Classic Mekong River Cruise, Saigon to Angkor Wat in Style

A relaxed exploration of two fascinating countries from the luxury of 'the most splendid ship on the Mekong'.

This relaxed tour highlights the very best of Vietnam and Cambodia taking in cultural and natural wonders, historic sights and beautiful scenery whilst travelling in real style throughout.

Our journey starts with a tour of the evocative sights of Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city and an absorbing blend of ancient cultural traditions and modern economic dynamo. From there we begin our seven-night cruise along the Mekong River aboard either the luxurious RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw. On board we relax on the sundeck, in the spa or in our spacious cabins and we enjoy nightly entertainment and exceptional cuisine.

Each day we take excursions by boat, cyclo and on foot to reveal fascinating aspects of local life and culture. Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia we visit the ornate palaces and pagodas of Phnom Penh, witness the haunting remains of the Killing Fields, explore traditional villages and enjoy the beautiful river landscapes. Our cruise ends in Siem Reap where we tour the incomparable temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Please note, between mid February and the end of March there may be low water levels. Alternate itinerary and excursions will apply should we not be able to reach Kratie and the river dolphins.

1. Day 1 - Fly London to Saigon

   Fly London to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) by overnight flight.

   Overnight: In flight

2. Day 2 - Arrive Saigon (Ho Chi minh City). Group transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

   On arrival in Saigon you will be met and transferred to the Intercontinental Asiana Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax after your long flight and to adjust to the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, formerly the French colonial port of Saigon. Saigon is the capital of southern Vietnam and after Hanoi is the country's second city.
   

   Overnight: Intercontinental Asiana Hotel, Saigon

3. Day 3 - Full day sightseeing tour of Saigon including Cu Chi tunnels.

   Today after breakfast you wilI be taken to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, approximately 1½ hours drive from Saigon. The complicated underground network was built by the Viet Cong guerillas and used extensively during the Vietnam War. En route to the tunnels you may have the chance to see how rural people live and work, seeing occupations such as rice farming and the production of rice paper - a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
   
   In the afternoon you will have a tour of the city. It is easy to walk around the central district and to explore the broad leafy boulevards and splendid French colonial architecture - Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. You will also see the former US Embassy, City Hall, the Reunification Hall and War Museum of Remnants. You will end the day with a visit to Ben Thanh market, a busy market and one of Saigon's liveliest areas, selling everything from foodstuffs to souvenirs.

   You will then be taken back to your hotel. Saigon is a great place to dine with some excellent French and Vietnamese restaurants.

   Overnight: Intercontinental Asiana Hotel, Saigon

4. Day 4 - Transfer from your hotel to the port of My Tho to embark your cruise. Rest of the day at leisure.

   

   This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to My Tho port situated on the Mekong Delta, where you will be welcomed on board your cruise vessel, the RV Mekong Pandaw. Your Vietnamese guide will be ready to welcome you from 10am at the front of the hotel, where you can leave your luggage. Please then feel free to join the rest of your group in the Purple Jade Bar - 1st floor of the hotel. The coach will depart at 10.30am and will expect to arrive at My Tho Port around 12.30 noon.

   On arrival you will meet your crew and they will brief you about the ship and safety on board. You will then cast off for the start of your adventure on the river. Today you will get your first taste of life on the river with the lush green landscapes of the Mekong delta. You sail past paddy fields, orchards, sugar cane fields and villages of stilt houses as well as the varied traffic of the river such as elegant sampans and lumbering cargo boats. Arriving at Ben Tre your ship will anchor midstream, giving you a relaxing afternoon at leisure.

   This afternoon there may be the opportunity to enjoy a lecture about 'Vietnamese History' given by your guide. Before dinner, you may be able to see a traditional Vietnamese music performance. You will also have your daily briefing for the next day.

   Dinner will be served in the dining room located on the main deck. Should you wish, you can enjoy a movie in the cinema after your meal.

   Please note: Your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point in order for immigration formalities to be arranged.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

5. Day 5 - Morning excursion to Ben Tre village. Afternoon time at leisure on board with optional craft and cookery lessons.

   For early risers, coffee and tea is available, followed by breakfast in the dining room. After breakfast you will board a sampan and travel through mangroves and bamboo groves to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. Here you will find local artisans at work and they will welcome you into their homes for tea, served with fruit and honey products made from their own honey. This is an area rich in bird life and on your return journey you will travel by horse cart through the lush countryside.

   After lunch, the ship moors off Cho Lach Island and there will be the opportunity to try your hand at pot making or enjoy a cookery lesson in the art of making traditional Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepes).

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

6. Day 6 - Visit Gao Giong Bird Sanctuary and Con Phuoc Island.

   After breakfast, you will drive the short distance to the Gao Giong 'green oasis' with its famous bird sanctuary. The sanctuary has over 200 species of birds including a diverse selection of water fowl, ducks and egrets which gather in their tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or 'Plain of Reeds'. You will explore by rowing boat along canals to see the principal nesting areas.

   After returning to the boat you cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island. You will moor in a small canal off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by Xi Loi seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic church. You will also visit local woodworking artisans.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

7. Day 7 - Visit temple, villages and fish farm around Tan Chau. Afternoon border crossing with time at leisure on board.

