hanuman brochure

Hanuman

2013/2014 Edition

Cambodia | Laos | Myanmar | Vietnam

Travel with a personal touch

2 Cambodia I Laos I Myanmar | Vietnam

Here at Hanuman, we want to put the personality back into

travel. We want to share our expertise, that elusive combination

of knowledge and experience, to help create the perfect journey

to Indochina. Our travel collection is inspired by imagination,

driven by our daydreams. We love Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

and Vietnam and want to share our passion with you. Every

journey is special and we are pleased to offer our advice and

guidance to craft the right experience for you. A successful trip

is down to service and we understand the importance of getting

this right every step of the way, from hotels of distinction to

guides with passion and personality. This is our commitment to

travel with a personal touch.

We have crafted a selection of authentic journeys, one-of-

a-kind trips that take in the best the region has to offer. We

have designed a variety of original adventures, our inventive,

innovative tours that including hiking, biking and a little bit

of adrenaline. And we have created some unique experiences,

genuine encounters with real people from the Mekong region

and memorable moments that elevate the ordinary into the

realms of the extraordinary.

Hanuman is proud to have been selected by The Sunday Times

as one of the World’s Top Travel Fixers. These are “the best

locally-run, well-established, reputable companies, the insiders

with impeccable guides, and are masters of their region”. Their

words, not ours.

Travel with a Personal Touch

3www.hanuman.travel

Contents

Introduction Page 2

Why Hanuman? Page 4

In the Press Page 6

Travel Themes Page 8

Unique Journeys Page 8

Original Adventures Page 9

Temple Safaris Page 10

Romantic Experiences Page 11

Family Holidays Page 12

Responsible Tourism Page 13

Cambodia Page 14

Recommended Hotels Page 20

Laos 2


Myanmar Page 44


Vietnam Page 54


Indochina Page 68

Indochina Cruises Page 74

Important Information Page 78

Credits

Design by lox-design.com

Images by Jake Corke & Nick Ray

Images on pages 17, 18 & 72

by Nathan Horton Photography

Travel with a Personal Touch


Why Travel with Us?

W e have been at the forefront of travel in the Mekong region since 1990. That’s 20 years and counting. No-one knows the region quite like us, as no other company has explored in such depth to bring the best of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to the world. We aim to make every trip an authentic experience and discerning travellers are discovering that for unique journeys, original adventures and inspirational holidays in the Mekong region, it’s wise to talk to Hanuman.

We hope you have heard of Hanuman already, as we are one

of the most respected names in the business when it comes

to arranging cultural journeys for discerning travellers.

Hanuman is regularly cited in the international press and is

proud to have been selected by The Sunday Times as “one of

the World’s Top Travel Fixers”.

Knowledge is power in the world of travel and no-one knows

the Mekong region better than us. We have covered every

corner of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to bring you

the best from this fast-emerging region. We pride ourselves

on excellent service, not only ensuring a personal touch for

all our guests, but communicating effectively to ensure you

get the information you need when you need it. But this

service doesn’t come at a price, as we have some of the most

competitive rates in the region. Whether you choose to judge

us on our knowledge, our service or our price, you won’t find

a more reliable company than Hanuman.

Our team is a who’s who of travel in Cambodia and the Mekong

region. Company Managing Director Sotho Tan has been in

the travel industry since 1988 and was one of Cambodia’s

first tour guides. Hanuman was established back in 1990 and

spent the early years looking after ticketing arrangements

for hundreds of United Nations personnel in the country as

part of the UNTAC mission in Cambodia.

Executive Director Kulikar Sotho has nearly 20 years of

experience in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, including

arranging the impossible for film-makers and television stars

such as Gordon Ramsay and Angelina Jolie. Lonely Planet

author Nick Ray is the Company Advisor and has spent more

than 15 years exploring the region for guidebooks, travel

companies and film and television productions. Product

Manager Andy Brouwer is the author of the Cambodia

Tales website and has a popular blog which is widely read

by watchers of all things Cambodian. Add it up, do the

maths, and you have the most experienced team of travel

professionals operating in the Mekong region.

We are only too happy to share our knowledge and experience

with you to help craft the perfect trip. We can recommend

the right boutique hotels and hideaways to make the journey

more intimate. We can take you to destinations that are

off-the-beaten-path or far from the madding crowds. Our

guides are experts in culture and lifestyle and can bring a

destination to life with their knowledge, humour and insight.

They can help you to connect with the people of this region

along the way, ensuring that you get more out of your trip.

“We believe in responsible tourism, the right way”

5www.hanuman.travel

Before you plan your next adventure in the Mekong region,

contact us for some more ideas, for innovation, for originality.

We offer some unique trips such as Temple Safari, which brings

the comfort of African bush camping to the remote jungle

temples of the north and Mekong Journey, which follows the

course of the mighty river from the Golden Triangle down to

the delta in Vietnam.

Hanuman has long experience in looking after VIPs in the

region, including film stars such as Angelina Jolie and Daniel

Craig, iconic film directors such as Jean-Jacques Annaud,

and television presenters like Jeremy Clarkson, Charley

Boorman and Gordon Ramsay. We also look after many VIPs

from important social and political backgrounds. Hanuman

has hosted a variety of organisations, events and conferences

in Cambodia, including the Young Presidents’ Organisation

(www.ypo.org) and the Moet Hennessey global leadership

team. Our sister company Hanuman Films has looked after

the logistics on major feature films in Cambodia, including

Tomb Raider.

Not only is Hanuman an innovator in the travel industry,

but we believe tourism has a role to play in furthering

development in rural areas. Hanuman is featured on pages

32-33 of the ‘The Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia,

Laos and Vietnam ’.

Hanuman is also one of the few private sector members of the

Cambodian Community-based Ecotourism Network (CCBEN).

Hanuman will continue to support these projects and strive

to create further opportunities for the rural poor by taking

visitors into remote areas to discover the real Cambodia.

Our commitment to Responsible Tourism is visible in our

extensive partnerships with NGO projects and good causes in

the region: we believe in Responsible Travel, the right way.

Why choose Hanuman?

“Our team is a who’s who of travel in Cambodia

and the Mekong region.”

1. Reliable reputation: tried and trusted by leading travel companies.

2. Unrivalled knowledge: a team of experienced international experts.

3. Unique products: Temple Safari, themed trips and hidden places.

4. Responsible tourism: doing things the right way helps the local people.

5. Locally owned and operated: the money stays in the region.

6. Travel with a personal touch: guests are welcomed as our friends.

7. Competitive prices: attractive rates for such attentive service.

8. Speed of communication: 24-hour turnaround on all requests.

9. Personal relationships: we travel widely and meet people in person.

10. Special services: film crews, MICE events, unique experiences.


Hanuman In The Press

H anuman has received widespread praise in the international press, as an innovative and original travel company offering something very different from the rest of the competition. The Sunday Times of London went as far as to call us “one of the world’s top travel fixers”. Here is a selection of press cuttings that have appeared in the international media in recent years.

Pucker Lips NowLusso Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, 2011

“There are no other visitors at the temple of Banteay Chhmar.

Just us. It attracts 100 tourists monthly, but once the new

road is built, 10,000 are expected. We stand alone amid the

almost untouched antiquity of the architectural masterpiece

commissioned by King Jayavarman VII in 1191. For 800 years,

until 1956, its towers and temples lay hidden in undergrowth,

harmed only by nature. And then looting began in the 1990s.

We clamber amid a jumble of fallen sandstone blocks. Think

arches, walls, temple ruins, nearly everything lopsided and

toppling. Light filtering through the dense jungle foliage, we

discover magnificent carvings. Here, a bas-relief of naval

warfare, with some dead sailors being gobbled by crocodiles;

there, scenes of warfare with infantry and elephants; and

over there, carvings of the Bodhisatva Lokesvara with 32 arms.

Now we go glamping (glamorous camping) by the temple. We

have a butler in a white jacket, cook, driver, tour guide and

endless factotums. I could get used to this. I take a shower,

the hot water from an African-style bush bag. Then Jeeves

serves a great Khmer dinner on a wooden table with a silk

cloth. Blissfully, our staff have also dotted candles over the

nearby temple and lit a fire. Fireflies flit through the air. And

we dine to the ‘music’ of cicadas. When we go to bed, it’s a

tent with a double bed, fan and bedside tables.”

What would you do with a month?The Sunday Times, 24 October 2010

It’s the holy grail of holidays: four straight weeks off work,

enough for a life-changing journey. But what could you do

with the time? Our writers map out their dream trips...

ToTaL Cambodia - VinCenT CRUmp

“For a lifetime trip it has to be a down-and-dirty blast through

Cambodia, the steamiest, seamiest madhouse of a country

I’ve every dipped a toe into. This time I want a full week

in Angkor - it’s like the Taj Mahal, Mount Rushmore and the

Terracotta Warriors squidged into one mammoth rainforest

clearing: far too stupefying to be rushed.

Next I’ll find the right guide (ideally Nick Ray, Cambodia’s

original tomb raider) and take off on a five-day jeep safari

to unearth some lost temples of my own. Places like Koh

Ker where you can scramble up a 120ft pyramid and become

sole overlord of a thousand-year old citadel almost as big

as Angkor. That still leaves time for remote, red earth

Ratanakiri, where wild-eyed returning travellers whisper of

bull-worshipping rituals and pipe-smoking toddlers.

And finally a week among the crocs and tigers of the Cardamom

Mountains, ecotourism’s newest wild frontier. I plan to swim

in waterfalls and hang my hammock, then hunker down at

the 4 Rivers Floating Ecolodge for a sybaritic last few days.”

Phnom Penh-based Hanuman can tailor-make your month in

Cambodia, including a Temple Safari and time at 4 Rivers.

7www.hanuman.travel

The travel world’s top fixersThe Sunday Times, 31 May 2009

It’s not where you go, it’s who you know when you get there.

Our team reveal their top fixers.

Cambodia - HanUman

“Kulikar Sotho’s first job in travel was organising passage for

7,500 UN peacekeepers. Then the Khmer Rouge collapsed,

ancient Angkor was rediscovered by the west, and Kulikar’s

company, Hanuman, was on hand to act as midwife to

Cambodian tourism.

A decade or so later, more than a million visitors pitch up each

year — including Korean coach parties wielding megaphones.

Not to worry: Hanuman’s impeccable guides know how to

dodge the crowds. For example, they spirited me to Angkor

Wat’s eastern gate, the “back door”, for an exclusive, all-to-

myself view of Asia’s most humdinging archaeological site.

Hanuman also fixed it for me to spend a few days in the

remote, red-earthed Ratanakiri region, where I saw sacrificial

rituals, shook hands with pipe-smoking toddlers, and found

out why you should never sup rice wine with the villagers.

Best of all was my “temple safari” in the steaming, spidery

Cambodian jungle — the brainchild of Kulikar’s husband, Nick

Ray, who is also Lonely Planet’s writer in Cambodia and a self-

styled temple-hunter. As the location scout for Tomb Raider,

Ray unearthed virgin Angkorian citadels such as Koh Ker,

where I scrambled up a rickety ladder to the top of a 120ft

pyramid and found myself overlord of a 10th-century city,

scores of its monuments still smothered in the undergrowth.”

Tomb raiding, fried tarantula and sunrise over the world’s greatest wonders in Cambodia

The Daily Mail, 4 April 2009

“We were spending the night in what our tour company called

a ‘luxury safari camp’, with the promise of a ‘traditional local

dinner’. My immediate thought was of a tarantula starter,

followed by civet cat, gently roasted after being shot out of a

tree by a member of the kitchen staff armed with a catapult.

The orange canvas tents of the camp were set up almost

against the walls of an ancient temple, in a forest clearing.

As darkness fell, oil-rag torches lit up the pathways to the

dining area. A substantial table with matching chairs, crisp

tablecloth and napkins had been set up for the traditional

local meal. It also came with a printed, gold-embossed menu

and waiters in uniform. Soon a long glass of gin and tonic

was coursing into my pot hole-battered limbs, followed by a

substantial goblet of Chardonnay. Boy, the locals around here

really live well, I thought. The dinner itself was a menu that

might have come from the kitchens of a Raffles hotel.”

Matters of the heartTimes Online, 13th February 2009

“Temple of love: Confirm your love amid the mysterious

temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Cambodian-based

Hanuman can organise exclusive access and a marriage

ceremony plus a honeymoon package that includes an

overnight temple safari, a trip to Phnom Penh and some

downtime at the beach.”

Camping it up in CambodiaThe Sunday Times, 02 July 2006

A new tented tour sidesteps Angkor to find the real riches of

Cambodia: just mind those arachnids, says Vincent Crump.

“Angkor must be seen, certainly — but if you wonder what

the 1,000-year-old civilisation of the Khmers looked like

before it got “discovered” by French colonists and tarted up

for the megaphone masses, you need to strike out beyond

Siem Reap into Cambodia’s steaming, spidery highlands. Here

lie the outposts of the Khmer empire: Sambor Prei Kuk, a

religious complex even older than Angkor; Koh Ker, jungle

stronghold of the usurper king Jayavarman IV; and especially

Preah Vihear, a cathedral-sized monastery chipped into the

top of a 2,000ft crag. A new “temple safari” promises to take

travellers with intrepid urges to find them.

“This is Indiana Jones made real: along shadowy corridors,

into flooded vaults, never sure whether you’ll find Buddhas or

bats. We finally emerge onto a craggy balcony 2,000ft above

the jungle, where kings once came to greet their gods. Sunset

seeps across the plain; the roar of the cicadas is lion-loud.

It’s quite incredible. It’s the most astounding camp site I’ve

been to… I feel privileged to be here and very well looked

after.”

“It’s not where you go, it’s who you know

when you get there.”


F or us, the journey is just as important as the destination. Choosing the destinations is only half the work of planning the perfect trip. The other half is working out how to connect the dots along the way. We strive to strike a balance between journeys and sights to bring you closer to each country and its people. We offer a variety of transport in and around the country to bring a new perspective to the trip. A luxurious train ride from Hanoi to Sapa, a boat cruise on the Mekong River, a classic cyclo to explore Phnom Penh, let’s savour the journey.

The pace of the journey is very important and we firmly

believe that more is sometimes less and less is sometimes

more. We don’t want to rush you around the region ticking

off every destination only to feel you need another holiday

at the end of the experience. We prefer a more gentle pace

where appropriate and we try to include a minimum of

two-night stays wherever possible to actually allow you to

unpack the case. It may sometimes be necessary to include a

one-night stay, but if the destination is spectacular and the

accomodation stylish, then rest assured we will make certain

you have enough time to enjoy the experience.

Our Classic Journeys include a hand-picked selection of the

best trips in the region. These include all of the big names

like the temples of Angkor, Luang Prabang, Bagan and Halong

Bay, as well as some off-the-beaten path places like Kampot

and Kep, the Mekong Delta, Pyin Oo Lwin and Si Phan Don.

Our Unique Journeys are an original collection of themed

trips that include activity holidays such as trekking and

cycling, culture and lifestyle experiences, culinary trips

and good cause visits. These are the trips to check out if

you want something a little different in your trip. Some of

these journeys may venture into more remote areas and

the accommodation may be a little more basic, but this is

offset by the opportunity to leave the tourist trail behind and

meet real local people. We also offer some unique themed

journeys such as a culinary tour through Cambodia, Laos,

Myanmar or Vietnam or a good cause visit, taking in a number

of important projects in each country.

Classic or Unique, the choice is yours. Or blend the two in

a tailor-made itinerary that combines a classic journey with

some unique experiences for the best of both worlds. For a

selection of sample journeys, visit the Hanuman website.

Unique Journeys

9www.hanuman.travel

T he spirit of adventure is alive and well at Hanuman. Well it would have to be really, as for much of the 1990s just travelling in Cambodia, Laos , Myanmar and Vietnam was one long adventure. Times have changed, but we are still inspired by the challenge of discovering new thrills and passionate about seeking out authentic experiences. Heck, we even get to live a little and enjoy the adventures ourselves. If you think you are looking for something a little different, then you are in the right place.

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam remain relatively

undiscovered destinations once you get off-the-beaten-

track. All four countries have an extensive network of

national parks which are a pristine environment for jungle

treks and wildlife encounters. There are dramatic mountain

ranges which provide a stunning backdrop to discovering the

minority peoples of the Mekong region and a responsible

trek through these communities is an immersive adventure.

Shady trails and sleepy backwaters provide the perfect eco-

friendly environment to take to two wheels and explore the

region by bicycle. Discover the majestic temples of Angkor

or explore the lesser-known towns of the Mekong Delta

by bike and you’ll soon find yourself having memorable

experiences that bring you much closer to the local people.

If you have Tour de France ambitions, it is also possible to

tackle the Tonkinese Alps in Northern Vietnam, follow the

Ho Chi Minh Highway through the Central Highlands or delve

into deepest Laos.

Water provides a whole different perspective on adventure.

Kayak the rivers around Luang Prabang or Luang Namtha

in Northern Laos or venture into a hidden lagoon amid the

towering karst peaks in Halong Bay, where nature has run

amok. If you prefer to get under the water, try snorkelling or

diving around Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Con Dao or Sihanoukville.

Or harness the power of the wind and try kite-surfing or

wind-surfing off the beautiful beaches of Mui Ne.

This is just a fraction of the adventures on offer in

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. And we haven’t

even mentioned motorcycle tours, vintage army jeeps,

flying through the jungle on zip wires or joining an elephant

herd as they forage through the jungle.

Original Adventures


Temple Safari is our original signature trip and the most

popular of the safaris that Hanuman has designed. Guests

are transported back in time to an era before mass

tourism to enjoy the intimacy and privacy of a remote

jungle temple all to themselves. Solitary sunsets, spiritual

sunrises, a Temple Safari brings the magic back to travel.

Temple Safari currently features four principal complexes

in northwestern Cambodia, which include the iconic faces

of Banteay Chhmar, the incredible Mayan-like pyramid

temple at Koh Ker, the vast and remote temple of Preah

Khan, and the king of the mountain temples, Preah Vihear,

providing that the security situation is stable. Temple

Safari: sometimes imitated, never equalled.

