-
Pri
ces
& it
iner
arie
s va
lid
unti
l Mar
ch 3
1st
2017
F O R 1 8 - 3 9 s PAGE. 14
AWESOME ASIAN ADVENTURES
I N T R O D U C I N G
CAMBODIABALI
VIETNAMTHAILAND
AND MORE
11JAPANE X P L O R E
4WAY S TO C H I L L I N S T Y L E PAGE. 6
ASIA | 2016-2017
BANGKOK | TOKYO | KOH SAMUI | GILI ISLANDS | ANGKOR WAT | MEKONG
DELTA SIEM REAP | PHNOM PENH | HANOI | HALONG BAY| KYOTO
-
04 BUCKET LIST All good things start with a list.06 4 WAYS TO
CHILL IN STYLE Recline with tropical fish, coconuts and sunshine.08
EAT, SLEEP, REPEAT And then eat some more.
46 SOCIAL
48 TERMS & CONDITIONS49 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
51 HOW TO READ OUR ITINERARIES50 MAPS, TRIP CODES & PAGE
NUMBERS
12 TRAVEL HACKS & TRAVEL BUDGET Because you want to save
money.
14 ASIA Big trips. Big Buddhas.22 VIETNAM Pho. Pho. Pho. Pho.28
INDONESIA Swaying palms and island hopping. Yass.32 THAILAND Land
of smiles and spicy salads.40 JAPAN Robot geishas and powder
snow.
Stories
Reference
Trips
10 THIS IS YOUR WORLDTLC + freedom = trip of a lifetime.
-
#DREAMBIG
Together with our local partner, we have created a range of epic
adventures across the Asian continent just for you. Topdeck
delivers an all access pass including stylish accommodation close
to the action, mouth-watering local food and premium, fit for
purpose transport that will allow you to go where others cant. Our
local team has more than 20 years experience helping make travel
dreams come true, so pick your favourite trip and lets go
exploring.
WE ARE TOPDECK
OUR ASIA TRIPS
We do Asian adventures, epic Eurotrips, Big Game safaris,
American road trips, sailing trips, pyramid expeditions, and other
awesomeness around the world for travellers between 18-39.
We realise that everyones different, which is why all our trips
include heaps of free time to play and explore. Its your trip, your
way.
Your trip includes all the must-see, must-do activities and
top-notch local fare to recharge those batteries between stops,
which means you can spend your money where it matters and well take
care of the rest.
You will hit the road on modern, WiFi-equipped coaches, stay
where the action is and hang out with other young explorers bent on
seeing the world.
And thats just how we got started. We had a group of mates, some
wheels and enough wanderlust to make most mothers worried.Forty
years into it, were still discovering new places to see and
unforgettable travel experiences to make our passengers trips just
that little bit more awesome.
Ready to pack your bags? Lets talk.
-
THE GREAT ASIAN BUCKET LIST | 05
0 3 GILI ISLANDS. They look like three inconsequential dots off
the coast of Lombok. But these three islands have been
drawing a castaway crowd for years. While turtles
pop up for air on the fringing reefs nearby, Gili
Trawangan keeps the backpacker crowd partying,
Air (ah-ee-rr) flaunts its assets to the boutique
crowd and Meno remains an untouched slice of
paradise almost void of development. Expect white
beaches, turtles and swaying coconut palms.
PAGE. 30.
0 4 ANGKOR WAT. Angkor Wat was originally built as a tribute to
the Hindu god Vishnu and then gradually transformed
into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the
12th Century. Youve probably seen the sunset a
thousand times, but watching a thousand year old
handcrafted piece of human ingenuity in person
serves as a stark reminder of what our species were
capable of before Facebook. We understand if you
still want a selfie though. #nojudgment
PAGE. 16,18.
0 5 HANOI. Thinking of food? You wont be disappointed. From the
pho stalls and bahn mi trucks of the Old Quarter to the OMG-I-
want-to-eat-everything feasts of Quan an Ngon,
this is the best place in the world to eat, sleep,
and dodge motorbikes. Get some refuge from the
frantic traffic at the Temple of Literature, pick up
some propaganda posters and explore the Parisian
tree-lined boulevards and alleyways of one of Asias
most delectable cities.
PAGE. 16, 24, 26.
0 6 TOKYO. Home to Hello Kitty, more Michelin stars than any
other city in the world and a public transport that has never
been late ever. This sprawling metropolis offers
a curious mix between feudal heritage, street
fashion and the most hi-tech toilets youll ever see.
Dont miss: World-class ramen in Nakano, Elvis
impersonators in Yoyogi Park and next-gen fashion
in Harajuku. PAGE. 42, 44.
0 1 BANGKOK. I BKK. Said just about everyone ever. Just like its
cuisine, Bangkok is a welcome assault on the senses, where
tuk tuks fight for inches with black Lexuses and
street noodle stalls rub shoulders with luxury
department stores. Embrace the fun-loving chaos
making this city Asias answer to NYC then retreat
for a dose of temple serenity or climb a skyscraper
for a sunset drink at a swanky rooftop bar. PAGE.16, 18, 20,
38.
0 2 SAMUI ARCHIPELAGO. Lifes a beach. And good things come in
three. Start your island hopping life on Koh Samui with
snorkelling,
shopping and poolside comforts, then ferry across
to its sister Pha Ngan for a juxtaposition of beaches,
swaying coconut palms and full-moon parties.
Wrap up with a couple of nights on Koh Tao for
more island vibes and eat, sleep, dive repeat.
Beached out? You bet. PAGE. 36.
ASIA B U C K E T L I S T
0 7 KYOTO. Not far from the hustle and bustle of Japans second
biggest metropolis Osaka, youll find yourself surrounded
by immaculate gardens, temples and a city that
turns her nose up at the glittery selfie machines
and frenetic pace of Tokyo. Embrace serenity
at Kinkakuji temple, watch apprentice geishas
recreate ancient folklore through song and dance in
Gion then get your samurai fix at Nijo Castle.
PAGE. 42.
0 8 KUALA LUMPUR. Malaysians take their food seriously. Below
the seen-the-postcard Petronas Towers with its retail wonderland
youll find an urban sprawl of Indian,
Chinese, Malay and colonial influences. Never
thought a food court plate of duck and rice could
change your life? Think again. Eat up then escape
the city smoke for a while, check out the most
popular hindu shrine outside India, then steam
around Malacca for a more colonial take on life.
PAGE. 20.
-
Kick back in pools so zen the water basically scoops you up in a
lazy, warm, comfy hug. Weve got a range of sweet digs awaiting
your arrival leaving you to pull up a chair while one hand props
up a book and the other holds your drink.
RELAX & RECHARGEgo
Best 4W A Y S T O C H I L L
i nStyle
-
4 WAYS TO CHILL IN STYLE | 07
CHAWENG BEACH FRONTED ROOMS, FRESH LOCAL FOOD AND THAT POOL. Why
would you want to go anywhere when youve got this view and that
coconut to finish? Watch the action unfold beneath you on the beach
as you put your sunbed to perfect use.
OZO CHAWENG. SEE PAGE 36
HOVERING ABOVE THE ANDAMAN SEA, WATER ACTIVITIES IS CROWN LANTAS
MIDDLE NAME. Lap up the free flowing swimming pool that winds its
way through the resort like a lazy river and wonder how you hit the
hotel jackpot. #winning.
CROWN LANTA. SEE PAGE 34
DOES THE NEWEST AND BIGGEST RESORT AND SPA IN THE GILIS SOUND
LIKE YOUR THING? Secluded enough to not do your head in but close
enough to the doof doof to put your hands up for Detroit and watch
the sun set over Bali from your sunbed.
ASTON SUNSET. SEE PAGE 30
KOH LANTA: THAILAND GILI TRAWANGAN: INDONESIA
KOH SAMUI: THAILAND
THIS IS HOW SAMURAIS DO BED AND BREAKFAST. Like everything else
in Nippon, Ryokans go back about a zillion years (to the Edo
period). Get around on tatami floors, wear a yukata, bow a lot, eat
Hida beef in your room and dont dare to ask for vegetarian.
LOCAL RYOKAN. SEE PAGE 42
TAKAYAMA: JAPAN
go
Best 4W A Y S T O C H I L L
i nStyle
-
DHOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
VIETNAMESE MOTHERS JUDGE THEIR SONS SIGNIFICANT OTHER on their
broth making skills. Its serious business. Mix French
broth making skills with star anise, cinnamon and local
herbs,
let it simmer for a day, then load up your bowl with your
favourite toppings. Go for beef, chicken, mint leaves,
chillies
and lime if youre in the south or opt for the puritan Hanoi
approach of letting the broth do the talking. Either way,
youll
never look at soup the same way again. WHERE: JUST ABOUT ANY
STREET CORNER IN VIETNAM.
EXPECT: ORDERING MORE THAN ONE IS FINE. GO FOR IT.
KNOW ONE, TEACH ONE FROM A SIMPLE SANDWICH SHOP IN HANOI to a
breeding ground for up-and-coming fine dining chefs, KOTO is not
your average
restaurant. Behind the scenes youll find a fully fledged NGO
working to bring street kids out of poverty and help them
build
the skills needed to launch a career in a 5-star hotel. Youll
be
served a mix of courses blending traditional Vietnamese
cuisine
with South East Asian and Western influences served with
lashings of promises of a better future.
WHERE: HANOI.
EXPECT: TOP-NOTCH VIETNAMESE FOOD AND THE CHANCE TO SUPPORT A
SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO YOUNG PEOPLES LIVES.
SUKHUMVIT SIZZLE
THE THAI KITCHEN, LIKE MANY OTHER ASIAN CUISINES, shows its full
potential at a street side stall without a printed menu. Point,
smile, indulge and then spend the rest of your life lecturing
your
friends about what a real pad thai is. The street menu spans
old
favourites like papaya salad and grilled pork with sticky rice
to
straight up food dares like crispy chilli scorpion and
crickets.
Dont worry, no pressure. Ehum.
WHERE: SUKHUMVIT SOI 38 OR BANGKOK STREET FOOD TOUR
EXPECT: HOT, SWEET, SPICY, SOUR, SALTY EPICNESS.
REAL RAMENFORGET INSTANT STUDENT FOOD, RAMEN BURGERS, RAMEN
PIZZA and all the other hipster variations youve seen on the
theme.
Real ramen is a 36-hour love affair with pork and chicken
bones
simmered according to a thousand- year-old recipe youll
never
be able to recreate at home. Its also a perfect alternative to
the
3am pizza slice, the 11 am brunch or just about any soul
food
indulgence you can think of.
WHERE: ANY HOLE IN THE WALL IN NAKANO-KU, TOKYO
EXPECT: TO NEVER SAY ITS JUST SOUP AGAIN
Eat, Sleep, RepeatFOOD COMAnoun/fd km/The feeling of utter, smug
satisfaction and sleepiness, that one feels after eating their way
through South East Asia for a few weeks. Common causes include banh
mi, pho, coconuts, and stacks of satay.
