Day 1: Friday,
February 13, 2009 ~ Overnight Flight - Arrive
Bangkok, Thailand
This exciting journey through Southeast Asia
showcases the fascinating history, culture and
artistic treasures of Thailand, Cambodia and
Vietnam. Explore glorious cities, from vibrant
Bangkok to ancient Angkor Wat and from Hanoi to
Ho Chi Minh City. Discover early empires,
enchanting landscapes and friendly people. Gain
an insider's understanding of this wondrous
region during guided tours and leisure time to
explore on your own. Your tour begins with an
overnight flight to Thailand. Lose a day en
route as you cross the International Dateline.
You arrive in one of the most fascinating cities
in the world, Bangkok.
Day 2:
Saturday, February 14, 2009 ~ Bangkok
A captivating city tour of Bangkok introduces
you to this land’s religious beliefs. Visit two
of Bangkok’s famous temples: the Golden Buddha
and the Reclining Buddha. Also tour the Grand
Palace, an ornate royal residence built in 1782.
This evening, enjoy a welcome reception followed
by a dinner cruise on a rice barge along the
Chao Phraya River. Today breakfast and lunch and
dinner will be included.
Day 3: Sunday,
February 15, 2009 ~ Bangkok
Today visit Jim Thompson’s house, a magnificent
Thai-styled home containing an extensive
collection of art objects and antiques. The rest
of the day is yours to enjoy on your own.
Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 4: Monday,
February 16, 2009 ~ Bangkok - Siem Reap,
Cambodia
Take an early morning flight* to Siem Reap, the
gateway to the mystical temple complex of
Angkor. Enjoy a tour of the remarkable fortified
city of Angkor Thom and visit the mysterious
temple of Bayon with its astonishing smiling
faces and detailed bas-reliefs depicting scenes
of everyday life in the 12th century. Today
breakfast and dinner
will be included.
Day 5: Tuesday, February 17, 2009 ~ Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the largest of all monuments in
Angkor, and one of the most spectacular
architectural achievements in the world. Gain an
understanding of the ancient Khmer Empire during
a full-day visit. See the grand complex of
temples and examine the spectacular bas-reliefs
illustrating some of the most beautiful examples
of Khmer and Hindu art. After dinner at your
hotel, relax or take a stroll down the lively
streets of Siem Reap. Today breakfast and lunch
and dinner will be included.
Day 6:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 ~ Angkor Wat
Travel to the heart of Cambodia for a boat trip
on Tonle Sap** (Great Lake). This extraordinary
lake swells to seven times its original size
during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one
of the richest and most diverse in the region.
The boat trip will explore the floating fishing
villages situated on the edges of the lake and
pass submerged forests and fishing farms. This
afternoon features a visit to a local school***
to learn about education in Cambodia. Today
breakfast and lunch will be included.
Day 7: Thursday, February 19, 2009 ~Angkor Wat -
Hanoi
Spend the morning at Preah Khan, another of
Angkor’s incredible sites. At its height in the
12th century, more than 100,000 farmers produced
rice to feed over 15,000 monks, teachers and
students. The rest of the day is at leisure to
relax before your flight* to Hanoi, Vietnam's
gracious capital city. Today breakfast and lunch
will be included.
Day 8: Friday,
February 20, 2009 ~ Hanoi
Discover some of Hanoi’s cultural treasures
during visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Lake
of Restored Sword, Temple of Literature and the
One Pillar Pagoda. The afternoon allows time for
exploring the Old Quarter, considered the jewel
of Hanoi because of its ideal location around
the pristine Hoan Kiem Lake, and the labyrinth
of narrow streets, each dedicated to particular
merchandise. Following dinner in a local
restaurant, enjoy a performance at the
world-famous Water Puppet Theater. Today
breakfast and lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 9: Saturday, February 21, 2009 ~ Hanoi -
Danang - Hoi An
Following a short flight* to Danang, drive to
the city of Hoi An, the 16th- and 17th-century
trading port of Vietnam. Enjoy some leisure time
this afternoon. Today breakfast and lunch and
dinner will be included.
Day 10:
Sunday, February 22, 2009 ~ Hoi An
Enjoy a cyclo (pedal cab) tour of Hoi An where
the traditional lifestyle and Chinese
architecture have remained unspoiled since the
17th century. Your visit includes historic
temples, pagodas and its famous covered bridge.
This afternoon is at leisure to explore this
charming town independently. Today breakfast and
lunch will be included.
Day 11: Monday, February 23, 2009 ~ Hoi An - Hue
Your journey takes you along the coast,
traveling from Hoi An to the city of Hue. Travel
along the Hai Van Pass, whose name means "pass
of the ocean clouds," as the peak of the
mountain is above cloud level while its base is
close to the sea. Explore two mausoleums of
emperors from the Nguyen dynasty before arriving
in Hue later this afternoon. Today breakfast and
lunch and dinner will be included.
