57 tel: 0845 330 8579 (local call rate, UK only) international tel: +44 1453 844 400 www.himalayankingdoms.com Left: Black Dao girl, Sapa Photo: Victoria Sapa Resort Right: Mt Fansipan Photo: Steve Berry Sapa rice field Photo: Victoria Sapa Resort Vietnam Although Vietnam is still associated in many minds with the war against America, it is amazing how quickly the country has recovered due in no small part to the pragmatic nature of the Vietnamese people. The country still retains a French colonial influence and you will have the opportunity to witness some of the most colourful hill tribes in South-east Asia. Hill Tribe Trekking in Vietnam The hill tribe minorities of North-west Vietnam are some of the most diverse in South-east Asia. In the region this trip visits, there are Tay, Tai, Hmong, Zao and Muong tribes. We start off in Hanoi, the cosmopolitan centre of Vietnam, before departing for the north-west to the old French hill station of Sapa. We then head off to spend a few days trekking on gentle paths through classic terraced fields and woodland to visit some of the most colourful hill tribe villages. Many are still largely untouched by modern life. We sleep in village houses. We provide mattresses and clean blankets. Porters are used to carry baggage, and our cooks prepare delicious Vietnamese meals. Undoubtedly, we shall meet village headmen and sample some of the local brews. The trip ends with a relaxing trip to Ha Long Bay on the eastern coast where we explore the curious island rock formations and grottoes of this World Heritage site on a converted junk and spend a couple of nights on Cat Ba Island. £1,895 £1,250 Dates: Fri 07 Mar – Tue 25 Mar, Fri 03 Oct – Tue 21 Oct land only Grade: Gentle/Moderate On Trek: 6 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 9 Train: 2 Village House: 4 Boat: 1 Optional: Single Room £265 Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 19 days 1–3 Fly to Bangkok, fly to Hanoi, sightseeing 4–5 Train to Lao Cai, Drive to Sapa 6–10 Hill tribe trekking in Sapa region 11–12 At leisure, board overnight Victoria sleeper 13–17 Drive to Ha Long bay, boat trip to Cat Ba Island, return to Hanoi 18–19 Fly to Bangkok, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of2clients Standing near the border of Vietnam, China and Laos, Mount Fansipan makes up part of the jungle-covered Hoang Lien Son Range and at 3,143m/10,308ft, is the highest peak in Indo-China. This trip takes us from Hanoi to the hill town of Sapa (1,450m/4,757ft), where the French came to relax during the long hot summers during the colonial era. After visiting the exotic market, we embark on the adventurous trek to the peak of Mt Fansipan. This is three days hard work through steep jungle. We are rewarded by fantastic views into China and Laos. We then move on to Ha Long Bay where Vietnam meets the South China Sea. We spend a day and a half on a converted junk exploring the bay, which will also be our base for sea-canoeing exploration. Our inflatable opentop sea-canoes are an excellent way to explore the bay’s The Mount Fansipan Adventure The 3,143m/10,308ft tunnels, many of which lead to forgotten lagoons that boat could hope to reach. The itinerary was further improved as a result of our climbing Fansipan in November 2003. • See also pages 2 and 3 for more information Other trekking peaks – see pages 35, 45 & 69 £1,895 £1,295 Dates: Mon 25 Feb – Thu 13 Mar, Mon 27 Oct – Thu 13 Nov Price TBC: 2009 dates: Mon 02 Mar 09 – Thu 19 Mar 09 land only Grade: Vigorous On Trek: 5 days In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 8 Camping: 4 Train: 2 Boat: 2 Optional: Single Room £270 Single Tent £tbc Insurance: £99 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 18 days 1–4 Fly to Bangkok, sightseeing, fly to Hanoi –5 Victoria sleeper to Sapa 6–11 Trekking up Mt Fansipan 12–13 Visit hill tribe village, overnight Victoria sleeper to Hanoi 14–16 Drive to Ha Long bay, sailing and kayaking on the bay, drive to Hanoi 17–18 Fly to Bangkok, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of2clients Mt Fansipan Trekking Peak