ANTONYMS: GYM, DIET, PACKED LUNCH
-
DEAT, SLEEP, REPEAT | 09
-
TLC + BUCKET LIST SORTEDWE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE WERE PASSIONATE
about showing young people the world. This means all TLC is
included in the trip price
and not charged on your last day. Go ziplining through the
jungle
in Thailand, dodge motorbikes and eat streetfood in Vietnam
or
watch life rush by from a Shinkansen train in Japan. This is
your
world, your dream, and your adventure.
+ The perfect mix between must-see and off the beaten track
destinations
+ Heaps of meals included
HASSLE-FREE TRAVELOUR RECIPE IS SIMPLE: A group of young
explorers, transport sorted and custom-built itineraries designed
to mix freedom with life-
changing experiences. Its more than getting from A to Bits
all
about the epic friends, memories and experiences you have
along
the way.
+ Local Trip Leaders with extensive insider knowledge + No
tipping or extra charges
FREEDOM TO EXPLOREALL OUR TRIPS ARE DESIGNED TO LET YOU ROAM
FREE while keeping things hassle-free. Weve got the bucket list
sorted, the
accommodation booked and enough time built in to let you do
your own thing. Its your trip, your way.
+ Lots of free time in each city + A good mix of included and
optional activities
NO MORE FOMOWE KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE BEST BEACHES, temples,
street food and cultural experiences in Asia and have trained our
crew
to give you the best experience every time. Add handpicked
accommodation ranging from Ko Samui's most awesome island
resort to a ryokan in the Japanese countryside and youll see why
we say we run trips, not tours.
+ Unique accommodation in three and four-star hotels + Small and
medium groups. Medium on Island hoppers
(Samui/ Ko-Conut and Bali) with 35 pax. all other trips
small at 20 pax.
THIS IS YOUR WORLD | 11
-
12 | TRAVEL HACKS
Travel HacksY O U N E E D T O U S E R I G H T N O W
Fill your shoes with socks and smaller items and keep all your
cables in a sunglass case.
Buy a portable phone charger and get free juice on the go. If
you dont have one, look for USB
ports behind TVs and airplane seats.
Dehydration, unlike unicorns, is a real thing. Drink more water
than you think youll need.
Forgot where you live? Youre not alone. Take a selfie in front
of the hotel when you
arrive for an instant reminder.
Scan or take photos of your passport, credit cards and insurance
documents and email
them to yourself or save in Evernote.
Type or speak ok maps into the Google Maps app to store any
location to your phone
for offline browsing.
Always take metered taxis. Haggling might be fun, but the
reality is youll pay twice as much as
normal. But YOLO.
Going anywhere near a boat? The water might seem deceptively
warm, azure blue and inviting,
but your electronics will disagree. Put anything you dont want
to get rid of in a sealable plastic bag.
You will thank us for this one. The less stuff you bring, the
easier it will be to move around
at your destination.
D R I N K W A T E R
T U R N O N T H E M E T E R
U S E S P A C E W I S E LYB A T T E R Y L I F E I S C R I T I C
A L
B A C K U P E V E R Y T H I N G S A V E M A P S O F F L I N
E
B R I N G L E S S S T U F FW A T E R I S N O T Y O U R F R I E N
D
T A K E A H O T E L S E L F I E
Travel Budget
-
INCLUDED WITH TOPD
ECK
GETTI
NG ARO
UND, EAT, STAY, SEE, DOSTA
Y - ON
YOUR O
WNGETTING AROUNDEAT
DOSEE
WITH US
14 DAY | ROAD TO PHNOM PENH
MULTI-TRIP DISCOUNTS*BOOK 2 TRIPS and Save 5% on the cheapest
trip.BOOK 3 TRIPS and Save 7.5% on the cheapest trip and 5% on the
2nd cheapest.BOOK 4 TRIPS And Save 10% on the cheapest trip, 7.5%
ON THE 2ND CHEAPEST AND 5% ON THE 3RD.
EARLY PAYMENT*SAVE 5% when you book and pay in full 6 months in
advance of your trip departure date.
FRIENDS & DISCOUNTS*SAVE 5% for 4 friends who book and
travel together. SAVE 7.5% for 7 friends and 10% for 10 friends!
#Winning.
PAST PASSENGER*SAVE 5% if youve travelled with us before.
GETTING AROUNDAIR CONDITIONED COACH, TRAIN & FLIGHTS
SEETOUR GUIDE AND ENTRY FEES
TO MAJOR SIGHTS
DOTUK TUK STREET FOOD TOUR, MEKONG
RIVER BOAT CRUISE, PAK OU CAVES VISIT, ALMS CEREMONY WITH MONKS
IN LUANG
PRABANG, GUIDED ANGKOR TEMPLES TOUR
STAY12 NIGHTS 3 STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
EAT13 BREAKFASTS, 5 LUNCHES, 2 DINNERS
TRAVEL
LING ON
YOUR OWN VS TRAVELLING WITH US
TRAVELLING WITH USON YOUR OWN VS
TRAVEL BUDGET | 13
Travel HacksY O U N E E D T O U S E R I G H T N O W
Fill your shoes with socks and smaller items and keep all your
cables in a sunglass case.
Buy a portable phone charger and get free juice on the go. If
you dont have one, look for USB
ports behind TVs and airplane seats.
Dehydration, unlike unicorns, is a real thing. Drink more water
than you think youll need.
Forgot where you live? Youre not alone. Take a selfie in front
of the hotel when you
arrive for an instant reminder.
Scan or take photos of your passport, credit cards and insurance
documents and email
them to yourself or save in Evernote.
Type or speak ok maps into the Google Maps app to store any
location to your phone
for offline browsing.
Always take metered taxis. Haggling might be fun, but the
reality is youll pay twice as much as
normal. But YOLO.
Going anywhere near a boat? The water might seem deceptively
warm, azure blue and inviting,
but your electronics will disagree. Put anything you dont want
to get rid of in a sealable plastic bag.
You will thank us for this one. The less stuff you bring, the
easier it will be to move around
at your destination.
D R I N K W A T E R
T U R N O N T H E M E T E R
U S E S P A C E W I S E LYB A T T E R Y L I F E I S C R I T I C
A L
B A C K U P E V E R Y T H I N G S A V E M A P S O F F L I N
E
B R I N G L E S S S T U F FW A T E R I S N O T Y O U R F R I E N
D
T A K E A H O T E L S E L F I E
Travel Budget
*All above discounts apply to the trip price only, and do not
apply to any included flight costs, any pre & post
accommodation or transfers. Only 2 discounts can be combined to a
maximum value of 15%. Early Payment Option; only one advanced
purchase promotion can be used per booking. For Friends &
Discounts all passengers must be booked on the same trip at the
same time. Only one Friends & Discounts can be used. For Multi
Trip Discount all trips must be booked at the same time. All
discounts are subject to availability.
MONEY CANT BUYCommunity visit in Siem Reap - an exclusive
project set up by our local experts which allows you to visit the
headquarters of a local nonprofit organisation that employs village
women who specialise in the traditional craft of mat weaving. The
mats are then sold later in the markets to provide an income for
the families of those involved.
611
114
1812 1395
626
187
274SAVE UP TO
$417
-
Asia
-
AsiaBUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS:
+ Tour of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, Cambodia + Hiroshima Peace
Museum, Japan + Black Hmong homestay, Vietnam + Bangkok tuk-tuk
street food tour, Thailand
UNIQUE DESTINATIONS: + Takayama, Japan + Koh Tao, Thailand +
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia + Lao Cai, Vietnam + Phnom Penh,
Cambodia
DAYS | TRIP NAME START PAGE27 DAY | Asian Fusion Bangkok 1614
DAY | Road to Phnom Penh Bangkok 1814 DAY | Malacca Trail Bangkok
2013 DAY | Vietnam Uncovered Ho Chi Minh 244 DAY | Sapa Encounter
Hanoi 267 DAY | Bali Island Hopper Seminyak 309 DAY | Ko-Conut
Hopper Phuket 349 DAY | Samui Sunsets Koh Samui 364 DAY | Bangkok
Stopover Bangkok 3812 DAY | Japan Highlights Tokyo 427 DAY | Japan
Ski Tokyo 44
ACCOMMODATION3/4 STAR HOTELS
TRIP LENGTH4-27 DAYS
ROOM TYPESTWIN/DOUBLE/TRIPLE SHARE
-
27 DAY | A S I A N F U S I O NCOUNTRIES VISITED MEALS434BANGKOK
HANOI
DAY 4 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. Visit the Wat Rong Khun temple,
view the Golden Triangle from above, then on to Mae Sai the
northernmost trading border. (B,L)
DAY 5 CHIANG RAI TO PAK BENG, LAOS. Cross the Friendship Bridge,
board a Mekong river cruise and stop to chat to locals at a small
village. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 PAK BENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning stop for a tipple
at the whiskey village, pass the Pak Ou Caves and arrive in Luang
Prabang. (B,L)
DAY 7 LUANG PRABANG. Mount Phousi for sunrise. Dinner for $2,
cakes to stuff your boots with (thanks French influence!) and
shopping for a worthy cause all in the same market. (B)
DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Rise to the sound of the
temple gong, partake in the daily almsgiving of the monks without
cramping their style, and descend southwards to Vang Vieng. (B)
DAY 9 VANG VIENG. A free day for kayaking on the Nam Song River.
If youre here in wet season: rapids. Any other time: rock climbing
mountains & cave exploring. (B)
DAY 10 VANG VIENG TO VIENTIANE. First up: the historical site
Wat Sisaket and former temple Wat Ho Phra Keo housing Laotian art.
Then Patuxay, the Victory Monument. (B)
DAY 11 VIENTIANE TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. Fly to Siem Reap and
explore Angkor: meet the stoney faces of Bayon, the Ta Prohm temple
held up by tree roots, and Angkor Wat with its moat. (B)
DAY 12 SIEM REAP. Kick start with a visit to the headquarters of
a local non-profit, hop aboard an ox cart and stop at a Buddhist
temple to get blessed by monks. (B,L)
DAY 13 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Get cracking with a visit to the
Royal Palace. Pay a sobering visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
for a bit of insight into the darker side of Cambodia's history.
