Mekong cruise with Siem Reap & Ho Chi Minh

Depart London for Siem Reap.

Our guide will pick you up at Siem Reap International airport and transfer to your hotel for lunch before check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon we visit the most famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking with a massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. This temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. Take in the romantic view at sunset from Bakheng Hill. Overnight at hotel.

Following breakfast in your hotel, set out for a day of exploration amongst the various temples and ruins of the Angkor Empire. The morning we will cover the large complex surrounding the imposing Bayon Temple. After lunch at a local restaurant, we discover more secluded temples including the awe inspiring and overgrown Ta Prohm, made famous by the Tomb Raider movie.

In the evening we experience a true highlight of Cambodia and meet talented young performers in a breathtaking and original Cambodian show at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s Circus. Not just for entertainment, Phare is also a social enterprise supporting the youth of Cambodia gain skills and employment. Overnight at hotel.

Travel by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham for embarkation. Enjoy an sunset cruise on the Mekong and meet your crew for the next 7 nights.

In the morning we visit Angkor Ban and a local Cambodian school where the local library was built with the support of Pandaw and our guests. Guests are encouraged to bring books to donate to the library for children to read.

After luch, we study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers as we visit ‘Silk Island’. After learning about the silk process there will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.

In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way we stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the city. Rejoin your ship in Kampong Tralach for lunch abaord.

In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples.

In the evening cocktails are round a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and more of the delightful Khmer culture.

Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary.

In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.

Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.

We up anchor early in the morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Vietnam border for immigration formalities.

The ship sails to Chau Doc then. Evening lion dance takes place onboard.

In the morning, taking minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda. Then we go alongside at the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the floating fish farms by sampan. We make a stop at a Chham Village and observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims.

After onboard lunch, the ship sails to Con Phuoc for the shore excursion. We pass through a small canal and head ashore to Con Phuoc Island where we visit local craftspeople weaving bamboo baskets the traditional way. After a demonstration, we try our hand at making our own.

We then take a local tuk tuk for a drive through this peaceful village, stopping at a 100 year old church and meeting more of the friendly local community. Ship sails to Sa Dec for an overnight.

In the morning, we journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which we will explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. We will journey slowly through the bamboo covered canals before arriving at a village specialising in making local products.

During lunch onboard, we sail through the Cho Gao Canal toward Saigon. The Cho Gao Canal is a vital waterway link for the transportation of goods to and from the city which was constructed in 1876 by the French and offers a fascinating insight to life along the water.

In the evening we sail into central Saigon and enjoy the stunning skyline over dinner.

Disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel in in Saigon.

Free time to explore the city, we suggest heading to Nguyen Hue walking street of the evening to see the various artists, performers and local residents relaxing in true Vietnamese style.

In the morning, drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, about 65 Km (1.5 hours drive) from Saigon.

The complicated system of underground network was built by the Viet Cong guerillas. We return to the city for lunch at a local restaurant before taking in the sights of Saigon.

Visit the Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Former US Embassy, City Hall and War Museum of Remnants.

End the day with some shopping at Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in Saigon and symbol of the city turned tourist shopping hotspot.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward journey.