Current Photo Tours 2019/2020 Schedule 

- Niagara Lights at Night Tour - Saturday January 11th, 2020

- Costa Rica Photo Tour - February 6th to 15th, 2020

- Antarctica Photo Tour - February 20th to March 5th, 2020

- Morocco Photo Tour - May 1st to 11th, 2020

- Kenya & Tanzania Tour - October 8th - 22nd, 2020

- Galapagos Islands Photo Tour - November 28th to December 8th, 2020

- Our 2019/2020 Tour Brochure available for download

Vietnam & Cambodia - "A Voyage of Culture & Discovery"

Download Vietnam & Cambodia Photo Tour April 2014 Brochure

   Vietnam the beautiful wonder of Asia ... The busy street markets of Hanoi, miles of rice patties, the mystical landscapes of Halong Bay await the creative photographer.  This is going to be an exciting voyage of Culture and Discovery.  As you travel to the different districts of this country you will experience a diverse culture of people who are friendly and anxious to show you the hidden beauty of their land.                                                                         

                                                                                                 James Cowie

 

Vietnam & Cambodia Photo Tour - April 3rd to 17th, 2014

Day One: Thursday April 3rd, Depart London in the evening of April 2nd at approximately 8:00 p.m. traveling via Ayr Motor Coach to Pearson International Airport. Our Cathay Pacific flight departs at 1:25 a.m. flying overnight via Hong Kong then connecting to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Day Two:  Friday April 4th,  After clearing customs we will board our motor coach and travel to our hotel in Hanoi.  After some time to relax and freshen up we will spend some time in the afternoon visiting the West Lake (Ho Tay Lake) with Electric Cars.  We will be making several stops for photography.  This evenings dinner will be held at the Press Club Restaurant.  While in Hanoi we will be staying at the Moevenpick Hotel.

Day Three:  Saturday April 5th, Breakfast at our hotel, then a day of photographing and experiencing the culture of Hanoi.  Although Hanoi is the modern day capital of Vietnam, it still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite us in on our photo walk portion of the tour.  Today we will be having lunch at Koto Restaurant, then in the afternoon we will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple and the Rising Sun Bridge.  Dinner tonight at Pots and Pans Restaurant and this evening, a water puppet show to live music.  Overnight at the Moevenpick Hotel. B, L, D.

Emprior's Palace Hoi

Day Four:  Sunday April 6th, Breakfast, check-out and depart for Halong Bay to embark on our 2 day Indochina Sails Cruise.  The group will be treated to a welcome cocktail reception and lunch while sailing out through Bai Tu Long Bay.  In the afternoon we take a shore excursion to Luon Caves, en route passing Head Island, Turtle Island and Heaven Gate Island. We will transfer to the caves on small bamboo boats which are rowed by Halong Bay locals.  Today we will also be sailing to Titop Island where you can enjoy the beach or hike the mountain pass for fantastic photos of the surrounding islands and landscape.  This evening we will anchor in Luon Bo for the night.  Dinner and evening activities onboard our ship. B,L,D,

Day Five:  Monday April 7th, We will begin our day with tea, coffee and pastries on deck will passing more beautiful scenery of Halong Bay.  Later this morning a visit tp Surprise Cave, transferring by tender from our ship to the island. Time will be spent exploring the vast caves carved out by centuries of ocean erosion. Returning to the ship you’ll have time to freshen up, leave your luggage outside the cabin and sit down to a full breakfast as we sail back to the harbour.  Mid morning transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport for our flight to Hue. Upon arrival we will travel to our hotel for some time to relax before dinner.  This evening we will be staying at the Pilgrimage Village, a beautiful resort just outside of Hue.  B,D,

Day Six:  Tuesday April 8th, Breakfast then depart for a boat ride down the Perfume River from the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang to the Thien Mu Pagoda. An elegant seven tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue’s most respected monument. Traveling by coach to  the Old Imperial City for many photo opportunities  Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10km and were surrounded by a wide moat.  Today most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. After photographing in the old city we will dine at Boi Tran Garden House then begin our drive from Hue to Hoi An. Then travel from Hue over the scenic mountain roads with beautiful views over the coastline. Halfway between Da Nang and Hue lies the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continuing southward passing Lang Co, a beautiful stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the East Vietnam Sea. Tonight we will be staying at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort.  B, L, D, 