(B,L)
DAY 14 PHNOM PENH. Spend the day exploring the French-built
capital, or visit Silk Island village or the killing fields of
Choeung Ek. (B)
DAY 15-16 PHNOM PENH TO HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Arrive in
HCMC, home to 10 million people
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. First off the bat: free time to explore
before you start ticking off your bucket list with a night time
street food tour. (D)
DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI. Kick off your Bangkok rush hour
with the iconic Jim Thompsons house, cruise the Chao Phraya River
and check out the Buddhist temple Wat Pho. (B)
DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. This morning explore Chiang Mais old city. Its
a temple-monument salad as you stop at Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Puak
Tam and the Three Kings Monument. (B)
TRIP CODE: AHAFBH
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
17ASIA
and 4 million motorbikes. Kick off the night with banh mi
baguettes and rice paper pizza, then have a free day to explore the
Cu Chi tunnels, and the optional Saigon Opera House and War
Remnants Museum. (B,D) (B,L)
DAY 17 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG. Hop on a boat to peruse
Cai Be's floating markets. Stop for lunch at a bonsai gardener's
home, then an overnight homestay. (B,L,D)
DAY 18 VINH LONG TO HO CHI MINH CITY. Wake up to another morning
in the land of pho and snake wine, cruise to Vinh Long, then the
Vinh Trang Pagoda. (B,L)
DAY 19 HO CHI MINH CITY TO NHA TRANG. Touch down and rest up at
the white powdery beaches or search for fruit markets. Either way
youre winning. (B)
DAY 20 NHA TRANG. Do the optional 3 island boat tour or spend
your free day lazing on Nha Trang, a kite-running, windsurfing and
scuba diving mecca. (B)
DAY 21 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. Fly to Hoi Ans well-preserved
ancient town and make friends with her asap. (B)
DAY 22 HOI AN. Explore the countryside by bicycle, check out the
2 century-old Tan Ky House or enrol in a cooking masterclass.
(B)
DAY 23 HOI AN TO HUE. Drive along Hai Van Pass to Hue. A half
day tour to the ancient citadel, then visit smooth operator (and
husband to 104 wives) Tu Ducs Royal Tomb. (B)
DAY 24 HUE TO HANOI. Take on the chaotic Old Quarter and
horse-honouring temples. Dinner is at Koto, a restaurant providing
training to impoverished children. (B,D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Bangkok tuk-tuk street food tour
+ Bangkok + Chao Phraya River tour + White temple of Wat Rong Khun
+ Mekong river boat cruise + Toul Sleng Genocide Museum + Visit Pak
Ou Caves + City tours in Vientiane + Phnom Penh + Cu Chi tunnels
tour in Vietnam + Hai Van mountain pass + Dinner at social
enterprise restaurant Koto, Hanoi + Siem Reap community village
tour + Tour of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm
MORE INCLUSIONS + 26 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 7 dinners + 23
nights in hotels, 1 night aboard an overnight
train, 1 night in a homestay, 1 night on a junk boat + Internal
flights + Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller group size + Modern
air-conditioned coach/mini-coach
DAY 25 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Cruise time. A day of paddling,
swimming, lazing on the sundeck and the bays seafood for dinner?
Yes please. (B,L,D)
DAY 26 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. Board a tender for deceptively small
entrance/massive chamber within Surprise Cave, then back to Hanoi
for one last street food encounter. (B,L,D)
DAY 27 HANOI. One last bowl of pho then it's all over red rover.
(B)
3 APR 29 APR K10 APR 6 MAY K24 APR 20 MAY8 MAY 3 JUN
22 MAY 17 JUN G5 JUN 1 JUL19 JUN 15 JUL3 JUL 29 JUL17 JUL 12 AUG
G31 JUL 26 AUG14 AUG 9 SEP28 AUG 23 SEP11 SEP 7 OCT G18 SEP 14
OCT25 SEP 21 OCT2 OCT 28 OCT9 OCT 4 NOV
16 OCT 11 NOV G23 OCT 18 NOV30 OCT 25 NOV6 NOV 2 DEC G
13 NOV 9 DEC W20 NOV 16 DEC G, W27 NOV 23 DEC4 DEC 30 DEC11 DEC
6 JAN G18 DEC 13 JAN25 DEC 20 JAN1 JAN 27 JAN G8 JAN 3 FEB L15 JAN
10 FEB L22 JAN 17 FEB G29 JAN 24 FEB5 FEB 3 MAR12 FEB 10 MAR G19
FEB 17 MAR26 FEB 24 MAR5 MAR 31 MAR12 MAR 7 APR19 MAR 14 APR26 MAR
21 APR
START FINISH START FINISH
TRIP PRICE OF 2595
G = Guaranteed departure K = Songkran (Thai new Year)W =
Cambodia waTer FeSTivalL = vieTnameSe lunar new Year
27 DAYS FROM
2595GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
97/
DAY
-
14 DAY | R O A D T O P H N O M P E N HCOUNTRIES VISITED
MEALS203BANGKOK PHNOM PHEN
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. First off the bat: free time to explore
like a Bangkokian. Get a culture fix at one of the 100+ museums,
immerse yourself in a new religion at a royal temple, and eat a
light lunch to last until tonight, where you eat for 4 hours at the
street eats by tuk-tuk experience. All. the. food. (D)
DAY 2 BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI. Kick off your Bangkok rush hour
with a full day visiting some of its most iconic sights. Tick off
ALL the transport as you visit Jim Thompsons house, boat along the
Chao Phraya River and tuk-tuk it to Wat Pho. Lunch at a local
restaurant. Overnight train it to Chiang Mai. (B)
meet), former hub of the opium trade. Then its on to Mae Sai,
the northernmost trading border. Pick up exotic curios and
jewellery at the markets, watch merchants sell their goods or go
hang with the giant scorpion. (B,L)
DAY 5 CHIANG RAI TO PAK BENG, LAOS. Today its all about
friendship. Cross the Chiang Khong border at the Friendship Bridge
and the Huay Xai Border into Laos. Then its straight into the
Mekong river cruise to use all your cameras SD cards on the scenery
before stopping to make friends with locals at a village on your
way to Pak Beng. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 PAK BENG TO LUANG PRABANG. This morning explore the
markets where locals from surrounding villages trade their goods.
Stop for a tipple at the whiskey village, where locals have
craftily transformed sticky rice into Lao Lao whiskey. Next stop is
the Pak Ou Cavesfilled to the brim with buddhist statuesat the
mouth of the Nam Ou River. This afternoon arrive in Luang Prabang.
Get in early and check out the (literal) hundreds of monuments and
temples and feel at peace. (B,L)
DAY 7 LUANG PRABANG. Get up early to head up the 328 steps of
Mount Phousi for sunrise, its well worth the burning calves. Dinner
for $2 a plate, cakes to stuff your boots with (thanks French
people) and shopping for a worthy cause all in the same market.
(B)
DAY 8 LUANG PRABANG TO VANG VIENG. Rise to the sound of the
temple gong, partake in the daily almsgiving of the monks by
offering sticky rice, bananas and other foods without cramping
their style, and descend southwards to Vang Vieng, the riverside
town that is a backpacker beacon. (B)
TRIP CODE: AHAFBP
DAY 3 CHIANG MAI. This morning start by picking apart Chiang
Mais old city by trishaw (human-powered tricycle). Its a
temple-monument salad as you stop at Wat Chedi Luang - a 14th
century Buddhist temple, then the murals and lacquer work of Wat
Puak Tam temple and its artisan brass making village, followed by
the Three Kings Monument of the men who planned the citys layout.
(B)
DAY 4 CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI. On your way out of Chiang Mai
stop at Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple. This afternoon youre
off to the Golden Triangle (the border where Laos, Burma and
Thailand
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
19ASIA
DAY 9 VANG VIENG. A free day for kayaking on the Nam Song River.
If youre here in wet season: rapids. If youre here any other time:
rock climbing the limestone mountains or cave exploring. (B)
DAY 10 VANG VIENG TO VIENTIANE. First up: the historical site
Wat Sisaket and former temple Wat Ho Phra Keo housing Laotian art
will give you your first culture fix. Then Patuxay, aka the Victory
Monument. (B)
DAY 11 VIENTIANE TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. Fly to Siem Reap, let
your nose pick the perfect lunch spot before an afternoon tour of
Angkor: meet the stoney faces of Bayon, the Ta Prohm temple held up
by tree roots, and Angkor Wat with its moat. Stand on top of Pre
Rup for sunset. (B)
DAY 12 SIEM REAP. Kick start the day with a visit to the HQ of a
local non-profit organisation employing village women who
specialise in the traditional craft of mat weaving. Then hop aboard
an ox cart to visit a Khmer family who makes brooms and stop at a
Buddhist temple to get blessed by monks. (B,L)
DAY 13 SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH. Phnom Penh awaits this morning.
Get cracking with a visit to the Royal Palace overlooking the Tonle
Sap river. This afternoon, take part in a sobering visit to Tuol
Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about the atrocities of the Khmer
Rouge regime. Join the locals at sunset in one of the riverside
bars. Dinner is whatever takes your fancy. (B,L)
DAY 14 PHNOM PENH. Spend the day exploring the French-built
capital venture back to the riverfront for the Silver Pagoda and
National Museum, or go straight for the heart to find the art deco
Central Market. Done and done? Go for an optional activity: learn
about Cambodias darkest hour at the killing
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Bangkok tuk-tuk street food tour
+ Bangkok city tour + Chiang Mai city tour by trishaw + White
temple of Wat Rong Khun + Mekong river boat cruise + Pak Ou Caves +
Toul Sleng Genocide Museum + Giving of alms to monks + Vientiane
city tour + Siem Reap community village tour + Phnom Penh city tour
+ Tour of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm
MORE INCLUSIONS + 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners + 12
nights in hotels, 1 night aboard an overnight
train + Internal flights + Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller
group size + Modern air-conditioned coach/mini-coach
PH
OTO
: A
NG
KO
R W
AT,
CA
MB
OD
IA
fields of Choeung Ek, or go for a hands on experience at Silk
Island village and learn about the traditions of hand looming silk.
Watch the experts do their thing then give it a whirl. The trip
ends in the afternoon, but stay and hang out in a hammock, it's how
the locals do it. (B)
3 APR 16 APR K10 APR 23 APR K24 APR 7 MAY8 MAY 21 MAY
22 MAY 4 JUN G5 JUN 18 JUN19 JUN 2 JUL3 JUL 16 JUL17 JUL 30 JUL
G31 JUL 13 AUG14 AUG 27 AUG28 AUG 10 SEP11 SEP 24 SEP G18 SEP 1
OCT25 SEP 8 OCT2 OCT 15 OCT9 OCT 22 OCT
16 OCT 29 OCT G23 OCT 5 NOV30 OCT 12 NOV6 NOV 19 NOV G
13 NOV 26 NOV W20 NOV 3 DEC G, W27 NOV 10 DEC4 DEC 17 DEC11 DEC
24 DEC G18 DEC 31 DEC25 DEC 7 JAN1 JAN 14 JAN G8 JAN 21 JAN L15 JAN
28 JAN L22 JAN 4 FEB G29 JAN 11 FEB5 FEB 18 FEB12 FEB 25 FEB G19
FEB 4 MAR26 FEB 11 MAR5 MAR 18 MAR12 MAR 25 MAR19 MAR 1 APR26 MAR 8
APR
START FINISH START FINISH
TRIP PRICE OF 1395
G = Guaranteed departure K = Songkran (Thai new Year)W =
Cambodia waTer FeSTivalL = vieTnameSe lunar new Year
14 DAYS FROM
1395GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
100
/DAY
-
14 DAY | M A L A C C A T R A I LCOUNTRIES VISITED
MEALS213BANGKOK SINGAPORE
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. First off the bat: free time to explore
like a Bangkokian (it's a word). Fill up on culture at one of the
100+ museums, immerse yourself in a new religion at a royal temple
and get your food fix from one of the 100,000 street vendors to
last you until tonight, where you get to eat for 4 hours. All. The.
