ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) Promotes Vietnam & Cambodia Motorcycling Tours in Summer 2010

ATA promotes two motorcycling tours in Vietnam and another one in Cambodia. These blazing hot promotions guarantee more activities and bigger adventure for the same price. Travelers will get incredible driving and deep in the countryside and historical trails.

Motorcycling on Ho Chi Minh trail, Vietnam

In Vietnam, travelers will ride through the historical trail named Ho Chi Minh Trail. The legendary trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam’s mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end of the war and was taken back by the jungle. Recent road work follow original sections of the trail have changed this.

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) promotes Family Adventure Tours in Cambodia 2010

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) launches three family adventure tours in Cambodia for the Summer Promotion 2010.  This promotion appeals to traveling families by luxurious services and best add-on values on the trip.

These trips discover a fascinating land of rivers, forests and ancient temples that will fire family’s imagination. Angkor Wat and Tonle Sap Lake are the highlights for the holiday.

Family Adventure Travel – Summer Promotion 2010 – ATA

1. Angkor Wat Highlights – Cambodia

Angkor Wat is one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on the planet. Made by the Khmer kings in a process that lasts almost 4 centuries, this magnificent area has been abandoned and hidden by the forest. Re-discovered by a French man about 150 years ago, Angkor Wat is ready to become one of the most visited archaeological and artistic sites on the planet.

Voyage of Discovery: Vietnam, Cambodia

A report told the discovery of life and beauty in Cambodia and Vietnam.

After docking in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) we immediately got on an airplane and flew to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. We visited museums, palaces, and took a sunset boat trip on the Mekong. But the transforming moment for 60 of us (students, faculty and Lifelong Learners) was our visit to the Palm Tree Orphanage where 80 children ages 1-24 live as one big family, taking care of each other and getting more education than the government schools.

Kids in Cambodia

As we walked down a dark but crowded street on Friday night, we felt small hands in ours to take us to their home. The children were ready to show us where they have classes and go to sleep, play and eat. They know only a little English, but hugs and warm smiles went a very long way. We sang songs to each other and played silly games. We had met 14 of these students who are trained classical Cambodian dancers. They had come onto our ship in the morning and we were amazed at their dancing skills. No professional troop is any better.

As we left Palm Tree there were tears in many a students’ eyes as it really hit home how tough a life many, many people on Earth have. The war with the Khymer Rouge took almost half of the population and the lives of almost 100 percent of all teachers, professors and “cultured” people.

The continuing result is a country that struggles. There is 50 percent unemployment and more than 35 percent live on less than $1 a day. Corruption is widespread. Many (some guides said most) of the government is very corrupt and are left over from the leaders of the hated Khymer Rouge, who are associated with Chinese interests and ethnicity. There is no industry save tourism. Angkor Wat is their economic salvation. About 300,000 Cambodians are in tourist-related fields.

Monks at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We got to experience knowledgeable guides and pesky, begging children at the World Heritage site, Angkor Wat — which was built up in my mind so much that I thought I would be disappointed. Not so. It is truly fantastic and covers a huge area of buildings and interior rooms. Pat and I both wished that we were there for a week with our bicycles. That would be a terrific way to see it.

Oh, but it was hot! And the humidity was in the 90s. We climbed and climbed, and drank and drank water. I would be surprised if anyone was a runner or tri-athlete here. But I did see an aerobics class going on during the weekend. I could never be that dedicated.

Our return to Vietnam gave us an exciting experience of traffic. It is more organized than in 1998 (we now know which side of the street people are supposed to ride on), and there are far less bicycles and rickshaws, but there are masses of people zipping in and out of each other’s way.

We ended our travels in this part of Southeast Asia by visiting the Mekong Delta. In this part of South Vietnam the river is sometimes 2-3 kilometers (3-4 miles) wide. We spent the day on the water and on jungle walks. We were refreshed with Jackfruit, sapodilla, mango, and bright pink dragon fruit. The main meal of the day was one of the best meals of the trip.

