An exciting river and land adventure through the heart of Indochina: from Vietnam's bustling Saigon and picturesque Mekong Delta region, up river to the fascinating Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, before heading west via the mysterious & dramatic, jungle-clad temples of Angkor to Thailand's vibrant Bangkok.
Itinerary
Day 1 Departure from London.
Day 2 Morning arrival in Saigon, meet your tour leader and transfer to a downtown hotel. Afternoon to explore the area, browse the markets or just relax in a cafe and watch the non-stop spectacle of the city’s traffic!
Day 3 Day tour of some of the City’s sites including the bustling Chinatown district of Cholon, the War Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda and Saigon’s own Notre Dame Cathedral.
Day 4 Our four day exploration of the picturesque Mekong Delta begins with a journey south to Vinh Long with a stop-off at one of the area's unique and spectacular Cao Dai temples. Afternoon scenic boat cruise through the Delta's maze of waterways to discover the region's spectacular scenery, and the local cottage industries and handicraft manufacturing of the, still very traditional, villages. Overnight stay as guests of a friendly local family on one of the myriad islands.
Day 5 Morning stroll or cycle ride around the tranquil island before a visit to the traditional floating market of nearby Vinh Long Town. Continue on to Can Tho for lunch with the afternoon at leisure to explore the town or check-out the interesting Mekong Delta Museum.
Day 6 Visit another of the Delta’s bustling morning markets and a fascinating tour of the former Vietcong jungle base at Xe Quit before turning west to the small riverside town of Chau Doc near the Cambodian border.
Day 7 Day tour of the area including a visit to a floating village, bustling fish market and Cham ethnic minority village. Afternoon drive (cycles for the energetic), along the Cambodian border through lush paddy fields to the sacred Sam Mountain for sunset before returning to Chau Doc in the evening.
Day 8 Back on the Mekong for a morning departure by boat for Phnom Penh. Lunchtime arrival and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel. Time to relax and an afternoon walk taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and lively waterfront area.
Day 9 Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city; the infamous Killing Fields site and the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng, the Russian Market and finishing perhaps with sundowners at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club?
Day 10 Up country through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days and jumping off point for the nearby Angkor Temple complex. Stops on the way at the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), the rarely visited but well preserved 10th century temple of Kuhananokor and lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake. A dusk visit to the atmospheric ruins of Ta Prom completes our day.
Days 11 and 12 Angkor – an unforgettable two-day tour of this fabulous site – its vast jungle clad temples and mysterious stone carvings: a comprehensive tour of the major sites, plus some lesser known ones, including sunrise and sunset visits. (A detailed itinerary for our Angkor visit is available upon request.)
Day 13 Free morning in Siem Reap: explore the market, checkout the handicraft school or visit the unusual landmines museum before an afternoon trip to some of the remoter temple Angkor sites such as Banteay Samre and sunset at the little visited Bakong Temple.
Day 14 Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, passed the ‘flooded forest’ and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangker River and its floating fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Afternoon to check out the town’s French colonial architecture. (If water levels are low in March and April this journey will be overland.)
Day 15 Continue on through this little visited region of Cambodia via the hilltop temple of Phnom Sampeu to the Thai border at Pailin -, famed for its gemstones and as the Khmer Rouge’s last stronghold - and on to Bangkok for an evening departure for London.*
*Note: extensions in Bangkok or a wide range of Thai beach and island stays available.
Day 16 Morning arrival at London Heathrow airport.
Highlights: Saigon, Mekong Delta, Mekong River Trip, Ruined Cities of Angkor, Phnom Penh, scenic Cambodian countryside, Sangker River trip, Battambang, local food.
Accommodation: hotel & guesthouse.
Transport: minibus, boat, tuk-tuk, flight.
Fitness: easy – maximum hiking 3-4 hrs per day during the Angkor visit.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Meals: full board except for dinner on day 5 & lunch & dinner on day 13
* This tour is offered with or without flights from London. Persons not wishing to take up the flight offer should join the tour on day 2 in Saigon and finish in Bangkok on day 15.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Cambodia
Thailand
Vietnam
Cultural Journey
Ecotourism
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