Food. (D)
DAY 2 BANGKOK. Kick off your Bangkok rush hour with a full day
visiting its iconic sights. Tick off all the transport as you visit
Jim Thompsons house, boat along the Chao Phraya River and tuk-tuk
it to the grand buddhist temple Wat Pho. Lunch like kings at a
local restaurant. Check out Khao San Road for handicrafts,
paintings and fruit during the day, and bars, music and barbequed
insects at night. (B,L)
DAY 3 BANGKOK TO SURAT THANI. Your last free day in Bangkok use
it well. Get a massage or hit up one of the city's mega malls. Tick
the Muay Thai boxing match off your Thailand bucket list or join
locals playing Sepak takraw (kick volleyball). Tonight all aboard
the overnight train to Surat Thani. (B)
DAY 4 SURAT THANI TO KRABI. Take Surat Thani through its paces
by taste-testing its finest produce: oysters, Rambutans, and salted
duck eggs. Want something else to feast your eyes on? Visit the
impressive Rock Fish Museum and cool off in the Namtok Vibhavadi
waterfall before you roll into Krabi, one of the oldest continued
settlements in southern Thailand. Check out its amazing beaches,
hike to the Tiger cave temple or enrol in a Thai cooking class.
(B)
DAY 5 KRABI. Do the optional and pinball your way around the Phi
Phi IslandsThailands island superstar, former coconut plantation
and film location for The Beach. Split your time between Phi Phi
Lay,
Loh Sama, Tonsai Bay for lunch, Phi Phi Don and Bamboo Island.
On the way back stop at Chicken Island, which literally looks like
a giant moss-covered bush turkey casually nestled in the water.
(B)
DAY 6 KRABI. Another free day to explore at your will. Wander
further to Railay Beachs caves and lagoons, and watch a nail-biter
as rock climbers take on the cliffs. For the adventurous theres
always kayaking at Ao Thalane, a small fishing village teeming with
mangrove ecosystems and limestone karst formations. Take your pick.
(B)
DAY 7 KRABI TO PENANG, MALAYSIA. Fly to Penang, the food capital
of Malaysia (what we like to hear). Known for its hawker food: a
mix of noodles, spices and fresh seafood dishes served al fresco,
tonight is your chance to meander through the Batu Ferringhi night
markets and grab a bite and a bargain. (B)
DAY 8 PENANG. Navigate Georgetown by trishaw (human-powered
tricycle) through narrow lanes, offering a closer view of
historical sites such as the Kapitan Keling Mosque, St Georges
Church and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. In 2012 Georgetown
began a street murals project which has since taken off with
multiple artist contributions. Admire and snap the amazing artwork
(there are cats involved) then a food tasting in Kapitan is on the
cards for lunch. (B,L)
DAY 9 PENANG TO CAMERON HIGHLANDS. Make a mad dash down the
coast to the Cameron Highlands through Perak State and Simpang
Pulai. Today is all about nature. Soak up the scent at a tea
plantation and veggie farm tour. Then tonight: listen out for the
insect orchestra on a jungle trek and try to spot Giant Stick
Insects, Great Green Nymphs (the largest beetle in Malaysia), and
scorpions. (B,L)TRIP CODE: AHMTBM
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
21ASIA
DAY 10 CAMERON HIGHLANDS TO KUALA LUMPUR. Wind your way down
through Kampung Raja to Kuala Lumpur. Stop at Malaysias biggest
cave temple Sam Poh Tong to snap the giant reclining Buddha and
stare in awe at the various Buddhas interspersed among the
stalactites and stalagmites. Balance your karma by releasing a
turtle into the resident pond. Lunch is in Ipoh before kicking on
to Peraks Ubudiah Mosque and the Perak Royal Museum. (B,L)
DAY 11 KUALA LUMPUR. Today you get to experience village life in
Kampung Sungai Sireh, a local producer of fruit, flowers and
natural products. Start your village education with a paddy field
tour and see the way locals process their rice during harvest
season. Peek inside a typical village house, tuck into lunch with
local dishes such as ulams, then get your artist on with coconut
leaf ornament making and batik painting. This afternoon it's back
to Kuala Lumpur. (B,L)
DAY 12 KUALA LUMPUR TO MALACCA. This morning youre off to the
Batu Caves in all their 400 million year old limestone goodness.
The most popular Hindu shrine outside of India, this ones worth a
look-see. Then on to Malacca, home of Portuguese influence and
descendants of Chinese settlers known as Nyonya. Lunch is in a
Peranakan restaurant, with flavour explosions in the form of laksas
and curries thanks to Chinese, Malay and Thai influences. Work off
lunch with a tour of Cheng Hoon Teng temple, then boat around
Malacca for the afternoon. (B,L)
DAY 13 MALACCA TO SINGAPORE. Get a taste for Singapores best
with a jaunt in Chinatown. Wander down lantern-lined streets where
medical herbs and souvenirs line the stalls. Stuff yourself with
famous dishes like Or Luak, Char Kway Teow and Satay at the
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Bangkok tuk-tuk street food tour
+ Bangkok city tour + Bangkok + Chao Phraya River tour + Batu Caves
+ Georgetown Murals Trail by Beca + Night trekking in the Cameron
Highlands + Kampong Sungai Sireh village experience + Boat tour
around Malacca
MORE INCLUSIONS + 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners + 12
nights in hotels, 1 night aboard an overnight train + Internal
flights + Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller group size + Modern
air-conditioned coach/mini-coach
17 APR 30 APR15 MAY 28 MAY12 JUN 25 JUN10 JUL 23 JUL G7 AUG 20
AUG4 SEP 17 SEP2 OCT 15 OCT
30 OCT 12 NOV27 NOV 10 DEC G25 DEC 7 JAN22 JAN 4 FEB G19 FEB 4
MAR19 MAR 1 APR
START FINISH START FINISH
Chinatown Food Street then hit up the street side bars in Club
St or Duxton Hill for a farewell drink. (B,D)
DAY 14 SINGAPORE. Take one last longing look at the futuristic
city before its Zijin to Singapore. (B)
TRIP PRICE OF 1295
TRIP PRICE OF 1375
G = Guaranteed departure
14 DAYS FROM
1295GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
93/
DAY
-
VIETNAM IS SOUTH EAST ASIAS PERFECT ISLAND-CITY COMBINATION.
Soak up Ho Chi Minhs rumble of 4 million motorbikes, wander through
Lao Cai's quiet rice terraces, and cruise the jade waters of Halong
Bay. With horse-honouring temples, chaotic old quarters and a
booming social enterprise scene, this country is not afraid to make
noise (literally).
Vietnam
-
ACCOMMODATION+3 STAR HOTELS
TRIP LENGTH4-13 DAYS
ROOM TYPESTWIN/DOUBLE/TRIPLE SHARE
Vietnam
BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS: + Black Hmong homestay + Batik painting
in Lao Chai + Cruise in Halong Bay
-
13 DAY | V I E T N A M U N C O V E R E DMEALS22COUNTRY
VISITED1HO CHI MIHN CITY HANOI
DAY 1 HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM. Arrive in HCMC, home to 10
million people and 4 million motorbikes. Tonight, prepare for a
food explosion downtown. Pop up restaurants are prominent here and
all disappear at sunrise. Nows the time to bust out the (perhaps
too courageous) tick list for weird foods that you dont recognise,
e.g. anything fried that looks delicious. Vietnamese favourites
like banh mi baguettes and new triumphs like rice paper pizza will
have you licking your chops. (D)
DAY 2 HO CHI MINH CITY. Early to rise for your Cu Chi tunnels
tour. Hear stories of what life was like for the soldiers who
endured war in the tunnels. Today they are seen as a testimony of
Vietnamese resiliency. Back in HCMC, stroll towards the Saigon
River to check out the Municiple Theatre, once used to shelter
French citizens, then stop at the Reunification Palace and the War
Remnants Museum. (B,L)
DAY 3 HO CHI MINH CITY TO VINH LONG. Arriving in Cai Beknown for
its iconic floating marketsand hop on your own boat to explore a
floating buffet teeming with fruit, vegetables and goods. Continue
along the maze of canals to Vinh Long, stopping for lunch at a
bonsai gardeners home. Jump back on the boat and stop at a local
familys home for the night. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 VINH LONG TO HO CHI MINH CITY. Wake up to another morning
in the land of pho and snake wine, cruise to Vinh Long and then
transfer to the main town My Tho and and visit the Indian
Palace-resembling Vinh Trang pagoda. (B,L)
DAY 5 HO CHI MINH CITY TO NHA TRANG. Today youre heading
horizontally to Nha Trang, Vietnams most popular seaside resort
town. Rest up at the
white powdery beaches or go searching for some fruit markets.
Either way youre winning. (B)
DAY 6 NHA TRANG. Spend your free day lazing in Nha Trang, a
kite-running, windsurfing and scuba diving mecca. Dinner options
sorted: find plenty of fresh seafood caught in the morning for
dinner. A king crab costs about $8 and can be shared between 2
(although dont). (B)
DAY 7 NHA TRANG TO HOI AN. Fly upwards to Hoi An. Known for its
well-preserved ancient town, the architecture is a reflection of
the citys multicultural history a mix of styles and eras from
French colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses to Vietnamese tube
houses and the Japanese Covered Bridge (complete with Buddha). This
is by far the most vibrant city in Vietnam. (B)
DAY 8 HOI AN. Day two in this cultural melting pot. Hire a bike
in the countryside and get to know the outskirts, enrol in a
cooking masterclass conducted by a local chef or stare in awe at
the 2 century-old Tan Ky House a vision in Japanese influence and
Chinese poems. Food-wise, between fried green sentinel crab cakes,
crispy savoury crepes, shrimp spring rolls and fried pork bread,
youll be rolling out like Violet Beauregard. (B)
DAY 9 HOI AN TO HUE. Drive along the Hai Van Pass, one of
Vietnams most beautiful stretches and into former imperial capital
Hue. Straight into a half day tour with a trip to the ancient
walled citadel housing the former Imperial Palace. Afterwards visit
the former Nguyen Dynasty emperor Tu Duc a smooth operator, with a
total of 104 wives and countless concubines at his Royal Tomb.
