Enquire About This Tour Code SESH Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 22 Days Route: Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City Style: Adventure Tours Price: US$1,799.00
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
From the tightly packed skyscrapers of Singapore to the expansive tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, the idyllic white-sand beaches and islands of Thailand and the glittering temples of Cambodia, this classic tour offers a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures and landscapes of South East Asia. Check out the hottest shopping areas of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and explore the one of the world’s most famous temples at Angkor Wat.
15% Late-Space Special available on 25 May 13, 22 Jun 13 departure(s)
Tour Dossier Introduction
- Dossier Last Updated: 10-04-2013
- Tour Code: SESH
- Duration: 21 nights / 22 days
- Joining City: Singapore
- Departure City: Ho Chi Minh City
- Nearest Joining International Airport: Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Nearest Departing International Airport: Tan Son Nhat Int Airport Ho Chi Minh Cty (SGN)
This dossier is designed for this particular tour and should be read in conjunction with the country dossier(s), regional pre-departure booklet and optional excursions guides relevant to your itinerary. You will also receive a joining letter in advance of your journey with further information, while last minute updates may be posted in the Latest News section of our website.
Tour Documents
Inclusions
- Accommodation: 20 night(s) in hotel(s), hostel(s) & guesthouse(s), 1 night(s) on overnight bus(es)
- Meals: 5 breakfast(s)
- Excursions: Full Day Jungle Trek, Penang Heritage Walk, Angkor Wat
- Transport: Local public bus, train, boat, taxi, on foot
- Age: 18-60, max. 70 (recommended)
- Group: Average 8-12
- Staff: Tucan Travel tour leader, local guides
Exclusions
International flights and departure taxes
Domestic flight taxes if applicable
Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
Airport transfers and pre and post tour accommodation
Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
Optional excursions - Please see our optional excursions guide on the dossier page for a comprehensive list of optional activities and excursions available on this tour.
Highlights
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Cameron Highlands
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Beaches of South Thailand
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Bangkok Nightlife
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Ho Chi Minh City
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Singapore
The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.
Singapore may be small in size, but its larger-than-life attitude and modernisation will ensure your visit here is truly unforgettable. A major international hub, the city will house travellers and business people from all over the world at any given time. You would be forgiven for thinking you should be donned in a suit clutching a briefcase as you lose yourself between the ultra-modern high rise buildings. Like any major city, the shopping is excellent here (although not always cheap). There are many historical and cultural sights to see if you are after an insight into the tradition of this fascinating country. Visit Little India and Chinatown for a glimpse into the old way of life of the city. You may want to don your best travelling garb and try a traditional Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in the famous Raffles Hotel. Steeped in history, this spectacular colonial style hotel is beautiful to see as you make your way to the bar which is more relaxed than you may think as it is a must to throw your peanut shells on the floor! Singapore restaurants are not the cheapest you will come across in South East Asia but if you hit some of the market food stalls or the hawker centres you are sure to delight in an amazing selection of fresh, scrumptious food.
Day 2 to 5 - Melaka – Kuala Lumpur
Melaka is one of Malaysia's most popular destinations and was an important trading port several hundred years ago and the historical city centre is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Portuguese settled here in the 16th century and their influence can be seen in much of the architecture around the city. There are many attractions in Melaka, from temples to churches, and mosques to museums. The destination is famous for its traditional Chinese Nyonya cuisine, which you can sample from one of the traditional Peranakan shop houses.
We arrive in Malaysia's lively capital, Kuala Lumpur. A major tourist hub, 'KL' (as it is usually referred) is a modern, slightly congested city and it offers all the creature comforts of your average major city. High rises abound, shopping is excellent (and one of the city's major attractions) and its bustling day-to-day goings-on provide an insight into Malay business culture. There are many things to do here - both cultural and indulgent. During your time here, why not check out Berjaya Times Square in the Bukit Bintang area, the biggest mall in Asia - where the 8th floor houses a mini theme park consisting of several roller coasters and white-knuckle rides. You could also visit the tallest twin tower building in the world, the Petronas Towers. There are also many colonial buildings to visit if you feel the need to step back in time and take a break from the modern high rises.
Day 6 to 9 - Cameron Highlands – Penang
Named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau in 1885, the Cameron Highlands is a highland region around 1500 metres above sea level. There are many things to do and see here, including a butterfly farm, strawberry farms, rose gardens, a Chinese temple and vegetable farms. You also have a jungle trek amongst the cool, refreshing forest air. The region's fertile mountain slopes make it one of the best places in the country to grow tea, and there are many tea plantations. The Cameron Highlands is also a major supplier of vegetables to Malaysia and Singapore.
As we continue through Malaysia we make our way for Penang. We will stay in Georgetown, which is the island's capital. Georgetown possesses a unique charm, blending old and new cultures. Peddlers exhibit their goods surrounded by modern buildings. Old buildings stand side-by-side with new businesses. Take a rickshaw tour and introduce yourself to this lively town or perhaps visit the 65-storey Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR), a prominent Penang landmark, which houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants.
Day 10 to 13 - Ao Nang – Bangkok
Made up of 99 islands, Lankawi is a paradise nestled in north Malaysia. Here we relax on the beach, enjoy the beautiful waters and bury our feet in the sand. Until 1986, the islands were thought to be cursed until they were developed into a poplar destination for tourists.
