The Telethon Adventurers

Location: Vietnam and Cambodia

                                           Click here for an Information Pack

A FUNDRAISING ADVENTURE IN SUPPORT OF THE TELETHON ADVENTURERS

Join us, as we cycle, cook and eat our way through Central and South Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Snorkel and swim in the azure waters during a boat excursion off Nha Trang, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and cycle to the awe inspiring Angkor Wat on this 15 day Adventure. Contact Gary "Kingo" Kingston by email: spice_cycle@iinet.net.au 

DATES:      30 June – 14 July 2012

REGISTRATION FEE $700 (Please note the registration fee is non – refundable)

FUNDRAISING TARGET $9,150* (This includes $4,150** travel, tour and accommodation costs and $5000 minimum to The Telethon Adventurers)

TRIP DURATION 15 Days including travel ( Leave on weekend and return on weekend so only 10 work days required)

PHYSICAL CHALLENGE 7 Days of Cycling ( Not a race )

2 Days of Cooking schools of the best Central and South Vietnamese Cuisine

13 Days of eating Asian delights

CHALLENGE GRADE Moderate ( Distances will be modified depending on the groups ability, support vehicles with the group).

ACCOMMODATION 3-4 Star Hotels (Twin Share, Single Supplement available for $550)

* This is a fundraising Adventure with a target of $9,150 per person to be raised including your tour costs. Your commitment is to raise $5,000 to go to the Telethon Adventurers. Every cent of this will go towards much needed Childhood Cancer Research. You are able to fundraise your tour costs of $4150, or pay these yourself.

** The $4150 tour cost is for 10 people Ex Perth, should you wish to depart from another city this can be quoted.

Booking forms and information packs available soon. Please email Gary on Spice_Cycle@iinet.net.au to register your interest.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (30 June) Arrive Danang; Transfer to Hoi An (D)

Depart Perth at 7.20am and arrive in Danang at 17.50. Upon arrival transfer to Hoi An hotel for check-in . Our guide will conduct an evening trip briefing before dinner. Welcome dinner this evening at one of the local restaurants.

Day 2 (1 July) Hoi An Cooking Class (B, L)

Visit Hoi An’s colorful market where you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Return to the restaurant. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours - each dish is first demonstrated by the chef, before you have the chance to prepare the same dish yourself. At the completion of the class enjoy a delicious lunch including the dishes you prepared in the class as well as additional dishes. “The famous Red Bridge Cooking School”

Rest of the day is at leisure, with many things on offer to do. You may wish to have some clothes made in one of the towns’ many tailors or you could just spend the day lazing on the beach.

Day 3 (2 July) Hoi An - Quang Ngai (B, L, D)

We cycle all along the High way one to Tam Ky where we stop for picnic lunch. From here we cycle into the district of Song My, to the better-known hamlet of My Lai. Here is found an evocative memorial for those villagers who died in the horrific massacre during the American War. The My Lai site is in a small rural settlement surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice paddies and farmers with conical hats going about their day to day routines. The mood set by these surroundings is one of peace and tranquillity despite the deep scars of the past. After visiting the simple memorial and museum, we can either continue riding or take our support bus to Quang Ngai where we stay overnight.

Approx Distance 70km cycling. Includes 20km on Highway 1. All paved roads.

Day 4 (3 July) Quang Ngai - KonTum (B, L, D)

Today is a more challenging day as we leave Highway 1 and head inland towards Quang Nam. We will cycle only part of today, along undulating roads with stunning photo opportunities. We will ride past many remote villages, tropical forests, over bridges and along quiet but scenic roads. Overnight in Kon Tum.

Approx Distance 100km cycling. All paved road.

Day 5 (4 July) KonTum - Buon Me Thuot (B, L, D)

Getting on vehicle to transfer to Pleiku, we will have lunch before start cycling. Today's cycle is on an excellent road, Highway 14, taking in undulating and scenic uplands. We pass by coffee plantations and national parks on our way to the largest town in the Western Highlands, and the capital of Dac Lac Province.