(B)
TRIP CODE: AHAFOH
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
25VIETN
AM
DAY 10 HUE TO HANOI. Fly up the east coast and take on the big
city capital Hanoi. Whats not to love: the chaotic Old Quarters
where its at for markets, small temples are scattered throughout
the city honouring a legendary horse (because horses are cool), and
the indestructible Dong Xuan market for street food. Dinner is at
Koto, a restaurant providing training and life skills to street
children. By eating here, youre sponsoring a trainees uniform or
replacing equipment and wherever the money gets spent, know youre
doing a good thing. Fist bump. (B,D)
DAY 11 HANOI TO HALONG BAY. Leave the bustle of the city in your
dust as you make for Halong Bay. A day of paddling around on boats
is what the doctor ordered. Stop: lunch time. Board a small tender
boat for LAzalee (all big boats should have names), a restored
junk, and explore the jade waterways. Swim and kayak around the
limestone karsts this afternoon then return to LAzalee for the
sunset from the top deck before tucking in to the bays freshest
seafood for dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 HALONG BAY TO HANOI. Board a tender for Surprise Cave and
its deceptively small entrance/massive cave within. Back to Hanoi
for one last street food encounter. (B,L,D)
DAY 13 HANOI. One last bowl of pho then it's all over red rover.
(B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Ho Chi Minh City street eats
tour + Cu Chi tunnels tour + Cai Be floating markets + Hanoi street
eats tour + Hai Van Pass + Cruise in Halong Bay + Dinner at social
enterprise restaurant Koto, Hanoi
MORE INCLUSIONS + 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners + 10
nights in hotels, 1 night in a homestay, 1 night
on a junk boat + Internal flights + Awesome driver/local guide +
Smaller group size + Modern air-conditioned vehicles
PH
OTO
: H
ALO
NG
BA
Y,
THA
ILA
ND
17 APR 29 APR K24 APR 6 MAY K8 MAY 20 MAY
22 MAY 3 JUN5 JUN 17 JUN G19 JUN 1 JUL3 JUL 15 JUL17 JUL 29
JUL31 JUL 12 AUG G14 AUG 26 AUG28 AUG 9 SEP11 SEP 23 SEP25 SEP 7
OCT G2 OCT 14 OCT9 OCT 21 OCT
16 OCT 28 OCT23 OCT 4 NOV30 OCT 11 NOV G6 NOV 18 NOV13 NOV 25
NOV20 NOV 2 DEC G
27 NOV 9 DEC W4 DEC 16 DEC G, W11 DEC 23 DEC18 DEC 30 DEC25 DEC
6 JAN G1 JAN 13 JAN8 JAN 20 JAN15 JAN 27 JAN G22 JAN 3 FEB L29 JAN
10 FEB L5 FEB 17 FEB G12 FEB 24 FEB19 FEB 3 MAR26 FEB 10 MAR G5 MAR
17 MAR12 MAR 24 MAR19 MAR 31 MAR26 MAR 7 APR2 APR 14 APR9 APR 21
APR
START FINISH START FINISH
TRIP PRICE OF 1180
G = Guaranteed departure K = Songkran (Thai new Year)W =
Cambodia waTer FeSTivalL = vieTnameSe lunar new Year
13 DAYS FROM
1180GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
91/
DAY
-
footpaths that contour around the rice terraces, passing grazing
buffaloes, and hear the century-old migration stories of the Black
Hmong (could this be any more magical?). This afternoon visit a
local familys Black Hmong house (mind your manners), then it's back
to Sapa to board an overnight train. (B,L,D)
DAY 4 SAPA TO HANOI. Arrive back in Hanoi for one last pho and
rice paper roll.
DAY 1 HANOI TO SAPA, VIETNAM. Ease into your Sapa round trip
with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. Boasting a
dedicated display to Vietnams 54 ethnic minorities and rumoured to
be the best museum in the country, youve got a lot to learn in one
afternoon. Grab an early dinner before we high-tail it by train to
Lao Cai, an unassuming town on the Vietnam-China border. Well
overnight in comfortable sleeper berths en route. (D)
DAY 2 SAPA. Wake up in a different city before we make our way
to the small Giay village of Ta Van in the Muong Hoa Valley. Today
we traverse the gaping mouth-worthy rice paddies on towards the
Black Hmong village of Lao Chai (not related to Chai, btw). With
rice terraces blanketing the mountain like coiffed faux grass, nows
your chance to snap every angle and get your Insta fix before we
arrive at the home of a local Black Hmong lady by the name of Ms
Moo. Soak in the views while hearing stories about the life and
culture of the Black Hmong people, then work out those foot kinks
with a traditional Hmong herbal foot bath. Next up, join a master
class led by a local expert to learn the dying art of Batik
painting. The best part: you get to bring your creation home whilst
taking part in a sustainable tourism project supporting local women
and ensuring the art form is passed on to the next generation.
Tonight we get to stay at Ms Moos as homestay guests. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 SAPA. This morning you're onwards and upwards to the
peaceful valleys and gorges surrounding the village of O Quy Ho,
north of Sapa. Indochinas highest peak, Fangxipan Mountain towers
over the valleys as a welcome reprieve from the blistering sun,
providing pano-worthy shots on clear days. Breathe in the oolong
tea scent as you trek past tea farms. Look down (and snap away) as
you walk along the
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Museum of Ethnology + Muong Hoa
valley and ethnic villages + Batik painting master class + O Quy Ho
village
MORE INCLUSIONS + 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners + 2 night
aboard overnight train, 1 night local
homestay + Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller group size +
Modern air-conditioned vehicles
27VIETN
AM
PH
OTO
: TR
AN
QU
OC
PA
GO
DA
, H
AN
OI
4 DAY | S A P A E N C O U N T E R
TRIP CODE: AHVSHH
COUNTRY VISITED MEALS71HANOI HANOI
29 APR 2 MAY6 MAY 9 MAY
20 MAY 23 MAY3 JUN 6 JUN17 JUN 20 JUN1 JUL 4 JUL15 JUL 18 JUL29
JUL 1 AUG12 AUG 15 AUG26 AUG 29 AUG9 SEP 12 SEP
23 SEP 26 SEP30 SEP 3 OCT7 OCT 10 OCT
14 OCT 17 OCT21 OCT 24 OCT28 OCT 31 OCT4 NOV 7 NOV11 NOV 14
NOV18 NOV 21 NOV
25 NOV 28 NOV2 DEC 5 DEC9 DEC 12 DEC
16 DEC 19 DEC23 DEC 26 DEC30 DEC 2 JAN6 JAN 9 JAN13 JAN 16 JAN20
JAN 23 JAN L27 JAN 30 JAN L3 FEB 6 FEB
10 FEB 13 FEB17 FEB 20 FEB24 FEB 27 FEB3 MAR 6 MAR
10 MAR 13 MAR17 MAR 20 MAR24 MAR 27 MAR31 MAR 3 APR
START FINISH START FINISH
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
TRIP PRICE OF 265
L = vieTnameSe lunar new Year
4 DAYS FROM
265GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
67/
DAY
-
DOES CORAL REEFS, SWAYING PALM TREES AND SEAFOOD ON THE BEACH
SOUND LIKE YOUR THING? Or yoga in Ubud, white water rafting in
Seminyak and the Ibiza of South East Asia in Gili Trawangan with
less DJs and more turtles. Top it off with an Indonesian sunset and
a Bintang and youre laughing.
Indonesia
-
ACCOMMODATION+3 STAR HOTELS
TRIP LENGTH7 DAYS
ROOM TYPESTWIN/DOUBLE/TRIPLE SHARE
Indonesia
BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS: + Gili Trawangan Cidomo ride + Padangbai
by speedboat + Ubud cultural dance show
-
it. Go old school and get a Cidomo (horse carriage) to the
hotel. (B)
DAY 3 GILI TRAWANGAN. Free day: take one. You might want to take
this one easy and languidly laze on Goodheart beach. With bicycles
and horses as the main mode of transport (there are no motorised
vehicles on the Gilis) this is as remote as a remote island
experience can get. Want to meet the locals? Do the optional diving
and snorkelling tour to casually bump into turtles, rays and reef
sharks. Tonight meander through the night markets snacking your way
through satays and fresh seafood for prices cheap as chips. (B)
DAY 4 GILI TRAWANGAN. Start your day in the Ibiza of Southeast
Asia and watch the sunrise over Lomboks Mt. Rinjani (stick with us
and youll round out the day with the best sunrises and sunsets in
Indonesia). Then join a beach volleyball game, explore the islands
diameter on horseback or book yourself a yoga retreat. This
afternoon, set up the camera at the south eastern point of Gili T
to watch the sun disappear behind Balis Mount Agung. Not paradise,
just another day in Gili T. (B)
DAY 5 GILI TRAWANGAN TO UBUD. Diving certification clutched
tight to your chest (depending on whether you made the most of Gili
T), today we press onto Ubud after speedboating it to Padangbai
port. Culture/yoga/nature buffs, youve come to the right place. The
rest of the day is at your disposal, so get an early start and tick
off culturally rich sites like Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Seniwati
Gallery the only art precinct with works solely by women or chill
out with a monkey and 14th century temples at the Ubud Monkey
Forest. Munch on some gado-gado as you plan tomorrows adventures.
(B)
DAY 6 UBUD. Today, go all out on a Kintamani full day tour.
Start with a traditional dance show depicting good and evil, before
taking on the Tirta Empul hot springs in a bid to have your
ailments restored. Next up is Kintamani where youll lunch with
views over Balis largest lake (with its own dedicated temple
revering its grandness). Downwards to the Kopi Luwak plantation,
and on past Tegalalangs rice fields and coconut trees (make a
mental note to come back to all of this for more exploring). The
afternoon will be filled with meandering through the Ubud market
and dinner in a local restaurant. Night sorted. (B,L,D)
7 DAY | B A L I I S L A N D H O P P E R
DAY 1 SEMINYAK TO LEMBONGAN ISLAND, INDONESIA. Island hopping
from the get-go meet the crew in Seminyak and then set sail for
Nusa Lembongan Island with all the coral reefs, low limestone
cliffs, and white sand beaches you can imagine. The afternoon is
yours for the taking: lunch at the beach club, water activities,
beach volleyball. Its like you were meant to be ladies (and
gentlemen) of leisure. (L)
DAY 2 LEMBONGAN ISLAND TO GILI TRAWANGAN. This morning were
heading northwards to the biggest of the Gili archipelago trio:
Gili Trawangan. Two days in the snorkelling, diving and cultural
mecca of the Gilis. Let loose and make sure you roam every inch
of
TRIP CODE: AHIBSS
MEALS9SEMINYAK SEMINYAK COUNTRY VISITED1
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
DAY 7 UBUD TO SEMINYAK. We are off again this afternoon, so make
the most of your last day with an optional downhill mountain biking
tour or 33-rapid whitewater rafting. You know, standard last day
type stuff. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Water sports on Lembongan Island
+ Island stays on Bali, Lembongan and Pulau
Lombok + Cidomo ride + Kintamani tour + Lake Batur + Ubud
cultural dance show
MORE INCLUSIONS + 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners + 6 nights
in hotels + Awesome local guide + Modern air-conditioned
vehicles
31IN
DO
NESIA
PH
OTO
: G
ILI
TRA
WA
NG
AN
, B
ALI
3 APR 9 APR17 APR 23 APR1 MAY 7 MAY15 MAY 21 MAY29 MAY 4 JUN G5
JUN 11 JUN
26 JUN 2 JUL3 JUL 9 JUL
10 JUL 16 JUL G24 JUL 30 JUL31 JUL 6 AUG G7 AUG 13 AUG
21 AUG 27 AUG28 AUG 3 SEP G4 SEP 10 SEP
25 SEP 1 OCT G2 OCT 8 OCT
16 OCT 22 OCT30 OCT 5 NOV13 NOV 19 NOV27 NOV 3 DEC18 DEC 24
DEC25 DEC 31 DEC8 JAN 14 JAN15 JAN 21 JAN G5 FEB 11 FEB G12 FEB 18
FEB19 FEB 25 FEB G12 MAR 18 MAR
START FINISH START FINISH
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
62/
DAY
TRIP PRICE OF 430
TRIP PRICE OF 495
G = Guaranteed departure
7 DAYS FROM
430GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
-
FROM FULL (AND BLACK) MOON CELEBRATIONS TO FRIED INSECTS, MUAY
THAI AND COCONUTS FOR DAYS, THAILAND IS WHERE ITS AT. The bustle of
Bangkok contrasts with the peaceful and secluded south with its
beaches, rivers, and countless snorkelling and swimming havens.
