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SOUTH EAST ASIAVIETNAM 16 " Great company, great guides. I would absolutely choose Imaginative Traveller before others!" Sheri Stinemire south east asia Single Supplement £ 140 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.36 All prices are subject to currency fluctuations Vietnam Highlights Imaginative Facts Tour code: SAVH • Activities: Snorkelling, Mekong Delta homestay • Accommodation: 8 nights simple hotels, 2 nights sleeper train, 2 nights island hut on Whale Island, 1 night homestay • Transport: Public and private bus, Reunification Express, local boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of qualified guide in the Mekong Delta • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Angkor Wat Extension' DAY 1: HANOI- Arrive in this fascinating city, the capital of Vietnam. Free day. Tonight you will meet up with your fellow travellers and your tour leader. DAY 2: HANOI- Free time until we board the Reunification Express train to Hue. ( B) DAYS 3 & 4: HUE- Arrive and transfer to our hotel. We have one and a half days in Hue, famous for its stunning architecture and the Perfume River, which flows slowly through the centre of the city. It was recently given prestigious World Heritage status by UNESCO. ( Day 4 - B) DAY 5: HOI AN- Travel to the ancient trading town of Hoi An via the spectacular Ocean Cloud Pass, Danang and China Beach. ( B) DAY 6: HOI AN- A full day at leisure in Hoi An - a favourite for travellers with its beautiful architecture, picturesque seafront and laid back atmosphere. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: WHALE ISLAND- Transfer by road and boat to secluded Whale Island, so named because of the sperm whales which can sometimes be spotted off its shores. Two days to swim, laze on pristine beaches or go snorkelling amidst lovely coral gardens. In the evening, there is time to relax at the beach bar - the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a cocktail in hand. ( Day 7 - BD, Day 8 - BLD) DAY 9: NHA TRANG- Late departure from this paradise island and travel south towards Nha Trang, a laid back beach resort. ( B) DAY 10: NHA TRANG- There's time to check out the town or the beach before we board the overnight train to Saigon ( Ho Chi Minh City). ( B) DAY 11: SAIGON ( HO CHI MINH CITY)- Arrive in Saigon and transfer to the hotel. There are many things to do in this exciting city and some interesting excursions for those who want to venture further afield. DAY 12: MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY-Head south to the Mekong Delta. Here the mighty river splits into a labyrinth of channels before disgorging into the South China Sea. We spend the day exploring the area by boat and on foot. This is a great opportunity to learn about life in the delta. Tonight we are guests of a local family. ( BLD) DAY 13: MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON- This morning we visit an authentic floating market before returning to Saigon. ( B) DAY 14: SAIGON- Tour ends. ( B) A superb value trip visiting all the essential main sights * Price includes tour price of £ 535and local payment of US$ 170 • Contrast the excitement of Saigonwith the quiet elegance of Hanoi • Visit the pagodas and imperial tombs of the UNESCO city of Hue • Immerse yourself in the delights of the charming coastal town of Hoi An • Enjoy a two night stay on the beautiful eco- resort of Whale Island • Explore the Mekong Delta by boat and overnight at a simple homestay Vietnam SapaHanoi Halong Bay Saigon Mekong Delta Hue Hoi An Whale Island Vietnam Highlights Vietnam Explorer Beyond the Ho Chi Minh Trail Nha Trang Hoa Binh Province £ 625pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 14 days We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights © Imaginative Traveller Starts FriEnds Thu HanoiSaigon 2009 16- Jan- 0929- Jan- 09 06- Feb- 0919- Feb- 09 27- Feb- 0912- Mar- 09 20- Mar- 0902- Apr- 09 10- Apr- 0923- Apr- 09 01- May- 0914- May- 09 22- May- 0904- Jun- 09 12- Jun- 0925- Jun- 09 03- Jul- 0916- Jul- 09 24- Jul- 0906- Aug- 09 14- Aug- 0927- Aug- 09 04- Sep- 0917- Sep- 09 25- Sep- 0908- Oct- 09 09- Oct- 0922- Oct- 09 23- Oct- 0905- Nov- 09 06- Nov- 0919- Nov- 09 20- Nov- 0903- Dec- 09 04- Dec- 0917- Dec- 09 18- Dec- 0931- Dec- 09 Starts FriEnds Thu HanoiSaigon 2010 01- Jan- 1014- Jan- 10 15- Jan- 1028- Jan- 10 29- Jan- 1011- Feb- 10 19- Feb- 1004- Mar- 10 12- Mar- 1025- Mar- 10 02- Apr- 1015- Apr- 10 23- Apr- 1006- May- 10 14- May- 1027- May- 10 04- Jun- 1017- Jun- 10 25- Jun- 1008- Jul- 10 16- Jul- 1029- Jul- 10 06- Aug- 1019- Aug- 10 27- Aug- 1009- Sep- 10 17- Sep- 1030- Sep- 10 08- Oct- 1021- Oct- 10 22- Oct- 1004- Nov- 10 05- Nov- 1018- Nov- 10 19- Nov- 1002- Dec- 10 03- Dec- 1016- Dec- 10 17- Dec- 1030- Dec- 10 31- Dec- 1013- Jan- 11 The Vietnamese for ' Welcome' is ' Chào mung'. amazing fact ... Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243