Superb Tours for Discerning Gay & Lesbian Travelers Since 1998

ITINERARY-AT-A-GLANCE

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INCLUDED FEATURES

• 2 nights’ deluxe international-standard hotel accommodation in Hanoi with daily buffet breakfast
• Overnight stay onboard a traditional-style, luxury sailing junk in Ha Long Bay
• 3 nights’ deluxe international-standard hotel accommodation in Siem Reap with daily buffet breakfast
• 7-night deluxe cruise accommodation on the Mekong River aboard the new 46-cabin La Marguerite
• 1 night deluxe international-standard hotel accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with buffet breakfast
• Superb dining with all meals included during cruise
• Unlimited local beer and house-brand spirits with meals onboard ship
• Bottled water in cabin replenished daily
• Welcome dinner and farewell cocktail party and dinner on cruise
• All breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners during the land portion of tour
• All sightseeing programs as outlined in the itinerary
• Onboard special highlights including folklore dances and music performances, cultural discussion forums, theme dinners, and piano entertainment
• Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• Airport transfers on each end with the purchase of air package
• Venture Out Tour Escort (with a minimum of 9 guests)

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GROUP STRUCTURE
This is a land tour and river cruise operated by AMA Waterways (cruise portion) and their ground operators in Vietnam and Cambodia (land portion). Venture Out has blocked a sizable allotment of the hotel rooms and boat cabins, so we will be a sub-group within a general scheduled departure of the AMA Waterways' program. If Venture Out fills its allotment of rooms/cabins we will request more space. Since there are 46 cabins on the river cruise ship, there’s a theoretical maximum of 92 guests in total on the tour and cruise — although there will really be fewer than that because some of those cabins/rooms will be occupied by one person. We will arrange to have meals on the cruise ship with our own seating and will attempt that as much as possible with the meals that are included in the land portion of the tour.

On this particular tour/cruise, there will be different local guides all along the way. There isn’t one guide for the whole trip. So everywhere we go the entire overall group will be split into smaller groups, and there will be a guide for each smaller group. We will try to have the Venture Out guests be their own separate sub-group for as many of the guided activities as possible. We can’t guarantee that this will happen everywhere, though. It will depend on the total number of Venture Out guests on the trip (the more the better), and it will depend on the number of local guides available at each of the different locations. We have a better chance of having separate sightseeing in Hanoi, Siem Reap, and Ho Chi Minh City. But this is not likely for the shore excursions from the boat during the cruise portion of the trip due to a very limited number of vehicles along that stretch.

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ITINERARY

Day 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI, VIETNAM. Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. After your airport greeting, you’ll be transferred to our deluxe hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to rest up, explore the city on your own, or perhaps visit the fabled Old Quarter. {Please note: The airport transfer is included with the purchase of air arrangements with your trip. An airport transfer can also be purchased separately.}

Day 2: HANOI. A morning sightseeing tour will take us to Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-Pillar Pagoda, and The Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show. (B)

Day 3: HANOI – HA LONG BAY - OVERNIGHT JUNK. After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motor coach ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations: Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences, plus luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail to discover the bay’s magnificent scenery set amidst stunning limestone cliffs. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner onboard, and overnight on the junk. (B, L, D)

Day 4: HA LONG BAY – HANOI – SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. This morning our Ha Long Bay junk continues its scenic cruising while a delightful breakfast is served in the dining lounge. In the late morning we disembark for a motor coach transfer to Hanoi Airport. After a short flight, arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, gateway to Angkor — the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in the world. (B, L, D)

Day 5: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR. After breakfast we begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, and Bayon. In the afternoon we visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples — Angkor Wat. (B, D)

Day 6: SIEM REAP –ANGKOR. This morning we’ll travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. We will also take in Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film Tomb Raider). (B)

Day 7: SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE / EMBARKATION – KAMPONG CHHNANG. Today we travel to Tonle Sap Lake to embark the luxurious MS La Marguerite. This great body of water is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is known for its profuse bird life and tranquil fishing villages. It is a designated UNESCO biosphere. (If water levels are low we transfer to the ship via motor coach to Preak Kdam, a small village on the Tonle Sap River.) We’ll enjoy our welcome dinner onboard as we cruise to Kampong Chhnang. The ship moors overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 8: KAMPONG CHHNANG – KAMPONG CHAM. After breakfast a motor boat excursion brings us into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap River. There’s a great variety of birdlife, and we can observe numerous great fish traps, some over a half-mile long. Later our ship enters the jungle as the river narrows. Temples abound along the riverbanks offering a unique opportunity to observe the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. We’ll arrive in the capital city of Phnom Penh in the afternoon and enter the Upper Mekong bound for Kampong Cham. The ship makes an afternoon stop in time for a walk through the quaint silk-weaving village of Chong Kho. Overnight the ship moors mid-stream in Kampong Cham. (B, L, D)