Imagine staying on an idyllic tropical island nestled in

the Gulf of Thailand with not another tourist in sight? It

sounds like a fanciful dream, but with Hanuman’s original

Beach Safari imagination becomes reality. Bring the beach

experience to life with an offshore adventure to one of

Cambodia’s undeveloped islands. Choose from Ream

National Park or the nearby islands off the coast.

Sacred Mountain Safari is an action packed itinerary to

Phnom Kulen, one of the most holy places in Cambodia.

This is the location where King Jayavarman II proclaimed

the independence of Cambodia and pronounced himself a

Deva Raja or God-King. The jungle plateau is home to a

rich array of natural and historic sites offering the most

diverse variety of experiences among our safari products.

This safari is a fantastic way to get off-the-beaten-track

at this remote and beautiful location.

Temple Safari has received widespread press coverage, as

an innovative and unique trip. Popular US Travel Channel

host Samantha Brown experienced a Beach Safari on her

recent Cambodia show. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay

enjoyed a Mondulkiri Safari as part of his culinary journey

through Cambodia for Gordon’s Great Escapes.

Combine our signature safaris with other experiences in

the region. Temple Safari works very well with the temples

of Angkor, while our Beach Safari can be arranged together

with a resort stay in Kep or Sihanoukville for the ultimate

beach escape.

W hen you think of a safari, the first thing that comes to mind is the Okavango Delta or the Serengeti in Africa. But these safaris are a little different, as they are not about seeing wildlife but having a unique experience away from the crowds. Explore remote temples, comb deserted beaches or discover a sacred mountain, these are Hanuman’s very own Cambodia Safaris.

Temple Safaris

11www.hanuman.travel www.hanuman.travel 11

S ome say the romance of travel is gone. Trip Advisor or Twitter, someone else has been there and done that already and shared it with the world. Actually, we don’t buy this theory. We know that the romance of travel is alive and well from our own experiences. You just have to search a little harder to find those romantic moments or intimate experiences.

Romantic Escapes

Redefining the run-of-the-mill has long been our trademark

here at Hanuman. The Temples of Angkor are very much on

the global travel map in this day and age, but the romance

that first captured Europe’s attention in the 19th century

lives on. Enjoy a private catered breakfast by the moat of

Angkor Wat, see a traditional shadow puppet show in a rural

ricefield with a temple outlined against the night sky or pop

the question over a champagne dinner in the grounds of a

10th century temple. Romance is dead? Only for those that

lack the imagination to dream.

Venture off the trail into the Cambodian jungle and experience

a Temple Safari, recreating the Angkor experience of old

without the crowds. Or enjoy a private barbecue on a secret

beach in Vietnam or a catered picnic on a Mekong River

sandbar near Luang Prabang. See the sights from a different

angle with a hot-air balloon flight over the temples of Bagan

or by sailing through the jungle on a zipwire in Laos.

If you know you want something different from your journey

but are not sure where to start looking, try our selection

of Unique Experiences in Indochina on Page 74 which offer

something special and memorable.

It’s not just the experiences that count, but the sophistication

of your surrounds. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are

home to some of the finest resorts and best boutique hotels

in Asia. Rediscover the romance of a leisurely lie-in with

breakfast in bed or a private pool to call your own. Indulge

in a holistic spa journey to rejuvenate body and soul. Such is

the variety of pampering on offer in the Mekong region.

Vietnam has a selection of stunning coastal resorts, all of

which provide the perfect hideaway for a romantic retreat.

In Cambodia, Sihanoukville is the leading beach resort with

sophisticated resorts and up and coming Kep has some

boutique hotels. In Myanmar, Ngapali Beach is the most

popular coastal retreat after seeing beautiful Bagan.

Laos may lack a coastline, but that doesn’t stop it being a

romantic destination. Lovely Luang Prabang is the perfect

place to escape from it all and has a selection of elegant

resorts and sophisticated boutique hotels.

So whether you are planning a honeymoon, celebrating an

anniversary or just wanting to get away from it all, romance

is alive and well in Indochina.


F orget the university of life, that comes later. Introduce the children to the school of life that is an inspirational holiday in Indochina. It’s hard to imagine the impact a trip to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam can have on a young person, but it is sure to change their perspective on London, Los Angeles or wherever home may be. Experience a different kind of family holiday in the Mekong region and broaden your horizons together by sharing something extraordinary.

Family holidays need to be flexible, as travelling with children

is inevitably a little more complicated than travelling alone.

We allow more free time than usual to take account of

recovery time from long flights or arduous journeys. We try to

limit the number of long journeys or airport transfers, as we

understand these can be tough on the average 10-year old.

Free time also allows us to reflect the different interests

usually found within one family. The suggested itineraries we

feature on our website are samples and can be tailor-made

to suit the needs of your own family.

Our inspirational family holidays are designed to put the fun

back into travel, to make the journey enjoyable for older

and younger alike. Embrace a new culture and meet new

people with very different traditions and lifestyle. Learn

and enjoy at the same time, as the children discover things

through experience that would never be possible to teach in

a classroom.

Our family holidays are designed with children in mind, so

the recommended hotels are family-friendly and will always

include a swimming pool where available. These tours are

not designed for families who want to drop the children in a

kids club while they relax on the beach, but we can arrange

reliable babysitting for the odd evening when you want to

do your own thing. Our tour guides are specially selected

for their ability to engage children as well as adults so that

everyone gets the most out of the experience. We can also

tailor the menu to suit specific dietary requirements for

children that are not used to Southeast Asian cuisine.

Finally, the best news of all. Summer holidays in Europe and

the US coincide with low season, or what we like to call the

green season in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. This

means many hotels and resorts offer substantial discounts on

their normal high season rates, so your trip of a lifetime will

not break the bank.

Family Holidays

13www.hanuman.travel

S o what is responsible tourism? Here at Hanuman, we like to think it is travel that makes better places to visit and better places to live. This means everyone benefits from the experience, including the visitor and the host communities. Tourism can have a very positive financial impact on host communities and Hanuman is committed to spreading this income far and wide through its unique journeys, original adventures and authentic experiences.

Responsible Tourism

Hanuman is committed to supporting responsible tourism in

all its forms, including sustainable tourism, ecotourism and

pro-poor tourism in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

We have long promoted ecotourism projects in national parks,

sustainable tourism initiatives such as training restaurants

and community-based tourism activities such as homestays.

We strive to support NGO-related tourism projects to assist

disadvantaged people in the region, including training

restaurants such as Friends and Romdeng in Phnom Penh, Mak

Phet in Vientiane, Shwe Sa Bwe Restaurant in Yangon and

KOTO and Hoa Sua in Hanoi. Hanuman also supports initiatives

to revitalize the handicraft industry in these countries,

including support for Artisans d’Angkor in Siem Reap and Ock

Pop Tock in Luang Prabang. When it comes to ecotourism,

Hanuman supports Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri, the

Gibbon Experience in Northern Laos and the Wild Gibbon Trek

in Cat TIen National Park.

However, we believe we can and should do more to help the

underprivileged and impoverished in this region. In order

to take our commitment to the next level, Hanuman is

supporting grass-roots anti-poverty programmes in the more

remote areas that our journeys visit. We believe the values of

responsible tourism are shared by many travellers around the

world and we intend to give visitors the opportunity to assist

in any way they choose.

We are working with a selected group of NGOs who are

making an impact on the lives of local people. We have

chosen a combination of causes to ensure you can assist in

any area of development, be it healthcare, education, child

welfare, landmine clearance, heritage preservation and the

promotion of arts and culture.

Please visit our website to see a selection of the Responsible

Tourism projects we support in the region.


Cambodi aCAMBODIA

Introducing Cambodia

C ambodia is a captivating kingdom, with an unrivalled wealth of history and culture. Nowhere is this better symbolised than at the majestic temples of Angkor, a timeless testament to the ingenuity of the Khmer people. Beyond Angkor lies the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh, gateway to the remote north-east, a land of hilltribes, wildlife and bold landscapes, and the south coast with its hidden beaches and empty islands.

Heaven on earth, the temples of Angkor are Mount Meru cast in stone, the abode of the ancient Hindu gods. Angkor has an

embarrassment of riches to rival the ancient Egyptians of Luxor. Each temple has its own personality, reflecting the egos of the

God Kings of old. Angkor is one of the stellar attractions of Asia, a map of the cosmos writ in stone. Siem Reap is the gateway to

this achaeological wonder and has emerged as a destination in its own right with sophisticated restaurants and designer galleries.

The south coast is fringed by beaches and tropical islands, undeveloped but unlikely to stay that way. New luxury resorts are

emerging in secluded spots along the coast that will help to reinvent Cambodia as a beach destination in years to come. Inland lie

the wild Cardamom Mountains, a vast emerald wilderness whose rainforests are emerging as a gateway to ecotourism adventures.

Despite having Angkor Wat - the eighth wonder of the world - in its backyard, Cambodia’s greatest treasure is its people. The

Khmers have been to hell and back but thanks to an unbreakable spirit and infectious optimism, they have prevailed with their

smiles and spirits largely intact.

When To GoSome residents argue Cambodia has three seasons: hot, hotter and hottest, but technically they are known as cool season, hot season and wet season.

Cool season runs from November to February, although temperatures don’t fall much below 30°C. Hot season covers the months of March, April and May and is seriously hot, the mercury regularly touching 40°C.

Wet season runs from June to October, but need not be a bad time to travel, as the landscape is lush and green, the rainfall light and predictable for several months and the visitor numbers notably lower than at other times. We prefer to call this time as the green season.

High season for visitors usually runs from November through March. The rest of the year is a little quieter with a slight rise in visitor numbers during July and August.

Important holidays in the calendar include Chaul Chnam or Khmer New Year in mid-April and Pchum Ben or All Souls Day in September or October. Angkor can be very busy with local Khmer visitors at these times.

Chinese New Year or Tet in Vietnam is also widely celebrated in Cambodia and many businesses close down.

The Big Five

angkor

Home to the world’s largest religious building, Angkor Wat,

one of the world’s weirdest, the Bayon, and the original

Indiana Jones temple of Ta Prohm.

Kampot & Kep

A charming colonial-era riverside base to explore the beaches

of nearby resurgent Kep, this is a sleepy place to discover the

real Cambodia.

northeast Cambodia

Remote and mountainous, this is Cambodia’s wild east, home

to minority people, wild jungle, hidden waterfalls and the

Elephant Valley Project.

phnom penh

Cambodia’s lively capital is back from the brink, boasting one

of the most alluring riverfronts in the region, the stunning

Royal Palace and striking National Museum.

Remote Temples

Take a Temple Safari to the remote jungle temples of Preah

Vihear province, like Angkor without the tourists.


The Temples of Angkor

A visit to the temples of Angkor is a profound experience, as

few sights on earth can match the majesty of Angkor Wat,

nature run amok at Ta Prohm or the mysterious faces of the

Bayon. There are more than 1000 temples, built between the

9th and 13th centuries, making up the sacred skeleton of

what was once the mighty Khmer Empire.

Angkor has the epic proportions of the Great Wall of China,

the detail and intricacy of the Taj Mahal and the symbolism

and symmetry of the pyramids all rolled into one. Each new

temple was made possible by the 1,000,000 people estimated

to have lived at Angkor during the 12th and 13th centuries.

This was at a time when London had a population of barely

50,000.

There are few places on earth to match the splendour of

Angkor Wat. The temple is believed to be the world’s largest

religious building and is truly one of the wonders of the world.

When it comes to sheer size, scale and symmetry, it is a vision

that overwhelms the senses. Wrapped around its base are

an incredible sequence of bas-reliefs depicting the exploits

of Hindu deities and Khmer kings of old, breathing life into

the ancient walls. Extending for nearly one kilometre, these

might well be a candidate for the world’s longest piece of

art. Like the devout of ancient times, modern pilgrims gaze

in awe at the mother temple.

The huge walled complex of Angkor Thom was the centre of

the world’s largest city in 1200. At its heart lies the Bayon.

Surrounded by faces on all sides, visitors never forget this

enigmatic and enchanting temple. The Bayon is an eccentric

expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of King

Jayavarman VII.

Ta Prohm is a reminder that while empires rise and fall,

the riotous power of nature marches on. Ancient corridors

groan under the weight of immense trees, the root systems

serpentine, slowly and stealthily strangling the life out of

the stones.

Petite and pink, the delicate flower that is Banteay Srei is

home to the most exquisite carvings found anywhere in the

Angkor area. The name means temple of the women, as it is

said the intricacy and detail of the carvings is too fine for the

hand of a man.

Beng Mealea is believed to be an oversized blueprint for

Angkor Wat. Nature has run riot here, suffocating the stones,

and making for a real Indiana Jones experience. For those

who don’t like clambering, a wooden walkway ensures the

temple is accessible to all.

The River of a Thousand Lingas is one of the most holy sites

in the Angkor area, a riverbed venerated with Hindu fertility

symbols and deities. The jungle trek to reach here is a

challenge, but the peace and solitude of this remote place

make it very worthwhile.

Cambodia Destinations

Siem ReapSee

Don’t miss Angkor Wat, the

mother of all temples, the

world’s largest religious

building. Make time for the

enigmatic stone faces of the

Bayon and the incredible

tentacle-like tree roots of Ta

Prohm, where scenes from

Tomb Raider were filmed.

Experience

Explore the unique floating

villages of the Tonle Sap Lake,

where whole communities

spend their lives afloat on the

water.

Eat

For authentic Khmer cuisine

served in refined and

traditional surrounds, visit

Reahoo. Try the heavenly

amok, baked fish in coconut.

Shop

Reviving the traditional arts

and crafts of the Angkor area

is an ongoing mission for the

Artisans d’Angkor cooperative

and they run a selection of

tempting boutiques in the

Siem Reap area.

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a graceful capital that

was once known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’.

It is a timeless throwback to an older

Asia, a world away from the developing

metropolises of nearby neighbours.

Situated at the confluence of the Mekong,

Bassac and Tonle Sap Rivers, the city

retains much traditional charm. Boasting

one of the most beautiful riverfronts in

the region, Phnom Penh is in the midst

of a boom with designer restaurants,

uber-cool bars and hip hotels ready to

welcome the adventurous. Experience

emotional extremes at the inspiring

National Museum and the depressing

Tuol Sleng Prison.

The Royal Palace is home to the fabled

Silver Pagoda, which includes a dazzling

collection of priceless religious artefacts,

including the Emerald Buddha.

The South Coast

Cambodia’s south coast is barely

explored by comparison with leading

beach destinations in the region. There

are many comfortable resorts and

boutique hotels along the coast, but it is

also possible to escape from the tourist

trail and experience a remote beach

all to yourself with a signature Beach

Safari.

Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s leading

beach resort. There are empty white-

sand beaches around the headland

and unspoilt islands off the coast. For

something more remote or romantic, try

the beaches of Ream National Park or

one of the offshore islands.

Kampot is a charming riverside town,

rich in French colonial-era architecture

and a popular place for river trips.

Nearby Kep was Cambodia’s first seaside

resort, founded by the French in 1908.

After many years in hibernation, it has

once again taken off, with new boutique

hotels and resorts.

Koh Kong is emerging as a new centre for ecotourism, including jungle waterfalls, protected mangroves and stilted coastal villages. Koh Kong Island is the largest in

Cambodia and the west coast is flanked by

beautiful white sand beaches.

The Remote NortheastKratie is a charming town on the mighty Mekong River, which provides a habitat for the unique Irrawaddy Dolphin, one of the rarest creatures in the region. Nestled in the middle of the river is the charming island of Koh Trong, with new boutique accommodation and the some beautiful trails to enjoy on two wheels. Or explore further north along the Mekong Discovery Trail, a new route pioneering community-based ecotourism. Cycle through pretty rural communities or take a boat through the eerie flooded forests of the Ramsar Wetlands near Stung Treng.

Mondulkiri feels almost like another

Cambodia, isolated and windswept,

remote and adventurous. Bou Sraa

Waterfall is the most impressive in

Cambodia with a double drop plunging

into the jungle below. We support the

Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri.

Visitors are invited to join the herd for

a day, learning about their behaviour,

watching the mammals forage and

helping them bathe.

In the far north east of Cambodia

is the ruggedly beautiful Ratanakiri

province, home to Cambodia’s ethnic

minorities and endangered wildlife.

Serenely beautiful and surrounded by

jungle, Yeak Lom is a freshwater lake

within a volcanic crater and Cambodia’s

finest natural swimming pool. Popular

adventures include a visit to a minority

cemetery and treks through community

forest to tribal villages.

Lost temples of Preah Vihear

Angkor may take the headlines, but the Khmer empire stretched from Burma to Vietnam and there are hundreds of temples scattered throughout the region. Make a pilgrimage to Preah Vihear, the king of the mountain temples. Or explore the old 10th century capital of Koh Ker, home to the pyramid temple of Prasat

Thom. To the northwest lies Banteay

Chhmar, a sprawling fortress with many

‘face’ temples lost in the jungle. Or get

your kicks on Route 66, the old Angkor

highway to Preah Khan. All of these can

be visited on a Temple Safari into the

most remote parts of Cambodia.

Cambodia Destinations


Inspirational Holidays

If it’s a holiday in Cambodia you are after, then we can help you craft the right trip. The Temples of Angkor are the focus of most holidays in Cambodia, but we are able to help you see them a little differently, more intimately, away from the busy crowds. Our Angkor itineraries are thoughtfully designed to build the anticipation as you explore the ancient capital.

Many itineraries seem to cram in as much as possible on

the first day or two which leaves visitors tired and drained

and, let’s be honest, a little bit templed out. Our itineraries

engage the visitor in a journey of discovery, unravelling the

mysteries of Angkor at a careful pace with enough time to

enjoy the first class facilities on tap in nearby Siem Reap.

Combine Angkor with the exotic capital of Phnom Penh to

discover the modern face of Cambodia. Phnom Penh is an

essential stop to learn more about the complicated and

traumatic modern history of Cambodia, as well as revel in

an emerging dining scene and exciting contemporary arts

revival.

What better way to finish a trip than with some time to relax

on a tropical beach. Song Saa Private Island is the ultimate

luxury escape, try Sihanoukville for its squeaky silicon sand

or opt for a boutique beach experience in comeback Kep,

once the most popular beach in Cambodia and once again

attracting visitors to nearby islands and cave temples.

