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Country: CAMBODIA, CHINA, LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, VIETNAM
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| VentureCo |
The Ironyard
64-66 Market Place
Warks
UNITED KINGDOM
CV34 4SD
Phone: 01926 411 122
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Program description: |
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INDOCHINA VENTURE – 14 weeks Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China. Explore the Empires of the East. Indochina Venture traces the legends of the ancient Khmers whilst discovering the reality of life after Pol Pot in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Switching from volunteering to adventure, we mount an epic expedition to explore the complexities of Vietnam, Laos and China.
Three phases make one Venture
Cultural Orientation and the Khmer Language
Live and work with Buddhist monks in a disadvantaged Cambodian community
Explore off the beaten track from the South China Sea to the Great Wall of China
Venture Highlights. Travel Safety Course in UK before departure. Acclimatisation and cultural orientation in Cambodia including basic Khmer lessons. Cambodian development project in association with the Buddhist Monks of the Life and Hope Association. Angkor Wat, Cambodia's ancient Khmer temples. “The Killing Fields” Cambodia's recent Khmer history, Phnom Penh R&R time on deserted beaches.
Sail down the Mekong and Yangtze Rivers. Adventure activities including mountain-biking across Vietnam's central highlands. Tackle a three-day trek into China's Tiger Leaping Gorge. Pandas, walled cities and terracotta warriors. Great Wall of China trek. Explore the cities of Phnom Penh, Saigon and Beijing. New friends and the time of your life!
Venture Summary
Indochina Venture – 14 weeks
Week 1 Cultural Orientation: Siem Reap. Arrive in Bangkok and overland to Siem Reap. Angkor Wat temples. Meet the Buddhist monks.
Khmer language lessons.
Week 2 Cultural Orientation: Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Café Culture of Cambodia's capital. The Killing Fields. Head to the beaches and islands of Cambodia’s south coast.
Weeks 3 - 5 Community Development Project: Life and Hope Association (LHA), Siem Reap. Construct houses for impoverished families in villages surrounding Siem Reap. Teach English and play sports with the children of the LHA “English Club”. Become a Buddhist Monk (or Nun) for the day! Weekend activities include a 3-day visit to the temples of Angkor Wat.
Week 6 Expedition: Mekong Delta and Saigon, Vietnam. Travel by bus and boat from Siem Reap to Saigon. Explore the bustling streets of Saigon: visit the American War Museum and crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels, once home to the Vietcong. Try sand-boarding on the dunes of Mui Ne, on Vietnam’s East Coast.
Week 7 Expedition: Mountain-biking across the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Tackle a mountain-biking expedition across the Central Highlands and along Vietnam’s east coast. Explore Hoi An, relax on the nearby China Beach and visit the Marble Mountains.
Week 8 Expedition: Hue to Vientiane, Laos. Cycle to the imperial city of Hue, explore the palaces of its “Forbidden City” Cross the border into Laos and travel cross-country to the capital, Vientiane.
week 9 Expedition: Vientiane, Vang Vien and Luang Prabang, Laos. Discover the French colonial trappings in Vientiane, and the elephants, mountain bikes and water sports. Charming old Luang Prabang – for many their favourite city in Asia!
Week 10 Expedition: Northern Hill Tribe Trek, Laos. Explore the caves of Luang Prabang. Head to the northern hill tribes area for a 3-day trek revealing the region’s indigenous fauna and flora. Cross the border into China.
Week 11 Expedition: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China. Travel north to Tiger Leaping Gorge for a 3-day trek through one of the world’s deepest canyons. Snow capped peaks, wild rivers and rural family stays.
Week 12 Expedition: Giant Pandas and the Yangtze River, China. Watch giant pandas and explore the walled city of Chengdu before taking a boat trip down the Yangtze, past the massive Three Gorges Dam.
Week 13 Expedition: Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall Trek, China. Time to enjoy the ancient city of Xi’an and visit the ever-vigilant Terracotta Warriors. By train to Beijing, the starting point for 6 days of walking on the Great Wall of China.
Week 14 Expedition: Great Wall Trek and Beijing, China. Finish the trek in Beijing, and spend the Venture’s final days exploring Beijing and the famous Forbidden City.
Thinking about onward travel?
This Venture is a comprehensive introduction to travelling in South-East Asia so when it’s all over, why not stay on and see a bit more? China itself is a huge country and its neighbours like Hong Kong, Tibet and Nepal are within easy reach when you finish in Beijing. The Trans Siberian Railway opens up exciting options within Mongolia and Russia whilst further a field you can travel on to Australia and New Zealand. Airline connections are available to incorporate South East Asia into a Round the World travel plan.
VentureCo staff and leaders have considerable experience of travelling in South-East Asia. Call us to talk through your ideas and develop a travel plan.
This is an all-inclusive trip, with full support and a range of services provided before, during and after the Venture.
Included in the price:
UK Travel Safety Course
All food
All accommodation
Cultural orientation
Expedition activities including:
Mountain bike trip across Vietnam
Hill Tribe Trek in Laos (3 days)
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek in China (3 days)
Great Wall Trek in China (6 Days)
Transport throughout the Venture.
Development project funding through the VentureCo Trust
“With flights” price includes “open jaw” flights from London to Siem Reap and home from Beijing to London
Not included:
Travel insurance.
Visas and travel documents (group applications made).
Inoculations
Items of a personal nature.
Tips to guides/porters.
Drinks and evenings out.
“With flights” price does not include airport taxes which currently stand at £115. These costs are subject to change beyond our control and we will confirm the precise amount at your Venture Travel Safety Course (about 10 weeks before departure)
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General program information: |
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Program open to: Everyone
Age range: Gap Year: 17-20. Career Gap: 21 and over.
Travel to site: Group Travel
Is opportunity more independant or group orientated: Group
No. in group: 10 to 16
Living arrangements on the program: Varies, Tents/Rustic Accommodation, Group living, Home stays (living with local families)
How long does the program last?: 3-6 months
What are the dates of this program: Indochina Venture 2 departs on 05-01-07
Indochina Venture 3 departs on 19-01-07
Indochina Venture 4 departs on 02-02-07
Indochina Venture 5 departs on 25-05-07
Indochina Venture 6 departs on 02-03-07
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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This is travel with purpose:
Learn about the culture and language.
Give something back to the local community by working directly with them.
Explore the backcountry and neighbouring lands on an expedition that requires all 16 team members to work together. Guided by experienced leaders you will learn about trekking and wilderness craft.
After 16 weeks you will possess the confidence, langauage skills and knowledge to undertake indepedent, onward travel.
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Cost or price of this program: |
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£3995 (14 weeks) Land Only
£4570 (14 weeks) With Flights
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Typical person for this program: |
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Venturers are enthusiastic and motivated team-players, with plenty of initiative and a desire to make a positive contribution to the communities they visit.
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