Red, Mekong & Yangtze River Odyssey

Fly from a choice of UK airports on selected airlines, including Emirates via Dubai, from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester or Newcastle. Alternatively, fly with Singapore Airlines via Singapore from London Heathrow or Manchester.

Highlights: Welcome reception Welcome to vibrant Vietnam. Enjoy the day at leisure and settle into a two night Special at your hotel in Hanoi. Tonight meet your Scenic Tour Director at your welcome briefing and dinner.

Journey to Halong Bay and board the elegant Au Co for an awe-inspiring and genuine two night cruise through the picturesque waters of this spectacular World Heritage-listed icon.

Begin the day with a Tai Chi lesson. Cruising deeper into the National Park, try some kayaking, explore a cave and discover Cat Ba Island. Sundowners Exclusive to Scenic guests, savour some wine tasting on board against the backdrop of the karst islands at sunset.

Relax during your morning cruising before returning to Hanoi for another Special Stay and a historic bunker tour at the hotel. Tonight enjoy a Vespa foodie tour of Hanoi’s old quarter by night, or La Terrace at Sofitel. Alternatively, sample Ly Club.

Later, on your cyclo ride, discover the maze of back streets throughout the Old Quarter. Freechoice Visit the History Museum and Hoa Lo Prison, or partake in an authentic cooking class. Alternatively visit Ho Chi Minh Quarter and Mausoleum, including a visit to the Temple of Literature. Enrich After attending Hanoi’s famous water puppets show, learn the secrets behind this illusionary piece of theatre thanks to your special backstage pass.

After a morning at leisure, fly to Siem Reap for your three-night Special Stay located in the heart of Siem Reap.

Visit Ta Prohm temple before exploring at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. Later in the afternoon visit the colossal Angkor Wat. Enrich Take your Premium reserved seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare.

Enrich Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by a NGO supported local bakery school. Freechoice: Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or admire the skills on display at Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal), take a tuk tuk to the markets, or a tethered balloon ride (weather dependent) above Angkor Wat before visiting a Pouk Silk Farm and Preah Khan Temple. Enrich Be wowed by a Scenic exclusive magical gala dinner at an Angkor temple, with included drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candle lit temple ruins.

Discover Cambodia’s rural countryside on your drive to Kampong Cham where Scenic Spirit awaits.

Walk (or drive) to the top of Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery to meet the resident novice monks. Sail to Kampong Cham. Freechoice Learn about the history of the area with a visit to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and then Wat Nokor. Alternatively explore the ecotourism village of Cheung Kok or spend your time visiting a rubber plantation factory and betel nut village.

On arrival in Angkor Ban, explore its historical wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge, and visit the local pagoda to observe the lifestyle of resident monks. Later sail downstream to Koh Dach, an island dedicated to the art of silk weaving before continuing your cruise to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival revel in our exclusive Phnom Penh by City Lights tour, giving an insight into the capital’s nightlife. Enrich Receive a blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in a ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monks. Sundowners Enjoy a cocktail reception on the sundeck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh’s lights as the ship sails towards the capital at sunset.

Freechoice Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, or join a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration. Alternatively, explore by Tuk Tuk Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings and Central Market. Enrich Immerse yourself in the historically celebrated luxury of Raffles, Hotel Le Royal. Enjoy a guided history tour followed by a high tea prepared in front of you, all whilst sipping on the hotel’s signature cocktail. Choose to retire to the Elephant Bar for happy hour before returning to the ship.

Marvel at the Royal Palace, with the famous Silver Pagoda within, on your included visit to this must-see attraction. The afternoon is at your leisure to take advantage of the facilities of the most luxurious ship on the Mekong as you set sail for the border. Celebrate arriving in Vietnam with your themed evening dinner.

Whilst sailing to Sa Dec take the time to sip a cocktail by the pool or enjoy your private balcony. Freechoice Visit the farmers on Evergreen Island and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi or cruise by speedboat to Chau Doc and walk through the market, visit a family-operated fish farm and cruise around Chau Doc waterfront. Alternatively visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.

Visit historic town of Sa Dec and explore its lively market. Stop for tea at the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant. Freechoice Visit Cai Be before stopping at local cottage industries and a traditional house in the area. Alternatively savour afternoon tea at a French colonial house or choose to stay on board and learn to make cocktails.

Drive to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy an orientation tour around your hotel for the next two nights. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night, enjoy a meal in the surroundings of an old French colonial house or a restaurant specialising in street food. Alternatively, dine at your hotel’s restaurants – Yu Chu, Basilico or Market 39.

Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the underground labyrinth of war-time passageways. Visit the Reunification Palace and War Museum before attending tonight’s farewell dinner.

Fly to Beijing, China via Hong Kong for your next adventure. Settle into the luxurious hotel in Beijing, within walking distance of the Silk Markets, for a three night Special Stay. Your wonderful journey starts with a welcome feast of Peking Duck.

Visit China’s most iconic attraction, the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Freechoice Look forward to an unforgettable evening at either the famed Peking Opera or the spectacular Kung Fu Show.

Wander through Tiananmen Square and enter the Forbidden City. Later, enjoy lunch with a local family in a traditional home before a rickshaw ride through the ancient alleyways. Choose between contemporary Asian dining or modern Western epicurean cuisine.

Explore the beauty of the Summer Palace and cruise Kunming Lake before flying to Yichang to join your cruise ship, the Yangzi Explorer. Enjoy dinner on board with included wine and beer.

Visit the Three Gorges Dam project site. Later, sail through Xiling Gorge while sampling afternoon tea delights. Tonight enjoy the Captain’s reception.

Explore the dramatic gorges of Shennong Stream by longboat (sampan). Later, traverse Wu Gorge, known for its sheer rock walls, and Qutang Gorge, the most dramatic of the three gorges.

Take an excursion to Fuling and 816 Underground project. Tonight, enjoy the Taste of China gala dinner and dress in your finest Chinese outfit.

Disembark and visit Chongqing Zoo where you’ll get to see the rare and treasured giant panda before flying to Xi’an. Later, check into your hotel for a three night stay.

Enjoy a stroll around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Thanksgiving Temple. Enrich Gaze at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s amazing Terracotta Warriors in the company of a museum curator, an amazing opportunity to learn first-hand about the restoration process. Enrich Be treated to a special private after hours viewing of ancient artefacts at a local museum. Enjoy a refreshing drink and learn about the history of Shaanxi Province from the museum’s curator. Continue your refreshments overlooking the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at sunset.

Visit a local painter’s home in nearby Hu Xi’an County, famous for its rural peasant paintings, and learn about his art before you enjoy lunch with his family. Back in Xi’an, explore the ancient city wall on foot, by push bike or electric buggy. Tonight enjoy the wonderful Tang Dynasty Cultural Show with dinner.

This morning explore the Muslim Quarter, an integral part of daily life in Xi’an at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Later fly to Shanghai and experience the speed of the Maglev train from the airport before transferred to your luxurious hotel for a three night Special Stay.

Later, spend your free time exploring Nanjing Road’s shopping opportunities before enjoying your farewell dinner. Freechoice Wander through the Shanghai Museum and People’s Square before exploring the French Concession Region and Xintiandi entertainment area. Alternatively, visit Zhujiajiao, a town with a rich canal life and a wealth of traditional buildings and bridges.

It’s time to bid farewell and transfer to Shanghai Airport for your return flight home with your chosen airline. Alternatively, extend your journey with an inbound stopover in Dubai, Bangkok or Singapore.

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