The gateway to the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Ao Nang is the perfect getaway. Here you can relax on quiet deserted beaches, go snorkelling or learn how to dive. There are options for trekking or if you simply want to take in the surrounds you can go island hopping and visit many pristine beaches and natural caves.
Hire a local longtail boat and visit hidden coves and tropical beaches around neighbouring islands. If you're after something a bit more energetic, hire a speedboat to , the small uninhabited islands, which offers fantastic snorkelling and vivid turquoise waters.
From Ao Nang we will make our way to Bangkok to explore the 'City of Angels'.
Day 14 to 18 - Bangkok – Siem Reap
Thailand's capital, Bangkok, a crazy and chaotic city! Known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon pronounced or Krung Thep "city of angels" for short, Bangkok was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Bangkok is now the gateway to South East Asia for most travellers and 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.
On a more cultural note, 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. Travelling through these canals you will see how the locals live along the riverside - you almost forget you are in a large, bustling city.
Siem Reap is our base for exploring the famous temples of the Angkor area. The name Siem Reap means 'Defeat of Siam' - today's Thailand - and refers to a century-old bloodbath which you can see commemorated in stone in the celebrated bas relief carvings of the monuments around the area.
Our first day we head out on our included excursion to the most famous temple, Angkor Wat, with a guide to give us an overview of the history and layout of the temple. Our remaining time in Siem Reap can be spent at our own leisure exploring this expansive site armed with our cameras and the knowledge from our guide.
There are over one thousand temples here which attract over one million visitors annually. The temples range from small ruins to the famous Angkor Wat, and the site is said to be the world's largest single religious monument.
Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, pays homage to the Hindu god Vishnu and has a dazzling array of beautiful ornate carvings. 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 square kilometres.
There are superb photographic opportunities here at most times of the day so make sure your camera batteries are fully charged and your memory card is 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 19 to 20 - Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is Cambodia's bustling capital city with a turbulent past. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonised Cambodia during the 19th century. The city has grown from a small fishing village to what is now the industrial, commercial, cultural and historical centre of Cambodia.
Take a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (a former torture centre) and the Choueng Ek Memorial at the site of the Killing Fields, to learn about one aspect of this country's turbulent past.
Phnom Penh has many other attractions including 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 21 to 21 - Ho Chi Minh City
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 but getting around is suprisingly 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. If you're less of a history buff and more 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 22 to 22 - Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
The itinerary listed above is to be used as a guide only. Occasionally we may need to update this document and it may be different to the information printed in our current brochure. Tour leaders may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances during the tour. It is very important that you visit our website and review a copy of this dossier as close as possible to your departure date in case of changes that may affect your plans. Any last minute changes may also be posted in the latest news section of our website.
Group Size
This tour has a maximum of 16 with an average of 8-12 travellers.
Other Services – pre & post tour accommodation and airport transfers
Very little time is spent in each of the starting and finishing cities and you will need to allow a few days at the beginning or end of your tour if you want to explore them further. Airport transfers in joining and departing cities are not included in the tour price but can be booked through Tucan Travel at an additional cost. For details about how to book pre & post accommodation please refer to the Extra Services information page in our website. Price information can be found on the price page of each tour. If you would prefer to make your own way to and from your hotel, you can find further details on the joining letter for this tour.
Single Supplements
This package may offer single supplements that enable clients to stay in a single room. This single supplement must be paid prior to departure and applies to the whole tour for nights where single rooms can be made available. If there is no offer for a single room this is usually because you will be on an overnight train or bus, or camping.
In the day-by-day grid below a ✔ will indicate in which destinations single rooms are available to those who have purchased a single supplement.
Day by Day Itinerary
| Day | Activity | Country | Meals | Single Room |
| Day 1 | Singapore | Singapore | ✓ | |
| Day 2 | Melaka | Malaysia | B | ✓ |
| Day 3 | Melaka | ✓ | ||
| Day 4 | Kuala Lumpur | ✓ | ||
| Day 5 | Kuala Lumpur | ✓ | ||
| Day 6 | Cameron Highlands | ✓ | ||
| Day 7 | Cameron Highlands | ✓ | ||
| Day 8 | Penang | ✓ | ||
| Day 9 | Penang | B | ✓ | |
| Day 10 | Langkawi | Thailand | B | ✓ |
| Day 11 | Ao Nang | ✓ | ||
| Day 12 | Ao Nang | ✓ | ||
| Day 13 | Overnight bus/train from Ao Nang/Surat Thani to Bangkok | B | ||
| Day 14 | Bangkok | ✓ | ||
| Day 15 | Bangkok | ✓ | ||
| Day 16 | Siem Reap | Cambodia | ✓ | |
| Day 17 | Siem Reap | ✓ | ||
| Day 18 | Siem Reap | ✓ | ||
| Day 19 | Phnom Penh | ✓ | ||
| Day 20 | Phnom Penh | ✓ | ||
| Day 21 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam | ✓ | |
| Day 22 | Ho Chi Minh City | B | ✓ |
(B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner included)
Please note the day to day itinerary above is given as a GUIDELINE ONLY.
