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Saigon
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Round trip road transfer by private/shared vehicle
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Park visit, trekking and tree hugging
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Easy to moderate
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Park lodge/guesthouse with basic accommodation
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English, Vietnamese
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2-10 persons for best management and experience
Overview
Recommended for individuals with average physical fitness. Sleeping at the ranger station in Bau Sau Lake allows opportunities of sighting animals at night, though it should be noted that basic accommodation are provided, with no Wi-Fi, phone signal, or air conditioning.
Highlights
- Visit the Bear Rescue Center
- See Cat Tien's most iconic trees including the giant spung tree
- Trek through the jungle to Bau Sau Crocodile Lake
- Overnight at the ranger station in Bau Sau.
Itinerary
08:00 Depart from Saigon and drive toward Cat Tien (150km/3.5hrs). Cross the ferry to arrive at the park's headquarters.
12:00 Have lunch at the restaurant at the headquarters and get the room for a short break (regular check-in time is 2:00 PM, early check-in subject to vacancy).
14:00 Grab a bicycle and start the discovery. Take the Botanical Trail, visiting the Giant Thung Tree, the Giant Makha Tree, Heaven Waterfall, Da Co Sralao Forest (approximately 14km round trip cycling).
18:15 Set out the Night Safari Tour with a minitruck. Explore the night life of the forest, enjoying the spotting of wildlife with the guide's assistance. Return to the lodge to end the night tour. Have dinner and take time at leisure. Overnight at the headquarters' guesthouse.
07:00 Breakfast at the park's headquarters.
08:00 By car for a 12-km drive through the forest to visit a Ta Lai village of the indigeneous Ma inhabitants. Meet some Ma villagers and see the long house. Return to the park's center.
12:00 Lunch. Start the overnight excursion to Bau Sau. Pack lightly and just enough for the excursion. Big bags shall be left at the reception after room checkout.
13:30 Hop on the truck and drive from the park's center for 9 km distance on the main road to reach the trail head. Get off the truck and start the 5 km hike on jungle trail to Bau Sau Lake.
15:30 Arrives at the ranger station in Bau Sau. Meet the hosts. Take time to rest, relax and enjoy the lake view in the sunset and the tranquil ambience amidst the thick jungle. Optional boat ride on the lake is available with a fee (recommended).
18:30 Dinner and overnight in Bau Sau.
19:30 Dinner, free time for activities, overnight stay at Bau Sau.
06:00 Wake up and enjoy the fresh and cool air at Bau Sau in the early morning.
07:00 Breakfast at Bau Sau (instant noodle, or simple snack).
08:00 Bid farewell to the host rangers and set out on the 5 km trek back toward the main road.
10:00 At the main road board the truck. Take a detour to visit the Hundred-trunked Banyan.
12:00 Return to the Park's HQ, refresh and have lunch.
13:00 Take the ferry across the river. Hop on the minivan for the drive back to Saigon.
17:00 Arrive at the return point and end the journey.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- 2 breakfasts 3 lunches 2 dinners
- Accommodations with daily breakfast as mentioned
- Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles
- Local English-speaking guidesWater on coach
- Entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions
- Travel insurance
- Government taxes
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- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International in/out flights
- Vietnam Visa Stamp fee
- Early check-in and late check-out surcharges at accommodations
- Single supplement
- Peak season surcharges:
- From Dec. 20 to Jan. 15
- Christmas Eve surcharges: Dec. 24
- New Year Eve surcharges: Dec 31
- New Year surcharges: Jan 01
- Lunar New Year surcharges
- Public Holidays surcharges: Hung Kings Commemoration Day, International Labor Day, National Day, Reunification Day
- Weekend surcharges: Friday, Saturday (If required)
- Beverage
- Personal expenses,
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Other services not mentioned above.
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- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
