25% off this fantastic 4 day river cruise aboard the lovely Toum Tiou, starting in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in southern Vietnam and ending at Phnom Penh, Capital of Cambodia.

Dates: 05 to 08 April 2012
Price: EUR 527 per person sharing a cabin

Book now with Symbiosis Custom Travel

Also, last few cabins remaining on the following dates:

Toum Tiou 1
Mar 28th – Apr 4th – Siem Reap to Saigon, 8 Days/7 Nights – 2 available cabins

Toum Tiou 2 
3 Days/2 Nights, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Jan 27th – 29th – 1 available cabin
Feb 2nd – 4th – 2 available cabins
Feb 23rd – 25th – 2 available cabins
Mar 15th – 17th – 6 available cabins
 
3 Days/2 Nights, Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Jan 30th – Feb 1st – 3 available cabins
Mar 12th – 14th – 1 available cabin

Huge 25% discount on a 4 day deluxe river cruise on the lower Mekong River from Saigon, Vietnam to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Boat: The Toum Tiou
Dates: 05 to 08 April 2012
Special offer: 25% off published price

Other dates with cabins still available aboard the Toum Tiou II (normal price)

3 day/2 night cruise from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (Angkor)
Jan 27th – 29th – 3 available cabins
Feb 2nd – 4th – 2 available cabins
Feb 23rd – 25th – 3 available cabins
Mar 15th – 17th – 4 available cabins
 
3 day/2 night cruise from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Jan 1st – 3rd, 2012 – 6 available cabins
Jan 30th – Feb 1st – 7 available cabins
Mar 12th – 14th – 4 available cabins

A wildly-coloured gecko, a fish that looks like a gherkin, and a monkey with an Elvis-like hairstyle are among the more than 200 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region last year.

The area’s diversity is so astonishing that a new species is found every two days, but regional cooperation and decision-making must take centre stage to preserve its richness, the group added.

Read the full story from Reuters.

Javan Rhino caught on trap camera in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam. Photo: WWF

Genetic analysis of 22 dung samples collected by a Cat Tien National Park – WWF survey team from 2009 – 2010 affirm that the samples all belonged to a rhinoceros that was found dead in the park in April 2010, shortly after the survey was completed. The findings, presented in a new WWF report, also point to poaching as the likely cause of the death, as the rhino was found with a bullet in its leg and had its horn removed.

The tragic discovery comes after a 2004 survey conducted by Queen’s University, Canada, that found at least two rhinos living in the park at the time.

Full story from the WWF here

AirAsia is to launch direct flights to Vietnam’s third largest city, Danang, from 16 December 2011. The airline will begin servicing the new route with four weekly flights departing from the LCC Terminal in Kuala Lumpur every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

To celebrate the launch, AirAsia is offering an all-in fare from RM69. Booking must be made before 12 October 2011 for travel between 16 December 2011 and 27 October 2012.

Danang is the entry point for visiting the ancient, World Heritage City of Hoi An, the white sand beach resorts of China Beach, and is only a couple of hours drive from the former capital of Hue.

Plan a holiday to Vietnam’s central coast – contact Symbiosis Custom Travel

Hotel surrenders “back yard” bear – Safe rescue for “Sonny”

On Tuesday 6 September, Animals Asia Vietnam Director, Tuan, External Affairs Officer, Dr The and Bear Worker Tuan from the Vietnam Moon Bear Rescue Centre travelled to the central highlands of Vietnam to rescue a lone sun bear.

This young male had been kept by a hotel/resort complex in Pleiku City in Gia Lai Province, for the past six to eight years. The hotel owners received the bear when he was just a cub and believe he may originally have been smuggled from Cambodia.

The hotel decided to give up the bear – now nicknamed “Sonny” – because they felt they could no longer look after him as they had been and they were not prepared to improve his living conditions. Sonny was being kept in a barren, rusting cage placed on a heap of rough ground with little shelter from the elements.

Quite a calm bear, Sonny appeared to be in good health at the time of rescue.

Full story from AnimalsAsia

Three new bat species, one resembling the Lord of the Underworld, have been discovered in the tropical forests of southern Indochina.

The tiny ‘demon,’ named Beelzebub’s tube-nosed bat, has been seen only in Vietnam.

