Adventure 16: Outdoor and Travel Outfitters - Since 1963

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Indochina: Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam

Kayaking in Vietnam with Explorer's Corner LLC

Highlights

  • Rugged Tropical Sea Kayaking and Rafting, Medium to Hard Jungle Day Hikes
  • 7 Nights in Hotels, 3 Nights on Boat, 3 Nights in Villages, 1 Night Camping

 

Full Description

Few regions on earth can match the natural and cultural wonders of Indochina and few adventurers know Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia like Explorers' Corner Expedition Leader Mick O’Shea. Mick has spent 8 years in Southeast Asia clocking up first kayaking descents on some 15 different rivers including an epic 142 day first ever full exploration and navigation of the Mekong River from source to sea in 2004.

Needless to say he knows his way around. We asked Mick to create an itinerary which brings his favorite Indochina paddle locations into the same diverse trip and he came back with an outstanding proposal that simply blew us away.

We start with the exotic lagoons, caves and islets of World Heritage listed Halong Bay before visiting Luang Prabang, the hidden gem of Northern Laos. From here make our way to the south and ride elephants into the Xe Pian Wetlands followed by a 4 day journey down the Mekong River via the 4000 islands that go deep into Cambodia.

Along the way we pass the site of the greatest cascade in Southeast Asia and the last remaining populations of the extremely rare Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphins. We finish with no less than a two day exploration of one of the world's greatest historic and architectural wonders, Angkor Wat. Need we say more? 

Includes:

  • Expert leadership and local English-fluent support personnel
  • All accommodations as noted
  • Meals as noted (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Group airport transfers
  • All kayaking gear and safety equipment
  • Sightseeing as noted in the itinerary, including entry fees, taxes and permits
  • Ground transportation including mini bus, truck, long-tail boat, elephants, and transfers

 

Excludes:

  • International airfare (r/t to and from Hanoi)
  • Insurance of any kind including mandatory evacuation insurance or suggested cancellation insurance
  • Visas
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Airport taxes
  • Medical immunizations
  • Items of a personal nature (clothing, sodas, liquor, snack foods, laundry, etc.)
  • Internal Air: $1215

 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Arrive in Noibai International Airport in Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy an evening buffet meal and trip briefing. D... Hotel

Day 2: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Residence. Explore the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th Century. Drive to Halong Bay (180km) and board our private junk. B, L, D... Overnight On Junk

Day 3: Halong Bay

We cruise past exotic islets with dramatic limestone cliffs which are naturally formed as the sea water erodes the limestone mountains. We paddle to Surprise Cave and explore the bay by kayak. We’ll journey through Luon cave, a natural tunnel which thrusts through the mountain’s foot and leads to an exotic lagoon, surrounded by mountains covered by dense jungle. Here we’ll enjoy a delicious seafood dinner, followed by an optional night paddle. This tranquil atmosphere will provide an excellent spot to overnight. B, L, D...Overnight On Junk

Day 4: Halong Bay - Three Tunnels Lake

A new day arrives with sunrise at sea. After breakfast, we continue to explore by kayak in the waters toward two fascinating islets that resemble a tortise and a man’s head, and we pass the fishing village of Cua Van. After lunch, if the tides allow, we’ll paddle to Three Tunnels Lake. After dinner, there will be another optional night paddle. B, L, D...Overnight On Junk

Day 5: Three Tunnels Lake – Luang Prabang

In the morning, we’ll come ashore to Hanoi to catch our afternoon flight to the Lao world heritage town of Luang Prabang. B, L, D... Xieng Mouane Guesthouse or similar

Day 6: Luang Prabang

A special city tour will highlight significant sights, including the Royal Palace and the Wat Xieng Thong. In the afternoon, we cruise to the Pak Ou caves where for centuries local people have lain their worn out Bhudda images to rest. The charm of Luang Prabang captures the imagination of even the most seasoned travellers. B, L, D... Xieng Mouane Guesthouse or similar

Day 7: Luang Prabang

We rise early to feed the monks of Luang Prabang. The tradition goes that the lay people feed the monks in this life so that in the next, people will do the same for them, opening the path to enlightenment. Free afternoon in Luang Prabang. B, L, D ...Xiang Mouane Guesthouse or similar

Day 8: Xe Pian Wetlands

Flight to the deep south of Laos, where we'll drive to the village of Ban Khiat Ngong. In the afternoon, we ride elephants out to the Xe Pian Wetlands to see firsthand this beautiful but threatened environment. A great day's adventure! B, L, D... Village Stay

Day 9: Xe Pian Wetlands - Mekong Four Thousand Islands

We bid farewell to the villagers before driving two hours to our put-in on the Mekong River. From here, it is a two hour paddle down to Don Khon, where we stop for lunch near a thundering set of rapids called Liphi, or “Jumping Spirits”. In the afternoon we hope to paddle with the extremely rare Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins. The sad truth is that we may be the last generation of people ever to see these magnificent creatures because their numbers are rapidly diminishing. B, L, D...Tented Camp

Day 10: Flooded Forests

As the Mekong waters begin to slow we enter a unique seasonal wetland habitat of flooded old growth forests. This habitat acts as a natural sanctuary for a diverse range of birds that flock here to nest. On the first survey through the area in 2004 we stayed at a village and happened to be the first foreigners to do so in 37 years; we look forward to staying with these villagers again! B, L, D... Village Stay

Day 11: Flooded Forests

We continue downstream through several bulbs of flooded forest while trying to identify as many bird species as possible. Such large areas of flooded forest, so far upstream from the river’s mouth, are rare; the Amazon is one of the few comparable areas on earth. B, L, D... Village Stay

