday
You will spend the first couple of days getting over jet lag in the vibrant city of Hanoi.  Visit old colonial streets lined with various shops selling everything from Buddhas to bamboo! Walk around the charming Hoan Kiem Lake where the locals go to relax and drink the very strong local “weasel” coffee. Take a rickshaw tour further afield and become immersed in the seemingly nonsensical traffic. Visit the Literature temple and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum where the old leader of the communist party still lays in state. Explore the halls and rooms and learn about the history of the Vietnam War while touring the “Hanoi Hilton” which was the Vietnamese POW prison that held Americans including Senator John McCain. Along the way enjoy ice-cold fruit shakes and delicious bowls of Pho and other wonderful northern Vietnamese delicacies. Enjoy the rambling streets, busy markets and old world charm of this bustling city.

Day 5 Saturday 
Today will be spent on magnificent Ha Long Bay!  We’ll hop aboard our own private junk boat with beautiful staterooms and sail out into the limestone peaked islands rising up out of the waters of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  You will feast on delicious local seafood and kayak amongst the karsts. Visit a cave filled with Buddhas and enjoy both the sunset and moonrise in this spectacular natural setting. Fall asleep to the reflection of stars twinkling in the water that is lapping up against the boat’s sides.

Day 6 Sunday
From sea to shore, you will depart Ha Long Bay for Ninh Binh, know as the Ha Long of land.  This is yet another place of stunning natural beauty.  Rowboats will take us through the waterways passing by beautiful limestone cliffs and floating farms. Hop on bicycles and wind your way through endless rice paddies before arriving at the base of one of the many mountains jutting out of the landscape. After climbing the mountain you will have a fantastic view of the surrounding area and be ready to get back to town for a well deserved buffet dinner.

Day 7-8 Monday & Tuesday 
Today we depart Hanoi and head south to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon.  Explore the Binh Than bazaar, museums and the small, intimate river districts.  Ho Chi Minh City is one of the fastest developing cities in Southeast Asia and just walking around taking in the diversity of old and new and the collision of the two will amaze your senses. You will definitely have a chance to do some shopping and enjoy another cyclo ride through the bustling streets.  By the end of your stay here you will have experienced one of the most vibrant places in the region.

Day 9-10 Wednesday & Thursday
Today we head south out of the city on a 3-hour ride to the mouth of the Mekong Delta.  We will spend the next two days traveling into some of the farther reaches and smaller villages of southern Vietnam.  Traveling by boat, we will explore the floating villages and markets, and beautiful countryside. Heading upriver all day, we will spend the night in a remote village tucked deep into the countryside, a truly unique experience. This is an area of Vietnam that is truly off the map and will allow you to experience the Vietnam that few travelers get to see. In the morning we will cruise down river until we hit land where we will travel to the edge of Vietnam on the Cambodian border.

Day 11 Friday
We finish our time in Vietnam with an unforgettable visit to the Cu Chi tunnels.  You will be able to explore some of the many hundreds of kilometers of tunnel complexes and underground field hospitals, storage rooms and living quarters used by the NVA during the Vietnam War era. After this fascinating day of history we will cross the border to Cambodia and drive through the countryside. Expect the modernization of southern Vietnam to fall away as farms and rural villages provide the scenery. We will end the day in the capital of Phnom Penh.

Day 12 Saturday
Today we’ll have a serious look at the violent history associated with the name Indochina in Cambodia. To understand the realities of modern day Cambodia one must have an understanding of the terror of the Pol Pot regime, which ended just over 30 years ago.  To introduce ourselves to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge and their effects on this beautiful country we will visit the old school that housed the S-21 prison as well as the famous killing fields where prisoners were taken at the end of their internments. In the afternoon we will visit the riverside promenade as well as the Russian market where you can find a “krama” (a scarf that all Cambodians wear) to take with you on the rest of the trip to protect from dust and sun and provide a great fashion accessory! Dinner will be the beginning of a great culinary adventure that will last the rest of the trip.

Day 13 Sunday
Today we will take an epic boat ride from Phnom Penh across the Tonle Sap to Siem Reap.  This all day ride will take us across the heart of the country through what the Cambodians call “the Great Lake”.  Along the way you will cruise past incredible scenery including floating villages, fishermen on tiny boats and maze like waterways.  We’ll arrive in Siem Reap as the su is setting over the water and check into our hotel. From the hotel we will head out into the vibrant streets for some well-deserved food and shopping!

