northern vietnam & laos adventure - e3 global adventures · from lpb. the elephant conservation...

Northern Vietnam & Laos Adventure (plus optional 4 day Cambodia extension)

Explore the mystical Old Quarter of Hanoi

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Live like a local while you build a house in

stunning Sapa in northern Vietnam

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Deliver education and health supplies to

rural schools near Luang Prabang, Laos

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Spend 2 days at an elephant conservation

centre in the remote Sayaboury province

of Laos

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Want more? How about a 4 day stopover

in Siem Reap, Cambodia.!

Join us in September 2018 for this unique

adventure into Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

So, what makes it unique? No e3 Global

Adventure can ever be called ordinary! Every

single adventure is different and we specialise

in offering experiences which you will not find

on any other travel companies itineraries!

This trip will take you away from the usual

tourist experience in Vietnam and Laos. You

will build a house for a family in need in Sapa -

high in the hills close to the border of China.

While you do this you will be living with a local

family - enjoying their food, learning about

their culture and developing an insight into

their way of life.

Move on to Luang Prabang, Laos. Here, aside

from enjoying all this beautiful place has to

offer, you will help to deliver educational and

health supplies to rural schools. Further out,

you will spend time at a remote elephant

conservation camp.

Want more? Continue on to Siem Reap where

you can fulfil your dream of exploring the

Temples of Angkor, as well as assist at a school

for street kids run by Buddhist monks.

e3 Global ….. …. Adventures..!


Today is arrival day in Hanoi. Transfer to the Hanoi Chic Hotel in the vibrant Old Quarter and enjoy a rest

as you prepare for the two week adventure ahead!

Time to begin exploring the delightful capital city of Vietnam. Today we visit the main historic and cultural

icons of the city including the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh’s house. Later this

afternoon a walk to nearby Hoan Kiem Lake will give a glimpse of local life as we see residents of all ages

enjoying varying recreational pursuits around the lake including jogging, tai chi and line dancing. This

evening we will dine at KOTO - Know One Teach One. KOTO was founded by Vietnamese Australian

Jimmy Pham. Seeing the plight of local disadvantaged children he set up the hospitality training school to

give the kids a second chance. Now KOTO operates in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and the

restaurants have secured a solid reputation for the quality of their food and service. After enjoying our

dinner and learning a little about this social enterprise we prepare to board the sleeper train to head north

to the border of China. (B).

You will have no choice but to be up bright and early this morning as the train arrives in Lao Cai town at

around 5am! The 30 minute transfer by minibus provides a glimpse of the spectacular landscapes that

surround the hill town of Sapa. Many of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups reside in this area and as

you get closer to the main town you will see locals still sporting their own customary clothing including

headpieces. After a freshen up and some breakfast it is time to begin our trek to the location of the house

building project. The 8 or so kilometre walk provides some beautiful landscape vistas. You will begin to

understand a little about the way of life in this agricultural area and develop a respect for the way the

locals go about their business. We arrive at our homestay accommodation in time to enjoy our first

experience of local food. This afternoon we will meet the family we will be building a house for; learning

about the hardships they have faced which have forced them into extreme poverty. We will visit their

current house and learn about how the project will proceed over the next two days. This evening we will

enjoy the hospitality of our host family and there will be time to relax before ‘hitting the tools’ early

tomorrow morning! (B, L, D).

Today is the first day of our house building project. You will work alongside local tradespeople to

construct a modest house for our beneficiary family. Tasks will include assisting with the construction of

the timber frame, bricklaying and mixing mortar. The work is tiring but the rewards are immense! Our

homestay family will ensure that we are well fuelled for work and frequent rests will mean we are able to

work well into the late afternoon. (B, L, D).


Detailed Itinerary and Trip Notes

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel Saturday 22nd September 2018

Day 2 Hanoi city tour, KOTO visit, overnight train to Sapa Sunday 23rd Sept

Day 3 Arrive Lao Cai, transfer to Sapa, trek to homestay Monday 24th Sept

Day 4 Sapa - house building project Tuesday 25th Sept


The second day of our house building project begins! After a sound sleep it is time to spend another day

working to change someone’s life. We will continue our project well into the afternoon. By now, the

house will be well on the way to being built and it’s time to hand the project over to its new owner and

local tradesmen for completion. Today will be an emotional day as we come to realise the impact we have

made. Tonight we will enjoy a celebration meal with our homestay family as we prepare to leave early

tomorrow morning. (B, L, D).