We will be sailing before dawn in order to catch the tide and make it out of the Saigon River, which empties into the South China Sea. Then on to India. This will take more than a week and will give me time to catch my breath and reflect on what I have seen and learned. It is almost overwhelming.

Source: dchieftain

Recommendation for travel in Cambodia:

Visit Angkor Temples

Mekong Explorer

Biking Mekong Delta and Cambodia (11D/10N)

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) launches Vietnam & Cambodia Summer Promotions

ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA (ATA) is offering Great Summer Promotion 2010 in Vietnam and Cambodia. These promotions are guaranteed by luxurious adventure tours, add-on values and reasonable prices.

ATA kicks off Special Summer Promotion 2010 covering all kinds of adventure tours include trekking, biking, motorcycling, kayaking and family adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia. There are eight tours in Vietnam (www.activetravelvietnam.com), eleven ones in Cambodia (www.activetravelcambodia.com) and three others combining between Vietnam and Cambodia. Each tour is provided with unique and special value-added services.

ATA 2010 Summer Promotion

In this promotion, the offers are different from each area in Vietnam and Cambodia. In the Northern Vietnam, travelers are learned how to cook local dishes at the homestay or at Hidden Hanoi Restaurant. If travelers decide to visit to Central Vietnam, a free half-day guided tour to Imperial Citadel in Hue city or a body massage in Hoi An is added on the trips. In the Southern Vietnam, when the group is up to 5 persons, travelers get a free of charge half-day tour guided in Saigon. In Cambodia, travelers receive free Visa-on-arrival arrangement when they book any package tour.

The promotion provides travelers the real experiences in hidden Indochina with add-on valued services. This big hit suits for all types of group and who love any kind of adventure activities.

Sea kayaking Halong Bay is a highlight in this promotion. The calm sea provides an ideal location for sea kayaking as paddling through a maze of islets amid dramatic natural scenery recognized by UNESCO.

Promotion detail:

Kayak Halong Bay 3Day

Besides, Trekking Tours of ATA lead travelers to outstanding natural beauty and interesting glimpse of Vietnamese & Cambodian culture and history.

Promotion trekking tours detail:

1. Trekking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve (6D/5N)
2. Bach Ma National Park Trek & Camping (2D/1N)
3. Trekking Nam Cat Tien National Park (2D/1N)
4. Trek Rattanakiri

Joining biking tours, travelers will pedal through beautiful areas, interact with local passers-by. And this is best way to get to the remote and hidden corners in each country.

Promotion detail:

1. Mekong Explorer (4D/3N)

2. Biking Mai Chau (2D/1N)

3. Biking Angkor Wat

4. Cycling Angkor Temples

5. Biking Coastal towns and Phnom Penh

6. Biking Coastal towns and Angkor Wat

7. Biking Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat

ATA also offers promotion for motorcycling tours in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Travelers will get incredible driving and deep in the countryside and historical trails.

Promotion detail:

1. Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trail (3D/2N)

2. Motorcycling the Ho Chi Minh Trail – Half Challenge (11D/10N)

3. Motorbiking Adventure Cambodia

Especially, if travelers plan to travel both Cambodia and Vietnam, the trips offer a great combination of the two exotic lands and cultures in Mekong delta and World heritage sites.

Promotion detail:

1. Mekong Delta & Angkor Wat (10D/9N)

2. Biking Mekong Delta and Cambodia (11D/10N)

3. Cycling Angkor Temples and Kayaking Halong Bay (12D/11N)

Travel with family in Cambodia, the trip take travelers to ancient temples, empty beaches, mighty rivers, remote forests… Angkor Wat and Tonle Sap Lake is the highlight for the holiday.

Promotion detail:

1. Angkor Wat Highlights

2. Angkor Wat Discovery

3. Cambodia Discovery

For the whole Summer Promotion Tours, please click: ATA 2010 Summer Promotion

In conclusion, with the best add–on values from this Great Summer Promotion of ATA, the hesitance will be replaced by the smart decision from who are exited in traveling and getting more real experience.