Authentic Journeys

Our collection of authentic journeys is designed to take you off-the-beaten track to discover more of Cambodia beyond the most popular destinations. These can be longer journeys that take in much of Cambodia or shorter journeys to explore

a remote region of the country.

Northeast Cambodia is a remote and wild place and we offer

several trips that bring you closer to this region and its hardy

minority people. Popular journeys include an overland trip to

Mondulkiri to discover nature and culture in equal measure.

It is possible to spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphins of Kratie

before continuing to windswept Sen Monorom, gateway to

the Elephant Valley Project and a world of remote villages

and traditional lifestyles.

We can also tailor trips to include Kratie and remote Ratanakiri

province, home to diverse minority groups, pristine volcanic

crater lakes and tribal cemeteries.

Another option is to circumnavigate the Tonle Sap Lake to

take in some traditional Cambodian towns. Battambang is

home to some of the best-preserved colonial-era architecture

in the country and there are several charming temples dotted

about the countryside.

Kompong Thom is a gateway to the pre-Angkorian capital of

Isanapura, known today as Sambor Prei Kuk and the perfect

support act to Angkor.

Cambodia Journeys

Original Adventures

Travel in Cambodia can be one long

adventure. But to ensure the adventures

are planned and not the unexpected sort,

it is possible to plan some adrenaline

activities along the way.

Cambodia has not really emerged as a

trekking destination yet, but that could

be set to change in the next few years.

The northeast offers real potential with

protected community forests, remote

rivers, traditional villages and ethnic

minority tribes. It is already possible to

do short day hikes and overnight walks

in Mondulkiri or longer multi-day treks

in remote Virachey National Park.

In the south, it is possible to trek around

Chi Phat, an emerging community-based

tourism destination in the Cardamom

Mountains, an area of thundering

waterfalls and ancient jar burial sites

hidden away in remote areas of the

jungle. Trekking is also possible through

the pine forests of Kirirom National Park.

Cambodia is considered an up and

coming cycling destination. Cycling

around Angkor is an eco-friendly way

to explore the temples and we have

devised several original rides that take

in the perfect combination of lesser-

known temples and glimpses of rural

lifestyles.

Longer rides can be planned with

support vehicles and include the popular

South Coast loop through Takeo, Kep

and Kampot to Sihanoukville and a

well-deserved beach break at the end.

Or follow the Mekong Discovery Trail

from Kompong Cham to Stung Treng,

exploring traditional communities and

backwater islands.

Other popular adventures include our

signature Temple, Beach and Sacred

Mountain Safaris. Camp out in African-

style safari tents and enjoy a remote

temple to yourselves. Do the Robinson

Crusoe thing and enjoy your own private

island for a night. Or explore the holy

mountain of Phnom Kulen, including a

beautiful waterfall, crumbling temples

and the stone guardians of Sra Damrei.

Unique Experiences

Hanuman is pleased to bring you

a selection of unique experiences

in Cambodia. Fly by helicopter to

remote temples, enjoy exclusive

dining at Angkor, meet leading figures

in Cambodian arts and society, learn

the secrets of Khmer cuisine with a

celebrity chef, visit Tuol Sleng Prison

with a survivor, learn the art of travel

photography with a professional or

enjoy a yoga class at a remote temple.

All this is possible and more.

Hanuman has hosted celebrities and

crews from the world of film and

television in Cambodia for many years.

Our sister company Hanuman Films

has helped Charley Boorman travel

across Cambodia by motorbike for ‘By

Any Means’, recreating the adventures

of his ‘Long Way Round’ journey with

Ewan McGregor. Hanuman also hosted

celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in

Cambodia as part of his culinary odyssey

through Cambodia and can offer a tailor-

made foodie trip through the kingdom

following in his footsteps.

When Paramount Pictures came to Siem

Reap and the Temples of Angkor for the

filming of Tomb Raider, Hanuman was

on hand to act as the local partner. We

looked after Lara Croft and James Bond

during their stay, aka Angelina Jolie and

Daniel Craig.

Hanuman has also looked after many

MICE groups for special events. Young

Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) and

Moet-Hennessey global leaders from five

continents have travelled to Cambodia

with us.

The YPO party worked with Nick Ray as

tour leader and tour lecturer and guest

speakers included leading members

of the Cambodian government and

survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.

The Hennessey team included all their

most senior global managers and the

event included a stay at Amansara, as

well as a one night Temple Safari and

jungle brainstorm. If you are seeking

inspiration, talk to Hanuman.

Unique Experiences Helicopter Flights

Preah Vihear, Koh Ker, Preah Khan and Banteay Chhmar.

Wine and dine at angkor

Enjoy an exclusive private dinner at one of Angkor’s atmospheric ancient temples, a memorable way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.

Travel photography

Learn the tricks of the photographic trade from one of the professionals here in Cambodia while exploring the temples of Angkor.

Responsible Tourismelephant Valley project

Protecting the elephants of Mondulkiri

mekong discovery Trail

Promoting community tourism on the Mekong

Friends and Romdeng

Phnom Penh restaurants helping disadvantaged kids“engage in a journey of discovery”


S et in a lush garden enclosure, Amansara glows

with the nuances of its sixties conception.

Commissioned by Norodom Sihanouk in 1962, it is a

peaceful and inviting sanctuary. Amansara provides

a gracious contemporary gateway to the truly

remarkable ancient epoch that was Angkor. Choose

from 24 suites, 12 with their own pool.

www.amansresorts.com

In Our ViewThis is retro-chic at its glorious best, the former royal residence of Sihanouk providing a haven for guests who appreciate luxury and style in equal measure. Pool suites offer privacy for a plunge, plus there are two main swimming pools to choose from. The design icon rotunda restaurant is a striking centerpiece, plus temple tours are thrown in for free. If you know and love Aman, you are sure to adore Amansara.

F or more than 75 years, a visit to the ancient

Angkor temples has been synonymous with a

stay at the 119-room Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.

The hotel’s renewed elegance and modernity

complement the mystery and grandeur of Angkor

as never before. A destination unto itself, it is the

choice of connoisseurs visiting mystical Angkor.

www.raffles.com/siem-reap/

In Our ViewThe original luxury hotel near the temples of Angkor, the Grand has been welcoming guests since 1932, including Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Kennedy. Bill Clinton was one of the most recent celebrities to stay here. Rooms are colonial-themed and opulent, and facilities include a gorgeous pool and Amrita Spa. Gourmet dining is complimented by cultural performances and art exhibitions.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

Amansara


A n intimate Orient-Express hotel set in a

verdant jungle and surrounded by lush

riverside gardens, this 62-room property celebrates

the splendour of Khmer architecture. Built out

of wood and furnished in the local style, modern

comforts and luxurious touches give La Résidence

d’Angkor a welcoming atmosphere.

www.residencedangkor.com

In Our ViewThe delightful lobby is the epitome of understated elegance, with beautiful Angkorian sculptures adorning the walls. Rooms are open plan and inviting, including Jacuzzi-style terrazzo plunge tubs. The newer wing is ultra-contemporary and includes the stunning Kong Kea Spa. The pool is long enough to invite a languorous dip. Dining outlets include the best in French cuisine and mod Khmer tasting menus.

La Résidence d’Angkor

N ewly opened in early 2013, Park Hyatt Siem

Reap is the first Park Hyatt in Cambodia.

Synonymous with luxury, style and the epitome

of service, guests are assured of a hospitality

experience unlike any other. Featuring 109 luxurious

guest rooms and suites, travellers can enjoy the best

of accommodation and dining experiences.

www.park.hyatt.com

In Our ViewHotel de la Paix was a landmark in Siem Reap and the Park Hyatt Siem Reap promises to take the former hotel’s iconic status to a new level of luxury and style. Boasting the most central location of the leading luxury hotels in Siem Reap, the new property promises stylish contemporary dining in the tradition of Meric, an indulgent signature spa and lavish swimming pool.

Park Hyatt Siem Reap

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FCC Angkor

Samar Villas Resort & Spa

A n exclusive hotel on the doorstep of Angkor,

The Samar Villas & Spa Resort provides a

charming, luxurious and relaxed environment for a

restful and peaceful stay. A discrete entrance reveals

one of the most beautiful traditional Angkor houses,

incorporating Khmer style aesthetics with a touch of

modern design.

www.samarvillas.com

In Our ViewOne of the most intimate of the beautiful boutique hotels that are found in Siem Reap, Samar Villas has just eight rooms finished in traditional Khmer wooden buildings. The interior design switches from room to room with Khmer themes, a Chinese touch and some colonial influence. Male guests receive a complimentary daily shave and female guests are offered a complimentary facial.

A rtfully harmonizing the traditions of ancient

lifestyles with 21st-century expectations,

the FCC Angkor Hotel delivers all the luxuries

demanded of today’s renaissance traveller. Built

on the grounds of the old Governor’s mansion, the

29 rooms and two lavishly appointed suites all express

a modern interpretation of Cambodian heritage.

www.fcccambodia.com

In Our ViewOne of the hippest hotels in Siem Reap, FCC Angkor includes contemporary rooms and suites with Starck-influenced design detail. The black-tiled saltwater pool is overshadowed by immense tropical trees and includes the attached Visaya Spa. The FCC Restaurant is a popular stop for happy hour cocktails or some tasters from the fusion menu. The ultimate one-stop shop for Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor.


S implicity and tradition, combined with modern

influences, make Heritage Suites a place where

past and present subtly blend into a harmony of

colours, materials and open spaces. Heritage Suites

Hotel is the one and only ‘Relais & Chateaux Hotel’

in Cambodia. In this hamlet dedicated to relaxation,

time vanishes... it fades away into the stones.

www.heritagesuiteshotel.com

In Our ViewThe attractive lobby is designed in traditional colonial style and provides a grand entrance. Once inside the 20-suite property assumes the air of a resort and all suites are set in attractive bungalows dotted about the verdant garden. Decorative features include tribal arts from the region and objets d’art from Cambodia. Rooms include a bold bathtub and al-fresco Balinese style showers. Enjoy fine French dining at The Lantern.

T he building’s graceful colonial architecture

of the 1930’s provides a sense of peaceful

tranquility. The hotel has been designed to be in

total harmony with its natural surroundings and is

enchantingly situated in the heart of Siem Reap,

opposite the Royal Gardens. The property includes

120 rooms and 10 themed suites.

www.victoriahotels-asia.com

In Our ViewRecreating the atmosphere of colonial decadence to perfection, the Victoria blends into its historic surrounds. The swimming pool is one of the most impressive in Siem Reap, fringed by tropical trees and a bubbling Jacuzzi. Rooms are in classical, colonial-era style and there are several themed suites. The dining rooms are French accented and highly-regarded. The hotel has several vintage cars for romantic excursions.

Heritage Suites Hotel

Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa

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E xperience all that Siem Reap has to offer in

our stylish 4-star international hotel. The

hotel is equipped with modern amenities and is

elegantly furnished to make your stay both luxurious

and enjoyable. With exceptionally warm hospitality

from all our staff, your stay will be something never

to be forgotten.

www.taraangkorhotel.com

In Our ViewA contemporary hotel on the road to the temples, the Tara Angkor provides exceptional value for those seeking comfort and modernity, with a smart four-star trim throughout. The swimming pool and water features are a big attraction to relax and unwind after exploring Angkor. The extensive room selction make it an ideal choice for groups, couples and families alike.

Tara Angkor Hotel

S hinta Mani Siem Reap, an upscale boutique hotel

created by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley,

showcases 39 contemporary rooms and public spaces

in a Khmer inspired design. This exceptional Angkor

hotel enjoys a tranquil and leafy setting within the

township of Siem Reap, just a short ride from the

magnificent temples of Angkor.

shintamani.com

In Our ViewBill Bensley is one of the leading architects in the region and he has designed the all-new Shinta Mani with charcteristic flair and verve. Think Hotel de la Paix but chic boutique, and tucked into an intimate bite-sized building. Stylish rooms, personal service and commitment to local causes ensures that Shinta Mani is hitting the headlines for all the right reasons.

Shinta Mani Siem Reap


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Angkor Village Resort

P repare for divine inspiration. HanumanAlaya,

Angkor’s boutique residence, is your gateway

to these magnificent temples and the perfect blend of

traditional Khmer design and international amenities.

Lovingly finished in wood and elegantly decorated in

local antiques and handicrafts, HanumanAlaya is a

home more than a hotel.

www.hanumanalaya.com

In Our ViewNaturally, we are biased, as this is our very own property. It is the most traditionally Cambodian of the many boutique hotels in Siem Reap, thoughtfully finished in local furnishings and handicrafts. With just 24 rooms, it is very intimate and features lush gardens set around a landscaped pool. The Sita Spa is a blissful retreat after a long day and Reahoo Restaurant serves up traditional Khmer fare.

N ear the Angkor archeological park,

Angkor Village Resort features an

elegant wooden palace, exquisite spa, and 80

beautiful and luxurious cottages set amongst

lush tropical gardens and along a unique

river-shaped pool, which winds its way lazily

through the heart of the resort. A perfect fusion of

Khmer design and European finishing.

www.angkorvillage.com

In Our ViewLovingly designed by a leading European architect, this is a graceful Cambodian resort that pays tribute to its local roots with traditional Khmer furnishings and textiles throughout. The lazy river pool is the longest in

town and the restaurant offers a healthy selection of authentic Khmer dishes. The resort also offers private cooking classes and classical dance performances at the elegant Apsara Theatre.


Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa

HanumanAlaya Boutique ResidenceHanumanAlaya Residence



R affles Hotel Le Royal is the premier hotel

in Phnom Penh, a 170-room hotel with rare

attributes of history and style. It was first established

in 1929, and in its early days, had a diverse

international clientele. This grand historic hotel

exudes an old-world charm through its distinctive

style with a classic yet casual feel.

www.raffles.com/phnom-penh/

In Our ViewCombining comfort and class with history and heritage, there is simply no more luxurious place to stay in the Cambodian capital. Rooms are lavishly equipped for your every whim, the restaurants offer indulgent cuisine and facilities include a lush garden pool and an internationally renowned spa. Don’t miss Happy Hours from 4pm to 8pm at the Elephant Bar, once the favoured haunt of war correspondents.

Raffles Hotel Le Royal

L ocated in the heart of central Phnom Penh,

La Maison d’Ambre opened in December 2011.

The elegant white concrete façade typical of the

Sihanouk era’s urban heritage has been restored to

its former splendor. The ten apartments have been

designed each with a unique interpretation around

the themes of luxury and travel.

www.lamaisondambre.com

In Our ViewThe designer hotel has arrived here in the shape of La Maison d’Ambre. Inspired by leading Cambodian fashion designer Romyda Keth’s textiles, art and eye for design, this is one of the most impressive of the contemporary boutique hotels in the Cambodian capital. Individually designed rooms include Rose of Bokor for classic Cambodia, In the Mood for Love for Chinese inspiration or contemporary Manhattan.

La Maison d’Ambre

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In Our ViewThe latest hotel from the group that has brought The Pavilion, The Blue Lime and The Kabiki to Phnom Penh, The Plantation is their most ambitious property to date. The rooms are spacious and decorated with Cambodian textiles. The facilities include a pool for guests and a second pool for outside visitors, and a small gym.

Frangipani Hotels

In Our ViewThe Governor’s House offers lovingly-designed rooms with elegant antique furnishings. Each room is dedicated to personalities from Ernest Hemingway to Jackie Kennedy. An inviting pool and stunning wine cellar complete the picture of a stylish contemporary boutique escape paying homage to a glorious past.

In Our ViewOne of a cluster of new boutique hotels that have opened in the lively BKK part of Phnom Penh in the last couple of years, the emphasis here is on private space to ensure the guests feel at home. As well as a good range of creatively decorated rooms, there is also a relatively large swimming pool for such an intimate property.

Villa SamnangThe Governor’s House

In Our ViewFrangipani is an independent group of Cambodian-owned boutique hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Set in lovingly restored villas around the city, Frangipani 60s pays homage to the capital’s architectural heyday, while Frangipani 90s is a more contemporary design. Newer properties include the Frangipani Fine Arts Hotel and the Royal Palace Hotel.

The Plantation

28 Cambodia I Laos I Myanmar | Vietnamwww.hanuman.travel

Veranda Natural Resort

In Our ViewA place with real personality, Veranda is finished in natural woods and stone for a real back to nature feel. The bungalows are simple but smart and include some spacious options for families. The freeform swimming pool is the ideal spot to unwind. The restaurant and bar have stunning views and there is a tempting on-site patisserie.

Knai Bang Chatt

In Our ViewOffering a subtle blend of the sophisticated and simple, this is designer rustic, Cambodia-style. The 11 rooms, set in three villas, are gorgeous with a simple castaway wood trim. Amenities include an inviting pool and small spa. A great base to explore charming Kep, don’t miss the nearby Sailing Club, a superb spot for sundowners.

Knai Bang Chatt

Independence Hotel

In Our ViewOccupying an extensive wooded headland overlooking Independence Beach, this was one of the most modern hotels in Cambodia in the 1960s when guests included Jackie Kennedy. Fully restored, it offers panoramic coastal views and a private beach below. The grounds include private villas, one of which has its own pool.

Knai Bang Chatt

In Our View

The largest beach resort in Cambodia, the 5-star Sokha boasts all the extras you would expect from an international standard hotel. Rooms are spacious and smart and many come with seaview. The lagoon pool is extensive and the beach one of the best in Cambodia, adding up to a family-friendly resort with a children’s playground.

Sokha Beach Resort

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S ong Saa Private Island, nestled in Cambodia’s turquoise waters remains as nature intended,

pristine white sand beaches, virgin rainforest, fringing coral reefs teeming with sea life.

The Song Saa Private Island is as seductive as the name implies. Think intimate. Think luxurious. Song Saa features 27 luxury overwater, jungle and ocean view villas built with the deepest respect for the natural environment.

As a guest, you’ll be among the first to experience this beautiful, untouched world. In this intimate setting, lose yourself in the natural world. No intrusions. No work. Nothing but play.