It’s time to say goodbye to our homestay family this morning as we begin our return trek back in to Sapa

town. The Sapa Elegance Hotel awaits and a little comfort will be most welcomed! After a few hours to

rest it’s time for an optional visit to Sapa O’Chau School. The School was founded by dynamic local

woman Shu Tan and has been recognised as a leader in the education of ethnic minority children in the

area. Students are selected to attend the school where they learn English and also live in a boarding

house so that they can participate in secondary schooling - for most local children this is just a dream. At

the school we learn how the program works and have the opportunity to view the facilities. This evening

we are free to enjoy our own exploration of Sapa (B).

Today is a free day in Sapa. Check out the local shops for the latest North Face outdoor gear, book a

trekking, mountain bike or motorbike tour or just kick back and relax in one of local coffee shops. Sapa

has a chilled mountain town vibe and today is your chance to enjoy it! (B)

After a free day yesterday it’s back on the road this morning as we return by bus to Hanoi - a journey of

around 5 hours through picturesque countryside. We will continue directly to the airport for our

afternoon international flight to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage jungle town of Luang Prabang in

northern Laos. This stunning town sits on a peninsula at the convergence of the mighty Mekong and Khan

rivers. The location is awe inspiring, the atmosphere is relaxed and the sights are sensational! A short 10

minute transfer from the small airport gets us into the town and to our guest house accommodation - just

across the road from the river. Tonight we will enjoy dinner, and perhaps a cocktail, at one of the many

riverside restaurants in the Old Town area. (B).



Day 5 Sapa - house building project Wednesday 26th Sept

Day 6 Return trek to Sapa, afternoon visit to Sapa O’Chau school Thursday 27th Sept

Day 7 Sapa - free day Friday 28th Sept

Day 8 Return to Hanoi, fly to Luang Prabang Saturday 29th Sept




Day 9 Luang Prabang - free day Sunday 30th Sept

After a short orientation walk you are free today to enjoy all that LPB has to offer! Wake up early and view

the tak bat or alms giving ceremony as hundreds of saffron robed monks take to the streets to receive

offerings from the locals. Take a boat trip up the Mekong to Pak Ou Cave, visiting the infamous ‘whisky

village’ along the way. Travel by tuk tuk to Kuang Si waterfalls and stop by the Free The Bears sanctuary

which rescues endangered Asian sun bears from the illegal bile trade. Explore the small streets and

capture some of the French colonial essence that is still very visible around the town. Or perhaps you

would like to climb Mount Phousi and wonder at the views from its summit. After dinner, the famous

night market awaits where the main street of the town turns into ‘the’ place to pick up your Laos

souvenirs! (B).

The Luang Prabang National Library staff work hard to promote education and reading amongst local

schools and the ‘Book Bag’ program is one of their initiatives to achieve this. Today we will travel by tuk

tuk with the Library staff to a local school where we will deliver an ‘instant library’ of reading and picture

books to the students. For some children, these are the first picture books they have ever seen! We will

also assist the Library staff in leading some health care activities, distribute hygiene supplies as well as

enjoy some fun games with the local children. It will be an inspiring day which will see us see some of the

real Laos as well as learn about the difficulties faced by the local people in terms of receiving adequate

education and health care. (B).

Today we are up early to catch our mini-bus connection to Sayaboury province - around 3 hours drive

from LPB. The Elephant Conservation Centre has been established to rescue elephants from the logging

industry and give them a safe place to rest and, hopefully, breed. The Centre also conducts detailed

research into elephant natality, re-trains elephant mahouts and promotes education about elephants

both locally and internationally. When we arrive at Nam Tien Lake pier we transfer to the Centre by boat.

