Cambodia and Vietnam vacation, Siem Reap to Hanoi

Planet

All our adventures are privately guided vacations and as such we retain a commitment to working with small group sizes. By traveling in small numbers and using expert local guides we can limit the potential for damaging ancient temples and trails.

You will visit several world heritage sites and national parks on this itinerary, including the Temples of Angkor and Choeung Ek in Cambodia, and Hoi An and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. In our detailed pre-departure travel pack we have included a note to remind you not leave any litter around these environments – everything you carry in, you must carry out. Aside from the environmental damage, litter can be harmful to wildlife.

We aim to reduce transport emissions on this trip by exploring Ha Long Bay with kayaks, and you’ll cruise through secret grottos and floating villages on the calm waters. You’ll also enjoy fresh, locally caught seafood for dinner.

Our UK office takes a leading role in setting the standards for an environmentally friendly work environment. We work with local government to recycle our waste and continually look for new ways to be greener, including encouraging travelers to bring reusable water bottles on their vacation.

People

In Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, we take you for lunch at Pour un Sourire d’Enfant to show our support for this fantastic community initiative.The project is centered around a vocational training program that has rescued thousands of children from living on the streets around the city.

We employ local guides and support staff who we pay fair wages, often exceeding government standards which we still consider too low, and thereby remove the reliance on tipping from travelers for livelihoods.

Our accommodation choices make use of locally owned properties where possible and often include adventurous, authentic choices such as local homestays which therefore involve local people and their communities in the very fabric of our vacations.

We encourage all our travelers to research local customs and read your trip notes before you depart to ensure you are conscientious and respectful in a different culture.

In most cases we strongly recommend that you do not give money to children beggars. If begging is a successful enterprise, parents are encouraged to forsake their children’s education in pursuit of this opportunity.

Talk to us about Packing for a Purpose and see if you can get involved by making a small material contribution to the communities you are visiting. We have developed partnerships with charities and accommodations throughout Cambodia and Vietnam and are constantly working to extend our reach with the help of our travelers.