Day 9: KAMPONG CHAM – PHNOM PENH. This morning we journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Over lunch we sail back downstream to explore the Kampong Cham area and then travel by motor coach to the 12th-century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor, which has been “fused” with a modern Wat. Continue by land to the village of Cheung Kok. The ship departs late in the afternoon from Kampong Cham, arriving at Phnom Penh for an overnight mid-stream mooring. (B, L, D)

Day 10: PHNOM PENH. In the early morning our ship cruises into spectacular Phnom Penh and docks at the passenger port terminal. A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia’s capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafés, vibrant nightlife, and renovated river “corniche.” We’ll visit the Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch onboard another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 Detention Center (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs of the city. An overnight on the waterfront provides an opportunity to dine in one of many nearby restaurants and to experience Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife should you wish. (B, L, D)

Day 11: PHNOM PENH – BORDER CROSSING – TAN CHAU, VIETNAM. We spend today cruising the Mekong River, stopping at the jungle village of Preak Dach to visit fruit orchards before continuing to the Cambodian-Vietnamese border. The ship moors overnight mid-stream in Tan Chau. (B, L, D)

Day 12: TAN CHAU – SA DEC. After breakfast we’ll transfer via small boats to the pier, where trishaws await to transport us around Tan Chau. Included are stops to visit mat-making and silk-coloring workshops. Back at the pier we embark on local boats for a channel cruise and visit to a fish farm before returning to the ship. Overnight mid-stream on the Mekong near Sa Dec. (B, L, D)

Day 13: SA DEC – HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON). After breakfast we board small local boats for the village of Sa Dec where we will have a wander around on foot. Noteworthy as the town where the French writer (and our ship’s namesake) Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood, Sa Dec is a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. We’ll see the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. After lunch onboard the ship continues cruising to Cai Be. A local junk trip in the afternoon will take us to Cai Be’s spectacular floating market after which we’ll go ashore to see the French Gothic cathedral and visit delightful flower gardens, ancient Kiet House, and local rice paper manufacturers. In the evening we continue our cruise to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, while enjoying a sunset cocktail party and gourmet farewell dinner onboard. (B, L, D)

Day 14: HO CHI MINH CITY – DISEMBARK. In the early morning our ship docks at the Saigon River Frontage. As the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, Saigon was known as “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Vietnam’s largest city is an industrial, cultural, and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. After breakfast we disembark for a city tour that explores famous landmarks such as the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral; Cho Lon (China Town) and its famous Binh Tay market; and Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight at a deluxe hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. (B, L)

Day 15: DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY. This morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your homeward bound flight or wherever your travels take you next. (B)

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Rice Paddy

PRE- AND POST-TOUR EXTENSIONS
Should you wish to extend your time seeing more of Vietnam, an optional 7-night pre-tour program is offered. The dates would be November 15 to 22, 2010. This program includes Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and environs, Hoi An, and Hue.

A 3-night post-tour program in Hong Kong is also offered. The dates would be December 6 to 9, 2010.

Please let us know if you would like to receive further information about these extensions.

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OUR SHIP
The brand-new 92-passenger MS La Marguerite was specifically built to provide the most luxurious and immersive experience on South East Asia’s legendary Mekong River. With a design that combines colonial elegance with local artifacts and regional Mekong touches, MS La Marguerite is the perfect setting for an unforgettable river odyssey. MS La Marguerite features an array of amenities specifically designed for comfort, convenience and luxury on the great Mekong River.

Click on images below to enlarge.

Deck Plan	Exterior	Loumge	Panoramic Lounge/Library	Mekong Restaurant
Junior Suite	Standard Cabin	Spa	Sun Deck	Sun Deck Bar

38 Deluxe Staterooms: The ship’s exquisitely decorated 226 sq. ft. deluxe staterooms feature all the amenities of a fine hotel, with 2 twin size beds (which can be configured as one large bed), a cozy sitting area, individually controlled air-conditioning, writing desk, mini-bar, safety deposit box, in-house telephone, bathroom with shower, bathrobe, slippers, hairdryer and in-house television. All staterooms are outside accommodations. The 30 staterooms on the Main and Upper decks (Categories A and B) have a standing-space balcony (not for sitting) and a large fixed window. The 8 staterooms on the lower deck (Category C) have a porthole-type window and no balcony.

6 Sadec Junior Suites: The junior suites offer an extra spacious 290 sq. ft. accommodation. In addition to all the amenities of the deluxe staterooms, Sadec Junior Suites feature a King-sized bed, large fixed window, standing-space balcony, comfortable sitting area, plus a bathroom equipped with both a shower and separate tub.

