Gourmet Asian Odyssey - Expedition Trip

Accommodation

All accommodation is based on Double / Twin Share rooms. Single Rooms are available, but must be requested upon booking - and a supplement is required.
All hotels are *3 / *4, with en-suites, most are Boutique, most with pools, most with internet access, and close to the city centers.
We also have an overnight cruise on a Junk in Halong Bay and a 2 night Bassac River cruise.

Itineraries (Siem Reap - Bangkok)

Day 1: Siem Reap (G)
*Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport you will be welcomed to Cambodia by our Guide and transferred to our hotel for check in.
*For those passengers that arrive before Day 1 of the tour: we will meet in the Lobby at breakfast on Day 1.
*For those that fly in on the morning of Day 1 of the tour: we will meet at the Pool Bar at lunch time on Day 1.
*For those arriving in the later afternoon / evening of
Day 1 of the tour: we will meet in the evening at the Pool Bar for pre-dinner drinks on Day 1.

We will meet in the lobby of the Hotel for an afternoon guided tour of the temples at Angkor: we will visit the jungle temples of Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Ta Prohm. Here we will see the huge Banyan trees which have grown on top of the temples and whose roots are now intertwined with the ancient brickwork. Later we will view the sunset from Pre Rup Temple, returning to Siem Reap in the early evening. We will have a group pre-dinner drink together and then enjoy dinner in the hotel together as a chance to get to know each other. Overnight Casa Angkor Hotel.

Day 2: Siem Reap (B, L) (G)
After breakfast we will have a morning guided tour of the temples at Angkor. Our Guide will collect us from the hotel and drive us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. We start our visit at the South Gate of Angkor Thom. After this we will see the enigmatic faces cast in stone at the Bayon. We will see other famous ruins in the area such as the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and The Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. We have an afternoon guided tour of Tonle Sap Lake: we will be picked up from the hotel and driven to Chong Kneas, the fishing village on Tonle Sap Lake. We board a traditional wooden boat for a cruise on the lake to get an insight into the centuries old traditions and daily life of the villagers here, and also the natural splendour of this part of the country. Overnight Casa Angkor Hotel.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B, L) (G)
Morning guided tour of Angkor Wat: this morning we journey out to the mother of all temples - Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is most famous temple at Angkor. Our guide will begin by unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer Empire. Stretching for almost one kilometre, these intricate carvings are a candidate for the world's longest unbroken piece of art. Following in the footsteps of the devout before us, we continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. Lunch will be taken at Sala Bai Cookery School & Restaurant where we will enjoy delicious Cambodian delicacies prepared by the young chefs. The Sala Bai Cookery School is famous for helping under privileged Cambodians achieve a skill with which they can forge a worthwhile career in catering or tourism. Afternoon at leisure: after lunch you are free to explore independently. Overnight Casa Angkor Hotel.

Day 4: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Kep (B) (G)
After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival in Phnom Penh we will be met at the airport by our guide. We then set off by road for the Cambodian coast. On the way we stop off to explore the Kampot Pepper Farm - where the famous Kampot Pepper is being reintroduced to the region after years of dwindling interest in this fantastic spice - the cave pagodas of Phnom Sor and then we continue on to the old colonial town of Kep which will be our base for the next few nights. The whole journey should take around 4 hours. On arrival we check into our hotel and relax. Evening is free. Overnight The Beach House.

Day 5: Kep (B) (G)
Half day tour of Kep's markets: after breakfast we will be collected from the hotel and taken for a tour of the local markets. We will witness the local fish market in action and then visit the fresh market to see the different types of fruit and vegetables that are cultivated in the region. Return to the hotel around lunch time. Afternoon at leisure: this afternoon and evening you are free to relax. Overnight The Beach House.

Day 6: Kep - Rabbit Island (B, L) (G)
Guided excursion to Rabbit Island: after breakfast we are transferred to the port from where we take a local fishing boat to Koh Tonsay (better known as Rabbit Island). The boat ride will take about 40 minutes and on arrival we will have a day to explore the island or simply relax on the beach. Today's lunch will be served at a beach side restaurant which is famous in the region for its signature dish of swimmer crab and Kampot Pepper. Late afternoon we will begin the return journey to Kep by boat and then by car. Overnight The Beach House.