Active Travel Asia launches Facebook and twitter network for first the time travelers to Vietnam and Indochina

With the purpose to provide travel information and guide in Vietnam and Indochina, Active Travel Asia (ATA) has launched Facebook”Active Travel Asia” network for travelers to exchange the opinions, experiences and connect to travelers worldwide to share their travel stories, loved photos, find travel info, exciting experiences and even help planning their trips together.

Trek Fansipan, highest mount in Indochina with ATA

Angkor Wat and Cambodian people

Just a short visit in Angkor Wat, a little sorry but James still feels lucky to visit Angkor temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

My last night here in Siem Reap before flying out to Bang Kok tomorrow – it’s been all that I could have hoped for in a short visit, one that I luckily was able to squeeze in at the last minute! Goes to show you that as much as you want to plan the itinerary in advance, it’s always good to have some space for places you didn’t quite think of.

Spent the morning and afternoon seeing Angkor Wat (the largest religious building in the world, and one of the Wonders of the World…for good reason), and some of the temples of Angkor Thom, one of the largest of the Khmer cities and likely its capital until the 17th century.

Bas relief detail

Active Travel Asia promotes Cambodia biking tours in Angkor Wat

This 3- days cycling tour brings travelers to explore Siem Reap in Cambodia, not only its highlighted Angkor Complex, but also small local villages, markets, pagodas, to have an opportunity to interact with local passers-by and immerse in Cambodian cultures.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, travelers transfer to hotel in Siem Riep for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore Siem Reap, the gateway to the impressive Angkor Wat which is located 7km south of Siem Reap. With its many bars, café’s and restaurants, Siem Reap is a bustling town that relies on the tourism industry and has all the amenities travelers need when travelers travel.

Cycling Angkor Temples, Cambodia

Second day, travelers start exploring Angkor Wat by bike. Angkor Wat is one of the biggest religious monuments in the world and represents the Khmer heritage. Its stunning base relief, massive towers and huge entrance way will simply awe travelers in every sense.

Having a small ship adventure in ASIA

If you love cruising but would like to try a new adventure that will take you closer to the sights and sounds of incredible destinations, then small ship cruising might be right up your alley.

Imagine seeing wildlife from just a few feet off shore instead of through binoculars hundreds of feet away. Cruise up small fjords seeing scenery that few people will ever see. Land at small villages or towns that give you a true experience with the locals.

Float Market, Mekong river, Vietnam

Small ship cruising gives you a more personal experience without the crowds formed by thousands of other passengers on today’s mega-cruise ships.

Small ship cruising can take you in many different directions to exotic destinations around the world. Vietnam is becoming an intriguing destination and there is a 12-day cruise starting in Hanoi and traveling south making multiple stops such as Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, eventually ending up in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). You could even add a land tour to the end of the cruise exploring Cambodia.

Besides, you can have a Mekong river cruise tour. This trip offers great combination of the two exotic lands and cultures. The trip starts in the dynamic city of Saigon. You will travel to Mekong Delta to experience great boat trip on the mighty river. You canl walk on village roads, visit to local houses and take ferry to cross the Mekong River. The highlight of Mekong Delta is the busy and colorful market of Cai Rang. From Mekong Delta, traveling to Phnom Penh by boat and you start journey to the majestic beauty of Angkor Wat.

For a longer adventure, pick up the cruise in Japan exploring Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima and Nagasaki and then heading over to China stopping at Shanghai, Xiamen and Hong Kong before heading to Vietnam. Your adventure in Asia will give you an unusual and interesting vacation getting you acquainted with their centuries old customs and culture.

Travel Tip: On your next trip travel to a destination you have not been to before. You just might find a new favorite destination loaded with new sights, sounds, food and adventure.