You will have time to settle into your private bungalow before our guide takes us into the forest. Along

the way we walk past the different enclosures where the main activities take place. After enjoying a

Laotian style picnic we can watch the resident mother and baby at the nursery. After they have drunk

enough and returned to the forest we will take the boat back to the Centre for a visit to the hospital. Here

the Lao vet assistant or biologist will introduce us to their work and talk about the types of ailments and

veterinary issues faced by the elephants. After bath time, which helps to socialise and strengthen ties in

the herd you will have the opportunity for some soft interaction with the mahouts by your side. During the

short walk back to the forest the guide will tell us a little about the background of each of the elephants,

including the hard work they have done. Before dinner there will be time for a swim, a canoe on the lake

or a stroll around the Centre. Or, perhaps you would prefer to relax and enjoy a traditional Lao style cock-

tail! (B, L, D)

Day 10 Luang Prabang - School visit to deliver books Monday 1st October

Day 11 Sayaboury - Elephant Conservation Centre Tuesday 2nd Oct



On the second day you will meet up with the elephants in the forest. After spending the night grazing in the jungle it is time for another bath. Enjoy strolling together with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment. When they have had their fill of water they are brought to the Socialization Area. This is an area where the elephants can freely interact during a big part of the day, recreating a semi-natural living environment. Here the elephants can enjoy being elephants. Follow the guide around the perimeter to learn more about the group and its dynamics. Take your time on the different platforms to see how a new herd is being formed. This rare opportunity will bring you closer to their natural life and something which is unique about this program. After lunch and some time to relax we once again view the elephants coming down for their afternoon bath before meeting the vet assistant or biologist who will conduct a target training session. All the elephants are trained using ’positive reinforcement’ techniques to facilitate any necessary treatments and reduce the stress that these treatments or routine checks may cause. We will be given the opportunity to follow their work from a safe distance. Once again, we will enjoy a relaxing evening with local Lao food and plenty of opportunity to admire our stunning

surroundings. (B, L, D)

On the third day, the guide and biologist will explain the enrichment activities. Enrichment is a dynamic process for enhancing animal environments within the context of the animal’s behavioural biology. To provide mental stimulation and alleviate boredom the elephants are provided with cognitive enrichment in the form of hidden food, toys, a mud bath etc. and, in short, they love it! Today you get to take part in this amazing experience by helping the team to prepare the enclosure by cutting and hiding the food - giving the elephants a challenge. Once they arrive, you will have the opportunity to observe how the elephants try to find what you have hidden! This is a novel and unique way to interact with the elephants, contributing directly to their wellbeing. After lunch at the restaurant you will have some time to relax before the minibus journey back to Luang Prabang. On arrival we will once again check in to our guest-

house and enjoy another evening in this beautiful town. (B, L)

You can never have too much time in this rich and diverse cultural hub. Enjoy shopping, café visits, handicraft workshops, treks, motorbike or bike rides out of town. Relax at La Pistoche - the LPB equivalent of a swimming pool and spa centre. Visit the National Museum or the Ethnology Museum or volunteer a few hours of your time assisting at the LPB library. This is your final day and it’s your choice how you

would like to enjoy it! (B)

Today we transfer to the airport for our return journey to Australia or our onward journey to Siem Reap.

(B)


Day 12 Elephant Conservation Centre Wednesday 3rd Oct

Day 15 Luang Prabang - departure day Saturday 6th Oct

Day 13 Elephant Conservation Centre - Luang Prabang Thursday 4th Oct

Day 14 Luang Prabang - Free day Friday 5th Oct



If you’ve decided that you can’t get enough of a good thing you will be continuing your journey with us to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the home of the iconic Temples of Angkor and their main drawcard - Angkor Wat. As we transfer from the international airport to our guesthouse you will gain an understanding of the impact that tourism has had on the people. Interestingly though, for all the wealth that tourism has brought, very little of that money finds its way to the locals. Welcome to some of the ever present issues in this country! Our guesthouse is close to the central hub of ‘Pub Street’ but still far enough away to be quiet and relaxed. This evening enjoy a swim in the guest house pool and your first Angkor Beer before

you hit the town! (B)

Over the next two days you will be able to see the very best that Siem Reap has to offer! Explore the temples near and far or enjoy a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap lake - the largest lake in South East Asia - to view the famous ‘floating villages’. View handicrafts being made in traditional workshops, or silk farms which produce the fine thread which is highly sought after in this area to manufacture premium quality silk scarves and garments. Venture further afield and learn about the work of an amazing man, Aki Ra, who is attempting to eradicate land mines in the country. Take a cooking school or ‘rumble through the jungle’ on a 4 wheel motorbike adventure. Hit the National Museum or take to the markets - day or night. There are endless activities to occupy your time. Or, of course, you could just relax and enjoy a massage (or two) while winding down from your busy two week adventure. One evening we will take a tuk tuk to visit the Enkosa River School. This School has been established by Buddhist monks at Wat Preah Enkosa, a short drive from the main centre of Siem Reap. Each evening over one hundred children of all ages flock to the school to make the most of the free English language classes on offer. We will spend an hour or so helping in some of the classes as well as touring through the temple and benefiting from a short guided

meditation practice. (B)

Today we transfer to the airport for our return journey to Australia or our onward journey. (B)


Day 15 Depart Luang Prabang, arrive Siem Reap (optional extension) Saturday 6th Oct

Day 16 & 17 Siem Reap - free time, Enkosa River School Sunday 7th & Monday 8th Oct

Day 18 Siem Reap - departure day Tuesday 9th Oct

e3 Global …. …. Adventures..!