Day 7: Kep - Phnom Penh (B) (G)
After breakfast we are transferred back to Phnom Penh; a drive that will take around 4 hours. On arrival we check into our hotel. Afternoon guided tour of Phnom Penh: this afternoon we set out on a tour of the Cambodian capital. We start with visits to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and afterwards Wat Phnom. This will be followed by free time to shop at the nearby Russian Market before we return to the hotel. Your evening is free. Overnight the Villa Langka Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh - Cooking Class (B, L) (G)
Half day Khmer Cuisine Cooking Class at Frizz Restaurant: After breakfast we will be picked up from the hotel and taken for a tour of the local market. Here our chef for the day will show us the key ingredients in Khmer (Cambodian) cuisine. Afterwards we head for the Cooking School where we learn how to prepare traditional, delicious Khmer dishes under the guidance of an enthusiastic, friendly and experienced English-speaking teacher-cook. They will explain everything about Cambodian vegetables, herbs, spices and other ingredients and teach us the art of Khmer Cuisine. We will explore traditional methods of food preparation, particularly the use of mortar and pestle to pound and grind herbs and spices to enhance their flavours and nutrition. We'll make everything from scratch with the freshest possible ingredients. Once we have prepared the food we will get a chance to enjoy it! Afternoon at leisure: after lunch we return to the hotel and you are then free to explore independently. Overnight the Villa Langka Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh - Boat to Chau Doc (B) (G)
Morning at leisure. We are picked up early afternoon from our hotel and transferred to the pier for a speed boat to Chau Doc. We arrive in Chau Doc in the late afternoon and check into our hotel for the night. Evening free. Overnight Victoria Chau Doc Hotel.

Day 10: Chau Doc - Bassac Cruise - Cai Be (B, L, D) (G)
We board our Bassac Cruise at the Chau Doc pier, have a welcome drink, are introduced to the ship and crew and we check into our cabins. We depart downstream on the Bassac River as the crew serves lunch. We connect through river Vam Nao and around the district of Cho Moi to the First River. By mid-afternoon we are sailing along a small tributary to Song Ho. We have an exploratory visit at Cho Moi to see the village and old churches. Boarding back at dusk we are greeted with a welcome drink. Dinner is served en route. The boat drops anchor on the way in view of the My Thuan Bridge for the night. Overnight Bassac Cruise.

Day 11: Cai Be (B, L, D) (G)
The boat sets sail after sunrise towards Cai Be, gliding through sweet water mangroves on the River My Tho. On arrival in Cai Be we transfer to a local boat for a tour of the Cai Be floating market. We re-board at Cai Be at noon. We have our welcome drink and then we depart towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang River. Lunch is served while en route. The boat slips into the Chợ Lách canal, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the river traffic between markets and churches. This is a unique opportunity for a glimpse of the very varied life on the banks as well as on the water. We visit a village on the banks of river Mang Thit - an opportunity to appreciate a way of life and the hospitality of the local inhabitants. We will visit an orchard or rice field nearby. Boarding back on the boat, complimentary drinks are served. We can rest on the deck and enjoy the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the boat is cruising Mang Thit River. We set anchor for the night just downstream from the little Tra On floating market. Overnight Bassac Cruise

Day 12: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D) (G)
The ship resumes its cruise through the Tra On floating market. The ship then departs towards Can Tho. We arrive at the Cai Rang floating market: we transfer onto a local boat to visit the floating market, the nearby arroyos and gardens and then we return to the Ninh Kieu Pier. We are transferred to Ho Chi Minh City where we we check into our hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a group dinner at Quan An Ngon Restaurant. Overnight Catina Saigon Hotel.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cooking Class + City Tour (B, L)
This morning we are picked up at 08:00 AM from our hotel to begin our Market Tour and Cooking Class. Around 8:30 AM, the Chef will greet us at a local market. Ben Thanh Market is centrally located and known as one of liveliest and busiest in Saigon. We will learn more about the ingredients, Vietnamese herbs and spices and start collecting vegetables for our lesson. After the market visit, we will be transferred to the Vietnam Cookery Center where we will learn the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. The Cooking Class is held in a traditional setting and guests will be divided into small groups to enhance interaction. At the completion of our lesson we enjoy the fruits of our efforts.

Afternoon: in the afternoon we enjoy a city tour. Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as the city is still frequently referred to, is Vietnam’s largest city. It is a fast-paced metropolis full of contrasts with street vendors selling fruit and vegetables next to glitzy western-style bars and boutiques. Amazingly, the city’s history dates back only 300 years. In 1859 the city was captured by the French and became the capital of Cochin China. From 1956 until April 1975 it was the capital of the US-backed Republic of Vietnam. Today, Ho Chi Minh City is very much the heart of Vietnamese business and entrepreneurial activity. Yet, the city still retains its connections to the past, particularly in Cholon which is the city’s Chinatown. Here dozens of elegant temples and pagodas can be seen. The French also left their mark with some fine colonial-era buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. We will visit:
The Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office: Built between 1877 and 1883 this is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Remarkably, every stone used in its creation was shipped from France to Vietnam. Her two forty metre towers, topped with iron spires, still dominate the city’s skyline. The Old Post Office is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office.
Dong Khoi Street, the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee Building: built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, the 800 seat Opera House was used as the home of the Lower House Assembly of Sourth Vietnam after 1956. It was not until 1975 that it was again used for performances. The structure was restored in 1995. The Opera House is located on the historical Dong Khoi Street which is home to many boutiques and fine restaurants. Just around the corner are the iconic Rex hotel and the beautiful Peoples’ Committee Building.
Cholon Cyclo Tour: This is one of the best ways to observe street life in this vibrant commercial centre. Enjoy a ride through the narrow streets and timeless street scenes as you soak up the atmosphere in comfort. Evening free. Overnight Catina Saigon Hotel.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Hanoi (B, D) (G)
We are picked up from our hotel and transferred to the airport for our flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide transfer us to our hotel. We check in and have the morning to rest. In the afternoon we have a half day tour to visit: Ho Chi Minh Complex including his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070, and a traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese Water Puppets. (Note: Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum are closed in the afternoon so we will have a look outside only.) This evening we will enjoy a group dinner at Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant where we can try a traditional Vietnamese fish dish called Cha Ca which has been served in this restaurant since 1871. (The Cha Ca is essentially fish cut into bite size pieces, marinated in turmeric powder and deep fried in oil. It is served on a stainless steel saucepan over a charcoal grill together with spring onions, dill, basil, spring onions and a special sauce. This dish is accompanied by Vietnamese rice noodles/vermicelli, roasted peanuts, and mint leaves with a vinegary sauce and cut fresh chili.) Overnight Mason D'Hanoi Hanova Hotel.