Stop... breathe... rejevunate...

soak up the spirit of Song Saa.

songsaa.com


Victoria Angkor Resort & SpaSong Saa Private Island

In Our ViewSong Saa Private Island has been turning heads in the world of luxury travel. The first and only luxurious, all-inclusive resort on the Cambodian coast, Song Saa brings a whole new level of service and experience to Cambodia’s offshore islands. Situated on the twin islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, known as song saa or sweethearts in Khmer, the villas here provide the ultimate in exclusive escapes.

Finished in local materials but with an eye for elegant design, the accommodation is among the finest in the region. All villas come with their own private pool, whether over water, on the beachfront or perched above the jungle. All-inclusive extends to dining throughout the resort, including the over water Vista Restaurant & Bar and private island picnics on deserted beaches.


E njoy a secluded self-contained jungle lodge

built in the traditional Bunong style. Each

bungalow has comfortable furnishings, solar heated

shower and western toilet. The lodges are located on

the slopes of the elephant valley affording stunning

views over the surrounding forest where many

varieties of birds can be seen.

www.elephantvalleyproject.org

In Our ViewThere is no better way to experience the Elephant Valley Project than a stay in the Elephant Valley Lodge. Immerse yourself in the remote jungle surrounds and learn more about the majestic elephants and their behaviour. A great place and for a great cause, the views from your balcony are of an emerald green ocean of trees disappearing into the distance. See a sunset like this.

Elephant Valley Project

Terres Rouges Lodge

In Our ViewThe perfect escape from the red earth dust of Ratanakiri, Terres Rouges is an ideal base from which to explore this remote province. The bungalows, located close to the swimming pool, are a worthy investment, with al-fresco bathrooms and antique Chinese furnishings. The restaurant offers a creative and diverse menu. 28 rooms.

Knai Bang Chatt

In Our View Putting Kratie on the map for the more discerning traveller, Rajabori Villas Resort is brought to us by the team that created Terres Rouges in Ratanakiri. The bungalows are traditionally inspired but lovingly furnished and the setting is a world away from urban Asia. Experience a rural lifestyle in real comfort.

Rajabori Villas Resort


B ambu Hotel is a boutique hotel offering guests

the ultimate accommodation experience with

its 16 luxurious bedrooms arranged in 4 traditionally

inspired buildings. The hotel combines all that

was best in the local Khmer and French colonial

architecture whilst providing our guests with

maximum comfort and convenience.

www.bambuhotel.com

In Our ViewOne of the smartest hotels in Battambang, the architecture pays homage to its historic setting, drawing on grand colonial designs as well as traditional Khmer houses. Set around an attractive pool and courtyard restaurant, the well-appointed rooms add up to the best hotel in Battambang for individual visitors or small groups.

Victoria Angkor Resort & SpaBambu Hotel

4 Rivers Floating Lodge

In Our ViewAnd now for something completely different. This luxurious floating lodge has a beautiful setting on the edge of the Cardamoms near the Cambodian coast. Relax in comfort in a luxurious tent, swim in the river or enjoy some adventurous excursions in the surrounding area, including kayaking to nearby waterfalls.

In Our ViewGrandly located in a series of converted colonial-era shophouses, The Columns is the smartest boutique hotel in the charming town of Kampot. Now expanded with more rooms, the furnishings are contemporary yet Cambodian and the rooms are spacious given the confines of the original buildings. We recommend the Deluxe Balcony.

The Columns

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32 Cambodia I Laos I Vietnamwww.hanuman.travel

32 Cambodia I Laos I Vietnam 33www.hanuman.travel

LaosLAOS

Introducing Laos

L aos has always been known as the most laid-back of the Indochina countries. An observant French colonialist captured it perfectly: “The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Khmer tend the rice and the Lao listen to it grow.” Laos is a mystical backwater of mountains, limestone karst and shimmering ricefields. With its endearingly friendly locals and laissez-faire attitude, Laos is a welcoming haven to the traveller after visiting its more frenetic neighbours.

Languid and lovely, a visit to Luang Prabang is like stepping back in time to the Asia of old. Nestled on the banks of the upper

Mekong, this is a place you visit for days but want to stay for weeks, a place where life slows down. Admire the curves of Wat

Xieng Thong, travel upriver to discover the Buddhas of the Pak Ou Caves or swim in the turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Falls.

The sleepy capital of Vientiane has an alluring riverside setting and a café culture to compete with the best in Europe, but many

visitors fall in love with the rural life on the islands of Si Phan Don in the deep south. This is where Laos becomes positively

horizontal. Adopt the pace of island life for a few days, visiting the Khmer mountain temple of Wat Phu and viewing the dolphins

that inhabit the Lao-Cambodian border.

For adventurers, the Mekong River is a highway to remote tribes and hidden elephant camps or there is the chance to enjoy a

bit of monkey business at The Gibbon Experience in Bokeo Protected Area. Zip through the forest on a highwire and sleep in a

treehouse, these are tales you will tell long after you return home.

When To GoLaos has two distinct seasons, dry and wet. The dry season runs from November to May and temperatures rise dramatically in April. For Laotians there is also a third ‘cool’ season which usually lasts from November to February, but most visitors could be forgiven for thinking it is actually the hot season.

The wet season is usually June to October, although it can be a pleasant time to travel due to lower temperatures, fewer visitors and no chance of smoke from slash and burn. The effects of the latter should not be understated during the March to May period and can affect everything from Mekong vistas to airport arrivals in Luang Prabang. Temperatures get quite cool during winters in the mountainous north and east of the country.

Bun Pi Mai or Lao New Year falls in the middle of April, at the same time as neighbouring Cambodia and Thailand. This can be a lively but challenging time to visit, as the whole nation is engaged in water fights for several days. Many shops and businesses close down at this time.

Chinese New Year or Tet in Vietnam is also widely celebrated in parts of Laos and this usually falls in January or February depending on the lunar calendar.

The Big Five

Champasak

The deep south of Laos is home to the sleepy islands of Si

Phan Don and the stunning mountain temple of Wat Phu, set

under the shadow of Lingaparvata Mountain.

Luang namtha

An adrenaline centre for Northern Laos, kayak the rivers,

explore villages by bike or trek through the pristine Nam Ha

Protected Area.

Luang prabang

A living, breathing museum this historic World Heritage site is

home to 32 stupa-studded wats and remains one of the most

atmospheric destinations in all Asia.

plain of Jars

A mysterious mountainside dotted with ancient burial jars

from a forgotten civilisation, this is remote Laos for those

who want an adventure as much as a holiday.

Vientiane

The somnolent riverside capital of Laos is the place to watch

a slow-burn Mekong sunset over a chilled Beer Lao.


Luang Prabang

As dawn breaks, a line of saffron stretches as far as the eye

can see, the monks shuffling along the streets in search of

alms, an iconic image of Luang Prabang. A place where time

stands still is one way to describe the charms of this historic

capital of ancient wats.

Languid and lovely Luang Prabang is the most popular

destination in Laos, a compact, atmospheric town that can

be enjoyed at leisure on foot. A visit to Luang Prabang is to

discover the Asia of old. A living, breathing World Heritage

site, this historic town is home to elegant wats, as well as the

Royal Palace Museum.

The Pak Ou Caves, looming over the Mekong, are overflowing

with Buddha images large and small and are easily accessible

by boat from Luang Prabang. Kuang Si is the most impressive

set of falls in the Luang Prabang region, a series of cascades

tumbling down a steep cliff into small bathing pools below.

Luang Prabang has emerged as an adventure centre with lots

of activities on offer beyond the old town centre. Mountain

biking, trekking and kayaking are all popular and it is possible

to combine exploring the Nam Ou River with a bike ride

through the countryside.

There are also several elephant sanctuaries around Luang

Prabang where it is possible to be a ‘mahout for the day’.

Vientiane

Vientiane is the petite and charming capital of Laos, more

an overgrown town than a city and very quiet compared with

Asian giants like Bangkok or Singapore. Located on the banks

of the Mekong, Vientiane has been the centre of political

life in Laos since the 16th century. Historic temples, shining

stupas, traditional markets and a thriving café culture on the

banks of the Mekong, Vientiane is the best place to check the

contemporary pulse in Laos.

Golden spired Wat That Luang is a symbol of the nation and

a focus of celebration and worship on Buddhist days. Wat

Sisaket has a unique collection of miniature Buddhas kept in

thousands of carved niches around the walls. It also has some

fine 19th century painted murals depicting the life of the

Buddha and beautiful floral motifs on the ceiling. Vientiane

also has its very own Arc de Triomphe, known as Patuxai.

Laos Destinations

“Laos is a mystical backwater of mountains”

Northern Laos

Northern Laos is mountainous and

adventurous in equal measure, a wild

part of the country and home to the

majority of the ethnic minority groups.

Gateway to the far north of the country,

Luang Namtha is the base to explore

the Nam Ha Protected Area, one of the

premier ecotourism spots in Indochina.

Surrounded by a patchwork of lush

rice paddies and ethnically diverse

villages, this is a great place to get off-

the-beaten path. Trek through remote

forests and stay with the hardy minority

people of this area.

Scattered across a plain near the

provincial capital of Phonsavan are

hundreds of huge stone jars. The Plain

of Jars is baffling and enigmatic and an

intriguing element of a journey to the

north.

Vieng Xai is home to the caves where

the Pathet Lao or Lao communists were

based during the long war for liberation,

a sort of Cu Chi tunnels in limestone,

complete with residences and hospitals

underground.

Pakbeng is a convenient rest stop on the

river journey along the Mekong between

Luang Prabang and Thailand. Luang Say

Cruise operate the rustic Luang Say

Lodge here, with a beautiful setting

above the river.

Vang Vieng is a beautiful area of

limestone karst formations peppered

with caves. River tubing, kayaking,

cycling and trekking are all popular

activities around Vang Vieng.

Southern Laos

Southern Laos is the most traditionally

Lao region of the country and is a popular

stop on the overland trail between Laos

and Cambodia. There are good road links

from Pakse west to the Thai border and

south to the Cambodian border, making

it an important crossroads on the trail of

ancient Khmer temples in Laos, Thailand

and Cambodia.

Wat Phu is the holiest temple in

southern Laos, a Khmer sanctuary under

the shadow of Phu Pasak. The sandstone

and brick sanctuaries are built up the

hillside and there are fantastic views

from the upper terraces. It plays host

to a spectacular festival each year in

February which can be a fascinating

time for photographers.

The Bolaven Plateau is well known for

its diverse minority groups, its large

waterfalls and the excellent coffee

grown here. This is one of the best

places to experience an elephant ride in

this part of Laos.

As the Mekong approaches the

Cambodian border, it widens to 14km in

the wet season. Bigger islands such as

Don Khong and Don Khon offer a taste

of Lao life and are good for walking and

biking, while nearby are the Phakpeng

Falls, often referred to as the “Niagara

of the East”.

Further afield are some very remote

provinces such as Attapeu and Sekong

and the uncharted Dak Cheung Plateau,

but these areas are only for the hardiest

of adventurers due to rough roads and a

lack of basic infrastructure.

Luang Prabang

See

A line of bright saffron

snakes its way through the

dawn light, an unforgettable

and iconic image of Luang

Prabang. This is your call to

alms, so make sure you rise

early enough to make your

offering to the monks.

experience

Take a boat trip up the

Mekong River to the sacred

Pak Ou Caves, overflowing

with Buddha images

bequeathed by pilgrims down

the centuries.

eat

Try modern fusion cuisine

blending traditional Lao

ingredients with contemporary

recipes at The Apsara.

Shop

A not-for-profit venture, Ock

Pop Tok gallery showcases the

best of handwoven silk and

Lao cotton.



Until recently, Laos remained an unlikely holiday destination

for most. However, historic Luang Prabang has emerged as one

of the must-visit places in Southeast Asia and this has helped

to put Laos on the map. Luang Prabang remains the focus of

most trips to Laos and we can introduce you to the best of

this world heritage site, including the principal attractions

in the city and some of the lesser known locations beyond.

Food remains a highlight of a trip to Luang Prabang and we

can recommend some delightful dining experiences to savour

during your stay. We also support some good cause projects

in and around Luang Prabang which are a worthwhile addition

to your trip if you want to make a lasting connection.

Link Luang Prabang with the modern capital of Laos,

Vientiane. Nestled on the banks of the Mekong River, many

visitors overlook this languorous capital as they hop around

the region, but it has a certain charm thanks to its unhurried

pace and sophisticated wining and dining establishments.

Travel by road and include a stop in Vang Vieng, a pretty

riverside town on the Nam Song River with stunning karst

mountain scenery in the surrounding area. Or head northwest

from Luang Prabang to the Golden Triangle, cruising on the

Mekong River in comfort, the perfect way to start or finish a

Mekong holiday in the region.

Authentic Journeys

Our selection of authentic journeys has been created to take

in the roads less travelled in Laos visiting smaller backwaters

to learn more about traditional life in Lane Xang, the old

kingdom of a thousand elephants.

Northeastern Laos is a remote and wild region that few

visitors take the time to explore. Home to the mysterious

Plain of Jars, it is possible to link this region of Laos with

popular northwestern Vietnam by travelling to the Pathet

Lao caves at Vieng Xai. A Cu Chi Tunnels cast in stone, this

is where the Lao communist leadership directed operations

during the secret war against the Americans. From here it is

just a short hop to the White Thai valleys in Mai Chau and the

Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

Southern Laos is another emerging destination for those

seeking a lifestyle experience on their journey. The flight

hub of Pakse allows us to create tailor-made itineraries to

include the striking Khmer temple of Wat Phu, the sleepy

islands of Si Phan Don and the impressive waterfalls of the

Bolaven Plateau.

The region includes land borders with Cambodia, Thailand

and Vietnam, making overland journeys an affordable option,

particularly following the Mekong River via Kratie to the

Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

Laos Journeys


Laos Journeys

Original Adventures

Laos is emerging as a leading ecotourism

destination in the Mekong region and

adventures await across the country.

Trekking is a popular activity in Northern

Laos. Luang Prabang may be known

for its culture and history, but it is

also a base for other activities such as

trekking, cycling and kayaking. Further

north, both Luang Namtha and Muang

Sing offer authentic trekking, including

the Akha Experience and the Nam Ha

Protected Area, plus adventurous cycling

and kayaking

Cycling tours in Laos are generally for

more experienced cyclists, as the terrain

is mountainous and some of the road

conditions challenging. Overland rides

between Luang Prabang and Vientiane

are an adventurous possibility or shorter

circuits connecting Luang Namtha and

Muang Sing. Southern Laos offers some

leisurely cycling opportunities around

the 4000 islands of Si Phan Don.

Kayaking trips are popular on the many

rivers of Laos. As well as kayaking in

northern Laos, it is also possible to

paddle around the islands of Si Phan Don,

a very pretty stretch of the Mekong.

Back in the north, visiting an elephant

sanctuary and learning to be a mahout

for the day is a popular adventure.

Other popular adventures include the

Treetop Explorer in Champasak and the

legendary Gibbon Experience in Bokeo

Protected Area in the far north of Laos.

Unique Experiences

Hanuman has designed a series of unique

experiences in Laos. Enjoy exclusive

dining at an abandoned riverside temple

on a Mekong island, meet leading figures

in Laotian arts and society, learn the

secrets of Lao cuisine with a celebrity

chef, visit the Vieng Xai Caves with a

Pathet Lao soldier, learn the art of travel

photography with a professional or enjoy

a yoga class in the jungle. Hanuman can

help to arrange all this and more.

Many visitors to Laos are invited to take

part in a Baci ceremony, but many of

these take place in hotels or restaurants

and don’t feel particularly authentic. We

prefer to arrange our Baci ceremonies,

designed to invoke guardian spirits to

protect visitors on their journey, in a

local home with a local family. This is

best followed by a home-cooked Lao

banquet, with some Beer Lao or Lao Lao

(rice wine) to wash it down.

Big Brother Mouse is committed to

spreading literacy to poor, rural

communities around Luang Prabang.

It is a wonderful opportunity for

visitors to meet rural children in the

developing world. Hosting a book

party is a memorable event, staged in

a rural school in a remote village. See

the children’s faces when they are

given their first book and know that

you are helping Laos along the road to

development. For more on supporting

Big Brother Mouse, visit the Responsible

Tourism section of our website.

Unique Experiencesbuddhist blessing

Join the locals in making an offering and continue to a temple to experience a Buddhist blessing.

Spa Journey

We recommend a spa journey to rejuvenate the body and soul. There are sumptuous spas to pamper your inner princess (or prince).

The Gibbon experience

‘Fly’ through the jungle canopy and spend the night in the treetops in an eco-friendly treehouse.

Responsible Tourism

big brother mouse

Promoting literacy in Luang Prabang

mak phet Restaurant

Vientiane eatery helping disadvantaged kids

The elephant Village

Elephant sanctuary near Luang Prabang


G lam, gorgeous and groovy. Situated on a

flower-filled lane, running along the right

bank of the Nam Khan River, the Apsara Rive Droite

has nine huge, glamorous rooms, all with their own

veranda or terrace, overlooking the heart of Luang

Prabang. Connected to the centre by boat, it’s easy

to get into town.

www.theapsara.com

In Our ViewThe Apsara has expanded into uncharted territory with the Rive Droite and this is wonderful news for would-be guests. The rooms are superbly finished with tasteful furnishings, including silks sourced from renowned Jim Thompson in Bangkok. The swimming pool is a welcome feature and this hideaway feels a world away from the rest of the crowd. But the reality it that is just a short boat ride across the river.

The Apsara Rive Droite

Amantaka

S et on a large garden estate, Amantaka is housed

in graceful French colonial buildings. Airy

and elegant throughout, the décor and furnishings

reflect the town’s French colonial history. Situated

just south of Phousi Hill, the resort is within strolling

distance of the boutiques and restaurants lining the

town’s main street.

www.amanresorts.com

In Our ViewThe arrival of Amantaka in town has brought a whole new breed of visitor to languid Luang Prabang. Grand yet minimalist, luxurious yet unpretentious, the Aman signature is in evidence throughout this opulent resort. The 24 suites are of truly epic proportions and most include a pool. The Spa is a holistic retreat for the body and soul and the gym includes state of the art equipment. A place to indulge.

www.hanuman.travel


L a Résidence Phou Vao enjoys a prime location,

offering exquisite accommodation and

providing the perfect blend of service and style.

Overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and

Nam Khan rivers, this luxury hotel and spa offers

breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and

numerous temples.

www.residencephouvao.com

In Our ViewWe are not the sort of company to have favourites, but if we did, then La Residence Phou Vao would certainly be high on the list. Thirty-two well-proportioned rooms with superb amenities, balconies with views over misty Mt Phousi, an inviting infinity pool, superb French and Laotian cuisine, the incredible Mekong Spa set around lush gardens with a second swimming pool. Heavenly.

L uang Prabang’s beauty and heritage was

brought to the attention of the outside world

by French adventurers during the late 19th century.

The Luang Say Residence reflects the work of these

influential figures by creating the atmosphere of this

bygone era, potraying the colonialists’ way of life

and their adventurous, lavish lifestyles. The Luang

Say Residence is the pinnacle of luxury.

www.luangsayresidence.com

In Our ViewA new all-suite boutique property, Luang Say Residence is a sumptuous addition to the Luang Prabang hotel scene. Including 20 Pioneer Suites and 4 Explorateur Suites, the residence is set over several colonial-style buildings spread throughout the lush gardens. Facilities include a high-ceilinged dining room, a bar and fumoir for cigar smokers, as well as a striking swimming pool.

The Luang Say Residence

La Résidence Phou Vao

Laos

Hot

els

The Luang Say Residence


In Our ViewBeautifully restored, these grand old houses combine together to create one of the most atmospheric boutique hotels in old Luang Prabang, offering 15 gloriously traditional rooms. The fine Laotian and French cuisine is renowned beyond the borders of Laos. Opt for a transfer in the classic Mercedes or Citroen to set the mood for your Luang Prabang experience.

3 Nagas

Xieng Thong Palace

T he last residence of the Royalty of Laos,

the Xiengthong Palace is now a unique hotel

located in the most tranquil area of Luang Prabang.

Set beside the most revered Buddhist monastery Wat

Xiengthong and facing the Great Mekong River, our

hotel is the ideal choice for the intelligent traveller

who deserves ‘luxury amidst tranquility’.

www.xiengthongpalace.com

In Our ViewAn attractive addition to the selection of boutique hotels in Luang Prabang, the Xiengthong Palace is set in a beautiful collection of restored royal residences in a prime location on the Mekong River. Our favourite rooms are the Deluxe and the Mekong Suites, but all are stylishly presented. The restaurant offers terrace tables with a Mekong view, as do the front facing rooms in the Ayu Spa. Tasteful indeed.

In Our ViewWe’ve long had a soft spot for The Apsara. Their 18 rooms are artsy and hip, featuring Lao silks and striking glass Buddhas. Four poster beds and riverfront balconies complete the picture. The restaurant is one of the best in Laos, serving Lao fusion cuisine such as stuffed panin fish, and the martinis justly claim to be the driest in the country. Browse the discerning wine list.

The Apsara

41www.hanuman.travel 41

Laos

Hot

els

I n the heart of bustling Vientiane stands a

remarkable hotel. Built in the early part of the

last century, circa 1932, and painstakingly restored

to its former imperial glory, the Settha Palace Hotel

serves as a testament to the long lost era of classical

elegance, gracious service and French colonial-era

charm.

www.setthapalace.com

In Our ViewThis colonial-era gem has an enduring charm thanks to its relatively small number of rooms, just 26. All are tastefully finished in wooden furnishings, grand beds and elegant black and white tiled bathrooms. The courtyard pool is an invitingly shady space to hide on a hot day. La Belle Epoque Restaurant offers the finest French food in town, plus some beautifully presented Laotian cuisine.

Settha Palace Hotel

In Our ViewThe Green Park is a relaxing retreat from the streets of Vientiane. Inspired by the luxurious Residence resorts of the Orient-Express group in Luang Prabang and Siem Reap, it is a sophisticated yet homely place to stay. Most of the 34 rooms face the attractive swimming pool and lush gardens. Facilities include an elevated restaurant and a small spa.

In Our ViewOne of the most appealing hotels in the Lao capital, Ansara is designed in the French-colonial style. Rooms are decorated with flair and verve and several look out over the swimming pool. Le Signature restaurant is a destination in its own right thanks to its authentic French cuisine and homemade patisseries. Good location in a quiet back street near the riverfront.

Ansara HotelGreen Park Boutique Hotel


In Our ViewPart of the Inthira family of hotels which includes a sister property in Champasak, this is the most stylish place to stay in Tha Khek. Rooms offer an appealing mix of the contemporary and traditional and include extra touches like flat screen TV and terrazo bath. The restaurant and bar are a real draw, as they are under the same management as Kob Chai Deu in Vientiane.

Inthira Tha Khek Hotel

In Our ViewOne of the most atmospheric resorts in Vang Vieng, Villa Nam Song offers a collection of traditional bungalows with wooden parquet flooring and contemporary Laotian furnishings finished in traditional local materials. The extensive gardens are beautifully kept and include a generous section of riverfront. French and Laotian cuisine is available in the restaurant.

Villa Namsong

www.hanuman.travel

In Our ViewPart of the exclusive Khowan Group of unique boutique hotels, the Muang La Resort is an unexpected treasure in this remote part of Northern Laos. Accommodation is set in traditional Lao style bungalows and the rooms are artfully decorated with silk textiles and local handicrafts. Try private island dining at The Sala for a romantic evening to remember.

In Our ViewWhen it comes to location, this is one of the most memorable lodges in Laos. The mountains plunge towards the Mekong and are visible from the private terrace. Rooms are simple and rustic but with lots of atmosphere. Forget extras like air-con and TV and soak up the views. The restaurant offers a good selection of traditional Lao cuisine and traditional performances are often held here.

Luang Say LodgeMuang La Resort


P erched above the banks of the Mekong, the

River Resort’s spacious and stylish Riverfront

Rooms come complete with private terraces offering

stunning, panoramic riverviews and magnificent

sunrises. Whether relaxing by the pool, savoring fine

dining in the riverfront sala or taking a romantic

sunset cruise on our riverboat, guests will delight in

the Mekong’s inspiring landscapes.

www.theriverresortlaos.com

In Our ViewA striking newcomer in charming Champasak, The River Resort has a beautiful setting on the banks of the Mekong, complete with an infinity pool overlooking the river. The contemporary villas include a terrace for Mekong sunsets and wi-fi is available throughout the resort. The River Resort is undoubtedly the most stylish accommodation in Southern Laos and the perfect place to take in the mighty Mekong.

The River Resort

In Our ViewOnce a remote outpost on a French colonial-era transport corridor from Saigon to Luang Prabang, the Auberge Sala Done Khone is designed around the original French buildings from this period. Other options include rustic bungalows and floating rooms moored on the banks of the Mekong. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the terrace restaurant.

In Our ViewAll rooms here are beautifully finished in tropical woods and feature a veranda with views towards the Mekong and the ancient Khmer temple of Wat Phu. The swimming pool is a welcome touch on a hot day. The restaurant serves traditional Lao and French cuisine. The lodge also supports local community initiatives.

La Folie LaosAuberge Sala Done Khone

Laos

Hot

els


Introducing Myanmar

M yanmar is one of the most desirable destinations on the planet in this day and age, now that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has invited travellers to visit once again

and the government continues to surpise observers with its reform programme. The shimmering spire of Shwedagon Paya is a symbol of the nation, but this enigmatic country is home to the incredible temples of Bagan, the crumbling ancient capitals around Mandalay and the stunning natural beauty of Inle Lake. Further afield lie unspoilt beaches, charming colonial relics and unique local cultures. Quite simply, as Kipling once said, “Burma is quite unlike any place you know about”.

Many visitors are drawn to old Burma to see the headline attractions, but beyond the main destinations lie a wealth of cultural

and natural attractions that ensure Myanmar can compete with the diversity on offer in any of the other Southeast Asian

countries. Visit minority people or trek through the Shan highlands around Kalaw or Hsipaw. Gaze in wonder at the incredible

religious shrines of Mt Kyaiktiyo or Mt Popa. Experience Bagan without the tourists at the ancient temple city of Mrauk U in the

far west of the country. Explore the colonial vestiges of the British empire with a visit to the pretty hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin.

Or simply relax on the idyllic coastline of the Indian Ocean at the leading beach resort of Ngapali.

Myanmar is more than just a cultural curiousity, it is one of the most eclectic destinations in the incredibly diverse region that is

Southeast Asia. See Bagan and Mandalay in all their splendour, soak up the contrasting atmosphere of Yangon and Inle Lake, but

stay longer and venture further to experience an Asia of old in the finest tradition of George Orwell or Rudyard Kipling.

When to GoMyanmar is a deceptively long country stretching from the foothills of the snow-capped Himalayas in the far north right down to the azure waters of the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean in the far south. Naturally this means there is a variety of seasons across the country, but the most popular areas to visit in the country broadly follow the same weather patterns.

The most pleasant time to be in the country is the dry cool season from November through to January, although this can be cold in some elevated destinations in Shan State and coincides with peak season. The hot season runs from February to May and places like Bagan and the ancient capitals around Mandalay are scorchingly hot. The monsoon rains arrive in May or June and herald a lot of rain but this helps to nurture the rice and ensures the landscape is lush. Myanmar is occasionally hit by devastating typhoons such as Nargis in 2008.

Burmese New Year or Thingyan falls at the same time as Thai, Khmer and Lao New Year in the middle of April. This is the most important festival of the year for the Burmese and it is wildly celebrated in the streets of major towns with water fights and general merriment. Christmas is also an important holiday for some Burmese, as there is a sizeable Christian population around the country.

The Big Five

bagan

Marvel at this breathtaking concentration of temples and

stupas that dot the Bagan plain. Float over the temples by

hot air balloon or see a sunset of shimmering spires.

inle Lake

Coined the Switzerland of Southeast Asia, discover the

striking natural beauty of this mountain-ringed lake, home to

floating gardens, jumping cats and crumbling stupas.

mandalay

Once the capital immortalised by Rudyard Kipling, explore

the ancient cities that dot the surrounding countryside.

ngapali beach

The quintessential Indian Ocean tropical beach escape,

relax on the powder white sands at the end of your cultual

adventure through up-country Myanmar.

Yangon

The Shwedagon Paya steals the headlines here and for good

reason, as it is a stunning symbol of the city, but Yangon is

also a treasure trove of colonial-era architecture.

MyanmarMYANMAR


Yangon

Formerly known as Rangoon, this bustling city may no longer

be the Burmese capital, but it continues to be the hub of

economic activity, a hive of intellectual debate and the

gateway for international visitors. The stunning Shwedagon

Paya is the centrepiece of the city, a gleaming golden

stupa visible from all over town. Closer to the waterfront,

downtown Yangon is a warren of historic streets concealing

some of the best British colonial-era architecture in the

region. Forget the cosmetic renovations in Hanoi, this is the

real deal, and a walk along the Strand or Pansodan St is like a

stroll back in time. Vibrant and dynamic, sweaty and steamy,

reaching for the future but trapped in the past, Yangon is a

fascinating introduction to Myanmar.

The glorious golden spire of the gilded Shwedagon is the

defining image of Yangon and a symbol of Burmese identity.

Rising 98m from its base, it positively glistens on a sunny

day. Dating back 2500 years - if legend is to be believed -

Shwedagon is an absolute must. Every good Buddhist in

Myanmar tries to make at least one pilgrimage here in their

lifetime; many come for the Shwedagon festival in February

or March. The compound, with its main stupa and 82 other

buildings, is astonishing any time of day, but the evening and

sunrise, when slanting light illuminates the gilding, is the

most magical.

Bagan

One of Southeast Asia’s architectural wonders, in the exalted

company of the temples of Angkor in Cambodia and the

Budhhist masterpiece of Borobodur in Indonesia, Bagan is

Myanmar’s headline attraction. Imagine transporting all of

Europe’s medieval cathedrals to Manhattan island and throw

in some major churches or abbeys for good measure, and

you start to get a sense of the ambition and scale of Bagan.

The 4400 temples here date from around the same period as

the majestic temples of Angkor, more than 800 years ago.

Angkor’s temples may be individually more spectacular, but

collectively Bagan delivers wonderful views of stupa upon

stupa dotting the plain.

Mandalay

Immortalised by Kipling in the 19th century, the city is

relatively young at just 150 years old when compared with

the ancient treasures surrounding it. Founded as capital of

the Burmese empire in 1861, Mandalay saw the swansong

of the last kings of Burma. However, the real attractions lie

beyond in the ancient cities of Amarapura, Inwa, Sagaing

and Mingun. These are spiritual centres and three in five of

Myanmar’s Buddhist monks reside here.

Myanmar Destinations

Inle Lake

A magical watery world of floating

gardens, stilted villages and crumbling

stupas, Inle Lake is one of Myanmar’s

most alluring attractions. Mountains

tumble down towards the lakeshore,

blurring the distinction between heaven

and earth. For many visitors, Inle is a

place to while away the days canoeing,

cycling and walking through the lush

countryside. The Intha people are

famous for their leg rowing and there

is even a monastery where meditating

monks have taught the cats to jump.

Ngapali Beach

The top beach destination in Myanmar,

some say it was given its name by a

homesick Italian. Ngapali boasts 3km of

palm-fringed sands on the beautiful Bay

of Bengal. The turquoise waters deliver

a bounty from the sea and this town

serves up some of the country’s best

seafood. It is a good place to wind down

after an adventurous trip exploring the

far flung sights of the country.

Mrauk U

Like Bagan to the east, the Rakhine

kings of Mrauk U were expressive in

their dedication to their faith, and this

ancient capital is home to more than one

hundred temples. Accessible via a pretty

65km boat ride northeast from Sittwe,

Mrauk U is smaller than Bagan. Mrauk U

served as the Rakhine capital from 1430

to 1784, a prosperous era when a fleet

of 10,000 boats plundered neighbouring

countries on the Bay of Bengal.

Pyin Oo Lwin

Set in the foothills of northern Shan

state, this former British hilltown was

known as Maymyo during the British era.

It is easy to while away some time biking

along shady avenues or sipping tea with

the friendly locals. Local transport

includes cute pony-led miniature

wagons, straight out of the Wells Fargo

days of the American West. Modelled

on the famous Kew Gardens of London,

the National Kandawgyi Gardens is a

176-hectare little Eden, with an inviting

pool facing a small lake.

Kalaw

Kalaw is taking off as a trekking

destination thanks to its elevated

position at 1320m on the rolling, pine-

clad hills of the Shan Plateau. Located

to the west of beautiful Inle Lake,

longer treks are possible linking the two

(about 45km), on mountains dotted with

Palaung, Pa-O, Intha and Shan villages.

There is a large population of Nepalese

in this hilltop town, which may explain

the slightly Himalayan feel to the place.

Mt Kyaiktiyo

The gravity-defying golden rock of

Kyaiktiyo is one of the most enigmatic

sights in Myanmar. Perched on the very

edge of a cliff on Mt Kyaikto, this giant,

gold-leafed boulder marks the spot of a

Buddha hair donated by a hermit in the

11th century. The site has a mystical and

magical aura, a place of miracles, not

least of which is how the boulder has

managed to stick around all these years.

Bagan

See

52m-high Ananda Pahto, with

its golden sikhara top and

gilded spires, among the most

beautiful temples at Bagan.

experience

A half-day cooking class that

offers a popular way to mix

up a temple-hopping itinerary.

with a visit to the lively

market in New Bagan.

eat & drink

Relax and unwind at the

Beach Bagan Restaurant,

offering blazing sunsets over

the Ayerawady River.

Shop

Check out Tun Handicrafts or

Moe Moe’s for high-quality

Burmese lacquerware.



Long off the international travellers’ radar due to a

combination of international sanctions and travel boycott,

Myanmar has burst on to the scene since Aung San Suu Kyi

invited visitors to return in 2010. It is currently one of the

most popular destinations on earth and this makes planning

a holiday far in advance more important than in the average

destination.

The Big Four form the backbone of most trips to Myanmar:

including the bustling former capital of Yangon, complete

with the glittering Shwedagon Paya; the stunning temples

of Bagan on the banks of the Ayerawady River; the ancient

capitals clustered around Kipling’s city of Mandalay; and the

beautiful Inle Lake in the heart of Shan State.

Some travellers add on a side trip to the old British hill station

of Maymyo, now known as Pyin Oo Lwin and a fine escape

from the heat of the Mandalay plains below. Travel in a local

stagecoach around town or explore the botanical gardens.

Other side trips includes the sacred Mount Popa, residing

place of the Nats or indigenous spirits of the Burmese people

or the Pindaya Caves, overflowing with Buddhist imagery.

Finish up an inspirational holiday with some time to relax on

Ngapali Beach, Myanmar’s leading beach resort. Located in

the west of the country, Ngapali offers some idyllic resorts.

Authentic Journeys

Our authentic journeys in Myanmar are designed to take visitors

further off the beaten track into some of the undiscovered

areas of the country beyond the Big Four. Northern Myanmar

is an emerging frontier. It is possible to cruise further up the

Ayerawady River to some remote outposts made famous by

George Orwell’s Burmese Days, including the towns of Katha

and Bhamo. The really adventurous can continue north to

Myiktina, capital of remote Kachin State or fly up to Putao,

formerly Fort Hertz, gateway to the Himalayas and home to

the stunning Malikha Lodge.

Discover a different Bagan experience with a trip to the

ancient temple city of Mrauk U. Fly to Sittwe and then

transfer by boat upriver to these less explored temples and

experience ancient Burmese culture without the crowds.

For the very adventurous, it is also possible to enter Chin

State from Western Myanmar, to witness the dying art of face

tattooing or climbing remote Mt Victoria.

It is also possible to travel northeast from Mandalay to visit

some of the less-travelled regions of Shan State. Take a train

from Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw, passing over the famous Gokteik

Bridge, one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world.

Hsipaw is an important centre for Shan culture and includes

an old Shan Palace, as well as acting as a centre for trekking

the surrounding hills.

Myanmar Journeys

Original Adventures

In some ways Myanmar is one long

adventure thanks to the fact it has been

effectively closed off to the outside

world for so many years.