2 Indochina Suites: The two suites provide the ultimate in onboard luxury. At 452 sq. ft., the suites feature all the amenities of the deluxe staterooms, plus a King-sized bed, comfortable sitting area, with whirlpool tub and separate shower, plus a large fixed window and extra-spacious private balcony (sitting space).

Wellness Area: Located on the Sun Deck, passengers can relax in an indulgent area that includes a fitness room, spa, beauty salon and outdoor whirlpool.

Dining
MS La Marguerite’s culinary staff offers sophisticated menus comprised of wonderful soups, fresh produce, high quality meats and seafood. Start your day with a bright smile and welcome from the Purser. Enjoy a lavish gourmet buffet breakfast consisting of assorted pastries, fresh fruits, yogurts, cereals, and daily regional specials. An array of traditional breakfast items is also available from the menu.

After your shore excursions, return back onboard to a delicious buffet lunch. Choose from mouthwatering soups, fresh salads, a selection of Western and Asian hot entrées, plus magnificent desserts and refreshing tropical fruits. In the evening, enjoy an elegant dinner or a traditional theme night with a feast of regional specialties. Enjoy delicious multi-course cuisine, sure to provide the perfect ending for your daily river cruise odyssey.

Throughout your cruise, enjoy free local beer, soft drinks, house brand spirits, local bottled water and filtered coffee and tea with meals.

Technical Data:
Built: 2009 in Vietnam — Length: 235 feet — Width: 41 feet — Crew: 38 (International) — Home port: Saigon

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Intra-Asia Air (booked by us)
Please allow approximately $229 for the flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap.
Airfare is a current estimate, and taxes are additional.


8-DAY CRUISE-ONLY

Please Note: The 8-day Cruise-Only option does not include any sightseeing at the Angkor complex (pre-cruise) or Ho Chi Minh City (post-cruise). It also does not include any hotel nights in Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh City. You may need hotel nights in either or both cities depending on your flight schedules, and these will have to be arranged separately.


Trans-Pacific Air
From LAX or SFO current estimate is $998, round-trip economy class.
Sample add-on fares:
Seattle - $200
Houston / Dallas / New York - $300
Chicago / Boston / DC / Atlanta / Miami - $350

Airfares are current estimates, and taxes are additional. By booking your international air through us your airport transfers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are included on the specified tour arrival and departure dates.

Extra Hotel Nights and Airport Transfers
If you would like extra hotel nights in Hanoi, Siem Reap, and/or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we can arrange those for you at the group hotels. We can also arrange airport transfers. Please note that airport transfers on the designated arrival and departure days are included in the 15-day tour-cruise price if you purchase the international air through us.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION TERMS
To confirm a specific cabin a deposit of $400 per person is required along with the Venture Out Trip Enrollment Form. Specific cabin requests are subject to availability.
A second deposit equal to 20% of the tour-cruise cost is due June 15, 2010.
The final balance is due August 15, 2010.

Should you need to cancel your tour-cruise cancellation fees will be as follows according to when your cancellation notice is received:
Prior to July 22, 2010 -- $200 fee
Prior to August 22, 2010 -- $400 fee
Prior to September 22, 2010 -- 35% loss of land and cruise price
Prior to October 22, 2010 -- 50% loss of land and cruise price
Prior to November 15, 2010 -- 80% loss of land and cruise price
November 16, 2010 or later -- 100% loss of land and cruise price

The minimum cancellation fee on Suites and Junior Suites is $400 per person.

Venture Out highly recommends travel insurance. We will send you a brochure and application form with the confirmation of your trip enrollment.

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TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
U.S citizens are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter Vietnam and Cambodia. The Vietnam visa must be obtained in advance. You will need a double-entry visa for Vietnam. The Cambodia visa (single-entry) can be obtained at the Siem Reap airport upon arrival on Day 4, however we encourage you to obtain this one also in advance in order to avoid the visa lines at the airport.

You will need a blank visa page in your passport for each country’s visa.

Click here to go to the Embassy of Vietnam web page regarding visas.

Click here to go to the Embassy of Cambodia web page regarding visas.

Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your stay in Vietnam and Cambodia.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Mighty Mekong River
The Mekong River begins in the Tibetan plateau, winding its way through China’s Yunnan province and the rainforests, plains and rice fields of five Southeast Asian countries before meeting the South China Sea. In terms of length, it’s the 12th largest river in the world, but in terms of historic, cultural and ecological richness the Mekong has no equal. The sagas of ancient empires, colonial powers and modern conflicts have unfolded along her banks. And, through it all, the Mekong remains first and foremost a lifeline. Temples, trade routes and fishing villages in the river’s path are today untouched by time, just as the way of life they represent. And nowhere are the river’s riches more apparent than in the neighboring, but distinct, countries of Vietnam and Cambodia.