Day 12: Mekong - Kampong Cham

Today we arrive at the remote northern Khmer capital of Stung Treng and catch speedboats down the Mekong to the ancient center of Kampong Cham. (Speedboats not available on 2009 departures) B, L, D... Champa Guesthouse or similar

Day 13: Kampong Cham - Siem Riep - Roluos

Today we drive to Siem Riep and the site of one of the greatest man-made wonders on earth, Angkor Wat. The five hour drive takes us over bumpy roads finally arriving at Siem Riep, we check into the charming garden surrounds of the Pavilion Indochine before pushing on for a visit to the ancient Roluos group. These temples date from the beginning of the Angkor period and provide an interesting point of comparison with the later architectural styles. B, L, D... Pavilion Indochine

Day 14: Angkor Complex

Throughout the day we experience the wonders of the Angkor Empire including the Bayon, Angkor Thom, and Tha Prom. Few if any historical sites on earth can compete with the grandeur and scale of the Angkor complex. B, L, D... Pavilion Indochine

Day 15: Angkor Wat- Hanoi - Home

After a final breakfast, we take a late afternoon flight to Hanoi. From here, you’ll catch your flight home. B...Return Home

About The Operator:

Explorer's Corner LLC

Headquarters:

Berkeley, CA

Established:

November 2000

About Explorers’ Corner

Explorers’ Corner is a high-end, specialty adventure company offering unique destinations and experiences, custom adventures and “old-world” one-to-one customer service. We stand firmly behind our slogan: Real Explorers Wanted - True Adventures Guaranteed!

Explorers’ Corner was founded in November of 2000 by Olaf Malver. After working in the travel industry for over 15 years, Olaf felt strongly that there was a market of travelers whose “true adventure and exploration” needs were not being met. At a time when the meaning of adventure is being watered down in travel, Explorers’ Corner is dedicated to fostering a community of curious and driven travelers that dare to make their travel dreams come true - only limited by their imaginations. We will provide the leaders and the safety and your participation will enhance the experience.

Explorers' Corner's passion has been to pioneer real adventures that provide an authentic experience rather than buffer you from what these places are all about. If, for example, you join us in an expedition to the Antarctic or to Greenland you’ll be expected to pitch in and do your part to make for a safe and successful journey for all. The reward is that you will have a true and direct experience, which you play an integral role in creating.

Real explorers are flexible and team players: for instance, if the weather changes to the worse then you might have to pitch your own tent, help the team haul your kayak out of the water, and lend a hand with the other camp chores. In a place like the Douro River of Portugal you might have to jump in and get your feet wet, not in the river, but stomping grapes to help the locals with the crush! An authentic experience means making the efforts to get up before the crack of dawn to be the only ones at a Galapagos landing site to watch a Pacific Green Sea Turtle returning to the ocean after a night of laying eggs.

True adventure is seeking out and safely experiencing the fullness of what the world has to offer on its own terms, not terms dictated to it. We say “real explorers wanted, true adventure guaranteed” because we mean it.

Custom Adventures

Making travel dreams a reality is a closely held philosophy at Explorers’ Corner. Therefore, creating and making custom adventures come true for our clients is a large part of Explorers’ Corner’s business. Explorers’ Corner will customize any one of our listed adventures to create a special event for families, groups of friends, or business associates. Guests can request special departure dates, custom activities, or extra accommodations as part of their group adventure. We will work with you to make your ideas come to fruition -- as long as they are seasonally appropriate and your group meets the minimum person requirement.

Explorers’ Corner can also custom design an adventure for our clients to any new place (on Earth, at least!) that only they have imagined exploring — again, providing the trip is seasonable and the minimum persons requirement is met. Bring us your dreams and our travel specialists will work to make your trip a reality. We love to travel, and we love to send travelers to any of the world’s most wonderful destinations.

Explorers’ Corner Founder

Dr. Olaf Malver—CEO, Chief Exploratory Officer. Olaf founded Explorers’ Corner, a boutique adventure travel company, 7 years ago. He, his guides, and his staff have since taken like-minded adventurous folks to far-flung corners of the world. In addition to running Explorers’ Corner, Olaf is a passionate eco-tourist activist working for the United Nations to help promote sustainable tourism in developing countries in the quest to save the world’s natural habitats.

Olaf is a true explorer who has sea kayaked, climbed mountains, dog sledded, and hiked in more than 100 countries spanning 35 years. He's led trailblazing expeditions to diverse locations such as South Georgia, Kamchatka, Antarctica, Pakistan, Nepal, Greenland, Indonesia, Vietnam, Panama, the Nicobar Islands, Zanzibar - and many other "frontier destinations”. Olaf claims many "firsts" in the world of high adventure, such as sea kayaking in Irian Jaya, Burma, North Vietnam, Panama, French Polynesia and British Guyana. He also led the first dog sled crossing across the Northern Brooks Range in Alaska and soloed around Zanzibar in a Hobie Cat. He is a lifetime fellow of the world famous Explorer’s Club, in recognition of his “true” explorations. Olaf is a living proof that the world of modern day exploration is still infinite and only limited by our lack of imagination and dreams! And Olaf is not alone. We have attracted some of the best adventure guides in the world.

Explorers’ Corner Guides

Our guides have more than 80 years of collective guiding experience and have been to over 150 countries, safely leading hundreds of travelers to unique destinations via kayaking, hiking, boating, and biking. They naturally carry with them the mission of Explorers’ Corner—to experience unique destinations and make travel dreams come true. Explorers’ Corner’s seasoned guides include Olaf Malver, Dave Mention, Mick O’Shea, Nancy Moore, Baldvin Kristjansson and many more.