Day 12:
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 ~ Hue - Ho Chi Minh
City
Today you will take a cruise along the Perfume
River. The views on both sides of the river with
the citadel, gardens, pagodas and temples, and
their reflections in the water give this
slow-moving waterway a poetic ambiance. You will
also visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, the Imperial
Citadel, the “Forbidden Purple City,” and the
former Imperial Palace at this impressive site.
Later, fly* to Ho Chi Minh City. Today breakfast
and lunch will be included.
Day 13: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 ~Ho Chi
Minh City
Experience the extraordinary energy and
welcoming atmosphere of Vietnam’s commercial
capital, Ho Chi Minh City, during a guided tour
of the historic city landmarks. Visit the Palace
of the Jade Emperor and Cholon, the city’s
Chinatown, to see the bustling Binh Tay market.
Later, you may choose an optional excursion to
the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast
150-mile-long network of underground rooms and
passageways used by the Viet Cong. Today
breakfast and lunch will be included.
Day 14:
Thursday, February 26, 2009 ~ Ho Chi Minh City -
Mekong Delta
Today’s excursion begins with a cruise along the
Mekong Delta. View everyday life along the Delta
with visits to local villages along the fertile
waters. Later return to the city and visit the
War Remnants Museum, featuring a diverse
collection of weapons and photographs from two
Indochina wars. Join your fellow travelers this
evening for a farewell dinner.
Today breakfast and lunch and dinner will be
included.
Day 15: Friday, February 27, 2009 ~Ho Chi Minh
City - Tour Concludes
Returning home, you will cross the International
Dateline and gain a day, arriving in the
U. S. the same day you departed from Vietnam.
Today breakfast will be included.
Renowned for
some of the world’s finest archaeological sites,
Southeast Asia offers a splendid array of
ancient treasures.
Expert local historians and
an archaeologist present discussions along the
way that explore the history, culture and modern
life in this fascinating region of the world.
-
Explore
the details and significance of the
exquisite Khmer and Hindu art found within
the Angkor temples, the 12th-century
masterpiece of Cambodia’s Khmer Empire, in
the company of a local archaeologist.
-
Learn
about the conservation efforts in Angkor
during a specially-arranged session with a
member of the World Monument Fund.
-
Enhance
your visit to Vietnam with a discussion on
the impact of foreign influence and control
on current Vietnamese political
Taxes/fees to
be paid in local currencies upon exiting
Cambodia is approximately $25 USD.
Not all vendors accept credit cards or travelers
checks; therefore, it is recommended you bring
small amounts of US dollars which are widely
accepted for personal use.
**During the months of February - June, should
the water levels at Tonle Sap be too low, you
will instead visit the Rolous Group of temples.
Each client is responsible for proper
documentation and inoculations that may be
required and/or recommended to participate on
this tour. Please contact your local travel
clinic or doctor for specific details on the
destinations you are traveling to and from.
Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures prides
itself on bringing travelers the very best
experiences a destination offers. Our
itineraries include many activities and may
consist of walking on uneven terrain or
significant walking at times. Some of the most
unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations
that restrict motorcoaches, especially in
historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend
bringing sturdy walking shoes. In addition,
temperatures on this tour can be very high, so
bring adequate sun protection.
The days and order of sightseeing may change to
best utilize your time on tour.
"Signature Series" tours are considered to be
our marquee programs. These unique itineraries
are loaded with special features and
unforgettable meal experiences, and include
mainly 4-5 star hotels.
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Double
Occupancy |
Single Occupancy |
Triple Occupancy |
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$5,699.00
 |
$6,599.00
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$5,399.00
|
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Round Trip Air Fare
From Chicago (ORD) is included in the
cost of the trip. Other cities are
available on request and adjustment will
be made.
First deposit of
$600 per person due upon reservation.
Final payment is due when agent confirms your booking.
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Once on tour, if
a passenger has to return home early due to
personal illness, illness or death of a member
of the immediate family, (physician’s statement
required), payment of the waiver fee to Collette
Vacations guarantees full refund for any unused
land services after departure from the tour.
Payment of the air inclusive waiver guarantees
your return transportation, with no additional
supplement, utilizing your original airline
tickets. In the event you have purchased
non-refundable airline tickets, the air waiver
does not apply.
Waiver insurance is
non-transferable and valid for each applicant
only.
Waiver Insurance
must be purchased at time of deposit.