Trekking is already popular in certain

areas of the country. Trekking around

the temples of Bagan is a realistic

possibility for those who don’t mind the

heat. Setting out early can make for a

peaceful dawn walk for sunrise. Trekking

around Hsipaw and Kyaukme are popular

with independent trekkers, but the

most popular trekking destination for

organised walks is currently Kalaw.

This old British hill station has a large

Nepalese population and it is possible

to organise multi-day treks from Kalaw

to Inle Lake, staying in local villages

along the way. Hpa-an is another up and

coming trekking spot for backpackers

and more comfortable organised

trekking will soon be possible.

Myanmar offers huge potential for

adventurous cycling tourists, but

organised tours are only just being

developed as the country opens up.

Cycling around Bagan is a wonderful way

to explore these ancient temples. There

are several important ancient capitals

dotted around Mandalay and these also

make perfect excursions on two wheels.

Or take to water and enjoy a luxury

cruise between Bagan and Mandalay,

one of the more comfortable adventures

available in Myanmar.

Unique Experiences

Hanuman has designed a series of unique

experiences in Myanmar. Among these,

one of the most celebrated is drifting

over the temples of Bagan at dawn by

hot-air balloon. A magical moment of

peace and solitude, this is an absolute

must for honeymooners and romantics

or those with a passion for photography.

With champagne or without, this is one

of the highlights of the Mekong region.

Buddhism is very important to the

people of Myanmar and several of our

unique experiences allow visitors to

connect with the spiritual side of the

local population. Learn more about

traditional Buddhist ceremonies by

joining the alms procession at Bagan’s

Taungbi Monastery and receive a special

blessing from the monks. Offering oil

lamps at the revered Shwedagon Pagoda

is an experience steeped in the Buddhist

belief of earning merit through good

deeds. Or rise early to join the ritual of

washing the face and teeth of Buddha at

the Mahamuni Pagoda in Mandalay.

Another unique experience renowned

beyond the borders of Myanmar is an

evening in the company of the Moustache

Brothers. These dissident comics hit the

headlines for their stand against the old

government and have a loyal following

to watch their slapstick humour, dance,

music and silly walks.

Or learn the art of traditional cooking

with the Intha people of Inle Lake.

Unique Experiencesballoons over bagan

It doesn’t get more iconic than a sunrise balloon ride over Bagan. Add a champagne breakfast for romance.

The moustache brothers

The Mandalay-based Moustache Brothers are a Burmese institution, known for their slapstick humour.

Cooking with the intha

Enjoy a culinary and lifestyle experience with the Intha tribe living on Inle lake. Join in a traditional feast.

Responsible Tourism

Shwe Sa bwe Restaurant

Yangon training restaurant on the shores of Inya Lake

Green Hill elephant Camp

Experience caring for these majestic creatures

Tree planting at bagan

Plant indigenous trees to help preserve the environment


A romantic, colonial-style mansion dating

from the 1920s, The Governor’s Residence

is redolent of the British era. With its fan-cooled

verandas and teak armchairs, this delightful Orient-

Express hotel in the elegant Embassy Quarter of

Yangon (formerly Rangoon), conjures up a bygone

era while offering every modern pleasure.

www.governorsresidence.com

In Our ViewA member of the Orient-Express family that includes La Residence d’Angkor and La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, The Governor’s Residence is Yangon’s most atmospheric boutique hotel. The original teak mansion is a striking architectural showpiece for the property and all rooms are decorated in tropical hardwoods with local textiles. Newly renovated Governor’s rooms show some contemporary chic.

The Governor’s Residence

The Strand

B uilt in 1901, The Strand is a Yangon heritage

hotel without peer. It is a stately Victorian

icon, beautifully renovated, with two wings centred

on a lobby lounge with a black and white marble

floor. This Asian luxury resort offers large suites with

lazily whirring ceiling fans, teak floors and luxurious

bathrooms.

www.ghmhotels.com

In Our ViewThe Raffles in Singapore, The Oriental in Bangkok, Le Royal in Phnom Penh, these are grand properties from a bygone era and The Strand is very much at home in such exalted company. Originally opened in 1901, the hotel is now part of the exclusive GHM group and is an all-suite property. Even if you cannot secure a room, be sure to drop by the Strand Bar for the Friday happy hour, a tradition dating back to the days of the British.


W ith breathtaking locations, stylish and

comfortable interiors, sincere and gracious

service, the Aureum Palace Hotels and Resorts

allow you the most valuable of today’s luxuries,

peace of mind. Treat yourself to a dream holiday in

immaculate surroundings: this is the Aureum Palace

experience that we offer to every guest.

www.aureumpalacehotel.com

In Our ViewThe Aureum Palace group of resorts has set new standards for luxury and taste throughout Myanmar. Their original flagship Bagan resort is now expanded to include villas and they have new resorts at Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach, Ngwesaung Beach and the old British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin. Plan your Burmese adventures around Aureum creature comforts.

Aureum Palace Resorts

Mya

nmar

Hot

els

Rupar Mandalar Hotel

T he Rupar Mandalar Hotel is a romantic hotel

with an exotic atmosphere. It’s in nature with

a touch of culture. There are 16 rooms including

modern facilities. There is also a swimming pool,

large tennis court, and a health and beauty spa. We

serve varieties of food such as seafood, Thai, Chinese

and European.

www.ruparmandalar.com

In Our ViewConsidered Mandalay’s finest boutique hotel, the intimate Rupar Mandalar Resort has just 16 rooms, including the luxurious Sakawah and Zizawah suites. Designed in traditional teak, the furnishings and decoration display the best of Burman traditions. Facilities include an inviting pool, plus a sauna and Jacuzzi and even a tennis court.


In Our ViewA traditional all-wooden resort spectacularly set on the shores of Inle Lake, this is the most atmospheric accommodation in Shan State. Choose a lakeview room for a window to life on the lake. Facilities include a fully functional wine cellar for private dinners, as well as a striking spa offering Shan-style treatments.

In Our ViewThe Mrauk U Princess Resort offers the most stylish and sophisticated accommodation in Western Myanmar. Inspired by traditional Rakhine architecture, each house is like a spacious suite, complete with living room and balcony. The Princess makes a great base to explore the many temples of Mrauk U and is a welcome sanctuary after the long journey here.

Mrauk U Princess ResortInle Princess Resort

In Our ViewAtmospherically located in Old Bagan, right at the heart of the ancient temple complex, the Hotel @Tharabar Gate is a relaxing and comfortable base to explore this archaeological wonder. The rooms are spacious and decorated in Burmese style. Facilities include a swimming pool, perfect for a dip after a long day exploring the ruins.

Hotel @ Tharabar Gate

In Our ViewPerched imperiously atop the holy mountain of Popa, this is one of the most atmospheric hotels in Myanmar. We don’t recommend the rather basic Superior rooms, but the Deluxe bungalows have a spectacular vistas. Facilities include a mountain-top infinity pool and a restaurant with a panoramic outdoor terrace. For swingers, there is a also access to a 9-hole golf course.

Popa Mountain Resort


A mara Ocean Resort is located at the pristine

beach of Ngapali, Burma´s most beautiful

region of Indian Ocean coastline. Our guests enjoy

the utmost privacy in our luxury bungalows, built in

traditional style, that are scattered among a wide

palm grove. The views of the Andaman Sea and the

Rakhine Mountains will take your breath away.

www.amaragroup.net

In Our ViewAmara Ocean Resort brings the traditional beachside boutique resort to Ngapali. Finished in tropical hardwoods and local materials, it blends Burmese culture with international hospitality, making it the perfect place for a relaxing beachside stay at the end of a cultural journey. The seaview infinity pool is a real draw, as are the spacious villas offering large open rooms with a generous terrace. Lovely.

Amara Ocean Resort

Mya

nmar

Hot

els

In Our ViewSetting the standard for rural accommodation in Myanmar, Malikha Lodge is a striking ecolodge set under the foothills of the Himalayas in the far north of the country. Rooms include unique teak bathtubs for a relaxing soak and a large fireplace to warm the spirits. Activities on offer in the area include minority village visits, treks, mountain biking and whitewater rafting.

In Our ViewSet in an attractive pair of timber-framed colonial-era residences that have been restored to their former glory, the Amara Mountain Resort is the most comfortable accommodation in the Kalaw region. Intimate and tasteful thanks to just 10 rooms, this is a great place to base yourself for some trekking, mountain biking or simply soaking up the local minority culture in the region.

Amara Mountain ResortMalikha Lodge


Vi etnamVIETNAM

Introducing Vietnam

V ietnam, the name itself is the embodiment of exotic. Hanoi is an elegant capital, gateway to the natural wonder of Halong Bay and the colourful minorities of the Tonkinese Alps. In Central Vietnam, Hue is a cultural city of temples and tombs, while nearby Hoi An is a charming town of beautiful buildings. In the south, Saigon is a great base for exploring the Mekong Delta or the huge sand dunes at Mui Ne. Vietnam is the perfect blend of past and present, of culture and comfort, of nature and beauty.

Starting at the top, the mountains of the north are a stunning string of peaks that form the foothills of the Himalayas, looming

large over the landscape, a haven for hilltribes. Here the costumes are for real, not just the day job, with Flower Hmong, Red

Dzao and White Thai living in the lush valleys.

In the far south, it couldn’t be more different, a pancake flat delta where the mighty Mekong spills into the South China Sea, man

and nature combining forces to blanket the landscape in a patchwork of dazzling greens.

Linking north and south is a stunning coastline with some of the finest beaches in Asia, barely on the map compared to the

hotspots in Thailand and Malaysia. Serious sun worshippers should stick to the shimmering sands of the south, but further north

the coastline takes on an altogether different complexion as hundreds and thousands of limestone outcrops breach the waters to

create the natural wonder that is Halong Bay.

Sophisticated yet traditional, rich in culture, lavish in nature, Vietnam is a dragon on the rise.

When to GoOne glance at the map and the sheer length of the country means there is no best or worst time to be in Vietnam, as the climate and seasons vary widely. While temperatures might drop to freezing in the mountains of Sapa in January or February, they could be hitting the mid-thirties in places like Saigon and Nha Trang.

Two monsoons swing through the country, from October to March in central and northern Vietnam and May to October in the south. These can bring the occasional typhoon, so do check local weather forecasts if you are planning to travel in these areas at this time. For a balanced diet throughout the country, try April and May or October.

Peak season is from November to March and July and August when things get pretty busy. Tet (Vietnamese New Year) falls at the same time as Chinese New Year in January or February and while it may be an experience, travelling is tough as bookings are solid in the build up to the holiday and some transport services are suspended during play.

Christmas is also an important holiday for the Vietnamese, as there is a large Catholic population, particularly in the south of the country.

The Big Five

Halong bay

Cruise the emerald waters of this magical, mystical place

where limestone peaks soar skyward from the sea, one of the

natural wonders of Southeast Asia.

Hanoi

Wander the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and step back

in time to the charm and chaos of a more authentic Asia.

Hoi an

Fall for the charms of this old world trading port of cobbled

streets, historic houses, cultured cafes, gifted tailors and

artisan galleries.

nha Trang

Soak up the sun on the sands of Vietnam’s leading beach

destination, home to some offshore islands and some of the

best diving in the country.

Sapa

Make for the majestic mountains of the north, the dramatic

landscapes providing a home to a colourful mosaic of hilltribes

and their unique culture.


Hanoi

The grand old dame of Indochina, Hanoi is a compelling city

where old Asia meets new Asia head on. Steeped in history,

pulsating with life, bubbling with commerce, buzzing with

motorbikes and rich in exotic scents, the Old Quarter is the

Asia you dreamed of from afar. A city of sweeping boulevards

and shady lakes, the ‘Paris of the Orient’ lives up to the

hype. While Vietnam slumbered, its buildings survived and

Hanoi is now one of the best preserved colonial-era cities in

Indochina. Overlaying the ancient rhythms of the old quarter

is a bohemian place for fusion cuisine, ambitious cocktails

and sophisticated shopping.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is nature at its most expressive, a dramatic

collection of rock sculptures hewn down the centuries, rising

from the South China Sea like stone sentinels. Undoubtedly

the leading attraction in north Vietnam, spending a night

onboard a junk is the perfect way to experience the magic

of Halong. Enjoy fresh seafood meals cooked onboard or

barbecued on the beach and take in the breathtaking scenery

that is simply unique. There are more than 3000 islands

scattered throughout the bay and exploring hidden caves and

grottoes by kayak is an adventure.

Sapa and the Northwest

Perched amid the towering mountains and plunging valleys of

the north, Sapa is the rooftop of Vietnam, set at 1600m under

the shadow of Fansipan, the country’s tallest mountain.

The trekking capital of Vietnam, this is the place to plan

an encounter with the friendly Hmong and Dzao people who

reside in traditional villages beyond. For an unforgettable

adventure, tour the north by jeep or motorbike to reveal

stunning scenery and curious villagers. Venture off the beaten

path to Dien Bien Phu, site of the famous 1954 battle at

which France was defeated as a colonial power in Indochina,

or Mai Chau, home to the friendly White Thai people. For the

ultimate adventure, journey into Ha Giang Province, one of

the most remote and beautiful areas in Vietnam.

Hue

Rich in culture and heritage, Hue was the capital of Vietnam

under the Nguyen Emperors. The Perfume River flows through

the city and attractions include the Citadel and Forbidden

Purple City, modelled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, and the

Thien Mu Pagoda, symbol of Hue. Further out of town are the

elegant tombs of the Nguyen Emperors who ruled over Hue in

its heyday. Not far from Hue lie some stunning beaches and

the remote and forested Bach Ma National Park.

Vietnam Destinations


Hoi An

A living museum, Hoi An oozes history

from the beams and cracks of its ancient

houses, which have been preserved

much as they must have looked in the

19th century. Emphatically the most

enchanting place on the Vietnamese

coast, it is also a gastronomic destination

for food lovers and those wanting to learn

more about the secrets of Vietnamese

cuisine and a shopping Mecca for those

looking for a new wardrobe.

Nha Trang

This is Vietnam’s number one beach

destination. As well as soaking up the

sun, this is the best place in the country

to take a boat trip to the offshore islands

around Nha Trang, complete with a fresh

seafood lunch eaten aboard.

Dalat

The premier destination in the Central

Highlands is Dalat, the city of eternal

spring, established as a hill station

under the French. The area around

Dalat is known for its lush forest, large

waterfalls and picturesque lakes.

Mui Ne

Arguably the best all-round beach in

Indochina, Mui Ne seductively unfurls

itself along the coast near Phan Thiet. It

is also the ‘Sahara’ of Vietnam, with the

most dramatic sand dunes in the region

looming large. Activities abound with

the seasonal winds when kite-surfers are

drawn to ride the waves.

Saigon

Saigon, also known as Ho Chi Minh City, is

the commercial dynamo driving Vietnam

into the 21st century, a vibrant city

bringing together Asia’s past, present

and future all in one. Some of the finest

buildings include the restored Opera

House and the Central Post Office. There

are several sites with a direct link to

the war including the Cu Chi Tunnels,

a testament to the tenacity of the

Vietnamese to survive against the odds.

Phu Quoc

Long touted as the ‘Phuket of Vietnam’,

it is a mystery that is yet to be discovered

by the masses. Teardrop shaped, fringed

by postcard-perfect tropical beaches

and cloaked in forbidding forests, this

will be one of Vietnam’s most desirable

destinations in the next decade. There

are plans to start hydrofoil services to

Kep and Sihanoukville in Cambodia,

which will really open up overland travel

in this corner of Indochina.

Mekong Delta

Blanketed in a patchwork of implausible

greens, the Mekong Delta region

glimmers like a precious stone. To the

Vietnamese, this is Song Cuu Long (River

of Nine Dragons), where the Mekong

splits into smaller tributaries breathing

life and vitality into the land. Explore

the colourful floating markets around

Can Tho where hundreds of boats jostle

for position or continue to Chau Doc

where it is possible to connect with the

Cambodian capital by speedboat.

Hoi An

See

The Japanese Covered Bridge

dates from the late 16th

century and is a landmark in

old Hoi An. Cross to explore

the artists’ quarter.

experience

Embark on a culinary journey

to discover the secrets of

Vietnamese cuisine. We

recommend the Red Bridge

Cooking School set on the

riverbank in the rice fields.

eat & drink

See flaming woks flying about

in the open kitichens of The

Mango Rooms. Sir Mick Jagger

famously found culinary

satisfaction here.

Shop

Reaching Out is a fair trade

handicraft shop assisting the

disabled community of Hoi An.

58 Cambodia I Laos I Vietnam


Vietnam has emerged as a leading holiday destination in

Southeast Asia. Long touted as the new Thailand, it is a

place to plan an adventurous holiday in comfort and style.

Our classic trips take in the highlights of Vietnam from

north to south, including the graceful capital of Hanoi and

the incredible karst islands of Halong Bay.

In Central Vietnam, we explore the ancient imperial

capital of Hue before travelling south down the coast to

the delightful town of Hoi An.

Beach enthusiasts can then choose between Nha Trang and

Mui Ne for their rest and relaxation before continuing to

Saigon, a base to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and dip a toe into

the Mekong Delta. Figuratively rather than literally.

Breaking it down into bite-sized chunks is another way to

approach a country as large and diverse as Vietnam. As

well as Hanoi and Halong Bay, Northern Vietnam includes

the popular hill station of Sapa, which can be reached by

luxury sleeper train. This is the rooftop of Vietnam, which

is a world away from the coastal lowlands.

Or venture further south into the emerald green patchwork

quilt that is the Mekong Delta. Cantho is an atmospheric

base to explore unique floating markets or continue on to

Chau Doc and Phnom Penh by speedboat.

Authentic Journeys

Our assortment of authentic journeys has been hand-picked

to take you deeper into Vietnam, away from the coastal

trail and into the heartland of the real Vietnam. These

can be longer journeys that take in the best of Vietnam

including the popular highlights or shorter journeys to

explore a remote region of the country.

The far north of Vietnam is remote and mountainous and

a journey through this region by 4WD or motorbike can be

a highlight of a visit to Vietnam. Try the northwest loop

which swings west through Mai Chau and Dien Bien Phu

before crossing the mighty Tram Ton Pass to arrive in Sapa.

