SOUTH EAST ASIAVIETNAM 20 " Excellent itinerary, just the right amount of time in each place and a brilliant variety of stops!" Catherine Finn south east asia Imaginative Facts Tour code: SAVD • Activities: Optional swimming, bike riding, walking at sites • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 1 night Mekong Delta homestay, 2 overnight Reunification Express train journeys • Transport: Public and private bus, Reunification Express, Halong Bay cruise boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of qualified local guides in the Mekong Delta DAY 1: SAIGON ( HO CHI MINH CITY)- Arrive in Saigon and check in to our hotel. DAY 2: SAIGON- We explore the market and see the beautiful old French colonial buildings. In the afternoon you have the option to visit the Cu Chi tunnels outside Saigon, where the Viet Cong hid during the Vietnam War. ( B) DAY 3: MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY-Driving south we visit the Mekong Delta, a beautiful area of islands and rivers. We explore in a boat of our own, past floating markets and friendly villages and spend the night with a local family. ( BLD) DAY 4: MEKONG DELTA - DALAT-Morning sampan cruise ( small, wooden canoe- like boats) to Vinh Long. Later we drive back to Saigon and onto Dalat in the heart of the Central Highlands. ( B) DAY 5: DALAT- A free day to explore nearby waterfalls and hike through the forest in the cool climes of the Central Highlands. ( B) DAY 6: NHA TRANG- We leave the Central Highlands and travel back to the coast. ( B) DAY 7: NHA TRANG- Free time to take a boat trip and go snorkelling. We then board the Reunification Express train to Danang. ( B) DAY 8: DANANG - HOI AN- Transfer from Danang to the historical fishing and trading village of Hoi An. Tonight you might like to wander the old town with its many cafes, shops and old Chinese merchants' houses. DAY 9: HOI AN- A day to do as you choose. You can visit the many historical sites within the Old Town or swim at Cua Dai beach. ( B) DAY 10: HUE- Drive over Ocean Cloud Pass and onto Hue. You can hire a bike and explore the Imperial City, now listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, or ride to outlying villages and visit some of the many tombs of the Nguyen Emperors. ( B) DAY 11: HUE- Optional boat trip up the Perfume River to the Heavenly Lady Pagoda. The afternoon is free to wander the town and maybe taste some of the specialities of Hue cuisine. Tonight we board the Reunification Express to Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. ( B) DAY 12: HANOI - Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to our guesthouse in the heart of the Old Quarter. DAY 13: HANOI - HALONG BAY- An early start takes us to the spectacular limestone karst area of Halong Bay, with stunning vistas of green steep- sided islands dotted around the turquoise sea. We spend the day cruising the bay, with a spectacular lunch on board and opportunities for a swim. Return to Hanoi in the evening. ( BL) DAY 14: HANOI- A free day to explore the Old Quarter or visit the many temples, museums, French colonial architecture and lakes that make up the heart of this charming city. There is also the chance to watch a water puppet show. ( B) DAY 15: HANOI- Tour ends. ( B) A colourful two week trip taking in all the highlights • Take a cruise through the lush Mekong Delta and scenic Halong Bay • Explore the cool climes of the Central Highlands in Dalat • Relax on the sandy beaches of Nha Trangand explore coastal Hoi An • Cycle into the countryside around Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site • Enjoy the exotic delights of both Saigon and Hanoi Vietnam Adventure Vietnam Hanoi Sapa Halong Bay Saigon Mekong Delta Hue Hoi An Danang Vietnam Adventure Colours of Vietnam Nha Trang Dalat Single Supplement £ 195 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.36 * Price includes tour price of £ 540and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 630pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat SaigonHanoi 2009 17- Jan- 0931- Jan- 09 07- Feb- 0921- Feb- 09 28- Feb- 0914- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0904- Apr- 09 11- Apr- 0925- Apr- 09 02- May- 0916- May- 09 23- May- 0906- Jun- 09 13- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 04- Jul- 0918- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0908- Aug- 09 15- Aug- 0929- Aug- 09 05- Sep- 0919- Sep- 09 26- Sep- 0910- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0931- Oct- 09 07- Nov- 0921- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0912- Dec- 09 19- Dec- 0902- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat SaigonHanoi 2010 09- Jan- 1023- Jan- 10 30- Jan- 1013- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1006- Mar- 10 13- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1017- Apr- 10 24- Apr- 1008- May- 10 15- May- 1029- May- 10 05- Jun- 1019- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1010- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 07- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 28- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1002- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 20- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1025- Dec- 10 Vietnam measures 1,600 kilometres ( 1,000 miles) north to south, but is only 40 kilometres ( 25 miles) wide at its narrowest point near the centre of the country. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

