Angkor Wat & Ho Chi Minh II

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City

We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the early morning and have the rest of the day free to explore. Ho Chi Minh City was known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnam War (around 1975). Originally a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now the most important economic centre in Vietnam and is the largest city in the country.
Traffic in the city is fairly hectic at the best of times. Getting around is relatively easy by taxi or motorbike taxi, although drivers may not always speak English. Bus is the only form of public transport and motorbikes rule the road; there are around 3 million motorbikes cruising around the streets of Ho Chi Minh City!
If you’re interested in the history of the Vietnam War make sure you visit the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Hall. We include an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. A network of tunnels which was home to around 10,000 people who lived underground for several years during the war. It took about 25 years to build this underground city. It has living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapon factories, storage facilities and command centres. In its hey day the tunnel system stretched over 250km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war must have been like. Or if you’re in the mood to haggle for a bargain, don’t miss Ho Chi Minh’s largest market, the Ben Thanh Market. You can buy everything from cosmetics to live ducks here! There are also numerous food stalls at this market, and at the popular Night Market nearby. The food in Ho Chi Minh is some of the best and most diverse in all of Vietnam so make sure you eat well during your stay! There are also many bars and clubs to spend your evening in.

Day 2 to 3
Phnom Penh

On Day 2 we travel by bus to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. This bustling city has a turbulent past which you can learn about if you choose to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (a former torture centre) and the Choueng Ek Memorial at the site of the Killing Fields.
Phnom Penh has many other attractions, and there is some free time to explore the Russian Market and National Museum. You could also take a stroll along the river's famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many cafes while observing the bustling river traffic. You may wish to take a tuk-tuk ride around Phnom Penh (a tuk-tuk is a motorbike-taxi with an enclosed passenger cabin that can fit around 4 people).

Day 4 to 6
Siem Reap

On Day 4 we will take a bus to Siem Reap, which is our base for exploring the famous temples of the Angkor area. There are over one thousand temples here, ranging from small ruins to the famous Angkor Wat, said to be the world's largest single religious monument. Angkor Wat pays homage to the Hindu god Vishnu and has a dazzling array of beautiful ornate carvings. We have a full day excursion plus guide included to maximise your enjoyment and time at the famous site of Angkor Wat.
The Angkor area attracts over one million visitors annually. The many ceremonial structures and temples here were built between the 9th and 13th centuries by the Khmer Empire that spanned a period of approximately 600 years. These temples are some of the most famous in the world and take up an area of approximately 160 sq km. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the temples with a local guide or explore at your leisure. There are superb photographic opportunities here at most times of the day so make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and ready to go!
Tuk-tuks provide a convenient form of transport around the area here, and you can hire a tuk-tuk and driver for the day if you wish. The Angkor area (in and around the Ta Prohm temple) was the site where the film Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie was filmed.

Day 7 to 8
Bangkok

We travel by bus from Siem Reap and make for Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. We will arrive late in the afternoon and you will have the next few days free to enjoy this crazy, chaotic city!
Bangkok is the gateway to South East Asia for most travellers. International backpackers come and go and the streets are always buzzing and full of life. No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to Khao San Road, the famous strip filled with markets, stalls and neon lights. From people watching to shopping, and nightlife to food and drink, this is the place to be on a night out in Bangkok. If you’re feeling adventurous you might wish to try a fried insect or two! As an alternative, the Patpong area is Bangkok’s most notorious nightlife area. Exotic bars, clubs, neon lights, and night markets abound and you may be able to see some interesting stage shows if you so desire!
Bangkok also boasts hundreds of Wats (temples), with Wat Arun being the main one visited by most travellers. The Grand Palace is also a popular attraction, and for something different you can cruise along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals. Bangkok once had an elaborate network of canals and was given the nickname, ‘Venice of the East’, and although some of them have been filled in and converted to streets, many still exist today. Our tour concludes on Day 8.