Over the next two days you will be able to see the very best that Siem Reap has to offer! Explore the temples near and far or enjoy a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap lake - the largest lake in South East Asia - to view the famous ‘floating villages’. View handicrafts being made in traditional workshops, or silk farms which produce the fine thread which is highly sought after in this area to manufacture premium quality silk scarves and garments. Venture further afield and learn about the work of an amazing man, Aki Ra, who is attempting to eradicate land mines in the country. Take a cooking school or ‘rumble through the jungle’ on a 4 wheel motorbike adventure. Hit the National Museum or take to the markets - day or night. There are endless activities to occupy your time. Or, of course, you could just take your time and enjoy a massage (or two) while winding down from your busy two week adventure. Over the course of the two days we will take a tuk tuk to visit the Enkosa River School. This School has been established by Buddhist monks at Wat Preah Enkosa, a short drive from the main centre of Siem Reap. Each evening over one hundred children of all ages flock to the school to make the most of the free English language classes on offer. We will spend an hour or so helping in some of the classes as well as touring through the temple

and benefiting from a short guided meditation practice. (B)





e3 Global ….

….

Adventures..!

Our Philosophy Our Tour Group Policy

Our aim is to link travellers with ethical and socially

responsible experiences, opportunities and

organisations. Wherever we can we stay in local

guesthouses, run by local people. We will guide you

to fair trade shops, to cafes run with a social justice

focus as well as link you with opportunities to give

back to the local community you are visiting. At e3

Global Adventures every itinerary we create

incorporates a social justice or community service

project. That’s because we believe that great travel

experiences are created by our (and your) connection

with local people. Indeed, that’s what you will

remember most about your trip!!

We understand that not everyone is looking for the

same experience when travelling in a group. We

believe that our group itineraries give plenty of

flexibility for those who wish to have their own

adventures and experiences. Plenty of free time in

each destination, no compulsion to eat with the

group - it’s your experience to create! All that we ask

is that you commit to the project days detailed in the

itinerary. After all - that’s what is unique about your

trip!

Your Guides

Nic and Pam from e3 Global Adventures will be your guides for this volunteer project trip. Both are experienced travellers

and tour leaders who use their personal connections with local people and communities across South East Asia to make

your travel experience unique. They are also current educators who are experienced in establishing Asian studies and

social justice programs in the Tasmanian school setting. Local guides will also join us for the Hanoi, Sapa and Sayaboury

sections of our tour.

Your Volunteer Experience

Without doubt your volunteer experience will truly be the highlight of your trip! Unlike most volunteer tour

organisers we believe that the local communities are in the best position to identify projects which are of real

value to them. We work closely with organisations in-country to work out how we can best assist. We do not

believe in ’hand outs’ and we certainly don’t promote orphanage tourism with any of our project trips.

However, we do believe that every one of our travellers can help to improve the education, health care or

quality of life of people in the communities that we visit. Your experience will connect you with these

communities and we encourage you to maintain contact and support for these projects, if you wish. Our

major project on this trip is to build a house for a family in the Sapa region. The family is identified by local

leaders to be the most worthy to benefit from our support. The work will be physical but no special skills are

required so if you are a novice at bricklaying you won’t be alone! We will also be linking with the Sapa

O’Chau School in Sapa where we will be assisting the students with their English conversation skills. For many

children living on the poverty line, learning English is a valuable skill which will increase their ability to

provide for their family in the future. In Luang Prabang there will be the chance to assist Chantha and her

staff at the National Library to deliver educational supplies and programs to schools through the ‘book bag’

program. Your stay at the Elephant Conservation Centre also helps the plight of the Asian elephant through

funding the ElefantAsia program - a world leader in elephant research and conservation management. Of

course, during your stay you will be assisting with some of the tasks relating to elephant care. Finally, for

those who are continuing on to Siem Reap you will have the opportunity to support some of the city’s

children in their quest to become confident English speakers.




