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This trip is subject to special payment terms and cancellation penalties. A 25% deposit is required to secure your space, a second 25% deposit 6 months prior to departure, and final payment due 90 days prior to departure. The following cancellation penalties apply:
If full payment is not received 90 days prior to departure, Out Adventures reserves the right to cancel your booking based on the above cancellation terms.
CAMBODIA VISA: Visas can be organized either in advance or on arrival. Check with your embassy or consulate, and allow at least three weeks for processing. It’s also possible to obtain your Cambodian visa on arrival at the airport or border crossing for about $25 US (cost subject to change). There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.
VIETNAM VISA: E-visas for Vietnam must be arranged in advance and cost about $25 USD for single-entry (cost subject to change). Check with your embassy or consulate, and allow at least three weeks for processing. All visas are the traveller’s responsibility.
CULTURE SHOCK: When visiting Vietnam and Cambodia you’ll see both good and bad. Poverty is widespread, but the friendly locals make up for it. Since English speakers can be hard to find, arm yourself with a phrase book and a sense of humour!
LOCAL LGBTQ+ SCENE: Vietnam and Cambodia aren’t LGBTQ+ hotspots, but’s there’s an impressive amount of nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. From hole-in-the-wall drag bars, to cafes, to some of the best lady-boy cabarets we’ve seen, you certainly won’t be at a loss for things to do after a day of temple hopping.
WEATHER: March is among the best months to travel to this region but it can be quite hot. Rain is rare and the humidity is a bit less oppressive. Daily high temperatures can get up to about 35C/95F, but on the Mekong River the temperatures will stay around 31C/88F. At night it cools off to as low as 26C/79F.
REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Based on the entry requirements, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic. Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
ELECTRICITY: You will need an international travel plug/adapter for type A/C/G sockets. Visit http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/cambodia/ and http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/vietnam/ for more information.
CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. The ship has Wi-Fi when in Phnom Penh, in public areas (albeit slow). If you require connectivity, we recommend purchasing an international data plan or local SIM card (with an unlocked device). Even with a SIM card or roaming plan, coverage may be weak.
Out Adventures is all about good times with like-minded folks. Whether we’re sitting around a campfire or indulging in five-star decadence, our goal is to make the experience magical. We also support the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations whenever possible, and seeking out authentic local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
Built in Rangoon in 2002, the RV Mekong Pandaw was designed specifically for the Mekong. The MP – as she is affectionately known – is a spacious ship with wide promenades and a large dining hall. She is quite justifiably the most splendid ship on the Mekong and the envy of anything that floats by.
Most drinks and all meals are included on this trip except one lunch. From authentic food served on the ship, to the best restaurants in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh, you won’t head home hungry!
For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must include medical coverage of US$50,000 and emergency repatriation coverage of no less than US$200,000.
Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage.
All Out Adventures are led by an LGBTQ+ (or LGBTQ+-welcoming) Out Adventures guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture.
Out Adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.
Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.
If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.
We love when groups of friends join us on an Out Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:
If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.
Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.
Shinta Mani Resort
Junction of Oum Khun and 14th Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phone: +855 63 761 998
Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.
Mai House
1 Ngô Thời Nhiệm, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Phone: +84 28 7303 9000
Gratuities are included; however we do recommend tipping for any drinks that are not included, or any services that you purchase above and beyond your packaged tour. We do not recommend tipping guides and staff individually, so please provide any additional tips to your Out Adventures Group Leader, which will be added to the group’s gratuities.
CAMBODIA: The local currency is the Cambodian Riel, however USD is widely accepted. We recommend carrying local currency or small USD bills for small purchases, however credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels.
VIETNAM: The local currency is the Vietnam Dong, however USD is widely accepted in major centres. We recommend carrying local currency or small USD bills for small purchases, however credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels.
ON THE SHIP: Any additional costs (espresso, spa, laundry, premium liquor) may be paid in cash (USD) or on credit card while on the ship.
NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.
Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get heavier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.
Travel Documents
General Personal Items
Shoes
Bottoms
Tops
Jackets
Other
Health-related Items
All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.
Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.
1 – Relaxing
2 – Light
3 – Average
4 – Demanding
5 – Challenging