VIETNAM 21 SOUTH EAST ASIA Colours of Vietnam Imaginative Facts Tour code: SSCV • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, cruise on Halong Bay • Accommodation: 11 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night homestay, 2 nights overnight trains, 1 night Halong Bay cruise boat • Transport: Private air- conditioned minibus/ coach, plane, overnight train • Flights: Saigon to Danang, Hue to Hanoi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, professional photographer, services of local guides DAY 1: SAIGON- Arrive and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: SAIGON- This morning we take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and then experience the enchanting noon mass at the Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh. This is a fantastic opportunity to capture on film the remarkable vibrancy and opulence of this stunning temple. Afternoon walking tour of central Saigon. ( BD) DAY 3: MEKONG DELTA- Drive to Vinh Long. We spend our time here cruising the Mekong Delta, an area of islands and rivers where boats are the only form of transport. Walk through the small villages, visit local craftsmen and stop at a local family's house for refreshments and meals. Overnight homestay. ( BLD) DAY 4: SAIGON- Visit the floating market in the morning where there will be plenty of great photo opportunities, after which we return to Saigon. Free afternoon to walk around this vibrant city. ( B) DAY 5: HOI AN- Morning flight to Danang and transfer to the ancient trading town of Hoi An, a favourite for travellers with its beautiful architecture and picturesque seafront. Walking tour of the old town in the afternoon. Rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the iconic sunset of Hoi An. ( BD) DAY 6: HOI AN- Today we visit My Son, and have the chance to wander around the impressive sights of the Cham civilisation and their ruins. ( B) DAY 7: HUE- Drive to Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage listed imperial city. Afternoon visit to a local village to get an insight into local customs, which is followed by a guided visit to the mysterious Imperial Citadel. ( BD) DAY 8: HUE- Today is rife with fantastic photo opportunities. We begin the day with a cruise on the picturesque Perfume River, then visit the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, followed by the tomb of Tu Duc ( one of the Nguyen Emperors). If time permits we stop at a colourful village where incense is made, to see the local people at work. ( B) DAY 9: HANOI- Morning flight to Hanoi. Afternoon walking tour of the Old Quarter. Tonight there is an opportunity to visit the National Waterpuppet Theatre. ( BD) DAY 10: HALONG BAY- Drive to Halong City, where we board a private boat to explore this incredibly scenic bay full of limestone karsts, islands, unusual house boats and traditional sail boats. We spend the night on board. ( BLD) DAY 11: HANOI- Return to Hanoi in the afternoon and have more time to explore this wonderful city. ( BL) DAY 12: HANOI- Free time to wander and explore before the evening train to Lao Cai and the exciting hilltribe area of North Vietnam. ( B) DAY 13: SAPA- Arrive in Sapa. The day is free to explore this spectacular hill station, where you can take in the local market, walk around the colourful villages inhabited by ethnic minorities, visit the terraced rice fields or just kick back and take in the breathtaking views. ( B) DAY 14: SAPA- Free time until late afternoon when we drive back to Lao Cai to board the overnight train back to Hanoi. DAY 15: HANOI- Arrive Hanoi early morning. We have the option to go and join the locals in the morning with exercise and tai chi around the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening we meet for our farewell dinner. ( BD) DAY 16: HANOI- Tour ends. ( B) Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two professional photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). A trip guaranteed to provide a portfolio of fantastic photosA dream trip for keen photographersin the company of a professional. We will visit some of the most visually stunning sights Vietnam has to offer. Highlights include opulent temples, floating markets, Sapa's hilltribes and terraces, beautiful bays and an iconic sunset over Hoi An. From Saigon to Hanoithere is plenty to capture the lens. Aubrey Wade Aubrey Wade specialises in documentary photography. His work focuses on social, political and cultural issues in some of the world's most interesting and challenging areas. Based principally in London, he divides his time between assignments and long-term personal projects, for which he has received several international awards. He has worked in over 20 countries and his work regularly appears in magazines worldwide. Note: Our photography trips will be accompanied by one of two photographers ( Sharon Hickey or Aubrey Wade). Photographer Profile Single Supplement £ 280 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 23.36 * Price includes tour price of £ 1199and local payment of US$ 265All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1335pp Land Only * special interest Tour duration 16 days Starts TueEnds Wed SaigonHanoi 2009 17- Mar- 09 01- Apr- 09 01- Sep- 09 16- Sep- 09 10- Nov- 09 25- Nov- 09 Starts TueEnds Wed SaigonHanoi 2010 16- Mar- 10 31- Mar- 10 07- Sep- 10 22- Sep- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243