Over the next two days you will be able to see the very best that Siem Reap has to offer! Explore the temples near and far or enjoy a scenic boat trip on Tonle Sap lake - the largest lake in South East Asia - to view the famous ‘floating villages’. View handicrafts being made in traditional workshops, or silk farms which produce the fine thread which is highly sought after in this area to manufacture premium quality silk scarves and garments. Venture further afield and learn about the work of an amazing man, Aki Ra, who is attempting to eradicate land mines in the country. Take a cooking school or ‘rumble through the jungle’ on a 4 wheel motorbike adventure. Hit the National Museum or take to the markets - day or night. There are endless activities to occupy your time. Or, of course, you could just take your time and enjoy a massage (or two) while winding down from your busy two week adventure. Over the course of the two days we will take a tuk tuk to visit the Enkosa River School. This School has been established by Buddhist monks at Wat Preah Enkosa, a short drive from the main centre of Siem Reap. Each evening over one hundred children of all ages flock to the school to make the most of the free English language classes on offer. We will spend an hour or so helping in some of the classes as well as touring through the temple

and benefiting from a short guided meditation practice. (B)





e3 Global ….

….

Adventures..!

Your Project Contribution

Tour Cost & Inclusions

We ask each participant to contribute $300AUD towards our volunteer projects. Every dollar of this amount goes towards

the projects that you will be supporting. Many of our travellers choose to fundraise this amount in their workplace or within

their networks - cake stalls, mini-raffles, flower sales...you name it, our travellers have done it!!

Without doubt the food in Vietnam and Laos always proves to be a highlight! Enjoy traditional pho soup for breakfast in

Hanoi, while beautiful tropical fruits feature highly in Luang Prabang. Our meals at our Sapa homestay are sure to be a

highlight and we can also help in the preparation of the traditional family feasts. There are many café and restaurant

options in all of our destinations and often the hardest decision of the day is where to eat! Of course, relaxing over a quiet

drink overlooking Sapa town or on a balcony café on the banks of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang is always an

enjoyable past time!

Accommodation

All hotel accommodation on this trip is booked on a double or twin share basis. Please ask about single supplements. In

Hanoi we stay at the Hanoi Chic Hotel - a small, quiet hotel conveniently located in the Old Quarter. Wake up in the

morning, walk out the front door and be greeted by ‘Old Hanoi’ at it’s best - narrow alleyways bustling with the morning

activities.! Our overnight train journey to Sapa will be in a comfortable air conditioned, fourth berth sleeper. In Sapa we

will be living with a local family - think mattress and mosquito net in a shared room with shared, basic bathroom but this is

life as a local! This experience will make our stay at the very comfortable Sapa Elegance Hotel even more enjoyable! In

Luang Prabang the Villa Somphong offers comfortable rooms, many overlooking the Nam Khan River. Once again all

rooms have good air conditioning and private bathrooms. Breakfast is served on the banks of the river. At the Elephant

Conservation Centre accommodation is in simple twin share/double huts with shared facilities. For those continuing on to

Siem Reap, we will be staying at Le Tigre Hotel - very comfortable - right down to the salt water swimming pool!

A Culinary Adventure

Cost: $2 290 AUD (single supplement add $250)

Cambodia extension, please add $250 AUD

Includes: Tour leaders from Hanoi

Transfers (if travelling with the group)

All accommodation

All breakfasts, other meals as per itinerary

Hanoi City tour

Train and bus transport as described

Flight Hanoi to Luang Prabang

2.5 day program at the Elephant

Conservation Centre, Sayaboury

Project organisation

Cambodia extension cost covers tour leader support,

accommodation, group transfers and breakfasts.

Tour Exclusions

Excludes: Flights to Hanoi & from Luang Prabang

Visas

Travel insurance

Some meals

Activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Drinks and tips

Project donation $300AUD payable prior to

departure

Please note that the Cambodia extension cost does not

include activities or tours, aside from the visit to Enkosa

River School. However, we will assist you to organise these

activities. The flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap is

not included in the extension cost.

Need more info….or ready for your adventure…? Contact us today!

Email: [email protected] Phone 0448 384 187

The Next Step..!

northern vietnam & laos adventure - e3 global adventures · from lpb. the elephant conservation...

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