The provided information might be useful for your preparation of trekking holidays.

Passports and Visas

A passport valid for six months and an entry visa are required when arriving in Cambodia. Visas are available on arrival at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You will need two passport sized photos to accompany your visa application. Visas are also available at border crossings on the Thai-Cambodian and Vietnamese-Cambodian border points. Travelers can also apply for visas in advance by contacting the nearest Cambodian embassy. Tourist visas can be extended through a travel agent or at the “Department for Foreigners” of the Ministry of Interior.

Insurance

It is essential that insurance is purchased. It must cover medical care and helicopter emergency evacuation.  This is an adventurous activity and some of our routes pass through remote areas. On arrival, hand copies of emergency contact numbers to the TITC Guide.  Insurance can be purchased through The Indochina Trekking Company- contact info@indotrek.com  for further information.

Vaccinations and Health

Before travel, please consult a local General Practitioner or Tropical Travel Specialist Agency for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.

First Aid

All TITC guides have received basic first aid training. It is strongly recommended that each client brings her/his own personal first aid supplies. The kit needs to include antiseptic wound wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage, antihistamine cream, blister plasters, oral rehydration sachets, water purifying tablets, and a handy penknife.

Weather

Vietnam: 

The climate is mainly hot and humid throughout, but there are a range of climate differences between the North and the South. The South is generally quite tropical, with warm temperatures throughout the year. Hanoi has a distinctly cooler season from November to February, and there is a pronounced wet season in the middle of the country in September and October. For biking, September, October November and March, April and May are the best times –not so hot and pretty dry!

Cambodia

Essentially Cambodia has four seasons; November – February, cool/dry; March – May, hot/dry; June – August, hot/wet; September – October, cool/wet. The months of December and January are usually considered the best for tourists with lower temperatures and reduced humidity levels. April is generally the hottest month. The monsoons during June – October usually follow a pattern of clear mornings with a period of rain in the afternoons.

Laos:

The rainy season in Laos lasts from May through to October with hot and humid weather in the 30s Celsius. The dry season begins in November with cool temperatures of 10-20 oC giving way to hot and dry weather from April through to May when the temperature can reach the high 30s Celsius.

Essential Trekking Gear

Lightweight walking boots; water bottle, eye protection; lightweight shirt and trousers; waterproof jacket; mosquito repellent; sunhat; shorts; sandals; sheet sleeping bag; strong sunscreen; torch; towel; fleece; small backpack for day use; biodegradable toiletries; swimming gear.

Safety

Safety is our most important consideration. Be aware that trekking can be dangerous and accidents can happen, you must be responsible for your own safety. Always notify the guide if you feel sick particularly at altitude.

Accommodation

Two person tents with sewn in ground sheets and mosquito nets are used on treks in the North West. Accommodation is mostly in local village homestays. Here the family may supply a simple mattress, mosquito net, pillow, sheet and blanket or in the case of more remote locations, bedding will be provided by TITC. The houses are usually on stilts with a bamboo wooden floor – surprisingly comfortable! The facilities are clean but very basic.

Transport, Support

On trek, all equipment and luggage will be carried by porters or by Russian jeep/motorbike. Please try to keep baggage to a minimum weight ( around 7kg). Often a cook will accompany the tour.

Depending on the nature of the trekking tour, there will be a private air-conditioned bus, minibus or Russian jeep that will transfer between destinations.

Responsible Traveller

We are continually assessing the Treks put together by TITC and our partners to try to make sure that they are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible.

We are committed to and have been affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Scheme ‘Green Globe 21’. We are working to develop operational and management practices in an environmentally sustainable way. Our intention is to deliver trekking tours that contributes to and enhances Cambodia’s unique cultural and natural environment.