If you're planning on visiting Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in your travels abroad or gap year, a visit to Cambodia for volunteering work is highly recommended. Day 01: Arrive Phnom Penh (D) There are two seasons in Cambodia, wet and dry. From early May to the end of October is the rainy season. It often rains heavily but for short periods of time, mostly later in the day or during the night, after which the sun returns. The rain cools the air and freshens up the lush green of the rice plantations. It is cooler in the dry season, which runs from early November to early February, when it starts heating up again, building to the hottest month of April. So the best time for rain lovers is between May and October and from November to early March for those who like it dry and cool. Day 01: Arrive Phnom Penh
Welcome to Cambodia “Kingdom of Wonder”. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh, you will be met by our friendly tour guide and transferred to the hotel, if time permits we will have the orientation of the Capital Phnom Penh. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner with Khmer Cuisine at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel
Dinner included Day 02: Phnom Penh Excursion
In the morning after breakfast at the hotel we will explore Phnom Penh by Cyclo. Phnom Penh was once considered the most beautiful city in Indochina and still maintains much of its charm; the frenetic Sisowath Quay (Cambodia’s three kilometer bustling riverfront thoroughfare) being described by many as one of the most interesting streets in South East Asia; We will visit Wat Phnom, the symbol of the Capital where we will see the statue of Madam Penh, the lady behind the setting of the monastery and the décor of beautiful Naga balustrades, crouching lions and the guardians on both side of the stairways. We then continue our visit, heading to the Central Market before enjoy the lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will visit the notorious “Killing Fields” at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Museum, both of which chronicle the unfortunate years under the Khmer Rouge. The end of the day we will enjoy some shopping time at the famous Russian market.
Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 03: Phnom Penh Excursion – Visit Pour un Sourire d’Enfant
After having breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Royal Palace, which houses the Silver Pagoda, so named because its floor is made up of 5000 silver tiles. We also spend time today at the National Museum, which houses Khmer art from different periods of Khmer history.
In the afternoon we visit Pour un Sourire d’Enfant near the dump-site in Stung Meanchey in Phnom-Penh in Cambodia. It was an appalling situation in which the people there could not be allowed to continue to live. Something had to be done and so we will hear and understand a detailed program of the next day.
Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 04 & 05: Phnom Penh - Project Work at Pour un Sourire d’Enfant In the morning after having breakfast at the hotel will proceed to Pour un Sourire d’Enfant for full day program.
Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Note: Project and donation costs were not include in the trip cost, will be advise accordingly. Day 06: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
In the morning after having breakfast we will transfer to Siem Reap by private vehicle, passing Skoun Village where we will stop and pay a visit to the local vendors who sell deep fried spiders, crickets, grasshoppers, snacks or birds that local people having as their appetizer - you are unlikely to find these in your home country. We continue the journey after lunch along National Road 6 to see the carvers in Santouk Village and the ancient bridge at Kompong Kdei which was built connecting to Angkor. Upon arrival at Siem Reap will check in before having dinner.
Tonight after dinner we will visit the Night Market or alternatively explore Pub Street with its lively nightlife and French Colonial architecture.
Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 07: Siem Reap - Angkor
After breakfast at the hotel we visit the main sites of the ancient royal capital of Angkor Thom (interestingly Cambodia’s national flag features a silhouette of Angkor Wat, the ensign being the only one of all the nations to feature a building). We will not only visit the ‘Great City of Angkor Thom’ but also Ta Prohm and The Bayon. In the afternoon we visit the most famous and largest of all temples; Angkor Wat. Marvel at the sunset from the hilltop of Phnom Bakheng hilltop temple with the panorama view of Angkor and rice fields below. Dinner tonight will be at one of the nicest Italian restaurants in Cambodia. Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 08: Siem Reap - Angkor
This morning after breakfast, we take a drive out of Siem Reap through the countryside past rice paddies and small villages to see Banteay Srei Temple. Banteay Srei means the ‘Citadel of Women’, and is constructed of pink sandstone with ornate stone carvings. We then visit Banteay Samre in Preak Dark Village. In the afternoon we take a trip to the floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake, and we explore their lifestyle by boat, which has been adapted to life on the water. We also visit Artisan D’Angkor on the return journey. Overnight at your hotel
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included Day 09: Siem Reap – Departure
After having breakfast at the hotel will be free till your departure transfer.
Breakfast included Note: Checkout time at 12:00 This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The ‘Price From’ quoted is for a party of 6 to 8 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your holiday in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:
>> Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 60 USD/room/night
>> Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 110 USD/room/night >> Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night. Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation. More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details
TOUR INCLUDES:
1. Entrance Fees.
To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary. 2. Meals.
All meals as specified in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner). When the meals are not included in the program and you want to look for a good place to eat, your guide assit you and recomend a good one from our list of approved restaurants. Breakfast is usually a mixture of Western and Vietnamese cuisines. We endeavor to ensure that a choice of western and Vietnamese breakfasts is supplied; however, there may be occasions when only a Vietnamese breakfast is available in some remote locations.
3. Private Transfers & Airport Pick-up and drop-off.
Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as mentioned in the itinerary). 4. Professional Tour Guide.
As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city that will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available. 5. Accommodation.
Hotel fees are based on double occupancy one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily Western or Vietnamese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified. 6. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
7. Arrangements Fees.
The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges. TOUR EXCLUDES:
1. International/domestic Airfares, Airport Tax, Fuel Fee, Service Charge
2. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar & Laos Entry Visa Fees.
3. Excess Baggage Charges.
Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carryon baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg. The size may not exceed 20x40x 55cm. 4. Personal Expenses.
Expenses of a purely personal nature such as Tips and gratuities, laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary. 5. Meals.
Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary. 6. Single Room Supplement.
7. Travel Insurance. 8. Payment fees. 9. Project and Donation Cost. Project and donation costs were not include in the trip cost, will be advise accordingly. The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen., but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.
Note: Our first choice for each level of accommodation has been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.
|