Source: thespectrum.com

Recommendation Cruise Tours:
Family Adventure Tours in Asia: http://activetravel.asia/ata_adventure/family/
Mekong Delta and Angkor Wat Tour: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=62

The temples of Angkor Wat in mind

Ann told her experience and feeling in Angkor temples as well as in Siem Reap, Cambodia when she took part in an eighteen day travel through Asia with her husband.

Reflection pool of Angkor Wat at sunrise

Independent travel has been great, but after 4 months on the road all the planning and organizing was getting a bit tiresome.  We booked an 18-day guided tour that would take us from Bangkok all the way through Cambodia and Vietnam with the luxury of nearly everything being planned for us.

In Bangkok we met up with our group of 11 fellow travelers, as well as our guide and a new trainee. As it turns out, everyone has been great and our group is getting along quite nicely.

Boy Monks at Angkor Wat

The first part of our tour took us into Siem Reap, our first stop in Cambodia.  Before I get any further, I’d like to go over some shocking statistics.  The average age in Cambodia is 57.  About 50% of the population is under the age of 18.  Their literacy rate is said to be between 40-50%.  And about 1/3 of their population lives on less than $1 USD per day.  Another interesting fact???  80% of all visitors to Siem Reap are either Japanese, Korean, or Chinese.

Getting from Bangkok to Siem Reap involved a 12 hour bus ride across the boarder, of which the last 160 kilometers were on a very bumpy and unmaintained gravel road.  At one point our bus had to stop for repairs as we had 3 flat tires.  As we crossed from Thailand to Cambodia the changes were immediate.  Garbage was everywhere you looked, piled high in fields and ditches.  At the boarder we had to get off the bus, walk through customs, and wait on the Cambodia side to be picked up again.  Brian managed to get robbed in the first 5 minutes in Cambodia, luckily it was only his bottle of water.  A young barefoot and filthy boy walked very slowly up to him, looked him in the eye for a few seconds, bent down and grabbed the bottle sitting near Brian’s feet, and ran off.  Everyone in our group just watched in a combination of amusement and sadness…then clutched their belongings a little tighter.

Day two, and three, and four brought us on a guided tour of the famous Angkor Temples which were built between the 8th and 13th centuries and are spread out over about 40 miles around the village of Siem Reap.   Some were in nearly complete ruin, some in the middle of restoration, and some in surprisingly great condition considering they are a tiny bit old.  For you movie buffs, the Angelina Jolie movie Tomb Raider was filmed in one of the jungle temples there.

While in Siem Reap we also took a boat ride on lake Tonle Sap which is home to a floating village of houseboats, floating stores and churches, even a boat that serves as a basketball court.  We did some shopping around the temples and in Siem Reap, because every few feet there are children surrounding you begging you to buy there bracelets/scarves/books /etc.  We’ve also done a lot of eating – Cambodian Khmer food is very tasty.  Lots of pumpkin, coconut sauce, and fresh fruit.

This is one of my favorite pictures

So far our travels in Cambodia have surpassed our expectations.  Next stop?  Phnom Penh.  Stay tuned…..

Author: Anne
Source: The Hallgrens’ Blog – Realtravel
They are traveling as a couple in their 30s from Belle Plaine. They decided to quit their jobs, sell their house in the suburbs, and spend time exploring the world.

Recommendation:
Angkor Wat Discovery Tour: http://www.activetravelcambodia.com/tour.php?op=detail&tourId=65
Other Adventure Tours in Cambodia: http://www.activetravelcambodia.com/tour.php
Tours in Asia: http://www.activetravel.asia

Summer Promotion with Active Travel Asia (ATA)

Our company – Active Travel Asia (ATA) – is offering Great Summer Promotion 2009 in Vietnam and Cambodia.These promotions are guaranteed by luxurious adventure tours, add-on values and good prices with 15-20% discount.

All the tours chosen are the unique and special one with lot kinds of adventure travel activities such as biking, trekking, motorcycling, kayaking or hiking tours.