Plus: epic Pad Thai, James Bond Island and 1,000 chances to work on
that tan.
Thailand
-
ACCOMMODATION+3 STAR HOTELS
TRIP LENGTH4-9 DAYS
ROOM TYPESTWIN/DOUBLE/TRIPLE SHARE
Thailand
BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS: + Cruise the Mekong + 4-island trip by
speedboat + Phang Nga Bay - James Bond Island
-
9 DAY | K O - C O N U T H O P P E R
DAY 3 PHUKET. A free day all to you. Go all out and spoil
yourself with an optional full day trip to Coral and Racha Islands,
or Rok and Haa Islands. If you need to catch up on your shopping
check out the street markets dotted along the beach for fried
critters, Jungceylon shopping mall for basically everything, or
Banzaan Market for all the colourful fruit and Thai sweets. Or just
hang at the beach, work on your tan and chill with a coconut.
(B)
DAY 4 PHUKET TO KRABI. Today we roll into Krabi, one of the
oldest continued settlements in southern Thailand. Check out even
more amazing beaches, hike to the Tiger cave temple or enrol
yourself in a Thai cooking class and apply for the next Masterchef.
(B)
DAY 5 KRABI. Pinball your way around 4 of Thailands most
insanely beautiful islands for the day. Split your time between Koh
Tub - a sandbar that you can cross at low tide, descending straight
into the Andaman Sea, Chicken Island - which literally looks like a
giant moss-covered bush turkey casually nestled in the water,
Pranang Bays secluded peninsula and Railay Beachs caves, lagoons
and nail-biting international rock climbing culture. (B,L)
DAY 6 KRABI. Another free day to explore at your will. For the
adventurous, theres always a full day Phi Phi Island tour of
Thailands island superstar, former coconut plantation and film
location for The Beach. Or go kayaking at Ao Thalane, a small
fishing village teeming with mangrove ecosystems and limestone
karst formations. Take your pick. (B)
DAY 7 KRABI TO KOH LANTA. This mornings schedule is clear for
you to check out one more swimming spot before we kick on to Koh
Lanta, one of the southernmost districts of Krabi and stunner with
its own marine park protecting 15 of the surrounding islands.
(B)
DAY 8 KOH LANTA. A free day for exploring Koh Lantas hidden
curios. Check out the Old Town with Chinese merchants and Thai
fishing families selling their wares, the impressive stalactites
and stalagmites of the Khao Mai Kaew Caves, and the "chao-le" - Sea
Gypsy Village with its own language and separate rituals. Tonight,
get a taste for the nightlife with a Muay Thai boxing match or come
out of your shell at a karaoke bar. (B)
DAY 9 KOH LANTA TO PHUKET. After breakfast were off home you
might want to stick around to work on that tan. And have one last
coconut. (B)
DAY 1 PHUKET, THAILAND. Make your way to the hotel to meet and
greet the crew and start planning tomorrows adventures.
DAY 2 PHUKET. Kick off your morning with a trip to none other
than Koh Tapu, aka James Bond Island. Stemming from 1974 film The
Man with the Golden Gun fame, this limestone rock is not photo shy.
Paddle in its calm waters, grab some elephant earring souvenirs and
then join the sea cave canoe group for lunch on the boat. Then
cruise away to Lawa Island for more paddling and sunbathing. This
is where stress comes to fizzle away. (B,L)
TRIP CODE: AHIWUU
MEALS10PHUKET PHUKET COUNTRY VISITED1
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
35TH
AILAND
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Day visit to Phang Nga Bay
(James Bond Island) + Island stays on Phuket and Ko Lanta + Lawa
Island day visit + Full day 4 Island trip by speedboat
MORE INCLUSIONS + 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches + 8 nights in hotels +
Ferry transfers to and from Koh Lanta + Awesome local guide +
Modern air-conditioned vehicles
PH
OTO
: K
RA
BI,
TH
AIL
AN
D
20 NOV 28 NOV G27 NOV 5 DEC4 DEC 12 DEC G11 DEC 19 DEC18 DEC 26
DEC G25 DEC 2 JAN C1 JAN 9 JAN NY8 JAN 16 JAN G15 JAN 23 JAN22 JAN
30 JAN G29 JAN 6 FEB
5 FEB 13 FEB G12 FEB 20 FEB19 FEB 27 FEB G26 FEB 6 MAR5 MAR 13
MAR G12 MAR 20 MAR19 MAR 27 MAR G26 MAR 3 APR2 APR 10 APR
16 APR 24 APR G23 APR 1 MAY
START FINISH START FINISH
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
69/
DAY
TRIP PRICE OF 615
TRIP PRICE OF 645
TRIP PRICE OF 875
G = Guaranteed departure C = ChriSTmaS SupplemenT 85, exTra
dinner inCludedNY = new Year SupplemenT 35, exTra dinner
inCluded
9 DAYS FROM
615GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
-
9 DAY | S A M U I S U N S E T SMEALS9KOH SAMUI KOH SAMUI
DAY 1 KOH SAMUI, THAILAND. Make your way to your hotel for some
serious free day planning and kick off your east coast journey in
the city that brought us rambutan by doing absolutely nothing. By
the pool. Youll get the hang of it soon.
DAY 2 KOH SAMUI. Hit the ground running (rather, the water
speeding) with your full day Angthong Island tour. Zoom around
marine park consisting of 40 islands, all rising majestically from
the sea and take your time to do the Big 3: snorkelling, swimming
and kayaking (with sunbaking and selfie-ing. Because #paradise).
Lunch is at a local restaurant. (B,L)
DAY 3 KOH SAMUI. A free day to work on your tan, sip from a
coconut and catch up on your winks. Get an early start and watch
(and snap) the sunrise from the beach, or go looking for the Wat
Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) to get your temple fix. Treat yourself
to a full day of island-ing and snorkelling at Koh Tan, or for the
adventurous among you go for a full day of ziplining and 4x4s in a
rainforest plus a dip in the local waterfall. Tough call. (B)
DAY 4 KOH SAMUI TO KOH PHANGAN. Two things: breakfast, then one
last dip with the coral before we head north to the smaller (but no
less epic) island Koh Phangan. Renowned for its bi-monthly Full and
Half Moon parties (thats a party every 2 weeks kids), this island
is no stranger to the music. Also, you know the beaches have got to
be good when the island features prominently in Alex Garlands novel
The Beach. Spend the rest of the afternoon getting acquainted, then
find your own nook for dinner. (B)
DAY 5 KOH PHANGAN. Two days on the island that puts all others
to shame. Free day 1 plan: breakfast, hammock, tanning. If you get
(impossibly) bored, head north on a long tail boat or hire a bike
to explore the quieter beaches Bottle Beach and the cove of Haad
Salad (yes, salad) are a good start. Or go looking for the islands
banana pancake trail. Dinner is wherever your nose leads you.
(B)
DAY 6 KOH PHANGAN. Start with a roadside coconut and get a Thai
massage for less than half the price back home. Then continue your
tranquility jaunt and venture north east to Thaan Sadet waterfall
to cool off in its pools, or go SUP in Ban Tai and pretend youre
getting some fitness in. Find the Family Guy restaurant (complete
with big screen and Family Guy on loop) and try the shaved coconut
chicken schnitzel. Then hike to Ao Plaay Laem for the best sunset
on the island. (B)
DAY 7 KOH PHANGAN TO KOH TAO. On to Koh Samui and Koh Phangans
baby, Koh Tao. The island was named (Koh Tao = turtle island) after
its turtle-like shape, and is an important breeding ground for the
critically endangered hawksbill and green turtle species. Diving
here is like ticking off Mount Everest for climbers, so be sure to
don your snorkel and join a diving group - you can even get your
diving certification here so pay attention! (B)
DAY 8 KOH TAO. Free day take one. If you didnt get your scuba
diving fix yesterday, todays your last chance. For the non water
babies amongst you there is always hiking, rock climbing and
bouldering (climbing boulders, duh), still with a view over the
best beaches in the Gulf of Thailand. Want to flop down for the
entire day one last time? Go on. Chalok Baan Khao towards the south
is perfect for lazing. (B)TRIP CODE: AHIEII
COUNTRY VISITED1
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
37TH
AILAND
DAY 9 KOH TAO TO KOH SAMUI. The trip ends after we arrive back
in Koh Samui, but stick around and test your courage with a salted
egg. (B)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Full day Angthong Island tour +
Island stays on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
MORE INCLUSIONS + 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch + 8 nights in hotels +
Angthong Marine National Park entrance fee + All ferries to Koh
Tao, Koh Phangan & Koh Samui + Awesome local guide + Modern
air-conditioned vehicles
START FINISH START FINISH10 APR 18 APR K17 APR 25 APR G,FM24 APR
2 MAY1 MAY 9 MAY G,BM15 MAY 23 MAY29 MAY 6 JUN G5 JUN 13 JUN12 JUN
20 JUN G19 JUN 27 JUN26 JUN 4 JUL G3 JUL 11 JUL
10 JUL 18 JUL17 JUL 25 JUL G,FM24 JUL 1 AUG
31 JUL 8 AUG G,BM7 AUG 15 AUG
14 AUG 22 AUG G,FM21 AUG 29 AUG28 AUG 5 SEP G,BM4 SEP 12 SEP11
SEP 19 SEP G,FM25 SEP 3 OCT2 OCT 10 OCT9 OCT 17 OCT
23 OCT 31 OCT30 OCT 7 NOV6 NOV 14 NOV
20 NOV 28 NOVP
HO
TO:
KO
H S
AM
UI
TRIP PRICE OF 495
TRIP PRICE OF 595
G = guaranTeed deparTure K = Songkran (Thai new Year)FM = Full
moonBM = Black Moon
9 DAYS FROM
495GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
55/
DAY
-
DAY 4 KANCHANABURI TO BANGKOK. After breakfast were off, but
stay on in the big city for a few more days to relish in the
culture, food and temples. And sun. (B)
DAY 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND. A whole day to explore like a
Bangkokian (its a word). Fill up on culture at one of the 100+
museums, immerse yourself in a new religion at one of the royal
temples, and get your food and shopping fix from one of the 100,000
street vendors.