A Brief Glimpse at Vietnam
The last country touched by the Mekong, Vietnam’s unique “S” shape includes a broad northern and southern region, a “mid-section” a mere 30 miles wide, plus a 2,000 mile stretch of coastline. Slightly larger than Italy, the country is blessed with natural beauty and a survival instinct that has seen it through a millennium of Chinese rule; a century of French imperialism; an uprising that split the country in two, a prolonged conflict with the U.S., followed by reunification in 1975 and a period of exodus. The U.S. established diplomatic relations during the Clinton Administration, and Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2006.

Today, the country remains one of the most intriguing and dynamic in all of Asia. The busy capital of Hanoi offers a unique combination of East and West – ancient and modern, existing side by side. Renowned for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets clogged with motorbike traffic, verdant parks, tranquil lakes and ancient temples, Hanoi offers a range of historic and cultural landmarks. Highlights include the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda (Buddhist Temple) and The Temple of Literature (Confucius Temple). The city’s famous Old Quarter is a haven for the senses.

One hundred miles northeast of Hanoi lies one of Vietnam’s most treasured landmarks: the spectacular Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Known as the "Bay of the Descending Dragon," this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, thousands of islands and islets and groups of “floating villages.” Frequently shrouded by mist, the Bay’s tranquil waters and majestic caves provide a relaxing backdrop for taking in a centuries-old way of life. Multiple generations live and work aboard small wooden junks dotting the bay; fishermen cast their nets and tend to pearl farms; women tend to giant woks and curious children hang over boat railings to greet new faces.

Venturing south, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is a teeming metropolis; the commercial and economic center of Vietnam. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” the former capital of South Vietnam is known for its historic French colonial buildings, wide boulevards and eclectic mixture of influences. Stately pagodas stand beside gleaming skyscrapers, trendy sidewalk cafés and centuries-old traditional market stalls. Historic hotels date back to the French colonial era, and prominent buildings include the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Museum of Vietnamese History and the War Remnants Museum.

A Brief Glimpse at Cambodia
Sharing a border with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia holds its own distinct riches. While its neighbor, Vietnam, bore a millennium of Chinese occupation, Cambodia fell under India’s spell. Robust trade with India brought with it the influences of Buddhism and Hinduism, along with Sanskrit, all of which helped shaped Cambodia’s Khmer language and culture. The Khmer people have inhabited the region that is now Cambodia since the dawn of recorded time and, at one point, controlled the largest city in the pre-industrial world. Cambodia today is primarily agrarian, and in recovery, still, from the cruel fortune that befell it in modern times. The Khmer Rouge era in the 1970’s saw nearly two million killed and the national psyche devastated as the world looked on. A generation later, Cambodia is a resurgent nation, drawing international visitors eager to explore its wealth of treasures as the seat of a great ancient empire.

If Cambodia is a treasure trove, its jewel box is Angkor. Angkor (a Khmer term derived from the Sanskrit word for “city”) served as the capital of the great Khmer Empire (802-1431 A.D.). At one point, the capital stretched into what is now Thailand and Northern Vietnam, boasting more than one million inhabitants and one thousand temples. Today, UNESCO has designated a particularly rich concentration of temples near the city of Siem Reap as the “Angkor Archeological Park.” Nearly two million visitors each year visit this World Heritage Site, renowned for its spectacular temple remnants and rebuilt structures. The most legendary is the immense Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. The astonishing Wats (a Khmer word derived from the Sanskrit term for “temple”) in the region are a tremendous source of pride in Cambodia, and have become synonymous with the country itself. In fact, an image of Angkor Wat appears on the Cambodian flag. Additional temple complexes and edifices in the Siem Reap vicinity are both majestic and enchanting, and include Angkor Thom, the Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, as well as Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Also, near the Siem Reap area is one of Cambodia’s most famous bodies of water. The Tonle Sap Lake (“the Great Lake”) and river system — which empty into the Mekong River in an amazing yearly ebb and flow — is a designated UNESCO Biosphere.

The Mekong winds through the heart of Cambodia, joining the Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers in the capital of Phnom Penh. Glamorous and exciting during French colonial times, the city was nearly deserted during the Khmer Rouge era. Today, Phnom Penh has come back to life, as evidenced by the throngs of international visitors along its bustling riverfront. The largest city in Cambodia, and by far its economic center, Phnom Penh is known for its French colonial and Khmer-influenced architecture and impressive Wats. But, its signature landmark is the elaborate Royal Palace, with its spectacular Silver Pagoda, a rich repository of Khmer artifacts. The National Museum, built in the late 19th century, holds an extensive collection of Khmer antiquities. The Independence Monument was built to emulate ancient Khmer architecture. Numerous monuments to the Khmer Rouge era genocide of the 1970’s are also located in the Phnom Penh environs, the most famous of which are the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center (Genocide Museum).

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