Day 14 Monday
Today we will visit some of the more rural villages around Siem Reap where the most amazing photos can often be captured. We will also head back out to the floating villages for a more in depth look at these fascinating communities.  Markets exist on flotillas of canoes, small children float by in large pots and dive off their front porches.  We will also take smaller canoes, which take us out into the flooded forest, an incredible experience and rewarding photographic opportunity.

Day 15 Tuesday
No trip to Cambodia would be complete without visiting Angkor Wat.  You will spend the day wandering through the many temples in the area including one made famous by Angelina Jolie in “Tomb Raider”.  The photographic opportunities never cease as the faces of Bayon temple overwhelm you and the Apsara dancers of Angkor delight. Climb through temples overtaken by jungle and visit the swimming pools of kings. This is a day of temple exploring that you will never forget!

Day 16 Wednesday
Wake up early to watch the sun rise over Angkor. Explore a few last pieces of ancient history and head back to the hotel for a rest before heading out to the war museum to hear the stories of survivors of the Khmer Rouge years and to see the implements of destruction used during the war years. In the afternoon soak in the last vestiges of Cambodia while exploring the streets of Siem Reap and shopping for some last souvenirs from this amazing country. A foot massage will be the perfect way to reflect on the experiences of the past 2 weeks.

Day 17 Thursday
Travel to Bangkok in the morning for transit back home or to your next trip. We hope you’ve enjoyed your journey through “Indochina”.  Enjoy your next adventure or have a safe trip home!

Snapshots of Indochine Packing List
Photo Equipment, Thoughts / Ideas

·  Any type of camera is fine, just plan on getting better!
·  Staff carry computers and portable hard drives to edit and back up your photos.
·  I do recommend rechargeable batteries and extra memory cards. 
·  Film can also be purchased in larger cities.  However you may have to wait to get    home to process it.
·  Southeast Asia is a wet environment so please have a good case that keeps your camera safe from elements like rain and dirt.  Keep a couple of small plastic grocery bags in your camera bag just in case. 
·  We do a good deal of exploring on foot.  So however much or equipment you choose to bring make sure you have a comfortable way of carrying it around.
·  If you are traveling with expensive equipment, I’d strongly suggest you have it insured. We do our best to stay in safe areas, but theft and accidental damage are always possible. Ask your parents for help!  If equipment isn’t already covered by an existing insurance policy, Personal Articles Policies are a great inexpensive way to protect your gear against just about anything.

Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag.
• Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet that can be hidden under clothing is a good idea.
• Photo Copy of Passport  (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)

• Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage:A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best.  Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.  15 kilos is often the weight limit on SE Asian airlines overage costs are the responsibility of the student

CLOTHING ITEMS *Please bring at least a few items appropriate for temple visits, (knees and shoulders covered)

• 1 long pants or skirt
• Underwear (5 to 7)
• Socks (7 to 8) * Lightweight quick dry athletic socks like Smartwool are the best.
• T-Shirts and tank tops and sports shirts (3-5 cotton t-shirts + 3-5 quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene) approximately 10 t-shirts total
• 1 light sweater/sweatshirt
• Rainproof Jacket (1)
• Shorts (3-5 pairs of shorts)
• Swim Suit (1 or 2)
• Athletic Shoes *Shoes that dry quickly, you can hike short distances in and protect your feet are best.  Shoes will get muddy and dirty so don’t get too attached to your footwear.
• Sandals and/or Flip-Flops *it is recommended to have a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water (Teva or Chaco brand sandals work great) YOU WILL LIVE IN THESE SHOES IN SE ASIA
• Hat for Sun
• towel (NOT white) *Large travel towels are great!
• One nice casual outfit.

TOILETTRIES (Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bags)

• Shampoo and Soap (preferably with little or no fragrance because of bugs) *you can find non-fragrance and biodegradable soap at natural food stores and outdoor adventure stores. Dr. Brauner’s and Mountain Suds soaps are both good.
• Non-Fragrant Deodorant
• Toothpaste and Toothbrush
• Sunscreen (2 bottles of strong Sunscreen)
• Insect Repellant (2 bottles 35% DEET)
• Anti-itch Cream (1 Benedryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
• Hand Sanitizer (1 or 2 small bottles per week)
• Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia PLASTIC BAG

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
• Watch or Clock with an Alarm
• Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (2) *for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
• Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
• Medications (must tell staff about)
• Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a small personal kit is always helpful)
• Band aids
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Medical Tape
• Moleskin or preferred blister care
• Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
• Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
• 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
• 2 Gauze dressing
• 5-8 After Cuts and Scrapes Wipes

*Note: See the following link for ideas on small, personal first aid kits:
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?
series=300&seriesNav=Dom&kit=302&kitNO=0125-0292
OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Vietnamese or Khmer/English dictionary
• Deck of Cards

 

Snapshots of Indochina FAQ’s

Will the students be drinking bottled water?
Almost all water served is from a bottle. Students will always be supplied with safe drinking water.