Or venture northeast to explore a less-visited part of

Vietnam. The scenery around Cao Bang and Lang Son

is every bit as stunning as the northwest and the area

includes beautiful Ba Be National Park. Hardy adventurers

can continue into Ha Giang province, possibly the most

striking in all of Vietnam, home to diverse groups of Hmong

people. For motorbikers, this is heaven on earth.

Down in the deep south, the Mekong Delta offers some

rewarding lifestyle encounters away from the main

highways. Visit fruit orchards on isolated islands in the

river or venture off the coast to experience Vietnam’s up

and coming islands in the shape of Phu Quoc or Con Dao.

Vietnam Journeys

58 Cambodia I Laos I Vietnam

Original Adventures

The diverse landscape of Vietnam

offers the opportunity for some real

adventures on land or sea.

Trekking is a popular activity in the

far north of the country. Sapa is the

perfect base to explore surrounding

villages and valleys. Black Hmong,

Flower Hmong and Dzao villages

can all be seen on day treks around

this area or it is possible to combine

trekking and cycling to explore further

afield, including a rustic homestay to

learn more about minority culture.

Vietnam is one of the most popular

cycling destinations in Southeast Asia

thanks to the range of landscapes and

topography. Cycling in the far north is

for the experienced biker only, as the

gradients are steep and continuous.

Perhaps the most popular all-round

cycling destination in Vietnam is

the Mekong Delta. Pancake flat and

carpeted in a blaze of greens, the

backroads and canal paths around

here offer a great way to discover an

entirely different side to Vietnam.

Other popular adventures include

kayaking around the karst islands

and grottoes of Halong Bay and some

of the world’s best kite-surfing and

windsurfing off the coast of Mui Ne.

Unique Experiences

Hanuman offers a handpicked

collection of unique experiences in

Vietnam. Enjoy a helicopter ride over

Halong Bay, indulge in a nostalgic

city tour by vintage car, meet leading

artists and sculptors in the Vietnamese

scene, learn the art of Vietnamese

cuisine with a celebrity chef, visit

the Demilitarized Zone with a former

soldier and learn the art of travel

photography with a professional.

Hanuman has hosted celebrities and

crews from the world of television in

Vietnam for many years. We helped

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond

and James May travel the length of

Vietnam for the Top Gear special in

2008. One Vespa, one Minsk and one

Honda Cub survived the punishing

ride north only to be converted into

amphibious bikes for Halong Bay. We

are pretty confident this will be the

first and last time anyone tours Halong

Bay by motorbike and we were there

to make it happen.

Hanuman can host MICE groups for

special events in Vietnam. As part of

the Top Gear experience, we chartered

a luxury junk to explore Halong Bay

and can craft a unique team-building

trip to include meetings aboard the

private boat and kayaking in the bay.

Unique

ExperiencesHalong bay by Helicopter

One of the natural wonders

of the world, Halong Bay is

nature at its most expressive.

See the bay from another

angle with a helicopter flight.

City Tour by Vintage Car

Explore the bustling streets

of Hanoi or Saigon by vintage

car or on the back of a vintage

Vespa scooter.

Celebrity Chef

Experience a cookery

demonstration with one of

Vietnam’s finest chefs to learn

more about the delights of

Vietnamese cuisine.

Responsible TourismKoTo

Hanoi training restaurant

where Bill Clinton once ate

Craftlink

Fair trade shop assisting

ethnic minorities of the north

Cat Tien national park

Protected area that is home to

rare mammals


Sofitel Metropole Hanoi

L ocated in the heart of old Hanoi since 1901,

Sofitel Metropole Hanoi has a long history

of being a luxury place for prestigious events and

a popular place of rendez-vous for well-heeled

travellers passing through the region. With 364

rooms, this charming hotel blends warm Vietnamese

hospitality with European luxury heritage offering

legendary service.

www.sofitel.com

In Our ViewSimply the finest address in Hanoi for those who want the best in life. This historic hotel offers stunning rooms in the Old Wing, complete with plunge baths and flat screen TVs, yet retaining their traditional ambience. Rooms in the new wing are altogether more contemporary. Facilities include the renowned Beaulieu Restaurant for fine French dining and Le Spa du Metropole. Ooh la la indeed.

www.hanuman.travel

In Our ViewBringing the Venice experience to Hanoi, this hotel is built over the waters of Westlake. As a flagship Intercon Hotel, the levels of comfort are five-star and the amenities excellent, including a striking bar with expansive lakeviews. The only drawback is that it is a long way from the lively Old Quarter, but it is very convenient for the airport or for business travellers.

Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi

In Our ViewPart of Accor Hotel’s signature M Gallery collection, this is a contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of the French Quarter of Hanoi. Located close to the beautiful Hanoi Opera House, the hotel pays homage to the belle epoque era of old Indochine, but is fully fitted out with thoroughly modern touches such as flat-screen TV and wi-fi internet.

Intercontinental Westlake


T he Victoria Sapa is the only luxury hotel in

North-Western Vietnam. Built as a traditional

mountain chalet with accented wooden décor and

a welcoming stone hearth fireplace, the Victoria

overlooks the town, blending perfectly with the

natural surroundings. Experience something different

and unique in close harmony with nature.

www.victoriahotels.asia

In Our ViewWhen it comes to comfort and style, there is only one place to stay in Sapa. The Victoria offers the homely atmosphere of a mountain lodge, including a cosy bar with a roaring log fire. The 77 rooms are well-appointed with tasteful tribal decorations. On a clear day, the views are tremendous. Travel by the luxurious Victoria Express train on an overnight sleeper carriage for the ultimate Sapa experience.

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa

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In Our ViewOne of the first genuine ecolodges to open in Vietnam, Topas boasts a spectacular setting deep in the Sapa Valley. The individual bungalows wouldn’t look out of place in an African game park and come with local furnishings. Apart from the breathtaking views, the weather tends to be much clearer and warmer than in elevated Sapa.

Mai Chau Lodge

In Our ViewMai Chau is one of the most accessible adventure destinations in Vietnam where you can discover the culture of the White Thai. Mai Chau Lodge brings a new level of comfort to the area and opens up the region to a different type of traveller seeking adventure in style. Make this your first stop on an adventurous loop of the far northwest.

Topas Ecolodge


Vedana Lagoon

Pilgrimage Village

V edana Lagoon is nestled on the shore of a

peaceful and serene lagoon with stunning sea

views. The resort lies between two cultural cities

renowned as World Heritage Sites, the imperial

capital of Hue and historic Hoi An. Vedana Lagoon is

a new concept, embodying the philosophy of modern

art and sophisticated lifestyles, with just 27 villas.

www.vedanalagoon.com

In Our ViewVedana Lagoon is a unique resort inspired by the designer hotels of the Indian Ocean. Choose from Aqua Bungalows built on stilts over the South China Sea, some of which include a private pool, or a romantic honeymoon villa. There is even a houseboat available for those who really want to get away from it all. Facilities include stylish dining venues and Vedana Wellness.

P ilgrimage Village offers the harmony of a

soothing natural environment and local

culture. Delicious meals, sound sleep, and the

peaceful life of the countryside combine to refresh

your spirits and help to forget the troubles of life. It

is also a place where skilful artists create authentic

works that reflect the culture of Hue.

www.pilgrimagevillage.com

In Our ViewOffering the atmosphere of a chic country retreat, Pilgrimage Village is surprisingly close to the imperial city of Hue. Rooms are set in contemporary Vietnamese dwellings and include some luxurious pools suites for honeymooners. Wining and dining options include striking Junreh Restaurant and the trendy Slope Lounge.


T his stunning 101 villa resort is located on

pristine Hoi An Beach. Resort guests enjoy

impeccable service amid lush landscaping and

unobstructed views of the sea. The unique and

gracious culture of Central Vietnam combines with

The Nam Hai’s unprecedented splendor to deliver

one of the world’s foremost luxury experiences.

www.thenamhai.com

In Our ViewThe Nam Hai has become a destination in itself, synonymous with luxury, style and design. Villas are exceedingly contemporary and some include private plunge pools. Facilities include a superb infinity pool, a lovely spa and some tempting restaurants. For golfers, there is a Montgomery Links Course nearby. For families, there is a state-of-the-art kids club. Utterly indulgent and a memorable experience.

The Nam Hai

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S tep back in time. Indulge in comfort. Bask in

the serenity. La Résidence Hue Hôtel & Spa

is an enchanting boutique hotel on the banks of

the Perfume River overlooking the former Imperial

Citadel. Distinctive art-deco design reminiscent of

colonial Indochina. Discover a world where ancient

traditions mingle with sophisticated style.

www.la-residence-hue.com

In Our ViewA flagship hotel from the Accor group, this delightful property is up there with the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi for style, elegance and comfort. The art-deco architecture is stunning and the furnishings a creative blend of the contemporary and classic. Facilities include an indulgent spa and an inviting swimming pool. With its 122 rooms, it is one of the finest places to stay in the former Imperial capital.

La Résidence Hue


E vason Ana Mandara Nha Trang reflects the

image of an old Vietnamese village, with its

warm hospitality, rich culture and unique tastes. The

exclusive location of Evason Ana Mandara affords

city-centre access to Nha Trang’s only beachfront

resort. It is surrounded by private tropical gardens,

offering simplicity, serenity and refinement.

www.sixsenses.com

In Our ViewPart of the Six Senses family, the Evason Ana Mandara is Nha Trang’s finest resort hotel. The styling is influenced by Bali with 74 rooms set in spacious and sumptuous villas, all including an al-fresco bathtub and private balcony. There are two swimming pools, an award-winning Six Senses Spa and plenty of activities, including scuba diving. Enjoy the signature Street Market experience for hawker food in style.

Evason Ana Mandara Nha Trang

S ix Senses sits on dramatic Ninh Van Bay, with its

impressive rock formations, white sand beach

and towering mountains, all adding to the sense of

being luxuriously at one with nature. The exclusive

property also presents the reality of the destination,

with an architectural style reflecting the traditions

of Vietnam.

www.sixsenses.com

In Our ViewExpect a stay unlike any other. The 58 villas are designer rustic, with their own private plunge pool, a private wine cellar and a pillow menu. Bathrooms are impeccable, including a wooden tub and al-fresco rain shower. For honeymooners, there are several unique dining options, including beachside barbecues and Dining on the Rocks. Somewhere very special, it will be very hard to say goodbye.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay


F acing a century-old French light house, the

Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa is the first all-

villa luxury boutique resort in Vietnam. Designed by

award-winning architect Tan Hock Beng, the resort

style mixes modernist sensibility and post colonial

ambience. Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa is an

idyllic haven of calm and luxury.

www.princessannam.com

In Our ViewOne of the most spectacular resorts on the coast, Princess D’Annam was the first all-villa property to open in Vietnam. The design is both classic and contemporary, with European and Asian architectural elements and striking Vietnamese textiles and crafts throughout. The spa is a destination in itself and the resort takes its cuisine very seriously. Special indeed and well worth the coastal escape.

Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa

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T he spectacular Con Dao archipelago of islands

hosts the Six Senses Hideaway Con Dao along a

white sand beach surrounded by dramatic mountain

landscapes. The remote setting and preserved

natural landscape provides an extraordinary sense

of seclusion, creating an ideal place to escape and

relax close to the natural elements.

www.sixsenses.com

In Our ViewSix Senses are masters of subtlety and style and their latest development in the Con Dao Islands is the perfect blend of eco-friendly island retreat, modernist design and unabashed luxury. A different destination, done differently, we loved exploring these beautiful islands the Six Senses way. Relax in the Six Senses Spa or explore the dive sites near surrounding islands.

Six Senses Con Dao


In Our ViewPark Hyatt is one of the most luxurious hotels in Saigon. The 252 rooms are opulent yet elegantly furnished and include such big ticket luxuries as a 40” flat screen television. The swimming pool is a nice hideaway on a steamy day or for some serious steaming, visit the award-winning Xuan Spa. Recommended for those wanting some of the most comfortable beds in town.

In Our ViewArguably the most famous of the colonial-era hotels in Saigon, the 175-room Majestic has been fully restored and again offers some of the finest accommodation in the city. Romantics with an interest in the past should choose to stay here, although when it comes to pure comfort the Park Hyatt is ahead. Try the rooftop Cyclo Bar for views across the river.

In Our ViewSmall and intimate with just 44 rooms, this art-deco masterpiece provides the finest accommodation in Dalat. The interior is French colonial in feel, including classic telephones and heavy wooden furnishings. Le Rabelais Restaurant offers fine French dining or try a nightcap in Larry’s Bar, named after an American adventurer who visited Dalat.

In Our ViewForest Floor Lodge redefines the national park experience in Vietnam, offering an unrivalled level of comfort and atmosphere. The four luxury tents are right out of Africa. Spacious and elegant, they are set on wooden platforms with views across to Dao Tien Island and the resident gibbons. Other accommodation is available in reclaimed traditional Vietnamese houses.

Dalat Palace Forest Floor Lodge

Park Hyatt Saigon Majestic Hotel


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In Our ViewUndoubtedly the smartest hotel in the Mekong Delta, the architecture pays homage to the days of old Indochine. Rooms are finished in a polished wood trim and most have views onto the inviting pool and Hau River. The restaurant offers fine French and Vietnamese dining, plus the hotel can organize lots of interesting activities, such as a breakfast cruise above the Lady Hau boat.

In Our ViewA class apart in provincial Chau Doc, the Victoria has helped to open up overland travel between Vietnam and Cambodia thanks to the hotel’s riverboat service to Phnom Penh. The hotel has smart, spacious rooms with Gallic influences. The Bassac Restaurant is a real treat in a backwater like Chau Doc, as is the rooftop Victoria Spa.

Victoria Can Tho Hotel

In Our ViewThe architecture of La Veranda pays homage to the French time in Indochina. Tastefully finished throughout, the rooms include four poster beds and retro furnishings harking back to the art-deco period of the 1930s. The swimming pool offers an enticing alternative to the pretty beach. Do dine in some time, as the food is superb.

In Our ViewThe Chensea Resort seamlessly blends traditional Vietnamese architecture with modern international comfort. Rooms have a designer touch about them, including chic sofas and contemporary bathrooms. The villas take the luxury to a new level with the option of a personal Jacuzzi or a private pool. It’s nicely secluded yet close to Duong Dong if you want some action.

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel

La Veranda Resort & Spa Chensea Resort & Spa


Indo chinaINDOCHINA

Introducing Indochina

F or many visitors, a journey to Indochina is the start of a life-long love affair. It might be cruising through Mekong gorges on a wooden boat in Laos as the sun melts into the horizon. It could be the cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the streets abuzz with activity. It would be hard to bet against a dawn pilgrimage to Angkor Wat, the sun setting the dawn sky ablaze. The people are irrepressible, the experiences unforgettable and the stories impossible to recreate, but sometime during your journey, Indochina will enter your soul.

Indochina offers an excess of experiences for the first time visitor. Witness sunrise at the temples of Bagan, the glistening spires

emerging from the morning mist. Cruise the waters of Halong Bay amid 3000 towering karsts. Walk with a herd of elephants

through the jungle. Sit at a street stall and sample some authentic flavours. Meet some of the most hospitable people in the

world. There aren’t many places on earth with so much to offer.

Winding its way down from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, the Mekong River binds together the fates of Cambodia,

Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. One of the world’s great rivers, its dramatic journey southwards includes immense waterfalls in

Laos, freshwater dolphins in Cambodia and a patchwork of emerald greens in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

Indochina is a region on the move. The cities of Indochina are relative backwaters compared to Hong Kong or Singapore, the

temples are mercifully quiet compared with the grand cathedrals of Europe and the beaches look empty compared with the

Caribbean. But for how much longer? No more the preserve of reckless adventurers, now is the time to plan your trip.

When to goThere’s no easy answer to this one, as the region’s climate is so diverse. Sapa gets hit by winter frosts, while down in lowland Cambodia the thermometer hits 40°C in April.

However, for those who find the intense tropical heat uncomfortable, November to February offers bearable temperatures below 30°C. However, this is also the coldest time in northern Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, so factor this into your plans if your trip includes these regions.

The rainy season (usually June to October) need not put a dampener on your trip, as it only rains for a short time each day, the landscape is very lush and visitor numbers are much lower than during high season. However, typhoons could well dampen your spirits and they often blow across the east coast of Vietnam and west coast of Myanmar between August and October.

Prices in the region spike over Christmas and New Year, and again at Chinese New Year (Tet in Vietnam), which falls in late January or early February. The whole region is on the move at this time. Burmeses, Khmer and Lao New Year fall in the middle of April when popular pilgrimage sites such as Angkor and Bagan can be very crowded. Other big holidays include Pchum Ben in Cambodia, celebrated as an All Souls Day to pay respects to the dead.

The Big Five

angkor, Cambodia

Surely the eighth wonder of the world, temples don’t come

more iconic than this stunning blend of symmetry and

symbolism.

bagan, myanmar

One of the greatest concentrations of temples on earth, the

view across the Ayerawady Plain is one of the most memorable

in the region.

Halong bay, Vietnam

A natural wonder, where 3000 limestone peaks soar skywards

from the sea, spend a night at sea to appreciate the raw

beauty of the bay.

Hoi an, Vietnam

Travel back in time to this historic trading town, home to fine

dining and tailored threads.

Luang prabang, Laos

Lovely, languid and laid-back, this historic Mekong River town

is an absolute charmer, a gateway to culture and adventure

in equal measure.


Indochina Explorer

Most travellers want to experience the best of the region.

This classic takes in the dynamic capitals, the historic

vestiges, the natural wonders and the best beaches.

Indochina lends itself to the greatest hits school of travelling

thanks to convenient flight connections. Lose yourself

in Luang Prabang for a few days to recover from the long

flight. Wander the historic streets to soak up the spiritual

atmosphere and book a massage to ease weary limbs.

Fly northeast to the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi and stay

in the Old Quarter for the ultimate immersion experience.

Drive to Halong Bay, the most spectacular natural sight in

all of Indochina. Board a traditional junk for a night on the

bay. After a sundowner on the deck, be lulled to sleep by the

lapping waters.