Collette
Vacations can assume no responsibility for and
cannot be held liable for any wrongful,
negligent or unauthorized acts or omissions of
any travel agent or travel agency other than
that of Collette Travel Service, Inc. itself,
and its own employees.
The waiver
insurance fees do not cover any single
supplement charges which arise from an
individual’s traveling companion electing to
cancel for any reason prior to departure. In
this case, the single supplement will be
deducted from the refund of the person who
cancels. Division of this charge between the two
passengers involved is solely their
responsibility. If insufficient funds are
deducted from the canceling client, the
traveling client will be charged the remaining
portion of the single supplement. The waiver
covers cancellation of your trip and does not
cover cancellation of the airline portion only..
The waiver insurance fees cover lost,
damaged or delayed baggage as well as medical
expenses, emergency medical attention and
worldwide travelers assistance. See your booking
agent for details.
Passports
are required
for this tour at your expense. Certain
countries require a minimum of 6 months passport
validity from date of return home. You are
strongly urged to contact the appropriate
consulate for details.
Responsibilities:
Neither Collette
Travel Services, Inc., its affiliated entities
and its and their employees, shareholders,
officers, directors, successors, agents, and
assigns (collectively "Collette"), own or
operate any person or entity which is to or does
provide goods or services for these trips.
Because neither maintains any control over the
personnel, equipment, or operations of these
suppliers, Collette assumes no responsibility
for and cannot be held liable for any personal
injury, death, property damage or other loss,
accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity
which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any
wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized
acts or omissions on the part of any of the
suppliers or other employees or agents, (2) any
defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment,
or instrument owned, operated or otherwise used
by any of these suppliers, or (3) any wrongful,
willful or negligent act or omission on the part
of any other party not under the supervision and
control of Collette. Additionally,
responsibility is not accepted for losses or
expenses due to sickness, lack of appropriate
medical facilities or practitioners, weather,
strikes, theft or other criminal acts, war,
terrorism, computer problems, or other such
causes. All services and accommodations are
subject to the laws of the country in which they
are provided. Collette reserves the right to
make changes in the published itinerary
whenever, in their sole judgment, conditions
warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the
comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour.
They reserve the right to withdraw any tour
announced. Collette reserves the right to
decline to accept any person as a member of the
tour, or to require any participant to withdraw
from the tour at any time, when such action is
determined by the tour manager to be in the best
interests of the health, safety, and general
welfare of the tour group or of the individual
participant. Neither does Collette accept
liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty
incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable
airline or other ticket to the tour departure
city and return or otherwise. Baggage and
personal effects are the sole responsibility of
the owner at all times. Participants may be
photographed for the promotional purposes of
Collette.
Arbitration - I agree that any dispute
concerning, relating, or referring to this
contract, the brochure or any other literature
concerning my trip, or the trip itself, shall be
resolved exclusively by binding arbitration
according to the then existing rules of the
American Arbitration Association in Rhode
Island. Such proceedings will be governed by
substantive Rhode Island law.
Payment of the deposit to Collette constitutes
acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Cancellation
Charges for this tour:
Cancellation Charges for this tour:
Deposit becomes non-refundable at 90 days prior
to departure for a group. 60-16 days prior to
departure: cancellation fee of 20% of total
price. 15-1 days prior to departure:
cancellation fee of 40% of total price. Day of
departure and after: 100% of total price.
Cancellation protection is highly recommended
and must be purchased no later than 90 days
prior to departure. The Waiver Insurance does
not cover any single supplement charges which
arise from an individual’s traveling companion
electing to cancel for any reason prior to
departure. All waivers are refundable outside
90 days. Air rates are subject to change until
tour is paid in full. Cancellation charges also
apply to reservations made for “pre” and “post”
night accommodations. All other monies will be
returned or credited to your credit card in
approximately 14 days. Upon cancellation of
transportation or travel services where you, the
customer, are not at fault and have not canceled
in violation of the terms and conditions above,
you will be refunded 100%. Please see your
sales agent for more information, or review our
brochure for details.
Consumer
Protection Plans:
Collette Travel Service holds membership in the
following highly reputable industry
organizations: the United States Tour Operators
Association and the American Society of Travel
Agents. Each association operates a consumer
protection plan to cover deposits made by
travelers. Full details are available from the
organizations or Collette Travel Service.
Collette is pleased to give this additional
protection to our clients. Our
California Sellers of Travel registration number
is 2006766-20. Our State of Washington Unified
Business Number is 601220855. Our Nevada Sellers
of Travel registration number is 2003-0279.
For
More Information Contact:
Janice
Liescheidt
or Marci McCarrey
+1 (866) 592-0455
+1 (309) 834-3739
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Photos shown are reflective of
the area(s) visited but may not be included in
the actual tour itinerary.