Do we need to get visas for this program?

Vietnam
Yes.  You are responsible for getting your own visa to Vietnam well ahead of the departure date.  The following link will take you to the application form:
http://dynamic.travisa.com/ApplicationSelector.aspx?CountryID=VN

Cambodia
Visas are available on arrival at the airport and border crossings for $35. This amount along with a $25 dollar exit fee from Cambodia will be added to your trip invoice prior to travel. Students should bring at least 4 passport sized photos with them.

What will the accommodations be like on this trip?
We will predominantly be staying in guesthouses that have hot water showers and clean beds. But, always be prepared to spend a night in a bamboo hut and take shower by pouring a cold bucket of water over your head along the way!

What kind of food will we be eating?
One word… delicious! We will be sampling both the local fare of Pho, noodle soups, spicy papaya salad , grilled pork, stir fried vegetables, various fish dishes, tons of fresh fruit as well as some great French colonial influenced western dishes.

Where will we be eating most of our meals?
Almost all of our meals will be eaten at noodle shops and restaurants.

What costs are not included on this trip?
This trip includes all of the student’s accommodations, in addition to three meals a day, drinking water, transportation, entrance fees and other related group entertainment costs. Optional activities, such as massages, internet use, phone calls home, snacks, souvenirs, etc… are extra costs. For this program, we typically recommend between US$100-200 per week for allowance depending on the student’s spending habits, and basic souvenirs. This can vary greatly, however, as some students may spend very little and others may spend much more if they plan on making a big purchase.

Will there be a flight leader to this country?
All flights departing from and returning to the United States will have flight leaders. In the event a student is connecting from another country, they may or may not have a flight leader. In such instances, we generally have coordinated with the airlines to escort the students from check-in through customs, and delivered to a verified Rustic Pathways staff member in Vietnam.

How often will we be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
Cleanliness is a big part of Asian culture so we keep as clean as our traveling allows us. We will have access to laundry facilities at least once a week if not more often. The cost is usually $3-5, which is taken out of allowance.

Can Rustic Pathways cater to specific diets on this program?
To a certain extent, yes. If you have any serious dietary issues please contact our USA office prior to booking your trip to make sure that we can accommodate you. Vegetarians are easily accommodated.

Will mosquitoes be a problem on this trip?
While there are mosquitoes present in certain areas, it is more of a dormant season for them. It is a good idea to bring along some bug spray that contains DEET. All accommodation in mosquito-impacted areas will have screened windows or bug nets over the beds.

What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
Rustic Pathways only requires an up-to-date Tetanus shot, however the Center for Disease Control often has recommendations that are kept updated regarding Vietnam and Cambodia. Since we do not know your child’s medical history, we recommend you reference the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov or the World Health Organization website at: www.who.org for more information. We also suggest consulting with your local travel doctor prior to your travels for further information.

Are there any extremely physical or strenuous activities on this trip?
No. But be prepared to do quite a bit of walking while exploring the country and perhaps a bit of swimming in rivers and under waterfalls.

How often will I have access to email and phones?
Email will be accessible at least every 3 or 4 days. Email is usually about $1 per hour.  Phones will be available while in both countries.  Calls home from Vietnam are not terribly costly while they tend to be very expensive in Cambodia.  While these facilities are available we encourage students to use them as little as possible to really allow for the immersion in this wonderful culture all the more rich.

What sort of electrical voltage adapters do I need to bring?
Generally a universal adapter that will accept almost any plug and plug into almost any style of outlet is a good idea. Be sure they include a 3-2 adapter as many US products have the third grounding pin and many Asian outlets do not accept.  They cost around twenty dollars and are available at office and travel supply stores.

Is there a language barrier, and will this be a problem for me?
A lot of people in the larger towns speak English to a certain degree and your local guides can help you translate. It can be a lot of fun trying to use your own made up sign language as well! People will be as interested in hearing about your culture as you are in theirs. In addition, our talented local staff can speak excellent Khmer and Vietnamese and will serve as your gateway to Khmer and Vietnamese culture, translating and explaining what people are saying.

How does this program connect to other programs?
This trip connects seamlessly with all other Asian trips, especially those that begin in Chiang Mai such as Amazing Thailand, The Elephant Conservation Project and the Hilltribe Orphanage Project. Arrangements can be made to connect to almost every program that Rustic Pathways offers as long as the dates coincide with each other.