Full story by Daniette Venton here.

Last chance to join a great 10 day mountain bike adventure, starting in Vietnam’s northern capital, Hanoi, passing through the spectacular, mountainous border region with China, and ending in Luang Prabang, the ancient World Heritage city in Northern Laos.

The ride starts in Hanoi on 05 June and culminates in Luang Prabang on 14 June. Guaranteed to depart, we still have room for a few more people to join.

Full details here.

Amazing half price offer on 2 end-of-season Mekong River cruises between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and Siem Reap, home to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex.

Dates
13 to 20 March: Saigon to Siem Reap on the Toum Tiou II
29 March to 5 April 2011: Siem Reap to Saigon on the Toum Tiou

Book now! Contact Symbiosis right away.

Vietnam has the highest number of endemic bird species on mainland South East Asia. There are currently twelve species of bird that are found only in Vietnam, though this figure is liable to change at any time as taxonomic changes are made and species are ‘split’. In addition to these twelve endemics there are many more near endemics, bird species restricted to Vietnam and a few neighbouring countries.

Click here for more info plus an array of superb birding itinerary suggestions for Vietnam. It doesn’t have to be just birding for birders – we can build an itinerary for you that includes cultural discovery, mountain biking, kayaking…. whatever your interest. Also in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand…

Contact me at Symbiosis Custom Travel.

Cruising the mystical Mekong River

4 days/3 nights on board the Toum Tiou, a charming, colonial style river vessel. Embark in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), Southern Vietnam, and finish in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

Dates: 6 to 9 April 2011.

Click here for more information and to book.

Phu Quoc Beaches

Thirteen new tourism projects have been licensed on Phu Quoc Island, the largest island in Vietnam, located in the Gulf of Siam facing the Cambodian coast, with a combined investment totalling approximately USD 154 million.

The projects include a luxury retreat with leisure, entertainment and business facilities, a high-end hotel and recreation complex, a resort complex with conference facilities, plus many more exciting developments.

To date, eight projects have become operational covering an area of more than 17.2 hectares.

We, at Symbiosis, suggest that you get there quick before this stunningly beautiful island goes the way of many of Thailand’s once beautiful places!

There will soon be a direct boat connection to Phu Quoc from Cambodia’s so-called “riviera” town of Kep.  But even without it, it is a lovely trip to make - and a great cycle ride, if you are up to it – from Phnom Penh down into the verdant, watery world of the Mekong Delta to catch the local boat to Phu Quoc. You can fly from there to Saigon.

Contact Symbiosis to start planning!

By THOMAS FULLER

Published in The New York Times: January 18, 2010

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA — Bullet by bullet, workers removed the detritus of Cambodia’s past. They pulled 300 land mines and 30,000 rounds of ammunition from the red dirt and then laid down a thick layer of asphalt. Today, what would pass for a very ordinary road in wealthier parts of the world is precious pavement for a country motoring toward prosperity and trying to leave its bloody past behind.

Read on…

This was the original route for Symbiosis Expedition Planning’s Bangkok to Saigon Cycle Challenge which first took place in 2000.  Each year we have to resurvey to find new trails that keep us away from the main roads which, even if they are not busy, are hot and dull to cycle.

This year’s Bangkok to Saigon Cycle Challenge will be the 10th and last – fortunately there are still a few routes that show you the rural beauty of Cambodia. Dates: 6-23 November 2010.

Cambodia is amazing for exploring on a mountain bike, whether you are an experienced biker or not.  This is mainly because it is still very underdeveloped with few black-top roads… extremely rural in a way that makes Thailand look like a shopping mall. And… flat!  But it is changing quickly as the country races to catch up with with its more affluent neighbours.

The Mekong River trail from the Laos border to Phnom Penh and then on down into Vietnam’s Mekong Delta area is perhaps one of my favourite routes – numerous simple villages, wonderful river views. sandy tracks and trails… Amazing!

Once you get into the Delta, navigation becomes a challenge as you search for bridges and ferry crossings to leap the latticework of waterways.  Again, narrow trails winding through rural villages (many still without electricity), rice paddies and fruit orchards, using monkey bridges and mini ferry boats to hop over canals. Brilliant!