Approx Distance 45km cycling. All paved roads.

Day 6 (5 July) Cycle to Dalat (B, L, D)

Enjoy a full day of cycling today. Start off riding for 50km along the valley floors before taking in the mountainous route of Highway 27. The scenery along the way is simply breathtaking. Arrive in Dalat in the late afternoon.

Approx Distance 80km cycling.

Day 7 (6 July) Dalat City Tour (B, L)

Enjoy a cycle-free tour of Dalat and take in the main sights of this relaxed mountain retreat. Your tour will include visits to Emperor Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, Xuan Huong Lake and the vibrant town market.

Day 8 (7 July) Dalat - Nha Trang (B, L, D)

The cycling today is mostly downhill towards the coast and the city of Nha Trang. Pass through minority villages before you reach kilometres of pristine beaches. Nha Trang is a popular Vietnamese resort, due to its great climate and beautiful offshore islands.

Approx Distance 100km cycling. All paved road

Day 9 (8 July) Nha Trang (B, L)

Today is a cycle-free day so that you can enjoy the clear blue waters and relaxed ambience of this pleasant resort. Take an excursion by boat to explore the nearby islands for a day of swimming and snorkelling in the azure waters. On your return to Nha Trang, spend the afternoon at leisure.

Day 10 (9 July) Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh City (B)

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, walk through the heart of the city and past some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most famous sites. Visits will be made to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Colonial-era Post Office, the Presidential Palace (also known as the Reunification Palace) and the War Remnants Museum.

Day 11 (10 July) Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

This morning, make a visit to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels, which was the scene of fierce fighting during the Vietnam War.

The afternoon is at another chance for you to recreate some of the most authentic and intriguing Vietnamese tastes and dishes. Let us take you into a Saigonese home for your very own cooking class!

Start with a delighted wandering around a market, the happy locals accompany would fill you in on the real deal, being your local knowledge of how to select freshest ingredients. Soon you’ll find yourself and your so friendly chief back home joyfully with full bag of seasonal vegetable, mushroom, tropical fruits, all the curious herbs and spice of a typical tropical country.

Then, in a home kitchen, the housewife of the family will herself share you her cooking tips. It’s time you try your hands in actual cooking: from deserts, main dishes to drinks. Vietnamese everyday meals are fresh, healthy and very simple to cook, soon you’ll find a passion for it when enjoy your cook-it-yourself tasty meal.

Day 12 (11 July) Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap (B)

You are transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Siem Reap. Afternoon visit to Phnom Bakeng, the hill-top temple, to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the temples.

Day 13 (12 July) Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Tonle Sap Lake (B, L, D)

The cycling trip begins from the hotel to the South Gate of Angkor Thom ancient city. Explore the centerpiece of this ancient city, the Bayon. The Bayon encloses 54 towers decorated with more than 200 enigmatic, smiling stone faces.

Enjoy lunch in the Angkor Complex before embarking on a discovery of the famous Angkor Wat - best preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. Then, follow hidden paths through to the Western Baray, a former Royal Pond, then continue cycling through Krobey Real village heading to the Tonle Sap, South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake and the lifeblood of Cambodia. Dinner tonight will be at one of the charity restaurant. www.salabai.com

Approx Distance 85 km cycling. Paved roads

Day 14 (13 July) Banteay Srey - Beng Mealea - Dom Dek - Siem Reap (B, L, D)

Cycle to Banteay Srei, located 25km north of Angkor Wat. This temple is a 10th century temple dedicated to the god Shiva Then cycle further to Beng Mealea, through small villages. This temple is the least visited of all temples and retains a lot of its authenticity. You will then cycle to a traditional market in Dom Deck, where we will board the bus and drive back to your hotel.

Tonight enjoy the traditional Apsara dance show, bringing ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodian cuisine.

Approx Distance 125 km cycling. (to be confirmed)

Day 15 (14 July) Siem Reap Departure

Free time at leisure until your transferring to the airport for your departure flight at 16.35. Transit in Singapore and arrive back in Perth at 6.10am the following day.