Fly to Hue, cultural capital of central Vietnam, and explore

the citadel, once the nerve centre of imperial intrigue.

Make a boat trip to the symbolic Thien Mu pagoda, visit the

final resting place of Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc, and

enjoy their fabled imperial cuisine at a citadel restaurant.

Journey down the coast to the beguiling trading town of Hoi

An, preserved in a time-warp. It’s a shopping Mecca, offering

tailored clothes, striking lanterns and daring art, but also

considered the culinary capital of Vietnam with superb

restaurants.

Less is more on a classic tour, so skip the bustling cities of

Saigon and Phnom Penh and make straight for Siem Reap,

gateway to the legendary temples of Angkor. Don’t forget to

factor some adventures further afield, like Kbal Spean, the

River of a Thousand Lingas, plus some down time in Siem

Reap, one of the most up and coming cities in the region.

Mekong Journey

Meander down the ‘Mother River’ to soak up the atmosphere

of old Indochina. Lining the length of the Mekong are historic

cities, blissful backwaters and beautiful landscapes.

Go with the flow on this epic journey, exploring the roads (and

rivers) less travelled in an older, more authentic Asia. Leave

behind the Golden Triangle and travel down the Mekong River

to Pak Beng with the Luang Say Cruise. Continue to Luang

Prabang, the spiritual heart of Laos, with abundant temples

and stunning natural attractions.

Head south to Vientiane and visit the golden stupa of That

Luang and the surreal sculptures of Buddha Park. Fly south to

Pakse, gateway to Champasak province and island life on the

Mekong. Make a pilgrimage to the Khmer mountain temple

of Wat Phu and stay on Don Khong to experience life in the

slow lane.

Cross the border into Cambodia and continue to Kratie, a base

to view the extremely rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins

around Kampi. Cambodia’s capital beckons, Phnom Penh.

Experience devotion to the gods at the National Museum or

witness the destruction of the Khmer Rouge at Tuol Sleng

Prison, a sobering place to understand history.

Make a side-trip to the incredible temples of Angkor if you

have never been out this way, before continuing on to Chau

Doc by speedboat. Pass through the heart of the delta region,

stopping off to visit the floating markets of Can Tho.

Winding up in Saigon, learn more about the legacy of war

at the War Remnants Museum or by digging up the past at

the Cu Chi Tunnels. Contemplate some well earned rest on

the beautiful island of Phu Quoc or the destination of the

moment, the Con Dao Islands.

Indochina Journeys

Indochina Journeys

The Three Kingdoms

Indochina has witnessed the rise and fall

of mighty empires. The Khmer empire

dominated Southeast Asia from the 9th

to 13th centuries. The Burmese have

long been a formidable force in the

region. Encounter their legacy.

Our snapshot of Myanmar begins at the

shimmering spire of the Shwedagon Paya

in Yangon. We travel to the ancient

Burmese capital of Bagan, where

more than 4000 stupas await set amid

dramatic scenery.

The journey continues to Mandalay and

the surrounding ancient capitals which

can be explored at leisure. Our Burmese

experience is complete with a stay amid

the floating gardens of Inle Lake.

The journey continues to Cambodia and

Siem Reap, the perfect gateway to the

fabled temples of Angkor. We encounter

the ruined Ta Prohm and the famed

majesty of Angkor Wat in the first light of

the day, as well as the intricate carvings

of Banteay Srei and the mysterious faces

of the Bayon. We also include a lifestyle

visit to the floating villages of the Tonle

Sap.

The living, breathing museum that

is the World Heritage city of Luang

Prabang welcomes us, where we admire

the curves of Wat Xieng Thong, travel

upriver to discover the Buddhas of the

Pak Ou Caves and swim in the turquoise

waters of the Kuang Si Falls.

Opt to shuffle the order of countries and

it is possible to end in Cambodia with

a luxury beach stay or an adventurous

Temple Safari into Preah Vihear Province

or spend some more time exploring new

destinations in Myanmar.

Natural Highs Indochina is fast-emerging as an activity

centre for adrenaline seekers. Laos is a

leading ecotourism destination in the

region, with hiking, biking and kayaking,

while Vietnam offers kite-surfing and

rock climbing to liven the pulse.

Striking out from Chiang Rai, a useful

international gateway to northern Laos,

travel to the Gibbon Experience. Stay

in an incredible treehouse located in a

tropical forest and spend the day flying

through the jungle on a zip wire.

Continue the road journey

to Luang Namtha, a peaceful town

that is the gateway to mountain bike

adventures around Muang Sing, hiking

and homestays in the Nam Ha Protected

Area, and a mosaic of minority peoples.

Travel south to lovely Luang

Prabang. Do the sights, but don’t forget

the activities around town, including

biking on forest trails, kayaking and

rafting on local rivers, or learning the

art of the mahout for a day at one of the

elephant camps.

Leaving lovely Laos behind,

catch a flight to the elegant city of

Hanoi to recharge the batteries before

tackling the northwest loop through

the Tonkinese Alps. Stop in Mai Chau to

experience an overnight in the home of

a White Thai family before continuing to

Sapa, a regal old hill station set amid

towering peaks and swirling clouds.

Spend a few days hiking or biking the

valleys below to encounter the hardy

but friendly Hmong and Dzao people.

Catch a night train from Lao Cai

back to the capital and travel to Cat

Ba Island, an emerging base for eco-

adventures.

Overland LinksCambodia-Laos

Cross via the border between Champasak and Stung Treng for overland connections between Pakse and Phnom Penh.

Cambodia-Thailand

Lots of land borders here, but the south coast link between Koh Kong and Trat is popular, as is the mainline crossing at Poipet, linking Bangkok and the temples of Angkor.

Cambodia-Vietnam

Many routes are possible, but our favourites include the river border between Phnom Penh and Chau Doc and the crossing between Kep and Ha Tien for connections to the island of Phu Quoc.

Laos-Thailand

Handy gateways between Thailand and Indochina include the Mekong River border at Huay Say for connections to Luang Prabang and the southern border linking Pakse and Bangkok.

Laos-Vietnam

Northern borders link remote Vieng Xai with Mai Chau on the overland route to Hanoi. Savannakhet to Hue is possible via Lao Bao or go remote from Pakse to Kontum via Bo Y.


H anuman is pleased to bring you our favourite unique experiences in Indochina, the best of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Enjoy a dawn hot air balloon ride over the incredible temples of Bagan, try a nostalgic city tour by vintage car, meet leading artists and sculptors in the regional art scene, discover the secrets of local recipes with a celebrity chef and learn the art of travel photography with a professional.

Unique Experiences in Indochina

Scenic Flights

Take to the skies to see the region from a different view. Fly

to remote jungle temples in the far north of Cambodia or

discover the dramatic scale of Halong Bay from the air.

Wine and Dine in Memorable Places

Enjoy an exclusive private champagne dinner in a unique

location. Imagine dinner at one of Angkor’s ancient temples

or a romantic picnic on a deserted tropical island.

Meet the Movers and Shakers

Enjoy a private meal with one of the leading lights of the

Mekong region, from royal family members in Cambodia to

respected figures who live in Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The Art of Travel Photography

Learn the new photographic skills from a professional

photographer, including diverse destinations such as the

temples of Angkor, Luang Prabang and the Mekong Delta


Hidden Treasures of Indochina

Enjoy exclusive access to the leading museums and

conservation departments of the region with leading art

experts and archaeologists. Go behind the scenes to see

forgotten treasures not on display.

City Tour by Vintage Car or Motorcycle

Explore the streets of cities in the Mekong region by vintage

car. For the more adventurous, it is possible to experience a

city tour on the back of an old motorbike.

Living History in Selected Cities

Understand the complicated history of the war years in the

countries of the region with a history tour of the leading

cities. Experience an intimate tour of iconic locations in

Phnom Penh, Saigon and Vientiane.

Encounter Wildlife in Remote Places

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have an extensive

network of national parks. Sleep in a treehouse with the

Gibbon Experience in Laos, visit Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary near

Siem Reap or see rare langurs in Vietnam.

Cooking with a Celebrity Chef

Experience a cookery demonstration with one of the region’s

finest chefs to learn more about the delights of Burmese,

Cambodian, Laotian or Vietnamese cuisine.

Yoga Class in Unique Locations

Relax and unwind with your own private yoga session

somewhere to remember. Try one of the more remote and

secluded beaches of Vietnam or one of the lesser known

temples around Angkor.


Heritage Line Cruises

I nspired by the golden age cruise liner Normandie,

“The Jayavarman VII” is a boutique marvel

marrying avant-garde French colonial design with

enchanting Indochine architecture to perfection.

“The Jahan” brings a new level of exclusivity to

Mekong cruising. The boat bears a distinct and

extravagant British Indian theme, east meets west.

www.heritage-line.com

In Our ViewThe smartest family of boats operating on the Mekong, the Jayavarman VII and the Jahan are the perfect vessels to remain intimate while offering a host of creature comforts. The cabins are generously-proportioned and include impressive river views. The Apsara Spa is a luxurious touch to indulge yourself while onboard the cruise and barbecue dinners are served al fresco on the upper deck.

www.hanuman.travel

T reat yourself to something exceptional - a

memorable trip on the waterways of the

vast Mekong Delta. The Mekong Eyes is the perfect

holiday vessel to cruise the Mekong in style. Once

a traditional rice barge, it now offers beautifully

decorated cabins and a stylish lounge area. While

basking on the sun deck the staff will pamper you.

www.mekongeyes.com

In Our ViewNamed in honour of the eyes that fishermen in the Mekong Delta paint on their vessels, Mekong Eyes is one of the smartest boats operating in Southern Vietnam. The short cruises between Cai Be and Cantho are a great way to experience the Mekong without missing out on other places on your trip. Two-cabin boats called Gecko Eyes are available for romantic couples or honeymooners.

Mekong Eyes


C ruise the timeless and exotic stretches of the

Mekong River from the remote mountainous

stretches of northern Laos from Huay Say to the royal

city of Luang Prabang, visiting hill-tribe villages and

caves en route on this comfortable river barge. Spend

the night in the rustic Luang Say Lodge, beautifully

set on the banks of the Mekong River.

www.luangsay.com

In Our ViewThis is a little different from our other recommended cruises, as there is no accommodation on board, guests spending the night at the atmospheric Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng. The boat is spacious and the scenery spectacular, making this the perfect introduction or farewell to Laos. The excursions include a visit to the Pak Ou Caves near Luang Prabang and stops at remote minority villages along the way.

E mbrace the beauty and power of the Mekong

and the exotic mystique of ancient Khmer

ruins aboard this river-borne boutique hotel as you

cruise the magical landscapes of southern Laos. The

awe-inspiring ruins of the mountain temple of Vat

Phou and the magical 4000 islands of sleepy Si Phan

Don are just two of the jewels that await you.

www.vatphou.com

In Our ViewThis converted rice barge is a relaxed way to explore the sleepy waters of southern Laos. Accommodation includes comfortable ensuite cabins and spacious public areas, including a panoramic terrace to take in the stunning Mekong sunsets. The cruise includes the lesser visited Khmer temple of Uo Muong, as well as the most popular islands of Si Phan Don. Cruise the waters for three days and two nights.

The Vat Phou Cruises

The Luang Say Lodge & Cruise

Cru

ises


C ruising along the Irrawaddy River, The Road

To Mandalay accesses the unique sights,

scents and sounds of Burma in style and luxury. From

Mandalay this beautiful craft voyages south to Bagan.

There is no more pleasurable way to experience

Burma—to feel its pulse, meet its people, live its

legends and understand its history.

www.orient-express.com

In Our ViewThe Road to Mandalay is the most luxurious cruise boat plying the tranquil waters of the Irrawaddy River. Everything you would expect from a signature Orient Express product, the boat offers spacious cabins, with large windows for viewing river life, as well as a generous upper deck complete with a swimming pool. Routes include shorter cruises between Bagan and Mandalay, as well as a cruise north to Bhamo.

Road To Mandalay

Ayravata Cruises

E xperienced Asia travellers will be familiar with

the much loved Ayravata fleet operated by the

Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. The original RV Paukan

was a Scots-built paddle steamer refitted to a high

standard of comfort with deluxe staterooms. Whilst

we offer a real adventure experience, travellers are

cushioned with incredible comfort and fine dining.

www.ayravatacruises.com

In Our ViewThe first international riverboat to cruise the waters of the Irrawaddy, the Ayravata fleet includes the original Paukan 1947 and two replica boats including a brand new one for 2012. The range of itineraries include the highlights of Bagan to Mandalay and some longer itineraries exploring the remote north. Cabins are fitted to a smart international standard and the dining room is well-regarded for its regional cuisine.


T he Au Co is the first luxury cruise operator

specialising in offering a three-day two-night

voyage through Halong Bay. The Au Co ship represents

Vietnamese and Oriental culture at its best. Each

of her 32 spaciously-designed private cabins boasts

luxurious bathrooms and panoramic balconies. The Au

Co is for all travelers seeking a lifetime experience.

www.aucocruises.com

In Our ViewThe Au Co represents yet another new level of luxury and comfort on the turquoise waters of Halong Bay. Two-night cruises allow the visitors to explore deeper into the bay and discover places that the average cruise guest simply never sees, such as the hidden beaches of Lan Ha Bay near Cat Ba Island. And all this from the comfort and cultured surrounds of this stunning new boat complete with spacious, panoramic cabins.

Au Co Cruise

In Our ViewWe chartered this luxurious junk for the shooting of Top Gear in Vietnam, so it can boast of hosting the tallest man in British television, none other than Jeremy Clarkson. The royal motifs ensure it is one of the most impressive boats on the bay, with a large enough capacity to play host to bigger groups. The smaller Bhaya Legend boats are perfect for an exclusive experience to remember.

In Our ViewThese junks are perfect for a romantic escape on the bay. Intimate and stylish, this is the way to cruise without the crowds. Each cabin includes a large window for bay views and the al fresco dining on a covered deck is a popular feature. Take a three-day cruise and explore the fringes of Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong without the crowds. Each boat comes with fully working sails.

Indochina JunkBhaya Classic

Cru

ises

Important InformationPassport and Visa Information

It is important to ensure your passport

has at least six months validity

remaining before undertaking a trip

to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and

Vietnam. Tourist visas are available

on arrival in Cambodia and Laos for

most nationalities. However, they are

not generally available on arrival in

Vietnam.

Cambodia Visas

30-day tourist visas (US$20) and

business visas (US$25) are available

on arrival at all international airports

and land borders in Cambodia and one

passport-sized photo is required. It

is also possible to arrange an e-visa

in advance, which is a useful way to

avoid overcharging at the border when

crossing by land. Visit http://www.

mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/ for more details

on this service.

Laos Visas

Laos issues 30-day tourist visas on

arrival at all international airports and

land borders. For land borders, visas

are currently available at all border

crossings shared with Thailand and

Cambodia, but not at all land borders

shared with Vietnam. With sufficient

notice, Hanuman can arrange a Lao visa

to be issued in Vietnam or Cambodia

for onward travel into Laos. Visas

on arrival cost US$30 to US$47 in US

dollars, depending on nationality, plus

two passport-sized photographs.

Myanmar Visas

Tourist visas allow visitors to enter

and exit Myanmar via Yangon and

Mandalay international airports, plus

some land borders. One passport-sized

photograph is required to accompany

the visa application. Tourist visas are

valid for a single 30-day stay. Single-

entry tourist visas cost US$20. Visas

on arrival are available using certain

flights such as Siem Reap-Yangon.

Vietnam Visas

Tourist visas allow visitors to enter

and exit Vietnam at Hanoi, Saigon and

Danang airports or at any of its land

borders with Cambodia, China and

Laos. One passport-sized photograph

is required to accompany the visa

application. Tourist visas are valid

for a single 30-day stay. Single-entry

tourist visas cost from US$30 to US$60.

Hanuman can arrange a visa on arrival

through our offices in Vietnam.

Health Requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure

that you comply with all health

requirements, including vaccinations,

for all the countries in the Mekong

region. Hanuman recommends you visit

your doctor or a professional travel

clinic before you travel to Cambodia,

Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Healthcare services are fairly primitive

in many parts of Cambodia, Laos,

Myanmar and Vietnam. Major cities

do offer international-standard clinics

and hospitals, but if you are travelling

to more remote areas, then facilities

will be very basic. This is one of the

reasons it is so important to have a

comprehensive insurance policy in case

there is any need for serious medical

treatment while in the region.

Liability Insurance

Hanuman is one of the only Cambodian

destination management companies

to have liability insurance. How do we

know this to be true? Well, when we first

looked into arranging the policy a few

years ago, none of the Cambodia-based

insurance companies could provide this

type of insurance. So we sat down with

our insurance company Forte Insurance

and developed Cambodia’s first

liability cover for a Cambodian-owned,

Cambodian-operated travel company.

So travel to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

and Vietnam with peace of mind.

Baggage Allowance

Most international airlines operating

in and around the Mekong region offer

a standard luggage allowance of 20kg

but are usually flexible with bags that

are just a few kilos overweight. They

also permit one piece of hand luggage,

although many local travellers often

carry more. Should you be using one of

the regional budget airlines for any part

of your trip such as Air Asia or Jetstar,

then check the luggage allowance via

the relevant website, as more stringent

restrictions may apply. If your journey

includes a helicopter transfer or a

flight by light aircraft, there may be

additional baggage limitations.

IMPORTANT

it is your responsibility to

ensure that you hold valid

documentation, including

passport and relevant visas,

and have obtained the

necessary vaccinations for

Cambodia, Laos, myanmar and

Vietnam. Hanuman cannot

be held responsible for any

illness, delays or additional

costs resulting from a

failure to comply with these

requirements.

The Know Before You Go Campaign

Hanuman supports the Know Before You Go campaign run by the UK Foreign &

Commonwealth Office (FCO). This helps you to have a safe

and enjoyable holiday.

The campaign aims to:

Ensure all travellers have adequate travel insurance

Advise on practical preparations required before leaving

Provide FCO travel advice (www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo)


Important Information


12 St 310, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia T: +855 (0) 23 218396 | F: +855 (0) 23 218398 E: [email protected]

Hanuman Travel with a Personal Touch

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