Vietnam Reflections near Hanoi

Day Seven:  Wednesday April 9th,  After breakfast at the resort, we will enjoy a cyclo ride through Hoi An’s cobbled streets leading into our first photo shoot of the day in the bustling central market and small harbour. Photographing many colourfully painted boats.  Today we will visit a Private House, an Assembly Hall and a temple, which will offer up many photo opportunities.

In the evening we will do a sunset photo tour, meeting in the old town around 3 in the afternoon, then board boats that will give us opportunity to meet many people fishing in the river.  We will arrive in a remote village surrounded by rice fields, meet a local family and have time to take portraits of elderly towns people and children playing around the village.  Also we’ll have time to walk around the village (40 homes) for photos, then go through the rice fields just outside the village as the evening sky turns orange. Photograph farmers planting or harvesting rice and taking care of buffaloes.  We’ll then board our boats for and sail back to the old town of Hoi An. Enjoy dinner at Fusion Lounge Restaurant and overnight at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort. B, D, 

Hanlong Bay floating village - we are rowed in via small boats

Day Eight:  Thursday April 10th,  Breakfast at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort then transfer to Da Nang airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon our arrival we will drive to Can Tho with a stop in My Tho and a boat ride to Mekong River Islands, lunch at Mekong Rest Stop Restaurant.  My Tho is a bustling town situated in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. After our photo shoot at the Vinh Trang Pagoda, we will board local boats to explore the islands of the Mekong. We will enjoy a stop at a local fruit orchard to sample fruit, local teas and listen to local music. Then return to the main Delta via a sampan ride through the tiny waterways that thread the island. Our group will continue to Can Tho by coach. Upon arrival transfer to the pier which is located in the city centre and take a short motor boat ride to Au Island.  Au Island is a small island situated on the main stream of the Mekong.  Exploring some of the small canals and visiting some of the gardens and local life on the island.  Tonight our dinner will be served back at our hotel, the Victoria Can Tho Resort B, L, D, 

Day Nine:  Friday April 11th, Breakfast at the resort then we set out by boat to explore Cai Rang Floating Market; the biggest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets. Fruit and vegetable venders from all over the region sell to buyers on smaller boats as they weave between the large boats on the Delta. Venders advertise their wares on large poles that tower above their colourful boats. We will sail through the market photographing the people as they haggle and trade, and possibly sample some of the fruit.  After exploring some of the backwater canals, it is time to return to the pier and travel to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch at a local restaurant, then some free time to relax this afternoon and evening.  Our accommodations will be the Moevenpick Hotel Ho Chi Minh City.

 Day Ten:  Saturday April 12th, Today will be spent our visiting and exploring Ho Chi Minh City.  Experiencing an insight into everyday life and a chance to interact with local people.  Try your hand at photographing the different districts and sensations Ho Chi Minh City has to offer.  We will have opportunity to visit the Chinese Market and spend time with Walter Pearson, who’s personal story as a war veteran and historian is just as interesting as the temples and other locations we will visit.  Dinner tonight will be at Mandarin Restaurant, overnight Movenpick. B,D,

Exploring the waterways that thred the islands on the Mekong Delta

                                        Busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City - over 7 million motor bikes

Day Eleven:  Sunday April 13th, Breakfast, followed by free time this morning. An afternoon visit to one of Ho Chi Minh City’s inner parks for a family style picnic with some of the cities local families.  This will be a great opportunity to meet and talk with folk from this region.  There will also be some great photo opportunities during our picnic with the families. Late in the afternoon return to our hotel, freshen up and head to the pier to board our dinner cruise ship.  Tonight we will be having dinner on the Bonsai River Cruise.  A traditional wooden barge that will be sailing along the Saigon River.  A selection of Asian and Western cuisine for your dining pleasure and entertainment by a mix of live western jazz, classical and traditional Vietnamese music, as well as a dance performance.  Overnight Moevenpick Hotel. B, L, D,