   This morning you will cruise to the border crossing point with Cambodia. Before border formalities begin you will have time to explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau and to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes. You will then continue through several small villages, stopping to help locals tend their fields before visiting a fish farm where you can earn spiritual merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong.

   Back on board, the ship will be stationary for border formalities and during this time there is an optional tour of the working ship as well as fruit carving classes on deck.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

8. Day 8 - Morning city tour of Phnom Penh. Afternoon visit to the Killing Fields (optional).

   This morning you will travel by a cyclo to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda which has silver floor tiles totalling five tons of gleaming silver. After, you will visit the National Museum which houses the world's finest collection of classical Angkor period sculpture. Please note that you are required to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, no shorts are allowed in the Royal Palace.

   Later on today you will have the option to visit the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. You will be taken by coach which will take approximately 1 hour. The Toul Sleng Museum provided the base for the Khmer Rouge security force and prison and interrogation centre, S21. The building, formerly a primary school, together with the photographs of many of the victims displayed on the walls, now stand testament to the brutality and murderous actions of the Pol Pot regime. After the prisoners were interrogated here they were taken to Choeung Ek to be executed. Many of the country's intellectuals along with some Westerners were labelled 'enemies of the revolution' and killed in this complex. There now stands a stupa filled with human skulls as a memorial to the victims.

   Important note - if you wish to opt out of this afternoon excursion to the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum, then this is fine. Please let us know at the time of booking, if you wish to visit the Killing Fields.

   There is ample time to enjoy your stay in Phnom Penh as the ship will be moored in the city jetty and you are free to go ashore at any time while the ship is there. There are various markets that you can walk to, such as the central market or the night market. Please note the port gate closes around 11.00pm. You are sure to have a memorable day in the capital of Cambodia.

   Back on the ship this evening you may enjoy a traditional Cambodian / Khmer shadow puppet show or other entertainment.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

9. Day 9 - Visit Silk Island.

   Today's excursion takes you to Koh Okhna Tey, or 'silk island'. To reach the island you first sail to board the smaller expedition vessel, the Pandaw Explorer, which will take you along the narrower waterway of the Tonle River.

   On reaching Silk Island you will discover the fascinating intricacies of the entire silk making process from worms to weavers. You will also see a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. After, you will return to the ship enjoying the picturesque scenery of the Tonle River and observing the vibrant local life along the river banks.

   This evening there will be a lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.
   

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

10. Day 10 - Morning sunrise cruise to Wat Hanchey. Afternoon visit to Chiro village and Wat Nokor Bachey.

    Today will start with a sunrise cruise to Wat Hanchey, an important centre of worship during the Chenla period. It is located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong with some of the best river views in Cambodia. You will tour the 8th century structures some of which were destroyed by American bombing raids during the Vietnam War. Wat Hanchey is also noted for its bizarre fruit and animal statues.

    You will then cruise back downstream to Kampong Cham. After lunch, you travel by bus to the local OBT (non-government organisation) - Chiro Village, where the education of local children is high on the agenda. Pre-hospitality training courses, plastic recycling, bee keeping, farming and handicraft skill projects have all been set up to improve the skill set and prospects of local children.

    Finally today, you travel to Wat Nokor Bachey which dates back to the Jayarvaman VII period. Built completely from black sandstone it stands out from other temples built during this period. Many legends surround this complex, one being that it was built by a king who accidently killed his father then married his mother as per a Greek legend. This temple was built in penance for his crime.

    Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

11. Day 11 - Sail to Kampong Chang. Disembark and transfer to Siem Reap – approximately 5 hours. Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat.

    After a final early breakfast on board, you will arrive at Kampong Chang and say a fond farewell to your crew. You will then be transferred to the Victoria Angkor Resort in Siem Reap by a comfortable air-conditioned coach. Refreshments will be provided en route and you will stop along the way for a short break. You will arrive at Siem Reap around mid-afternoon. On arrival at your hotel you will be met and briefed by your guide who will look after you for the last part of your trip.

    After lunch at your hotel, you will visit Angkor Wat, the world famous temple of Cambodia. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. With its massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level, this temple is the centrepiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. Late afternoon is the best time for photography at Angkor Wat as the warm sunlight bathes the temples producing their familiar 'red glow' it is also the perfect time to take in the romantic view at sunset from Bakheng Hill.

    You will then return back to your hotel. There are many nearby restaurants serving Asian or Western cuisine.

    Overnight: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap

12. Day 12 - Full day sightseeing of Angkor Thom. Experience a cultural Cambodian show.

    Following a hearty breakfast in your hotel you will have a full day's sightseeing tour with an air conditioned car and English speaking guide. This morning you will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, as well as other significant temples and sites such as Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas.

    Your lunch will be served in a local restaurant where you can try the local Khmer curry. After your lunch break you will enjoy visits to Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings of Ta Prohm have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

    In the evening you will experience an entertaining and original Cambodian show featuring talented, young performers at Phare Ponleu Selpak's Circus.

    You will then be driven back to your hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

    Overnight: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap

13. Day 13 - Morning sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport. Overnight flight to London.

    After your breakfast you will check out from your hotel and will meet your guide at reception.

    There may be an opportunity to visit more temples, such as, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and East Meborn. Alternatively your guide may take you on a short city tour before you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
    

    Overnight: In flight

14. Day 14 - Arrive UK.

    Today you will arrive back to the UK.

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