We always put your rights and the values of the trip at the first place. As the result, you can get more benefits from offered tours by our company, five tours in Vietnam and three ones in Cambodia. If you are the persons who love adventure tours in Vietnam and Cambodia, contact with Active Travel Asia for your savings!

Summer promotion with ATA

You have five special choices in Vietnam: Biking tour in the North West of Vietnam, trekking tour in Sapa, Motorcycling tour on Ho Chi Minh Trails, Kayaking tours in Halong Bay, World Natural Heritage of Vietnam

First of all, Biking tour in the North West of Vietnam named West to East Biking Exploration in the North West of Vietnam. This tour is a real challenging for any cyclist. Good pacing that allow cyclist to get recovered after long rides. Stunning scenery, great culture experience with exploration of ethnic minorities. The single trail from Sapa to Lao Cai is the most beautiful one in Vietnam. Babe Lake is perfect to round off the trip.

Secondly, trekking tour in Sapa namedSapa Long Trails which is another perfect choice for trekkers. Because, there is no doubt that Sapa is the best trek site in Indochina. This trek gets you to popular villages by longer and different trails. Graded at Moderate but lots of trekkers feel it easier since the trails and the scenery is so stunning. Homestay in villages of different ethnic minorities makes it a good combination of trek and culture exploration.

Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trails

Besides, we offer you Ho Chi Minh Trails – Motorcycling tour.Short ride but you will taste every minute with adventure and excitement. The riding route is smooth and varied. You will ride the historic trail, homestay in villages, visit to emperor lands, enjoy boat trip in great karst scenery,… So much to discover for a short trip

Moreover, joining in Kayaking Halong Bay 3 days tours which is serious adventure kayaking, you will paddle to the furthest and most beautiful corners of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, where you discover dark cave with your kayak and relax on beautiful hidden beaches. As paddling you will see a few or no other adventure kayaker around since this padding route is not popular and not for novice kayaker.

The fifth tour in Vietnam is Northern Highlights. With this trip your family will together do some soft adventures since it is designed for family with kids. This trip offers you the bests Northern Vietnam has to offer. The trip can also be adjusted for more active travelers who seek for higher adventure grade.

Leaving Vietnam, we offer three tours in Cambodia with Special Promotion

The first choice for you is Trek Ratanakiri in Cambodia. Whenever mentioning Cambodia, we often think of the great Angkor Wat. However, this trip will bring you to another world that you have never known before in Cambodia. Only a few active traveler has traveled to this remote area due to bad roads and lacking of information. You will experience another world, another culture beside the great Angkor Wat that Cambodia has long been famous for. This is not only a big adventure but also a big discovery.

Angkor Wat

Another choice for you is taking part in Angkor Wat Discovery tour which is known as one of the most beautiful and fascinating places in the world. Coming there you will visit many must-see famous temples such as Angkok Wat temple, Angkok Thom, and Banteay Srei and have a boat trip on the Tonle Sap.

The last tour we offer is motorbiking adventure tours in Cambodia. This

is the perfect choice for real riders. This trip offers mostly village road and dirt trails and it runs through back country, thus you will see real Cambodia, real Khmer culture. This is not a stuff for anyone but only for experienced riders who seek for serious riding. We all know Angkor Wat is a gem of this country. On this trip you will see some other gems that no other tourist can see.

Active Travel Asia assures to provide the luxury services from the local guide’s knowledge and attitude, accommodation, entertainment…to other supplement services. Don’t miss an excellent chance with ATA!

Let’s check out the tours:

Active Travel Vietnam

1. West to East Biking Exploration – the North West of Vietnam

2. Sapa Long Trails – trekking tour – Sapa, Vietnam

3. Taste of Ho Chi Minh Trails – Motorcycling tour – Vietnam

4. Kayaking Halong Bay 3 days – Halong Bay, Vietnam

5. Northern Highlights – Family adventure tour – Vietnam

Active Travel Cambodia

6. Trek Rattanakiri – Cambodia

7. Angkor Wat Discovery

8. Motorbiking Adventure tour – Cambodia