2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Indochine AN EXTRAORDINARY CULTURAL JOURNEY TO LAOS, VIETNAM, AND CAMBODIA

BILL ABBOTT

We bring you into a world of gold-leafed temples, riverside trading ports, hill tribe people, and delightful cuisines. PHOTO: LUCAS VALLECILLOS

HIGHLIGHTS • Explore Luang Prabang’s lively markets and gold-leafed temples, meet hill tribe people in their villages • Discover Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter by bicycle rickshaw and on foot • Savor the karst landscapes of World Heritage-listed Bai Tu Long Bay on an overnight cruise • Enjoy Hoi An’s lantern-lit riverside setting and historic architecture • Sample the famous cuisine of Hue, Vietnam’s royal city • Experience the majesty of the temple-city of Angkor, one of the wonders of the world • Get an insider’s introduction to three ancient cultures DETAILS • 16-day trip begins in Luang Prabang, Laos, and ends in Siem Reap, Cambodia • 14 nights delightful hotels, 1 night aboard private traditional junk • All meals included except 1 lunch and 4 dinners

Gold-leafed pagodas glinting in the sun, women carrying goods to market by yoke basket, young monks in saffron robes— the visual images of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia are striking. In Luang Prabang, Laos’ charming temple

“A phenomenal journey, with variety, historical significance, and exposure to local life. Thank you, Wilderness Travel, for creating this wonderful experience and itinerary!”

tribe people. At sunrise one morning, we’ll “make merit” by giving alms to the monks. The town’s night market is a great place to see hill tribe crafts. Days 5-11 Hanoi, Vietnam / Bai Tu Long Bay / Hoi An / Hue / Saigon Taking in Hanoi’s Old Quarter by rickshaw and on foot, we stop for a delicious lunch of cha ca , Hanoi’s famous fish and noodle dish, and visit the studio of a local artist. In Bai Tu Long Bay, less crowded than nearby Halong Bay, we overnight aboard our private traditional “junk” (boat) in this stunning karst landscape. We walk the riverside lanes of Hoi An, and in Hue, see the royal legacy of the 19th century Nguyen rulers. Our last stop in Vietnam is Saigon, with its French colonial architecture and compelling museums. Days 12-16 Siem Reap, Cambodia / Temples of Angkor With intricate bas-reliefs, pavilions, and reflecting ponds in a park-like landscape, Angkor is a breathtaking expression of the glory of the Khmer Empire. Timing the order of our visits for the least crowded times, we explore many of these massive stone temples, including Ta Prohm, where huge fig, banyan, and kapok trees have grown through the temple’s walls. Depart on Day 16 via Siem Reap.

town, we boat along the Mekong and meet Hmong and Khamu hill villagers. In Vietnam, we take a bike-rickshaw through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, overnight

Jan K., La Jolla CA

on our own private boat in Bai Tu Long Bay, stroll the lantern-lit lanes of Hoi An, and marvel at the palaces of the Nguyen emperors in Hue. Our final treat is Angkor, Cambodia’s surreal “lost city” rising out of an enveloping forest, where we explore the soaring stone towers of a medieval metropolis. Days 1-4 Luang Prabang, Laos Laos’ royal capital until 1975, Luang Prabang is a tranquil oasis of colonial architecture and hundred-year- old frangipani trees along the Mekong. We visit its 15th century pagodas, climb up to Buddhist cave-grottos, and visit Hmong and Khamu hill

DATES Nov 9-24, 2019

Nov 7-22, 2020

Dec 2-17 Dec 1-16 Dec 18, 2019-Jan 2, 2020 Dec 20, 2020-Jan 4, 2021 Jan 4-19, 2020 Jan 6-21, 2021 Jan 8-23 Jan 17-Feb 1 Feb 1-16 Jan 26-Feb 10 Feb 15-Mar 1 Feb 15-Mar 2

TRIP COST FALL 2019 / SPRING 2020

$6795 (11-12 members) $7295 (6-10 members) Single supplement: $1595 Internal airfare: $790 (subject to change)

Holiday surcharge (Dec): $330 Bangkok Extension: from $795

TRIP LEVEL 1 + 2 3 4 5 6 Cultural explorations and walking tours

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR ASIA TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/ASIA 99