DAY 2 BANGKOK. Kick off your Bangkok rush hour with a full day
tour visiting some of its most iconic sights. Tick off ALL the
transport and make your way around via car, boat, skytrain and
tuk-tuk. Visit Jim Thompsons house - the Thai silk businessman and
designer who helped revive Thailands silk industry from total
extinction before he disappeared in the Malaysian jungle in 1974.
Then boat along the Chao Phraya River and stop at the Grand Palace
(once home to the Emerald Buddha), and tuk-tuk it to the grand
buddhist temple Wat Pho and grab a foot massage. We lunch at a
local restaurant. This is the life. Tonight treat yoself to the
optional 4 hour street eats by tuk-tuk. All. the. food. (B,L)
DAY 3 BANGKOK TO KANCHANABURI. This morning we make our way to
Kanchanaburi, the city that has seen its fair share of sadness. In
1942 when the city was under Japanese control, forced labourers and
allied POWs constructing the Burma Railway were also put to work on
construction of the Bridge over the River Kwai, resulting in the
deaths of over half of the prisoners. Visit the war museum for a
deeper look into this marked time in history as well as the
Kanchanaburi war cemetery. Lunch is at a local restaurant before we
long tail boat it to our accommodation for the night. (B,L,D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Bangkok city tour + Chao Phraya
River cruise + Bridge over the River Kwai + War museum & War
cemetery visit
MORE INCLUSIONS + 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner + 2 nights
hotel, 1 night jungle raft resort + Shuttle boat transfers +
Awesome local guide + Modern air-conditioned vehicles
39TH
AILAND
4 DAY | B A N G K O K S T O P O V E R
TRIP CODE: AHBSBB
COUNTRY VISITED MEALS61BANGKOK BANGKOK
DEPARTURES STARTING FROM 1 APRIL 2016.
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
112
/DAY
4 DAYS
445GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
-
IT'S EQUAL PARTS BONSAI AND BANZAI. Talking about awesome
trains, fast sushi, shrines, cat cafs, fat noodles, anime shops,
beer and world-class snow would just be scratching the surface.
Japan blends an eclectic mix of traditional and ultra modern in
Tokyo, temples and geishas in Kyoto and loud old ladies and octopus
balls in Osaka. Everything youd expect from a culture known for its
down-to-the-second precision is here along with a lot of things you
wouldn't.
Japan
-
ACCOMMODATION+3 STAR HOTELS
TRIP LENGTH7-12 DAYS
ROOM TYPESTWIN/DOUBLE/TRIPLE SHARE
Japan
BUCKET LIST HIGHLIGHTS: + Hida No Sato folk village + Hiroshima
Peace Museum + Buddhist prayer service + Bullet train
-
12 DAY | J A P A N H I G H L I G H T SCOUNTRY VISITED
MEALS131TOKYO OSAKA
people cross the intersection in a miraculous feat of
choreography and avoid running into each other. Tick off a sumo
wrestling match at National Sumo Hall Ryogoku Kokugikan, try the
high-speed sushi at Uobei in Shibuya or forget Paris and try a
Japanese crepe. Selfie with a Harajuku girl (or boy) in the
afternoon and find the knitted park benches for an extra layer of
cute. (B)
DAY 3 TOKYO. Hit the ground running for your last day in Tokyo
drift. Head over to Odaiba, the man-made island in Tokyo Bay or
check out Akihabara, where stores scream for the attention of anime
fans and gamers. Visit the Tsukiji fish market and discover the
meaning of fresh sushi. For a history fix, visit the
Tokyo Edo Museum. Branch out for dinner and try sashimi or
oko-nom-nom-nom-iyaki. As the Japanese say, dumplings rather than
flowers, i.e. something useful rather than something pretty.
(B)
DAY 4 TOKYO TO TAKAYAMA. This morning get a bullet train (they
travel at 320km/h) to Nagoya and attempt to get an action shot of
Mt Fuji-san out the window. Then, board a much slower train for the
breathtaking Japanese Alps (its not only the European ones that
exist). Tonight stay in a ryokan - a traditional Japanese inn.
(B)
DAY 5 TAKAYAMA. Free day plan: start with the morning riverside
markets before the Takayama Jinya, the last remaining government
building from Samurai and Shogun times. Try a perfectly packaged
bento box for lunch for maximum Instagrammable cuteness and wash it
down with a sake brewery tour before an afternoon visit to the open
air Hida No Sato folk village. (B)
DAY 6 TAKAYAMA TO KYOTO. Drop anchor in Kyoto for three days.
First up, corridors of torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Taisha
shrine. Japans proud nerd, Kyoto is the centre of IT and
electronics (housing the Nintendo office), as well as the prime
kimono manufacturing hub (a good place to pick up some new
threads). After 5pm, the Gion district is where its for spotting
and snapping photos of geishas scuttling in and out of the
limelight on their way to work, then catch the optional show at
Gion Corner. (B)
DAY 7 KYOTO. Find your zen place at the Kinkakuji and Ryoan-ji
temples all before lunch. Get your udon fill at Tawaraya, where
they make their noodles so thick only one fits in the bowl. This
afternoon youre off to Nijo Castle for your samurai fix and
Heian
DAY 1 TOKYO, JAPAN. Get an early start in this sprawling
metropolis. Tokyo mixes traditional with ultra-modern from neon
skyscrapers and anime shops to temples blanketed in cherry
blossoms. Everything is 10x more epic (and executed with
painstaking precision) in Japan than its western counterparts. Need
more proof: Tokyo is home to 39 cat cafes. Well just leave that
there.
DAY 2 TOKYO. Ninja roll out of bed and start with a visit to
Tokyo's old girl, the Sensoji temple. Dance under its giant red
lantern and wander along nearby 500 year old Nakamise street
selling mochi (sticky rice cakes) and geta (wooden shoes). Slot
yourself into the Shibuya scramble, where four hordes of
TRIP CODE: AHJJTO
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
43JAPAN
Shrine, a scaled down reproduction of the Imperial Palace.
Japanese quote of the day: Fall seven times and stand up eight.
Youre welcome. (B)
DAY 8 KYOTO. A free day to frolic. Get out of town and visit the
lush Arashiyama bamboo forest, or go on a day trip to Nara for
invisible udon (crazier than the lone noodle saga of Kyoto). Do the
optional and dress up like a Geisha, or catch up on your Japanese
beer education in an izakaya. (B)
DAY 9 KYOTO TO HIROSHIMA. First up in Hiroshima: the Peace
Museum to pay respects to the victims of WWII. Free time for lunch
(i.e. you pick the place) before ferrying it to Miyajima, a unicorn
of an island with wild deer and shrines galore. End your island
jaunt watching the sunset behind the floating torii gate. (B)
DAY 10 HIROSHIMA TO KOYASAN. Make your way to Mount Koya, one of
the worlds most sacred mountains (sporting 117 temples around the
summit) and the headquarters of the Koyasan sect of Japanese
Buddhism. Stay in a local guest house and participate in a
traditional Buddhist meal. (B,D)
DAY 11 KOYASAN TO OSAKA. Start with a Buddhist prayer service,
then wander down the cobblestone walkway lined with Shinto torii
gates. Bet all your days dont start like this. Head to the food
capital Osaka in the afternoon. Think sleek and efficient skylines
resembling video games, oshizushi (pressed sushi) and the finest
sake. Dinner is in the vibrant Dotonbori district. If the word
kuidaore meaning to ruin oneself by extravagance in food (the
Japanese version of "all the noms") is associated with Dotonbori,
you know youre in for a good night. (B,D)
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Hida No Sato folk village + Sake
brewery tour + Hiroshima Peace Museum + Traditional Buddhist prayer
service
MORE INCLUSIONS + 11 breakfasts, 2 dinners + 8 nights in hotels,
2 nights in a ryokan, 1 night in a
guest house + Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller group size +
Modern air-conditioned vehicles
24 APR 5 MAY1 MAY 12 MAY8 MAY 19 MAY15 MAY 26 MAY G22 MAY 2
JUN29 MAY 9 JUN5 JUN 16 JUN12 JUN 23 JUN G19 JUN 30 JUN26 JUN 7
JUL3 JUL 14 JUL
10 JUL 21 JUL G17 JUL 28 JUL31 JUL 11 AUG7 AUG 18 AUG
14 AUG 25 AUG28 AUG 8 SEP G
4 SEP 15 SEP11 SEP 22 SEP18 SEP 29 SEP25 SEP 6 OCT G30 OCT 10
NOV6 NOV 17 NOV13 NOV 24 NOV20 NOV 1 DEC G27 NOV 8 DEC4 DEC 15 DEC
G11 DEC 22 DEC18 DEC 29 DEC G25 DEC 5 JAN1 JAN 12 JAN8 JAN 19 JAN
G15 JAN 26 JAN22 JAN 2 FEB
START FINISH START FINISH
DAY 12 OSAKA. After breakfast its sayonara Osaka and a last
kampai to the Land of the Rising Sun. (B)
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
181
/DAY
TRIP PRICE OF 2170
G = Guaranteed departure
12 DAYS FROM
2170GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
-
7 DAY | J A P A N S K ICOUNTRY VISITED MEALS71TOKYO TOKYO
some yakiniku (grilled meat) or a nearby izakaya, a short crunch
through the snow from the hotel. Expert tip: rent snowshoes (not
the tennis racket kind) and avoid an embarrassing ice dance on the
way back. (B)
DAY 3 HAKUBA. Spread out and get the Kokusai lift to Happo-one
(with some of the longest vertical pitches in Japan), or shuttle it
to one of the other nearby resorts to compare runs. Stop for a hot
katsu curry to recharge your batteries before hitting the trails
again. Do the casual and very cool apres-ski culture and stop for a
drink at an izakaya after your last run of the day. Dinner: give a
nod to the land of pasta and choose Italian, or go local with
Japanese. Or you could do Italo-Japanese and have two dinners.