Day 15: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D) (G)
We depart at 08:30am from our hotel for the 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. There is a short stop along the way at the Sao Dao Centre which is run by handicapped youth. We arrive into Halong Bay and transfer to a traditional wooden Junk. We get to relax and enjoy the view while enjoying a delicious seafood lunch. Explore limestone caves dotted around the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or go swimming and kayaking. In the evening the chef will prepare a splendid meal of fresh seafood dishes and other traditional Vietnamese fare. There is also the opportunity for night fishing from the boat. Overnight Huong Hai Junk.

Day 16: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Bangkok (B,L) (G)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of Halong Bay, we have time for an early morning swim before breakfast. We continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas where we can swim or kayak. We enjoy lunch on board before returning to the main harbour and the trip back to the airport in Hanoi for our flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival at Bangkok airport we will be welcomed to Thailand by our guide and transferred to our hotel to check in. Evening is free. Overnight The Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel.

Day 17: Bangkok - City Tour (B) (G)
Morning at leisure: You have this morning to have a lie in if you wish. In the afternoon we have a guided tour of Bangkok including the Grand Palace & Wat Pho. We will start at one of the city's biggest food markets where we can try the legendary Pad Thai. Afterwards we will set out to visit three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Firstly; Wat Traimit with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ˝ tons of solid gold). Next visit is Wat Pho - the largest temple in Bangkok - with the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings and lastly the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here we will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. *Optional Evening Dinner: This evening we can book a group table at Prince's Chef Restaurant. The restaurant was established in 1925 and offers a delicious and varied menu with many dishes hailing from Royal Thai cuisine. You pay for the meal and drinks locally. Overnight The Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel.

Day 18: Bangkok - Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (B)
We have a morning guided tour to the Floating Market: after an early breakfast we set off for the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is about 70 miles west of Bangkok and is a great way for visitors to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits & vegetables from small boats. We will see traditional Thai houses and see how the people here live and travel by boats. The tour includes a visit to Nakorn Pathom, site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Patom Chedi", which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Afternoon free: this afternoon and evening you are free to relax or to make the most of Bangkok's excellent shopping opportunities. Overnight The Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel.

Day 19: Bangkok - Hua Hin (B) (G)
This morning we will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Hua Hin for a few days of pure relaxation. The drive will take around 3 hours and on arrival we check into our beach hotel. Tonight we can have sunset drinks together. Overnight Baan Talay Dao.

Day 20: Hua Hin (B, L) (G)
This morning we have our Thai cuisine introduction offered by Buchabun Antic & Souvenir Shop. We start our course by going shopping around Hua Hin's Local Market. This is an excellent opportunity to gather information on all those exotic Thai ingredients as well as getting a glimpse into the Thai daily life style. When we are done with our food shopping we will head to the Cooks head quarter some 3 km north of Hua Hin. We will discuss our menu over a nice cup of coffee after which we begin our cooking session. We will be taught some Thai cooking tips and we will be shown the importance of natural fresh ingredients for an original Thai taste. Then we get to taste our own creation. Your evening is free. Overnight Baan Talay Dao.

Day 21: Hua Hin (B)
Day at leisure. You are free to spend time as you wish. Some things to see and do in Hua Hin if you do not fancy simply relaxing: Pa La-U Waterfall or Huai Yang Waterfall, , Kayaking at Khao Daeng, snorkeling at Talu Island, visit Kaeng Krachan National Park or the Samroi Yod National Park. There is also the Hua Hin Night Market.Your evening is free. Overnight Baan Talay Dao.

Day 22: Hua Hin - Bangkok (B, D)
We have the morning to relax. In the afternoon we leave Hua Hin and are transferred back to Bangkok. We have our last group meal together this evening. Overnight The Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel.

Day 22: Bangkok - End Tour (B) (G)
Breakfast. Transfer to Bangkok International Airport for flights home. End of services.