Bonsai Dinner River Cruise - Siagon River Ho Chai Minh City

Day Twelve:  Monday April 14th, Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Saigon airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  Arriving in Siem Reap we will clear customs and visa procedures and then transfer to our hotel the Tara Angkor Hotel, we will have some time to settle in and relax in this beautiful resort. Later in the day we will attend a cocktail reception at the McDermott Gallery.  After the reception we will travel via tuk tuk to our a local restaurant for this evenings dinner. B, D,

 Day Thirteen:  Tuesday April 15th,  This morning we will begin our day with a sunrise photo shoot at Angkor Wat Temple.  Returning to the hotel for breakfast, then continuing our exploration of Angkor National Park.  In 1992 the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The Angkor Wat Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishru by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years. Over the course of our tour we will be experiencing, and photographing, Preah Khan Temple and Banteay Srie Temple.  The sunsets are spectacular .... Overnight Tara Angkor Hotel B, D,

One of the many temples in Ankor Wat Cambodia

Monk with a young family at one of the many Temples in Angkor Wat

Day Fourteen:  Wednesday April 16th, Breakfast then continue our photo shoots in Angkor.  We will visit the fortified city of Angkor Thom, which covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by walls and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sites. Portions of Laura Croft Tomb Raider staring Angelina Jolie were filmed here.  You will feel the awesome presence of heritage and history as you enter through the south gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant nauga.  We will explore the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, adorned with dramatic bas reliefs.  We will finish our experience by spending time in the Siem Reap market place.  Kind of a New Orleans feel to the quarter. Overnight Tara Angkor Hotel. B, D, 

Day Fifteen:  Thursday April 17th, Breakfast, check-out and begin our journey home to Canada. We will fly from Siem Reap via Phnom Penh, to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Toronto. Arriving into Pearson International Airport at 6:40 p.m. Once clearing customs our motor coach will be waiting for our return drive to London.  We should reach home by approximately 10:30 p.m.  

Vietnam and Cambodia countries steeped with history and culture. The average temperature in Vietnam during April is 24 to 28 C with overnight lows of 16 to 19C.  This time of year an average of 38% chance of precipitation and a humidity of 48-59%.

The cost of our Vietnam & Cambodia Photo Tour is $6499.00 per person Canadian plus air taxes of $390.00, (based on double occupancy) single supplement is $1350.00 Canadian. This tour is based out of a Toronto gateway, but can be adjusted for other departures.  

Includes:

• Round trip motor coach via Ayr Coach Lines to Pearson International Airport, Toronto,
• Departures from London, and Woodstock,
• Round Trip Airfare via Cathay Pacific Airlines, Toronto to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Toronto,
• Internal Airfare via Dragon Air, Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Airlines,
• Hotels and Halong Bay Cruise Line as laid out in itinerary,
• Portage for one piece of luggage per person in/out of hotels, where applicable,
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day, as laid out in the itinerary,
• Welcome and Farewell Dinners,
• All airport and hotel transfers,
• Luxury air conditioned motor coach and all vehicle costs while on tour,
• Any local admissions, Boat ticket(s) according to itinerary,
• 1 Bottle water, cold towel per person per half day, 2 water, 2 cold towels per full day tours,
• Fuel Surcharge, Park Fees and taxes included,
• Photo Workshops, 
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

** Schedule may vary according to weather and travel conditions.

** Guests must have a valid passport, your passport must be valid for a min of 6 months return travel date  a..and must have two blank pages side by side Vietnam & Cambodia visas (visa fees extra)               

Tour Exclusions: Any item not listed on the itinerary, gratuities to guides, and drivers, personal insurance coverage, alcoholic beverages, laundry, visa and visa entries fees, for Vietnam and Cambodia. 

 Link to Registration

Link to Download Copy of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Brochure

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