(B)
DAY 4 HAKUBA. Snow likes to be temperamental (the country that
runs on to-the-second precision wouldnt be happy with this
below-par performance) so check with the hotel for reports on the
slope conditions each morning and book day lift passes. Try out
your new tricks or stay with the easy runs - if you look like a
giant stick insect with oversized shoes on, never fear, youll get
the hang of it soon. If youre maxed out on moguls, put Hakuba 47
snow park through its paces, then soak your sore muscles in the
Onsen pools back at the hotel. If youre too relaxed to get yourself
to the pub, theres always the hotel bar. Too lazy to walk to the
bar? The land of sumo wrestlers understands. Get your beers from
the vending machine near the fireplace. Thats right. (B)
DAY 5 HAKUBA. Take a break from the powder and day trip it to
see snow monkeys at Jigokudani, have a tipple at the
Masuichi-Ichimura sake brewery or get your temple on at a Zenkoji
Temple tour. Missed the pow? You can still ski in the dark. Go for
a night ski in renowned Kashimayari at the southern end of Hakuba
valley. (B)
DAY 6 HAKUBA. If youve mastered expert-level skiing or
snowboarding by today, congrats. Everything in Japan, including the
skiing, is always next level awesome. Last recommendations for the
skiers: Goryu and Iwatake for long cruising trails and
uninterrupted skiing. For the snowboarders: tree skiing at Cortinas
ungroomed trails and terrain parks, half-pipes, gullies and powder
bowls in Hakuba. (B)
DAY 7 HAKUBA TO TOKYO. One last chance to carve the morning
powder, then bullet train it back to Tokyo in the afternoon.
(B)
DAY 1 TOKYO TO HAKUBA, JAPAN. Start in the organised chaos of
Shinjuku before strolling to the busiest train station in the world
to express it to ski town. Hurtle to Hakuba at breakneck speed on a
bullet train and attempt to take photos of all the passing snowy
forest awesomeness. Meet your local crew wholl brief you on the
best slopes and other fun stuff while youre here. This is it.
(D)
DAY 2 HAKUBA. Pick up your ski gear and any extras including a
helmet if not to protect your noggin, then to strap a GoPro to.
Head for the slopes and find your feet with beginner green trails,
or race through black runs if youre already expert. Then head out
for
TRIP CODE: AHJSTT
STOP & STAY
DAY STOP
11
-
45JAPAN
ON THE BUCKET LIST (INCLUDED) + Bullet train to and from Hakuba
+ 5 day Ski Pass
MORE INCLUSIONS + 6 breakfasts, 1 dinner + 6 nights in hotels +
Awesome driver/local guide + Smaller group size + Modern
air-conditioned vehicles
10 DEC 16 DEC17 DEC 23 DEC7 JAN 13 JAN
14 JAN 20 JAN21 JAN 27 JAN4 FEB 10 FEB11 FEB 17 FEB
18 FEB 24 FEB25 FEB 3 MAR4 MAR 10 MAR11 MAR 17 MAR18 MAR 24
MAR25 MAR 31 MAR
START FINISH START FINISH
STAR
TING
FROM
$XXX
/DAY
STAR
TING
FROM
132
/DAY
TRIP PRICE OF 920
TRIP PRICE OF 995
7 DAYS FROM
920GBP PER PERSON
All items listed within the Bucket list and More inclusions are
included within the price of your trip. Other activities mentioned
are optional (and so may cost extra) but too awesome to miss
out.
-
Connect, Share +Win
@TopdeckTravel @TopdeckTravel /TopdeckTravel/TopdeckTravel
topdeck.travel
Awesome photosTag your shots
Take
# T O P D E C K E R F O R T H E C H A N C E T O W I N M O N T H
L Y
1
3
2
-
48 | TERMS & CONDITIONS
BOOKING CONDITIONSIt is our intention to set out clearly and
simply the responsibilities which we at Top Deck Tours Ltd, level
1, 107 Power Road, London, W4 5PY England, a company registered in
the UK, company number 04905253 (Topdeck, us or we) have to You and
any member of your party (You) and which You, in turn, have to us
when a contract is made between us. You should therefore read and
understand the contents.
All trips in this brochure are operated by Buffalo Tours (Hong
Kong) Limited (HK CR No 2108671) (Buffalo Tours). Buffalo Tours has
its own terms and conditions which will apply to the provision of
your trip and, accordingly, a reference to these Conditions shall
mean the terms and conditions set out herein as well as Buffalo
Tours terms and conditions. Buffalo Tours terms and conditions are
available directly on their websites or by contacting them.
If we book a flight on your behalf it will be subject to the
conditions of the respective airline, including but not limited to
deposit/full payment and cancellation conditions.
1. (a) Please note that our trips are designed for young people
between the ages of 18 to 39 years. We may in special circumstances
approve persons outside this range. If You are 17 years of age and
wish to book on one of our trips, please contact us before making a
booking as we will require the written consent of your parent or
guardian. We reserve the sole right to decline a booking request
from You should we think our trips are not suited to You.
(b) A contract between You and us will exist as soon as we issue
an invoice in response to your request for a booking and the
deposit has been paid to your travel agent or us.
BOOKING YOUR TRIP2. Bookings can be made either through your
local travel agent or with us direct and must be secured with a
deposit of 60 per person paid at the time of booking. This deposit
is non-refundable unless we cancel your trip. If You are making a
booking within 42 days of departure, then full payment is required
PROVIDED HOWEVER that if the trip comprises a special offer we may
require full payment including any pre and post accommodation and
sundry service charges to be paid at the time specified in the
offer. Your booking is taken to be confirmed, and accepted when we
issue an invoice. If your booking is made through a travel agent,
we will address all correspondence to that travel agent. All monies
paid by You to the travel agent will be held by them on behalf of
Topdeck. If You arrange your trip direct with us, all
correspondence and communications will be sent to your address in
our booking file unless You specify otherwise. Balance of all
payments is required at least 42 days prior to your trip departure
date. If You do not pay within this period we may deem your booking
cancelled and your deposit forfeited.
3. Alterations or cancellations by You after your booking has
been accepted will be effected subject to the provisions of clauses
5, 6 and 7 of these Conditions.
4. Prices quoted in our brochures are calculated on costs and
exchange rates at 01 October 2015. These prices may increase or
decrease and we reserve the sole right to alter prices and other
particulars contained in our brochures and on our website. Price
changes in trips featured in subsequent brochure versions will
supersede the prices in this brochure. (The version date is
indicated on the back cover of this brochure). Before You make a
booking we will provide You with details of the current price of
your chosen trip. This will also be displayed on the website. Once
You have accepted this price and your booking has been confirmed in
accordance with clause 2 that price will remain fixed and will not
be subject to surcharges.
5. You must clearly state all your requirements at the time of
booking. Please note that any dietary requirements will be a
request only. We cannot guarantee special dietary requirements nor
will we assume any responsibility or liability if your special
requirements cannot be fulfilled. If You want to change any aspect
of your booking including but not limited to a change to a trip of
shorter duration or different departure date You must notify us as
soon as possible in writing. We will do our best to accommodate
your requested changes but You will be required to pay an amendment
fee of 25 per person per change. If a request is made less than 42
days before departure, normal cancellation fees will apply in
accordance with clause 7 unless the transfer or change is to an
earlier departure of the same trip. In the event of a request for a
change to be made a new invoice will be issued by Topdeck and
cancellation charges/amendment fees will be shown. All amendment
fees are payable within 7 days of the issue of a new invoice or on
the date of departure, whichever is the sooner.
6. If You are prevented from traveling as a result of illness,
the death of an immediate family member, jury service, or other
reason beyond your control which we consider significant, we will
agree to your booking being transferred to another person who
satisfies all the conditions applicable to the trip, subject to You
and the other person accepting liability for full payment of the
trip cost and any additional costs arising from the transfer
PROVIDED THAT we must be given at least 21 days written notice of
the proposed change.
CANCELLATION BY YOU7. Cancellation of a booking by You must be
made in writing. We will not regard a booking as cancelled unless
and until written notice is received by us. On cancellation the
following charges will apply:
Days before Departure % of trip cost forfeited Pre/post
accomm
Over 42 days Deposit Nil
42-29 days 40% 40%
28-14 days 60% 60%
13-7 days 80% 100%
6-3 days 90% 100%
2-0 days 100% 100%
If You cancel any flight-inclusive trip less than 42 days prior
to Your departure date an additional cancellation charge of 25 will
be applied, in addition to any airline charges (which could be up
to the full value of the ticket).
ROLLING DEPOSIT VOUCHERAny cancellation within 6 weeks which
incurs more than deposit charge is not applicable to this offer.
The Rolling Deposit Voucher (RDV) may only be used as a deposit on
one future Topdeck trip 4 days of length or more. Only one Rolling
Deposit may be applied per trip. The RDV has no expiry date, but
the passenger must be aged between 18 to 39 years to travel as per
the travel conditions of Topdeck Travel.
The RDV will equate to the initial deposit amount paid. If
redeeming against a trip with a lower deposit amount, the remainder
of the voucher will be forfeited. If redeeming against a trip with
a higher deposit amount the balance will be payable at time of
booking. The RDV has no cash value and cannot be transferred to
another customer.
The RDV can only be combined with 1 other discount, either a
standard Early Bird deal or standard brochure discount as long as
applicable at time of booking. Rolling deposit vouchers cannot be
requested or redeemed against African Safari trips.
CANCELLATION OR MODIFICATION BY US8. Every effort will be made
to operate all trips as advertised but it must be remembered that
our trips are planned up to eighteen months in advance. We
therefore reserve the sole right, at our discretion, to modify or
cancel any trip, accommodation or arrangement at any time. We will
notify You as soon as possible of any changes and they will form
part of our contract with You. In the case of any material
modification or cancellation, we will, if possible, provide You
with three alternatives:
(1) a trip of an equivalent or closely similar standard and
price, if available;
(2) a trip of a lower standard together with a refund of the
difference in price; or
(3) cancellation with a full refund of all monies paid.
9. A material modification is one which has a serious effect on
your trip and includes a change of departure date, departure point
or airport, or change of departure time of more than twelve hours,
which would cause substantial inconvenience to You. We do not
consider a change of accommodation, or transport style a material
change.
10. We will endeavor not to materially modify or cancel the trip
within 42 days of the date of the scheduled departure unless
compelled to do so because of circumstances beyond our reasonable
control. If a material modification or cancellation is made by us
within six weeks of the scheduled departure date for reasons other
than Force Majeure in accordance with clause 21 You will receive
compensation as stated in the scale below.
Period before scheduled departure date that we notify You or
your travel agent together with the compensation offered:
Over 42 days nil
42-29 days 20
28-14 days 30
13-7 days 40
6-0 days 80
11. Buffalo Tours may require a minimum number of participants
for certain trips and in the event that there are insufficient
bookings recorded by not later than 42 days before the scheduled
departure date we will be entitled to cancel the scheduled trip,
whereupon all monies paid by You for your trip shall be refunded
but no further compensation will be paid and You and Topdeck agree
to mutually release each other from any further obligations which
would have been enforceable had the trip not been cancelled.
12. Buffalo Tours may alter or substitute the type or size of
vehicle, or style of transport mentioned in the brochure, depending
on the number of passengers carried, which can vary from trip to
trip. Normally the maximum group size is 35 passengers.
OUR LIABILITY TO YOU13. Save where the provisions of Force
Majeure apply, in the event that the trip does not reasonably
comply with the description in the brochure,