58 Left: Temple carvings, Angkor Wat Photo: John Turner Right: Monks at play Photo: Steve Berry Cambodia After decades of civil war, the Kingdom of Cambodia is now enjoying peace and political stability and is fast becoming the place to visit in South-East Asia. Cambodia evokes many images: the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, saffron-robed monks going about their daily rituals, ‘lost’ temples swallowed by the jungle, floating fishing villages and Killing Fields. After extensive reconnaissance of Cambodia, Himalayan Kingdoms came to the conclusion that there was much to explore and these itineraries have been designed to get you ‘under the skin’ of the country. Download detailed itineraries from www.himalayankingdoms.com e: info@himalayankingdoms.com Undiscovered Cambodia After Bangkok we fly to Phnom Penh where we visit the Royal Palace and the Killing Fields. Then it is on the road to visit the provincial capitals of Kompong Cham and Kompong Thom, visiting other historical sites en route. Then we go to Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of the pre-Angkorian state of Chenla. In the south-west we visit the abandoned hill station of Bokor, the fishing town of Kampot and the white sands of Sihanoukville. After a short flight to Battambang, it’s on to Siem Reap by boat to see the floating fishing villages on the Sangker River and Tonlé Sap Lake. While in Siem Reap we travel to all the important temples in the area, including Angkor Wat, before flying to Phnom Penh. £2,195 £1,500 Mon 03 Mar – Fri 21 Mar Mon 03 Nov – Fri 21 Nov £2,350 £1,580 Mon 15 Dec ’08 – Fri 02 Jan ’09 £2,195 £1,500 Mon 30 Mar ’09 – Fri 17 Apr ’09 land only land only land only Grade: Cultural Tour In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 17 Optional: Single Room £295 Insurance: £75 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 19 days 1–3 Fly to Bangkok, at leisure 4–5 Fly to Phnom Penh, sightseeing –6 Visit Kompong Cham and Thom 7–11 Visit Kampot, Bokor National Park, Sihanoukville & Koh Rong Island 12–13 Drive to Battambang, sightseeing 14–17 Boat to Siem Reap, fishing villages en route, sightseeing in Angkor Wat 18–19 Fly Bangkok and London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of2clients Angkor Wat – Interesting Facts Always innovative, we have researched a special walking holiday to the kingdom of Cambodia that combines day walks in the north with an extensive trek around the temples of Angkor Wat. Initially we concentrate on the north east province of Ratanakiri, doing day treks based from a grand converted French governor’s house. Over five days we trek around a crater lake, see rubber plantations on elephantback, hike through hill tribe villages (the cemeteries of the Jarai tribe are quite unique) and sample rice wine. There are dug-out canoe trips and waterfalls deep in the jungle where we can swing on vines above rock pools. The provincial town of Ban Lung, has all the atmosphere of the Wild West. From Phnom Penh we travel by a fast cruise boat to Tonlé Sap Lake and thence to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. This astounding temple complex covers a vast area, so rather than seeing the main attractions by bus, we felt a proper walking programme would be the very best way to get the most from this wonder of the world. There will also be time to relax in Phnom Penh and Bangkok. Gentle Trekking in Cambodia £2,150 £1,450 Fri 01 Feb – Sun 17 Feb, Fri 07 Nov – Sun 23 Nov £2,295 £1,525 Fri 19 Dec ’08 – Sun 04 Jan ’09 £2,195 £1,500 Fri 30 Jan ’09 – Sun 15 Feb ’09 land only land only land only Grade: Gentle Day Walks: 7 In-country Leader Nights’ Accommodation: Hotels: 11 Lodge: 3 Optional: Single Room £260 Insurance: £95 (Standard Policy) Days Itinerary Duration: 17 days 1–2 Fly to Bangkok, at leisure 3–4 Fly to Phnom Penh, sightseeing 5–9 Fly to Ban Lung, day treks in Ratanakiri District, drive to Phnom Penh –10 Speedboat to Siem Reap 11–14 Thorough walking tour of Angkor Wat and other sites 15–17 Fly Bangkok, at leisure, fly to London Guaranteed to run for a minimum of2clients Claimed to be the largest religious structure in the world 72 major temples within a 15 x 5 mile area Built over a period of 300 years, 900–1200AD Represents Hindu cosmology The central towers represent Mount Meru (Kailash!) Originally Hindu, converted to Buddhist 365,000 slaves and 40,000 elephants were used to build the main temple Other Christmas treks – see pages 21, 23, 28, 29, 32, 34, 53, 55, 56 & 67 Other cultural tours – see page 17, 29, 38, 39, 52 & 56